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https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Razor-Burn | How to Treat Razor Burn | To treat razor burn, soak a soft towel in warm water and dab it on the affected area. Next, apply aloe vera gel to guard against infection and reduce swelling. Alternatively, cut up enough cucumber to cover the affected area, place the slices in the fridge for 10 minutes, then put them on the razor burn. Rub them over your skin, then remove them and wash away residue with cold water. To avoid further irritation, wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing and apply lavender essential oil. | Don't shave the affected area for a while. The most sure-fire way to overcome razor burn is to let the hair grow out. As you do this, keep the skin clean and exfoliated to prevent clogging the pores and further encouraging ingrown hairs. Put on some loose clothes made from natural fibers. Wearing loose clothes is key to preventing razor burn. If you already have razor burn, however, you can prevent it from getting worse by wearing loose-fitting clothes made from natural fiber, such as cotton. This will allow your skin to breathe and heal. Try a hot or cold compress. Soak a soft, clean towel in hot/cold water. Wring out the excess water, then press it gently against the affected area. Cold compresses are most suitable for the armpits, bikini area, neck, and legs. Hot compresses are better for arms and legs. Use a cotton ball or a cotton pad for smaller areas. Cold compresses are best used for soothing burning and stinging. Hot compresses are best for reducing swelling and bumps. Apply some aloe vera gel. Aloe vera helps reduce swelling and soothe irritations. It will also form a barrier on the skin that may protect it from infection and promote healing. If possible, try to use fresh aloe vera, straight from the leaf. If you can only get the store-bought kind, make sure that it does not contain dyes or fragrances. To obtain fresh aloe vera gel, do the following: Cut off an aloe vera leaf. Slice off the sharp, jagged edges on the leaf. Slice through the skin on the top of the leaf with a knife, lengthwise. Peel the two pieces of skin away from the rest of the leaf. Scoop the gel out with a spoon into a bowl. Take advantage of a cucumber's cooling properties. Get a cucumber and cut off enough slices to cover the affected area. Leave the slices in the fridge for up to 10 minutes, then place them over the razor burn. Gently rub them across your skin, then pull them away. Rinse off any residue with cool water. Apply some cooked oatmeal as a mask. Prepare a serving of plain, instant oatmeal following the directions on the packet. Allow it to cool, then apply it to the affected area. Leave it there for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. You can apply the mask twice daily for three days. Take advantage of honey for its antibacterial properties. One of the causes for razor burn is bacteria getting into your skin. Honey is naturally antibacterial and antiseptic. Apply a small amount to the affected area, wait 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Follow up with a splash of cool water. Use baking soda 2 to 3 times daily until the bumps disappear. Combine 1 cup (240 milliliters) of distilled or filtered water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture, then dab it onto your skin. Allow the mixture to dry, then rinse it off with cool water. Apply an astringent liquid. Simply soak a cotton ball in one of the liquids listed below, then dab it over the affected area. The liquid will help kill the bacteria causing the razor burn. Apple cider vinegar Chilled black or white tea 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil and 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water Witch hazel Try some soothing lavender essential oil. Mix 6 drops of lavender essential oil with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of oil (ie: almond, grapeseed, or olive). Gently massage the oil into the affected areas. Never use undiluted essential oil on skin. Apply lotion containing glycolic acid. In controlled studies, this has caused a 60% reduction in lesions and even allowed participants to continue shaving daily with minimal irritation. Look for a lotion or cream that contains 2% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid. You can use scrubs containing glycolic acid before shaving to prevent razor burn. If you've already developed razor burn, however, you may want to lay off of the scrubs for a while to give your skin time to heal. Try a product containing salicylic acid. Though it's more commonly thought of as an anti-acne treatment, it has also been shown to treat razor burn. Avoid using this product in sensitive areas, such as the armpits, bikini, or pubic areas, as it will cause a burning sensation. Consider using hydrocortisone. Applying a 1% hydrocortisone anti-itch cream to razor burn may help sooth irritations and itchiness. It can also help moisturize the razor burn as well. Use the cream twice daily, but avoid using it for more than several days, otherwise you might develop a rash. Try a paste made from crushed aspirins and water. Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties that may help treat razor burn. Crush 2 aspirins, then mix them with enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the razor burn. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Ask your dermatologist about laser treatment. If the razor burn is persistent and painful, you may want to take more stringent measures. Controlled studies have shown that laser treatments can significantly reduce razor bumps for months. Use sharp, clean, high-quality blades. Clean the blades after every shave, and change them out after every couple of shaves. How often you need to change the blades depends on the thickness of your hair, how much shaving you do, and the quality of the blade. In most cases, however, this will be 5 to 7 shaves. Use razors meant for the area you are shaving. Never shave your skin while it is dry. Always shave while your skin is wet. It would be even better to shave after taking a warm bath or shower; the warm water will have helped soften up the hairs, making them easier to shave. Always apply a moisturizing shaving cream before shaving. If you can't find any, use a shaving lotion or oil instead. Alternatively, you can apply a generous amount of coconut oil or olive oil instead. Leave the shaving cream on for at least 1 minute before shaving. This allows it to do its job. Use correct shaving techniques. Don't push the razor into your skin when you shave; the razor's weight should be enough pressure to take off the hair. In most cases, you'll want to shave with the hair, not against it. There are some exceptions, however: Armpits: shave in all directions: up, down, left, and right. Beards and mustaches: shave with the hair. Bikini: shave with the hair first, then against (gently) if needed. Legs: against the hair growth. Rinse the shaved area with cool water. This will help soothe any irritations. It will also help close up your pores and prevent dirt and bacteria from entering your skin. Lastly, it will help prevent ingrown hairs. All of this combined will reduce the chances of razor burn. Apply a lotion afterwards. A moisturizing aftershave gel would work the best. Alternatively, you can also use a regular lotion for your legs, and facial moisturizer for your face. The moisturizer may also help sooth any razor burn that you got. Avoid wearing tight clothing after shaving body hair. This includes the hair on your legs, armpits, and bikini area. It's best to give yourself a full, 24-hour break. Try something loose-fitting, preferably made from a natural material, such as cotton. If you must wear tight fitting clothes, wait at least 10 minutes, and avoid synthetic materials. | Don't shave the affected area for a while. Put on some loose clothes made from natural fibers. Try a hot or cold compress. Apply some aloe vera gel. Take advantage of a cucumber's cooling properties. Apply some cooked oatmeal as a mask. Take advantage of honey for its antibacterial properties. Use baking soda 2 to 3 times daily until the bumps disappear. Apply an astringent liquid. Try some soothing lavender essential oil. Apply lotion containing glycolic acid. Try a product containing salicylic acid. Consider using hydrocortisone. Try a paste made from crushed aspirins and water. Ask your dermatologist about laser treatment. Use sharp, clean, high-quality blades. Never shave your skin while it is dry. Always apply a moisturizing shaving cream before shaving. Use correct shaving techniques. Rinse the shaved area with cool water. Apply a lotion afterwards. Avoid wearing tight clothing after shaving body hair. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Not-Miss-Your-Partner-in-a-Long-Distance-Relationship | How to Not Miss Your Partner in a Long Distance Relationship | Long distance relationships can be tough, but you can avoid missing your partner too much by communicating regularly and staying busy. Schedule a phone call or video chat with your partner once a week or more. That way, you'll have dedicated time to connect with them. It might seem like ages before you'll get to see them again, but if you plan your next visit, you'll have something to look forward to. In the meantime, take the opportunity to hang out with your friends and family. If you find yourself missing your partner too much, make a scrapbook or playlist to remind you of your best memories. Then, send it to your partner or give it to them the next time you see them. | Prioritize communication. Making time to talk to each other every day is extremely important to maintaining a long-distance relationship. It helps you stay connected, be informed about what is happening in each other's lives, and miss each other less. Commit to calling each other once a day (or as frequently as schedules will permit). Agree on how many times a day/week you will talk to each other. Try to have a standing date to talk (for example, before bedtime). Let your partner know ahead of time if you will need to cancel for another reason. You could say, “Because we're not able seeing each other every day, let's try to talk as often as possible. Can we call each other every night before bed? It would be nice to hear your voice before I go to sleep.” Know each other’s schedules. Just as you would likely have an idea of what your partner was doing each day when you were living in the same place, inform each other of your daily schedules. It helps you stay connected and figure out when you can get in touch with each other. You could keep a copy of your partner's daily schedule in your phone or in your calendar. It's nice to think about what the other person is doing at that moment. It helps you feel connected to them. While you are eating your lunch, you could think, “Michael is probably driving to work right now.” Talk via webcam. Using a webcam is a great way of helping you feel better about the distance. Just seeing your loved one smiling and hearing their voice can make you feel better and more connected to them. Regular webcam calls can make the distance seem shorter. Many new computers/monitors come with webcams and microphones already installed. If you do not have either, they are fairly inexpensive to purchase, and well worth the investment if you have a long distance relationship! You can use your webcam in conjunction with a variety of programs, like Skype or social media applications (like Facebook ). You can also make video calls using your phone, using things like FaceTime or Google Hangouts. Email or text. Send little messages to your significant other throughout the day to let them know you are thinking about them. Let them know how your day is going. You could check in them by: Texting on the train on your way to work. (If your partner is abroad, consider using WhatsApp to cut down on text message costs.) Emailing at work about your day. Sharing news or a joke on a social media app. Send mail. Getting a letter or card in the mail can brighten someone's day. Whether you write a letter or clip out an article in your hometown paper you know your partner would appreciate, it's nice for your partner to receive a tangible reminder of your relationship when you're not there. Pick out a thoughtful card that reminds you of your partner or your relationship. Send a care package. They are fun to assemble and to receive! Plan your next visit. Having something to look forward to will help you be less frustrated about the distance. Talking about being together and planning what you want to do can help you feel like your relationship is going somewhere. Look at your calendars and determine when one of you can come visit. Research transportation options if necessary and find out how much a visit will cost. Remember it is best (for both your wallet and your peace of mind!) to book a trip well in advance. If you do not share a bank account, decide ahead of time how you will split the cost of the trip. If you do not share finances and are always the one traveling to see your partner, it may not be fair that you are paying for each flight on your own. You could say, “Maria, let's talk about budgeting for my next visit. Since I've paid for my last two flights, can you pay for this one?” Talk about the things that you will do with each other when you are reunited with your partner, in order to build excitement and anticipation. Surprise each other. Long distance relationships are a lot of work to maintain. Scheduling calls and visits can take a lot of the fun out of the relationship. So make attempts to surprise your partner as much as possible. Send a gift for no reason. When they call to thank you, you could say, “I heard the author of that book being interviewed on the radio. It sounds like something you'd really enjoy. It made me think of you.” Call unexpectedly, just to say you love them. If the budget allows, surprise them with an unexpected visit. Do some detective work ahead of time to ensure they're going to be free during the time you want to go. Display mementos. Have reminders of your relationship around your home. Even though your partner may be far away, putting up pictures or other little reminders of them may help you feel more connected to them. You can be reminded of your partner's importance in your life. Hang up pictures of the two of you together around your home or at work. Make a picture of the two of you the wallpaper on your phone. Exchange t-shirts. Having something of your partner's can reassure you and comfort you, especially if it's something like a t-shirt that they've worn and smells like them. Plan for the future. Talk about your goals for the relationship after your separation ends. While you may be in a long distance relationship for just a few months or for many years, it may help you and your partner feel confident about the relationship if you have some mutually agreed-upon goals. While it may not be possible in every circumstance, knowing an end date to your time apart can be helpful in planning your next steps and strengthening your relationship. It is good to have something concrete to look forward to when the separation obligations are over. Maybe you will be taking a next step in your relationship, like moving in together, or maybe you and your partner will be reunited and able to take a long vacation before resuming your day-to-day lives. Express your dreams about what you would like to have happen when you are reunited. Even if you never fulfill these plans, it can distract your mind from the distance between the both of you and make you think of your future together. You could say, “When you get home, I want to spend a day in the city, walking around and having lunch at our favorite Indian place. What do you want to do?” Encourage each other. One or both of you may get down about the pain of the separation. Be supportive and remind each other that the distance isn't forever. It might be a long way away, but the measure is only temporary, and you will eventually be together. Stay positive and loving toward each other. You could say, “I know how much we miss each other, but it makes me happy that we care about each other so much. Talking to you every day really helps me feel better about our separation.” Keep track of how many days you have until your separation is over. You could say, “just four more months until you're home for good!” or “We'll be seeing each other in two weeks, and then you've only got six months left of school!” Create something for your special someone. Getting creative and making something like a scrapbook or a photo collage can not only help you take your mind off things, it can also remind you of the good times you've both shared together. When your partner is feeling lonely, they can look at something that you have put the time and effort into and know how much they mean to you. You don't have to be crafty to make something for your partner. It is the thought that counts, and your partner will appreciate your efforts. You could make a mixed CD of songs that are meaningful to your relationship. If you like to bake, you could make cookies to send in the mail. Get support from your friends. Ask your friends to help you stay busy and avoid obsessing over your long-distance romance. Keep an active social life and fill your calendar with fun (and distracting) things to do. You could say to your friends, “Please let me know of anything you're up to while Mark is deployed. I need to keep busy!” Take the initiative and plan events for you and your friends. They don't have to be anything big. You could say, “Do you want to order pizza and watch a movie with me tomorrow night?” Have a plan if you’re lonely. You may realize that loneliness hits you at certain times--maybe when you are out with your married couple friends, or when you drive by places that hold happy memories with your partner. Come up with some ways to deal with your loneliness so you can be prepared when it strikes. You could call a friend and catch up with them. Text your partner and let them know you are thinking about them. You could say, “I was just walking by the park where we had a picnic over the summer. That was a lovely day. Thinking of you!” You could decide to exercise, clean your apartment, or read a book to take your mind off your loneliness. Stay engaged with your friends and family. Make plans with them and do things that interest you. Many people feel lonelier at night. If you happen to be one of them, consider creating a bedtime routine to help reduce anxiety and make you feel more peaceful. You could take a bath, read a book, and send a goodnight text before heading to bed. If the time zones are not too different, then you could even schedule a video chat with your partner to help reduce feelings of loneliness in the evening. Live your life. Don't put life on hold just because your partner isn't there for it. Your partner wouldn't want you to sit at home, pining for their return (if they do, you need to have a conversation about long distance relationship expectations). Time will move much faster if you are out and about instead of waiting by the computer to chat. Use the extra time you may have to better yourself. You could take up a new exercise program, take some classes, or learn a skill you've always wanted to have. Be sure to engage with family and friends who are local as well. Spend some extra time at school or at work, working to achieve some educational or professional goals. Pursue your own interests. Even though you miss your partner, there are no doubt things that you enjoy doing without them around. Take advantage of their absence to pursue your interests that your partner doesn't necessarily share. For example, you may be a big foodie, while your partner's idea of exotic cuisine is the Chinese buffet. You could spend your time apart trying new restaurants. You may love science fiction movies while your partner can't stand them. Catch up on all the movies you want to see that might otherwise require negotiation. | Prioritize communication. Know each other’s schedules. Talk via webcam. Email or text. Send mail. Plan your next visit. Surprise each other. Display mementos. Plan for the future. Encourage each other. Create something for your special someone. Get support from your friends. Have a plan if you’re lonely. Live your life. Pursue your own interests. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Sock-Doll | How to Make a Sock Doll | To make a sock doll, start by stuffing an ankle sock and stitching up the hem, which will be the body and head of your doll. Then, cut a second sock in half, stuff each half, and sew up the seams to make the legs. Repeat with a smaller section of a sock to make the arms for your doll. Next, sew the arms and legs to the body and sew a piece of thread around the base of the head to make the neck. Finally, decorate your doll with buttons for eyes, thread for hair, and any other embellishments you'd like to add. | Select three socks to make your doll. They can be any size, but keep in mind that any pattern or logo on them will also be on the doll, so solid colored, lightly worn socks are best for this project. Stuff an ankle sock and stitch up the hem. You could also use a regular sock and just cut off the top. The toe becomes the head, the heel becomes the rear end. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Doll3close.JPG\/460px-Doll3close.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Doll3close.JPG\/515px-Doll3close.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":463,"bigWidth":"515","bigHeight":"518","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Close body\n<\/p><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cut off the toe of the second sock and turn inside out. These will become the legs. Mark the vertical center line to designate legs (with slightly rounded "toes" as shown). Sew approximately a quarter inch from the center line on each side. Go up one side and down the other, rounding the toes. Leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) towards the top. Don't go all the way up. Turn this right side out, stuff and stitch the top closed. These are your doll's legs. Sew together the hems (closed openings) of the two socks. As you sew , make sure that the legs and the rear end are at natural angles. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/a\/a7\/Doll5legson.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Doll5legson.JPG\/346px-Doll5legson.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":745,"bigWidth":"346","bigHeight":"560","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>attached view\n<\/p><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cut off the heel and toe of a short sock. Turn inside out, draw the center line. Sew a quarter inch from the center line. Cut apart as shown. Turn the arms right side out, and then stuff and stitch them to the body. With a sturdy thread, sew 1/4 inch stitches around the neck and cinch them slightly to form the head. You can also tie a ribbon (the doll's scarf ) around to make the neck and give the doll a unique style. Use buttons, beads, googly eyes, yarn and markers to make the doll's face. Add yarn hair. Wrap 30 or so strands of yarn around something sturdy that is approximately a foot wide. Place a strip of felt under the yarn, perpendicular to the wrap direction. Hand baste the yarn strands to the felt strip. Turn the object over and cut the yarn in the center of the side opposite the basted felt strip. Machine sew the yarn strands to the felt strip. Trim the felt strip ends. Center the felt strip on the doll's head and sew it on. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Dollhair9_872.JPG\/460px-Dollhair9_872.JPG","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Dollhair9_872.JPG\/507px-Dollhair9_872.JPG","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":470,"bigWidth":"507","bigHeight":"518","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Leave the hair smooth or braid it, as you prefer. Embellish with embroidery if you wish. Clothe your doll if desired. This can be done by sewing something out of your fabric stash or purchasing appropriately sized doll clothes. Or, you could make the clothes so that they can be taken on and off easily. | Select three socks to make your doll. Stuff an ankle sock and stitch up the hem. Cut off the toe of the second sock and turn inside out. Mark the vertical center line to designate legs (with slightly rounded "toes" as shown). Sew approximately a quarter inch from the center line on each side. Turn this right side out, stuff and stitch the top closed. Sew together the hems (closed openings) of the two socks. Cut off the heel and toe of a short sock. Turn inside out, draw the center line. Sew a quarter inch from the center line. Cut apart as shown. Turn the arms right side out, and then stuff and stitch them to the body. With a sturdy thread, sew 1/4 inch stitches around the neck and cinch them slightly to form the head. Use buttons, beads, googly eyes, yarn and markers to make the doll's face. Add yarn hair. Place a strip of felt under the yarn, perpendicular to the wrap direction. Hand baste the yarn strands to the felt strip. Turn the object over and cut the yarn in the center of the side opposite the basted felt strip. Machine sew the yarn strands to the felt strip. Trim the felt strip ends. Center the felt strip on the doll's head and sew it on. Leave the hair smooth or braid it, as you prefer. Embellish with embroidery if you wish. Clothe your doll if desired. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-a-Broken-Lipstick | How to Repair a Broken Lipstick | To repair a broken lipstick, start by swiveling up the lipstick and removing the broken piece. Next, use a match or lighter to warm the broken ends of the lipstick. When the lipstick has melted slightly, gently connect the 2 pieces and use the end of a clean match to move the sides of the lipstick together. Finish by putting the lipstick in the fridge for 30 minutes so it hardens in one piece. | Prepare a clean work surface. Lay out paper towels on the work surface. Wear thin, disposable gloves to keep your hands clean and prevent anything sticking to the lipstick. Swivel up the lipstick as far as possible. Expose the broken end that is still set in the base. Remove the broken piece. If it hasn't already fallen off, pick it up with a gloved hand. Melt the broken ends of the lipstick. Using a match or lighter, carefully run the flame underneath the broken part of the lipstick to soften it. Slightly melt the end of the lipstick that's still in the tube. Take care not to burn the lipstick or melt the case. Connect the broken piece to the base. Press the broken piece gently to the base of the lipstick. Seal the edges. Use a toothpick or the end of a clean match to gently move the sides of the lipstick together and seal the stick as one piece. Put the lipstick in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Let it cool until it's completely solid. If it still feels soft, leave it in for a while longer so it doesn't break again. Prepare your work surface. Put paper towels on your work surface to catch any drips. Remove the lipstick. When it was melted, the lipstick probably pooled on the side and bottom of the tube, then hardened. Scoop it out of the tube with a small knife or paper clip. Be sure to get as much of it out as possible, so you don't waste any. Melt it to remove lumps. To make your new lipstick perfectly smooth, put it in a metal spoon and hold it over a candle flame until it melts. Pour it into your new container. Pour the liquid lipstick into a small, clean container. Lip balm jars are a good size and have lids that will close tightly, keeping your lipstick clean and contained. Empty pill containers will also work, but probably won't be secure enough to toss in your purse. Put it in the fridge for half an hour. It will cool and turn solid. Once hardened, your lipstick is ready to wear. Apply with a lip brush to keep your fingers clean and enjoy! | Prepare a clean work surface. Swivel up the lipstick as far as possible. Remove the broken piece. Melt the broken ends of the lipstick. Connect the broken piece to the base. Seal the edges. Put the lipstick in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Prepare your work surface. Remove the lipstick. Melt it to remove lumps. Pour it into your new container. Put it in the fridge for half an hour. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Shine-Shoes | How to Shine Shoes | To shine a pair of shoes, cover your work surface with newspaper or paper bags and remove the laces from your shoes. Wipe down the surface of the shoes with a horsehair brush or a dampened cloth to remove any dirt or debris, but make sure you let them dry completely before moving on. Apply your shoe polish with an old t-shirt or a polishing brush with a circular motion, and work the polish into every part of the shoe. Pay extra attention to the toe and heel, which often get the most wear. Remove the extra polish with a shoeshine brush and buff the shoes with a cloth. | Gather your shoe shining supplies. Properly shining your shoes will require certain supplies, which you can purchase altogether in a specialized shoe shining kit or you can piece together individually. The non-negotiable you will need include a tin of shoe polish, a horsehair shoe brush and a soft cloth. Tins of shoe polish are available in a variety of colors, from browns to blacks to neutrals. Try to get a polish that's as close to the original color as possible. Polishes are also available in both wax and cream varieties; cream polishes feed the leather and make it more supple, whereas wax polishes make the shoes more water resistant. If possible, get a tin of each and alternate between the two with every second polish. The soft cloth can be a specialized buffing cloth, such as a chamois or "shammy", or just an old t-shirt. Optional extras include a polishing brush (used to apply the polish), a toothbrush or some cotton buds, sole dressing and a leather cleaner and conditioner. Prepare your work space. It is important to prepare your work space so you can avoid getting shoe polish on any furniture or flooring. Shoe polish can be extremely difficult to remove, so you don't want it anywhere but on your shoes. Lay down some newspaper or old paper bags on the floor or work surface and grab a cushion or pull up a comfortable chair -- shoe shining can take some time. If you're planning on doing a very thorough job on your shoes, it is probably best to remove the laces before you polish. This way you can easily get at the tongue. Clean the shoes to remove any dirt. Before you begin polishing, rub down the surface of each shoe with your horsehair brush or a dampened cloth to remove any dirt, dust, salt or other debris. This is important, because if any debris is left on the surface of the shoes it might scratch the shoes as you polish. Leave the shoes to dry completely before moving on the next stage. If the shoes are very dirty or worn out looking, you may want to clean them more thoroughly using a leather cleaner and conditioner before polishing. Apply the shoe polish. Using an old t-shirt or polishing brush apply an even layer of polish to the surface of the first shoe. Use a circular motion to really work the polish into every part of the shoe. Pay extra attention to the toe and heel, which may need an extra layer of polish as these areas tend to get the most wear. If you are using an old t-shirt or cloth for this step, try to wrap the cloth tightly around your hand and use your index and middle finger to work the polish into the shoe. You may also want to shine the section of the sole between the heel and toe which doesn't touch the ground, as this may be visible as you walk. Use a toothbrush or cotton bud to work the polish into hard-to-reach areas, such as the edges of the upper and the crevices in the vamp. Once you have finished polishing the first shoe, set it aside on the newspaper and begin the same process with the second shoe. Allow each shoe to dry for about 15 minutes before moving onto the next step. Remove the excess polish with a shoeshine brush. Once the polish is dry, you can begin to remove the excess with your horsehair shoeshine brush. Brush the entire shoe vigorously, using short, even strokes. Remember that the movement should come from your wrist, not your elbow. This step is necessary to remove the extra polish, while the heat generated from the quick strokes helps the rest of the polish to sink in. While an old t-shirt or cloth can be used for most of the steps in the shoe shining process, a proper shine brush is necessary for this particular step, and cannot be replaced by anything else. Make sure to use a different brush for each color of polish. Otherwise you run the risk of adding the previous color to the current shoe. Especially when the previous polish is darker than the current. You may want to use a clean cotton bud or toothbrush or cotton bud again at this point to remove any extra polish from cracks and crevices. Buff the shoes with a cloth. The final step in the polishing and shining process is to take an old (clean) t-shirt or chamois cloth and buff the shoes until you achieve a high shine. Use a brisk side-to-side motion for buffing -- this may be easier to do using a shine butler or while actually wearing the shoe. Some people advise breathing onto the toe of the shoe (like you would do to fog a mirror) before buffing to add extra shine. If you like, you can also apply a sole dressing to the outside edges of the sole to give them a nice shine, but this is completely optional. Prep the shoes and apply the first layer of polish. The first steps involved in spit shining shoes are the same as above. First, you will need to clean the shoes with a damp cloth or horsehair brush to remove any dirt and debris. Then you will apply the first layer of polish using a cloth or polishing brush, using small circular motions to really work the polish into the leather. Allow the polish to dry for about 15 minutes before moving on to the next step. Dip a cloth or cotton ball into water. Spit shining involves using a damp cloth or cotton ball to apply successive layers of polish. If using a cloth, make sure to wrap it tightly around your hand, with the index and middle fingers covered by the material. Dip your cloth-covered fingers or a cotton ball into a dish of of water until wet but not dripping. The water is used to prevent the polish from sticking to the cloth and encourage it to stay on the shoes instead. Some people prefer to use rubbing alcohol instead of water. Buff the shoes. Pick up a shoe and begin buffing the first layer of dried polish using the damp cloth or cotton ball. Work slowly, using small circular motions to really work the polish into the shoe. Spit shining is all about finesse, not speed. Work from the toe to the heel, doing one side of the shoe at a time. Move onto the second shoe once the first has developed a nice even shine. Dip the cloth into water again and apply a second layer of polish. When you have finished buffing and the shoes are completely dry, dip the cloth or cotton ball into the water again and wring out until just damp. Use this dampened material to apply a second light layer of polish to the surface of the shoes, using the same thorough technique as before. After this second polish, you should begin to see a hazy shine developing on the surface of the shoe. Continue to apply additional light layers of polish to the shoes with a wet cloth, until you achieve the desired shine. The surface of the shoes should be perfectly smooth and even, with a glass-like shine. It is very important that you apply multiple light layers as opposed to just one or two thick layers -- this allows each successive layer to build on the previous one, giving spit shined shoes their mirror-like finish. If you like, you can use a chamois or an old t-shirt to give the shoes one final buff before wearing, though this may be unnecessary. Clean the shoes. Before fire shining your shoes, you will need to remove any dirt or debris using a damp cloth or horsehair brush. This will prevent the surface of the shoes from becoming scratched while polishing. Some people will also use a technique known as "stripping" before doing a fire shine, which basically involves removing any previous coatings of polish from the shoes. To strip your shoes: Apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol to each shoe and work it into the surfaces using a cotton cloth. You should notice previous layers of polish rubbing off onto the cloth. It may take some time to complete this process and get the surface of the shoes evenly stripped, but it will be worth it for shoes so shiny you'll be able to see your reflection in them! Ignite the shoe polish with a lighter. Now comes the fun part. Open your can of shoe polish (most regular brands of shoe polish will work fine) and hold it upside down, over a cigarette lighter. Turn on the lighter and allow the surface of the polish to catch fire. Quickly turn it right side up so none of the melting polish drips onto the floor. Allow the polish to burn for a couple of seconds, then extinguish the flame by blowing it out or carefully replacing the lid. When you reopen the tin, the surface of the polish should be melted and gooey. Be extremely careful when using this method of shoe shining. Fire is dangerous and can cause burns. It may be best to wear a glove while doing this, and have a bucket of water close by in case of emergencies. Apply the melted polish to the shoes with a dampened cloth. Wrap an old t-shirt around your hands and dip it into a cup of warm water until wet but not dripping. Dip this wet cloth into the melted polish and start applying it to the shoes, using small circular motions. Take your time and try to really work the polish into the shoes in a smooth, even layer. Don't forget to work the polish into any hard-to-reach cracks or crevices. If you need more polish, or if the cloth becomes too dry, dip it in the water and polish again. Continue to apply light layers of polish until the shoes begin to shine. Depending on the shoes, you may need to add multiple layers of polish to achieve the desired shine. Use the same technique each time, dipping the damp cloth into the melted polish and working it evenly into the shoes. Remember that it's better to use multiple light layers of polish than one or two thick ones. Make sure that you let each additional layer of polish dry completely before moving onto the next. Shoe shining requires a lot of patience. Heat the surface of the shoes with a lighter or hair dryer. This step is completely optional, but will really help to add shine to your shoes. Take your lighter (or hairdryer set to high heat) and run the flame over the entire surface of the shoe. The flame should never actually touch the shoe, but should be close enough to allow the polish to melt. Never hold the flame over one spot, or it will burn the leather. Keep it moving constantly, as if spray painting. Stop once the polish has melted slightly and the surface of the shoes look wet. Set the shoes aside for 15 to 20 minutes until the melted polish has dried. Apply a final layer of polish. You can now apply one final layer of polish, using the same technique as before. Your shoes should be extremely shiny by now, almost glass-like in appearance. If you want, you can use a chamois or any clean, lint-free cloth to give the shoes one last buff. | Gather your shoe shining supplies. Prepare your work space. Clean the shoes to remove any dirt. Apply the shoe polish. Remove the excess polish with a shoeshine brush. Buff the shoes with a cloth. Prep the shoes and apply the first layer of polish. Dip a cloth or cotton ball into water. Buff the shoes. Dip the cloth into water again and apply a second layer of polish. Continue to apply additional light layers of polish to the shoes with a wet cloth, until you achieve the desired shine. Clean the shoes. Ignite the shoe polish with a lighter. Apply the melted polish to the shoes with a dampened cloth. Continue to apply light layers of polish until the shoes begin to shine. Heat the surface of the shoes with a lighter or hair dryer. Apply a final layer of polish. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Medical-Marijuana-Oil | How to Make a Medical Marijuana Oil | To make your own medical marijuana oil, pour a high-proof alcohol like Everclear over your medical marijuana buds. Stir and mash the cannabis and solvent together for 2-3 minutes, then strain the mixture into another container. Repeat the soaking, mixing, and straining process, then pour the mixture into a double boiler. Bring the marijuana mixture to a boil, then allow the mixture to continue simmering for 15-25 minutes. | Select a workspace. When making your own medical marijuana oil, you need to work in a safe, open environment. The space should be well ventilated—open all available windows and or use fans to promote air flow. The space should also be equipped with a fire extinguisher—the alcohol you will be using as a solvent is extremely flammable, as is the oil itself. If you intend to use a stovetop, the space needs a gas or electric range. If you intend to use a rice cooker, the space needs electricity. Retrieve the materials. To produce cannabis oil, you need medical marijuana and a solvent. Procure 1 ounce of medical marijuana. If needed, you may substitute 2 to 3 ounces of medical marijuana trim. Purchase 1 gallon of high proof alcohol, such as Everclear, to use as a solvent. The high proof alcohol will burn off in the boiling process, leaving you with a very pure and potent medical marijuana oil. Do not use alcohol that is not intended for human consumption, such as rubbing alcohol. Gather your tools. Over the course of this process, you will need a variety of tools. These include: 1 medium sized glass or ceramic mixing bowl. Do not use a plastic mixing bowl. 1 large wooden spoon A straining device. You may choose from the following: muslin bag, grain steeping bag, clean pair of stockings, cheese cloth, chai tea filter, or coffee filter paired with a mesh strainer. 1 container to catch the liquid, such as a 2-quart mixing cup 1 silicon spatula 1 double boiler (for range) or rice cooker and candle warmer Plastic oral syringes Consider wearing protective gear. The process of making your own medical marijuana oil can be dangerous. Use caution and consider protecting your body with the following items: Safety paint or odor respirator mask Non-latex gloves. Oven mitts or hot pads Safety glasses Soak the medical cannabis buds in the solvent. Pour the medical marijuana buds into a medium sized glass or ceramic mixing bowl. Pour the high proof alcohol over the medical marijuana. Continue to pour the solvent until it rests 1 inch above the surface of the medical cannabis. Stir the mixture. Retrieve your wooden spoon. Mix and mash the solvent and medical cannabis together for 2 to 3 minutes. The constant stirring motion will aid the solvent in absorbing the THC from the medical marijuana. Strain the solvent-medical cannabis mixture into another container. Retrieve your straining device and second container. Place your straining device within your second container. Carefully pour the mixture through the strainer and let the dark green liquid fill the container. If you are use a bag or cloth, squeeze the contents of the cloth to get out all of the liquid. The liquid is a mixture of the alcohol and the extracted resin from the medical cannabis. Soak, mix, and strain the mixture a second time. The first wash will remove approximately 70% to 80% of the resin from the medical cannabis. This second wash will remove the rest of the THC. Empty the contents of your strainer into the medium sized mixing bowl. Pour the solvent over the cannabis so that it is fully submerged. Use the wooden spoon to mix and mash the alcohol-medical cannabis mixture for 2 to 3 minutes. Place your strainer over the second container, which already contains the dark green liquid from the first wash. Slowly pour the contents of the mixing bowl in your strainer. Allow all of the dark green liquid to run into the container. It is not necessary to do a third wash. Boil off the solvent in a double boiler. When it is time to boil off the alcohol, you have one of two options. The first is to use a double boiler and a range. This is a very safe method. Fill the bottom part of your double boiler with water. Pour the dark green liquid into the top pan. If you can not fit all of the liquid in the pan, gradually add it as the level drops. Turn the burner on high and wait for the liquid in the top pot to boil. Once the liquid in the top pot is bubbling (the alcohol is evaporating), turn off the burner immediately. The heat from the boiling water below will continue to burn off the alcohol. Allow the contents in the top pan to bubble for 15 to 25 minutes. Occasionally scrape the sides and bottom of the pan with your silicon spatula. If the contents stop bubbling, but still appear runny, turn on the burner to low. Once the contents resume bubbling, turn off the burner. When the contents become a thick dark green syrup, all of the alcohol has evaporated and all you are left with is the medical cannabis oil. The process is complete. Remove the top pan from the bottom pan and allow the medical marijuana oil to cool. As it cools, it will continue to thicken. Boil off the solvent in a rice cooker. If you do not have access to a stove top, you may substitute a rice cooker for a double boiler. Fill your rice cooker ¾ of the way full with your alcohol-oil mix. If you have more of the mixture, you can continue to add it to the rice cooker as the level drops. Turn the rice cooker on “High” or set it to the “White Rice” setting. Allow the solvent-oil mixture to boil down. When the solvent-oil mix is becomes a thick, dark green liquid, put on oven mitts, remove the pan from the rice cooker, and gently swirl the mixture. (When the amount of bubbles rising to the top decreases significantly, it is time to remove the mixture from the rice cooker). Pour the contents of the rice cooker into a glass or metal dish. Set the glass or metal dish on a candle warmer. Turn on the candle warmer and allow any remaining CO2 to evaporate from the mixture. When the contents are no longer bubbling, you may remove the glass or metal dish from the candle warmer. The lack of bubbles signifies that all of the alcohol has evaporated from the medical cannabis oil and the process is complete. Fill syringes with the medical marijuana oil. For ease of use, store the medical marijuana oil in a plastic syringe. Slowly draw the medical cannabis oil into the plastic syringe by pulling on the plunger. If you have more oil than syringes, you may store any excess oil in a glass air-tight container. Keep your syringes and containers in a cool, dark cabinet. | Select a workspace. Retrieve the materials. Gather your tools. Consider wearing protective gear. Soak the medical cannabis buds in the solvent. Stir the mixture. Strain the solvent-medical cannabis mixture into another container. Soak, mix, and strain the mixture a second time. Boil off the solvent in a double boiler. Boil off the solvent in a rice cooker. Fill syringes with the medical marijuana oil. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Chinese-Shar-Pei | How to Groom a Chinese Shar Pei | To groom a Chinese Shar-Pei, start by brushing its entire coat with a rubber-bristled brush every day. As you're brushing the fur, check your dog's skin for signs of infection or irritation, since many Shar-Peis have allergies that can cause skin problems. Next, gently wipe the dog's skin folds with a damp cloth, paying special attention to the deep folds around the face and muzzle. It's also ideal to brush a Shar-Pei's teeth two to three times a week to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. | Keep your Shar-Pei on a grooming table or the floor. When you're ready to begin brushing their coat, you want your dog to be in a secure area that will be easy to clean. Since brushing will remove some dead skin and hair, the area should be easy to clean, like a tile floor. Remove any accessories your dog has on, like a collar, so you can brush the entire coat. Brush their coat. The majority of Shar-Peis have a short and bristly coat where the individual hairs stick straight out. Their coats do not need to be trimmed, brushing is essential to remove dead hair. A rubber-bristled brush is gentle on their skin but will still remove dead hair effectively. Brush their entire coat in the direction that the hair grows. Check their skin for irritation. Shar-Peis are prone to skin irritation, which can lead to infections and more serious medical concerns. While you are grooming and brushing your dog, look for any signs of infection or irritation, like redness, swelling, sores, scabs, pimples, or blisters. Many Shar-Peis have allergies that aggravate their skin. Take note if your dog spends a lot of time scratching or intensely itching a certain area since this could indicate allergies. By examining their skin weekly, you'll be able to identify problems early on and bring them to the veterinarian. Wipe their skin folds. The wrinkles on the Sharp-Pei's coat should be cleaned and dried each day. Take a damp cloth and wipe the skin folds, examining each area for any growths, sores, redness, and irritation. After each fold has been wiped, use a soft, dry cloth to dry each area. The skin folds around the face and muzzle are the most likely to develop irritation, since these folds tend to be deeper and more prominent. Choose a hypoallergenic and gentle shampoo. Shar-Peis have very sensitive skin that can become easily irritated by harsh chemicals and fragrances. Look for a high quality pet shampoo that is hypoallergenic and good for sensitive skin. Avoid shampoos with strong fragrances, since these can irritate the skin. Hypoallergenic shampoos for dogs are easy to find online and in pet stores, but ask your veterinarian for recommendations if you are unsure of a good product to use. Place the dog in a bathtub. When you're ready to bathe your Shar-Pei, you'll want to put them in the bathtub. Use warm, but not hot, water to wet their coats. Avoid getting any water into their ears since this can lead to ear infections and irritation. Wash their fur. Using the hypoallergenic shampoo, wash the dog's entire coat. Be extra careful washing around their face, especially the eyes and ears, since these areas are prone to irritation. Put a small amount of shampoo into your hands and work it into a lather. Massage the shampoo into the fur, making sure you pay attention to any dirty areas, like their paws. Dry their fur. This is the more difficult part of the bathing process. You need to make sure that there is no residual moisture left over from the bath in the skin folds, otherwise a skin infection could occur. Most Shar-Peis lose the majority of their wrinkles as they get older, though different dogs have more wrinkles than others. You can use either a towel or a blow dryer to completely dry your dog's coat. Bathe your dog every three weeks. Shar-Peis are very clean dogs and have little odor, so you do not need to bathe them frequently. You can bathe them every three weeks, as long as they haven't gotten muddy or rolled around in something smelly. Too frequent bathing can lead to dryness, skin irritation, and can exacerbate a dog's allergies. Brush their teeth. Daily brushing is ideal, but brush their teeth at least two to three times a week to help prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. Take a toothpaste that is specifically made for dogs and a soft toothbrush. Gently brush your dog's teeth while you examine their mouth for any signs of disease, like tooth decay or sores. Trim their nails. Unless you regularly walk your Shar-Pei on pavement, their nails will need to be trimmed every month. A good way to tell that your dog needs their nails trimmed is to listen for any clicking when they walk on a hard surface, like tile. Trim their nails using a guillotine or scissor style nail clipper and cut a small portion of the nail. You want to avoid the quick, which is a vein that runs through the nail delivering its blood supply. It can be more difficult to locate the quick on black nails, so be very careful and only cut small pieces of nail at a time. Have styptic powder and cotton balls handy in case you cut the quick so you can stop the blood flow. Shar-Peis are also prone to toe infections that are caused when the short hairs on their paws become impacted. While you're clipping their nails, keep an eye out for any signs of irritation. Check their ears. Shar-Pei ears typically have small ears that sit at the top of their head. Folded ears tend to be more prone to ear infections, but you should check your dog's ears once a week as a part of your grooming routine. Look for any signs of redness or bad odor, which could indicate an infection. Each time you check their ears, wipe them with a cotton ball that has been dampened with a pH-balanced ear cleaner. Do not stick anything into their ear canal, like a cotton swab. Only clean the outer portions of the ear. Wipe their eyes. Shar-Peis have deep set eyes that often have folds of skin that hang over them. They are very prone to eye diseases and infections, since these flaps of skin can be breeding grounds for bacteria. Check your Shar-Pei's eyes at least once a week for any blisters, sores, pus, and redness. Use a pH-balanced and gentle cleaning solution on a soft cloth to wipe their eyes. Consult your veterinarian about products that are safe to use around your dog's eyes. | Keep your Shar-Pei on a grooming table or the floor. Brush their coat. Check their skin for irritation. Wipe their skin folds. Choose a hypoallergenic and gentle shampoo. Place the dog in a bathtub. Wash their fur. Dry their fur. Bathe your dog every three weeks. Brush their teeth. Trim their nails. Check their ears. Wipe their eyes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Being-Boy-Shy | How to Stop Being Boy Shy | If you want to stop being boy shy, know that it's normal to have some awkward conversations with guys at first. You may not always say the right thing, and that's okay! You can ease into talking with a guy by chatting with him online. During your conversation, ask questions related to your shared interests or classes so you can give yourself time to calm your nerves when he's answering. For example, you can ask, “How did you do on that math test?” or “Did you see that new comic book movie?” If you're having trouble talking to him one on one, try talking to him in a group with your friends so you have support and other people can fill any potential silence. | Keep it simple. Don't worry about saying the best thing. Just say, “Hi,” or if a guy is wearing a nice shirt, compliment him by saying, “I like your shirt.” Ask how his weekend went by saying, “Did you do anything fun this weekend?” Whatever you say, say it with a smile and try to stay calm. You can talk about a class you share. Try saying something like, "How'd you do on the test in math?" If you notice they have a phone case or t-shirt or talk about your favorite band, say, "I really like them too. Did you know they're coming to town next week?" Break the ice online. Reach out first through social media like Facebook or Twitter. Chatting online can be much easier than in real life, because you can think of what you want to say before you say it without awkward silences. This lets you get to know him better, so it's easier to talk in person later on. If you're messaging a guy for the first time online, say hi and remind them how they know you. Say something like, "Hi, we have math class together. Have you studied for the test yet?" You can also bring up a common interest by saying something like, "Did I see you at the new comic book movie this weekend?" If you're having a get together or party, inviting the guy online is a great first move. Say something like, "Hey, I'm having people over this weekend for a back to school party, and it would be great if you could come." Ask questions. This is a great way to be more outgoing with guys without having to say a lot. When you ask questions, people feel you're interested in them and they may be more willing to talk. You can say something as simple as, “How did you like the book we read in English?” This will start a conversation, and you can listen quietly, which may help to calm your nerves. Don't ask random questions. Going up to someone and saying, “What's your favorite color?” is not likely to get much of a response. Instead, ask questions about a class or shared interest, so it makes sense for you to ask and for him to answer. Listen when they respond. It's easier to come up with additional questions or insightful responses, if you're actually paying attention to what they say to you. Plus, no one likes to feel ignored, especially by someone who asked him a question to begin with. Talk to guys in your group of friends. This is generally a less awkward situation because if you feel shy or can't think of anything else to say, there are other people there to fill the silence. Having your friends there for support will also make you feel sure of yourself, so it's easier to talk openly. Join a co-ed club. This is a great way to meet people and in most cases, there's a built-in topic of conversation. Sometimes there's even a specific agenda of subjects that have to be covered. Talking to a guy who you know shares at least one interest, may be easier than just approaching guys if you feel shy around them. If it's your first meeting with the club, say something like, "I just joined this club. How long have you been involved?" You can ask a guy something like, "What go you interested in French club?" If you have an upcoming even with the club, you can ask, "Are you going to the service project this weekend?" Avoid negative thinking. Don't beat yourself up if you think you messed up or said the wrong thing. This will only make you continue to feel shy and lack confidence the next time you try to engage with guys. Instead of thinking things like, “That was stupid,” or “I'm terrible at this,” think of how to do better next time. If you find yourself rehashing the scene over and over, get out of your own head by talking to friends, reading a good book, or doing something else that makes you feel good. Instead of thinking negatively, remind yourself, "It's okay to say the wrong thing," or "I don't need to impress anyone." When you're thinking of how to do better next time, practice what to say in the mirror, or role play with friends. Allow yourself to be imperfect. The guy you are talking to may be just as shy as you are. Part of building confidence is learning to understand that it's okay to not know everything, to not always say the right thing. Doing or saying the wrong thing is a great learning experience. Most people learn more from the things they get wrong than those they get right. Look at “failure” when talking to guys as a chance to learn how to do better next time. Remember, it's okay to say or do the wrong thing. If you accidentally offend a guy you're talking to, say something like, “I'm so sorry. I get nervous and say the wrong thing sometimes.” Most people will completely understand this. You might have heard the saying, “If you fall off the horse, you should get right back on.” This is very apt, when it comes to building confidence. If you say the wrong thing and the guy doesn't want to talk to you, that's okay. Try again some other time. Emphasize your strengths. Talk to guys who may need your help. If you notice a guy who's struggling in math class, offer to help him with his homework. Talking about something you excel at makes you feel more confident, and it takes some of the pressure and stress out of situations where you may feel shy. Talk to new people often. Repetition is one of the best ways to develop a skill. The more you do it, the easier it is, so one of the best ways to feel less shy is to just keep talking to guys. You'll soon discover that, even if the guy doesn't like you or doesn't want to talk to you, you're still just fine and there are other guys to chat with. Set confidence-building goals for yourself. It can be as simple as, “I will talk to one new guy this week” or "I will talk to at least one guy at the party this weekend." If you feel like your shyness is really impacting your personal, educational, or professional goals, you may want to set a more aggressive goal for overcoming your shyness. Consider something like, “I will talk to one or more guys for five minutes every day this week.” Build up this goal from there, until it feels natural to engage in conversations with guys. Get help from your friends. Ask a friend who seems confident around guys for advice. You can also watch how they interact with guys. Then, try to mimic some of their more confident behaviors. Listen to how they talk, watch their body language, and try to act more like them, until you find your own way to show confidence. Ask your friends to introduce you to guys they know. This will make getting to know them easier because you have a mutual friend and there's someone else there to talk with. Ask you friends to be your “wingmen.” If you're talking to a guy and you're getting nervous, have a friend close by who can step in and help. Have your friends role-play possible conversations with you. It may seem silly, but practicing a conversation can help you feel better about the real thing. Ask family for help. You may not want to go straight to a parent or guardian, but if you have an older sibling or cousin who is close to your age, they may be able to help you feel better about the situation, offer pointers, or just share stories of times they were shy. Even if you think your parents won't help the situation, you'll be surprised how much great advice they can give. Ask your family member, "I'm having trouble talking to guys. I always feel shy or like I'll say the wrong thing. What can I do?" You can ask something like, "Did you ever have issues talking to guys?" Take a class. There are a variety of organizations like Toastmasters that teach people how to be more confident, and give you the opportunity to practice these skills and get feedback. You can also consider taking public speaking, theatre, or other classes that push you to talk to large groups of people. This can often make it easier to speak confidently one-on-one with guys who make you feel shy. Consider getting counseling. If you're unable to overcome your shyness on your own, it's okay to ask a professional for help. Counselors, therapists, and psychologists have years of education, training, and experience, and their job is to help people lead happy, healthy lives. Shyness can be a sign of a bigger health concern like social anxiety, and counseling is a great way to overcome this. If you're in school, start by speaking with your guidance counselor. They are a great resource to help you find someone to talk to. You can also search for local counselors online or ask your physician for a recommendation of counselors in your area. | Keep it simple. Break the ice online. Ask questions. Talk to guys in your group of friends. Join a co-ed club. Avoid negative thinking. Allow yourself to be imperfect. Emphasize your strengths. Talk to new people often. Set confidence-building goals for yourself. Get help from your friends. Ask family for help. Take a class. Consider getting counseling. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Climb-Mount-Everest | How to Climb Mount Everest | To climb Mount Everest, you'll need to be familiar with technical climbing skills, so consider taking outdoor and navigational classes to help prepare yourself. You should also start working out and climbing other mountains to get in shape since you'll need to be very fit to climb Everest. Also, keep in mind that there are a lot of risks and dangers associated with climbing Mount Everest, including death, so make sure you're mentally and physically prepared to survive in tough conditions. | Get seriously fit. Everest challenges even the fittest people. Not only is your physical strength challenged but so will your mental strength. Focus on exercises that will improve cardiovascular and strength. Practise walking up flights of stairs with weights. Try climbing other mountains first. As you improve your fitness, increase your workout length and intensity. Six months prior: Begin to get into a workout routine four times a week. Your workouts should be enjoyable such as jogging or cycling. Introduce yourself to medium intensity muscular exercises such as push-ups , chin-ups and sit-ups. Five months prior: Increase your workout length and intensity. You may want to increase your workouts to 6 days a week. Increase reps of muscular exercises. Introduce the climbing element to your workouts such as walking up steep hills while carrying a heavy backpack. Four months prior: Build up your aerobic endurance. You should now practise high intensity 45 minute aerobic workouts six days a week. Continue climbing exercises and only increase your backpack weight, if you are sure you are ready, otherwise you can damage your knees. Three months prior: At this point, you must be physically and mentally conditioned. Regularly take multivitamin tablets and small amounts of iron supplements. Iron helps your blood cells carry oxygen, but too much is unhealthy. Maintain a healthy diet and increase your aerobic workouts to an hour. Continuing practising climbing, but make it harder such as sprinting up steep hills. Try to get an opportunity to go camping so you can improve your skills. Two months prior: Maintain your routines. Increase the length of aerobic workouts. Improve your endurance. Rather than focusing on how heavy you can lift, tone down the weight and see how many reps you can do in a minute. Get out in the wilderness and test out your gear. Remember to maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water. Learn technical climbing skills. To climb Mount Everest you will need to understand mountaineering, climbing and navigational skills. Taking outdoor and navigational classes will help you. Your Everest expedition guide will also help you prepare for the mountain. Have a good understanding of bushwhacking, rope handling, river crossings, belaying and tying knots, rappelling, navigation, crevasse, and rock rescue skills. Merely taking care of urinating and bowel movements requires special techniques and extreme care in the low temperatures. Prepare for the risks and dangers of climbing Everest. The most common ways of dying on the mountain are fatigue, ice falls, lack of oxygen, high altitudes, harsh weather conditions, and frostbite. Learn from the mistakes made by other climbers and understand the symptoms of altitude sickness, and its prevention techniques and emergency treatments. Understand the death zone. Above 8,000 metres (26,000 ft) you will face significant challenges to survival. Any body part exposed will suffer frostbite. The temperature is so low that the ice is an extreme slipping hazard. The oxygen level is only 337 mbar, a third of the requirement normally needed to breathe. The conditions are so harsh it takes most climbers up to 12 hours to walk the distance of 1.72 kilometres (1 mile) from South Col to the summit. To live in the death zone you will need about 50 days of altitude acclimatization for a typical expedition, otherwise you will lose consciousness in minutes. Since helicopters can't easily reach the summit, if you become unable to walk you will be left to die. It is not uncommon to come across dead bodies in the mountain. Build up experience. Even if you think you know everything, you probably don't. Have at least 3 years of mountaineering experience. Practise climbing other mountains that have high altitudes and extreme temperatures. Book an expedition company. Most expedition companies take groups of around 10 people with numerous Sherpas and several travel guides. The tour company will take care of your climbing permits and oxygen supplies. Sherpas are native to the Himalayan mountains of Nepal who will carry your food, load and equipment. They can also offer you support and help climbing the mountain. Expect to pay at least $60,000 for the expedition. Paying for a budget tour or not using a company at all puts your life more at risk. Generally the more you pay, the safer your climb will be. Hundreds of climbers who paid minimal prices have died. Organise your equipment. You will need to ask your expedition company for a list of equipment you will need bring. You will need mountaineering equipment such as ice axes and crampons, clothing such as gloves and headwear, and supplies such as food, a stove to thaw water and the food, and first aid materials. Hike from Kathmandu base camp in Nepal to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier. Allow 6 to 8 days to complete the walk. The time consuming walk is beneficial as it will help you get used to the high altitudes. This camp is 5,380 m (17,700 ft). It is typical to spend a few days at the base camp to get used to the low oxygen levels so you will avoid altitude sickness. During your stay Sherpas will prepare ropes and ladders for the next part of your journey. Cross the Khumbu Icefall. The icefall is a moving glacier mass of tumbled ice with deep crevasses. It is best to start before dawn so that the freezing temperatures will weld the ice tightly together. Proceed to Camp I which is at an altitude of 6,065 m (19,900 ft). Walk up the glacier of Western Cwm. The most direct route is gashed by deep ice and massive crevasses. The Western Cwm is a flat, gently rising glacial valley. You will arrive at the base of Lhotse face at Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) which is at an elevation of 6,500 m (21,000 ft). Ascend up Lhotse face to Camp III. This face is icy; so, you will need to use the fixed ropes which are permanently in place. They interlink so that you are constantly connected to a rope. The steep slopes of up to 50 degrees and hard ice make it easy for your crampons to slip. Camp III is at an altitude of 7,470 m (24,500 ft). Climb over Geneva Spur to Camp IV. The spur is a big, black rib or rock followed by hard yellow rock known as the Yellow Band. It was named by the 1952 Swiss expedition. There are fixed ropes to guide you in place. Camp IV (High Camp) is on the South Col which has an altitude of 7,920 m (26,000 ft). Climb to the summit. You will need to wait for clear weather and low winds, otherwise you will have to descend, many meters back to Base Camp. The final section of climbing to the top includes walking up a series or steps made from rock and walking along a knife-edged ridge to a 12 m (40 ft) wall called Hillary Step. Climb up the snow slope and you will reach the top of the summit which is highest point on earth at 8,848 m (29,029 ft). Hike to the Advanced Base Camp from the north side of Mount Everest in Tibet. The route to the Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is 22 km (12 miles) is rugged and has lots of boulders, ice and snow. The path follows Rongbuk Glacier and then merges into Eastern Rongbuk Glacier. The ABC Camp is 6,400m (21,300 ft). Climb to the North Col via East Rongbuk Glacier. When you reach the East Rongbuk Glacier you will have to use crampons for the first time. After a short walk you can attach yourself to a fixed rope. This part gains significant altitude and some parts will feel vertical. It takes about 5 hours to reach the North Col (Camp I) which is at an elevation of 7,000 m (23,000 ft). Walk to Camp II. This section is known as the High Camps. The path is mostly snow with some rocks. This section is known for strong winds which prevail in the area. It takes about 4 hours to reach Camp II which is at an altitude of 7,500 m (24,750 ft). Many climbers use this camp for acclimatization purposes. Continue to Camp III along the windswept snow. Many climbers skip this camp and go directly to Camp IV. Camp III is at an altitude of 7,900 m (25,600 ft). Most climbers will need to sleep with supplemental oxygen. The route to the camp is extremely windy which means it can take you up to 6 hours to complete, however once you reach the camp you are protected by the North Face of the mountain. The camp is built on small rock ledges since there is not many open spaces on this part of the mountain. Proceed to Camp IV using the ropes. Follow the fixed rope through the snow filled gully. Then take the small ramp to the Northeast Ridge which is just under the camp. You do not want to spend a lot of time at the camp, it is basically just a rest stop. Camp IV is at an altitude of 8,300 m (27,390 ft). Get over the Three Steps. To get to the summit you will have to pass three rock features, called Three Steps. The first step requires hard pulling on fixed ropes to get over the Mushroom shaped rock. It is full of loose rock which is hard to walk over. The second step, the Chinese ladder is most intense. You will need to climb over a thick ice slab to climb on a vertical ladder with a 3,000 m (10,000 ft) drop. The third step is a straightforward rock climb, however under the extreme conditions it is very challenging. Continue to the summit. Along the final stretch it is extremely cold , steep and windy. Towards the top of the pyramid there are more small rocks which are challenging to get over. The Summit Ridge is very exposed and has steep slope angles of up to 60 degrees. It has drop-offs on both sides of 3,000 m (10,000 ft). At the end of the ridge you will reach the highest point on earth at 8,848 m (29,029 ft). | Get seriously fit. Learn technical climbing skills. Prepare for the risks and dangers of climbing Everest. Understand the death zone. Book an expedition company. Organise your equipment. Hike from Kathmandu base camp in Nepal to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier. Cross the Khumbu Icefall. Walk up the glacier of Western Cwm. Ascend up Lhotse face to Camp III. Climb over Geneva Spur to Camp IV. Climb to the summit. Hike to the Advanced Base Camp from the north side of Mount Everest in Tibet. Climb to the North Col via East Rongbuk Glacier. Walk to Camp II. Get over the Three Steps. Continue to the summit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-when-You-Can%27t-Chew | How to Eat when You Can't Chew | To eat when you can't chew, start by working with your doctor to come up with a diet that's specific to your condition. Once you know what foods you can eat, create a 7-day meal plan that meets your nutritional needs and go to the grocery store to get the ingredients you need for the plan. If you're on a liquid diet, try foods like oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, and soups. If you're on a soft diet, opt for foods with a little more texture, like meatballs mashed with sauce or gravy, soft baked fish, egg salad, mashed beans, and soups. You may also want to consider taking a liquid multi-vitamin supplement to help you meet your nutritional goals. | Talk to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide you with specific information regarding what restrictions you have with foods and what texture foods you need to consume (soft and mushy vs pureed liquids). Your doctor should also provide you with a timeline of how long you need to follow a modified diet. Ask your doctor to specify exactly what you can and cannot eat. It's better to be very clear and get too much information than eat something that could cause pain or further injury. Also ask if you're at risk for any nutrient deficiencies or if there are types of foods or groups of foods that you should be consuming daily or completely avoiding. It may also be beneficial to see a registered dietitian or nutritionist. These nutrition experts will be able to tailor a diet specifically for your issue and give you examples of types of foods or create a meal plan that's appropriate for you. Ask your doctor for a recommendation. Write up a meal plan. Having a meal plan to follow will be helpful while you're consuming a modified or restricted diet. It can help take the guesswork out of daily meal planning and give you the frame work for an appropriate diet. Write up a week's worth of meals and snacks that are appropriate for your situation. You may need to get creative with different recipes — especially if you're going to be on a modified diet for longer periods of time. Sample meals for a soft diet can include: oatmeal for breakfast, beef stew for lunch and meatloaf with gravy and well-steamed broccoli for dinner. Sample meals for a liquid or pureed diet can include: yogurt with pureed peaches for breakfast, a green smoothie (with milk, frozen fruit, spinach, and protein powder) for lunch, and black bean soup for dinner. Your doctor may have a sample meal plan on hand. Ask to see if you could have a copy to take home to mimic or start you off for a few days. Go grocery shopping. After you write up your meal plan and talk to your doctor, take a trip to the grocery store to stock up on appropriate foods for your diet. Having the right foods on hand will make your modified diet a little bit easier to follow. Remember, a variety of cooking techniques can be used to get even hard or dense foods to a texture that will be safe for you to consume. For example, apples can be cooked down into applesauce or pureed apples that are easy to chew and swallow. Also consider purchasing foods or items that are already in the form you need and require little to no cooking. If you're only allowed to consume pureed foods or liquids you can buy: low-sodium soups like tomato soup, butternut squash or black bean soup that are completely smooth liquids. If you can consume more whole foods, but need them to be very soft or mushy, you can purchase: frozen fruits or vegetables (once cooked and warmed through, they are very soft and tender) or soups and stews from the grocery store hot bar. Purchase appropriate kitchen tools. Purchasing appropriate kitchen tools may make your modified or restricted diet easier to follow. Plus, they'll give you more flexibility with your food choices so you can prepare more items at home. A food processor is a great tool and can help break down tougher, denser foods into small pieces or into an almost pureed consistency. You can use them to puree fruits or vegetables or finely chop protein foods (like seafood, chicken, or red meat). This might be a good tool if you can have small, finely chopped food and don't necessarily need to puree everything. Using a blender may be a good idea if you need completely pureed or liquid meals. You can put a variety of foods into a blender to make liquid meals. Blenders are also great because you can put a lot of raw or hard foods into shakes and smoothies. For example, you can put raw spinach into a smoothie and the consistency will still be completely pureed. A crock pot or slow cooker is a great tool for those who are looking to prepare foods to a very soft, mushy, or tender consistency. These machines cook low and slow all day and foods are easily gummed or lightly chewed to be swallowed. Include soft protein foods. Protein is an essential nutrient to your diet. Going for more than a day or two without protein is unwise and can cause unwanted weight loss or loss of muscle mass. Consuming adequate protein on an all liquid or soft diet may be difficult or unappetizing depending on your diet restrictions or required modifications. If you need to consume a completely liquid or pureed diet, try to incorporate proteins such as: beans pureed into a soup (like black bean soup), pureed tofu in soups, hummus, or puree canned soups and stews to a completely liquid consistency. You can also process meats (ground meat, chicken, or seafood) into a smooth consistency. Adding a little broth or sauce can turn these foods into a more liquid texture. If you can consume soft or tender foods and do not need a liquid or pureed diet, try foods like: meatloaf or meatballs mashed with a sauce or gravy, soft baked fish (like tilapia or salmon), tuna/egg salad, mashed tofu, scrambled eggs, mashed beans, stews or soups, and braised or roasted meats like brisket or pot roast that are fall apart tender. Consume dairy for an alternate source of protein. Many dairy products work well with restricted or modified diets. Dairy is full of protein, calcium, and Vitamin D and can help you maintain a balanced diet more easily. Add regular or greek yogurt to your day. Yogurts are great smooth foods that are appropriate on a pureed or soft/mushy diet. Regular yogurt may be easier to chew and swallow as it has a thinner consistency compared to greek yogurt. Choose which type is more appropriate for you. Cottage cheese is another very high protein dairy food that will fit into a liquid or soft diet. If you need your foods completely pureed, add cottage cheese to a blender or food processor for a pureed consistency. Drinking milk or adding milk to different foods (soups, stews or smoothies) can offer you another easily swallowed protein source. If you are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, try dairy alternatives like soy or almond based milks, yogurts, and cheeses. Cook and prepare fruits and vegetables until soft. Many fruits and vegetables, especially when raw or lightly steamed, are much too hard and dense to chew or swallow. Most times, these foods will need to be altered to the appropriate consistency by cooking. Try frozen fruits and vegetables. Many times, when defrosted or cooked/warmed through, these foods are really soft and mushy. Examples include: frozen broccoli, frozen cauliflower, frozen Brussels sprouts, or frozen berries. Steam vegetables until you can mash them with the back of your fork or they are easily pureed into the correct consistency. Many times, over-steaming vegetables (like broccoli) can get them into a soft consistency. Examples include: mashed potatoes or squash, steamed carrots or peas or over-steamed vegetables. Choose carefully with grains. Grain-based foods like bread, rice or pasta don't always work well on a soft or pureed diet. These foods can be a little sticky or squishy and require more chewing compared to other foods. Choose wisely when incorporating grain-based foods. Oatmeal, cream of wheat, or other hot cereals can be a great option on either a soft or liquid diet. You may need to puree some of these items to get them to a runnier or smooth consistency. You can also blend some grains (like oats) into smoothies. Make soups or smoothies. Making homemade soups and smoothies is a great idea for those needing a pureed or even a soft diet. You can customize them to include a wide range of foods and nutrients. When making either a soup or a smoothie, try adding in different fruits or vegetables. Blending them in will help you get a few servings of these nutrient dense foods into your diet. Soups are a great vehicle for lean protein and vegetables. Cook everything until soft and puree if needed. Smoothies can be made from a wide range of foods including dairy, fruits, vegetables and even nut butters. Blend together for a smooth, liquid consistency. You can also try mixing in unflavored protein powder into both soups and smoothies for an extra dose of protein. Purchase meal replacement shakes. If you're in a pinch or need a few quick meals, consider purchasing a few meal replacement shakes. Many of these supplements contain adequate protein, calories and vitamins. There are a variety of meal replacement shake options. Look for drinks that will fit into your calorie and protein goals. Many meal replacements come either pre-made or in a powdered form. You can add the powder to smoothies to increase the nutrient level. Be wary of drinks that contain a lot of added sugars or are high in calories. They could cause weight gain if you're not careful. Purchase liquid vitamin supplements. Depending on how long you're on a modified or restricted diet you may want to consider taking a liquid multi-vitamin supplement. This may help you meet your nutritional goals when you're on a diet long-term. Look for a liquid supplement that is a 100% complete multi-vitamin and multi-mineral for the most comprehensive supplement. You can add your vitamins to your meals or drinks or just take them as is. Always check with you doctor prior to starting any supplements. | Talk to your doctor. Write up a meal plan. Go grocery shopping. Purchase appropriate kitchen tools. Include soft protein foods. Consume dairy for an alternate source of protein. Cook and prepare fruits and vegetables until soft. Choose carefully with grains. Make soups or smoothies. Purchase meal replacement shakes. Purchase liquid vitamin supplements. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Speed | How to Calculate Speed | To calculate the speed on an object, start by determining how far the object has traveled. Next, figure out the amount of time that the object took to cover that distance. Finally, divide the distance the object traveled by the time it took to get there. Don't forget to label the speed with the correct units of measurement. For example, if a car traveled 100 miles and it took 2 hours to make the trip, you would divide 100 miles by 2 hours to get 50 miles per hour. | Find the distance that an object has traveled. The basic equation that most people use to figure out how fast something is going is very easy to use. The first thing you'll need to know is how far the object traveled. In other words, how far is its starting point from its ending point? This equation will be easier to understand with an example. Let's say that we are making a trip in a car to a theme park 100 miles away (about 161 kilometers). In the next few steps, we'll use this information to solve our equation. Find the time that the object took to travel that distance. The next piece of information you'll need is how long the object took as it traveled. In other words, how long did it take to get from its starting point to its ending point? In our example, let's say that it took us almost exactly two hours to make our journey. Divide the distance by the time to find the speed. All you need are these two pieces of information to find your speed for the trip. The distance over the time will give you the object's speed. In our example, 100 miles/2 hours = 50 miles/hour (about 80 kilometers/hour). Don't forget your units. Labelling your answer with the proper units (like miles per hour, etc.) is critical. Without units, it can be hard for other people to understand what your answer means. You may also lose points if you're making this calculation for schoolwork. Your units for speed will be your distance units over your time units. In our example, since we measured distance in miles and time in hours, our units are miles/hour (or "miles per hour"). Isolate the different variables to solve for distance and time. Once you know the basics of the speed equation, you can use it to find more than just speed. For example, if you start out knowing speed and one of the other variables, you can rearrange the equation to find the missing piece of information. For example, let's say that we know that a train traveled at 20 kilometers per hour for four hours, but we need to know how far it went. In this case, we can rearrange the equation and solve like this: speed = distance/time speed × time = (distance/time) × time speed × time = distance 20 km/h × 4 h = distance = 80 kilometers Convert your units as needed. Sometimes, you may calculate speed in one set of units but need it in another. In this case, you'll need to use conversion factors to get your answer into the correct units. To do this, just write the relationships between your units as a fraction and multiply. When you multiply, flip your fraction as needed to get rid of the units you don't want. This is a lot easier than it sounds! For example, let's say that in the example problem above, we need our answer in miles instead of kilometers. There are about 1.6 kilometers in a mile, so we can convert like this: 80 kilometers × 1 mile/1.6 kilometers = 50 miles Note that because kilometers appears on the bottom of the fraction, it cancels with the kilometers in the original answer, leaving the answer in miles. This site contains conversions for most common units. Replace the "distance" variable with distance formulas as needed. Objects don't always travel in nice, convenient straight lines. In cases when they don't, you may not be able to simply plug a numerical value for distance into the standard speed equation. Instead, you may need to replace the d in s = d/t with a formula that models the distance the object traveled. For example, let's say that an airplane flies in a circle that is 20 miles wide five times. The plane completes this journey in half an hour. In this example, we still need to find exactly how far the plane has traveled before we can find its speed. We can use the equation for the distance around a circle (its circumference) in place of d in our equation. This equation is circumference = 2πr where r = the circle's radius. We would solve like this: s = (2 × π × r)/t s = (2 × π × 10)/0.5 s = 62.83/0.5 = 125.66 miles/hour Understand that s = d/t gives an average speed. The simple, convenient equation we have been using to find speed has one significant flaw. The value it gives you is technically an average speed. This means that it assumes the object you're measuring went the same speed for the whole trip. As we'll see below, finding an object's speed at a single given moment can be more difficult. To illustrate this difference, imagine the last trip you took in a car. It's highly unlikely that you traveled the same speed for the whole trip. Instead, you started out slow and gradually reached your cruising speed, slowing down at stoplights, traffic jams, and so on. If you use the standard speed equation to figure out your speed for the trip, these changes in speed won't be reflected. Instead, you'll get an answer that's somewhere in the middle of all the different speeds you traveled at. Understand that speed is defined as the magnitude of velocity. Higher-level speed calculations can get confusing because mathematicians and scientists use different definitions for "speed" and "velocity". A velocity has two components: a magnitude and a direction. The magnitude is equal to the object's speed. A change in the direction will cause a change in the velocity, but not in the speed. For example, let's say that there are two cars moving in opposite directions. Both cars' speedometers read 50 km/hr, so they both have the same speed. However, since they are moving apart from each other, we say that one car has a velocity of -50 km/hr and one has a velocity of 50 km/hr. Just as you can calculate instantaneous speed, you can also calculate instantaneous velocity. Use absolute values for negative velocities. Objects can have velocities with a negative magnitude (if they are moving in a negative direction relative to something else). However, there's no such thing as a negative speed, so in these cases the absolute value of the magnitude gives the object's speed. For this reason, in the example problem above, both cars have a speed of 50 km/hr. Take the derivative of a position function. If you have a function s(t) that gives you the position of an object with regards to time, the derivative of s(t) will give you its velocity with regards to time. Just plug a time value into this equation for the variable t (or whatever the time value is) to get the velocity at this given time. From here, finding the speed is easy. For example, let's say that an object's position in meters is given with the equation 3t + t - 4 where t = time in seconds. We want to know what the speed of the object is at t = 4 seconds. In this case, we can solve like this: 3t + t - 4 s'(t) = 2 × 3t + 1 s'(t) = 6t + 1 Now, we plug in t = 4: s'(t) = 6(4) + 1 = 24 + 1 = 25 meters/second. This is technically a velocity measurement, but since it's positive and direction is not mentioned in the problem, we can essentially use it for speed. Take the integral of an acceleration function. Acceleration is a way of measuring the change in an object's velocity over time. This topic is a little too complex to explain fully in this article. However, it's useful to note that when you have a function a(t) that gives acceleration with regards to time, the integral of a(t) will give you velocity with regards to time. Note that it's helpful to know the object's initial velocity so that you can define the constant that results from an indefinite integral. For example, let's say that an object has a constant acceleration (in m/s given by a(t) = -30. Let's also say that it has an initial velocity of 10 m/s. We need to find its speed at t = 12 s. In this case, we can solve like this: a(t) = -30 v(t)= ∫ a(t)dt = ∫ -30dt = -30t + C To find C, we'll solve v(t) for t = 0. Remember that the object's initial velocity is 10 m/s. v(0) = 10 = -30(0) + C 10 = C, so v(t) = -30t + 10 Now, we can just plug in t = 12 seconds. v(12) = -30(12) + 10 = -360 + 10 = -350. Since speed is the absolute value of velocity, the object's speed is 350 meters/second. | Find the distance that an object has traveled. Find the time that the object took to travel that distance. Divide the distance by the time to find the speed. Don't forget your units. Isolate the different variables to solve for distance and time. Convert your units as needed. Replace the "distance" variable with distance formulas as needed. Understand that s = d/t gives an average speed. Understand that speed is defined as the magnitude of velocity. Use absolute values for negative velocities. Take the derivative of a position function. Take the integral of an acceleration function. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Live-With-Allergies-to-Dust-Mites | How to Live With Allergies to Dust Mites | If you have allergies to dust mites, you can live more comfortably at home by keeping the air between 30 and 50 percent humidity, which will help kill off any living mites. You should also consider limiting the number of rugs and carpeting in your home since rugs tend to house dust mites. If you do have rugs or carpeting, it's important to vacuum once or twice a week to keep dust mites and debris out of the air. However, since cleaning can kick up allergens, consider asking a friend or family member to clean for you. | Choose special bedding. Some fabrics contain natural dust mite repellants, like the lanolin found in wool. If you live in a colder climate, wool blankets and sheets will help stave off allergies during the long winter months. You'll also find that wool keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, as it traps warm air and also pulls moisture from your skin. Protect your mattress. Some mattresses are made with a barrier that prohibits mites and mite feces from passing through and affecting one's rest. You can also use antimicrobial mattress and pillow protectors. Remember that the mattress should still be cleaned regularly, and depending on the severity of your allergies, should be cleaned with increased frequency. Steam your bed. High heat kills dust mites and other organisms. You can purchase a steam cleaner to help your allergies at home. For better results you can use a portable cleaner and cleanse hotel rooms and guest rooms as you travel. You should also clean every other week. Companies like Coit and Stanley Steamer can come to your home and clean all of the beds in your home in one visit. Bag your bedding. Many have found that putting your bed in an enclosed mattress bag keeps dust mites and their droppings from affecting their allergies. You should also make sure any bag you purchase is tested and certified to not permit the passing of mites. Wash bedding and other fabrics. Regularly launder your drapes, towels, curtains, tablecloths, and linens. Using hot water will kill the dust mites and cleanse their feces from your home. It's recommended that you wash items on a weekly basis, ensuring the water temperature of at least 130° Fahrenheit (54° Celsius), otherwise the water will not be hot enough to kill the mites. Maintain low humidity. Dust mites can't live when the humidity falls below a certain point, so allergy sufferers should keep the level between 30% to 50% humidity. Installing a humidity control system helps control the level of moisture in your home. To use the system, adjust the dial according to the outside temperature. A complete list of instructions tells you how to adjust the settings. You can find whole-home systems made by Aprilaire or Healthy Climate that start at around $285. You should also consider putting in a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture in the air. This is particularly important for basements, which tend to maintain higher levels of humidity. If you choose to get a dehumidifier, it's a good idea to install a hose that you can connect directly into a drain. This way you don't have to continuously empty the drain pan, which when full turns off the machine. Take a look at available air-conditioning technologies. Several manufacturers have started to offer small, portable air purifiers for the home. These can be effective in dealing with dust mite sensitivities. As another alternative, there are also whole house purifiers that attach to a furnace for forced-air purification. Some of these installations can be pricey, but they can really improve indoor air quality and help with a full range of allergies. Many options also exist on the more affordable end with single-room air purifiers that only require a new filter once every 4 to 5 months. Using a smaller unit will reduce the amount of electricity you use and also allow you to turn down or turn off the unit when you are away from home for extended periods. Dust and vacuum. This regular household maintenance helps keep more dust mites and debris out of the air. It's recommended that you vacuum once or twice a week to keep up with the problem. Not only will this clean your home, frequent vacuuming will lengthen the life of your carpet. For other surfaces like hardwood floors, regular mopping will remove the mites and other dirt, which likewise makes your floors last longer by keeping dirt from scratching the surface. Simple cleaning can kick up dust mites and cause issues, so consider having someone without allergies clean your bedroom and home. You can ask a friend, family member, or even hire a private company to clean on a regular basis. Vacuuming and dusting will temporarily help with dust mites but won't control the problem. These allergens are also on other surfaces like beds, drapes, linens, and furniture. You will need to employ other methods mentioned herein to sufficiently treat a dust mite problem. Eliminate your rugs and carpet. While they provide warmth, rugs and carpeting could be the culprit. Severe allergy sufferers may think to use rugs sparingly, or completely get rid of the carpeting in their home. As an alternative, hardwood, laminate and tile floors are more conducive for avoiding dust mites. Use the sun. Sunlight kills mites, and it's free. The main way to use our most abundant renewable resource is to hang your linens and drapes outside to dry in the fresh air and sunlight, or perhaps leave your shades open during peak sunlight times. Note that sunlight does kill the mite itself, but does not remove the allergen from the environment. You'll need to use another method of cleaning and removal to eliminate the physical presence of the mites from your home. Bathe your pet. We love our dogs and cats , but not the dust mites they carry in their fur. Regularly bathe your pet to help reduce allergens like dust mites and pet dander. You might also think about getting one of the many breeds of hypoallergenic dogs and cats. Getting non-allergy producing pets and bathing your pets regardless is a step in the right direction, but always you'll also need to regularly clean your home to help the problem. Clean stuffed animals. Don't forget that mites live on fabrics and that is what stuffed animals are covered in. Clean your or your child's fluffy friend with heat by putting it in the dryer for 10 minutes. Be sure to avoid putting anything in the dryer that may melt, such as plastic. Another way to clean these items is to place them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for a short time, then shake them off outdoors after they come out, as this will kill dust mites. Washing also provides an efficient method of cleaning. Use a mild laundry detergent and launder the animals for a high heat cycle. Place delicate animals in a laundry bag for protection. Apply a pesticide. While using a pesticide can be effective, it's important to mention that they may have a limited effect, as mites are immune to pesticides while dormant. That being said, you can choose to use a spray, powder, or fogger to help with your mite problem. When using a pesticide, make sure you use a natural, non-toxic product like an organic dust mite killer on items that cannot be laundered. Otherwise, you can choose one of several other options that should be done weekly. For example, you can apply Lysol spray on any surface or Good-Night dust spray, which you can use on mattresses and bedding. You will still need to wash the items after using such a spray. Also try a carpet treatment like Allerseach X-Mite. Use this product by brushing the treatment into the carpet with a broom and leaving it for three hours. Afterward you need only to vacuum it up. Seek medical attention. If you have severe allergies and the symptoms are becoming more than you can handle, you might consider seeing a medical professional about the issue. For example, while some symptoms like red, itchy eyes may not be alarming to some, other symptoms like headaches can cause some severe discomfort. Severe allergies have also been known to cause migraines. Proper assessment for any condition is crucial, so do your due diligence on finding the right resources. One place to start is doing the WebMD allergy assessment, which can be found here: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergies-assessment/default.htm. If your symptoms become unbearable, a visit to your doctor is in order. They can help diagnose the allergy as well as design a treatment plan. Manage allergy symptoms with medication. Taking medication may be the last resort for some. However, if you do need medication, there are several options available. Several over-the-counter drugs help. For example, you might try using an antihistamine, like Benadryl, to provide relief from itchy, watery eyes, or a decongestant, like Vicks Sinex, to unclog a stuffy nose. Also available are nasal steroids that can help reduce swelling in the nasal cavity. Double-check with your doctor prior to taking any medications. Try immunotherapy. This treatment involves receiving allergy shots. Regular, controlled exposure to allergens can help reduce your sensitivity to them. Your doctor can advise you as to whether this is the right course of action for you. Get an allergy test. Have a skin prick test or a blood test in order to determine that your symptoms are indeed caused by an allergy to dust mites. A skin prick test is done by pricking the skin and exposing the tiny scratch to specific allergens, watching for a physical reaction. For those who are too sensitive to the skin prick test you can have a blood test done. The blood test also relies on exposure to allergens, but this time each allergen is added to a sample of your blood. The blood is then observed to see how many antibodies it produces as it reacts to the allergen. | Choose special bedding. Protect your mattress. Steam your bed. Bag your bedding. Wash bedding and other fabrics. Maintain low humidity. Take a look at available air-conditioning technologies. Dust and vacuum. Eliminate your rugs and carpet. Use the sun. Bathe your pet. Clean stuffed animals. Apply a pesticide. Seek medical attention. Manage allergy symptoms with medication. Try immunotherapy. Get an allergy test. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Rabbit | How to Buy a Rabbit | Before buying a rabbit, try visiting your local animal shelter and seeing if they have a rabbit you like, since animals from shelters tend to be healthier and better socialized than those from a pet store. Alternatively, use petfinder.com to search for a rabbit through a rescue organization. You can also ask your veterinarian for a recommendation for a reputable rabbit breeder, and contact them directly about buying a rabbit. Once you find a rabbit you like, make sure to examine it for signs of illness, like a runny nose or head tilting, before you bring it home. | Do not buy your rabbit from a pet store. Rabbits in pet stores likely come from mass-breeding facilities, which tend to be more focused on turning a profit than providing a healthy environment in which to breed and raise animals. In addition, young rabbits in pet stores may be especially prone to digestive problems, given the stress of living in a pet store and the significant dietary changes. When you visit a pet store, ask the staff about where the animals come from. Reconsider buying a rabbit from a pet store if you cannot verify that the rabbits came from a reputable breeder, animal shelter, or rabbit rescue. Buy your rabbit through a local animal shelter or rescue group. Compared with the staff at a pet store, the staff at an animal shelter or rescue group is more likely to have in depth knowledge of rabbit care. In addition, rabbits tend to be healthier and better socialized at an animal shelter or rescue group than a pet store. Visit the shelter or rescue group before purchasing your rabbit. Ask questions about how the organization cares for its rabbits, how rabbits are determined to be adoptable, the process of adopting a rabbit, and what post-adoption care is available. Animal shelters and rescue groups often partner together to find good homes for the rabbits in their care. Visit the websites https://www.petfinder.com/ and http://rabbit.org/ (House Rabbit Society) if you are unsure about where to find animal shelters or rabbit rescue groups in your area. Also consider finding a rabbit through private rabbit adoption agencies. Rabbits from shelters are usually cheaper than rabbits from pet shops or breeders, since they're usually desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped, while most pet shop rabbits and many breeder rabbits are not. They might cost a bit more at the shelter, but in the long run it will be cheaper to buy them there, since desexing, microchipping, vaccinating and worming rabbits can cost you hundreds of dollars. Buy a rabbit from a reputable rabbit breeder. Buying your rabbit from a rabbit breeder is another option. Be aware, though, that not all breeders provide the proper rabbit care or are even knowledgeable about proper breeding practices. Unfortunately, some breeders may simply be trying to make money on the side To identify a reputable breeder, ask for recommendations from an exotic veterinarian or a trusted friend who owns rabbits. You can also visit rabbit shows to learn about rabbit breeders in your area A good breeder should be motivated by a genuine love for what they do, not solely by profit. They should be happy to provide with information about rabbits. They should also check to see if their customers are capable of looking after rabbits. When you visit the breeder, take a close look at the breeding facility. It should be clean and well maintained, and the rabbits should be healthy and happy. Ask the breeder about his or her breeding practices, and ask to see breeding and genetics records. A reputable breeder should be able to provide you with references of others who have purchased rabbits from him or her. In addition, he or she should have a good relationship with an exotic veterinarian. If you are interested in a particular breeder, make sure that he or she provides you with a written health guarantee. The breeder should give you time to read through and understand the guarantee before you purchase a rabbit. Check the rabbit for signs of illness. Although a rabbit from a reputable animal shelter, rescue group, or breeder is likely to be healthy, it is still a good idea to check the rabbit for signs of illness. For example, if the rabbit has a runny nose or has trouble breathing, he may have a respiratory infection. If the rabbit is tilting his head, he may have an inner ear infection. If you are not sure how to examine the rabbit, ask the breeder, animal shelter staff, or an exotic veterinarian to walk you through a physical exam of the rabbit. They can help you understand the signs of health and illness. If the rabbit appears ill, ask about how the rabbit would be treated, and if the rabbit would still be adoptable following treatment. Buy a rabbit when it is the proper age. A rabbit should not be bought until it is at least eight weeks old. By this age, the rabbit will be fully weaned from his mother and will be able to eat solid foods. Wherever you buy your rabbit, make sure that they do not sell rabbits that are less than eight weeks old—this could be a sign of unethical breeding practices. Consider buying more than one rabbit. Rabbits are very social animals, and can get very lonely without a mate. That being said, it is not quite as simple as buying two or more rabbits at a time. Rabbits can be very picky about their mates, so you will need to put some thought into owning multiple rabbits. It is recommended to have male-female pairings, but same-sex pairings can work as well. Two females should be fine, but two males will usually fight. Make sure the rabbits are neutered or spayed before putting them together. Intact rabbits can display aggressive behavior towards their mates, as well as develop a destructive chewing habit, due to sexual frustration. It may be helpful to set up a time and neutral area for the two rabbits to meet. Animal shelters may have a separate room where rabbits can interact with each other. This would help you determine whether the pairing will work. Purchase the initial supplies. Your rabbit will need a number of supplies in order to live a happy and healthy life at your home. For example, you will need a large, multi-level enclosure, which can be purchased at your local pet store. In addition, you will need food dishes, a water bottle, a litter box with litter, and plenty of chew toys. You will also need to purchase bedding (e.g., aspen chips, paper, straw) to line the bottom of the enclosure. A litter scoop and disinfectant will be useful for cleaning your rabbit's cage. Your rabbit will also need a “nest” box in which he can sleep and rest. In addition to purchasing fresh vegetables from the grocery store, you should also purchase fresh pellets and hay from the pet store to feed your rabbit. The staff at your local pet store can give you additional assistance with purchasing all of the necessary supplies for your rabbit. Calculate the costs of owning a rabbit. The initial and long-term costs of owning a rabbit can add up quickly. Initial costs are usually between $300 and $400, and long-term care may cost you about $1000/year—not including veterinary care. Before you buy a rabbit, analyze your budget to determine if you can comfortably afford to care for one. Initial costs include housing, food dishes, electrical cord protectors (rabbits like to chew), a litter box, and toys. Ongoing costs include fresh vegetables, hay, and litter. Incidental costs, such as veterinary care and furniture and toy replacement, can increase the cost of care. Determine if you have enough time to own a rabbit. Having a pet rabbit can be time consuming. For example, you would need to feed your rabbit twice daily, tidy his cage once daily, and thoroughly clean his cage once a week. In addition, you would need to provide your rabbit with daily mental stimulation (e.g., chew toys, playtime). Your rabbit would need at least one hour per day of playtime outside of his cage (e.g., play pen, rabbit-proof room). Healthy pet rabbits can live up to 10 years. Think about whether you are ready to make a 10-year commitment to care for a rabbit. Learn about rabbit temperaments. Just like other animals, rabbits can have different personalities and temperaments. Some may enjoy being held, and others may resist being held so much that they will injure themselves trying to escape. Some rabbits may enjoy being petted, and others may not care for much human interaction. Being aware of these temperaments, and others, may help you determine if having a pet rabbit is right for you. A rabbit's personality is often influenced by how it has been socialized with people. Rabbits may not be a good choice if you have young children, since young children may not understand that a rabbit does not necessarily like to be held and cuddled. Decide what breed of rabbit you would like. There are nearly 50 rabbit breeds that are recognized in the United States. It may seem like an arduous task to research all breeds, but it would certainly be time well spent. It is important to note that some breeds make good pets, and others are better suited for shows or breeding. Popular pet rabbit breeds include the Lionhead rabbit, the English lop, and the Dutch rabbit. The website https://www.arba.net/breeds.htm is an excellent source of information about the rabbit breeds that are recognized in the United States. Consider talking with rabbit owners, exotic veterinarians, or rabbit breeders for additional guidance on choosing a pet rabbit breed. Determine what age rabbit you would like. As cute as they are, baby rabbits like to chew on just about everything. The chewing action helps them strengthen their jaw muscles and learn about their environment, but can mean destruction if you do not keep an eye on them. In addition, baby rabbits do not like to be held for very long, which could lengthen the time it takes for the rabbit to bond with you. 'Teenage' rabbits (around three months old) are very energetic and can get bored easily. If you want a teenage rabbit, make sure you have enough toys and extra time to keep him entertained. Adult rabbits, when spayed or neutered, are more amenable to being held. Adult rabbits are probably suitable if you have young children. Decide whether you want a male or female rabbit. Females tend to be grumpy, and males tend to be aggressive, before being spayed or neutered. Although the choice is yours, it may be less important to choose a sex than to ensure that the rabbit is spayed or neutered before you purchase it. Find out if anyone in your household is allergic to rabbits. People can be allergic to rabbits, or to the hay that rabbits eat. An allergist will be able to determine if you or anyone in your home has a rabbit or hay allergy. If an allergy is identified, consider finding another type of animal to own as a pet. One reason rabbits end up in shelters is because the owner, or a member of the owner's household, is allergic to rabbits or hay. Identifying these allergies beforehand can prevent the emotional hardship of having to give your rabbit to an animal shelter or rescue group. | Do not buy your rabbit from a pet store. Buy your rabbit through a local animal shelter or rescue group. Buy a rabbit from a reputable rabbit breeder. Check the rabbit for signs of illness. Buy a rabbit when it is the proper age. Consider buying more than one rabbit. Purchase the initial supplies. Calculate the costs of owning a rabbit. Determine if you have enough time to own a rabbit. Learn about rabbit temperaments. Decide what breed of rabbit you would like. Determine what age rabbit you would like. Decide whether you want a male or female rabbit. Find out if anyone in your household is allergic to rabbits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Compose-a-Business-Email-to-Someone-You-Do-Not-Know | How to Compose a Business Email to Someone You Do Not Know | To compose a business email to someone you don't know, address them using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name. For example, you could write "Dear Mr. Smith." If you don't know the person's name, begin your email with a simple "Hello." Avoid using "To whom it may concern" since that can be too formal and impersonal, but also avoid being too casual by starting your email with something like "Hi." | Do your research. There is a variety of information you need to know before composing an email to a stranger. Before you begin typing, take a quick look at the website for the company where the recipient works. If you do not know the email address of the recipient, this can be found by scanning the company website. If no email is listed, be wary about contacting the person via email. You might want to opt for a physical letter instead. If you were planning on asking any questions in the email, check to see if the website addresses these questions. You don't want to give the impression that you are lazy and did not take the time to read a website thoroughly. Make sure you're contacting the right person. Many people start off emails with something like, "I'm not sure if you're the right person to ask, but..." This is considered unprofessional and disrespectful of the recipient's time. If you don't know who to contact, hold off on the email until you can figure out that information. Write a descriptive subject line. Your subject line should convey your exact reasons for sending the email. Oftentimes, emails from strangers are ignored or overlooked. A solid subject line reduces the chance your email will be passed over. Use a few words to say what the email is regarding. Use as many details as possible to include in 4 or 5 words. For example, "Meeting at 10 a.m. about new computers" is better than "Meeting this Morning." Vague subject lines, such as "Hello" and "Hi", are sometimes inadvertently read as spam and redirected to the recipient's spam folder. Use a professional email, as your email will show up alongside the subject line. Use an email that uses your full name rather than one that that uses a persona or a vague phrase. Never use all caps in an email subject line, even if the email is urgent. This comes off as shouting, which can be interpreted as hostility. Decide how to address the recipient. This can be tricky if you're emailing a stranger, as you may not know their preferred name. There are a few etiquette guidelines, however, that can help you avoid missteps. If you don't know the person's name, avoid overly formal phrases like, "To Whom it May Concern" or "Dear Mister/Miss." Don't go too casual either. "Hi" is far too unprofessional for a business email. You might be better off beginning the email with a simple, "Hello." If you know the person's name, make sure to spell it correctly. Check the spelling a few times, as it's easy to slip up if you've never emailed the person before. Use "Mr." and "Ms." followed by the person's last name only. For example, if you're emailing Jane Hart begin your email with "Dear Ms. Hart" rather than "Dear Ms. Jane Hart." Never make assumptions about a woman's marital status. If you know her marital status, it's still best to avoid drawing attention to it in an email as it's irrelevant to the business world. Stick to "Ms" and never use "Miss" or "Mrs." unless the recipient uses these salutations herself. If someone has a PhD, it's appropriate to use "Dr" when addressing them. Identify yourself and the company you represent. Remember, when you're sending a business email you're representing your place of employment. In your first sentence, identify yourself and your company. For example, an email could begin, "Dear Ms. Hart, My name is John Dawson and I work in marketing at Wilson Technologies." Keep it short and to the point. By getting to the point and clearly identifying your purpose, you present a professional image that will be taken seriously by the reader. This also increases the likelihood your email will be read and responded to promptly, as people put off dealing with overly wordy responses. After identifying yourself and your company, your next sentence should explain the email's purpose. It's best to state your case within two sentences. Be positive. Even if you're writing to address a complaint or concern, be courteous and respectful throughout the email. Do not bad mouth bosses, other companies, or employees as this reflects poorly on you. While in cover letters, it's standard to include some basic background information about yourself if you're emailing on behalf of a company leave that information out. Simply state your name and your position in the company before moving on to the email's purpose. Use simple, direct prose. A business email should be as easy to read as possible. This means using clear language that is easy to understand. Choose the active voice over the passive voice. For example, do not say, "A memo was sent to you by my boss, James Peterson." Instead say, "My boss, James Peterson, sent you a memo." Avoid jargon and technical terms, even if such terms are used heavily in your company. Opt for simple English and common phrases. Use short sentences. Eliminate conjunctions when possible and break up long sentences. For example, "We did not hear back from you in regards to the memo and wanted to follow up to make sure you understood the information." This would be better stated as, "We did not hear back from you in regards to the memo. We wanted to follow to make sure you understood the information." Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Spell check and proofread all emails before hitting the send button. Know what to avoid sending. There are certain rules of etiquette in regards to what should be transmitted via email. Understand what to avoid sending before contacting someone. Attachments are okay if you're emailing regarding information that was specifically requested, but do not send attachments to strangers without prompting. Avoid overly large attachments and files. In the event sending such information is necessary, send an email beforehand giving the recipient a head's up. Do not use an overly long signature. Ideally, your signature should only include your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. If you want, it's also appropriate to include your job title. Do not include graphics or backgrounds. They tend to clog up email memory and come off as unprofessional in a business setting. Give the recipient instructions on how to respond. Towards the end of the email, provide instructions on how the recipient can follow up. Politely specify a timeframe in which you would like to hear back. For example, "If you could get back to me by end of day tomorrow, I would really appreciate it." Include any contact information as needed. You can simply say, "This is the best email to reach me at" or request a phone call and include your number. Be specific about what you want from the recipient. Do not simply say, "I hope to hear from you soon." Instead, say, "I hope to hear from you soon so we can discuss the logistics of transitioning to a new computer system." Use an appropriate send off. Before your name, there will be some form of a goodbye. Pick a business appropriate send off for your email. Do not simply use a hyphen and then include your name. This comes off as too informal, as do sign offs like "See you around" and "Take it easy." Emoticons, like smiley faces, are best avoided. In a business email, something like "Best" or "All the best" is appropriate as it's friendly without sacrificing professionalism. "Sincerely" is another good option, but may come off as stuffy. "Thanks" and "Thank you" are also appropriate, but should be avoided if you're not asking the recipient to perform a specific task or duty. Follow up. The business world is busy. If you do not hear back from the recipient in an appropriate time frame it's appropriate to send a follow up e-mail. If someone does not respond, it was likely not deliberate. Emails get backed up and oftentimes, even if you follow proper protocol, things accidentally end up in a spam filter. A follow up email should be a direct reply to an email you've already sent. Be polite, starting off with something like, "I know you're probably very busy, but I just wanted to make sure you got my email." Then briefly restate the subject of the original message. | Do your research. Write a descriptive subject line. Decide how to address the recipient. Identify yourself and the company you represent. Keep it short and to the point. Use simple, direct prose. Know what to avoid sending. Give the recipient instructions on how to respond. Use an appropriate send off. Follow up. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Gouda-Cheese | How to Eat Gouda Cheese | Gouda is a hard, sweet cheese that tastes great with a variety of foods and drinks. Serve slices of gouda on whole grain bread or crackers for a light appetizer. Or, pair it with fruits like pears and peaches. Alternatively, grate your gouda onto your favorite vegetable dish. If you like red wine, pair your gouda with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, or Zinfandel. If you prefer white wines, choose a Chardonnay or white Burgundy instead. | Take off the plastic wrapping around the wheel of cheese. Tear the plastic using your fingers or the tip of a knife. Then, pull the plastic away from the cheese until the entire outer wrapping has been removed. Discard the plastic. Cut the gouda into wedges using a sharp knife. Place the tip of the knife at the center of the wheel. Make a straight cut from the center to the outside edge of the cheese wheel. Then, place the tip of the knife back in the center and move the blade so it's at about a 45-degree angle from the first cut you made. Slice down into the cheese wheel and make another cut. Remove the wedge from the cheese wheel. Wrap the rest of the gouda in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Take off the wax coating if there is one. Some wheels of gouda come with a red or black wax coating that needs to removed before the cheese can be eaten. If your wheel of gouda has one, peel the wax on each wedge back with your fingers or a knife. Discard the wax pieces after you remove them. Slice the wedges of gouda horizontally for platters or sandwiches. Divide each wedge up into 4 or 5 even horizontal slices. Take the end piece near the rind (the hardened outer part of the cheese) and cut it in half crosswise to make 2 pieces. The rind on the cheese is edible, so leave it on when you're cutting up the cheese. If you don't want to eat the rind, eat around it and discard it when you're finished. Grate the gouda cheese to add to the top of recipes. Place a grater over a plate or bowl. Hold the wedge of gouda in your hand and gently rub it down the sharp perforated side of the grater. Once you reach the bottom, lift the wedge of cheese off the grater, bring it back to the top, and rub it down the side of the grater again. Repeat until the whole wedge has been grated. Keep your fingers away from the grater while you're grating the cheese. Pair gouda with a light, fruity wine. If you prefer white wines, choose a Chardonnay or white Burgundy to enjoy with your gouda. If you're a red wine drinker, pair your gouda with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, or Zinfandel to highlight the cheese's flavors. Pair gouda with a beer that has rich caramel flavors. The caramel flavor in the beer complements the sweet taste of the cheese. Amber ales, brown ales, and brown porters all go well with gouda. For aged goudas, a sweet stout is also a good choice. Pair gouda with sweet fruits. Make a cheese platter with sliced gouda and peaches. Gouda also pairs nicely with d'Anjou pears because of the pears' sweet, citrus flavors. Eat sliced gouda with whole grain bread. Make a grilled cheese using whole grain bread and slices of gouda cheese, or add slices of gouda to a cold sandwich. You can also serve whole grain bread on a cheese platter with slices of gouda. The heaviness of whole grain bread pairs nicely with gouda cheese. Add grated gouda to your favorite vegetable dishes. Hold a cheese grater over a large bowl and grate some gouda into it. Then, when your vegetable dish is finished, sprinkle the grated gouda over the top of it. Stir the grated gouda into warm vegetable dishes to help it melt. Preheat your oven to 375 °F (191 °C) and prepare a casserole dish. Grease the casserole dish by spraying the inside of it with a cooking oil spray. If you don't have a cooking oil spray, wipe the inside of the dish down with cooking oil or butter using a paper towel. Boil 16 ounces (450 g) of macaroni for 10 minutes on a stove top. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water before you add the macaroni. While the macaroni is boiling, start preparing the cheese sauce. If you don't have macaroni, use shells or another small pasta instead. Prepare the cheese sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Combine 2.5 tablespoons (37 mL) of melted butter, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of flour, 2.5 cups (590 mL) of milk, and.5 teaspoons (2.5 mL) of both salt and pepper to the sauce pan. Stir the sauce until it's smooth. Turn off the stovetop and add 4 ounces (110 g) of gouda to the sauce pan. Stir the cheese into the sauce until it melts. Combine the pasta and sauce in the casserole dish and bake it for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the pasta and check if it's heated all the way through. If it is, the mac and cheese is finished. If not, pop it back in the oven for a few more minutes, or until it's heated through. | Take off the plastic wrapping around the wheel of cheese. Cut the gouda into wedges using a sharp knife. Take off the wax coating if there is one. Slice the wedges of gouda horizontally for platters or sandwiches. Grate the gouda cheese to add to the top of recipes. Pair gouda with a light, fruity wine. Pair gouda with a beer that has rich caramel flavors. Pair gouda with sweet fruits. Eat sliced gouda with whole grain bread. Add grated gouda to your favorite vegetable dishes. Preheat your oven to 375 °F (191 °C) and prepare a casserole dish. Boil 16 ounces (450 g) of macaroni for 10 minutes on a stove top. Prepare the cheese sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Turn off the stovetop and add 4 ounces (110 g) of gouda to the sauce pan. Combine the pasta and sauce in the casserole dish and bake it for 15 minutes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Kitty-Litter-Cake | How to Make Kitty Litter Cake | To make kitty litter cake, start by baking a white cake and a chocolate cake in separate pans using box cake mixes. Then, while the cakes are baking, make some vanilla pudding using instant pudding mix and chill it in the fridge. Next, crumble some white sandwich cookies in a bowl and add a few drops of green food coloring. After you make the cookie crumbles, crumble both of the cakes together in a bowl and add half of the cookie crumbs and some of the pudding. Finally, add the cake crumbles and the rest of the cookie crumbs and pudding to a brand new litter box and top with melted tootsie rolls. | Prepare and bake the cake mixes. Follow the directions on the boxes, but don't worry too much about pan sizes: we're not going to frost it the normal way! Allow the cakes to cool to room temperature. Prepare the pudding mix. While the cakes are baking, make the pudding, and let chill in the refrigerator. Crumble the white sandwich cookies in small batches. You can use a food processor (scrape often to get every little piece), kitchen mallet, or just crumble them by hand. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. Add a few drops of green food coloring to 1/4 cup of cookie crumbs. You can either mix them together with a fork or shake them together in a closed container such as a jar or Tupperware. Set aside for now. Crumble the room-temperature cakes into a large bowl. Toss gently with half of the remaining white cookie crumbs and enough chilled pudding to moisten (not soak) the crumbs. Make the litter. Add the cake, cookie crumbs, and pudding mixture into a brand new, clean litter box. If you don't have one, find a large rectangular Tupperware container to act as a stand-in (or sit-in). Temper your Tootsies. Heat three unwrapped Tootsie rolls in a microwave-safe dish until they're soft and pliable. Pinch off the ends so they are no longer blunt and look convincingly like what cats put in the litter box. Repeat this process with as many Tootsie rolls as you'd like to add, microwaving them in batches of three. Reserve three for the final garnish. Half-bury the shaped Tootsie rolls in mixture. Sprinkle them with (normal-colored) cookie crumbs to make it look like litter has been kicked onto them. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top. This will mimic real litter, where many of the grains are often blue or green. Heat and shape the last three Tootsie rolls. Scrape them on top of the cake. One can hang over the side of the litter box. Sprinkle them lightly with cookie crumbs to make them look more recent. Eat it up, yum! Place the box on a newspaper and sprinkle a few of the cookie crumbs around. Serve with a brand new, washed litter scooper for that extra touch! Serve it with a cow patty for extra yumminess. Take a scoop of chocolate ice cream and flatten it out on the plate. For extra realism, thoroughly mix crumbled shredded wheat with softened ice cream, shape into cow patties, and re-freeze. | Prepare and bake the cake mixes. Prepare the pudding mix. Crumble the white sandwich cookies in small batches. Add a few drops of green food coloring to 1/4 cup of cookie crumbs. Crumble the room-temperature cakes into a large bowl. Make the litter. Temper your Tootsies. Half-bury the shaped Tootsie rolls in mixture. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top. Heat and shape the last three Tootsie rolls. Eat it up, yum! Serve it with a cow patty for extra yumminess. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Pasta-With-White-and-Red-Sauce | How to Cook Pasta With White and Red Sauce | For the simplest white and red sauce, combine 1 jar of store-bought alfredo sauce with 1 jar of store-bought marinara sauce. Add the sauce mixture to 4 cups of your favorite pasta and stir in 2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Bake at 250 °F degrees for 20-25 minutes, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top, then bake another 5 minutes. For busy weeknights, freeze the prepared pasta dish and bake it just before meal time. | Gather your ingredients. This recipe is very simple and can be made quickly, so it's perfect for a busy weeknight. Instead of making the white and red sauces from scratch, this baked pasta calls for 2 jars of your favorite store-bought sauces. Along with being a fast meal to prepare, it's also fairly inexpensive and kids love it. Serves 6-8. 4 cups penne noodles; 1 jar Alfredo sauce (15 oz.); 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz.); 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese. Boil water and add the penne noodles. Cook and drain the pasta according to the directions on the package (different brands vary). While you're working on this, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees to prepare for the baking portion of the recipe. Carefully pour the boiling water and cooked pasta into a strainer to drain. If you don't have penne noodles on hand, feel free to substitute with 4 cups of your favorite pasta shape. Combine both sauces together. Pour both the marinara and Alfredo sauces straight from their jars into a large mixing bowl. Using a big mixing spoon, stir them together until well blended. The red and white sauces will combine to create a creamy orange-red hued sauce. Add mozzarella cheese and drained pasta. Mix 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese into the sauce mixture in your large bowl. Stir the cheese into the sauce well. Then add the cooked and drained pasta to the mixture. Stir well to combine all of the ingredients. Pour the pasta mixture into a dish and bake it. Carefully pour all of your mixture into a 9x13 baking dish. Confirm that your oven is now heated to 350 degrees. Slide the baking dish into the oven and bake the pasta uncovered for 20-25 minutes. By that time, it will be hot and bubbly. Top the pasta dish parmesan cheese and bake for 5 more minutes. Carefully pull the pasta dish from the oven and sprinkle 1 cup of parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Pop it back into the oven, still uncovered, for another 5 minutes. Confirm that the parmesan has fully melted, then remove it from the oven. Allow pasta to cool for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. Feel free to chop and sprinkle fresh parsley and/or fresh basil on the top of the dish before cutting and serving. Freeze the dish for a future meal. Prepare the recipe all the way up to baking step. Tightly cover the dish with two layers of aluminum foil. You can freeze this for up to 2 months. To reheat the dish, remove it from the freezer and put it in the refrigerator for about 2 days to thaw it out. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes (or until heated through). Gather your ingredients. This pasta with tomato cream sauce (i.e. red and white sauce) is delicious and easy to prepare. The overall prep time for this meal is approximately 40 minutes. This recipe will serve 6-8. 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium onion, finely diced; Two 15-ounce cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce; Dash of sugar (or more to taste); Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 1 1/2 pounds fettuccine; 1 cup heavy cream; Grated parmesan or romano, as needed; Chopped fresh basil, for serving (optional). Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion in a large skillet. Mince 4 cloves of garlic and finely dice 1 medium onion. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions to the skillet. Sauté for approximately 1 minute. Add the tomato sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour the tomato sauce (or marinara sauce) into the skillet. Add a dash of sugar. Add a pinch of salt and pepper (to taste) and stir. Cook the red sauce over low heat for about 25 to 30 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally. Boil water and add the fettuccine noodles. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package (different brands vary) then carefully drain. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. You might need to use this later to thin the sauce out. Remove the red sauce from heat and stir in the cream. To remove from heat, carefully slide your skillet over to an unused burner on your stove. Stir in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. Add the cheeses (to taste). Dip a spoon in and taste a little to gauge the seasoning (add more, if needed). Stir in the fettuccine. If the consistency is thicker than you'd like, add a little of the reserved pasta water, then stir again. If you're satisfied, add the chopped basil (optional) and serve immediately. Have additional Romano and Parmesan cheeses on the dining table so that everyone can add to taste, if they wish. Gather the ingredients for the red sauce. You will make the red sauce first. Go ahead and grab the ingredients for both sauces, but keep the red sauce ingredients separated from the white. The overall prep time for the entire meal is approximately 30-40 minutes. Serves 2. 1 chopped red pepper; 1/8 of a sliced red onion; 1 small chopped tomato; Clove of garlic; Italian spices of your choice (recommended are basil, rosemary, and oregano); Pinch of salt & pepper; Gather the ingredients for the white sauce. You will make the white sauce immediately after you complete the red sauce. 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon flour; 1 ½ cups of milk or heavy cream; 1/2 cup of parmesan; 1 ½ cups of pasta of your choice (recommended are rotini, fusilli or a stuffed pasta. Boil water and add the pasta noodles of your choice. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package (different brands vary). Carefully drain the pasta noodles and set them aside. While the noodles are boiling, begin working on the red sauce. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté the chopped red pepper, sliced red onion, chopped tomato and minced garlic in the skillet over medium heat. As you sauté, add the Italian spices you like best (recommended are basil, rosemary, and oregano), along with a pinch of both salt and pepper. Sauté for approximately 1 minute or so. Remove the vegetables from heat and puree them. Transfer the vegetables from the skillet into a blender. Put the top on tightly and puree until the sauce is smooth. If the consistency of the sauce is thicker than you'd like, add a little olive oil while you're blending. Once pureed, set it aside. Melt the butter in large saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the saucepan and melt it over low-medium heat. Once it's melted, add 1 tablespoon of flour and use a whisk to mix the two together. When the mixture begins to bubble, begin slowly adding the cream to the saucepan. Add a little cream, stir, allow it to start bubbling again and then add a little more cream. Stir and repeat this process until all of the cream has been added to the saucepan. Allow the sauce to thicken and add the cheeses. Stir frequently. Continue slowly stirring the sauce in the pan until the consistency thickens a little. At that point, add ½ cup of parmesan cheese to the skillet. Mix well and continue stirring until the parmesan has melted completely. Continue to cook and stir the white sauce until it is smooth and creamy. It shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes. Put the drained pasta in a large serving bowl. Add a heaping scoop of white sauce to the bowl. Make sure to cover all of the pasta. Spoon a large scoop of red sauce over the pasta. Then alternate drizzling the red and white sauces over the top of the pasta until there is none remaining. Mix well and serve immediately. Chop up a little fresh basil and sprinkle it on the top before serving (optional). Finished. | Gather your ingredients. Boil water and add the penne noodles. Combine both sauces together. Add mozzarella cheese and drained pasta. Pour the pasta mixture into a dish and bake it. Top the pasta dish parmesan cheese and bake for 5 more minutes. Freeze the dish for a future meal. Gather your ingredients. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion in a large skillet. Add the tomato sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Boil water and add the fettuccine noodles. Remove the red sauce from heat and stir in the cream. Stir in the fettuccine. Gather the ingredients for the red sauce. Gather the ingredients for the white sauce. Boil water and add the pasta noodles of your choice. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Remove the vegetables from heat and puree them. Melt the butter in large saucepan. Allow the sauce to thicken and add the cheeses. Put the drained pasta in a large serving bowl. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-for-Asbestos | How to Test for Asbestos | If you want to test for asbestos, keep in mind that asbestos is only dangerous when it degrades and becomes airborne. Therefore, if you don't see signs of disintegrating pipes, insulation, walls, vinyl flooring, or other old materials in your home, testing for asbestos may not be necessary. If you do see signs of disintegrating materials, or if you just want to be safe, hire an approved contractor to come and test the area. | Determine when the building in question was constructed. Asbestos was widely used between 1920 and 1989, after which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating materials containing asbestos. Asbestos can most commonly be found in buildings, but also in gas heaters, hair dryers, some clothing and automotive brakes. Walls, flooring, pipes, textured paints, insulation, fireproofing materials, pipes, electric wiring, and even chalkboards constructed between 1920 and 1989 may contain asbestos. If the building was constructed between 1920 and 1989, chances are something in the building was constructed with materials containing asbestos. Few materials made today are constructed with asbestos. Items that do contain asbestos are now labeled as such. See if there are signs of disturbed asbestos materials. You can't tell whether an item contains asbestos just by looking at it. Instead, look for warning signs that construction materials are degrading. Asbestos isn't dangerous when it's still in good condition, but when it starts to break down and the fibers are released in the air, it becomes toxic. Look for signs of older materials that have become worn out or damaged. Disintegrating pipes, insulation, walls, tiles, vinyl flooring, stovetop pads, and other older materials that have been present in the building since its construction are signs to look out for. Look for cracks, dusty areas and spots where the material seems to be in the process of breaking down and falling apart. Decide whether to get the area tested. If you don't see signs of construction materials degrading, you might not need to get the area tested, since asbestos is only dangerous when it becomes airborne. However, if you do see signs of degrading materials, or if you simply want to err on the side of safety, you should opt to get the area tested by a professional who has been certified to test for and handle asbestos safely. Another scenario in which you might want to get the area tested is if you plan to do new construction work or replace old materials. Even if the materials are still in good shape, they'll get disturbed during the construction process and may release fibers into the air. While you could purchase the equipment required to conduct asbestos testing, it is not recommended that you try this on your own. Asbestos testing should be conducted by someone who has gone through training and knows how to handle the material without causing a health hazard for the occupants of the building. If you haven't been trained, you could end up disturbing the asbestos and breathing it in or putting other people at risk of doing so. Hire a contractor to do the testing. Contact an EPA-approved contractor who is trained and licensed in handling asbestos to analyze the suspected particles, as well as filing the necessary paperwork required by the EPA. If you were to collect the samples yourself, you'd still have to give the samples to an EPA-certified laboratory for analysis, and give them the protective gear you wore during the collection for proper disposal. The EPA has provided a list of certified contractors by state at http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos/state-asbestos-contacts. Federal law does not require asbestos testing done in single-family, detached homes to be conducted by an accredited professional, although some individual states require it. If you're interested in completing an asbestos professional training program, contact your state or local health department or regional EPA office for more information. Prepare for the area to be tested. Since the act of testing for asbestos can disturb the material and potentially create a hazard, you should take a few precautions to ensure everyone's safety before the certified contractor conducts the test. Prepare the building as follows: Stop any air conditioning, fans, or ventilation systems that could circulate asbestos in the air. Plan to close off the area; don't let anyone in or out of the room being sampled during the collection. If the testing is being done in a home, it might be prudent to have everyone leave the house at the time of the testing. Understand the testing procedure. When you hire an EPA-certified contractor to come to your house to test for asbestos, a certain protocol will be followed to maximize safety. Anyone in the room at the time of testing should put on protective clothing and gear, including protective gloves, boots, and clothes which can be disposed of after collecting samples, and a face mask including a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. The contractor will probably use the following testing method: Plastic sheeting will be laid sheeting below the area where samples will be taken and secured with tape. The area to be tested will be sprayed with water to keep loose fibers from getting in the air. A tool is used to cut into the substance to be tested to get a sample of fibers. A small sample of the material which might be or contain asbestos is placed in a sealable container to be sent to a lab for testing. The area where the sample was taken is patched with plastic sheet, drywall, or tape to prevent suspected fibers from spreading. Protective gear clothing contaminated by the material is placed in a sealed container to be disposed of properly. Wait for test results. The material sample should be sent to an asbestos analysis lab accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) at the National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST). A list of laboratories is available at http://www.nist.gov/. If the sample tests positive for asbestos, you'll need to decide whether to repair the area or remove the materials that contain asbestos from the property. Have the disturbed material repaired. Repairs to materials that contain asbestos usually involved either sealing or covering the area to prevent fibers from being released into the air. With such a dangerous carcinogen present, it might seem strange to repair it instead of removing it, but repair is actually the safest option. Removing the materials tends to disturb them more, posing a greater health risk, while repairing the materials to contain the asbestos allows you to live with the materials safely. Repairs should be conducted by a certified professional to ensure they are done properly. In most cases, a special sealant or covering is applied to the area to keep it from breaking down. Floors containing asbestos might be covered with new flooring to keep fibers from entering the air. Repairs are less expensive than removal, and usually the best all-around option. However, if the materials are already quite damaged, and they'll eventually need to be removed, it's better to spring for removal right away. Applying a sealant or covering can make it more difficult to remove the materials later. Live safely with materials that contain asbestos. After repairs have been conducted, it's still important to be careful around the materials that contain asbestos. Be cautious around the materials in question so you don't end up disturbing them and releasing the asbestos fibers. Take the following measures to live safely with asbestos: Keep activities to a minimum in the areas that have asbestos. For example, if the walls in your basement contain asbestos, don't spend more time than necessary there. Don't saw, sand, scrape, drill, or otherwise damage materials that contain asbestos, even after sealant has been applied. Don't use abrasive cleaning materials on materials that have asbestos. Don't vacuum or sweep debris on the floor that might contain asbestos. If further damage occurs, have it repaired by a professional. Consider asbestos removal. If you'd simply prefer not to have asbestos-containing materials in the building, you can opt for removal instead of repair. Hire a contractor who has been trained by the EPA. The removal process is more dangerous than the repair process, and if done improperly it can pose a serious health risk to individuals using the building. | Determine when the building in question was constructed. See if there are signs of disturbed asbestos materials. Decide whether to get the area tested. Hire a contractor to do the testing. Prepare for the area to be tested. Understand the testing procedure. Wait for test results. Have the disturbed material repaired. Live safely with materials that contain asbestos. Consider asbestos removal. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Narcissistic-Personality-Disorder | How to Deal With Narcissistic Personality Disorder | Dealing with someone with narcissistic personality disorder can be really difficult. Narcissists are self-absorbed, manipulative, and have little to no empathy for others. Although this isn't their fault, it means they often abuse people around them. If you have to interact with a narcissist, try to be polite and kind, like you would to any other person. Just don't expect it back. Avoid confrontation with a narcissist at all costs, since their ego will always override their sense of rationality. Don't share your emotions or personal life with them. They won't care and they might even use it against you in the future. The more you understand about narcissistic personality disorder, the more you can avoid falling into their traps. | Determine if it’s worth dealing with this person. This person probably has very little interest in listening to you and has a lack of interest in what your needs are. Narcissists think they know more than others. Therefore, they see their decisions as the only logical answers to problems. Narcissists will expect that you will defer to their decisions. There will probably be power struggles or severe control issues in your relationship. Someone with NPD tends to seem uninvested in relationships and tends to react strongly to any perceived criticism. They probably have a history of severing relationships over trivial causes. If you are determined to maintain the relationship, how do you survive, and remain emotionally intact? Consider avoiding a relationship with a toxic person. If they show a pattern of disregard for you and/or others, it's probably best to walk away or limit contact. Avoid confrontation. You won't convince a person with NPD that they are wrong. Pick your battles and don't waste effort in tackling an issue that centers on the person's behaviors, as they are unlikely to change. If your spouse monopolized the conversation at last night's family reunion and embarrassed you by telling tall tales, chalk it up as water under the bridge. Take a preventative approach before the next gathering, perhaps by arranging for them to sit next to a quiet family member who will greatly enjoy listening to someone else's exploits. If the issue involves a decision you've made, such as not riding in the car with your brother driving if he drinks at the party tonight, state it simply and directly. Feel free to then walk away without trying to justify your decision. That is the behavior you will get from a narcissistic personality so they will understand it—and possibly accept it—better than any emotional plea. Establish goal-oriented interaction. People with NPD like to achieve things and then brag about their achievements. Set goals to meet your needs that provide a source of pride for your narcissist. If you cringe when thinking about asking your narcissistic husband to spring-clean the patio and backyard, suggest that he should host the season's first barbecue. Narcissists see themselves as social leaders, so this type of event provides the audience he craves. Ask his opinion on what needs to be done then offer to ready the house and refreshments for the gathering. Appeal to his muscle in getting the outside ready. Ironically, you might accomplish even more than the spring cleaning you originally visualized by suggesting an outdoor project (i.e., building a pond, raised garden bed, or outdoor fountain). This would provide him with a bragging point during the party. Learn what is important to the person. Remember that someone with NPD probably won't understand or respect your emotional statements or gestures. They may actually reject them in a manner that feels callous and hurtful to you. Instead, study your subject and learn what is important to them. Then offer them a pragmatic gift of your time or wallet that their perception will translate as a genuine statement of affection. Suggest talk therapy. The only effective way to treat this disorder head-on is through talk therapy. Psychotherapy can make inroads in reshaping how persons with NPD perceive themselves and their place in the world. Then they can develop more accurate views of their actual abilities. This can assist them to eventually accept themselves and incorporate opinions of others into their thought processes. However, because people with NPD see themselves as fairly flawless, they tend not to recognize any need to seek counseling or make changes in their behaviors. Psychotherapy can assist in helping narcissistic people learn to relate to others so that they have more rewarding personal and professional relationships. Convincing a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder to see a therapist, participate in therapy, and remain in the process until real change occurs, is extremely difficult. If someone with NPD seeks mental health help, it is generally to address depression or suicidal tendencies. This person will likely be resistant to any discussions of personality overhaul or behavioral modification. There are no drugs to treat Narcissistic Personality Disorder, although treatment may include prescriptions to control symptoms or resultant problems such as depression. Consider the person’s childhood. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is typically found in males, beginning in adolescence or early adulthood. Experts have not pinpointed causes but speculation includes certain types of parenting: Extremely critical parenting: Parenting that is extremely critical can lead to a growing need for the child to seek adoration. Gushing parenting: On the other end of the spectrum, parenting that is gushing can give a child an unhealthy sense of entitlement or perfection. It appears most likely that parenting that combines extreme elements of both coldness and admiration often produces a narcissist. Identify if the person thinks they can do no wrong. A narcissistic personality may first appear to have a strong sense of self-esteem, confidence, and ability. In time, this will be revealed to be steeped in self-belief that they can do no wrong and that they have greater value than those around them. Consider if the person thinks they are the center of the universe. The narcissist will feel that the world revolves around them, and they will do what is takes to keep it that way. , This might include monopolizing conversations. Consider if the person is easily angered or verbally abusive. When a narcissist doesn't receive the special treatment to which they feel entitled, they might become angry or verbally abusive. Differentiate from antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) by noting whether the person has incidents with the law. Someone with NPD may become verbally aggressive, but they typically don't become violent or engage in illegal activity, and they usually have good impulse control. Identify if a person is arrogant or boastful. Persons with Narcissistic Personality Disorder will be seen by most as arrogant, boastful, and self-centered. They tend to look down on their inferiors (basically, everyone else), and may tear others down in order to build themselves up. They will manipulate others to get what they want. Identify a person’s lack of emotional empathy. There are two major types of empathy: cognitive empathy (the ability to understand someone's emotions) and emotional empathy (the sharing of someone's emotions). Someone with NPD doesn't share in others' emotions and has no desire to learn to do so. Contrast this with autism , in which a person typically cares but struggles to understand. Unlike someone with NPD, autistics may spontaneously help others and get upset (sometimes to the point of needing to withdraw) when seeing someone in distress. Differentiate between the conditions by noticing how the person responds if you explicitly tell them that they hurt someone's feelings; an autistic person will typically become distressed and concerned, while someone with NPD is unlikely to care. Notice if a person overreacts to criticism. They will not try to meet the needs of others. In fact, they may react in anger to any request for such, as it may be perceived as a criticism. It once was thought that the exaggerated sense of self-worth in NPD was in compensation for an actual lack of self-esteem. Experts now believe that narcissists are self-delusional in that they actually believe in their own grandiosity. They feel entitled to adoration from others, despite any evidence of achievement. Therefore, people with NPD may overreact, possibly even becoming aggressive, when they feel attacked by even the slightest of criticisms. Distinguish NPD from borderline personality disorder (BPD) by seeing whether they take criticism to heart. Someone with NPD may get angry, while someone with BPD may also panic and fall into a downward spiral of low self-esteem. Consider if the person has unrealistic expectations. The person with NPD will have exaggerated beliefs of self-importance, superiority, achievement, and ability; manipulative behaviors as well as expectations of obedience, admiration, and entitlement; and preoccupation with “fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate.” People with NPD often demand that the highest quality possible (“the best”) be expended or produced on their behalf. Recognize if the person takes advantage of others. People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often tend to manipulate or exploit situations and people in their lives in order to get ahead or get away with their behavior. If they can find a way to get what they want, they'll usually do whatever needs to be done. For example, say you're indecisive and tend to lack self-confidence. If you and the narcissist got into an argument about something they did wrong to you and you call them out on it a few days later, they may deny and dismiss it by saying "Don't be silly; that's not how it happened," knowing that it'll make you doubt your own point of view. Look at the person’s relationships. It is almost always difficult to work or live with someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. People with NPD tend to have problems in their personal relationships as well as at work and/or school. Some may note a real or perceived flaw in their perfection that leads to depression or moodiness. Suicidal thoughts complicate matters further. Notice if there is drug or alcohol abuse. When life does not run smoothly, someone with NPD may have issues with drugs or alcohol. Examine how much the person is drinking alcohol or if they are abusing drugs. Make the important distinction between a malignant narcissist and someone who is trying to be a good person. While having NPD makes it more challenging to be a good person, people with NPD aren't doomed to be evil. People with NPD may choose to try to treat others with decency and respect, though their distorted viewpoints may make this difficult for them. The person must make this choice for themselves. You can't change them, and it's not your responsibility. Don't waste time trying to "fix" someone who doesn't see anything wrong with their behavior. Notice if the person is willing to reflect on their behavior, apologize when needed, show concern for others' emotions, and work on treating other people well. They can work on learning to behave better. Take verbal abuse seriously. Nobody deserves to put up with that, so distance yourself if the person mistreats you. Seek emotional support elsewhere. Accept right now that your emotional needs will not be met by this person. Find a trusted friend or other confidante (a relative, counselor, or priest, for instance) who will provide a listening ear and understanding for those times you need to talk about your frustrations. Have a network of friends to fill the other emotional gaps left in your life. If your wife has NPD, she may not share in your enthusiasm when you get a commendation at work because it doesn't concern her personally. She may even receive this commendation negatively if she doesn't get regular atta-girls at her job. Be prepared for a ho-hum response from her. Post a happy note on your social media or call a couple friends who will give you the high-fives you deserve. Educate yourself to improve your quality of life. Every individual is unique, so educate yourself about Narcissistic Personality Disorder but also do your best to learn how your specific person with NPD processes his world. The better you understand that lens, the more you can adapt your approach to him so that you get the results you seek more often than otherwise. Learn to anticipate how they will react given particular circumstances, then set up the scenario to obtain the results you want. Examine how they see you in their world, then try to fit that mold as comfortably as you can. Don't bend so much that you break, but manipulate the setting so there's a happy medium. Remember to employ the grandmotherly maxim given to brides: He'll do anything you want if you make him think it was his own idea. The better you know and understand your person with NPD, the more likely you can reach beyond the wall separating you to show that you truly care, which will benefit you both. Don’t forego making emotional gestures. You may find that a person with NPD responds well to the non-emotional favors you learn to do. This doesn't mean, however, that you have to forego making emotional gestures from your own heart. In fact, they may appreciate being able to show off to co-workers that you put a love-note in their lunch box. Keep in mind, however, that you probably won't get any expression of appreciation at home that night. Your expression of caring will meet your own need of giving love without pain as long as you don't expect them to react emotionally or to reciprocate your gesture. Seek advice from other resources. You've put yourself on the right track by starting to educate yourself about Narcissistic Personality Disorder. There are numerous support groups, books, and other resources with practical advice to help you survive this challenging relationship. Share ideas with other people. Don't forget that you aren't the only person impacted by the narcissistic personality in your life. Share ideas with this person's friends and co-workers who are trying to maintain a relationship with them. Monitor any children the person has. If there are children living with this person, make sure they are safe with this parent. Narcissistic parents can often be verbally or emotionally abusive. Take note if the children are lacking certain social skills because of their parent's behaviors. Consider ways you can compensate or re-teach certain social skills so the children don't become adults with similar behaviors. | Determine if it’s worth dealing with this person. Avoid confrontation. Establish goal-oriented interaction. Learn what is important to the person. Suggest talk therapy. Consider the person’s childhood. Identify if the person thinks they can do no wrong. Consider if the person thinks they are the center of the universe. Consider if the person is easily angered or verbally abusive. Identify if a person is arrogant or boastful. Identify a person’s lack of emotional empathy. Notice if a person overreacts to criticism. Consider if the person has unrealistic expectations. Recognize if the person takes advantage of others. Look at the person’s relationships. Notice if there is drug or alcohol abuse. Make the important distinction between a malignant narcissist and someone who is trying to be a good person. Seek emotional support elsewhere. Educate yourself to improve your quality of life. Don’t forego making emotional gestures. Seek advice from other resources. Share ideas with other people. Monitor any children the person has. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Secure-a-Bookcase-to-a-Wall | How to Secure a Bookcase to a Wall | To secure a bookcase to a wall with brackets, start by using a stud finder to locate the studs in your wall. When you find a stud, mark the center of it with a vertical line using a yardstick and pencil. Then, position your empty bookcase at a point between the wall studs. Once the bookcase is positioned, place an "L" bracket on top so it is flush with the wall and shelf and use a drill to attach the bracket to the top of the shelf. Finally, use a drill to attach another "L" bracket between the wall and the side of the shelf. | Purchase a set of Velcro straps. They should include long screws and wall anchors that will hold the straps firmly to your wall. You will not need to drill into the case itself using this method. Use a stepladder and a pencil to draw a horizontal line where your bookcase meets the wall. Remove the books and move the bookcase away from the wall. Use a stud finder to search for wall studs. If possible, find two studs and secure the bookcase with two straps to ensure a good hold. Secure the bookcase into wall studs whenever possible, instead of using wall anchors. It is best to secure the bookcase without the books in it, and then fill it up once you are finished. Mark the stud locations with a pencil. Draw a vertical line. The two cross-hairs are the locations where you will drill your wood screws into the wall. Ask someone to line up the straps vertically and hold them in place. Make sure the adhesive layer is facing down. You will peel back the clear plastic cover after you are done drilling. Drill the wood screws into the center of the straps, where there are holes for the screws. Use a cordless drill. The number of screws may depend on the brand of Velcro straps you use. If you couldn't find a stud, you will need to make pilot holes and insert the wall anchors. Then, screw the wood screws directly into the wall anchors, where your lines meet. Move your bookcase back into place, at the level where your screws are placed in the wall. Peel back the clear cover from the sticky adhesive and press the strap onto the top of the bookcase. For best results, don't remove the adhesive strip to realign, or it may lose some of its hold. Remove the books. Move the bookcase out of the way. Use a stud finder to locate studs in your wall. Use a yardstick to mark the center of the stud with a vertical line. Replace your bookcase, positioning it at a point right between the wall studs. If this is impossible, you can attach your brackets at the top, into a center stud. Use a stepladder to gain access to the top of the shelf. For tall shelves, this is the best place to secure a bookcase into a stud because it is the least noticeable place. Place an “L” bracket so that it is flush with the wall and the shelf. You can also use door chain latches in place of L brackets if you want to move the shelf regularly. Install the chain on the wall and the slide on the top of the shelf. Drill the L bracket into the top of the shelf with your cordless screwdriver using screws that will go all the way through the top of the shelf. Ask a friend to hold the bookcase flush with the wall if it is tipping forward. Drill the other side of the L bracket into the wall with washers and three-inch wood screws. Drill until the screw head is almost even with the bracket, but avoid stripping the screw. If you can't find a stud, you should install wall anchors before you drive screws into drywall or masonry. Drill a pilot hole into the wall and push the wall anchor in. Then, align the brackets and drill with three-inch screws. Repeat on either side of the shelf. Place an L bracket between the wall and the side of your shelf, where it will hit a stud. Repeat the same procedure on either side of the shelf. | Purchase a set of Velcro straps. Use a stepladder and a pencil to draw a horizontal line where your bookcase meets the wall. Remove the books and move the bookcase away from the wall. Mark the stud locations with a pencil. Ask someone to line up the straps vertically and hold them in place. Drill the wood screws into the center of the straps, where there are holes for the screws. Move your bookcase back into place, at the level where your screws are placed in the wall. Remove the books. Use a stud finder to locate studs in your wall. Replace your bookcase, positioning it at a point right between the wall studs. Use a stepladder to gain access to the top of the shelf. Place an “L” bracket so that it is flush with the wall and the shelf. Drill the L bracket into the top of the shelf with your cordless screwdriver using screws that will go all the way through the top of the shelf. Ask a friend to hold the bookcase flush with the wall if it is tipping forward. Repeat on either side of the shelf. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Fast-Kite-with-One-Sheet-of-Paper | How to Make a Fast Kite with One Sheet of Paper | With only one sheet of paper, you can make your own fast kite to fly on breezy days. To make a fast bumblebee kite, you'll need a sheet of A4 paper, string, scissors, a pencil, stapler, and ruler. Start by folding your paper in half vertically. Make a dot at the bottom of the folded paper, about 2 inches from the left edge of the fold. Then, fold the top left edge down to touch the dot and staple it in place to make the first wing. Repeat this step on the other side of the paper so the 2 wings are symmetrical. Next, make a hole with a hole punch or scissors 2 inches down from the staples and tie your string through it. Finally, cover the hole with a strip of tape to prevent it from ripping while your kite's in the air. | Gather all required materials. It is best to place all of the required materials on your desk, table, or wherever you plan to work. Below is what you will need to make and fly your kite: 8.5” by 11” sheet of printing paper or construction paper Lightweight string Pencil Stapler Ruler Scissors Hole punch (optional) A nice breeze or light wind (6-15 mph) Begin the construction process. Place your paper in front of you in a vertical position with the long sides on the right and left. Fold your paper in half so that the fold (seam) is at the bottom. Establish the wing dimensions. Use your pencil to make a dot at the very bottom of the folded paper, about 2” from the left edge of the fold. While you have your pencil in hand, make another dot at the very bottom of the folded paper, about 2” from the first dot for attaching the string later. The Bumblebee (Schaeffer) kite, first created by William Schaeffer in 1973, may be the easiest of all kites to create and was designed with a simple fold that sails in gentle winds. Secure the wings. Fold the top left end of the paper down until it is touching the first dot. Do not crease this fold. Do the exact same thing on the opposite side so that both sides are identical. Secure the ends of the folded pieces with a staple (the staple should be placed where you made the first dot). Create the attachment point. Place tape over the second dot and make sure the piece of tape is long enough to cover both sides. Use your hole punch to make a hole over the dot. This hole is the attachment point for the string. If you do not have a hole punch, you can carefully use scissors to create the hole. The purpose of the tape is to reinforce the hole so that it does not tear later. Attach the string. Insert your kite string through the hole that you created and tie the string with a gentle, but tightly secured knot. If you are really feeling crafty, you can create a handle for your string with a wide stick or any tube shaped item. A handle makes it easy for you to reel in or extend your kite, and also prevents your kite from flying away. The string is also called the flying line. Gather all required materials. It is best to place all of the required materials on your desk, table, or wherever you plan to work. Below is what you will need to make and fly your kite: 8.5” by 11” sheet of printing paper, construction paper, or card stock A thin wooden stick or bamboo skewer Tape Lightweight string Lightweight ribbon Pencil Scissors Hole punch (optional) A nice breeze or light wind (6-15 mph) Begin the construction process. Place your paper in front of you in a horizontal position with the long sides at the top and bottom. Fold your paper in half so that the fold (seam) is on the left side. Establish the wing dimensions. Use your pencil to make a dot at the very top of the folded paper, about 1.5” to 2” from the fold, depending on your desired wing size. Make another dot at the very bottom of the folded paper, about 1.5” to 2” from the opening. Imagine or draw a line that connects the two dots. Delta kites were first created in the 1940s by Wilbur Green and were designed with wings that fly well in lighter winds. Assemble and secure the wings. Fold the paper along the line that you just made or imagined. Turn the paper over and fold that side exactly as you did in step 3. Be sure both sides are exactly the same. Use your tape to secure the folded sides along the middle seam. You should already see your kite taking shape. Reinforce the structure. Place your thin wooden stick or bamboo skewer horizontally across the widest part of the wings. This section of the kite is also called the sail. Use tape to secure the stick into place. Be sure that your stick is not longer than the width of the kite. If it is, carefully use your scissors to shorten the stick. Create the attachment point. Draw a dot about a third of the way down the spine of your kite and about half an inch from the edge. Place tape over this dot and make sure the piece of tape is long enough to cover both sides. Use your hole punch to make a hole over the dot. This hole is the attachment point for the string. The hole will be located at the narrow end of the flap, which is towards the top of the kite. If you do not have a hole punch, you can carefully use scissors to create the hole. The purpose of the tape is to reinforce the hole so that it does not tear later. Attach the string. Insert your kite string through the hole that you created and tie the string with a gentle, but tightly secured knot. You can create a handle for your string with a wide stick or any tube shaped item. A handle makes it easy for you to reel in or extend your kite, and also prevents your kite from flying away. The string is also called the flying line. Create a tail. Tape lightweight ribbon at the very bottom of your kite on the same side as the stick. Your tail can be as long as you desire. You can start out with a long tail and cut it shorter if your kite is unable to fly. The tail is important because it balances your kite while in flight and prevents it from flipping and nose-diving to the ground. Some tails are 3 feet or shorter, and some are 15 feet or longer. The length of the tail will be determined by the weight of the ribbon. Find open space. Now that you have completed the construction of your kite, it is now time to send it to flight. To start, find a location where there is lots of open space without trees, such as a park, lake, or beach. Although your paper kite may not reach significantly high heights, avoiding any hindrances is still a good practice. Launch your kite. To launch your kite, begin to walk with the flying line in one hand and the kite in the other hand. Increase your walking pace to allow your kite to fly using simple aerodynamics. When launching your kite, your back should be to the wind and your kite should face you. Aerodynamics is the movement of a solid object through the air. The right wind direction will keep your kite in flight. Guide your kite. You can release more string when you feel your kite rising and reel in your kite when it begins to fall. | Gather all required materials. Begin the construction process. Establish the wing dimensions. Secure the wings. Create the attachment point. Attach the string. Gather all required materials. Begin the construction process. Establish the wing dimensions. Assemble and secure the wings. Reinforce the structure. Create the attachment point. Attach the string. Create a tail. Find open space. Launch your kite. Guide your kite. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Care-for-Ocicats | How to Care for Ocicats | To care for an Ocicat, make sure you're feeding it high-quality cat food, which is food that lists real meat as its first two ingredients. Since cats prefer small meals, maintain a healthy eating schedule for your Ocicat by feeding it half the recommended daily feeding amount listed on its food bag, twice daily. You should also make sure to pet your Ocicat every day or consider getting it a companion if you're away from home a lot, since Ocicats are happier around people or other animals. Because Ocicats are also extremely intelligent, entertain your Ocicat with puzzle toys that will challenge its mind, so it doesn't get bored. | Select a high-quality cat food. To keep your Ocicat in excellent physical condition, you will need to feed her a diet of high-quality cat food. One good way to choose a cat food is to read the ingredients. If the first two ingredients listed are meat (not meat by-products), then the food is probably high-quality. If not, then keep looking. Make sure that the food contains taurine. Taurine is an essential amino acid that all cats need for good vision and heart health. Most cat foods will contain this ingredient, but if you find one that does not, then do not buy that food. Feed your Ocicat two measured food portions per day. Some people free feed their cats, which is when the cat has access to unlimited dry food all of the time. This method of feeding can cause some cats to become overweight or even obese, so it is not ideal. Instead, maintain a regular feeding schedule for your cat and follow the guidelines on your cat's food package to determine how much food to give your cat. Take the recommended daily feeding amount listed on your cat's food package and divide it in half. For example, if your cat weighs between five and nine pounds, then the cat food package may suggest a maximum daily amount of 2/3 of a cup of food per day. To divide this into two portions, give your cat 1/3 of a cup in the morning and 1/3 of a cup in the evening. Cats prefer small meals, so your Ocicat is more likely to finish her food if you give it to her in two portions. Ask your Ocicat's veterinarian if you are unsure about how much to feed your cat. Give your Ocicat plenty of fresh, clean water. Your Ocicat will need to have access to a bowl of fresh, clean water at all times. Make sure that you have a special stainless steel or ceramic bowl for your Ocicat's water. Wash the bowl daily and change out the water at least once per day. Give your Ocicat treats. Ocicats like treats as much as any cat, so try to give your Ocicat a special treat now and then. You can buy treats in the store or try giving your cat some acceptable human foods for a treat. Just make sure that treats do not exceed 5% of your cat's daily calories. Some good treat options include: canned tuna lean deli meat cooked chicken or turkey cheese cooked eggs cantaloupe chunks steamed broccoli mashed potatoes Brush your Ocicat’s fur once per week. Ocicats have short fur that does not require much attention. To maintain your Ocicat's fur, brush him with a rubber hand brush or a natural bristle brush about once per week. Some people have even suggested using a chamois to groom your Ocicat. To brush your Ocicat, start by brushing his back, then move to his sides, tummy, and chest. You can give his tail a little attention too, but be gentle. Keep in mind that if your Ocicat is shedding, then you may need to brush him more often. . Trim your Ocicat's claws Your Ocicat needs his claws for mobility, but sometimes cat claws can become extra sharp and this may be a hazard for you. Try to trim your Ocicat's claws once every few weeks to prevent painful encounters with your cat's claws. Trim the white tips only. Do not trim the pink area of your Ocicat's claws or you may hurt him. Use a special guillotine style nail trimmer. . Clean your Ocicat's teeth Daily dental care is a great way to keep your Ocicat's teeth in good condition. To brush your Ocicat's teeth, you will need to get a special cat toothbrush and cat toothpaste because human toothpaste can make him sick. You may have to introduce your Ocicat to the toothbrush slowly. For example, you may start by allowing him to lick a bit of wet cat food off of the toothbrush for a few days. When you brush your cat's teeth, use gentle strokes on his teeth and gums. Brushing too hard may injure him. . Bathe your Ocicat if necessary Since Ocicats have short fur and they can keep themselves clean, you may never need to bathe your Ocicat. However, if your Ocicat becomes dirty or starts to smell bad, then you will need to give him a bath. Poor self-grooming is often a sign of illness in cats. Take your Ocicat to see a veterinarian if you notice that she stops grooming herself. Pet your Ocicat. Ocicats are more independent than some breeds, but they still love attention and affection from their humans. Make sure that you take time to pet your Ocicat every day and give him the attention he needs. If you are often away from home during the day or night, then you may want to get a companion for your Ocicat. They need to be around people or other animals to be happy. Give your Ocicat a puzzle toy. Ocicats have high intelligence, so they respond well to challenging toys. Try giving your Ocicat a puzzle toy that will challenge his problem solving skills and that will provide him with a treat when he solves the puzzle. Play fetch with your Ocicat. Unlike some cat breeds that do not understand how to fetch, many Ocicats like to play fetch. Try tossing a mouse toy or small ball to see if your Ocicat will bring it back to you. Your Ocicat will enjoy other interactive toys as well. Try wand toys to encourage your Ocicat to jump high in the air or laser pointers to allow your Ocicat to sprint back and forth while you move the laser around. Take your Ocicat for a walk. Ocicats are often described as dog-like in some of their behaviors and some Ocicats are even fond of taking walks. Get a cat harness and leash for your Ocicat and try taking him for a walk around your neighborhood. Make sure that your Ocicat's harness fits well and that his leash is securely attached. Your Ocicat may try to climb a tree or run off if he gets out of his harness or off of his leash. Give your Ocicat a soft bed. Your Ocicat will appreciate a soft, comfortable bed to sleep in every night. Get a special bed for your Ocicat and place it somewhere that you have noticed him sleeping. Many Ocicats like to be up on high perches, so placing the bed on a sturdy shelf or dresser may encourage him to use his bed even more. Put up scratching posts for your Ocicat. Ocicats need to scratch, so make sure that you provide your Ocicat with plenty of scratching posts so that he can indulge this habit. Try placing a couple of corrugated cardboard scratching boards and rope wrapped boards throughout your house. If you ever catch your Ocicat scratching something that he should not, do not yell at him or throw things at him. Just pick him up gently and place him next to one of his scratching boards. After a while, he will understand that he is only supposed to use his scratching board when he needs to scratch. Try rubbing a bit of catnip on your Ocicat's scratching boards to make them more attractive. Provide enough litter boxes for your Ocicat. Your Ocicat will need to have access to clean litter boxes at all times for his bathroom needs. Keep his litter boxes clean by scooping them out daily and changing the litter at least once per week. To get your Ocicat to use his litter box, you should also: Provide enough litter boxes. You should have at least one more litter box than the total number of cats in your house. For example, if you have three cats, then you need to have at least four litter boxes. Use a fine-grained litter. Cats prefer fine-grained litter in their boxes. Use a clumping kind to make it easier for you to clean and fill the box so that there is about two inches of litter in the box. Place litter boxes away from food and water. Cats do not like to go to the bathroom near their food and water dishes. Placing litter boxes in these areas may cause your cat to avoid using the box or lead to poor eating and drinking habits. Take your Ocicat to see a veterinarian. Ocicats need regular veterinary care to stay healthy. Make sure that you take your Ocicat to see a veterinarian soon after you get him and take him for regular checkups once per year. During these visits, your cat's veterinarian will examine your cat, run tests (such as a feline leukemia test), and give your cat vaccinations (such as a rabies vaccination). Make sure to make annual appointments for your Ocicat and take him to see the veterinarian any time you suspect that he is not feeling well. Spay or neuter your Ocicat. Spaying and neutering is an excellent way to control the pet population and protect your pet from certain health and behavioral issues. Talk to your cat's veterinarian about spaying or neutering your cat as soon as possible to prevent bad behaviors, such as spraying, aggression, and roaming, from becoming ingrained in your cat. Keep in mind that spaying and neutering may protect your Ocicat from some health issues as well, such as uterine infections, enlarged prostate, and certain forms of cancer. | Select a high-quality cat food. Feed your Ocicat two measured food portions per day. Give your Ocicat plenty of fresh, clean water. Give your Ocicat treats. Brush your Ocicat’s fur once per week. . . . Pet your Ocicat. Give your Ocicat a puzzle toy. Play fetch with your Ocicat. Take your Ocicat for a walk. Give your Ocicat a soft bed. Put up scratching posts for your Ocicat. Provide enough litter boxes for your Ocicat. Take your Ocicat to see a veterinarian. Spay or neuter your Ocicat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Foot-Massage | How to Give a Foot Massage | To give a great foot massage, first prop the person's feet up on a pillow in your lap so they're comfortable. Then, apply a little lotion or oil to your hands and rub your hands together to warm it up. Choose one foot to start with, and rub their entire foot to spread the lotion or oil around. Then, try squeezing the top of each of their toes to massage them. Use your thumbs to massage the bottom of their foot, working your way down from their toes. Once you reach their ankle, work your way back up to their toes. Spend a little extra time on the arch since it's usually the tensest part of the foot. Use your dominant hand to gently squeeze around the sides of their foot as well. Massage the top of their foot with your thumbs. Move slowly and spend a minute or two on each part of their foot to really massage the tissue. If your fingers get sore, make a fist and rest your knuckles against the center of their foot for a moment. When you finish with their first foot, repeat on their other foot. | Rub the top of the foot with your thumbs. Start at the tip of the toe and move slowly up to their ankle. Move back down their foot, starting from their ankle. Apply firm pressure with your thumbs, cupping their foot in your hands. Move up and down their foot two to three times. Keep their foot close to your chest area, with your body leaning towards them. This will help you apply the right amount of pressure to their foot. Use the strength of your body weight, rather than the muscles in your thumbs, to massage their feet. Using only the muscles in your thumbs can cause them to cramp up and get tired easily. Massage the arches of the foot. Use your thumbs to apply light pressure to the arch of their foot, right below the ball of their foot. Move one thumb clockwise and the other thumb counterclockwise in small circles. Do this for at least 30 seconds. Place your thumbs on opposite ends of their foot and move them toward one another. Do this at least three to five times, moving up and down the bottom of their feet. Grip their feet with firm pressure as you massage them. Light, soft touches can be ticklish to most people and distract from the massage. If the person has any sore spots on their feet, do not put too much pressure on them as this can irritate the area. Rub the heels of the foot. Move your thumbs up and down their Achilles tendon, which runs from the heel and ankle up to the calf muscle. Rub the heel of their foot in circular motions using your thumbs. You may need to lift their foot up with one hand so you can access their heel. The skin on this area tends to be dry or hard, so you can apply massage oil or lotion to your hands to help reduce any friction. Squeeze and pull each toe. Hold their foot with one hand, right under the arch. With your other hand, place your thumb on top of their big toe. Your index finger should be underneath their big toe. Rotate the toe slightly to one side and pull the toe from top to bottom. Go back to the top of the toe and squeeze it with your thumb and pointer finger. Do this for each toe to help loosen and relax them. Do not yank on the person's toes, as this can injure them. Instead, simply rotate, pull, and squeeze each toe slightly, applying even pressure. Slide up and down each toe with your fingers. Hold the foot with one hand, right behind the heel. Place the index finger of your other hand between the person's toes. Slide your finger toward the base of the toes and then back toward the end of the toes. Do this two to three times between their toes. Make sure you use your body weight to apply even pressure as you slide up and down their toes. Focus on one foot at a time. Leave the other foot soaking in warm water or relaxed on the pillow. Do a basic massage on one foot first and then turn your attention to the other foot. Repeat the same movements for each foot so that they both feel equally relaxed. Do a deep massage on the ankles. Locate the hollow area below their ankle. Use your thumb or forefinger to gently squeeze this area for a few seconds. You can then use your thumbs to make circular motions around their ankles. Apply even pressure to this area to help it release. If their ankles are particularly stiff or sore, you can try cupping their heel with one hand and grasping the ball of their foot with the other hand. Then, slowly rotating their foot around clockwise three times, followed by three times around counterclockwise. Use your fist on the soles of the feet. For a deeper massage, hold their foot with one hand at the heel. Make a fist with your other hand and gently press it on the sole of their foot. Move your fist against the sole in circular motions, like you are kneading dough. Then, slide it up and down the sole. This should help to release this area more deeply. Do not punch or hit the soles of the feet with your fist, as this will not be relaxing for them. Instead, use your fist to apply more even pressure to the area. Apply pressure on specific areas of the foot. You can release certain areas of the person's body by massaging certain areas of on their foot. Use your thumb and forefinger to apply even pressure to these areas to help relieve a particular issue the person may be experiencing, similar to a reflexology massage. You may put pressure on: Their heels and toes if they have a headache or urinary issues. The center of the soles of their feet if they have headaches, insomnia or headaches. The pinky toe side of their right foot or left foot to address back issues. Use the back of your hand to lightly tap these areas to stimulate them. You can also rub them with your thumbs. Do not apply too much pressure to these areas, as they can be sensitive. Start light and slow. Then, if the person still appears comfortable and relaxed, press a little deeper into these areas. Soak the person's feet in hot water and sliced fruit. Have the person sit down in a comfortable chair. Then, pour 4 to 5 gallons (15 to 19 L) of warm water in a bucket or bin. Slice a lime, lemon, or orange and place the slices in the water. Have the person to gently slide their feet into the water for a five minute soak. Try rubbing the slices gently against their feet as they soak in the water. Put 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sea salt in the water for a more soothing effect. Add five to ten drops of essential oils like lavender, tea tree, or peppermint to the water for a pleasant smell. Dry their feet with a clean towel. After the person has enjoyed a five minute soak, sit down in front of them on a stool or pillow. Place a clean towel on a pillow and place it in your lap. Lift each foot out of the water and use a clean towel to pat their feet dry. Take both of their feet out of the water or remove them one at a time. You can then focus on one foot at a time, allowing their other foot to continue soaking in the bath. Use a small dab of massage oil or lotion on your hands. Rub your hands together to warm up the lotion. Using an oil or lotion will help prevent any roughness or friction between your hands and the person's feet. Get massage oil or lotion that is made of natural ingredients that will be soothing to the skin. Ingredients like cocoa butter, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus are all good for a massage. Maintain a calm, quiet environment for the massage. Create a setting that is relaxing for the person and puts them in the mindset for a massage. Light candles that smell good. Make sure the lighting is low. Put on calming background music. You can also make sure the person is situated in a comfortable position on a chair or bed with pillows and blankets so they are relaxed. Ask the person for feedback as you massage. Respond to their needs and desires. Ask them, “Does this feel good?” “Would you like me to go deeper?” or “How does that feel?” Listen to their response and focus on spots that feel good to them. Only massage deeper into an area after you get consent from the person. Make sure they are fine with you going deeper so they do not experience discomfort or pain during the massage. Practice massaging their feet regularly. Get into the habit of giving the person a massage once a week. Pick a time when you know they will need a stress release, such as right after work or at night after dinner. Practice massaging them so you get better and learn what they respond well to during a foot massage. You can also try deeper massage moves on them once you get comfortable with the basics. This will allow you to deepen their foot massages and really take them to the next level. | Rub the top of the foot with your thumbs. Massage the arches of the foot. Rub the heels of the foot. Squeeze and pull each toe. Slide up and down each toe with your fingers. Focus on one foot at a time. Do a deep massage on the ankles. Use your fist on the soles of the feet. Apply pressure on specific areas of the foot. Soak the person's feet in hot water and sliced fruit. Dry their feet with a clean towel. Use a small dab of massage oil or lotion on your hands. Maintain a calm, quiet environment for the massage. Ask the person for feedback as you massage. Practice massaging their feet regularly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Meringue | How to Make Meringue | To make meringue, first crack 2 large eggs and separate the whites and yolks into two bowls. Then, set aside the yolks for use in a different recipe and let the whites come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Using room temperature egg whites will help you whip higher, fluffier meringue. Add the egg whites to a large bowl, then sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon (1 g) of cream of tartar, which will help stabilize your meringue. You can use ½ teaspoon (2 ½ mL) of lemon juice if you don't have cream of tartar. Beat the egg whites with a hand or stand mixer until they're foamy and start to thicken. Next, add ½ cup (100 g) of sugar, 1 tablespoon (12 ½ g) at a time, beating after each addition. Finally, continue beating the meringue until stiff peaks form. You'll know it's done when the egg white peaks stand straight up on the beater when you lift it out of the bowl. | Wait for a dry day. Meringue is made by beating air into egg whites, causing them to gain volume and become light and fluffy. The texture of meringue is best when the air is dry, because the presence of water can weigh it down. On rainy or humid days, the air contains higher water content. That's why meringue is easier to make and gains the right volume and texture when you make it on a dry day, rather than a rainy one. On rainy days, try beating the meringue longer so it's less likely to collapse. Use clean stainless steel or glass equipment. Bowls made from plastic are harder to clean, and they often have traces of oil and other materials that can affect the quality of the meringue. Use clean, dry stainless steel or glass bowls and utensils to make meringue. Even a drop or two of water can ruin a meringue, so make extra sure the bowl is dry. Use older eggs. The texture of egg whites changes as the eggs age, becoming thinner. Eggs that are 3 or 4 days old whip up better than those that are extremely fresh. If you get your eggs from the supermarket, chances are they're already a few days old by the time you buy them, so they're probably fine. If you shop at the farmer's market, ask after the eggs' age so you know when to use them. Separate the eggs. You can use an egg separator or do it by hand. Meringue doesn't require egg yolks, so set those aside and use them to custard or ice cream. The quickest way to separate eggs is to do the following: Hold an egg over a clean stainless steel or glass bowl. Crack the egg on the rim of the bowl, letting the white fall into the bowl. Carefully separate the egg halves and pass the yolk from half to half, letting the white drop down. Continue until the white is in the bowl and all you have left is the yolk. If you still need practice with this technique, separate each egg into a small container and pour the white into the larger mixing bowl you're using. That way you won't ruin a whole batch of egg whites by accidentally dropping in the yolk of the last egg you crack. Bring them to room temperature. Room temperature egg whites will get bigger and more voluminous when you whip them. Let them come to room temperature for a few minutes instead of beating them while they're still cold from the refrigerator. Beat them to form soft peaks. Use an electric mixer to start beating the egg whites in the mixing bowl. Keep beating them for several minutes, until they foam up and gain volume. Keep going until the whites have formed into soft, floppy peaks that will hold their shape but are in no way stiff. The egg whites should be in a large, tall bowl and the mixer set to medium-high speed. Beating egg whites by hand is possible, but it takes much, much longer than using a mixer, and it's impossible to achieve the same texture. If you're making meringue cookies , you'll need to add cream of tartar and other flavorings at this point in the process. Add sugar slowly. Keeping the mixer running, add the sugar a few teaspoons at a time. It will slowly dissolve in the egg whites, causing them to become stiff and glossy. Keep adding the sugar until you've used as much as you want, and keep beating until it's dissolved. Most meringue recipes call for 1/4 cup of sugar for every egg white. If you want a softer meringue, add less sugar. You can add as little as 2 tablespoons per egg white. For a stiffer meringue, add more sugar. It will give the meringue structure and gloss. Keep beating until the peaks are stiff and glossy. Eventually the egg whites will stiffen and take on a glossy sheen. Rub a bit of meringue between your fingers; if it's grainy, that means you need to keep beating for a few more minutes to let the sugar finish dissolving. If it's smooth, the meringue is ready to be baked. Another way to tell if meringue is ready is to dip a spoon in the mixture and hold it upside down; if it slips off the spoon, keep beating. If it sticks, it's probably ready. Make the meringue before the filling. This gives it a little time to set before you top the pie, which will help it stick during the baking process. Here are a few delicious recipes for pies that call for a meringue topping: Lemon meringue pie Coconut cream pie Raspberry meringue pie Lemon cream pie Spread the meringue over hot pie filling. Have the pie crust filled with hot filling ready for the meringue. Spoon it onto the filling and spread it evenly. Keep going until you have a great heap of meringue on top of the pie. Make sure the meringue completely covers the filling, all the way to the edge of the crust. This helps ensure it won't slide off as it bakes. Many bakers mound the meringue so that it forms a hill in the middle of the pie. This has a pretty effect when you cut the pie. Make meringue curls. Use the back of a spoon to dip into the meringue and lift it up, allowing it to form curls and peaks. This is a popular way to make the meringue look more decorative. Bake the meringue at a low temperature. Every pie recipe is a little different, but most will tell you to bake the meringue at about 325 °F (163 °C) for 20 or 30 minutes, so it has time to bake and set without burning. It's ready when a cooking thermometer reads 160 degrees. | Wait for a dry day. Use clean stainless steel or glass equipment. Use older eggs. Separate the eggs. Bring them to room temperature. Beat them to form soft peaks. Add sugar slowly. Keep beating until the peaks are stiff and glossy. Make the meringue before the filling. Spread the meringue over hot pie filling. Make meringue curls. Bake the meringue at a low temperature. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Pet-Rat | How to Care for a Pet Rat | To properly care for a pet rat, choose a large cage with solid flooring, levels, powder coated bars, and ramps. For every rat, there should be a minimum of 2 square feet of cage space, but 2.5 square feet or more is preferable. Rats are social, so it's best to have at least 2 rats together. Set up an area for your rats to eat and drink, give them a nesting area to sleep, and line the cage with a soft, absorbent material like wood shavings or cellulose bedding. | Consider the commitment. Rats live for around 2-3 years or more, so look ahead and be sure you can care for the pet over this length of time. Think about the time and commitment it takes to look after another living animal. This means keeping the cage clean, regular feeding and handling, and if the pet gets sick, taking him to the vet. Remember that you'll need to find someone to care for your rats when you go on vacation or out of town. Many rat owners can testify that it's really hard to find someone comfortable enough to care for and handle rats (a lot of people can be squeamish) so try, if you can, to line up at least 3 or 4 potential candidates who are willing to watch your rats if you need to leave town. Pet stores sometimes offer to take care of pets. Think about your other animals. If you already own other pets, especially cats, then think about whether or not the pets you already care for will be able to live harmoniously with rats. Research about how to introduce a new pet, or keep the cage on a high shelf or in a closed room other animals cannot get into. It is most likely the best idea to keep your rats and and other animals separated. Cats may be a particular problem. They prey on rodents, including rats, and so you could end up inadvertently teasing the cats and terrifying or endangering the rats. Spend some time with rats. Before deciding to purchase rats, visit somebody who already has one. There are features of this animal that some people find unpleasant, so it's a good idea to make sure you will actually enjoy caring for them before obtaining any. There are many variations of rats, including tail-less, fur-less and miniature. Pet rats that are kept in clean conditions do not have a strong smell, but they do have a slight odor that not everyone likes. Before getting your own pet rat, make sure you are comfortable with the smell, or find a good bedding to absorb it. Remember, harmful chemicals and pine shavings are bad for rats - the resins can irritate their lungs. Similarly, some people find the scurrying action of a rat disconcerting. Little claws can tickle! Rattie tails can also be a little strange at first. Try handling a rat to make sure you are comfortable with the animal's mannerisms and anatomy. Be sure to have a good cage that is big enough, airy, and safe. Wire cages are preferable to aquariums, as they allow for better air flow. Do not get aquariums or your rats will get respiratory infections and most likely die. Make sure the floor is not wire or your rat could possibly get bumblefoot. If you use wire pick a cage with bar spacing between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. Consider the risk of cancer. Unfortunately, cancer is a common problem in pet rats, and it can sadly shorten their life. Although not every rat develops tumors, it is something to be aware of as a prospective rat keeper. Other issues may crop up, including mites and respiratory infection. Ask yourself if you can afford the cost of surgery if your rat develops a lump that needs removal. If the answer is no, then are you prepared to euthanize a beloved pet at a relatively young age in order to prevent suffering? If this is not something you can handle, rats may not be the right pet for you. The most important thing is responsibility. Choose the right number of rats. Rats are social creatures who enjoy each other's company, and live in colonies in the wild. It is highly, "highly" recommended that you purchase more than one, and it is best if you purchase them at the same time. A rat needs almost constant interaction to prevent boredom, so it's best to get two or more rats. No matter how much time you spend with them they will still be lonely, so get another one if you possibly can. Your rats will thank you. The better alternative is to adopt more than one rat, so they can keep each other company. If you decide on more than one rat, it is advisable to get your rats from the same place at the same time to reduce problems with quarantining or introducing them. Rat introductions can be difficult, especially with territorial, intact male rats. Keep in mind that two rats is not at all more work than one. In fact, you'll find that it's easier to care for two or three rats because they'll all be happier with one another to play with. Differences in the amounts of food and bedding you'll need to use are marginal and hardly noticeable. The only real challenge in getting more than one rat is trying to fit them all on your shoulders when you walk around with them! Likewise, if you opt for multiple rats, get animals of the same sex, or you may find you have established a breeding colony. Breeding rats is not advisable unless you're a breeder and know exactly what you're doing--there are so many rats without homes that it's much better not to breed. Adoption is preferable to breeding. Some veterinarians will neuter rats, so if you unexpectedly find you have a male and female, you can talk to your vet about the possibility of having the male neutered. Keep in mind, however, that rats are not usually desexed because anesthesia is especially risky for them. Acquire your rats. Whenever possible, adoption is best, since there are so many rats out there needing homes. Rats are best acquired from a breeder or rescuer. They have a more intimate knowledge of the rats in their care and can help you find the right animal or animals for you. It is best to buy them from a trusted breeder or rescuer as pet store rats can sometimes have more health issues, making it more expensive in the long run. Always thoroughly research any rescuers/breeders before choosing your pet, to make sure they keep their animals in humane and healthy conditions. Pet store rats are usually from "mills" and little consideration is taken for their health. If you do decide to buy from a pet store, avoid rats with the following problems: red discharge around the eyes and nose, noisy breathing, open wounds, lethargy, cloudy eyes, dull coat or runny feces. Male and female rats may be mixed in pet store rat cages, one of the many reasons you shouldn't be adopting from a chain pet shop. Even if you only buy one or two rats initially, a few weeks down the road you may find you have more rats than you bargained for if one of them is a female, so be sure that it is the preferable gender that you want. It's okay to decide not to own a rat! Buy the right cage. Buy a large cage with solid metal flooring, as rats can chew through plastic, levels, and ramps. Wire flooring, if not properly cleaned, can cause bumble foot. If you are not experienced with wire floor ware, steer clear of cages with wire shelving. 2 rats need a cage that measures at least 18 x 28 x 31. Rats cannot be housed in tanks due to the ammonia build up. For every rat, there should be a minimum of two square feet, but two and a half square feet or more is better. The bar spacing should be no more than 3/4 of an inch for a full grown rat, and no more than 1/2 an inch for babies. If the spaces between bars are larger than that, chicken wire can be used to close the gaps. The bars themselves should be powder coated to avoid rat urine corroding the bars. Rats are excellent jumpers and climbers and should be able to execute their acrobatics in their cage without flying through the bars. An alternative is a perspex or plastic house, such as Rotastak cage. These usually have a colored base (which helps the rat feel more secure) and clear walls so that you can see your pets. They are designed to be interconnect with other units so that you can build a complex and interesting rat city for your pets. The rats can also be restricted to one area while you clean the other attachments. Cleaning perspex or plastic is easy because of the flat surfaces (rather than all the nooks and crannies in chicken wire or metal bars). Add food and water dishes. Set up an area for your rats to eat and drink, providing either separate bowls for food and water or a sipper bottle. Always provide more than one food and water source for multiple rats to prevent resource-guarding. Sipper bottles are a great option because the water is kept clean in the bottle and the sipper is attached to the cage, preventing it from being knocked over by playful rats. Glass works best as the rats cannot chew through it. Add the right bedding. The bottom of the cage should be lined with a soft, absorbent material. Use a wood-shaving bedding found at a pet store for your cage's bedding. Be sure you're not using pine or cedar shavings, though, because the fumes from the shavings mixed with rat urine can be fatal for your pets. Pine and cedar are dusty and contain oils that can cause respiratory irritation and breathing difficulties. Such bedding materials should be avoided. Fleece or towels are okay, especially for covering wire platforms, however you need to wash them a two or more times a week, depending on how many rats you have. You can also purchase paper shavings, but it is expensive and smells. Newspaper is a good option and very good for the environment, but the ink could stain light colored rats. Hay is dusty and smells really bad when mixed with urine as well. Another good option is Carefresh, a reclaimed cellulose bedding available in many pet stores, or recycled newspaper bedding like Yesterday's News. Don't use your paper shredder and just shred your own paper, though--some of the ink can potentially cause illness in rats. Provide a nest. It is natural behavior for a rat to want to hide away at vulnerable times, such as when it is asleep. For this purpose provide a nest or sleeping area for your pets. You can either buy the typical plastic houses that are commonly found in pet stores, or you can get wicker balls that have a entrance holes. These more closely mimic what a rat would choose in the wild. Consider a rat toilet. Just like dogs, rats don't like to soil their sleeping and eating quarters, and you can use this to your advantage by providing a rat toilet. Rat toilets are small plastic boxes with an entrance hole, or open corner-boxes. You can place aspen shavings, newspaper or Carefresh an inch thick in the bottom of the rat toilet. Place the toilet in the opposite corner to the nest and food bowls. Most rats quickly work out what the box is for and are delighted to have a place to go and keep the rest of their accommodations clean. For best results, wait and see if your rats choose a corner of the cage to 'go,' before placing the litter box. However, not all rats are quite so neat, so just placing it in can also work. Rat toilets also make cleaning their cages easier, because every couple of days you can simply empty out the toilet, disinfect it with a spray disinfectant that is non toxic to small pets (vinegar works well), and refill it with rat litter. Buy toys for your rats. Supplement your cage with toys, hammocks, and places to hide. Rats love to be busy and will play with toys while you're away. Toilet paper rolls, small stuffed cat toys, ping-pong balls, hammocks... rats love to play, and anything will suffice to entertain them. Find little trinkets (not too little, though, or your rats might swallow or choke on them) around the house to decorate and make their cage look like a home. Don't put things like yarn or string in for toys--they can choke your rats. Use common sense when choosing toys and make sure your rats will be safe with the item in the cage. Keep your rats fed and hydrated. Check their food and water at least twice a day. Bowls easily get knocked over or bedding kicked into the water, so you need to be vigilant. If using a sipper bottle, you still need to refresh the water daily, and remember to disinfect the sipper nozzle at least twice a week. Offer your rat about 12 milliliters (0.4 fl oz) (about two heaping teaspoon) per day of a compounded rodent food such as Oxbow Regal Rat, Mazuri, or Harlan Teklab blocks which can be bought in bulk online. These are superior to seed-mix diets because the ingredients are compounded together and the rat cannot selectively eat the tasty (and often less healthy) parts and leave the bland bits in the bowl. Supplement their compounded diet with fresh foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Rats have very similar dietary needs to humans, and they can eat nearly anything. Find a list of foods that rats can't eat and anything else is likely just fine. Rats can even have chocolate! Giving your rats a piece of fruit or even just some table leftovers once or twice a day is perfect for keeping them happy and healthy. Be aware that rats do have a sweet tooth and are also particularly fond of cheese. However, sweets can cause tooth decay and fatty foods will cause a rat to gain weight and become obese, so they are best avoided. Keep the cage clean. Daily "spot-checks" help maintain a clean cage, and a weekly complete cleaning will ensure healthy rats. For spot cleaning of bedding, purchase a small plastic or metal scoop, similar to those sold for cleaning cat litter trays. Use this to scoop out soiled bedding, and dispose of it in a sealed plastic bag. Remove bedding that is wet, stained, or smells. At least once a week, do a total deep clean. Put the rat in a separate box or safe play area to keep him away from the cleaning products. Completely empty the cage and dispose of the old bedding. Wash everything else in soapy vinegar water, rinse thoroughly, and dry. It is best to keep a separate sponge, bowl, and towel specifically for cleaning the rat's items. With a disposable cloth wipe over all the surfaces of the cage. Rinse with water and dry. Now you are ready to put in clean bedding and replace the fixtures and fittings. Harsh chemicals like bleach can harm a rat's sensitive respiratory system if inhaled, so avoid using such cleansers on your rat's home. Pet-friendly disinfectant products such as Nil-Odor work well, or you can purchase disinfectants that are safe for pets from a pet store or vet clinic. Maintain a healthy temperature. Do not leave your rats exposed to extreme temperature changes or drafts. Rats should be kept between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is a particularly hot day, provide your rats with some cool, shallow water (about half an inch) to play around in; on a cold day, provide extra bedding so the rats can snuggle down and keep warm. Watch for signs of illness. Caring for a rat includes seeking veterinary attention should it become ill. Signs to watch for are a lack of appetite, increased thirst, red urine, runny feces, weight loss, rapid or squeaky breathing, and rust-colored discharge from the eyes or nose. Check your rat once a week for the presence of skin lumps or bumps. Likewise, every time you handle the rat, look at its skin and make sure there are no red, inflamed patches, and that it isn't scratching excessively. Rats can pick up skin parasites from their bedding, so be on the lookout for signs of skin irritation or scabbing. Take your rat to a veterinarian. If you suspect your rat is unwell, take it to the vet as soon as possible. It is better to plan ahead and find a vet who is used to treating rodents before you get rats, or at least while your new pets are healthy. Ask pet shops or fellow rat-keepers to see which vet clinic they recommend. You can also search online forums relevant to your pet, and ask for recommendations. Most people are happy to share their good (and bad) experiences with rodent healthcare. Phone your chosen veterinary clinic. Ask which vet is most comfortable seeing pocket pets and if they have a special interest in rats. Another great question to ask is whether the vet keeps rodents himself. There is nothing quite like owning a pet to help with understanding another owner's concerns. Make sure your rats have good visibility. Keep the rat cage in an area where you are often present and the rats can watch what's going on around them. This will prevent feelings of isolation. Spend time with your rats. The more attention you give, the more bonded, active, healthy, and friendly your rat will be. A single rat is a lonely rat, and this can cause behavioral issues. Unless your rat is aggressive, they are best not left alone. Even if they are aggressive, patient love and attention can bring them around. Handle the rats daily, preferably two to three times a day for ten minutes or more. Rats love to learn and solve problems, so consider setting up little obstacle courses containing hidden treats in order to mentally stimulate your rats. Teach them tricks. Teach tricks by starting slow, rewarding, and reinforcing with treats and praise if done correctly. Rats are very intelligent, and can learn many tricks, such as jumping through a hoop, spinning in a circle, standing up, and even giving a handshake, all on spoken command. Do not punish your rat for failure. Rats don't understand negative punishments, and will only confuse the rat. Instead, give them a treat when they do it right. If your rat bites, don't give him a firm tap and a "no." Instead, squeak like a rat would and pull away. Eventually your rat will understand. Do not forget that each rat has his or her own personality, meaning that one rat may learn differently from others. Any specific method of teaching may work for one rat, but may not for another. The key to successful training is to be persistent and have lots of short training sessions filled with treats. Take them out. Rats enjoy a change of scenery and a chance to stretch their legs and explore. Rats should be taken out at least one hour per day. You can let them roam around on your shoulder or somewhere in your house where it won't be a problem. If you take your rats outside, a harness is a good idea so that you have some control if the rat becomes frightened. There are many rat websites, forums, and other online communities to join with other rat lovers if you'd like to talk with like-minded people and share. | Consider the commitment. Think about your other animals. Spend some time with rats. Consider the risk of cancer. Choose the right number of rats. Acquire your rats. Buy the right cage. Add food and water dishes. Add the right bedding. Provide a nest. Consider a rat toilet. Buy toys for your rats. Keep your rats fed and hydrated. Keep the cage clean. Maintain a healthy temperature. Watch for signs of illness. Take your rat to a veterinarian. Make sure your rats have good visibility. Spend time with your rats. Teach them tricks. Take them out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Guitar-Solo | How to Write a Guitar Solo | To write a guitar solo, start by putting on the song you want to write a solo for and improvising over it with your guitar. Then, choose about 10 whole notes that sound good, and break them up into short 3- or 4-note motifs that you can repeat throughout the solo. You should also incorporate 4 or 5 notes from the melody of the song so your solo blends in seamlessly. Once you have a few motifs and snippets of the melody you want to use, arrange them like a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. | Identify the key of the song you want to write a solo for. If you're writing a guitar solo you're likely in contact with the musician who wrote the song. This means you can easily find out what key the song was written in and the chords that were used. Or if you have sheet music, you can simply look at the key signature. Fool around on your guitar as you listen to the song 2 or 3 times. This may give you some early ideas for key tones or short licks that sound good. Determine which scale you want to use. Pentatonic scales include 5 notes of the regular scale, removing the 4th and 7th notes from each octave. The shape you make with your fretting hand can be moved up and down the neck to play the pentatonic scales of different keys. The Minor Pentatonic Scale is a versatile scale used in rock, blues, and pop songs, as well as some jazz music. For a song in E minor, you would play: E|---------------------0-3-| B|-----------------0-3-----| G|-------------0-2---------| D|---------0-2-------------| A|-----0-2-----------------| E|-0-3---------------------| The Major Pentatonic Scale is happier and brighter than the minor pentatonic scale and can be used in similarly bright songs. For a song in E major, you would play: e|-------------------------------------9--12--| B|------------------------------9--12---------| G|-----------------------9--11----------------| D|----------------9--11-----------------------| A|---------9--11------------------------------| E|--9--12-------------------------------------| Improvise a little over the song. Playing over the song allows you to get comfortable with the chord changes and the general feel of the music. The pentatonic scale pattern sounds great over any chord change, so it frees you up to experiment a little and find something that sounds good. At this stage, you're just playing around. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to come up with the perfect solo on the spot. Just make a note of particular phrases you find that you really like. Choose simple whole notes to structure your solo. Try playing over the song again, and pick out 8 to 10 powerful notes that will serve as a sort of outline for your solo. Typically you'll place these notes on or immediately after chord changes. These whole notes will become the basic rhythm of your solo. From this framework you can branch out and improvise a little in between, knowing you have these notes to return to. Find 4 or 5 motifs to connect listeners to the solo. A motif is a short 3- or 4-note phrase that you repeat several times throughout your solo. When you're writing your solo, come up with 4 or 5 you can possibly use, so you can choose the one that works the best. Keep your motif distinct from the main thread of your solo. For example, if you're using a phrase from the melody layered with a minor pentatonic scale, you might use a motif of 3 or 4 notes from the major pentatonic scale. Incorporate pieces of the melody. Using a 4 or 5 note lick from the melody helps your solo fit in seamlessly with the rest of the song. Start with the same notes as the melody, then play the lick again, adjusting 1 or 2 notes. Continue doing this 2 or 3 times until you end with a lick that sounds nothing like the original melody. Then you can return to the melody. Gradually changing the notes balances the new with the old, taking your listeners on a journey with your solo and then bringing them back to where they started. Consider how the mood changes as you alter notes. For example, if you drop a couple of notes to minor tones, the phrase starts to sound ominous and you build tension before bringing it back around. Structure your solo as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Start slow, including short phrases or pieces of the melody. Gradually build tension and drama through the middle, working up to the ending climax of your solo. Typically you want to end triumphantly, with the best phrase of the solo or a particularly fast set of notes. Then the other musicians will come back in to play the rest of the song where they left off. Use hammer-ons and pull-offs to play notes faster. Hammer-ons and pull-offs are two essential techniques to use if you're soloing on guitar. With a hammer-on, you basically tap the string with your finger on a higher fret to play another note without strumming. A pull-off is the reverse, when you remove a finger on a higher fret so that the string plays a lower note. When done correctly, the 2 notes slur together, creating a smoother sound. And since you don't have to strum each note separately, you can play much faster. Combine the techniques and go back and forth between 2 notes for several beats to create a sort of trill in your solo. This works well at the end of phrases. Mix in chords to bring power and drama to your solo. It's commonly understood that lead guitarists play single notes rather than chords – but there's no rule that says you can never play a chord just because you're the lead guitarist. Use chords to add body to root notes in your solo or emphasize a particular phrase. For example, if you used whole notes to build the basic outline of the structure of your solo, you could play some or all of those notes as chords, then fill in with single notes in between. Bend strings at the end of phrases. To bend a string, fret it with 2 fingers and pull it across the fingerboard. As the string gets tighter, the pitch will go up. Pull from your wrist to bend the string, using your fingers as levers. This puts less pressure on your fingers and wrist by distributing the effort. Don't try to bend a string if it's not in tune. You could break the string. If you've never bent strings before, it's a technique that will take some practice to get right. Play the note you want to bend, then the note you want to bend the string to. That way you'll know when you've bent it far enough. Use vibrato to add emotion to your solo. Vibrato is a technique similar to string bending, except that you gently move the string up and down for a slight variation in pitch. Lock your fretting finger against the neck of your guitar to get a good pivot point, then wobble that finger up and down after strumming the note. Vibrato is more difficult on the outside strings, since you don't want to pull the strings off the side of the neck. Experiment with your vibrato, doing it at different speeds and bending the string at different distances. A small, slow vibrato is typically more appropriate for ballads while bending the string further and faster works well with rock songs. Throw in ideas borrowed from other guitarists. Listen to guitarists you admire and watch their solo technique. If you see something you like, practice it and try to emulate it. The same goes for motifs or riffs that capture your attention. Simply copying others won't make you a great guitarist. Once you've learned how to emulate someone else's idea, play around with it and try to make it your own. All guitarists have influences, but the greatest have a signature style that builds on their influences rather than mimicking them. Kick off with a string bend and a pick scrape. Many rock guitar solos start out with the classic wail produced by a bent string. As the sound from the bend starts to fade, scrape the 2 lower strings with your pick to add some power to your solo. To make the pick scrape sound best, start below your pickups and run your pick up the 2 lowest strings. Leave some space between your fingers and the edge of your pick so your pick maintains flexibility. Play a phrase from the melody in a different octave. Using this intro technique allows your solo to flow naturally from the song itself. Choose a phrase from the melody that you like and play it a couple of octaves higher, or a couple of octaves lower than it's played in the song. Playing a phrase from the melody a couple of octaves lower can give your solo a more ominous tone while raising it a couple of octaves produces a brighter tone. If you start with a phrase from the melody, you might also want to use a few notes from that same phrase as a motif running throughout your solo. Run up and down the pentatonic scale. Start your solo on a root note of the accompanying chord being played, then follow with the next 4 notes in the pentatonic scale for that key. Play the same 5 notes from highest to lowest to bring your solo back to its base. Practice with different rhythms to make this simple opening more interesting for your listeners. Combine opening techniques to add personal flavor. Once you've become familiar with different opening techniques, work on combining 2 or more to create a distinctive signature opening. There's no right or wrong way to do this – experiment until you find something you like. For example, you might start with a string bend, then pick scrape and move into a few bass notes of a phrase from the melody. Listen to acclaimed professional guitarists as much as you can to get ideas for what combinations work well together. | Identify the key of the song you want to write a solo for. Determine which scale you want to use. Improvise a little over the song. Choose simple whole notes to structure your solo. Find 4 or 5 motifs to connect listeners to the solo. Incorporate pieces of the melody. Structure your solo as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Use hammer-ons and pull-offs to play notes faster. Mix in chords to bring power and drama to your solo. Bend strings at the end of phrases. Use vibrato to add emotion to your solo. Throw in ideas borrowed from other guitarists. Kick off with a string bend and a pick scrape. Play a phrase from the melody in a different octave. Run up and down the pentatonic scale. Combine opening techniques to add personal flavor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Other-Girls-Flirting-with-Your-Boyfriend | How to Stop Other Girls Flirting with Your Boyfriend | While you can't always stop girls from flirting with your boyfriend, you can give them hints so they'll know to back off. The next time a girl flirts with him, simply raise your eyebrows at her to let her know what she's doing. Alternatively, wrap your arms around your boyfriend or grab his hand to subtly tell her he's yours. If that doesn't work, try saying something that makes it clear, like “Oh we're going to see a movie together. It's our favorite movie, isn't it honey?” Keep in mind that the easiest solution may be to ignore the flirting, especially if your boyfriend isn't flirting back. If he is flirting back, wait until you can talk to him in private. That way, you don't cause a scene. | Step back and look at the situation objectively. When looking at a flirting situation, it often takes two to tango. The other girl may initiate the flirting with your boyfriend, but your boyfriend may play a part, too. Try to look closely at their interaction to see if they're both flirting or if it's really one-sided. The point of analyzing the situation is to see how to better deal with it. Once you figure out who exactly is involved with the flirtation, you can decide whether to deal with just the other girl, your boyfriend, or both. It can also help you decide when to time any conversations you have. For instance, if she's leaning in close to him, batting her eyelashes, or puffing out her chest, she's flirting with him, especially if she engages in flirty banter. If he leans in close to her and encourages the banter, then he's flirting back. If he doesn't engage in the behavior with her, he's trying to shut down the flirting. Focus on her if she's the problem. If your boyfriend's not engaging, focus on dealing with her in the moment. You can find tips on doing so in another section of this article. You don't have to get mean, but you can deal with the flirting in subtle but meaningful ways that will help get the point across. You can simply raise your eyebrows at her to let her you know what she's doing. You may also choose not to deal with it. If you're out in public, you may just want to move on. Wait to deal with him. If your boyfriend is either starting or engaging in the behavior, wait to deal with him until you can talk to him in private. That way, you don't start a serious discussion in public, and you can do it when you aren't so agitated. Give her a look. The easiest way to send a message to someone flirting with your boyfriend is to simply take her down with a look. Stare her down without a smile until she backs away. If she doesn't get the message, you need to move on to other tactics. Take possession of your boyfriend. When she starts flirting, let her know he's your boyfriend by physically touching him. Wrap your arm around his shoulders, or curve your arm into his, grabbing his hand. Lean your head on his shoulder. These subtle movements will tell her to back off. Emphasize your togetherness with words. Another way to stake your territory is to use your words to emphasize you are together. For instance, if a girl asks what your boyfriend is doing next weekend, say, "Oh, we're going to see a movie together. It's our favorite movie, isn't it honey?" Emphasizing "we" and "our" will help most people get the message. Establishing other types of intimacy, such as having a shared favorite movie, also emphasizes you're together. Comment on it. If the girl is obviously flirting, one way to point it out without actually being mean to make a lighthearted comment about it. That way, you call attention to the situation, so you are doing something about it, but you aren't lashing out and creating a sticky situation. For example, say the girl is laughing too much at your boyfriend's jokes. You could say something like, "Well, that was funny, but not that funny! He's always making bad puns." Pull her aside. If you don't want to cause a scene, you may need to draw her aside to talk about it. This tactic might work better with someone you know rather than a stranger. If she doesn't respond to other measures, ask if you can talk to her for a minute, then bring up the problem. For example, you could say, "You may not realize that you're doing it, but you're flirting with my boyfriend. I find it really disrespectful, and I would appreciate it if you would stop." Avoid the situation. When you become aware that your boyfriend always gets flirted with when you're in certain situations, maybe you should start avoiding that situation. For example, if you notice your boyfriend constantly gets flirted with when you go to the club, maybe it's better to skip going to the club all together. Another option is to avoid the person. If it's someone you know who's flirting with your boyfriend, stop meeting up with that person if at all possible. Take it in stride. Another option is to simply ignore the flirting. If your boyfriend is ignoring the girl, there's no reason that you can't do that, too. In addition, the flirting may make your boyfriend more excited to be with you, so you can enjoy time together later. Prepare your boyfriend ahead of time. Let your boyfriend know you want to have a conversation about your relationship. Telling him ahead of time lets him get prepared for the conversation, so you're not blindsiding him out of the blue. It also gives you a chance to pick a good time to talk. If you pick a time, it can keep you from blowing up in anger in the moment he flirts because you've had a chance to talk about it. When you do talk, make sure you have some time to do it, and you turn off the electronics so you don't get distracted. Talk about your emotions. Start the conversation from what you're observing and how it makes you feel. That way, you start out by helping your boyfriend see where you're coming from. You don't want to blame him, as that will just put him on the defensive. Focus on what you're feeling. You could start by saying, "I notice girls flirt with you a lot. I like that you're attractive. It's one of the things that made me want to date you in the first place. However, it upsets me when you engage in the flirting instead of trying to shut it down." Explain your emotions. You may know why flirting is a trigger for you. For instance, maybe you've had flirtatious boyfriends in the past who ended up leaving you or another girl, and therefore, when your boyfriend flirts, you're afraid he's going to leave you for another girl. You may need to spend some time thinking about the problem to figure out why the flirting bothers you so much. Often, it comes down to trust. You could tell him, "Flirting bothers me because my old boyfriend, Jake, used to flirt all the time, and you know he left me for another girl." Let him have his say. Now that you've started the conversation and explained how you're feeling, you should give your boyfriend a chance to have his say, too. For instance, he may not even realize he's flirting or maybe he didn't realize how much it upset you. Maybe to him, it's just being nice to other people. Pay attention to what he's saying, instead of trying to think of the next point you're going to bring up. Don't just focus on your hurt. Listen to his feelings and intentions. Nod and ask leading questions to get to the heart of what he's saying. For example, you could say, "I feel like what you're saying is that you don't see flirting as a big deal. Why do you feel that way?" Discuss jealousy. Flirting is often connected to jealousy. Maybe he's intentionally flirting because he wants to make you jealous. Maybe you're overreacting because you have a tendency to be overly jealous and protective. Open the conversation to see if jealousy is a part of the problem. For instance, you could say, "I know I've been acting overly jealous. I think I have a problem with you flirting because I feel like I'm not enough for you." You could also ask, "Do you sometimes flirt so that I will feel jealous? I only ask so I can figure out how we can fix what's wrong with our relationship that would make you want to do that." Let him talk about how he thinks jealousy is affecting his flirting to help continue the conversation. Find solutions. Once you've both discussed your feelings, talk about how you can make it better. You may need to compromise to figure out a solution that works for both of you, so that both of you have your needs met as much as possible. One way you could compromise is to reevaluate what you consider flirting. For instance, maybe you could start to see him having a friendly conversation with a girl as not flirting, even if you considered it flirting before, while if he's touching her or leaning towards her, you could consider that flirting. Find ways to let him know when you think he's going to far. For instance, you could whisper in his ear when you think he's flirting too much to help get his attention. Talk about it as it comes up. You don't need to have a serious conversation in a restaurant. However, when you feel like he flirted too much, try to talk about it within a day, so he can realize you're feeling hurt and help to rectify that. Be more intimate. Sometimes flirting can come from a lack of flirting with you. Take time to hold his hand, kiss him, or dance with him on the porch. All the little things add up to make you both feel more loved and secure. Leave him. One final option is leaving him. If you can't stand the flirting and it bothers you enough to make you upset on a regular basis, you do have the option of getting out of the relationship. Sometimes the only option is putting up with it or getting out. | Step back and look at the situation objectively. Focus on her if she's the problem. Wait to deal with him. Give her a look. Take possession of your boyfriend. Emphasize your togetherness with words. Comment on it. Pull her aside. Avoid the situation. Take it in stride. Prepare your boyfriend ahead of time. Talk about your emotions. Explain your emotions. Let him have his say. Discuss jealousy. Find solutions. Leave him. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Your-Toe-Is-Broken | How to Know if Your Toe Is Broken | If your toe hurts when you put pressure on it, and your pain is persistent, your toe may be broken. Compare your potentially broken toe to your healthy toes to see if it is swollen in size, misshapen, and/or an irregular color, such as red, yellow, blue, or black. If the pain, swelling, and discoloration persist for more than a couple of days, see your doctor to verify the break with an x-ray and get treatment. | Assess your pain level. If your toe is fractured, it's going to hurt when you put your weight on it, or when pressed on. You will probably still be able to walk, but moving around might make the pain worse. The presence of pain does not necessarily mean that the toe is broken, but persistent pain can be an indication of a fracture or break. If putting weight on your toe is excruciatingly painful, you might have a bad break. In this case, you should see a doctor right away. Minor fractures aren't as painful, and may not need medical treatment. Tingling in addition to pain could indicate a fracture. See a doctor right away. Examine the size of your toe. Is it swollen? This is a common indication that you might have a fracture. If you merely stub your toe badly, it will throb for a while and then the pain will go away without swelling occurring. A fractured toe is very likely to swell. Place the injured toe near the corresponding healthy toe on your other foot. If the injured toe looks much bigger than the healthy toe, you might have a fracture. Look at the shape of your toe. When you compare your hurt toe to the corresponding toe on your other foot, does it look misshapen or out of joint? If so, you likely have a severe break and need to see your doctor right away. A minor fracture may not change the shape of a toe. Check for discoloration. Fractured toes, unlike stubbed toes, usually end up with bruising and discoloration. Your toe may look red, yellow, blue, or black. In addition, it may bleed. All these are indications that the toe may be broken. If you can see that the toe bone has broken through the skin, it's definitely broken, and you should see the doctor immediately. Touch the toe. If you can feel the bone moving inside, or if any movement in the toe feels odd (in addition to feeling painful!), then it is likely that the toe is broken. Know when to see a doctor. If the pain, discoloration, and swelling persist for more than a couple of days, you should go to the doctor. You will likely need an X-Ray to verify the break. In many cases, the doctor will tell you to stay off your toe and just let it heal. However, some severe breaks may require further medical intervention. If the pain is so severe that you can't walk on the toe, see your doctor right away. If the toe looks like it's pointing in the wrong direction or is otherwise badly misshapen, see your doctor right away. Seek emergency services if the toe is cold or tingling, or it turns blue due to lack of oxygen. Care for your toe until your doctor's appointment. Fill a plastic food storage bag with ice cubes, wrap it in a dishcloth, and place it on the injured toe. Do this in 20-minute increments until you can get to the doctor. The ice will help reduce swelling and stabilize the toe. Keep your foot elevated as much as possible, and don't attempt to walk far on it. Don't leave the ice in place for more than 20 minutes, as it may damage your skin if you leave it there too long. You can take an analgesic like ibuprofen or aspirin to ease the pain. Follow your doctor's orders. During your doctor's visit, the doctor will take an x-ray and then give you instructions on how to care for your toe. In some cases, the doctor will realign the bone. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to place pins or screws in the toe to keep the bones in place. Rest the broken toe. Don't do the activity that caused the injury in the first place and avoid other activities that place pressure on your toe. Light walking, swimming, or biking may be fine, but avoid running or playing contact sports for several weeks. Continue resting the toe for the amount of time prescribed by your doctor. When you're at home, keep your foot elevated to help with swelling. After several weeks of healing, gradually begin using your toe again, but don't overdo it. If you feel pain or stress, take a step back and rest your foot. Change your bandages if necessary. Most toe fractures and breaks do not require a cast; instead, the doctor will show you how to "buddy tape" your broken toe to the toe next to it. This keeps it from wandering out of place and getting reinjured. Ask your doctor or a nurse to show you how to properly change the tape and gauze every few days to keep the area clean. If you lose feeling in the taped toes or they change in color, the tape is probably too tight. Remove it immediately. Ask your doctor for guidance in reapplying the tape. Diabetics should not tape their toes. Instead, special flat-footed orthopedic shoes should be worn, as prescribed by your doctor. Care for severe breaks according to your doctor's guidance. If your break is severe enough to require a cast, brace, or special walking shoes, you'll probably have to rest it completely for 6 to 8 weeks. Breaks that require surgery may have even longer healing periods. You may need to have several doctor's visits in the meantime to make sure it's healing properly. Be sure to follow the doctor's orders when caring for a severe injury. Ignoring doctor's orders can cause an injury to take much longer to heal than necessary. | Assess your pain level. Examine the size of your toe. Look at the shape of your toe. Check for discoloration. Touch the toe. Know when to see a doctor. Care for your toe until your doctor's appointment. Follow your doctor's orders. Rest the broken toe. Change your bandages if necessary. Care for severe breaks according to your doctor's guidance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Pool-Light | How to Change a Pool Light | To change a pool light, start by shutting off all power to the pool using your home's circuit breaker. Then, remove the screw at the top of the lighting fixture and use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the fixture out of the niche box. Next, unscrew or pry the cover and lens off the fixture and replace the old bulb with a new identical one. Finally, replace the lens, reassemble the fixture, and screw the fixture back into the niche box. | Shut off all power to the pool lighting. You'll do this at your home's circuit breaker box. One of the breakers should be marked “pool.” Switch this breaker into the “off” position to turn off all electricity to the pool. Some swimming pools have been equipped with their own breaker boxes. If you don't see a “pool” breaker in your main electrical box, look around near your pool to see if there's a second box nearby. Check to make sure power is off by trying to turn on the pool lights. You don't want to risk possible electrocution, so flip the pool lights on and off to make sure the pool isn't receiving any electrical power. If you only have one pool light, try switching the pool pump on and off. If the power is truly off, the pump won't turn on. Remove the single screw at the top of the fixture. This screw, called the “screwlock,” is the only thing holding the light fixture to the pool wall. In nearly all cases, this will be a large Phillips-head screw, so you will need a Phillips screwdriver to remove it. Roll up your sleeves, stick your arm beneath the surface of the water, and unscrew the screwlock. If the light is low on the side of your pool, or if your arm is too short to reach, you'll have to get into the pool to unscrew the screw-lock and remove the fixture. Once you've unscrewed the screwlock, place it someplace where it won't roll away and get lost. A shirt pocket is a good option. Pry the light fixture out of the niche box with a flat-head screwdriver. Most light fixtures will have a tab at the bottom which allows you to pull the fixture away from the wall. Work this tab loose with the flat-head screwdriver. Also use the screwdriver to loosen the fixture in a few other locations. Once it's loose enough, work your fingers in and pull the light fixture out of the wall. Pull the pool lighting fixture up onto the pool decking. There should be plenty of cord coiled up in the niche box to allow you to lift out the fixture and move it to the deck. Slowly draw the fixture and the cord behind it up onto the pool deck and set it on the concrete surface. If the cord isn't unraveling, reach into the wall behind the light fixture and give the cord 2-3 sharp tugs. Remove the cover and lens from the light fixture. The method will vary based on the age of your pool. Older pool models will have screws that need to be removed to allow you to pull out the lens. Newer pool lights will most likely have tabs that need to be pried loose. Remove the lens and set it aside in a safe place. Do the same with the rubber gasket that sits between the lens and the metal fixture. Make sure that you don't splash any water into the fixture when you remove the lens and gasket. Purchase a replacement bulb identical to the bulb in the light. Consult your pool's handbook or user manual to find out the exact type of bulb the fixture requires. Then, pay a visit to a local pool-supply store and purchase the corresponding bulb. Make sure that the size, brand, and serial numbers of the 2 bulbs match. If you can't find the exact bulb you need in a pool-supply store, purchase the bulb online. You can purchase replacement pool bulbs through major online retailers or through the pool manufacturer's website. If you're worried that the light fixture may be leaking, you can also purchase a new rubber gasket to seal the fixture and prevent water from getting in. Unscrew the old bulb and screw the new one into place with a towel. Once the lens and gasket are out of the way, you'll be able to reach in and grasp the 3 in (7.6 cm) bulb. Twist the bulb counterclockwise to unscrew it. Once you've removed it, hold onto the new bulb with a towel. Place the bulb in the center of the fixture and twist it clockwise. Never directly touch the lightbulb. The oils on your fingers can damage a halogen bulb and cause it to burn out quickly. Dispose of the old bulb safely by throwing it in a trash can. Turn the power on for 2-3 seconds to test the light and see if it works. Go back to the circuit breaker or pool electrical box and flip the switch back to “on.” See if the light turns on. If it does, immediately turn the switch back to “off.” This will save you the hassle of installing the new bulb only to find out that it doesn't work. If you leave the pool light on for longer than 5 seconds, the bulb may burn itself out. Halogen bulbs like those used in pool lights are extremely hot. If you turn the light on without cool water surrounding it, it will quickly overheat and burn out. Replace the lens and reassemble the fixture. Place the gasket and the lens back in place covering the bulb. As you're putting the parts of the light fixture back together, use the edge of your towel to dry any water that's dripped into the fixture. Replace all screws and lock in all tabs to close the light fixture. You'll simply reverse the disassembling process to re-assemble the pool light fixture. If you removed small screws from the fixture while you were taking it apart, now's the time to screw those back into place. Tighten them so that the gasket is pressed flat between the lens and fixture cover. If you're dealing with a newer model pool light fixture that doesn't have screws, make sure that the tabs are all firmly pushed into position so that the fixture is sealed shut. Place the fixture back into light niche and screw in the top screw. Hold the fixture in your hand and reach below the surface of the water. Insert the fixture back into the niche that you withdrew it from earlier. Take the screw-lock screw and insert it back into the hole at the top of the fixture. Then, use your Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the screw into position. You'll also need to feed the cable back into the wall if you had to tug it out. An easy way to do this is to wrap the cord 3-4 times around the base of the fixture before you insert it into the wall. Turn the power back on by switching the circuit breaker to “on. ” This will restore electricity to the pool light. Once the circuits are connected again, turn the light on to make sure it is working correctly. If the light still isn't working correctly, you may be dealing with a more serious electrical problem. In this case, contact the pool's manufacturer and ask them to send a repair specialist to inspect the pool. | Shut off all power to the pool lighting. Check to make sure power is off by trying to turn on the pool lights. Remove the single screw at the top of the fixture. Pry the light fixture out of the niche box with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the pool lighting fixture up onto the pool decking. Remove the cover and lens from the light fixture. Purchase a replacement bulb identical to the bulb in the light. Unscrew the old bulb and screw the new one into place with a towel. Turn the power on for 2-3 seconds to test the light and see if it works. Replace the lens and reassemble the fixture. Replace all screws and lock in all tabs to close the light fixture. Place the fixture back into light niche and screw in the top screw. Turn the power back on by switching the circuit breaker to “on. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pass-a-Nicotine-Urine-Test | How to Pass a Nicotine Urine Test | You might be worried if you need to pass a nicotine urine test, but luckily these kinds of tests are pretty easy to beat. Stop smoking or using any nicotine products for at least 4 days before the test. If you can, switch to non-menthol cigarettes in the weeks leading up to your test, since menthols can cause nicotine to stay in your body longer. You'll also need to drink plenty of water to flush the nicotine out of your system. Besides staying hydrated, you should eat plenty of eggs, onions, and garlic, which can stimulate your liver and help remove nicotine faster. If you want to see if you're ready to take your test, purchase a nicotine home test kit. These can be found in drug stores and usually are highly accurate. | Taper your nicotine use for at least 2 weeks before the test. To pass the test, you need to get the nicotine out of your system. Because quitting cold turkey can be challenging, reduce your nicotine usage at least 2 weeks in advance. The sooner you begin tapering, the less nicotine you'll need to worry about purging. For example, if you smoke a pack a day, gradually cut back by having 1 less cigarette every day. Replacement products like gum and patches can help. Quitting is always the best option, but it's not an easy one. Tapering at least makes withdrawal less painful. Stop using menthol cigarettes. Menthol affects how your body breaks down nicotine, causing it to stay in your system longer. Switch to regular cigarettes or other nicotine treatments, such as gum and patches. Try doing this while tapering in preparation for the test. Quit using nicotine at least 3 days before the test. Cotinine, the chemical detected by the test, stays in your system for days. Unfortunately, you can't use any nicotine products, including patches and other replacement therapies. The sooner you quit, the better your chances on the test will be. Most nicotine can be flushed out for a urine test within 3 days. In regular and heavy smokers, cotinine may be detectable for weeks, so stop using nicotine as soon as possible. Drink water to stay hydrated. Proper hydration ensures that your body flushes out nicotine as efficiently as possible. Carry around a water bottle and use it as a replacement for other drinks, like soda or coffee. Avoid overhydration. Too much water can lead to nausea, headaches, muscle cramps, and disorientation. Sip herbal tea and cranberry juice. These are both diuretics, and they're well-known as nicotine flushers. Have some in place of anything you would normally drink. When buying a drink, read the labels to make sure these products are included. Buying a sugary drink low in actual cranberry juice won't help you. Drink ginger, dandelion, juniper, or green tea to detox for the test. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Focus your meals around small portions of lean meats and fish. Cook them in olive oil, which contains healthy fats. Pair them with food heavy in antioxidants and fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and rice, to break down the nicotine. Foods such as eggs, onions, and garlic may stimulate your liver, leading to faster nicotine removal. Eat plenty of green vegetables. Green vegetables are better for your body, helping it function and clear nicotine more efficiently. Broccoli and spinach, for instance, are positive options that speed up nicotine removal. You're not restricted to eating only greens, but include a portion in your meals. Eat fruits filled with vitamin C. Include citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and mangos in your diet. Vitamin C, which is also found in broccoli, is known to speed up nicotine processing. They're also healthy foods, so they'll help you get through the days leading up to the test. Vitamin C supplements are also very useful. Use them daily while also eating foods rich in vitamin C. Avoid specialty detox drinks and medicines. These are sales pitches in a bottle. They claim to help you pass the test, but there isn't evidence that they work. Instead, rely on cheaper detox ideas like water, tea, and cranberry juice. Exercise to increase your metabolism. It's a healthy activity that keeps you busy when nicotine cravings hit. Even a brisk walk speeds up nicotine breakdown. Small amounts of nicotine chemicals are released every time you sweat. Try playing sports, doing yoga, or finding cardio workouts online. Stay hydrated while exercising by drinking water. Signs of dehydration include a dry mouth, feeling tired, decreased urine output, headaches, and dizziness. Avoid places where people are smoking. Secondhand smoke shows up on any nicotine test. Being around smoke means more chemicals in your body, even if you are comfortable resisting the urge to smoke. Spend your time exercising and doing other relaxing activities. Although secondhand smoke shows up on tests, it isn't enough to cause a nonsmoker to fail it. You won't be able to blame a failed test on secondhand smoke. Stay happy by keeping yourself busy and entertained. Exercise, eat healthy, and relax by rewarding yourself with activities that you love, such as getting ice cream or watching a favorite TV show. Detoxing is stressful, especially when you're facing withdrawal. Keep your spirits up to ensure you don't slip back into smoking before the test. Take a home test to monitor your nicotine levels. Home tests can be ordered online or found by walking into any drug store. They work like the real test, are government-approved, and are highly accurate. All you have to do is dip the testing strip into your urine to see whether you would pass or fail. Seeing the results can give you an example of how long nicotine hangs around in your system. Use the results to adjust your detox plans accordingly. | Taper your nicotine use for at least 2 weeks before the test. Stop using menthol cigarettes. Quit using nicotine at least 3 days before the test. Drink water to stay hydrated. Sip herbal tea and cranberry juice. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Eat plenty of green vegetables. Eat fruits filled with vitamin C. Avoid specialty detox drinks and medicines. Exercise to increase your metabolism. Avoid places where people are smoking. Stay happy by keeping yourself busy and entertained. Take a home test to monitor your nicotine levels. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Have-Epididymitis | How to Know if You Have Epididymitis | Epididymitis is an inflammation of the tube connected to your testicles, which is often caused by an infection. One common sign of epididymitis is testicular pain that begins on one side and slowly expands to the other side. If you have an infection, you may experience pain or blood when urinating, swelling, and redness. Other symptoms include clear, white, or yellowish discharge from your urethra, which may mean the infection is caused by a sexually transmitted infection. If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your doctor to be examined and properly treated. Your doctor will test for sexually transmitted infections and do some blood tests. Depending on your condition, they may prescribe medication like antibiotics to treat the infection. | Pay attention to testicular pain that begins on one side. With epididymitis, pain usually starts on one side, rather than both at the same time. Over time, it may slowly expand to both sides. Typically, you'll notice pain on the underside of your testicle first, though it will spread to the whole testicle. The type of pain differs depending on how long the epididymis has been inflamed; it may be a sharp or burning pain. If pain comes on quickly in both testicles, it's likely not epididymitis. However, you should definitely still be seen by a doctor. Look for swelling or redness in your infected testicle. The swelling or redness may be on one side only or spread to both sides over time. Your testicle may also feel warm, and you may feel uncomfortable sitting because of the swelling in the testicle. The testicle will also appear red because of the increased blood flow to the area and become swollen because more fluid is leaking into the infected area. You may also notice a lump on your affected testicle that's filled with fluid. Notice urinary symptoms. You may find urinating painful with this condition. You may also feel the need to go to the bathroom more often than usual, or that you need to urinate with more urgency. You may also have blood in your urine. Often, epididymitis results from an infection that starts in the urethra and then moves up the tube, eventually infecting the epididymus. Any infection in the urinary tract can irritate the bladder, causing pain. Look for urethral discharge. Sometimes, a clear, white or yellowish discharge may appear at the tip of your penis due to the inflammation and infection of the urinary tract. This symptom is more likely if your infection is caused by an STI. Don't worry. Even if it is an STI, it's still likely to be easily treatable. Take your temperature to see if you have a fever. As the inflammation and infection spread throughout the body, fever can occur as a defense mechanism. Chills may accompany your fever, as well. Fever is your body's way of fighting off infection. Anything over 100°F (38°C) means you need to visit the doctor. Keep track of how long you experience your symptoms. Acute epididymitis is characterized by symptoms that have been present for fewer than 6 weeks. Symptoms that stick around for longer than 6 weeks are indicative of chronic epididymitis. Let your doctor know how long you've been experiencing your symptoms, as this may impact your treatment. Think about if you've had unsafe sex recently. This infection can develop from a sexually transmitted infection, so practicing unsafe sex, particularly with multiple partners, puts you at risk for epididymitis. If you've had unsafe sex recently and you're exhibiting symptoms, that could mean you have this condition. Wear a latex or nitrile condom every time you have sex, even if you're not having vaginal sex. You need protection, whether you're having oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Epididymitis is commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and certain bacterias transmitted during anal sex. Look at your recent medical history, including surgery and catheters. Frequent use of catheters can lead to urinary tract infections and epididymitis. Similarly, a recent surgery in the groin area may also lead to this condition, so consult your doctor if you think this may be the cause of your issues. Enlarged prostates, fungal infections, and use of the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone may also lead to this condition. Chronic epididymitis is commonly associated with granulomatous reactions such as tuberculosis (TB). Consider any recent traumas you've had to the area. While uncommon, trauma to your groin, including being kicked or kneed in that area, can lead to this condition. If you've had a recent injury to that area and are experiencing the noted symptoms, you could have epididymitis. Keep in mind there might not be a known cause. While there are other, rarer causes like tuberculosis or the mumps, your doctor may not find a cause at all. Sometimes, you just develop this condition for seemingly no reason. Whether your situation has a known cause or not, the doctor isn't there to judge you. They just want to help you get better. Visit your doctor if you're exhibiting symptoms. Whether your condition is epididymitis or not, you still need to visit the doctor if you're having testicle pain, swelling, redness, or tenderness, or you're having trouble urinating. Schedule an appointment to see your doctor as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. Be ready to talk about your recent history, including your recent sexual history. Be honest, as that's the only way the doctor can treat you properly. They've heard it all before. Prepare yourself for a physical exam. The doctor will want to check out your groin area and feel the affected testicles. While this may be a little embarrassing for you, it's necessary for diagnosis. If you're feeling a little anxious, know you're not alone, as many people feel uncomfortable in this situation. Your doctor will check for tenderness in your lower back to look for possible kidney or bladder infections that may be contributing to your epididymitis. Your doctor may also collect a urine sample to check for a UTI. The doctor may also want to do a rectal exam to check your prostate. Expect testing for STIs. Because this infection can result from an STI, your doctor will want to run these tests. Typically, you'll provide a urine sample, and your doctor may swab the inside of your penis. While the test may be uncomfortable, it's usually not painful. Be ready for blood tests. Your doctor will also likely take blood tests including a C-reactive protein or an erythrocyte sedimentation rate test, as these can use the tests to detect any abnormalities that may be causing the infection. They may also be able to identify strains of bacteria in your blood. Ask about an ultrasound. An ultrasound can help the doctor determine if your issue is epididymitis or testicular torsion. In younger men, this distinction can be difficult to make, and an ultrasound can help. They'll just pass a wand over the area to take a Doppler ultrasound. If blood flow to the area is low, it indicates testicular torsion. If it's high, it indicates epididymitis. Expect a prescription for antibiotics. Epididymitis is treated based on the cause of the inflammation. Most cases are caused by infection, so your doctor will probably prescribe you an antibiotic. The type of antibiotic depends on whether the infection is caused by an STI or not. If your epididymitis is caused by an STI, your sexual partner may also receive a prescription. For gonorrhea and chlamydia infections, the doctor will generally give you a single dose of the antibiotic ceftriaxone (250 mg) as a shot, followed by 100 mg of doxycycline as a pill twice a day for 10 days. In some cases, the doxycycline may be replaced by 500 mg of levofloxacin once a day for 10 days or 300 mg of ofloxacin twice a day for 10 days. If your infection is caused by an STI, you will need to avoid intercourse until both you and your partner have completed your full antibiotic course. If your infection isn't caused by an STI, you may just be given the levofloxacin or ofloxacin without the ceftriaxone. Take an anti-inflammatory NSAID like ibuprofen. These medications can be used to reduce the pain and inflammation. They're convenient, as they're probably already in your bathroom cabinet, and relatively effective. However, do not self-medicate for more than 10 days on an analgesic like ibuprofen; consult your doctor again if pain continues past 10 days. For ibuprofen, take 200 mg every 4-6 hours to reduce the pain and inflammation. You can increase the dose to 400 mg if necessary. Lay down and rest while elevating your groin area. Resting in bed for a few days will help you deal with the pain associated with the condition. In bed, your crotch area will suffer less stress, reducing pain. Keep your testicles elevated to keep your symptoms at bay. When lying or sitting, placing a towel or rolled shirt below the scrotum can help to reduce discomfort. Use a cold pack on the area. Applying cold packs to your scrotum will reduce inflammation by decreasing the blood flow. Simply wrap the ice pack in a towel and apply it to the scrotum. Keep it there for about 30 minutes and no longer in order to avoid skin damage. Never apply ice directly to your skin. You can damage your skin, especially in such a sensitive area. Take a sitz bath to ease the pain. Fill your bathtub with 12–13 inches (30.5–33.0 cm) of warm water, and sit there for about 30 minutes. The warm water will increase the blood flow and help the body fight off the infection. You can do this as often as you need. This treatment is particularly effective for chronic epididymitis. | Pay attention to testicular pain that begins on one side. Look for swelling or redness in your infected testicle. Notice urinary symptoms. Look for urethral discharge. Take your temperature to see if you have a fever. Keep track of how long you experience your symptoms. Think about if you've had unsafe sex recently. Look at your recent medical history, including surgery and catheters. Consider any recent traumas you've had to the area. Keep in mind there might not be a known cause. Visit your doctor if you're exhibiting symptoms. Prepare yourself for a physical exam. Expect testing for STIs. Be ready for blood tests. Ask about an ultrasound. Expect a prescription for antibiotics. Take an anti-inflammatory NSAID like ibuprofen. Lay down and rest while elevating your groin area. Use a cold pack on the area. Take a sitz bath to ease the pain. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Table-of-Contents | How to Write a Table of Contents | To write a table of contents, open a new document and list the major headings, titles, or chapters of the project in chronological order. Next, insert subheadings or subtopics if your project has those. Fill in the page number where each heading starts, then format the content in a table with 2 columns. Place the headings and subheadings in order in the first column, then put the page numbers in the second column. Don't forget to add a "Table of Contents" title at the top of the document! | Start a new page after the title page. The Table of Contents should appear after the title page in the document. To create the Table of Contents manually, start a new page right after the title page. This way, you do not have to worry about moving the Table of Contents around in the document later. Doing this can end up throwing off the page ordering in the Table of Contents. The Table of Contents should be on its own page. Do not include the introduction or a dedication on the same page as the Table of Contents. List the headings of the document in order. Start by listing the headings of each section in the document in order. Include only the major titles or headings in the document first. Write them down vertically on the page, using the same font and font size for each heading. For example, you may write down main headings like, “Introduction,” “Case Study 1,” or “Conclusion.” Add subheadings if applicable. The subheadings will be subtopics under the main topics or sections in the paper. They should have their own titles in the document. Write down all subheadings underneath the applicable main headings. For example, under the main heading “Introduction” you may write the subheading, “Themes and Concepts.” Or under the main heading “Conclusion” you may write, “Final Analysis.” You can also include sub-subheadings underneath the subheadings, if applicable. For example, under the subheading “Themes and Concepts” you may have the sub-subheading, “Identity.” Some papers do not have subheadings at all, only main headings. If this is the case, skip this step. Write page numbers for each heading. Write down the page number of where each heading starts in the document. Only include the page number that marks the beginning of the heading. You do not need to include the page number of where the section ends in the table of contents. For example, if the “Introduction” section begins on page 1, you will attach “page 1” to the Introduction heading. If the “Conclusion” section begins on page 45, attach “page 45” to the Conclusion heading. Put the content in a table. Make a table with two columns. Then, place the headings and subheadings in the first column in order. Put the applicable page numbers in the second column. Check that the subheadings are located underneath the correct headings, indented to the right. Make sure there are page numbers for the subheadings listed as well. You can center the content in the table using the table options if you want the content to appear a few spaces away from the lines of the table. You can also leave the content indented to the left if you'd prefer. Title the Table of Contents. Add a title on the top of the Table of Contents. Usually the title is “Table of Contents” or “Contents.” You can put the title above the table or in a separate row on the top of the rest of the content. Confirm the headings and page numbers are correct in the document. Before you use a word processing program like Microsoft Word to create the Table of Contents, make sure the headings and page numbers are correct. Note each heading and subheading in the document, checking that every section has an applicable heading. You should also confirm the page numbers are correct in the document. Each page should be numbered in order. Having the correct page numbers will ensure the Table of Contents is created correctly when you use the word processing tool. Open the Styles tab. The Styles tab will on the Home tab in Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010. The Styles tab will allow you to label each heading in your document. Doing this will make it easy for the word processing program to create the Table of Contents for you. Label each heading in the document. Once the Styles tab is open, you will see “Heading 1” listed as an option. Start by labeling each main heading “Heading 1.” Highlight each main heading and click on “Heading 1” in the Styles tab. If there are subheadings in your document, label them “Heading 2.” Highlight each subheading and click on “Heading 2” in the Styles tab. If there are sub-subheadings in your document, label them “Heading 3.” Highlight each subheading and click on “Heading 3” in the Styles tab. The text and font for each main heading may change based on the settings for “Heading 1,” “Heading 2,” and “Heading 3.” You can choose your preferred text and font for each main heading so they appear as you like in the Table of Contents. Start a new page after the title page. Most Table of Contents follow the title page in a document. Have a new page ready so you can populate it with the table of contents. Click the new page on the spot where you want the Table of Contents to appear. The Table of Contents should be on its own page. Do not include the introduction or a dedication on the same page as the Table of Contents. Go to the Reference tab and choose the Table of Contents option. The Reference tab should appear in the Document Elements tab in Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010. The Table of Contents option will appear under the Reference tab. Once you click on the Table of Contents option, the Table of Contents should appear automatically on the new page with the applicable headings and page numbers. You can choose the built-in Table of Content options, where the tool will automatically choose a font size and style for you. You can also go for from a list of custom Table of Contents, where you choose the font color and size based on your preferences. Make sure the headings are formatted correctly. Once you have created the Table of Contents, you must check to make sure they are formatted correctly. Read over the Table of Contents to ensure all headings are spelled correctly and free of grammatical or punctuation errors. Check that the headings listed in the Table of Contents matches the headings in the document. You should also check the subheadings or sub-subheadings in the Table of Contents, if applicable, to ensure they match those in the document. Confirm the page numbers match the document. You should also double check the page numbers in the Table of Contents to ensure they match the page numbers in the document. Go through each heading in the Table of Contents to make sure the page numbers match. You do not want incorrect page numbering in the Table of Contents, as it will be difficult to use if this happens. Update the Table of Contents if you make a change. If you change any headings in the document, such as the spelling of a heading, you will need to update the Table of Contents. You will also need to do this if the page numbers change in the document. If you created the Table of Contents manually, do this by going in and adjusting the headings and/or the page numbers when they change. If you created the Table of Contents with a word processing tool, update it by clicking the Update option by the Table of Contents option on the Reference tab. You can side clicking on the Table of Contents and choosing “update” that way. | Start a new page after the title page. List the headings of the document in order. Add subheadings if applicable. Write page numbers for each heading. Put the content in a table. Title the Table of Contents. Confirm the headings and page numbers are correct in the document. Open the Styles tab. Label each heading in the document. Start a new page after the title page. Go to the Reference tab and choose the Table of Contents option. Make sure the headings are formatted correctly. Confirm the page numbers match the document. Update the Table of Contents if you make a change. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Glass-Pipe | How to Clean a Glass Pipe | To create a pipe cleaning solution, fill a resealable plastic bag with rubbing alcohol and kosher salt. Before cleaning your glass pipe, hold the bowl upside down and tap it to remove any loose debris. Then, submerge your pipe in the solution and let it sit for several hours, shaking the bag vigorously when your first put the pipe in and before you remove it. Once the pipe looks clean, take it out of the solution and rinse it under hot water. | Remove any loose gunk from the pipe. Hold the pipe upside down and gently tap to remove any remaining particles. Then use a pipe cleaner, cotton swab, mechanical pencil, needle, or similarly thin object to remove any large, easily dislodged bits of resin you can reach. Don't risk breaking the pipe to get at tough spots, as you only need to get anything big and easy to reach off now. This will help the alcohol clean the rest of the pipe faster. Fill a plastic resealable bag with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Try and purchase 90% isopropyl, as it will clean the pipe faster than the more watered-down 71% solution. Place the pipe inside, making sure it is fully submerged in the fluid. Alcohol breaks down tar and resin, making it easier to remove and cleaning off stains over time. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the bag. Salt will act like an abrasive sponge on your pipe, scrubbing away the resin in places you could never reach with a sponge or brush. Because it is meant to rub away the resin, try and use the biggest grains of salt your can find -- course or kosher salt is usually your best bet. Shake the pipe in the bag, making sure to work the salt into the inside of the pipe. If possible, get the salt in the pipe and then use your fingers to close off the openings to the pipe. You can then shake up the salt inside the chamber, getting rid of as much resin as possible. Shake the bag for 1-2 minutes or until the pipe is visibly clean. Soak the pipe for several hours and repeat in the morning to clean very dirty pipes. Add a splash of fresh isopropyl and let the pipe sit, submerged in the fluid, for several hours before shaking it up again. If you are using 71% isopropyl alcohol, then some of your salt may have dissolved, so be sure to add more if you seem to be missing some. Rinse out the pipe with hot water. Remove all the alcohol and salt from the pipe with some piping hot water and discard the rest down the toilet, as it can stink up your sink and pipes if left undisturbed. Clean out any remaining spots with a pipe cleaner or cotton swabs. Wipe off any little spots, dipping the end of your tool in some clean alcohol to get rid of any persistent stains. To remove any water marks or non-resin stains, soak the pipe for 10-15 minutes in a mixture of warm water and lemon juice. Knock out any lingering gunk or ash. Do a quick, basic cleaning of the pipe by knocking out any loose resin and using a cotton swab to wipe or dislodge any large pieces of gunk. Rinse the pipe out with warm water. Do not use cold water, as the transition from cold to boiling water may break your pipe. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Place it on the stove and bring to a boil. Reduce water to a simmer. Make sure there is enough water to cover the entire pipe, preferably by 3–4 inches (7.6–10 cm) at least, to be safe. A simmer is when there is a constant, but not extreme, cascade of bubbles breaking the surface of the water. Submerge the pipe in water. Make sure that the pipe is fully submerged in water. As it boils, the water will evaporate, so keep your eye on it so ensure your pipe doesn't end up alone in a hot pan, which may crack it. Allow pipe to soak for 20-30 minutes in simmering water. Remove pot from heat, drain out the water, and inspect the pipe to check for any excess residue. The pipe will be extremely hot, so use an oven mitt and extreme care to check it. Never douse the hot glass in cold water -- this will cause it to shatter. You may need to repeat this process with a fresh pot of clean water until the pipe is thoroughly cleaned. Use a pipe cleaner or cotton swab to remove any remaining residue. Take a cotton swab or pipe cleaner and wipe away any lingering residue. If there are water stains, soak your pipe for a few minutes in a mixture of lemon juice and 2–3 tablespoons (29.6–44.4 ml) of clean water and then let it air dry. Try using denture cleaning tablets. Put your pipe the bottom of a Tupperware container and fill it up with enough hot water to cover the top. Drop in 2-3 denture tablets and let it sit and soak for a half hour. The fizzing will remove a lot of resin, and the formula is designed to remove stains and residue. Other alternate home cleaning solutions include: Salt and vinegar. Baking soda and vinegar. Sand and water. Purchase specialty cleaning solutions. Marketed specifically to smokers, products like Simple Green and Formula 420 are made to clean the resins in glass pipes. They are, however, a bit more expensive than the simple DIY solutions, and many people do not find them any more effective. That said, they eliminate the need for shaking or messes, as they often remove the resin through simple soaking. Freeze the pipe to remove hard buildups. Freezing causes the resin to harden and dry up, making it easier to dislodge. Freeze the pipe for 30 minutes to an hour, then quickly use a needle or similarly sharp, thin object to knock off the resin. It will not take long for the resin to warm up and become gummy again, so you need to work quickly. Clean your pipe regularly. A quick rinse and a soak in some isopropyl, done once a week, takes only 5 minutes. But it will keep you from having to resort to deep cleanings or overnight soakings, and keep your piece shiny and sparkling. Some stains will not come out if they soak into the glass, but this only happens if you neglect cleaning for several months or years in a row. Take the time now to clean it off and your task will be much easier in the future. | Remove any loose gunk from the pipe. Fill a plastic resealable bag with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the bag. Shake the pipe in the bag, making sure to work the salt into the inside of the pipe. Soak the pipe for several hours and repeat in the morning to clean very dirty pipes. Rinse out the pipe with hot water. Clean out any remaining spots with a pipe cleaner or cotton swabs. Knock out any lingering gunk or ash. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Submerge the pipe in water. Allow pipe to soak for 20-30 minutes in simmering water. Use a pipe cleaner or cotton swab to remove any remaining residue. Try using denture cleaning tablets. Purchase specialty cleaning solutions. Freeze the pipe to remove hard buildups. Clean your pipe regularly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Perform-a-Basic-Accounting-Audit | How to Perform a Basic Accounting Audit | To perform a basic accounting audit, read the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and search for accepted audit practices in your specific industry. It is important to read these standards because to perform an audit, you may need to hire an accountant or other third party. If you are able to do the audit yourself, cross-reference all costs and expenses to ensure the information is consistent. From there, double check your receipts and tax returns and look for any discrepancies. Then, write your audit report. | Understand financial audits. Quite simply, financial audits exist to ensure that your business's financial information is "true and fair". For small businesses, the main concern is that all expenses and revenues are accurate so that the IRS knows exactly the financial status of the business and can confirm all deductions are valid. A formal audit involves an examination of financial statements by a qualified third-party (typically a chartered public accountant, or CPA). With regards to small businesses, audits are typically performed by the IRS due to concerns over proper reporting, whereas large public corporations typically hire external auditors (and have internal auditors) to confirm financial information is valid for shareholders.. Despite this, you can still "self-audit" your business (or make sure your financial information and procedures are accurate and fair), to improve your business and protect yourself from an IRS audit. Learn the reasons for a financial audit. There are several reasons and benefits to regularly audit your finances. While a basic audit can be performed by the business owner (who should be regularly making sure financial information is accurate and procedures are efficient), it is wise to hire a CPA to do a systematic overview of your finances. Financial audits can ensure information is valid and in accordance with accounting standards (like the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP). Financial audits make sure all legal and tax rules are being complied with, which can prevent an audit from the IRS, or different legal issues that can arise when fraudulent or incorrect information is presented to the public or investors. They can also provide education to the business owner about how their business is running and how it can be improved. Prevent your small business from triggering an IRS audit. A basic accounting audit of your business can be an effective way to prevent yourself from receiving an IRS audit, which can be stressful and time consuming. Before looking deeper into your finances, there are several initial tips that can be used to improve your financial standing and prevent an IRS audit. Ensure your deductions are realistic and not excessive (especially for business meals, travel, and entertainment). For example, daily commuting to work at a regular job is not a valid deduction, nor is claiming any personal expense as a business deduction. A good rule is if the spending is required to make money, then it can be deducted. Be sure you have proper receipts and records for any and all deductions. Have explanations and proper documentation for any major discrepancies between years. If you contribute much more to charity one year than another, include an explanation as to why when you file your return, and include any receipts or other associated documents. Determine whether your business has a sufficient accounting audit trail. An accounting audit trail consists of the paper and electronic sources that document the history of a business's transactions. Audit trails are used to trace a business's financial data from the general ledger to the source of the transaction/funds. A strong audit trail provides a comprehensive chronological list documenting the steps taken to commence and complete transactions. Determine if your existing accounting practices enable you to track the complete process of a financial transaction with documentation. If not, your accounting processes must be strengthened in order to create a sufficient accounting audit trail. For example, if you are purchasing goods from a supplier, locate the documentation associated with the transaction (like an invoice), locate the transaction in the appropriate account (like the expense or accounts payable account), and identify what kind of transaction it was (buying goods from a supplier). Employ accounting software to create an electronic accounting audit trail for your business. Using accounting software to log your business's financial activities will allow you to easily store and analyze accounting data with ease. Review your small business's existing record keeping policies. All financial information should be stored reliably, securely, and in an organized manner. All relevant information, such as bank statements, cancelled checks, and cash register tapes should be stored at least through the end of each reporting period. Having this information stored and readily accessible will help you resolve any issues or discrepancies that arise. There should be associated documentation for every transaction, with relevant explanations for transactions that will be used for deductions. For example, if you spent $100 on gas to travel to meet a potential client, there should not only be receipts (or bank records) for the transaction, but it should also be recorded that the $100 expense was to recruit a new client, and is therefore a deductible business expense. Examine how financial documents are passed on to accounting personnel. The first step in your small business's accounting audit consists of gathering financial documents, such as invoices, receipts, and bank statements, and handing them off to the accountant or accounting department for processing. If this process is slow or unreliable, the accounting records will suffer and become unreliable. If you are self-employed, this step is simplified, and your task is instead to make sure that you take your own financial transaction records and process them quickly and regularly to ensure your records are up to date. Create a system for monitoring your company's internal controls. Internal controls are those provisions that help to protect against fraud, theft, and other internal accounting issues. They are the procedures your business uses to ensure your assets are protected and your information is accurate. Separate accounting duties as much as is reasonable. For example, it is best not to allow the same person to both handle cash and do the bookkeeping, as this makes it easier to explain away missing cash. Safes should be locked when not in use, and company software and computers should be password protected. Camera systems are beneficial for monitoring the execution of internal controls at retail businesses. Reconciliation of accounts, such as the reconciliation of bank statements with the checkbook, should regularly occur as a way to validate financial information. Techniques like numbering documents such as checks to prevent duplication are also a useful internal control. Consider the accounting and tax laws your business must follow. For tax purposes, you are typically required by law to keep comprehensive accounting records for your business. Preparing your accounting records to be in compliance with the law will make a potential federal revenue audit easier to comply with. Make IRS procedures such as keeping accounting records for at least six years a part of your internal audit trail process. This way you already have the processes in place that are required to respond external audits from the IRS and other external parties. To find out what laws are relevant to you, the Small Business Administration website is a very helpful resource. In addition, you can also consult with your accountant or bookkeeper if you have one. Employ industry-accepted audit practices. Good audit practices should serve as your initial guide for conducting your internal accounting audit. Using a business accounting software program, a tax attorney, or an accountant is the best way to ensure that your internal accounting audit is in line with generally accepted accounting practices. The General Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) are the most common auditing standards used to audit private companies. Consider the GAAS policies when commencing your internal accounting audit. GAAS are the basic rules and standards that are used when doing an audit. While these typically are used by professional auditors, consulting these basic principles can provide a helpful guideline for your own personal audit. Cross-reference each part of your company's accounting system. Review each place into which accounting information is input, including the general journal, the general ledger, and individual account balances. Account balances should be examined on a continual basis, rather than just before preparing the trial balance at the end of the accounting period. Make sure that all entries have corresponding entries across each element of your system, and that any discrepancies are resolved quickly. For example, a purchase of merchandise to sell would require an debit entry to the inventory account, and a credit to your cash account. Use accounting documentation to verify your business's gross income, expenses and costs. If you have a very large number of transactions, it is acceptable to take a statistical sample in order to examine individual transactions, rather than trying to examine all of them. Compare internal accounting records against external records. Check the fidelity of your own bookkeeping by comparing it against external records. For example, you can compare purchase receipts from your suppliers against your own purchase records. Note that issues that arise through this process may be due to external errors, such as miscalculations by a supplier or customer. If you encounter any errors, it is important to firstly correct the error. Any errors on the behalf of external factors (like a supplier error), should also be corrected by contacting the party involved. Next, it is important to document the error, and ask yourself why the error happened, and who is responsible. Is it a one-time mistake, or is there a problem with basic policy or procedure? From here, you can focus on ensuring the error is not repeated. If you have physical products or use equipment in your business, you will need to conduct physical audits as well. For example, inventory or equipment should be counted and visually inspected. Check internal tax records against your tax returns. Look through your recent government tax receipts and compare these against your internal records regarding taxes paid and tax liabilities. In the U.S., keep tax receipts on hand for at least 7 years, as this is the statute of limitations on tax fraud. Create an audit report. Compile a list of your findings into a succinct audit report. An audit report is simply a document that summarizes the findings of your audit. It will state problems you found, improvements that were made, and areas that were working well. Since this is your own audit, this does not need to be a formal document, and should simply be a useful document that you can refer to for your own usage, or that you can show the IRS in the event that your business is audited. | Understand financial audits. Learn the reasons for a financial audit. Prevent your small business from triggering an IRS audit. Determine whether your business has a sufficient accounting audit trail. Review your small business's existing record keeping policies. Examine how financial documents are passed on to accounting personnel. Create a system for monitoring your company's internal controls. Consider the accounting and tax laws your business must follow. Employ industry-accepted audit practices. Cross-reference each part of your company's accounting system. Compare internal accounting records against external records. Check internal tax records against your tax returns. Create an audit report. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-a-Car-Battery | How to Check a Car Battery | To check a car battery, turn off the ignition and pop your vehicle's hood. Hook up a voltmeter to the car's battery by connecting the red lead to the positive terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal. If the battery is in good condition, the voltage will read between 12.4 and 12.7 volts. A reading lower than 12.4 volts means your battery needs to be charged. If the reading is over 12.9 volts, you may want to consider having the alternator checked by a professional to figure out why this is happening! | Turn your ignition off. Remove the battery's positive terminal cover. Check and clean the battery terminals. Connect your voltmeter's positive lead to the positive terminal on your battery. The positive lead on a voltmeter is usually red. Attach the negative voltmeter lead to the negative battery terminal. Check the voltmeter. If your battery is in good condition, the voltage should be between 12.4 and 12.7 volts. A reading lower than 12.4 volts means that your battery needs to be charged. If the reading is lower than 12.2 volts, "trickle charge" the battery, which is a slow charge. And then re-check. If the reading is over 12.9 volts, you have excessive voltage. Turn on the high beams to remove excessive voltage surface charge. Over voltage may be an indication the alternator is over charging the battery. While you have the voltmeter handy, you may also want to do load testing. Remove the battery's positive terminal cover. Connect your Power Probe's positive lead to the positive terminal on your battery. The positive lead on a voltmeter is usually red. Attach the Power Probe's negative lead to the negative battery terminal. Connect the tip of the probe to the positive battery terminal. Check the probe for voltage reading. Check the Power Probe reading. If your battery is in good condition, the voltage should be between 12.4 and 12.7 volts. "Crank" the engine by turning the ignition until the starter engages and hold for 2 seconds Have an assistant crank the engine while you check battery voltage drop. At the time of the crank, check the reading of the Power Probe. It should not go below 9.6 volts. A battery with a volt reading less than 9.6 volts means the battery is sulfated and not holding/accepting the charge. | Turn your ignition off. Remove the battery's positive terminal cover. Connect your voltmeter's positive lead to the positive terminal on your battery. Attach the negative voltmeter lead to the negative battery terminal. Check the voltmeter. Remove the battery's positive terminal cover. Connect your Power Probe's positive lead to the positive terminal on your battery. Attach the Power Probe's negative lead to the negative battery terminal. Connect the tip of the probe to the positive battery terminal. Check the Power Probe reading. "Crank" the engine by turning the ignition until the starter engages and hold for 2 seconds Have an assistant crank the engine while you check battery voltage drop. At the time of the crank, check the reading of the Power Probe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Work-from-Home-With-Data-Entry | How to Work from Home With Data Entry | To work from home with data entry, start by working jobs through freelance project websites, like Fiverr.com or Flexjobs.com. Before you give the site your personal information, make sure they're legitimate by researching the company on the Better Business Bureau's website or at ConsumerFraudReporting.org. If you want to find a full-time telecommuting job, look on job board websites like Monster.com and Indeed.com. Additionally, use social media platforms like Linkedln to expand your search. | Begin working data entry jobs through freelance project websites. There are a number of websites that you can use to do freelance data entry work from home for money. These websites offer jobs by project and are not always great sources for steady income, but can provide you with experience that would be valuable when applying for full time positions. Fiverr.com offers small projects that pay five dollars each. Flexjobs.com and Freelancer.com both offer data entry projects that you can do from home that pay a varying rate. Make sure the websites you do work for are reputable. There are many scams online that try to take advantage of people that are looking for work that they can do from home. Make sure that you confirm that the company you do work for is legitimate, as you will probably need to provide them with personal information in order to receive payments. It's important that you research companies to make sure that they are not part of a scam. Look up the company on the Better Business Bureau's website to see if it is legitimate at www.bbb.org. Websites like ConsumerFraudReporting.org can also help you identify potential scams. Look for full time telecommuting jobs on job board websites. While websites that offer projects to freelancers can be a great way to supplement your income, it can be difficult to earn a living through them, and even more difficult to secure benefits. You may want to seek a full time position with a company that permits you to do the data entry from home. Use websites like Monster.com and Indeed.com to look for data entry positions that allow the employee to telecommute. Websites like Craigslist.org can be a great resource, but be aware of how to avoid scams on Craigslist. Use social media to expand your search. Social media platforms like LinkedIn can be a great way to look for open positions as well as to network with people already working the field you want to find a position in. Make sure to include the terms “telecommute” or “work from home” in your search. Start by creating a LinkedIn Account. Search for open positions and reach out to others in the field you are interested in to help you identify open data entry positions that you may be able to apply for. Complete a phone screening. A phone screening is often the first stage of the interview process. A human resources professional will contact you to conduct a brief interview over the phone to determine if you meet the requirements to be interviewed by a hiring manager. Treat a phone screening like any other interview: don't be late for the call, be courteous and professional, and speak to your strengths as a data entry employee as well as your ability to work without direct supervision. Make sure to put your best foot forward when conducting a phone screening. Conduct an interview. If you do well on the phone screening, you will likely receive a call to schedule a follow up interview. Because you will be working from home, there is a likelihood that you may need to conduct the interview through a teleconferencing website that allows you to see and speak to your interviewer from the comfort of your own home. Although you may be conducting the interview from home, treat it as though it is an in person interview regarding what to wear and how to interact. Follow the common practices necessary to do well in a job interview. You may also be required to conduct the interview in person. Be sure that you arrive on time and with a few copies of your résumé. Set up your work space. The software and hardware required to do data entry from home may vary based on the company you work for and the type of data entry you are doing. Before you can begin working, ensure that your work space and computer are prepared for the task. Install any necessary software you may need to complete your data entry tasks. Many companies may use web portals instead of software on your computer, so ensure you have the necessary login information and receive training on how to properly use it. You may need to create a PayPal account or establish a different method of receiving payment from your employer like direct deposit. Make sure you speak to your supervisor or manager about how payments are made and what you need to do in order to receive them. Make sure you have a telephone, printer or any other devices that are required to complete your data entry work. Set a consistent schedule. Working from home has a number of perks, one of them being that you may be able to set your own schedule. Although this offers a significant amount of freedom, it can also make it difficult to get yourself going in the morning. As you work out a routine for yourself, try to set things up so that, at least most of the time, you're focused on one thing rather than multitasking. Set a start time to begin working every morning to avoid procrastinating. Set a time that you finish work each day. It may be tempting to work longer hours than necessary when working from home because you never really leave your place of work, but it's important that you allow yourself time to rest and take care your obligations at home. Set aside particular blocks of time for deep, focused work, where you turn off any background noise and get rid of any distractions. That will allow you to get deeper, more creative work done. By planning in advance how you want to use your time, you can develop regular habits and routines that will free up your mental space. Take breaks when you need to. Although it's important that you stick to a schedule, it's equally important that you allow yourself breaks when you need them. The freedom provided by working from home allows you to take breaks when necessary and may even make you more productive. In most work environments, you get two fifteen minute breaks and a thirty-minute break per eight-hour work day. Try providing yourself breaks in a similar fashion. Don’t handle personal tasks during working hours. It may be tempting to knock out some housework or take care of your children during working hours because you're home. It's a bad habit to get into, as it can dramatically reduce your productivity during your work day, as well as add to your stress by feeling as though you should be doing both professional and housework in the same amount of time. Treat your working hours as though you are in the office; you need to devote yourself to your work while “at” work. Consider using daycare or a babysitter for your children if you have any so you can focus on getting your work done. Communicate actively with your management. It's important that your management knows that you are staying on task and being productive. In most office environments, you will see your supervisor or manager regularly throughout the day, so when working from home make sure you keep open lines of communication with them throughout your work day. If you communicate via e-mail, make sure to keep your e-mail window or software open so you can be aware when receiving communications from your management. If you miss a call or message from your supervisor, make sure to get back to them as quickly as you can. Evaluate what gives you joy, a sense of meaning, and overall fulfillment professionally. If you aren't satisfied, your manager may be able to help you find more job satisfaction. Ensure you have the necessary skills. Data entry, like any job, has specific requirements that you will need to meet in order to be considered for the position. Before you can locate a data entry position to apply to, you'll need to ensure you have the appropriate skill set. Data entry requires the ability to type quickly and accurately. Basic computer skills are a requirement for all telecommuting data entry jobs. It is often expected that you have experience working with word processing, database or presentation software like PowerPoint to be considered for data entry positions. Create an area dedicated to your work. Working from home requires that you are able to keep yourself well organized and on track. The best way to do so is to create an office space in your home that you use for nothing else other than work. Your office space should permit you enough room to keep all of your work related materials in one place and well organized. It helps if your office space provides you privacy from distractions or interruptions. Put together a résumé. Applying for data entry positions that allow you to work from home still requires a professional looking résumé. Your résumé is often what makes the difference between getting to the next level of the interview process or not. Ensure that you highlight the skills required for data entry on your résumé. Ensure that your résumé is well organized and looks professional. Make sure you have the right equipment. Working from home usually requires that you provide the equipment necessary to do the job. Depending on the nature of the position you apply for, the equipment requirements may vary, but the common requirements are as follows: A reliable computer with access to a high speed internet connection. A dedicated telephone line that you can use for work specific phone calls. An office software suite such as Microsoft Office or Apache Open Office. | Begin working data entry jobs through freelance project websites. Make sure the websites you do work for are reputable. Look for full time telecommuting jobs on job board websites. Use social media to expand your search. Complete a phone screening. Conduct an interview. Set up your work space. Set a consistent schedule. Take breaks when you need to. Don’t handle personal tasks during working hours. Communicate actively with your management. Ensure you have the necessary skills. Create an area dedicated to your work. Put together a résumé. Make sure you have the right equipment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Address-Biting-and-Aggressive-Behavior-in-a-Rabbit | How to Address Biting and Aggressive Behavior in a Rabbit | To address biting and aggressive behavior in a rabbit, make a loud noise and say "No bite!" whenever your rabbit bites you to show it that the behavior isn't acceptable. Don't physically discipline your rabbit since it will only make the biting and aggression worse. You should also use positive reinforcement whenever your rabbit doesn't bite you or stops biting you by giving it a treat or petting it. Also, make sure your rabbit has plenty of toys since sometimes rabbits bite out of boredom. | Consider the age and stage that the rabbit is at. It is important to get a pet rabbit spayed or neutered at around the age of four months when its hormones start to kick in and cause it to behave differently. Getting the rabbit spayed or neutered will help to allay the hormonal reasons behind biting or aggressive behavior in a rabbit, as nipping behavior is often a sign of sexual frustration in rabbits. Rabbits can breed at any time of the year and the act of mating triggers ovulation, hence rabbits are primed to find a mate from the time nature deems them ready to breed. Consider your rabbit's background to see if it was poorly socialized when it was younger. Rabbits that weren't handled at a young age may bite you out of anxiety. If they're anxious around you, you need to earn its trust. Talk to your vet about any concerns you may have at this stage concerning the rabbit's biting or aggressive behavior. Have the vet check the overall health of the rabbit. Biting can be a sign of pain that needs to be treated, such as teeth or gum problems. Check the rabbit's surroundings and housing. It is possible that something is frightening the rabbit and causing it to bite or be aggressive as a result. Some things to consider include: Is the rabbit housed where it can see or be seen by animals that might normally prey on it, such as birds or dogs? If so, move the cage or add covers. Is the rabbit reacting when you try to remove toys, bedding, water and food bowls, etc., from the cage? If so, the rabbit may be responding in a territorial way and you'll need to remove the rabbit first, then clean the cage. Is the rabbit in a foreign cage all of a sudden? Rabbits are used to the familiarity of their known home space. In the wild, they use their whiskers to check that they've entered the right burrow and if not, they panic. If you need to transfer your rabbit to a new cage, it is a good idea to gradually introduce the cage by keeping it alongside the existing one, letting the rabbit out to explore the new cage and then considering moving the rabbit into the new space. Consider the feeding routine. It is important to feed the rabbit regularly and on time. A hungry rabbit may bite out of hunger. Check your scent. Rabbits have a keen sense of smell. If you have been handling another rabbit that your rabbit is unfamiliar with, even if you've washed your hands, it might be possible that the rabbit can smell this odor and is displeased. In this case, the biting might be triggered out of fear of the other rabbit. Communicate your intense dislike of the biting behavior. Whenever the rabbit bites you, make a loud "eeeep" noise, imitating the hurt noise a rabbit makes. Then say "No bite!" or something similar every time it happens, to reinforce this as a command to stop the behavior. Do not physically discipline a rabbit. It is cruel and pointless, and will only make the rabbit more likely to bite you, out of fear. Create a noisemaker, such as beans in a can, to shake whenever you're about the issue the "no bite!" command. Remain consistent; do the same stopping process every time the rabbit bites, including small nips, as any bite is an unacceptable bite. Use positive reinforcement when the rabbit does not bite or stops biting. Praise and love the rabbit next, to reinforce the non-biting behavior. Approach the rabbit slowly. Keep your hand flat with the palm facing downward and your fingers spread widely. When petting the rabbit, lower the hand from above the head and pat gently. Do not place fingers or hands in front of the rabbit's face. Use a reassuring voice. Rabbits may bite when they're stressed or frightened. Make sure the rabbit's living arrangements feel safe and that it has a shelter to hide in. Spend time with the rabbit. In some cases, the rabbit may want to socialize more often with you (again, out of boredom), and the biting may be a sign of frustration or demanding this attention. Keep the rabbit sufficiently occupied. Providing adequate enrichment for your rabbit companion is vital to relieving boredom and keeping the rabbit in a happier frame of mind. Provide plenty of toys for the rabbit to play with. Give the rabbit toys with food inside that the rabbit has to work at getting out. Find objects that require the rabbit to do something constructive with. Stroke your rabbit with care. Rabbits can perceive a hand in front of their face as a threat, both because rabbits are near-sighted around the nose area and because they expect a dominant rabbit to threaten them by coming up close to their face. As such, it is advisable to stroke a rabbit from above and avoid all parts of the face except for its forehead. Rabbits do have good eyesight but it's focused on covering the field rather than as we see (stereoscopically), and this is for the reason of being a prey animal. Hold a rabbit carefully. Rabbits are easily spooked, and when this happens, they can use their strength, teeth, and claws to injure you. Mishandling can also injure the rabbit's spinal cord or induce a heart attack in the rabbit. Things to keep in mind when holding a rabbit include: Do not ever pick a rabbit up by its ears. Put one hand under the rabbit's chest, hold each foreleg separately between your thumb and forefingers. Use your other hand to take the weight under the rabbit's rump. Rather than continuing to hold a rabbit, place it on a solid, non-slip surface for stroking it, but keep it restrained by your hands. If the rabbit is nervous or flighty, you can take its scruff in one hand and support its rump with your other hand while moving slowly and handling the rabbit gently. Realize that a rabbit familiar with you may not appreciate you handling it by the scruff. At all times, speak calmly and reassuringly. Do not yell, sound afraid or emit high-pitched sounds yourself. | Consider the age and stage that the rabbit is at. Check the rabbit's surroundings and housing. Consider the feeding routine. Check your scent. Communicate your intense dislike of the biting behavior. Use positive reinforcement when the rabbit does not bite or stops biting. Approach the rabbit slowly. Spend time with the rabbit. Keep the rabbit sufficiently occupied. Stroke your rabbit with care. Hold a rabbit carefully. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Buy-a-Dog | How to Buy a Dog | If you want to buy a dog, first figure out what breed you want by reading articles or talking with experienced dog owners. Then identify and visit animal shelters in your area. When you see a dog you like, think about whether it's a good match for your home and lifestyle. Ask yourself if there are restrictions on pets in your neighborhood, for example, and whether the dog's energy and activity levels match yours. Finally, have a veterinarian examine the dog so you know whether it's healthy or has any issues. | . Find a reputable breeder This is applicable if you are buying a puppy and are looking for a specific breed. It is essential that you find a responsible and ethical breeder. This will require you to do your homework, because there are many breeders ('backyard breeders') who do not practice ethical breeding practices and just want to make some extra money. Ask your veterinarian and other dog owners for information on responsible breeders in your area. You can also visit the American Kennel Club website ( https://www.akc.org/ ) for a list of reputable breeders in your area. A responsible and ethical breeder will be happy to show you around the breeding facility and allow you to ask as many questions as you can think of. A reputable breeder will also have documentation of veterinary care and will provide you with a health guarantee and contract. Identify animal shelters and rescue groups in your area. If buying your dog through a breeder is not in your budget, consider adopting a dog through one of your local animal shelters or rescue groups. If you are not sure where to start looking, talk to your veterinarian and other dog owners for reputable animal shelters and rescue groups in your area. You can also do an online search to identify local animal shelters. Online resources include The Shelter Pet Project ( http://theshelterpetproject.org/shelters ), Petfinder, and Adopt a Pet ( http://www.adoptapet.com/ ). Adoption fees with animal shelters and rescue groups are usually low. Many animal shelters and rescue groups have websites where you can look at their adoptable pets. Visiting the websites would also let you know learn more about the organizations themselves. Animal shelters have many mixed-breed dogs, which typically have fewer health problems than purebred dogs. Animal shelters and rescue groups are good choices if you are looking for an adult dog. Visit your local animal shelters. Rescue groups tend to do foster care (temporarily housing dogs in peoples' homes), so they may not have a central facility for you to visit. Visiting the animal shelters in your area will give you a good chance to see the dogs in person and determine whether you are comfortable with how the shelter cares for the dogs. Be aware that visiting an animal shelter can be a very emotional experience for you. To keep your emotions under control, it may be helpful to bring a notepad with you and take notes as you see dogs that interest you. Some animal shelters have moved away from same-day adoptions to prevent impulse adoptions. Do not go in with the mindset that you will walk out with a dog. Prepare for multiple visits and an extended application process to make sure you and the dog are good fits for each other. During your visit, ask as many questions as you can think of. For the particular dog that you are interested in, ask about his medical history, veterinary care and whether he has had a behavioral assessment. Ask about the food (type of food, nutritional value) the shelter is feeding the dogs. If you adopt from the shelter, you may want to continue feeding this same food or gradually transition your dog to a new food to avoid digestive upset. Inquire about the shelter's adoption fees. Adoption fees may be higher for puppies, kittens, and select breeds. Evaluate animal rescue groups. There are probably many animal rescue groups in your area. With so many to choose from, it may challenging to know which ones are the most reputable. To determine if a rescue group is reputable, ask about its adoption process. A rescue group that does not require a potential dog owner to fill out an application, sign a contract, or undergo a home check is probably not very trustworthy. If the group does not have a central facility, ask if you can visit the foster home where the dog is currently staying. A reputable rescue group will be able to coordinate a visit at the foster home. An unreliable group may agree to set up the visit, but end up being unavailable when it's time for you to make the visit. Ask how the rescue group screens for potential foster parents and adopters. If there is no screening process, then the rescue group probably just sells the dogs to anyone who has money—something that is highly unethical. Inquire about the rescue group's finances. A reputable group will be forthright about the source of their donations and how they use the adoption fees. Do not buy a dog from pet store or directly off the Internet. It cannot be emphasized enough that buying a dog from a pet store or off the Internet is a bad idea. If you are in the market for a puppy, do not look for one at a pet store—pet store puppies usually come from puppy mills that keep puppies in deplorable conditions. In addition, puppies from pet stores may develop serious behavioral and health issues later in life. Buying a dog directly from the Internet, sight unseen, is not a good idea. You should always see the dog in person before deciding whether he is a good fit for you. Plus, a dog could suffer serious physical and emotional stress if he is being shipped to you from a long distance. Test the dog’s temperament. A dog's temperament is the part of his personality that he was born with. For example, a dog may be naturally confident or protective. Before buying a dog, you should have him temperament tested to determine if his personality is in line with what you are looking for in a dog. Dogs in animals shelters or that are housed through rescue groups receive professional temperament testing. There are many different types of temperament tests, some of which are for very specified activities (e.g., search and rescue, hunting). If you will need to have the dog temperament tested on your own, ask the breeder, rescue group, or your veterinarian for recommendations on what type of test your dog will need. Temperament testing should be done by an expert. Results of the test can provide you with information about the strengths and weaknesses of your dog's behavior, and where there is room for improvement with extra training and handling. Temperament tests vary for puppies and adult dogs. Examine the dog. Before buying a dog, you should have him examined by your veterinarian. Even if a veterinarian through a breeder, shelter, or rescue group has already examined him, you should have your own examination performed. Your veterinarian will examine the dog from head to toe to assess his physical health. Your veterinarian will look closely at the dog's skin and coat, which are great indicators of overall health. Healthy skin will be clean (no grease or flakes) and a healthy coat will be smooth and shiny. Your veterinarian will also look in your dog's mouth and ears, listen to his heart and lungs, and palpate his abdomen. He or she may also test your dog's feces for intestinal parasites, as well perform orthopedic and neurologic examinations. A completely clean bill of health is not necessary for adoption. However, you should be aware of all health problems before the adoption. Foster the dog. Another good way to assess a dog is to foster him. Fostering a dog is a way to “try before you buy” — living with the dog in your home can allow you to see if he will be a good fit for you and your family. Inquire at your local animal shelters and rescue groups about the option to foster a dog before adopting him. Fostering a dog first can give you a closer look at the how dog will interact with you, other pets, and other family members. The length of fostering may vary, but is usually anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Ask yourself why you want a dog. There are many reasons why people want dogs. Some reasons are good and others are not. Knowing why you want a dog can help you make a better decision on what kind of dog is right for you. Good reasons for wanting a dog include companionship and improvement of physical and mental health. People with children may want a dog to teach their children about responsible pet ownership. The ultimate responsibility falls to the adult, but the children would be able to handle kid-friendly responsibilities. If you wake up one day and realize you want a dog, you should probably take some more time to think about that decision. A dog should never be an impulse purchase—the impulse could lead to heartache and frustration down the road. Buying a dog as a surprise gift is not a good idea. Choosing a dog is a very personal decision. Although your intentions may be good, a 'surprise' dog may end up not being a good fit for the other person. You may see the celebrities with tiny dogs in their purses, but dogs are not fashion or life accessories. They have real needs that must be met on a daily basis. Analyze your budget. Before even thinking about dog breeds, you should determine if you are ready to make the financial commitment to buy and own a dog. Potential dog owners frequently underestimate how much it really costs to own a dog — don't make the same mistake! Consider all costs of dog ownership when looking at your budget. In addition to the initial cost of buying a dog (either from a breeder or adopting from a shelter/rescue group), you will have ongoing costs, such as food, toys and accessories (e.g., leash, collar, grooming supplies, food and water bowls). Don't forget to factor in the cost of routine veterinary care, such as vaccinations, flea and heartworm preventative, and dental cleanings. You will also need to think about emergency veterinary care, which could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Depending on the age of the dog (puppy versus adult), you'll also need to factor in training costs. The cost of dog ownership, from the first year onward, could cost anywhere from a couple hundred to couple thousand dollars a year. The website http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2106&aid=1543 provides a detailed breakdown of expenses. Do not be discouraged if you determine that buying and owning a dog is beyond what you can afford right now. It is better for you to know that now than buy a dog and realize too late that you cannot afford to care for him. Assess your lifestyle and home life. No matter how much you want a dog, you need to think about how well a dog could fit into your life and home. For example, if you work long hours and are away from home a lot, owning a dog may not be right for you. Also, if you have a small apartment but want a big dog, that dog would end up being cramped in your living area. If you live in an apartment, be aware that there may be restrictions on dog weights and dog breeds. Check with your landlord to learn more about the pet policy. Owning a dog is a big time commitment. If you have a busy lifestyle, think about whether you can make extra time to take care of your dog's daily needs. Dogs, regardless of breed, have different personalities. Ideally, you should buy a dog that matches your personality (e.g., outgoing, reserved). Also, if you have a busy and active family, you should consider a dog that could handle lots of excitement and activity without becoming too stressed. It is important to consider a dog's lifestyle, too. For example, a working dog like a Husky may not be a good fit if you want a dog that wouldn't mind just laying on the couch with you. Visit the website http://dogtime.com/quiz/am-i-ready-for-a-dog to take a fun quiz to determine if you're ready to buy a dog. Research dog breeds. A good way to decide if you want a dog is to start learning more about dog breeds. In doing your research, you may find that the breed you thought you wanted doesn't quite match your lifestyle—that's completely fine! There are many dog breeds, so it is okay to change your mind about what breed you want. Visit your local bookstore or library to pick up books about dog breeds. Consider talking to dog breeders, your veterinarian, or experienced dog owners to learn about dog breeds. You could also ask animal shelters and rescue groups about different dog breeds. The more information you can gather, the better you will be able to decide what kind of dog is right for you. Some dog breeds, like Golden Retrievers, have long coats and shed a lot. Think about whether you want to handle the responsibility of grooming a long coat and cleaning up a lot of dog hair. Nearly every dog breed has some type of health problem associated with it. For example, large-breed dogs like German shepherds frequently develop hip problems. Since these health problems can be very expensive to treat, you should think about what health problems you can manage for the duration of your dog's life. | . Identify animal shelters and rescue groups in your area. Visit your local animal shelters. Evaluate animal rescue groups. Do not buy a dog from pet store or directly off the Internet. Test the dog’s temperament. Examine the dog. Foster the dog. Ask yourself why you want a dog. Analyze your budget. Assess your lifestyle and home life. Research dog breeds. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Colon-in-a-Sentence | How to Use a Colon in a Sentence | The most common way to use a colon in a sentence is to introduce a list with it. But you can also use a colon to introduce a quotation or to join a sentence with one that explains it. For example, the following quote is two sentences, where the second explains the first: “I gave him my number: I wanted to see him again.” Structures like that can emphasize the second sentence as well, if they are well written. | Precede a list with a colon. Connect a full sentence with a list using a colon. The colon sets off your information, making it easy to sort. Consider these examples: "I went to the store and bought a lot of fruit: peaches, apricots, grapes, kiwis, and nectarines. "You're missing everything: the pre-game, the party, and the afterparty." Set off a noun or noun phrase with a colon. Colons can be used to join a full sentence with an explanatory noun, proper noun, or noun phrase. Use this to place a lot of emphasis on the noun. You can write, "My nightmare revealed to me my deepest fear: solitude." Another example could be, "The clouds broke to pour sun down on her favorite place in the world: her father's rose garden." Introduce a lengthy quotation. To quote a full sentence or more, lead with a colon. Don't do this if you are only quoting a few words. Proper usage might include any of the following: 'In her poem "Houses," Laura Riding described the difference between lined and unlined panes of glass: "Windows give up their secrets, not mirrors."' Join a sentence with another that explains it. Colons can be used to connect full sentences that are related. When the second sentence serves to explain the first, they can be connected with a colon. Here are some examples: "Golf is more than a sport for me: it is an essential networking practice on which my business depends." "I gave him my number: I wanted to see him again." Amplify a statement. Connect two full sentences with a colon if the second sentence serves to extend, or amplify, the first. For instance, you could write, "Reading books makes me happy: reading in the morning fills me with a joy that illuminates my entire day." Introduce a conclusion. Connect a sentence that introduces a problem with another sentence that provides the conclusion. A colon may also imply that the second sentence is the result of the first. For instance, you could say, "The teacher finally decided what to do with her rowdy class: she added a ten-minute playground break before storytime." An example of an implied connection might be, "We brought too much bread to the picnic: the birds were very happy." Capitalize after the colon in certain cases. When you use a colon to connect two full sentences, you can capitalize the first letter of the second sentence or not. If you are writing a paper in a certain style, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or AMA, you must follow their guidelines. Do not capitalize the first letter of the second clause if it is not a complete sentence. Do not capitalize the first letter of the second clause if you are writing a paper using MLA or AMA formatting, unless it is a proper noun. Do capitalize the first letter of the second clause when using APA formatting. When using Chicago formatting, capitalize the first letter after a colon only if it introduces two or more sentences. Example: "Masha had three options: She could cry. She could yell. Finally, she could pretend that nothing had happened." Do not use a colon after an incomplete sentence. A common colon error is to use the colon to introduce a list or noun after an incomplete sentence. Sentences that include common mistakes sound abrupt and disjointed: "His list of goals was: go to Europe, fall in love, and get on TV." Use colons only to connect related sentences. Complete sentences that do not have a clear causal or thematic connection should not be connected with colons. It would be incorrect, for instance, to write this: "I would have to go to the store in an hour: winter in Minnesota is cold." A correct usage might be, "I would have to pick up a solid coat: winter in Minnesota is cold." Don't use a colon where a semi-colon should be. When you are connecting two full sentences that are of equal weight, a semi-colon will serve you better than a colon. A colon draws attention to the clause that follows it, while the semi-colon does not. For instance, it would be incorrect to say, "The TV is next to the bookcase: the couch is flanked by two end tables." This is because the second clause does not explain, amplify, or answer the first. It merely adds more information. Instead, you would write, "The TV is next to the bookcase; the couch is flanked by two end tables." | Precede a list with a colon. Set off a noun or noun phrase with a colon. Introduce a lengthy quotation. Join a sentence with another that explains it. Amplify a statement. Introduce a conclusion. Capitalize after the colon in certain cases. Do not use a colon after an incomplete sentence. Use colons only to connect related sentences. Don't use a colon where a semi-colon should be. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Naturally-Lower-Prostaglandins-with-Food | How to Lower Prostaglandins: Can Dietary Changes Help? | Too much prostaglandins in your body can cause pain and inflammation, but fortunately, you may be able to lower your prostaglandin levels naturally with food. Before trying to lower your levels, check with your doctor if you're treating a chronic condition that's raising your prostaglandins. To reduce your prostaglandin production, eat more omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in sardines, salmon, soybeans, flax seeds, walnuts, and tofu. You'll also want to eat foods rich in vitamin E, which can help reduce inflammation, so add sunflower seeds and oil, almonds, peanuts, and spinach to your diet. In order to promote your body's anti-inflammatory process, eat whole grains, like barley, quinoa, oatmeal, and brown rice. | Follow a generally healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables. This might seem like a simple step, but it really works. Studies show that a generally healthy diet that follows normal guidelines can lower overall prostaglandin levels. Particularly, diets high in fruits and vegetables have the best results. Try to follow the healthiest diet possible to control your prostaglandin levels. Also include plenty of whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, fish, soy, and nuts in your diet. Block estrogen with a high-fiber diet. Sometimes, your body reabsorbs estrogen, which stimulates prostaglandin production. This is called hormone recycling. Luckily, fiber can bind to estrogen and prevent your body from reabsorbing it. Make sure your diet is rich in fiber to stop estrogen from causing higher prostaglandin production. Good sources of fiber include beans, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Try to get as much fiber as you can from plant sources, because animal products can stimulate more prostaglandin production. Include omega-3s to fight inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent prostaglandin production and also help lower omega-6s, a building block for prostaglandins. The best source for omega-3s is fish, so have a few fish servings each week. You can also get more omega-3s from fish oil supplements. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you can get omega-3s from flax and chia seeds and oil. Eat more pomegranates. While all fruits and vegetables are good for you, pomegranates are best for lowering prostaglandin. The nutrients in this fruit can inhibit prostaglandin production and lower the overall levels in your body. Include some pomegranates in your diet to enjoy these benefits. Mix honey into water for a natural treatment. This sounds strange, but natural honey can naturally lower your prostaglandin levels. Mix 1.2 g (1/7 tsp) of natural honey per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of your bodyweight into 250 ml (1.1 c) of water. Drink this mixture once a day for 15 days. For example, if you weigh 90 kg (200 lb), then you'd mix 108 g (15 tsp) of honey into the water. There's a lot of sugar in this much honey, so this isn't meant as a long-term treatment. Take mangosteen extract. In one study, extracts from the mangosteen plant lowered prostaglandin in rats. There's no evidence that it has the same effect in humans, but you can try it if you'd like to. Try taking a 40% ethanol extract from this plant to see if it works. There is no universal dose for mangosteen, so always follow the instructions on the package or ask your doctor. Cut saturated fats out of your diet. High-fat diets in general tend to increase prostaglandin production, but saturated fat is a particular culprit. Try to reduce your saturated fat intake as much as possible to lower your overall prostaglandin levels. Common saturated fat sources include red meat, poultry skin, whole-fat dairy products, butter and lard, ice cream, and coconut oils. Reduce your omega-6 intake. While omega-3s can help reduce prostaglandins, omega-6s can actually increase it. This is because they're the building blocks for lipids like prostaglandin. Try to reduce the amount of omega-6 sources in your diet. Omega-6 sources include safflower, sunflower seeds and oil, corn, soybeans, pecans, Brazil nuts, and sesame oil. Eat fewer prepackaged and processed foods. These foods tend to be low in fiber, and can also increase the amount of estrogen in your body. This stimulates prostaglandin production. Do your best to eliminate processed foods from your diet and have fresh meals instead. Have less meat and animal products. Animal products in general tend to increase the estrogen in your body, which leads to more prostaglandin. Try to reduce the amount of meat and dairy in your diet to avoid producing too much prostaglandin. Women with diets high in animal products also tend to experience worse menstrual pain, so reducing your intake can be helpful. Animal products like red meat are also high in saturated fat, which could stimulate prostaglandin production. | Follow a generally healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables. Block estrogen with a high-fiber diet. Include omega-3s to fight inflammation. Eat more pomegranates. Mix honey into water for a natural treatment. Take mangosteen extract. Cut saturated fats out of your diet. Reduce your omega-6 intake. Eat fewer prepackaged and processed foods. Have less meat and animal products. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Patellar-Luxation-in-Shih-Tzus | How to Diagnose Patellar Luxation in Shih Tzus | To diagnose patellar luxation in Shih Tzus, see if your dog skips a step on its back leg or carries its back leg for a few steps before putting it down again, which are common symptoms. You may also notice that your dog has a hard time jumping, experiences swelling in its legs and joints, or has stiffness in the area. If you suspect your dog is suffering from patellar luxation, take it to the vet for a physical exam. For mild cases, manage your dog's pain with anti-inflammatories and rehabilitation exercises. In order to treat more severe cases, consider surgery for your dog to prevent prolonged issues. | Look for skipping on the back leg. A typical sign of patellar luxation is when the dog skips on a back leg. He may be perfectly mobile and not in pain, but every now and again he skips a step. He may also carry a back leg for several steps before putting it back down again. This is due to the mechanical locking of the knee joint due to the faulty anatomy. After a few steps, things tend to shake back into place and the dog continues to walk as normal. Patellar luxation occurs in the back legs. This means your dog may move all the weight into the front legs. Watch for difficulty jumping. It is possible in some dogs for both legs to be affected by patellar luxation. If this is the case, the dog may look like he's doing a bunny hop with both legs together. If your dog has the condition in both legs, he may have difficulty jumping up onto furniture or low surfaces. Monitor for other leg problems. In severe or long term cases, the dog may develop secondary problems. One secondary problem may be arthritis in the joint. There may be swelling or stiffness in the leg or joint. If the dog is using the leg less, he may also develop muscle wastage on that side, which means the muscles on the affected side will be smaller than the ones on the other side. Your dog may also exhibit lameness on the affected leg. Lameness means your dog won't have the ability to walk on that leg. Recognize the symptoms at any age. A dog can get patellar luxation at any age. Many dogs often present symptoms as a puppy because it is a problem with the muscles of the legs. Dogs can start presenting symptoms at at eight to 10 weeks. Get a physical exam. If you believe your dog has patellar luxation, you should take him to the vet. The vet can perform a physical exam to check for the condition. First, the vet will watch the dog walking and feel the back legs. The vet is feeling for muscle wastage, along with sideways movement in the kneecap that shouldn't be there. It is possible to diagnose a luxating patella by feel alone since the kneecap can be felt popping out of place when the leg is straightened during the exam. In cases that are not clear cut, the vet may straighten the leg and put a slight sideways pressure on the kneecap. This can be enough to encourage the patella to pop out of place. X-ray the leg. Even if the vet suspects a luxating patella from the physical exam, the leg will be x-rayed so as to fully assess the underlying anatomy. This is especially important if corrective surgery is being considered. The vet will want to look at the radiographs to check the angles of the bones, which gives essential information about what surgical procedures are most appropriate for that individual. Manage the condition in mild cases. For mild cases of patellar luxation, you can manage your dog's pain and inflammation with NSAIDs. Your vet will also give you a physical rehabilitation exercise program for your dog to help build strength in the thigh muscle. You should also control your dog's weight. Added weight from obesity can put more stress on the knee joint. Undergo surgery in severe cases. In dogs that are regularly skipping a step or having difficulty jumping, this could indicate the changes are more marked, in which case corrective surgery could protect the joint from early arthritis. Corrective surgery involves deepening the groove that the kneecap sits in, tightening the joint capsule, and sometimes changing the angle of the shin bone so that the patella sits in a straighter line with the thigh bone. Know what patellar luxation is. The kneecap is a vital part of knee anatomy. The knee is a hinge joint made up of the femur, or thigh bone, from above and the tibia, or shin bone, from below. When the large thigh muscle contracts, it pulls on the shin bone and causes the knee to straighten. However, it does not pull directly on the shin bone but via a pulley system formed by the patella. For this system to work, the thigh muscle needs to pull in a straight line. What happens with a luxating patella is that the forces pull at an angle and the kneecap pops out of place. The problems which allow or encourage the kneecap to slip can vary. One problem is a slack joint capsule that means the kneecap isn't tightly anchored. Another is that the groove the patella sits in is too shallow, which allows sideways movement that shouldn't be there. The muscles may also pull at an angle because of the bowed natures of the dog's hind leg bones. Determine if your dog is at risk. Small dogs are especially prone to luxating patellas. This means that the Shih Tzu breed is especially likely to have this condition. Patella luxation is common in dogs that have shortened legs or bowed legs, such as the dachshund, Lhasa apso, Yorkshire terrier, or Shih Tzu. Any age can be affected, but signs often show at a young age because this is a mechanical problem with the direction of pull of muscles and anatomy. Many dogs begin showing signs at eight to 10 weeks. Understand that there are four grades of the condition. The severity of the condition is determined based on four different grades. The mildest case is considered a Grade 1 while the most severe is a Grade 4. Grade 1 is when the kneecap just pops out of place and returns naturally. Grade 2 is similar, but occasionally the kneecap needs help to manually pop it back in. Grade 3 is when the kneecap stops popping back into place on its own. The kneecap is popped out unless it is manually popped back in. It will only stay in place for a short while. Grade 4 is the most severe case. The kneecap stays popped out and won't pop back into place even when manually moved. | Look for skipping on the back leg. Watch for difficulty jumping. Monitor for other leg problems. Recognize the symptoms at any age. Get a physical exam. X-ray the leg. Manage the condition in mild cases. Undergo surgery in severe cases. Know what patellar luxation is. Determine if your dog is at risk. Understand that there are four grades of the condition. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Mosquitoes-in-Your-Yard | How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Yard | To get rid of mosquitoes in your yard, try putting down some cedar mulch, which will repel mosquitoes and prevent them from nesting near your vegetation. You can also try growing plants that repel mosquitoes, like lemongrass, lavender, citronella, or basil. For a temporary solution, set up a couple fans in your yard and turn them on whenever you're outside so they blow away any flying mosquitoes. Also, if you have incandescent light bulbs in your yard, consider replacing them with fluorescent or LED bulbs since they won't attract bugs. | Drain any areas with standing water. Mosquitoes use standing water as breeding sites to lay their eggs. On first glace you might think your yard is clear of possible breeding sites, but mosquito pupae and larvae can breed in very small and unsuspecting quantities of standing water (bottle caps). Look around your yard and drain or turn over any objects or areas that may be vessels for stagnant water. These vessels can include things like pet water bowls, saucers underneath plants, puddles near outdoor faucets, old tires, buckets, watering cans, wheel barrows, holes in trees, and depression or divot spots in your property. Consider hiring a professional to fill tree holes and property depressions. Clear out the gutters around your home as well as nearby street gutters. Any low points where water accumulates can become a breeding site for mosquitoes. If you have a pool, keep it chlorinated while in use, and drained and covered in the off season. Tightly tie down tarps covering objects and equipment so as not to leaves folds and depressions where water can settle, and mosquitoes can breed. If you have saucers underneath your plants, fill the area of the saucer with sand. That way, the plant can still absorb the water, but mosquitoes can't use the standing water to lay their eggs. Add BTI mosquito treatments to open water. BTI (bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) mosquito treatments are small, solid, naturally occurring bacterial larvicides that can be added to standing water unable to be drained, such as retention ponds, ditches, and rain barrels. BTI treatments come in a couple forms: BTI dunks can be added to open water where they float on the surface, and BTI bits can be sprinkled in gutters or wherever water tends to collect. BTI is safe for aquatic plants, animals (including fish), humans, and only kills breeding mosquito larvae. Manicure your vegetation. When they aren't flying around, mosquitoes settle in cool, dark, damp, covered areas. Mow your lawn, keep trees and shrubs trimmed, and clear out any tall grasses or low lying brush. This will expose more of your vegetation to sunlight, which dry out any damp areas and make it less welcoming to lurking mosquitoes. Clear out any piles of leaves, brush, or decaying branches, as these dark, moist, piles become alternative and ideal places for mosquitoes to continue breeding. Add some repellant plants to your yard. Growing certain plants in your yard garden can help repel mosquitoes. Plants like Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Lantana, Lavender, Ageratum, and other mint-family plants are all good choices. These plants give off strong aromas that make mosquitoes want to steer clear. Citronella, Catnip, Basil, Lavender, Rosemary, Marigolds, and Geranium are some other plant options that can discourage mosquitoes from coming into your yard. Most of these plants not only repel mosquitoes, but make for attractive flowerbeds or outdoor table centerpieces. Lay down some cedar mulch. Use the cedar mulch in your vegetation and garden areas to keep moisture in the soil, soak up any excess moisture, improve the appearance of your vegetation, and repel mosquitoes. Since cedar oil is a common main ingredient in mosquito repellants, mosquitoes will steer clear from nesting near vegetation with the mulch. Treat your yard with repellant. You can use a garden sprayer to treat yard with insect and mosquito specific replants such as pyrethrin and pyrethroid sprays. You can spray the underside of shrubbery in your yard or spray around the perimeter or your yard to create a barrier. Pyrethrin is a botanical insecticide made from dried chrysanthemums. Pyrethroid is a synthetic version of pyrethrin, and in some cases is considered to be a more effective repellant when compared to pyrethrin. There are also repellant granules that can be scattered across your lawn using a fertilizer spreader. These granules are normally infused with mosquito repelling oils. Typically, these granules are safe for pets and children. These repellants can be bought at home department stores or online. You should check the packaging material to see how long the mosquito treatment is supposed to last; some treatments claim to last all summer, while other only last a number of weeks before another treatment is needed. You can spray your yard yourself with a store bought repellant, or hire a professional to treat larger yard areas. Professional may be able to better spray hard to reach places and may have different formulas that work on a variety of yard surfaces. Pyrethroid can be dangerous to other helpful insects such as bees and butterflies. To reduce the harming of these insects, pyrethroid spray treatments should be applied just before dusk, and on clear, non-rainy, non-windy days. Change your outdoor light bulbs. Mosquitoes and other insects are attracted to incandescent lighting. To keep mosquitoes away and out of your yard, change your outdoor lights to fluorescent, LED, yellow “bug lights”, or sodium lamps. Replacing the bulbs near doors and entrances will especially help keep mosquitoes out of your home. Install a bat house. Although mosquitoes account for only a portion of a bat's diet, bats can eat hundreds of mosquitoes within an hour To help combat the mosquitoes in your yard, buy or build your own bat house and attach it in an open, sunny area of your yard, about fifteen feet from the ground. Combined with other mosquito repelling approaches, a bat house in your yard can reduce the number of mosquitoes looking for a meal on your property. Use fans in your yard. Since mosquitoes are very lightweight insects, a breeze more than 2 miles per hour can knock them out of their flight pattern. If you plan to relax outside, place a few fans in strategic areas (perhaps from behind) to blow the mosquitoes off their course and away from people. | Drain any areas with standing water. Add BTI mosquito treatments to open water. Manicure your vegetation. Add some repellant plants to your yard. Lay down some cedar mulch. Treat your yard with repellant. Change your outdoor light bulbs. Install a bat house. Use fans in your yard. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Grass-from-Seeds | How to Grow Grass from Seeds | To grow grass from seeds, till the top layer of soil and mix in fertilizer that is specifically formulated for grass. Then, scatter the seeds evenly across the soil, and cover the lawn with another layer of topsoil to protect the seeds. Mist the soil thoroughly with water every day until the grass begins to sprout, and block off the area to keep people and pets from walking over the seeds. When the grass sprouts, gradually reduce, and mow the lawn when it grows to be about 4 inches tall. After 6 weeks, spread fertilizer to encourage healthy growth. | Scatter the seed. For large areas, rent or buy a lawn spreader or a mechanical seeder, which shoots grass seed evenly across the lawn. For small areas, spread grass seeds by hand. Use the amount of seed recommended by the lawn care expert at your home and garden store. It is important to use the correct amount of grass seeds to ensure your lawn grows evenly. Do not overseed your lawn. Do not use up extra seed by spreading it over the lawn. Overseeded areas will grow thin, unhealthy grass, because seedlings will compete for limited nutrients. Protect seeds with topsoil or mulch. Newly planted seeds need to be protected from the elements until they take root. A thin layer of topsoil will help, but it's best to use a loose layer of mulch to help retain moisture. You can distribute this by hand or with a cage roller. Yellow grain straw is a popular choice, since it's cheap and easily broken up by the mower once your lawn is established. Avoid hay, which has too many seeds, and fresh pine straw, which slows grass growth. (Aged pine straw is fine.) Other forms of mulch will also work, but apply dense materials such as compost or sawdust in layers no thicker than ¼" (6 mm). Water the seeds. Set your garden hose head to the "mist" setting and lightly water the seeds until it is thoroughly damp. For a larger lawn, run a sprinkler in the center of the area for a few minutes. Don't use a powerful stream of water, or you will wash away the grass seeds. Newly planted seeds should be watered lightly every other day until the grass sprouts. Keep people and pets off the new lawn. Protect the newly planted seeds from trampling for the first few weeks. Consider putting up a sign or using a string or flags to cordon the area. If pets and other animals run loose, consider putting a temporary fence to protect the lawn from harm. Research the type of grass that grows best in your region. Most grasses are either cool season grasses or warm season grasses. It's important to find out which kind of grass grows best where you live to ensure a healthy lawn all year round. Cool season grasses prefer areas with cool summers, and grow best in spring and fall when temperatures are between 60 and 75ºF (16–24ºC). They often turn brown and dormant in summer, but if properly watered will return again and may retain some color even in winter. Cool season grasses include the following: Kentucky bluegrass, is a fine, dark green grass that grows well in shade. Tall fescue, a low maintenance grass,is coarse. Perennial ryegrass grows well in full sun. It is medium-textured. Warm season grasses thrive in warm climates, from the southern U.S. down to tropical zones. Planted in spring, they will wait until summer temperatures of 80 to 90ºF (27–32ºC) to really take off, then go dormant as the weather cools. Warm season grasses include the following: Bermuda grass likes full sun, not shade. It is fine-textured. Zoysia grass is a medium-textured grass that is hardier than most warm-season grasses during winter. St. Augustine grass is a coarse grass that cannot survive cold winters. Decide what type of grass will grow best in your yard conditions. The conditions in your yard will affect the health of your grass as much as the climate in your region. Hundreds of seed varieties have been developed to grow in specific environments. Consider the following variables when choosing a type of grass: Does your yard have good drainage? Or does it dry too quickly? Some seeds are engineered to survive waterlogged soil. Others are drought-resistant. Does your yard have abundant shade or full sun? How much foot traffic does your lawn get? Some grasses hold up well to high foot traffic, while others have trouble recovering if trampled. Is your grass for decorative purposes, or do you want to walk on it with bare feet? Some grasses are beautiful but coarse. Others are soft, perfect for lounging outside. How often do you want to mow your lawn? Some grasses grow quickly, and need to be mowed every week while others can be left alone longer. You can buy grass seed at garden stores or online. Buy from a reputable source. Calculate how much grass seed you will need. Each kind of seed provides a different amount of coverage. After you calculate the square footage of the area where you're planting grass, talk to the salesperson at the home / garden lawn care store. Ask how much seed you will need to buy. Some seed sellers provide online grass seed calculators. Till the top layer of soil. For best results, break compacted soil up into a loose, even texture that holds moisture well but drains easily. If you have a large area to cover, buy or rent a soil tiller to break up the soil. If you have a small area to cover, use a garden rake or hoe instead. As you till, break up large clumps of dirt so that the soil is fine and even. Remove rocks, sticks, and other debris from the lawn. If you're adding seeds to a lawn with bare patches, use a tiller or garden rake to break up the soil. Mow the rest of the lawn as short as possible. Don't wait too long between raking and planting. If the churned up soil hardens into a crusty or lumpy texture, you may need to rake it again. Level the ground. If there are spots in your yard where water pools when it rains, they need to be leveled out. Seed planted there won't survive long. Level the ground by adding topsoil to low areas. Run the tiller over the area to even it out and blend it with the surrounding soil. Fertilize the soil. Grass grows significantly better in fertilized soil. Buy a fertilizer specifically made for newly planted grass. Gradually reduce watering. As your grass becomes established, it will need less and less water (allowing for weather). It's typically best to continue watering lightly every other day for a week or two after the grass blades appear. You can then gradually reduce the watering schedule until you are watering only once a week. You can also increase the amount of water per session at the same time, until you are providing enough water to make the soil soaked, but not soggy. If the grass starts turning brown or looking dry, quickly water to revive it. Don't water your lawn after heavy rain or it could become waterlogged. Mow the grass. Mowing grass encourages it to grow thick and healthy. If it grows too tall, it will get reedy and tough. Mow when the grass is 4 inches (10.2 cm) tall. Grass clippings in the yard act as a natural mulch to aid stronger grass. Consider a push reel mower instead of a power mower. Push reel mowers are better for the health of your grass because they snip it neatly unlike power mowers which tear and shred it, making it more susceptible to disease. Plus, push reel mowers do not emit pollution. Fertilize the lawn. After six weeks, when the grass is healthy and tall, give it another application of fertilizer specifically made for grass. This ensures healthy growth for the rest of the season. Fertilize your lawn at the beginning of each growing season. | Scatter the seed. Protect seeds with topsoil or mulch. Water the seeds. Keep people and pets off the new lawn. Research the type of grass that grows best in your region. Decide what type of grass will grow best in your yard conditions. You can buy grass seed at garden stores or online. Till the top layer of soil. Level the ground. Fertilize the soil. Gradually reduce watering. Mow the grass. Fertilize the lawn. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Toad-in-the-Hole | How to Make Toad in the Hole | To make toad in the hole, first preheat your oven to 450°F (220°C). Then, pour 1 tbsp (15 mL) of vegetable oil into a large metal roasting tin. Put the tin in the preheated oven until the oil is hot, then add 1lb (450 g) of sausage to the tin. Cook the sausage for about 10 minutes. Turn the sausages at least once to coat them in the oil. While the sausages are cooking, quickly make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, mix 4 oz (115 g) of flour, 1 tsp (5 g) of salt, and 1 tsp (5 g) of pepper. Make a hole in the center of the flour mixture, then add 2 eggs and 1 cup (240 mL) of milk. Whisk until the batter is smooth. Then, take the sausages out from the oven, and pour the batter over them. Finally, place the sausages back in the oven and cook for another 30 minutes. Remove when the batter is puffed up and the sausages are sizzling and brown! | Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Make sure that the baking rack is in the bottom third of the oven. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/e\/e3\/Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-190px-Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":307,"bigWidth":"190","bigHeight":"127","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>"} Mix the flour, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. For a more traditional taste, omit the salt and pepper, and use some crumbled up beef bullion granules and mustard powder. Traditional toad in the hole uses fat drippings; the beef bouillon will give you a similar flavor. Add the eggs and milk, then whisk them together until the batter is light and airy. You can also mix the batter in a food processor or a blender to save some time. Cover the batter and let it set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This will give the batter enough time to set. Covering the batter will also prevent it from becoming too dry. Coat the sausages in oil, then roast them in the oven, 10 minutes on each side. Pour the oil into a greased, medium-sized casserole dish, then roll the sausages around in it. Bake the sausages for 10 minutes, turn them over using a pair of tong, and bake them for another 10 minutes. The exact size of the casserole dish does not matter, but 8 by 10 inches (20.32 by 25.4 centimeters), 8 by 12 inches (20.32 by 30.48 centimeters), and 9 by 9 inches (22.86 by 22.86 centimeters) are all good sizes to start with. Use good quality pork or beef sausages. You can also use bangers, which are English sausages made from pork and breadcrumbs. Take the casserole dish out of the oven and increase the temperature to 450°F (232°C). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/09\/Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-190px-Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":307,"bigWidth":"190","bigHeight":"127","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>"} Pour the batter over the sausages while they are still hot. Swirl it around to make sure that it coats the entire bottom of the pan. At this point, you can also sprinkle the batter with fresh rosemary and thyme leaves for extra flavor. Put the pan back into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The batter should be puffy and golden brown, with the sausages slightly embedded inside. Avoid opening the oven and peeking inside, or the batter will deflate and not rise properly. Instead, turn on the oven light and look through the window on the oven door. If the oven has no window, then simply wait 20 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C), and bake for another 10 minutes. This ensures that the batter is completely cooked through. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/4\/46\/Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-9.jpg\/v4-190px-Make-Toad-in-the-Hole-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":307,"bigWidth":"190","bigHeight":"127","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>"} Serve the toad in the hole immediately. It tastes great served alongside some onion gravy and mashed potatoes. You can also serve it alongside steamed vegetables instead. Cut a hole in the center of a slice of toast. You can use a round biscuit cutter or a drinking glass. You can also use a cookie cutter as well; a heart or star shape will give you a nice, personalized touch. Use something that is 2½ to 3 inches (6.35 to 7.62 centimeters) wide. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Tilt the skillet from side to side to spread the butter evenly across the surface. Place the toast in the skillet. Save the circle (or heart or star) that you cut out earlier. You can toast it later, after you are done making the toad in the hole. Crack the egg open, and drop it into the hole. Be careful not to break the yolk. Some people find it easier to crack the egg into a cup first, and then pour it into the hole. Cook the egg for 1 to 2 minutes. After about half a minute, you can season the egg with a dash of salt and pepper. Carefully slide a spatula under the toast and egg, then quickly flip it over. If you can't slide the spatula easily under the egg part, or if the whites are still too "clear," let the egg cook a little bit longer. If you flip it over too soon, the egg is more likely to break and "escape" the hole. Don't worry if the egg breaks on your first try. It will still be delicious. This technique does take some practice. Season the other side, if desired, and let it finish cooking. At this point, you can slide the toast and egg across the skillet to mop up any melted butter. The toast is ready when the bread is golden brown, and the egg yolk is set. For an extra touch, add a slice of Cheddar cheese on top of the egg. Serve the toad in the hole on a plate. If you'd like, you can toast the hole you cut out earlier, and serve it on the side. | Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Mix the flour, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and milk, then whisk them together until the batter is light and airy. Cover the batter and let it set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Coat the sausages in oil, then roast them in the oven, 10 minutes on each side. Take the casserole dish out of the oven and increase the temperature to 450°F (232°C). Pour the batter over the sausages while they are still hot. Put the pan back into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C), and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve the toad in the hole immediately. Cut a hole in the center of a slice of toast. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the toast in the skillet. Crack the egg open, and drop it into the hole. Cook the egg for 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the toast and egg, then quickly flip it over. Season the other side, if desired, and let it finish cooking. Serve the toad in the hole on a plate. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Photogenic | How to Be Photogenic | If you want to be more photogenic, wash, tone, and moisturize your face so your skin will look clear and smooth. If you wear makeup, make sure that your concealer and foundation are smoothly applied and match your skin tone correctly. Turn your head slightly to the side and smile naturally, letting the expression reach your eyes, cheeks, and even your forehead. | Clarify your skin. The focus of most portraits is the face, so make sure that yours is in tip top condition. Modern cameras are able to capture the smallest of changes and textures of skin, which is both a blessing and a curse. Keep your skin clean and smooth by washing, toning, and moisturizing your face before having your photo taken. Doing this should be a daily morning/evening ritual but is especially important before a photoshoot. If you wear makeup, make sure that your concealer and foundation are smoothly applied and match your skin tone correctly. Blend them slightly down your neck and near your ear lobes to create the most natural look. Oily skin can ruin a photo by reflecting too much light. Use oil blotting sheets or tissue paper (actual tissue paper, not Kleenex) to dab off excess oil on the T-zone of your face. Use an exfoliator on your face to slough off any dead skin cells which make your skin appear dull and lackluster in photos. Focus on what makes you unique. One of the characteristics of photogenic people is their confidence in their appearance. Many times we get concerned about something wrong with our face; our freckles, the gap in your teeth, how squinty your eyes get when you smile. Instead of trying to hide those things, embrace them! You will look much more photogenic in your photos that way. Show your emotions. It is easy to spot someone who is photogenic from someone who is posing; the former doesn't have to fake their emotions. Although getting your photo taken can be nerve-wrecking, don't let it get in the way of your true feelings. Don't create the smile you think you need, use your regular smile. The same goes with the shape of your eyes and the curve of your cheeks. The more you allow your natural emotions to show on your face, the better your pictures will look. Always smile with your teeth, because you would never laugh at a funny joke with your lips together. True smiles show off a toothy grin, not tightly pressed lips. Keep your face natural by allowing a real smile to peak through. When you are showing emotions your entire face is affected. Although many people associate a look of happiness with just a smile, your eyebrows, eyes, cheeks, and forehead are all affected equally as much. Make sure that you are allowing freedom of movement in your entire face. Don’t look the camera straight on. As the old saying goes, “the camera adds ten pounds.” But it doesn't have to! Because the camera is using reflected light to convert a 3D object into a 2D image, the shapes of things are flattened and compressed. Looking straight ahead at the camera will show the fullness of your face and remove/reduce any natural shadows. Instead, turn your face slightly to the side to create natural highlights and shadows and slim the shape of your face. Adjust the angle of your face. The angle of your face is tied to the direction you are looking at the camera. Just as how you shouldn't look at the camera straight on, you also should not tilt your head up when taking photos. This will make your face look larger and get a good shot up the inside of your nose. Tilt your head slightly down and to the side for the most photogenic of looks. Work your assets. Photogenic people have the magnificent ability of knowing what their assets are and the best way to work them. This goes hand in hand with knowing your physical weaknesses. What parts of your body are the most attractive, and which might be a tad more unflattering in photos? Do what you can to play up your best parts while turning those more negative aspects of your body away from the camera. Turn away from the camera. Facing a camera straight on does the same thing to your body as it does to your face. Your body will become flattened in a photograph, so a shot from the front will show you from the widest angle and make you look extra round. Turn ¾ to show your body from an angle and create shadows and depth in your pose. To slim your arms, put one on your hip and angle your elbow back and away from your body. Although you may feel silly doing it, there is a reason many celebrities adopt this pose - it is ultra flattering! If you are sitting for the photo, turn so that the camera is at your side rather than directly in front of you. Bend your knees and stagger your legs slightly. If you choose to cross your legs, cross the leg closest to the camera over the top of the other. Bend your joints. How often do you find yourself standing or sitting perfectly straight, with all your joints in line? Probably very rarely or never. Add both movement and a sense of natural poise to your photos by allowing your joints to bend slightly. This means that your elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles should all be comfortably bent. If it can bend, bend it! Lean towards the camera. The way we see things works so that things that are closer are larger while things that are further away are smaller. In order to create the illusion of a small, sleek body, lean into photos slightly with your head first. Do what’s comfortable. All the posing advice in the world can't make you more photogenic if you aren't comfortable with the changes. In the end, it is helpful to keep all the posing tricks in mind, but it is best to do whatever comes naturally to your body. Being photogenic means walking the thin line between acting incredibly natural like the camera is not there, and perfectly posing every inch of your body. The best way to reach this happy medium is simply to allow your body to fall naturally into its most comfortable positions. Dress to impress. It is truly hard to be photogenic if you are wearing your dirty sweatpants and torn-up sneakers. If you know you're going to have your picture taken, choose outfits that photograph well. Neutral tones and muted colors work best because they simultaneously enhance your natural characteristics without distracting from you in a photo. Avoid anything that hangs or drapes very loosely on your body, as this will look bulky and large in a photograph. On the other hand, don't wear anything too tight as the flash from the camera will highlight every little flaw hiding under your clothing. Don't wear anything for photos that you wouldn't normally wear in real life. Your goal is to look like yourself at your very best; you can't look like yourself if you're wearing something totally out of your comfort zone or style range. Find the light source. The source of light in your photo will greatly dictate the quality of your appearance in the end shot. A light source directly above you will give you dark shadows under your eyes, while one from the side will create bold background lines. Work so that your light source is in front of you and slightly above you. Whenever you can, take your photos in natural light near a window or outside. The best lighting for photos occurs in the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. When you can, try to take your pictures during these times. Although some photographers can use light metering to add brightness to a dark foreground, it is best to avoid taking pictures with your light source behind you. A light source coming from behind will darken your entire body and ruin a great picture. Choose a great location. Although the seat in your car or in front of your mirror may be the easiest places to perfect your pose and get good lighting, they don't allow for the most scenic of backgrounds. Being photogenic has a lot to do with working your surroundings in addition to showing off your facial and bodily posing skills. Take photos in a comfortable environment where you are the focus. Busy restaurants and bars add a lot of noise to the background of a photo, taking the eye off you as the subject. If you must pose in a crowded area, blur the background to keep the viewers eye on you in the foreground. If you are taking a group photo, try to insert yourself in the center of the group and away from the ends. The two people in the ends of a group shot will always appear the largest and are not often the focus of a picture. Don’t be afraid of props. Although you don't necessarily want to be tossing around a football or holding eating utensils, adding fun and interesting props to your photo can add interest and highlight your idiosyncrasies. Hold something in your hands, lean against a prop, or incorporate something related to a hobby or activity you enjoy into your photo. If you love reading, try holding a book casually in your hands. It will force your body into a more natural position and add detail to your portrait. Don't use large props or anything that is too distracting in your photos. The goal is for you to appear photogenic with the aid of something small and related. Adding in big props or anything brightly colored will do more harm than good. Act confident. Confidence will show in a photo, and is the key to being photogenic. Even if you don't feel confident, act like it for the camera. The quality of your appearance in photos will greatly improve with a bit of personal knowledge that you look good, and that your photos will turn out great because of it. | Clarify your skin. Focus on what makes you unique. Show your emotions. Don’t look the camera straight on. Adjust the angle of your face. Work your assets. Turn away from the camera. Bend your joints. Lean towards the camera. Do what’s comfortable. Dress to impress. Find the light source. Choose a great location. Don’t be afraid of props. Act confident. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Transport-a-Motorcycle | How to Transport a Motorcycle | If you need to transport a motorcycle, you can do so using either a pickup truck or a trailer. You'll just need to load the motorcycle into the pickup or trailer and use wheel chocks and ratchet straps to secure it. Another option is to have your motorcycle shipped by a shipping company. Search online for local shipping companies and get a few quotes for shipping your motorcycle. Enclosed shipping trailers will offer better protection from the elements, but open trailers might be a bit cheaper. | Park the truck and motorcycle on a firm, level surface. Never attempt to load a motorcycle into a pickup truck on uneven ground, or soft ground that may give way as you move the motorcycle. Black top or concrete are the preferred surfaces to use when loading your bike into a pickup truck. Never use pieces of wood on grass or dirt as a loading surface, as the wood may sink, break or slide. Do not attempt to load a motorcycle into a truck on an uneven surface to prevent falling over or dropping the motorcycle itself as you load it. Unfold the motorcycle ramp and place the rubber end on the tailgate. You should always use a ramp intended for use in loading motorcycles onto trucks and trailers when doing so. Motorcycles can be extremely heavy, so the ramp must be designed to be able withstand the weight of the motorcycle. These ramps usually fold in half to easily transport them, so unfold it and place the rubber end on the tailgate of the truck. The metal end should rest flat on the ground. The rubber will protect the tailgate of the truck from being scratched as the truck's suspension lowers under the weight of the motorcycle. Be sure the ramp rests evenly on the ground to ensure it does not damage your motorcycle tire or cause it to move in an unpredictable way when you're pushing it onto the ramp. Use a ratchet tie-down to secure the ramp to the truck. Most ramps will have a hook intended for use in securing the ramp to the truck. Place one hook from a ratchet tie down (also known as a ratchet strap) through the hook on the ramp and secure the other end to a loop or hook in the bed of the truck. Use the ratchet to tighten the strap until the ramp is held firmly in place. Without a strap securing the ramp, it could slide backward and fall off the tailgate of the truck when you push the motorcycle onto it. Do not use a bungee strap to secure the ramp. Bungee straps may give, allowing the ramp to fall. Put the motorcycle in neutral. If you leave your motorcycle in gear to prevent the wheels from rolling when you aren't riding it, you will need to take it back out of gear in order to push it. Motorcycle shift levers are located on the side of the motorcycle and are controlled by the rider's left foot. Press down on the shift lever until the motorcycle is in first gear, the pull back up on the lever lightly to put it in neutral. Neutral in a motorcycle is found between first and second gear. Most motorcycles have a neutral light on the gauge pod to let you know that the motorcycle is in neutral. Have a friend help push the motorcycle up the ramp. Pushing your motorcycle onto the truck should be a two person job. Attempting to do so alone could result in the motorcycle falling, causing significant harm to the bike and to you. Place both of your hands on the handle bars of the motorcycle and ask your friend to push from the back. Roll it up the ramp together, but stop before the motorcycle is all the way into the truck. Use your right hand to squeeze the front brake lever on the handle bars to prevent the motorcycle from rolling backwards as your friend climbs into the bed of the truck to help pull it the rest of the way. Having your friend switch places halfway through will not be necessary if you can enlist the help of a third friend. Make sure the brakes are holding the weight of the motorcycle from rolling backward before your friend releases it to climb into the truck. Gather the necessary equipment. In order to securely strap your motorcycle in place on a trailer or in the bed of a pickup truck, you will need three ratchet straps with at least one “soft loop” or heavy duty loop for your straps that is designed to prevent damage from rubbing on painted components of your motorcycle. You may also choose to utilize a motorcycle wheel chock, but in many applications it is not required. Make sure you have ratchet straps or tie downs to properly secure the motorcycle. Bungee chords will not suffice. Soft loops and ratchet straps can be purchased at many large retail stores, auto parts stores or motorcycle specialty stores. Place wheel chocks around the rear tire. If you opt to use wheel chocks, you should place one in front of and behind the rear wheel. As the motorcycle is transported, it may rock forward and backward, and the chocks will help prevent too much pressure from being placed on the ratchet straps. Wheel chocks are recommended for heavier motorcycles such as cruisers and grand touring bikes. Some motorcycle wheel chocks are shaped like a “U” and are designed to hold the entire front or rear tire. Strap the handlebars to the sides of the truck or trailer. With the bike in position on the trailer or in the truck, hang two ratchet straps from the handle bars (one on each side). Secure the opposite end of each strap to a loop or hook on the trailer or truck that is further back than the handlebars so the straps hang at an angle from the front of the bike to the back of the truck or trailer. Tighten the straps enough until they are taut, but you will need to tighten them further once the back of the bike is strapped down as well. The ratchet straps should be secured on either side of the truck or trailer to hooks that are further back than the handle bars. Optimally, the straps should be a forty-five degree angle from the motorcycle if viewed from above. Run a soft loop strap through the rear of the bike. Take the soft loop strap and connect it to a ratchet strap by placing the strap's hook through the loop. Run the loop through or around a portion of the rear of the motorcycle such as around the swing arm or even through the empty space of the wheel. Secure the other end of the strap to a hook or loop at the front of the truck bed or trailer. If your wheels have spokes, it is not recommended that you run the soft loop through them, as the tension may damage the spokes. Even with the soft loop, you may want to place a rag between the loop and any painted surfaces on the motorcycle to prevent scratches or scrapes in the paint during transit. Tighten down all the straps. With all of the straps in place, ask your friend to press down firmly on the handlebars with all of their weight as you use the ratchet to tighten the straps. Your front suspension should be compressed (lowering the height of the motorcycle) while it is being transported. Tighten the rear strap once the front two are all the way tightened. The three straps should now prevent the motorcycle from moving forward, backward or left to right. The motorcycle should be standing without the kickstand when the straps are tight enough. Do not strap the motorcycle down with the kickstand down, as it may damage the trailer or the bed of the truck and will force the motorcycle to sit at an angle. Contact local shipping companies for a price quote. There are a number of national and regional companies that can ship your motorcycle, but you want to make sure you get a good deal from a reputable business. Start by looking up local shipping companies online or in the phone book. Once you find some you like, contact them to get a price quote on shipping your motorcycle. You should try to get at least three quotes to ensure you have an understanding of a reasonable price. The distance you are transporting the motorcycle, the size and weight of the motorcycle, and the timeframe will all affect the price of shipping a motorcycle. Choose between open and enclosed shipping options. Open and enclosed shipping options refer to the type of trailer your motorcycle will be housed in as it travels. Enclosed trailers will protect your motorcycle from the elements and from dirt and grime on the road. Open trailers offer less protection, but often come at a significantly lower price point. Consider the time of year and region your motorcycle will travel through when choosing between enclosed and open trailers. If your motorcycle will be exposed to extreme heat or inclement weather, you may choose an enclosed trailer option. Remember that an open trailer may be left out in the elements for hours or days, regardless of weather. Identify the end location. Some shipping companies tout door to door delivery service, while others expect you to come pick up your motorcycle at a designated location. Having the motorcycle shipped directly to your house may be more convenient, but will also likely cost more. Remember that the motorcycle will likely be transported by tractor trailer, so door to door shipping may not be feasible if the end location cannot be accessed by a truck of that size. Shipping your motorcycle to the closest major city will likely cost significantly less than shipping it to your door. Ask about the insurance protecting the motorcycle en route. While the motorcycle is being transported by a shipping company, their insurance or bond should cover any damages to your bike, as well as theft. However, different companies have different policies and you may be left responsible for a deductible if something were to happen to your motorcycle. Ask to see the shipping company's insurance agreement and inquire about what to do if damages were to occur. Make sure to ask about any deductible you may be responsible for if the motorcycle is damaged while in transit. If the shipping company does not have insurance, you should consider seeking a different shipping company. Inspect your motorcycle for signs of damage upon receipt. When your motorcycle arrives, look it over for any signs of damage and address it with the shipping company. The company may reimburse you for the cost of repairs or pay for the repairs at a designated facility, depending on the situation and their insurance coverage. Make sure to take pictures of the damage to substantiate your claim. Contact the shipping company directly to discuss the damages. Make sure to keep copies of any paperwork you complete regarding the damages until they have been repaired. | Park the truck and motorcycle on a firm, level surface. Unfold the motorcycle ramp and place the rubber end on the tailgate. Use a ratchet tie-down to secure the ramp to the truck. Put the motorcycle in neutral. Have a friend help push the motorcycle up the ramp. Gather the necessary equipment. Place wheel chocks around the rear tire. Strap the handlebars to the sides of the truck or trailer. Run a soft loop strap through the rear of the bike. Tighten down all the straps. Contact local shipping companies for a price quote. Choose between open and enclosed shipping options. Identify the end location. Ask about the insurance protecting the motorcycle en route. Inspect your motorcycle for signs of damage upon receipt. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Origami-Balloon | How to Make an Origami Balloon | If you want to make an origami balloon, fold a square piece of paper diagonally in both directions. The crease should make an X in the paper. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom, then tuck the paper in along the diagonal creases so the paper makes a triangle. Next, fold the flaps up to the top on both sides so you have a diamond shape. Fold the left and right corners into the center of the diamond, then tuck the loose flaps on the top and bottom into the folds you just made. Blow air into the small hole in the end of the paper without flaps to blow up your balloon. | Foldsquare piece of paper a diagonally, in both directions. The creases should make an "X" in the paper. Feel free to add a design to the paper so it appears once it is folded. Fold the paper in half. Do this by bringing the bottom portion of the paper to meet the top portion of the paper. Bring the upper right corner in as shown. Then, repeat this on the other side. Press down firmly on the folds. Fold the flaps to the top. Then, flip the whole thing over and repeat the same steps on the other side to make a diamond shape. Fold the right and left corners into the center of the diamond. Repeat this on the other side. Tuck the loose flaps into the folds you just made. Do this by folding a small triangle on each of the flaps and then tucking them into the folds. Repeat this for all four flaps. If you have a hard time tucking the flaps into the folds, use tape to secure them to the folds. You can also use a pencil to open the folds easily and to avoid damaging the flaps. Turn the folded paper to the end that does not have any flaps. Locate the hole in the center of this side. Blow into the hole. The ball should inflate - just remember to keep those flaps tucked in. You might also need to loosen up the other folds a little bit for the ball to become round. To make a water balloon, slowly fill the balloon with water via the small hole. | Foldsquare piece of paper Fold Bring the upper right corner in Fold Fold the right and left corners into the center of the diamond. Tuck the loose flaps into the folds Turn the folded paper to the end that does not have any flaps. Blow into the hole. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-Doorbell | How to Install a Doorbell | To install a wireless doorbell, start by choosing an obvious location for your bell so it can easily be seen, such as at eye level on either side of your door. Then, attach the switch to your chosen spot using screws or adhesive. Once you've installed the switch, pick a central point in your home for the chime box so you can here it from everywhere. For example, you could install it in the living room or hallway. After you've chosen a spot, put batteries in the chime box and attach it to the wall with screws. | Find an easy-to-spot location for the doorbell switch. The doorbell switch is the button that is pushed to sound the doorbell. Choose a visible position next to the door for the switch. Visitors should be able to spot it easily when they are standing in front of your door. Placing the doorbell switch around eye-level on either side of your door frame is a good bet. It is best to opt for a weatherproof model of doorbell that will not be damaged by rain or snow. Attach the switch with screws or adhesive. The switches for most models of doorbells come with holes at the back to make installation easy. Measure the switch and holes and use an electric drill to mount the switch on your door or wall. Alternatively, apply a strong binding glue to the back of the switch and apply it firmly to the desired surface. Wipe the surface you are attaching the switch to with a clean, damp cloth before the installation. Choose a central spot to install the chime box. Ideally, the chime box should be mounted somewhere at the center of your home to ensure that everyone hears it. Pick a room that is relatively equal in distance from all the other rooms in your home. Choose a room that you do not usually close the doors to make sure that the sound will carry. For instance, you might install the chime box in your living room or dining room. Put batteries in the chime box and mount it. Most wireless chime boxes will take D batteries. Open the unit and put the batteries in as indicated, them close the back panel securely. Choose a spot in your home where you want the sound to come from and attach the box the wall with screws. Most chime boxes will have mounting holes on the back. Cut off power from the breaker or fuse box to avoid injury. Make sure that the circuits that supply electricity to the power sources you are working with are shut off before starting the installation. Turn off the appropriate switches at your breaker panel or fuse box. Test light switches or other outlets in the area to make sure the power is off. Connect doorbell wires to the chimes. Remove the cover on the chimes, and run the wires through the guide channel to the correct terminals. Wrap the ends of the wires around the appropriate terminals. Screw the holding screws into position. You can choose from a variety of door chimes with different dimensions and sound options. Many models of chimes will include small wiring diagrams printed inside to help with installation. The cover should pull off the chimes easily without the use of tools. For future reference, label the wires by writing where each one is meant to go (e.g. transformer, doorbell switch) on small pieces of masking tape attached to each one. Secure the chimes into position. Make sure that you can run the wiring attached to your chimes to your transformer. Hold the new chimes on the spot that you want to attach them and use the screws provided to attach the device to the wall or ceiling. Once the chime plate is secured, fit the cover over the device and gently push until it snaps into place. Attach the doorbell switch near your door. Choose a location for your doorbell switch near your entrance way. Drill a hole to run the wires coming out of the back of the switch into the wall, toward the chimes and transformer. Most models will have screws included to secure the plate into position. Install the screws with an electric drill, then slide the cover over the device until it snaps into position. Attach the wires so that the transformer is connected to both the chime and the doorbell. Carefully wrap the ends of the wires around the transformer terminals. This small metal device will convert the AC power coming from the door switch to a lower voltage power to power the chimes.Transformers are often mounted directly onto an electrical box to keep high voltage wires enclosed. Attach the switch and chimes with twist wire connectors. Use plastic twist wire connectors to easily link wires between the switch and chimes. Bring the ends of both wires together and place the cap onto the ends, twisting until the wires are firmly connected. This direct connection will create the signal between the doorbell button and the chimes, while the transformer will mediate this connection to bring it to a safe voltage. Restore power and test the doorbell. Restore the power through your power breaker or fuse box. Push the doorbell switch to test the system. If the chimes function properly, the task is complete. If the doorbell does not function, turn off the power again and test the wire connections. | Find an easy-to-spot location for the doorbell switch. Attach the switch with screws or adhesive. Choose a central spot to install the chime box. Put batteries in the chime box and mount it. Cut off power from the breaker or fuse box to avoid injury. Connect doorbell wires to the chimes. Secure the chimes into position. Attach the doorbell switch near your door. Attach the wires so that the transformer is connected to both the chime and the doorbell. Attach the switch and chimes with twist wire connectors. Restore power and test the doorbell. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Skunk-Smell-Out-of-the-House | How to Get Skunk Smell Out of the House | To get skunk smell out of your house, start by opening up all of the windows to ventilate your space. Next, turn on your ceiling fans or place box fans in each room to get the air circulating. You can also try placing bowls of white vinegar in each room, which will absorb the smell over a 24-hour period. Machine wash any clothes and fabrics that smell and clean carpets and furniture with a wet vacuum or steam cleaner. Be sure to wipe down all of the hard surfaces in your house with diluted bleach to eliminate any traces of the scent. Finally, change out your air conditioner and heater filters, since the skunk smell will cling to the old ones. | Open the windows in your home to ventilate it. Let natural sunlight and fresh air into your home to help neutralize the skunk odor. Closing your house up will only keep the stench inside. By opening your windows, you let out some of the smell and allow fresh air into your home to help replace some of the contaminated air. However, if a skunk has sprayed right outside your home, don't open windows near the spray until the smell out there has dissipated. Sunlight also has a positive effect on smells on fabric. The ultraviolet rays can help neutralize the odor and lift it out of your fabrics. Run fans to get air moving. Turn on electric ceiling fans, floor fans, and desk fans to keep the air circulating in your home. You can also turn on the fan function of your heating and cooling system, if your system has this function. If you allow the air to remain still and stagnant, the skunk smell will only sink deeper into your fabrics. Turning on all the fans in your home as soon as possible helps to keep the air in your house moving, thereby preventing the odor from settling into anything too deeply. This works especially well when used in conjunction with opened windows. Change out your furnace filters. Change out your air conditioner and heater filters before and after you treat the rest of your home for skunk odor. The skunk smell can cling to these filters, and as a result, you may end up smelling skunk through your air vents for months. The only way to remedy this is by changing out your air filters. Changing the air filters before treating the rest of your home minimizes the amount of stink coming through your vents and re-contaminating the rest of your home. Do a sniff test after you clean the rest of your home. Smell the air filters. If they do not smell like skunk, you may not need to change them again. If they do smell like skunk, however, you should replace them once more to prevent the filters from re-contaminating the rest of your home with smelly air. Spray air deodorizers. Deodorizing air fresheners can mask and remove part of the skunk smell. Look for a spray that specifically indicates its ability to deodorize. Most air fresheners only emit a strong perfume that covers other odors in the home. This will not be enough to deal with skunk smell, however. Only a deodorizing freshener can neutralize and eliminate some of the smell. There are also special "de-skunking" sprays that are formulated specifically with the purpose of removing skunk odor. People who use these sprays tend to report mixed results, but you can read reviews about various types online and determine which may be the most effective for your needs. Place bowls of vinegar around the house. If you cannot pinpoint the exact source of the smell, fill small bowls with 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar each and place them around the house. Focus on the worst smelling rooms of your home since the source of the stench most likely originates there. If you have pets or small children, you may want to consider putting the vinegar high up on shelves to prevent them from spilling or ingesting it. The vinegar should absorb much of the smell within 24 hours and the smell of vinegar should not be too overpowering. Spread a thin layer of a vacuum-safe odor remover on your carpet. These products typically come in a powder or pellet form that is applied directly to the carpet. Let the cleaner stay on the carpet for at least a half hour, but several hours will work better. This will help remove the smell because the product will absorb it. There products are available at most big box, grocery, and home improvement stores. Sprinkle the product thinly across the whole surface of the carpet. You don't need a ton to absorb the smell. Vaccum the carpet to remove the cleaner. Once the cleaner has been on the carpet for at least a half hour, you can simply vacuum it up with your normal vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the surface several times to ensure the you remove all of the odor remover. Once you have vacuumed up the odor remover, clean out your vacuum filter and bag or container. Shampoo your carpets with a steam cleaner if the smell remains. Carpets and other hard-to-wash fabrics, like cloth furniture and curtains, should be washed using a wet vacuum. Steam cleaners work better than ordinary wet vacuums because the heat helps to open and expand the stitching of the fabric. This allows the detergent to sink in further and eliminate more of the skunk smell. An ordinary wet vacuum is still better than nothing, however. As a general rule, the carpet should be washed within 1 or 2 hours of initial contamination in order to prevent the smell from sinking in too deep. Create a vinegar solution to wash fabrics in. Mix 1 part vinegar with 5 parts warm water in a large bucket. The precise amounts you need will largely depend on how much you need to clean. This solution is meant for clothes, blankets, towels, and other removable fabrics that can be washed in a washing machine. Note that some synthetic fabrics and delicate fabrics may not hold up well when exposed to acidic vinegar. Make a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide as an alternative. Combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 6 parts warm water. This solution is safe to use on clothing and other fabrics. The amount you make will depend on how much you need to deodorize. As far as fabrics are concerned, this solution is recommended over the stronger hydrogen peroxide solution used to clean pets and people. Strong concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can damage clothes, but when diluted with water, it should be safe to use on normal fabrics. Avoid using this solution on delicate fabrics or "dry clean only" clothes. Soak contaminated fabrics in the solution. Dip your contaminated clothes and other fabrics into the diluted vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Let them soak for 2 to 3 hours. For best results, use your hands to gently scrub the fabric for several minutes after dipping it into the solution. Doing so works the liquid in between the fibers of the fabric, allowing it to penetrate further and deodorize more of the smell. Items you might want to soak include pillow covers, slipcovers, curtains, and blankets, as well as any other fabrics that have the skunk smell on them. Wash the fabrics in a washing machine after they have soaked. After removing your fabrics from the cleaning solution, wash them in a standard warm wash cycle. For extra deodorizing power, add 1/2 cup (90 grams) of baking soda to the washing machine at the beginning of the wash cycle. If possible, air dry the fabrics in the sun. The fresh air is better at getting rid of the smell than drying in the dryer. Dilute bleach with water. Combine 1 cup (250 ml) of bleach with 1 gallon (4 liters) of warm water. Put it in an open container, such as a utility bucket. When working with bleach, it is best to avoid using other chemicals or cleaners, since many will have a chemical reaction with the bleach that may produce a toxic gas. It is also wise to keep the room well-ventilated by opening windows and doors. Do not work with bleach in a closed room. Scrub hard surfaces with this solution. Dip a scrubbing brush into the bleach and use it to wash kitchen floors, counters, car tires, decks, or other contaminated hard surfaces. However, do not use this solution on carpets, upholstery, or other fabrics since bleach is likely to discolor fabrics. Avoid using this solution on clothes. You can add bleach to whites, according to label directions, but darker colors should not be bleached. To protect your hands, you may want to wear rubber cleaning gloves as you work with the bleach solution. Rinse and repeat as needed. Wash off the bleach with a clean rag soaked in warm water. Repeat the process as necessary in order to remove the smell from your surfaces. Dry the surfaces with a clean, dry cloth after finishing. Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and soap. Mix together 1 quart (1 liter) hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup (45 grams) of baking soda, and 1 tsp (5 ml) liquid laundry detergent or dish detergent. Combine the ingredients in an open container, such as a bucket. Use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, if possible. Do not close the container after mixing the ingredients together. The gas that will be produced could build up and create enough pressure to pop off a lid. Note that you may need to make more of the solution for a bigger dog or adult human. Do not store this mixture. Use it as soon as you mix it together. Saturate the skunked area. Dip a clean washcloth in the solution that you made. Use the washcloth to cover all of the contaminated fur and skin with the solution until it is dripping wet. This solution is safe for both pets and humans, but you should avoid getting it into eyes, ears, or mouths. While it is safe for skin, it can sting and damage eyes or other sensitive areas. Scrub the area with the solution. Use the washcloth to scrub the skunked pet or human with this solution. Make sure you get down to the skin on your pets, even if they have thick fur. Let it sit for 5 minutes to really eliminate the smell. This works best if done within an hour or 2 after contamination. Rinse the area with clean water. After you have thoroughly cleaned the area, use fresh water to remove the solution from the skin or fur. Rinse the area several times to ensure that all of the solution is gone. Repeat the soaking, scrubbing, and rinsing as necessary until you can no longer smell the skunk. | Open the windows in your home to ventilate it. Run fans to get air moving. Change out your furnace filters. Spray air deodorizers. Place bowls of vinegar around the house. Spread a thin layer of a vacuum-safe odor remover on your carpet. Vaccum the carpet to remove the cleaner. Shampoo your carpets with a steam cleaner if the smell remains. Create a vinegar solution to wash fabrics in. Make a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide as an alternative. Soak contaminated fabrics in the solution. Wash the fabrics in a washing machine after they have soaked. Dilute bleach with water. Scrub hard surfaces with this solution. Rinse and repeat as needed. Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and soap. Saturate the skunked area. Scrub the area with the solution. Rinse the area with clean water. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Multiply-With-Your-Hands | How to Multiply With Your Hands | To multiply by 9 using your hands, hold your hands out in front of you with your palms facing up. Each of your fingers represents a number from 1 to 10. To multiply one of those numbers by 9, fold the corresponding finger down towards your palm. For instance, to multiply 9 times 3, you would fold down the middle finger on your left hand. The numbers to the left of the folded finger represent the tens, and the numbers to the right represent the ones. In the case of 9 times 3, you have 2 fingers to the left, and 7 to the right, so the answer is 27. | Hold your hands out in front of you with your palms facing up. Each of your ten fingers represent a number. Moving from your left thumb to your right thumb, count out the numbers from one to ten. Point the finger you want to multiply by nine down towards your body. For example, if you want to solve (9x3) you will want to hold down your middle finger on your left hand. The middle finger represents the number three because, if you count your fingers from one to ten beginning with your left thumb, your middle finger is the third finger. Solve the problem by counting fingers to the left and right. First count the fingers to the left of your bent finger - in this case there should be two. Next count the fingers to the right of your bent finger - in this case there should be seven. The first digit of the answer is 2 and the second digit is 7. The answer is 27! Try this with other multiples of nine. How would you multiply 9 and 2 with your fingers? What about 9 and 7? Hold your hands so that your palms are facing your body and your fingers are facing each other. Again each finger will represent a number. Your pinkies represent the number six, your ring fingers will represent the number seven, your middle fingers will represent the number eight, your index fingers represent nine, and your thumbs represent the number ten. Touch the fingers that represent your multiplication problem together. For example, if you want to figure out the problem (7x6) you would touch your left ring finger with your right pinky. Your left fingers represent the number on the left of the problem, and your right fingers represent the numbers on the right of the problem. Again, remember that each finger represents a number and that in this case, your ring finger represents seven and your pinky represents six. Therefore, you need to touch these together to solve this math problem. You may have to bend your wrist awkwardly to do this! As another example, if you were trying to calculate 9x7 you would touch your left index finger with your right ring finger. Add the fingers that touch together as well as the fingers beneath them. The next step is to count the touching fingers as well as the fingers below them. These will represent the 10s. In this case you would count the ring finger on your left hand, the pinky on your left hand and the pinky on your right hand. Each finger that you count will count as 10. In this case, the total is 30. Multiply the remaining fingers. The next step is to add together the number of fingers on each hand, not including the fingers that are touching. First count the number of fingers on your left hand that are above the touching fingers - in this case there are 3. Next, count the number of fingers on your right hand above the touching fingers - in this case there are 4. 3x4 = 12. Add the two figures together to find your answer. In this case you will add 30 to 12 for a total of 42. The answer to 7x6 is 42! Multiply by 10s using the same technique. For example if you want to find the answer to 10x7, begin by touching your left thumb with your right ring finger. Count the number of fingers below the touching fingers, including the fingers that are touching. There should be a total of 7, which remember means 70. Next, count the number of fingers above the touching fingers on your right and left hand. There should be 0 on your left and 3 on your right. Now multiply 3x0 which is 0, and add 70 to 0 for you answer. The answer to 10x7 is 70! Try this with other multiples of six, seven, eight and ten. How would you multiply 8 and 8 with your fingers? What about 7 and 10? | Hold your hands out in front of you with your palms facing up. Point the finger you want to multiply by nine down towards your body. Solve the problem by counting fingers to the left and right. Try this with other multiples of nine. Hold your hands so that your palms are facing your body and your fingers are facing each other. Touch the fingers that represent your multiplication problem together. Add the fingers that touch together as well as the fingers beneath them. Multiply the remaining fingers. Add the two figures together to find your answer. Multiply by 10s using the same technique. Try this with other multiples of six, seven, eight and ten. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Thrush | How to Get Rid of Thrush | To get rid of thrush, swish a spoonful of coconut oil around in your mouth for 5-10 minutes. Then, spit the oil out and rinse your mouth out with saltwater. You can repeat this several times a day. Rinsing with an apple cider vinegar solution a few times per day can also be effective. Next, make an appointment with your doctor for a prescription anti-fungal medication, which you'll typically take for 10-14 days. If the thrush isn't gone after that, talk to your doctor about trying a stronger medicine called amphotericin B. | Try "oil pulling. " Oil pulling rests on the yet-untested theory that oils literally pulls toxins out of your system. Although results haven't been conclusive, many people use oil pulling to fight the Candida fungus and to provide temporary relief. Here's how to do it. The process is quite simple. Brush your teeth beforehand. Oil pull on an empty stomach if at all possible. Take one tablespoon of oil and swill it around in your mouth for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure it coats every possible part of your mouth — under you tongue, in your gums, the roof of your mouth. After 5 to 10 minutes, spit the oil out and rinse with saltwater. You can do this twice per day for five days. Try doing it once after you wake up in the morning and again before bed. Use coconut oil for best results, although olive oil works too. Coconut oil is rumored to be particularly effective in fighting fungi. Try taking thyme. The herb thyme is also supposed to be an effective aid in getting rid of oral thrush, although science has yet to substantiate it. In Europe, thyme is used to treat upper respiratory conditions and thrush. Try sprinkling a moderate amount of thyme on any dish that will take it! You could even make a tincture out of it. Swish with apple cider vinegar. Take a little bit of apple cider vinegar, dilute it with about a half part of distilled water, and swish it in your mouth for several minutes. Another option is to mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a full 8 ounces of water and drink before every meal. The vinegar is supposed to fight off intestinal yeast overgrowth that sometimes contributes to oral thrush. Some people find this method impossible because of the strong taste associated with the vinegar. You might also experience stomach gurgling when you start the treatment, so don't start this treatment right before a meeting or another situation where you may feel embarrassed. Try eating more garlic. Garlic, replete with several different sulphur-containing compounds such as allicin, alliin, alliinase and S-allylcysteine, is reputed to help fight a broad range of fungi, including thrush. Fresh garlic works better than garlic pills, so try to find a way to get more of it into your diet. For best results, try taking 4 to 5 crushed cloves of garlic per day. If you're worried about chaotic garlic breath, try drinking 3 to 4 cups of garlic tea daily. Use a bit of tea tree oil. Tee tree oil is renowned for its anti-fungal (and anti-bacterial) properties. It's a common home remedy for everything from acne to athlete's foot. But it's also used for thrush. Dilute one or two drops into a tablespoon of distilled water, insert Q-tip, and dab onto sores inside the mouth. Rinse mouth afterwards with saltwater. Take preventative measures to keep oral thrush from returning. After you get rid of thrush, it is important to do what you can to prevent it from coming back. This includes: Brushing your teeth 2 to 3 times a day. Replacing your toothbrush often, especially during a thrush outbreak. Being sure to floss your teeth once a day. Refrain from using mouthwash, breath sprays or breath mints. These products tend to upset the normal microorganism balance in your mouth. Remember that your body contains a host of good microorganisms that effectively serve to fight "bad" ones. Harming these may pave the way for the bad ones to take over. Instead, you can use a saline solution to rinse your mouth. You can create a saline solution by stirring half a spoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Visit your dentist at least twice a year. It is important to see your dentist at least twice per year, and more often if you wear dentures or have diabetes or a weak immune system. A dentist may be able to spot a thrush outbreak, or possible outbreak, sooner than you will, leading to quicker treatment. Cut down on your sugar and starch intake. Candida fungus thrives on sugar. To stop it from thriving, you should cut down on the amount of starches you eat. This includes beer, bread, soda, alcohol, most cereals and wine. These foods feed the fungus and can prolong the Candida infection. Quit smoking. Smokers are more likely to develop oral thrush than non-smokers. If you smoke, then do what you can to quit. Talk to your doctor for information abut medications and other options to help you quit smoking. Visit your dentist or your family doctor. If you think you have thrush, then it is important t see your dentist or family doctor for an evaluation and diagnosis. If a medical professional determines that you have oral thrush, he will start your treatment immediately. Healthy adults and children can get rid of thrush more easily than others. Begin treatment as soon as possible. Treatment for thrush in healthy patients generally starts with acidophilus tablets. A medical professional may also suggest eating plain unsweetened yogurt. Acidophilus and plain yogurt will not destroy fungus, but they will reduce the infection and help restore a normal balance of bacterial flora in your body. Acidophilus and yogurts are both probiotics. Rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. Saltwater temporarily creates an inhospitable environment for the thrush fungus to live in. Add 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of table salt to 1 cup (237 ml) warm water. Stir well before rinsing. Take an anti-fungal medication. Your doctor can prescribe an anti-fungal medication if symptoms persist or if you have a weak immune system. You will generally take an anti-fungal medication for a period of 10 to 14 days. This medication is available in tablets, lozenges and liquid forms. Make certain you take this medication as directed and in its entirety. Antibiotics may also produce thrush especially in women or in patients who have experienced thrush in the past. In this case, your doctor may ask you to take an anti-fungal medication along with antibiotics Use amphotericin B when other medications don't work or are no longer effective. Candida fungus often becomes resistant to anti-fungal medications, especially in people with HIV and other illnesses that cause weak immune systems. Talk to your doctor about amphotericin B if nothing seems to be working. Wait for your period. Vaginal thrush is actually just a yeast infection. While you can't dictate when you go on your period, menstruation will change the pH of the vagina, rendering it less hospitable for the Candida fungus. Use the laced-tampon strategy. Lace your tampon with a little something, although probably not during your period. Here are some suggestions for what to lace your tampon with in order to combat vaginal thrush: Dip it in unsweetened yogurt. Apply the tampon immediately, before it expands. Guard especially against leakage. Dip it in diluted tea tree oil. Apply the tampon immediately, before it expands. Guard especially against leakage. Try to avoid using latex condoms, spermicidal creams, and lubricants. In fact, in addition to avoiding these, try to avoid sex during a yeast infection. Yeast infections can be transmitted back and forth during sex, creating a vicious cycle and prolonging the infection. | Try "oil pulling. Try taking thyme. Swish with apple cider vinegar. Try eating more garlic. Use a bit of tea tree oil. Take preventative measures to keep oral thrush from returning. Refrain from using mouthwash, breath sprays or breath mints. Visit your dentist at least twice a year. Cut down on your sugar and starch intake. Quit smoking. Visit your dentist or your family doctor. Begin treatment as soon as possible. Rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. Take an anti-fungal medication. Use amphotericin B when other medications don't work or are no longer effective. Wait for your period. Use the laced-tampon strategy. Try to avoid using latex condoms, spermicidal creams, and lubricants. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Burp-on-Demand | How to Burp on Demand | To burp on demand, start by breathing some air into your mouth, plugging your nose with your fingers, and swallowing the air. Keep doing this until you've swallowed a lot of air. The more air you swallow, the easier it will be to burp on command. Once you feel pressure in your stomach from swallowing the air, open your mouth and push out the air so you burp. | Keep your back upright. Sitting or standing with your back straight ensures that your lungs are fully extended. Extending your lungs will allow you to push out more air, which will encourage burping as you exhale. Trying puffing out your chest as you exhale – this, too, may stretch your lungs and help the burps come more naturally. Drink a carbonated beverage to build up gas in your stomach. Carbonated drinks may include soda, kombucha, ginger ale, and mineral water. Carbonation essentially means that a drink is swirling with tiny air bubbles; thus, drinking soda is somewhat akin to swallowing air. A short time after drinking a carbonated beverage, air will build up in your stomach. This air must be expelled as gas in the form of a burp. You may need to wait a few minutes for the carbonation to take effect. In this way, drinking a carbonated beverage can help calm an upset stomach. The air bubbles in a carbonated drink will rise up and churn against the walls of your stomach, triggering an uncomfortable distended feeling and making you feel like you need to burp. When you burp, you will relieve excess gas buildup in the digestive tract. Try drinking out of a can or bottle—rather than out of, say, a straw—to coax additional air to seep in as you drink. Swallow air. When you swallow air, your stomach needs to expel it as gas. If you practice the proper technique, you can learn to channel this gas into a mighty burp. You should be able to feel the pressure building at the bottom of your throat. If you have a hard time swallowing air, try closing your mouth and pinching your nose shut. This may make it easier to intensively swallow the air that's trapped in your mouth. Burp. Once you have built up enough gas pressure in your stomach, you should be able to push it out as a burp. When you feel gas in your esophagus rising toward your throat, open your mouth and allow the air to escape from the back of your throat. Try moving your jaw up and down to create a bit of suction. You may need to move your head and mouth around to perfectly situate your jaw. The more air you swallow, the bigger the burp will be. Try to burp a couple of times to get as much air out as possible. Learn to burp in one smooth motion. Try to swallow air, then push it back out as a burp, all in one motion. Over time, you will learn to intentionally spasm your throat muscles into a smooth swallow-burp motion. Try swallowing a lot of air, at first, until you effectively force yourself to burp. Keep practicing the swallowing motion. You will feel the pressure building up in your stomach as the air collects and balloons. Eventually, you will feel an overwhelming urge to burp. Follow the urge, and feel yourself twitch your throat muscles to force the burp out. This is what it feels like to burp on demand. As you get better at burping on demand, the process will become easier and much less painful. You won't need to swallow nearly as much air to generate a solid burp. Keep practicing, and you'll get there. | Keep your back upright. Drink a carbonated beverage to build up gas in your stomach. Swallow air. Burp. Learn to burp in one smooth motion. Try swallowing a lot of air, at first, until you effectively force yourself to burp. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Lolita | How to Be a Lolita | Lolita is a Japanese fashion style inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian periods. To dress like a Lolita, look for frilly button-up blouses and and cupcake or bell skirts. Since showing skin wasn't common in the Victorian period, design an outfit with a high collar, sleeves, and stockings. Give your hair as much volume as you can or get a long wig. You can also add a hair piece, like a bow, headband, or bonnet, to look even more elegant. Look for closed, round-toed shoes or go for boots if you want a more gothic look. | Pick clothes carefully. Lolita styles of clothes can be found all around you, though it may take a little work to find items befitting the style aesthetic. You can purchase brand items second hand online , though you can also find items locally if you are careful. Mainstream stores are unlikely to have dresses or skirts that are full enough to fit a petticoat; while it is possible to find blouses that can work in these stores, it's important that they cover your shoulders, have no cut-outs, and are not cropped nor low-cut. If you wish, you may create and sew your own lolita clothing. Check out second-hand stores for good deals on accessories and shoes. Check for lacy vintage tops, vests, and mary janes. Additionally, you can try to find jewelry to match your existing pieces. Check here for cheaper options. How to Be a Budget Lolita. Beware of online scam sites like milanoo.com or anything that seems fishy. Always verify the trustworthiness of a site before buying from it. When picking out your clothes be aware of the silhouettes that are prevalent in the fashion and the flow of the outfit. Lolita coordinates require careful consideration! Find matching pieces. Lolita outfits are called coordinates, or coords, because everything in each outfit is carefully matched to the rest of the outfit. It's about looking elegant with a Victorian, Rococo, and/or Edwardian influence. Based on your preference, the look can be either cute or elegant or a mix of both. The most common type of lolita blouse is a button-down shirt with a peter-pan collar, which is a round type of collar. Remember that lolita is a modest fashion- high collars, sleeves, and layers are necessary to properly pull off the look. Think elegance and modesty. Achieve the lolita silhouette. Common lolita skirt or dress shapes are the cupcake, bell, and A-line. Petticoats/panniers are nearly always necessary to achieve the lolita silhouette, while bloomers are also often used to add volume, modesty, and sometimes warmth to the outfit. A lolita skirt should be approximately knee-length, though a bit below or above is acceptable. If a skirt is particularly short (more than 4-5" above the knee) it's often best to consider an underskirt to make it longer. Make sure that your petticoat is the right shape! A square-dancing petticoat will not fit under a bell-shaped skirt correctly; you need a bell-shaped petticoat for a bell-shaped skirt. Get socks or stockings. These are required. Knee-length socks, over-the-knee socks, stockings, and opaque tights are often a part of a lolita look as well. Sheer tights are sometimes thought to be too "sexy" for lolita, and ankle socks aren't always fitting for the style (though short socks with lace at the top edge can make a nice accent when worn over tights). Wear some cute shoes! Mary janes are perfect for this look. Lolita shoes usually feature a closed, rounded toe. Flat shoes, often called tea-parties, are the most popular kind of shoe. Boots are common too in some gothic or punk lolita styles. Another classic type of shoe is the rocking-horse shoe, which features a simple style top with a large chunk of wood at the bottom to add height. Rocking-horse shoes often feature a curved front and a part cut-out of the back. Accessorize. A good lolita look can be even better with the right accessories. Depending on what specific look you want to try to build up, you can augment it with some side-items that will make it really pop. Use any of the following, and learn more about crafting specific looks in the next section: Parasols cute jewelry Frilled and themed handbags Wrist cuffs Add hair accessories. This is to balance out the volume created below the waistline. Wigs are often used in the fashion but are certainly not required. Headbands and head bows are very popular, easy, and safe choices to decorate and add volume to a look. Other options are rectangular headdress, top hats, hair clips, bonnets, sunhats, or tricorn hats. Select the right makeup application for you. Most lolitas don't use a particularly elaborate make-up routine, but generally a smooth, natural foundation look is paired with subtle color choices (that coordinate with the rest of the outfit) for lipstick and eyeshadow. Make-up isn't always necessary for a lolita look. If you don't want to wear make-up, it's fine to leave it off and let your clothes do the work of the style. In fact, in the style originally, makeup was light, or nonexistent. Style your hair. Your hair is important too! There are many options for you to choose, but, most often, a hairstyle to balance the volume from your skirt looks best. Try teasing your hair or opt for wearing a wig. Here are some cool hairstyles from Lolita influencers. If you have one, make your wig match your specific style. More natural styles will suit Classic or Gothic than a sugary Sweet coord. Try a sweet lolita look. The most popular style of lolita, it often features light colors and light-hearted motifs. Common motifs are bunnies, kittens, sweets, bears, and clouds. Experiment with the gothic lolita. This type of outfit is the longest-lived out of all the lolita styles. It's pretty modest, characterized by a bell-shaped skirt and puffy sleeves, and a darker make-up and hairstyle. Gothic lolita outfits are generally either black or muted, (and sometimes have a vibrant accent); they feature rich fabrics and detailing. Attempt a classic lolita style. unlike most other lolita styles, this substyle more often utilizes an A-line skirt than a bell-shaped skirt. The color scheme and styling are generally more mature than sweet and more classical than gothic- more muted colors, florals, and wallpaper patterns are quite common, as are classical art themes. Try a country-style lolita. This look displays straw baskets, hats, fruit motifs, and gingham patterns. Aiming for a shiro lolita look involves all white attire. Sometimes Shiro and kuro lolitas match black and white twin-style apparel to go out as a team. Light and dark is a common play in the lolita world. Portray a "broken doll" sort of look for a guro lolita. It's gruesome yet doll-like. White clothes with blood splatters are the most common choice. How gory you go is up to you, and can range from subtle hints to bandages, a sling, or blood splatters on your clothing. Just be sure to use materials that will not rub off onto your surroundings. Wear a nautical style to be a sailor lolita. Sailor collars, dark blues, and whites are what make this style. Nautical symbols such as ship anchors and wheels make very cute additions. Like most lolita styles the same silhouette is expected, quite often this skirt may be pleated, and the outfit may often include a puffed-short-sleeved blouse with pockets. Consider a more masculine lolita look. While lolita is often thought to be pretty whimsical, some looks incorporate traditionally masculine styles. Ouji (prince), is a more masculine related style. It does not involve the iconic petticoats and skirts of lolita. Instead, short capri-style pants that cut off at the knee and usually have details on them such as lace-edged cuffs or ruffles are worn. Kodona, or "boy style," is similar to Ouji, in that pants are exchanged for petticoats, but shorts or pumpkin shorts are worn instead of pants, and mini top hats are more common than top hats in this style. Kodona focuses on cuteness rather than a princely appearance. Other common additions to your look are suspenders, ties, vests, and long socks. The more extravagant styles can include things like spats, canes, top hats, and other Victorian accessories. Remember anyone can be a lolita. Lolita fashion is a very accepting subculture, and your looks, race, age, weight, and gender don't matter. Anyone who fits the dressing criteria is welcome. You can't be "too ugly" for the style. The focus is on appreciating the style of your clothing and what makes you happy. Experiment some to see what you like, and build your style off of that. Learn more about the subculture. You may enjoy reading the Gothic and Lolita Bible, Fruits Magazine, or following lolita coord groups on Tumblr or Facebook. There are a variety of magazines and other print publications for lolita and other j-fashion, first published in Japan in the early 2000s, which have more recently been translated into a variety of languages, English included. Featuring photographs, style descriptions, and a variety of lifestyle guides, these books are common and popular among lolitas and those interested in the style. Head to an anime or j-fashion convention. Lolita meet-ups are common in some areas, and it's often a good idea to search for a local community of lolitas. Likewise, anime conventions and j-fashion conventions are often places to meet fellow lolitas. Many conventions have lolita panels, meets, or swap-meets where you can meet new lolitas, socialize, and sometimes even buy lolita items in person. Dress this way for yourself. The point of fashion, in general, is to have fun with your look. If someone doesn't like your coord, remember that you should listen to their criticism, but you still don't have to apply it. And, of course, if someone doesn't like lolita in general, that's their problem. Learn some lolita terminology. It's hard to find clothes when you don't know what any of the words mean! Sometimes the language in this subculture can be difficult to type out or say efficiently so there are a lot of abbreviations. There are also a number of Japanese loanwords and style-specific terms. Here are some of the most common: OP = One Piece (dress with sleeves) JSK = Jumperskirt (a dress with straps, no sleeves) SK = Skirt (a heckin' lolita skirt) Cutsew = a pieced cotton shirt- not as fancy as a blouse, often knit. OTT = Over The Top (referring to how a style is executed in a way that is described as extravagant. The person may be wearing a lot of hair clips or have an especially fancy coordinate.) "Brand" = Refers to popular lolita brands. Motif = This refers to a reoccurring subject of the dress or coordinate. Ex: apples, breakfast, or Alice in Wonderland. Comm = Community (of lolitas or fans of alternate fashion in general) Concrit = Constructive criticism (the only type of criticism that is helpful to you) Coord = An outfit (short for coordinate) Kawaii = This is the Japanese word for cute. Usually, kawaii is used instead of cute when referring to a specific style originating in Japan. Be careful using this word, it can be cringe-inducing. Best to just use it as a search term. For a more extensive list of common terms, visit Know some popular lolita brands: BtSSB = Baby the Stars Shine Bright (first official lolita brand) AP = Angelic Pretty (most popular lolita brand) IW = Innocent world (a classic style lolita brand) AatP = Alice and the Pirates (BtSSB's sister brand who focuses more on elegant clothing) Moitie (aka MmM ) = Moi-même-Moitié (a gothic lolita brand) Meta = Metamorphose temps de Fille Know what not to say! there are some lolita-specific words with pretty bad connotations- while it's nice to know if someone's being insulting, it's better to know not to be unkind. Ita = A name used for someone whose coord is particularly bad or cheap. It comes from the Japanese word "itai" which means "ouch." This term is hurtful, so refrain from using it, even if you see others who do. Provide concrit instead of using this word, please. Brolita = Usually a cis male lolita. This term is inaccurate and outdated because a male lolita is simply a lolita. Try not to use this term. Lace Monster = A coordinate with excessive and/or cheap lace. Also not nice to use, so please refrain from using it even if you see others doing so. Here's a link to tell if your lace is cheap. | Pick clothes carefully. Find matching pieces. Achieve the lolita silhouette. Get socks or stockings. Wear some cute shoes! Accessorize. Add hair accessories. Select the right makeup application for you. Style your hair. Try a sweet lolita look. Experiment with the gothic lolita. Attempt a classic lolita style. Try a country-style lolita. Aiming for a shiro lolita look involves all white attire. Portray a "broken doll" sort of look for a guro lolita. Wear a nautical style to be a sailor lolita. Consider a more masculine lolita look. Remember anyone can be a lolita. Learn more about the subculture. Head to an anime or j-fashion convention. Dress this way for yourself. Learn some lolita terminology. Know some popular lolita brands: Know what not to say! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Online | How to Teach Online | When you're hired for an online teaching job, take some time to familiarize yourself with the online management system for the course. Create a syllabus of what you plan to teach during the course, then upload the syllabus and any relevant resources in the online management system. Throughout the course, engage with your students, and keep track of anything they post. Monitor the discussion boards to answer questions and help steer the conversation, and grade students' work as promptly as possible. | Take an online teaching course. To be an effective online teacher, you should consider taking an online teaching course, in addition to ensuring you have taken a regular teacher training program and are certified to teach in your state or area. Teaching online can be very different than teaching in a classroom, as you do not have the advantage of face to face interaction with your students and it may be difficult to create a connection with students online. You can better prepare for the challenges of teaching online by taking a class or program on how to teach students in an online class. The university where you completed your bachelor's degree may offer a class in online teaching or you may consider enrolling in a teaching online program through another university or college. Join an online teaching association. It can be difficult to develop a sense of community and connection with other educators, especially if you are working from home and do not have to go into a school setting every day. It can also be hard to network and meet potential job contacts if you work from home and are not exposed to a professional environment on a daily basis. You can expand your contacts in education by joining an online teaching association in your area. Associations like The World Association for Online Education (WAOE) can connect you to other online teachers and refer you to potential employers. Some online teaching associations may also offer access to online forums where you can chat with other online educators on a daily basis, ask questions about teaching online, and get references for open positions at online teaching programs. Search online teaching programs for open teaching positions. The beauty of online teaching is you do not need to focus your job search in one geographical area or an area close to where you live, as you will be working from your home office throughout the day. Instead, you can search online teaching programs at online universities for open positions that are applicable to your content area speciality. You can also look at universities and colleges who offer online courses in subject matter that relates to your content area, as you can then apply to teach the specific online class. Apply for positions with a customized CV and cover letter. Make sure your CV and cover letter are customized to the positions you are applying for, as this will show the employer that you took the time to read and understand the skills required for the position. Customizing your resume and cover letter will also improve your chances of getting hired. If you are applying for a position teaching an online class in urban planning, for example, you may note on your resume that you have a bachelor's degree in urban planning and have completed a practicum in a secondary level urban planning and design class as part of your bachelor's degree. You may also want to include sample lesson plans as part of your job application to show that you can create effective lesson plans for a course. Make sure the lesson plans contain interactive activities and focus on keeping online students engaged in the online course. Ensure you can use the online management system for the course. Most online courses have an online management system where you can log in, post the syllabus for the course, and monitor discussion boards on specific lessons or topics relating to the course. You should encourage your students to use the online management system to communicate with each other about course content and to post any questions or comments they may have about the course. If you do not know how to use the online management system for the course, you should speak to the institution that is hosting the course and get trained in the system. Being technically savvy will only help you better communicate and connect with your students. It will also allow you to be organized and present a clear picture of the course to your students. Monitor student postings on the online management system for the class. Once you have set up the online management system for the course, you should be prepared to monitor all student postings. Keep track of all student postings and check the discussion board on a daily basis. This will ensure you know what students are posting and discussing among themselves. If you notice a student posting hurtful or discriminatory comments on the class discussion board, you should address the situation right away. Remove the comment and email the student privately, explaining how the comment was inappropriate and why you removed it from the discussion board. Do not accuse the student of anything. Instead, explain your reasoning behind the removal and ask the student to reflect on his decision to post the comment. Prepare lesson plans that contain interactive activities. To keep your online students engaged, you should create detailed lesson plans for each class that have interactive activities and activities that integrate the students' interests. This could be an activity that uses video and audio examples that can accessed online, and then requiring students to respond to the example in a discussion post. This could also be an activity where the students work in groups online and collaborate on a group project or assignment. You could then require the groups to facilitate a class via video and to create a discussion prompt for the class that the other students can respond to on the discussion board. You can also try to integrate the students' interests in your lesson plans by referencing current pop culture figures or current news and events. This could be an assignment on celebrity culture for a communications class, with the requirement that students post video and audio examples on the course's discussion board. Or, you could use a recent news event as an example in a social justice class and have students comment on the recent news even in relation to topics you are discussing in the course. Present learning content in several different ways. Similar to a classroom environment, your students may have different learning styles. One student may be more of a visual learner and another student may be more of an auditory learner. Because you have the ability to post different types of media online, you can try to present the content of the course in several different ways to appeal to different learning styles. This could be integrating video and audio media into your lesson plans, as well as text documents. You may also encourage your students to set up video meetings with each other to discuss the course material, especially if the students prefer face to face discussion. Post daily updates about upcoming deadlines and due dates. Stay on top of the course by doing daily updates about upcoming deadlines or due dates on the course's discussion board. You can also post a relevant quote or video to keep your students engaged and to get your students to interact with the course material. Doing daily posts will also show students that you are engaged in the course as an instructor and are willing to start a discussion that they can then respond to. You need to be the interactive force that keeps your student motivated. Set up more than one way to communicate with your online students. Staying in contact with your students is one of the most essential parts of being an effective online teacher. Offer more than one way for your students to contact you, including by email, by phone, by video chat, and via the online discussion board for the course. Giving your students may different ways to get in touch with you will show them you are interested in communicating with them and are willing to adapt to their communication needs. You may want to include all your contact information as part of a first day posting on the discussion board or in your syllabus for the course, which should be uploaded to the online learning page for the course before the course begins. Offering many different communication methods also means you can check up on students who start to fall off the discussion boards or appear inactive in the course. You should reach out to any inactive students through one of the many communication methods you have set up to reestablish a connection so they become more engaged in the course. Establish online office hours but be flexible with your time. It is important that you be flexible with your time as an online teacher, as your students may have work schedules or other commitments that mean they may get in touch with you at odd hours. But being flexible does not mean you cannot also set some parameters around when you are available for a discussion about an assignment or when you will provide feedback on an online post. You may want to establish online office hours where you will actively be online and ready to answer any student questions. For example, this could be every Monday and Wednesday from 3-5 pm or it could be two hours before the online class session begins. Be specific about your office hours but be willing to also be flexible and meet your students halfway if they have a conflicting schedule that requires them to be online at odd hours. Have weekly check ins with your students. Keep the lines of communication open and hold your students accountable by scheduling weekly one on one check ins with your students. This could be a short video chat about how they are feeling about the course, a phone call, or an online chat. Schedule the check ins for the same time every week so they are part of the routine of the course. If you have many students in your online class, you may ask each student to instead respond to an online posting, with feedback on how they feel they are doing in the class and what they are working on in relation to the class. This will spark discussion and allow your students to stay connected to you. Integrate feedback from your students into your lesson plans. Listen to student feedback and encourage it. This will show your students that their thoughts matter, even when you do not interact in person with them. You may want to set up a weekly feedback session, where you have a round table video discussion with your students or groups of students. You can then integrate the student feedback into your lesson plans and use their feedback to create more interactive activities for the course. Hand out a class survey at the end of the online class. The survey should ask your students about how effective the online course was for them and what you could do to improve the course. Be willing to solicit feedback on the course from your students at the end of the course as a way to close out the course and reflect on it. | Take an online teaching course. Join an online teaching association. Search online teaching programs for open teaching positions. Apply for positions with a customized CV and cover letter. Ensure you can use the online management system for the course. Monitor student postings on the online management system for the class. Prepare lesson plans that contain interactive activities. Present learning content in several different ways. Post daily updates about upcoming deadlines and due dates. Set up more than one way to communicate with your online students. Establish online office hours but be flexible with your time. Have weekly check ins with your students. Integrate feedback from your students into your lesson plans. Hand out a class survey at the end of the online class. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Christmas-Candy | How to Make Christmas Candy | To make Christmas candy, try making your own peppermint candies, like candy canes, peppermint creams, and peppermint bark. You can also make toffee and caramel treats, including caramel corn and toffee squares. If you're a chocolate lover, go with chocolate truffles, fudge, or turtle candies. Or, you can make marshmallow candies like chocolate-covered marshmallows and rocky road. | Whip up some homemade candy canes. Try making these classic Christmas treats in your own kitchen! Make peppermint creams. These cookie-like treats will melt in your mouth. Try homemade peppermint bark. Peppermint bark bagged in individual gift sacks makes a great holiday gift. Make a batch of caramel to use on a variety of treats. You can allow caramel to harden in molds to make individual treats, or drizzle it over fudge, marshmallows, cookies or ice cream. Cook up some caramel corn. While you're at it with the popcorn garlands, you might as well spare some for caramel corn! Make toffee, a winter classic. Toffee is a lot like caramel, cooked to the hard-crack stage so that it has a crunchy texture. . Or, use the microwave for a quick batch of toffee Don't have time to make a full batch, but still in need of a holiday treat? Here's the answer! Make chocolate toffee squares. Chilling this treat in the fridge makes it a cinch to serve and eat. . Make small marshmallow toffee treats Combine gooey marshmallows with crunchy toffee! Make classic chocolate truffles. These treats are perfect for holiday parties (or enjoying on your own)! . Or, try mint truffles Add a wintry chill to your chocolate by using peppermint. Try pumpkin truffles. Pumpkin isn't just for fall — it can be a savory Christmas flavor, too! For a great gift, make Christmas pudding truffles. They're a little complex, but they make a pretty present. Try this traditional fudge recipe. Fudge is a Christmas classic, and makes a great gift. Or, cheat a little and make fudge in the microwave. It tastes just as good, and no one has to know you cut some corners! Try Russian fudge. This chocolate-free twist on an old classic melts is smooth and golden-brown. Make your own Turtle candy. Instead of purchasing Turtles — a chocolate, caramel and pecan confection — whip them up in your own kitchen! Make your own marshmallows. They're fluffier than the store-bought kind, and fun to make. Mix up some rocky road. Add chocolate, coconut, nuts and cherries to your marshmallows for a crunchy treat. . Coat marshmallows in chocolate Chilling them in the fridge keeps these bite-size candies from being uncontrollably gooey. . Dip cherries in chocolate You can use regular or maraschino cherries for this recipe. Make peanut brittle. This classic winter treat makes a great gift once it's cracked. Make marzipan. This sweet almond paste treat can be eaten on its own, or used as a topping on cookies, cakes and other candies. . Make honeycomb toffee Contrary to regular toffee, this recipe features a gentle honey flavor and crunchier texture. Cover a Crunchie bar with honeycomb . These popular UK and Australian candy bars can be covered with crunchy honeycomb to make a unique Christmas treat. Make Christmas lollipops. Try using red or green food coloring to make festive lollipop bundles. Make Turkish Delight. Try different flavors like rose, lemon or orange. Make old-fashioned hard candy. This recipe includes instructions for barley sugar and fruit drops. | Whip up some homemade candy canes. Make peppermint creams. Try homemade peppermint bark. Make a batch of caramel to use on a variety of treats. Cook up some caramel corn. Make toffee, a winter classic. . Make chocolate toffee squares. . Make classic chocolate truffles. . Try pumpkin truffles. For a great gift, make Christmas pudding truffles. Try this traditional fudge recipe. Or, cheat a little and make fudge in the microwave. Try Russian fudge. Make your own Turtle candy. Make your own marshmallows. Mix up some rocky road. . . Make peanut brittle. Make marzipan. . Cover a Crunchie bar with honeycomb . Make Christmas lollipops. Make Turkish Delight. Make old-fashioned hard candy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Foundation-Primer | How to Apply Foundation Primer | To apply a foundation primer, squeeze a pea-sized amount of primer on the back of your hand and apply it to your nose and cheeks. Then, use gentle, circular motions to blend it outwards. You can do this with either your fingers or a makeup sponge or brush. Additionally, you can apply a thin coat of primer over dry lips to keep lipstick looking bold. Let the primer dry for a few minutes before applying foundation or any other makeup. | Decide what you want your primer to accomplish. Are you most concerned with wrinkles and fine lines? Discoloration? Toning down shine on oily skin? There are tons of primers on the market, so take the time to examine your skin and think about what will work best for you. Check the labels or research online to find the primer that will fit your unique needs. If you are worried about enlarged pores or wrinkles, search for pore-reducing and anti-aging primers. Primer should always be used if you are going to airbrush your makeup. Evaluate your skin and decide if you need a color correcting primer. If you have dark spots on your skin or dark circles under your eyes, redness, or sallowness, you can find a color-tinted primer that will neutralize the discoloration. Complimentary colors cancel each other out, so if you have a red or ruddy skin town, the color opposite red on the color wheel (green) will neutralize the red. Keep in mind you don't necessarily need to use a color-correcting primer at all. You can absolutely use a primer that goes on clear. Primer with a greenish tint can correct extreme redness. This is especially helpful if you get a sunburn on your face. Yellow primer works for a light red or pinkish complexion. If you have bluish dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or bruising, try orange or peach-tinted primer. If your skin is yellowish or sallow, try a lavender tinted primer. Figure out your skin type--oily, dry, or normal? Primers have different ingredients, weights, and textures that will work better with different skin types. If you're not sure what kind of skin you have, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and let it air dry. How does your skin feel after 15-20 minutes? If your face feels moist or oily, you have oily skin. Try a mattifying primer to tone down shine and soak up the oil. Primers with salicylic acid also absorb excess oil. If your skin feels tight or dry, you have dry skin. Look for a gel-based or illuminating primer that won't dry out your skin. If your skin feels soft and clean, you have normal skin. Experiment with different primers to see what feels best and gives you the effect you want. Check to see if your foundation is oil- or water-based. You want to choose a primer that has the same base as your foundation so they don't repel each other. Also pay attention to whether or not the foundation has silicone, as this can sometimes interact poorly with oil-based foundations and make them appear spotty. When trying out a primer, ask for a sample first and try some on your hand. Once it is dry, apply a little of your foundation. If the foundation goes on smoothly, then you know your foundation and primer can work together. Patch-test any silicone-based primers before putting them on your entire face--some people with sensitive skin have allergic reactions to silicone. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. It's important to remove all dirt and impurities from your face before you begin covering it with makeup. Equally important: clean your hands. You may be applying your primer and other makeup with your fingers, so you don't want to be spreading dirt on your face, either. Apply moisturizer. Primer is not a replacement for moisturizer, and you should not skip your moisturizer for fear that it will be too heavy. Moisturizer nourishes your skin and keeps it healthy and, while some primers may have moisturizing properties, their main purpose is to make your foundation last. Make sure you allow your moisturizer to sink in and dry completely before you begin to apply primer. If your skin feels dewy, wait a few more minutes for the moisturizer to be absorbed. Squirt a pea-sized amount of foundation on the back of your hand. Using too much primer can cause your foundation to pill or clump, and you really shouldn't need more than a pea- or raisin-sized dab to cover your face and neck. Apply the primer to the center of your face and use gentle, circular motions to blend it outwards. The motion should be similar to the one you use when applying your moisturizer. Work the product evenly into your skin so you get smooth, even coverage. Make sure you blend it up to your hairline and over your neck as well. Don't forget the skin around your eyes. If you aren't using a separate eyelid primer, then very gently pat the primer onto your lids so your eye makeup will stay on and really pop all day. Use your ring and middle finger to gently spread the primer over your face. You can use sponge or makeup brush as well, but it's not necessary. Apply a thin coat of primer over dry lips to keep your lipstick looking bold and to keep it from settling into fine lines around your mouth. Allow the primer to dry completely. This should only take a few minutes. Some people choose to skip foundation altogether, especially if they're just looking to minimize the appearance of their pores or add brightness to their complexion. Otherwise, you can apply your makeup as normal. Apply a light layer of foundation and build up if you need more. The presence of primer means you will actually end up using less foundation. Your foundation should glide on smoothly and should not settle into creases or wrinkles, as it would without primer. Once you've applied your foundation, you may want to set it with a quick dusting of translucent powder. If your primer and foundation are silicone-based and oil-based, this can help keep your makeup from smudging. | Decide what you want your primer to accomplish. Evaluate your skin and decide if you need a color correcting primer. Figure out your skin type--oily, dry, or normal? Check to see if your foundation is oil- or water-based. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Apply moisturizer. Squirt a pea-sized amount of foundation on the back of your hand. Apply the primer to the center of your face and use gentle, circular motions to blend it outwards. Allow the primer to dry completely. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Wake-Someone-Up | How to Wake Someone Up | To wake someone up, try telling them “Good morning” in a loud voice, which will let them know it's time to get up. You can also set an alarm for the person, call their phone, or turn the T.V. on a bit louder than normal to rouse them from sleep. If none of these techniques work, you can pull all of their blankets and sheets off at once, jarring them away by the shift in temperature and comfort. Since lights cue the body to wake up, try opening the curtains or blinds or turning some lights on. | Tell the person "Good morning! " in a loud voice. This simple, direct technique is a classic for a reason. Your voice should be enough to wake up most people, and you let them know it's time to get up without actually saying as much. If they respond to you with a muffled, "ughhhhhh," keep at it. They're awake, but don't want to wake up. Remind them of what's going on that day and possibly tempt them with coffee or breakfast. You could also try gently touching their shoulder to help wake them. Make your phone ring in the person's room. Turn the volume all the way up on your phone! Leave your phone in the person's room and then call it from another phone. If you leave it far enough away from the bed, they'll have to get up to figure out what the noise is. You can also set an alarm to go off, instead. Turn on the TV with the volume up. If there's a television in the room they're sleeping in, put the television on one of their favorite shows, and turn the volume up a little bit. You could also put it on an annoying cartoon instead. Whatever way, the light and noise coming from the television should wake them. Don't turn it up so far that even you are uncomfortable in the room. Just turn it up enough to make it difficult for the person to sleep. Use the person's pet to your advantage. A dog or cat can be the perfect way to wake someone up. If your animal will naturally bark or climb on the person, just let them in the room, and let the animal do the rest. Otherwise, use a treat or a toy to lure the pet into the room. You can even use it to lure the pet on top of the person! Pull their covers off the person. If they're still out like a light, try gently pulling the covers off of them. Grab the loose ends up near their head, making sure to grab all the sheets and blankets at once, and lift the covers off them and the bed, making them face the day! Give the person a massage. If you're looking for a nicer way to wake someone up, treat them to a massage! Gently rub their scalp, neck, or back with long, soothing strokes. Though massages are relaxing, your touch can actually wake a sleeping person. Let the light shine in. Throw open the curtains or blinds, as natural light works best! However, if there are no windows or it's still dark outside, just turn on the overhead light and any other lights in the room. Use an appetizing smell to attract their attention. Make sure the door is open, and then head down to the kitchen. Fry up some bacon or even bake some quick muffins. Coffee is also a great smell. Typically, the smell of good food will wake the person up enough to come out of their room. If you don't have much time, use the microwave! Heat some bacon up or put a baked good in there to warm up. If the scent wafting through the house isn't enough, try bringing them breakfast in bed. Not only do you get them up, but they'll feel like you're doing them a favor, getting you in their good graces. Set the alarm far away from the bed. If the person can just roll over and hit the snooze button, they'll stay in bed longer. If you set the alarm out of reach (even if it's a smartphone!), they'll have to get up to turn the alarm off, making them wake up more. Adjust the temperature. If you can spare a bit of time, changing the temperature can wake a person up. Try turning the fan on high, for instance, or turning the AC or window unit much colder. Alternatively, try blasting heat from a space heater. The change in temperature can take a bit, but often, it will make them uncomfortable enough to wake up. Using whole-house heating and air to change the temperature may make you a little uncomfortable! You can also open a window, if it's very warm or very cold outside. Make a bit of noise in the room. Walk into the room where the person is sleeping and make just a little bit of noise. Be careful not to be too loud, or you'll shock them awake, which can make the sleeping person wake up cranky. Simply making a little clunking noise by picking something up and setting it back down on a table may be enough. You could also open the door to "check on them," and close it after you. Make some noise in the rest of the house. Bang pots around in the kitchen or open and close doors loudly. Turn the television up in a close room. The ambient noises will likely wake the person up. Another option is run some water in the nearest bathroom or have a conversation outside of their door. Create a loud noise that's obviously meant to wake them up. Go in their room, and bang a metal or wooden spoon on the bottom of a pot or clap 2 objects together that make a loud noise, such as 2 pot lids. Just pick some loud noise that will wake them up. This technique works best if it's a surprise. If you have an instrument, such as a drum or trumpet, try playing it in their room. You could also try a whistle. Blast some tunes. Another option is to put on one of their favorite songs that has a good beat. Blast it on some nearby speakers in their room or the next, and play it loud. They'll likely hop out of bed pretty quickly! You can use headphones for this prank, but make sure the music isn't so loud that it damages their hearing. Pull the person out of bed by their feet. Of course, you don't want to hurt the person, and you don't need to pull them all the way out of bed. As soon as you start pulling, they're likely to wake up, especially if you just pulled the covers off. It's best to grab them by the backs of their ankles or calves so you don't hurt their feet. Pretend there's an earthquake. Shake their mattress, and at the same time, say loudly, "Wake up, there's an earthquake!" By the time they realize there's no earthquake, they'll likely be fully awake. You could also shake the bed frame a little instead of the mattress. Dump some cold water on the person. Nothing wakes a person up like a bit of cold water on the face. Shake some water in ice, and then pour the water into another glass. Slosh the water on their face and chest for the most immediate effect, but be ready for some anger! Stand by with a towel to help put them back in a better mood! Identify when a person is sleepwalking. People who are sleepwalking tend to have a glazed expression. You likely won't be able to get their attention, and they may even be wandering around in the dark. If you find someone in this state, they're likely sleepwalking. Redirect the person back to bed. The best course of action is to take them back to their bed. Gently guide them through the house, and make sure they climb back in bed. They will most likely go right back to sleep. Use your hands to gently guide the person by turning them in the right direction. Wake the person up only if they're trying to do something dangerous. Some sleepwalkers do things like cook, tear down doors, and even drive while sleepwalking. While it can be difficult to wake a sleepwalker, you may need to do so if they're doing an activity that could endanger them or others. Because sleepwalkers tend to be very deeply asleep, it will be hard to wake them. Try saying their name loudly or gently shaking their shoulder. If that doesn't work, try a loud noise or spritz a bit of water in their face. Keep in mind, they will be very disoriented when you wake them up and will also likely be very cranky. | Tell the person "Good morning! Make your phone ring in the person's room. Turn on the TV with the volume up. Use the person's pet to your advantage. Pull their covers off the person. Give the person a massage. Let the light shine in. Use an appetizing smell to attract their attention. Set the alarm far away from the bed. Adjust the temperature. Make a bit of noise in the room. Make some noise in the rest of the house. Create a loud noise that's obviously meant to wake them up. Blast some tunes. Pull the person out of bed by their feet. Pretend there's an earthquake. Dump some cold water on the person. Identify when a person is sleepwalking. Redirect the person back to bed. Wake the person up only if they're trying to do something dangerous. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Justice-of-the-Peace | How to Become a Justice of the Peace | Becoming a justice of the peace is a relatively simple process that includes meeting a few basic requirements and filling out an application. You'll need to provide proof of residency in the state or territory you want to work in by filling out a few forms and producing a few documents that show how long you've lived there. Additionally, request a background check from your local police department and make sure you're registered to vote. When you're ready to fill out the application, go to your local state department or to their website and get the process started. Provide a list of professional or character references, if asked, and pay the required filing fee. | Provide proof of residency in the state or territory you want to work in. In order to be eligible to serve as a justice of the peace, you'll need to be able to show that you're a legal citizen where you live. The exact procedure for doing so varies from place to place. Contact your local state department office to find out more about the specific requirements for your region. Proving residency is often as simple as filling out a few forms and producing documents that show that you've lived in the area for a specific amount of time. In Texas, for instance, you must have lived in the state on a full-time basis for at least one year to be granted residency and therefore be eligible to become a justice of the peace. Rhode Island is the one exception to this rule in the U.S. In Rhode Island, non-residents who regularly conduct business in the state can apply to become justices of the peace. Request a background check from your local police department. Head down to police headquarters and talk to a high-ranking officer about conducting a background check. As long as the investigation doesn't turn up anything incriminating, the department will generate a document verifying that you have no past criminal charges, which you may be asked to present during the application process. Alternatively, see if it's possible to submit a request through their official website. Some police departments are authorized to carry out background checks remotely. Having a clean record is a must if you hope to be bestowed any kind of power under the law. Confirm your voter registration status with your local election office. In addition to being law-abiding citizens, all candidates for a justice of the peace position must also be registered to vote in their home state. If you don't have a voter registration card (or if yours has expired), contact the election office for your district to check your registration status. It may be necessary for you to re-register or update the info that's on file. You can find the contact information for your local election office by visiting https://www.usa.gov/election-office. To register as a voter or change out-of-date information, you'll need to use the official voter registration form issued by your state. Study criminal justice to improve your odds of being approved. While there are usually no formal educational requirements to become a justice of the peace, having a background in law can certainly help. Consider enrolling in a criminal justice program through an accredited four-year university. Your time there will give you a better understanding of how laws are officiated on a local and national level. If you don't have the time, money, or interest to enter a degree program, see about auditing classes in criminal justice and other relevant subjects in your spare time. Earn your law degree to add distinction to your credentials. Seeking a law degree is the next step up from completing a basic education. To obtain a law degree , you'll first need to have earned a bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field. You can then begin applying to law schools that suit your individual preferences. Undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, history, English, sociology, and political science all translate well to the study of law. Most law programs take an average of 3-4 years to complete. Take advantage of continuing education if you're unable to go to school. If you don't want to go to the trouble of earning a degree, another option is to attend various seminars, special interest talks, and non-degree courses on legal subjects being offered in your area. These are often open to non-degree holders and people with no prior college education. The broader your foundational knowledge of the law is, the better your chances of being confirmed as a justice of the peace. Make sure the institution offering the course is accredited before you sign up. Unaccredited education may not carry the same weight in the eyes of your state's reviewing committee. In some cases, continuing education is a requirement of serving as a justice of the peace, so it can help to already have some experience under your belt. Justices of the peace in the state of Texas, for instance, are required to complete 80 hours of continuing education during their first year in office. Fill out an application at your local state department office or website. Applying to be a justice of the peace is similar to applying for most other jobs. Get in touch with your local state department office by phone or email to find out how to access the application form and get the process started. It should only take a few minutes to complete. In the majority of U.S. states, the application forms for justice of the peace positions are available online. Provide a list of professional or character references if asked. Almost all issuing bodies ask candidates to supply 3-4 references along with their application. Call or visit the website of your local state department office to learn more about references and whether or not they're required. If you're permitted to choose your own, current and former employers , educators, and professional colleagues can be great people to ask. Keep in mind that there may be highly specific criteria for the references you list depending on where you live. In New Hampshire, for instance, a candidate's references must include two current justices of the peace and one registered voter. You may also be expected to present a one-page letter of recommendation from one of your references. Pay the required filing fee for your application. Most government offices charge a fee for processing official applications. Depending on how things are done in your state or territory, you may be able to make a payment online through your local state department's website. If that's not an option, you'll have to pay in person or via mail when you go to turn in your application. The fees associated with filing an application for a justice of the peace position typically range from $70-80. Submit your completed application form online, in person, or by mail. Before putting in your application, take a few minutes to make sure you've filled it out in its entirety and that all of the information it contains is accurate and up-to-date. Attach copies of all other required documents, including your letter of recommendation and background check. Then, send off your application, drop it in the mail, or take it down to your local state department office in person. It may take up to 3 weeks before you hear back about whether you've been approved for the position. Once you've been confirmed, you'll be legally recognized as a justice of the peace for 4-5 after the date of commission. | Provide proof of residency in the state or territory you want to work in. Request a background check from your local police department. Confirm your voter registration status with your local election office. Study criminal justice to improve your odds of being approved. Earn your law degree to add distinction to your credentials. Take advantage of continuing education if you're unable to go to school. Fill out an application at your local state department office or website. Provide a list of professional or character references if asked. Pay the required filing fee for your application. Submit your completed application form online, in person, or by mail. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Express-a-Dog%27s-Anal-Gland | How to Express a Dog's Anal Gland | To express your dog's anal gland, get 3-4 damp paper towels and a pair of latex gloves as well as bath items like shampoo and towels. Be sure to place the dog in a small, secure area that will be easy to clean, like a bathtub or utility sink. Position the dog in front of you in a standing position with its tail facing toward you. Then, lift the dog's tail and place your thumb and forefinger on each side of the dog's anus, feeling for the anal gland. When you find it, massage the gland upward and inward toward the anus to make the liquid come out. If nothing comes out after a few tries, the gland is likely empty. | Look for certain signs of anal gland issues. When there's a problem with the anal glands, may dogs exhibit certain symptoms, which you should learn to recognize. Be sure to ask a veterinarian if you've never had this issue before: these symptoms may be a sign of other underlying issues, such as parasites, a sore bottom from diarrhea, or a food allergy, so it's a good idea to let a vet examine your dog. This way you can either rule out these issues, or get your dog the treatment it needs. The typical signs of anal gland issues include: Scooting Excessive licking of the anal area Occasional release of anal gland contents at inappropriate times (other than defecation) - you may notice a fishy odor on furnishings or coming from your dog's anus Red skin in the anal area Bleeding or pus drainage around the anus (this is a sign that you should call your vet as soon as possible - do not attempt anal expression) Have a veterinarian demonstrate anal gland expression the first time. If you've never expressed your dog's anal glands, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration. She can do the first gland, and then you can try expressing the second one in her presence. Gather your materials. Typically, three to four damp paper towels and a pair of latex gloves will be sufficient. If you want to wash the dog, also have ready whatever shampoo or other dog-friendly soaps you use, as well as plenty of towels. Latex gloves are preferable to household rubber gloves as they are thinner and more sensitive, allowing you to accurately palpate the glands. Recruit a helper if you can. While you can do this process on your own (if your dog is cooperative), it may help to have someone there to hold the dog as you work. Put on old clothes. The pheromones secreted by the anal glands are very stinky. It's a good idea to wear old clothes that you can take off and wash easily. Secure the dog in a small room. Often, the bathroom works well for this purpose, especially if you bathe your dog in the tub. You just want to make sure the dog can't struggle free and run off during the process. The dog should be on an easy-to-clean surface. Since the process can be somewhat messy, pairing an expression with a bath is usually a smart idea. Position the dog in front of you in a standing position. Its rear end should be facing you. If you have a partner, they should secure the dog by wrapping one arm around the neck and the other at the side of the body, hugging the dog close to them. Lift the dog's tail, rolling it up to expose its anus. You should be at level with the dog's bottom, in a position that is comfortable to maintain. While the process shouldn't take too long (about five minutes), the first time may require a little extra time and patience. Make sure you're in a comfortable position. The procedure won't hurt your dog, but if the glands are particularly swollen or impacted, your pet might be guarding their backside more than usual. Be careful and pay attention to your pet's body language. Try not to frighten your dog. Talk to it, stroke it, and attempt to keep things as relaxed as possible. You yourself should stay relaxed, as well: this will help things go smoothly. Locate the anal glands. Place two fingers (thumb and forefinger) on either side of the anus. The anal glands are beneath the skin, just under the anus, at approximately 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock. If the glands are full, you will feel a slight bulge, about cherry-sized, when pressing inward just below the anus. Emptying the glands depends on pressing in the right place. If you can't feel the "cherries," you are either in the wrong place or the glands don't need emptying. Sometimes only one gland may be full. This could be a sign that the glands were functioning normally but that one has become infected or impacted. Call your vet before attempting to express the sac. This could require a round of antibiotics. Milk the glands upwards and inwards toward the anus. Keeping your thumb and forefinger on the glands, gently apply pressure up and in, in the direction of the anus. You should not squeeze continuously, but rather in gentle pulses. Don't apply too much pressure: no more than you would apply to your own closed eye. Watch the dog's bottom for expressed liquid. If you're milking correctly, the liquid should be coming out in slow drips. If nothing is coming out, try adjusting the position of your fingers. The liquid smells strongly of fish and may be anything from a clear, smooth consistency to a brownish, grainy substance. If the discharge is bloody or especially pasty, do not continue. See your vet as soon as possible about a possible impaction or infection. Stop after a few tries if nothing comes out. You may want to try again another day. Repeated milking can be painful and cause bruises, which only exacerbates the issue. Or, the glands may be impacted, which requires veterinary intervention. Don't force the expression. It may be difficult to express the anal sacs of large dogs because they are located deeper internally. If this is the case, don't persist and hurt the dog. Seek veterinary attention because the sacs may need emptying via an internal procedure (placing a gloved finger in the rectum, which is best done by a professional!). Continue to milk until the glands have emptied. You'll know they're empty when the sacs are barely palpable and there is no more liquid being expressed. Wipe your dog's bottom with a paper towel. Do this gently, as your dog may be feeling discomfort associated with the swollen glands. Give the dog a treat. Praise your dog, pet him, and reward him for his cooperation. Wash the dog's rear end. Wipe the dog's rear with a clean paper towel and thoroughly bathe the dog. If your dog won't tolerate a bath at this point, make sure you at least wash and rinse his bottom before letting him loose. Don't express the glands more often than necessary. Too much expression can do more harm than good, leading to irritation and loss of muscle tone in the gland (reducing its ability to function normally). You shouldn't need to do this more than a few times a year. If your dog has frequent troubles with his glands, see your vet. Although dog groomers may practice regular anal gland expression, this is not recommended unless there is a problem with the glands. | Look for certain signs of anal gland issues. Have a veterinarian demonstrate anal gland expression the first time. Gather your materials. Recruit a helper if you can. Put on old clothes. Secure the dog in a small room. Position the dog in front of you in a standing position. Lift the dog's tail, rolling it up to expose its anus. Try not to frighten your dog. Locate the anal glands. Milk the glands upwards and inwards toward the anus. Watch the dog's bottom for expressed liquid. Stop after a few tries if nothing comes out. Continue to milk until the glands have emptied. Wipe your dog's bottom with a paper towel. Give the dog a treat. Wash the dog's rear end. Don't express the glands more often than necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-White-Vans-Shoes | How to Clean White Vans Shoes | To clean white Vans shoes in the washing machine, start by removing the laces and inserts and putting your shoes in a pillowcase. Then, tie the pillowcase closed and machine wash your shoes in warm water on a gentle cycle, using the same amount of detergent you'd use for a small load of laundry. For tough stains or scuff marks, mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and warm water, and scrub the paste into your shoes with a toothbrush. Then, let the paste dry for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with water. If you're in a hurry, rub white toothpaste over stains and marks to cover them up. | Mix up a cleaning solution. Using a mixture of laundry detergent and warm water is an easy way to clean Vans. Into a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup laundry detergent and 2 cups warm water. If your Vans are extremely dirty, you may need to mix up a clean batch for the second shoe. If you're low on laundry detergent, here are other cleaning solutions you can try. Mix 1/4 cup dish soap with 2 cups warm water Mix 1/4 cup window cleaner with 2 cups warm water Mix 1/4 cup shampoo with 2 cups warm water Use the Vans cleaning solution, sold at Vans retailers or online. Prepare a second bowl of clean water. You'll use this to rinse your dishcloth as you clean your shoes. Dip a washcloth or brush in the solution and scrub your shoes. Work on one section at a time, dipping your cloth/brush in the water and scrubbing your shoes in a circular motion. Rinse the dishcloth in the clean water, then dip it in the cleaning solution and keep going until you've cleaned the canvas part of both shoes. You can use the same method to clean the inside of the shoes as well. If you want to wash your laces separately, pour some of the cleaning solution into a separate small bowl and soak your laces in it. When you're finished cleaning your shoes, rinse the laces in clean, warm water. Clean the rubber parts with an old toothbrush or similar smaller brush. Dirt and grime can grind into the rubber parts of Vans shoes, so you may need something stiffer than a washcloth to tackle these parts. Dip an old toothbrush into the cleaning solution and use it to scrub the sides of the soles and all other rubber parts of the shoes. If you don't have a toothbrush handy, use the abrasive side of a kitchen sponge or a small scrub brush. If the rubber parts of your shoes aren't that dirty, you can clean them using wet wipes to remove scuff marks and other light marks. Go back over the shoes with a clean wet cloth. Use it to wipe away any dirt and soap residue remaining on your shoes. When you're finished, check out your shoes to see if you're happy with their color. If you see places where the cleaning solution didn't work, you may have to move on to stain removal techniques. Stuff the shoes with newspaper and let them air dry. Using newspaper will help your shoes keep their shape as they dry. Set them in a sunny place and let them dry completely before replacing the laces and wearing your shoes. Remove the laces and inserts of the shoes. This easy method is great for canvas Vans that are covered in mud (don't use it for suede or leather shoes). Go ahead and take out the laces and the inserts so everything will come out nice and clean. Place the shoes and all their parts in a pillowcase or delicates bag. Containing everything in a bag will protect both the shoes and your washer from getting beat up during the wash cycle. Make sure the pillowcase or bag is tied tightly so it won't come undone in the wash. Wash the shoes on the gentle cycle with warm water. This will be sufficient to clean your shoes without damaging them. Don't be tempted to use hot water, no matter how dirty your shoes are. Hot water can cause the glue holding them together to start coming loose. Remember to add the same amount of detergent you'd add for a small load of wash. Don't wash your shoes with other articles of clothing, especially delicates. Your shoes could end up damaging your other clothes. Stuff the shoes with newspaper and let them air dry. Do not tumble dry them, even on low heat, because the heat will damage the glue in your shoes. Stuff them with newspaper so they'll keep their shape, then place them to dry in a sunny spot. Check out the shoes to see if you're happy with how clean they are. If you still see spots and stains, use a stain removal method. When your shoes are dry, you can replace the inserts and shoelaces. Use a magic eraser or another stain remover. A magic eraser contains cleaning agents that effectively remove most stains from white Vans, including grass and mud stains. You can also use it to remove scuff marks from the soles of the shoes. Use a magic eraser or another stain remover according to the manufacturer's instructions. Try rubbing alcohol. This is an effective cleaning agent for scuffs, ink stains and other small stains. Dip a cotton ball into some rubbing alcohol and saturate the stained area. Gently wipe away the stain with the cotton ball. Repeat until the stain is gone. You can also try using nail polish remover to remove scuff marks and ink stains. If your Vans are stained with paint, try using a dab of paint thinner. Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide make a great white-shoe cleaner. If you don't have hydrogen peroxide in the house, you can use a simple paste made with baking soda and water. Here's how to do it: Make a paste with 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) baking soda and 1/2 tablespoon each of hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Take a scrub brush or a toothbrush, dip it in the baking soda solution, and scrub the stains. Allow the baking soda solution to dry on the shoe for at least thirty minutes. Once the baking soda has dried, rinse with clean water thoroughly. Repeat as many times as necessary. Use lemon juice. Lemon juice is another home remedy that works wonders on stains. Combine one part lemon juice and four parts water. Dip a sponge in the mixture and use it to scrub the stain. When the stain is gone, rinse the area with clean water. Use dye-free bleach. If you need to get rid of a nasty stain on your white Vans, bleach is probably the way to go. Bleach is a hazardous substance, so be very careful not to breathe it in or get it on your bare skin. Wear old clothes you don't mind being stained with bleach splatters since it will turn anything it hits white. Here's how to use bleach effectively: Mix one part bleach and five parts water. Undiluted bleach can turn white fabrics a yellow color. Using dye-free bleach is another way to reduce the risk of yellowing. Take a scrub brush or a toothbrush, dip it in the bleach solution, and scrub the stain. Note that you should only use this solution on the white parts of your Vans shoes; do not use it on any checkered portions of another color. Rinse with clean water. Repeat this process until the stain is gone. Use toothpaste to cover up the stain. If you've got to be somewhere quick and can't go through the hassle of cleaning your white shoes, smudge a bit of white toothpaste carefully into the stain area. Work into fabric until stain is no longer visible. Finish removing the stain with another method described above. | Mix up a cleaning solution. Prepare a second bowl of clean water. Dip a washcloth or brush in the solution and scrub your shoes. Clean the rubber parts with an old toothbrush or similar smaller brush. Go back over the shoes with a clean wet cloth. Stuff the shoes with newspaper and let them air dry. Remove the laces and inserts of the shoes. Place the shoes and all their parts in a pillowcase or delicates bag. Wash the shoes on the gentle cycle with warm water. Stuff the shoes with newspaper and let them air dry. Use a magic eraser or another stain remover. Try rubbing alcohol. Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Use lemon juice. Use dye-free bleach. Use toothpaste to cover up the stain. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-a-Graduation-Party | How to Throw a Graduation Party | To throw a graduation party for yourself or a family member or friend, decide if you want to have a theme, how you want to handle the food, and if you want to have games or entertainment. For example, for an outdoor party, you could do “Tropical Hawaiian” and light tiki torches, serve fruit punch, put grass skirts around the tables, and play beach music. You can also fill a board with photos of the graduate's experiences and hang balloons in the school's colors to celebrate the past 4 years. If you like, keep food simple by making the party a potluck or supplying finger foods that you can easily prepare ahead of time. To keep your guests entertained, set up a few simple activities, like cornhole or card games. | Choose a video chat platform that works for all your guests. To host a virtual party, you'll need to use a video chat app or browser-based platform that will let you interact with all your guests at once. Decide in advance which platform you want to use, then let your guests know so that they can download the app or set up an account if necessary. Some good options for a virtual get-together include Google Hangouts or Google Meet (which is currently available for free), Zoom, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Houseparty. Most of these apps allow pretty large groups, but check in advance so you know if the app you choose will work for the size of your party. For instance, you can add up to 50 people to a Skype group call. You can add up to 1,000 people to a Zoom meeting, and display up to 49 video streams at once on your screen! Apple's FaceTime app has a user-friendly group chat feature that lets you add up to 32 people, but it only works on Apple products. If you choose this app, keep in mind that only guests with iPhones, iPads, or Macs will be able to join the party. Send out virtual invitations to help the party feel official. You may not be able to get everyone together in person, but you can still send out a formal announcement of your party plans! Use a service like Evite, Punchbowl, or Minted to design and send some cool graduation-themed invitations for your online get-together. Include information like the date, time, and theme of the party. You can also add a link or invite code to your virtual meeting space and instructions on how to join. Put up graduation-themed decorations in your on-screen area. Even though your friends and family won't actually be in your home, you can still liven things up with some fun party décor! Order some graduation-themed decorations online or make some yourself, then put them up in whatever areas will be visible on camera during your virtual shindig. For instance, you could hang up some balloons or a “Congratulations Graduates” banner in the background, or give it a more personal touch by putting together a poster or collage with pictures of the grad(s) of honor. If your party has a theme, choose décor that fits. For example, if you have a tropical theme, hang up some leis or set up an inflatable palm tree in the background. Some video chat platforms, like Zoom, will also allow you to use fun virtual backgrounds. Search for a premade graduation-themed background to use, or make your own! Get dressed up like you would for an in-person party. A party is always a good excuse to dress up, and a virtual party is no exception. Pick out a nice outfit that matches the tone or theme of the party, and encourage your guests to do the same if you like. If you're the grad, you could even put on a mortarboard cap and graduation gown! You can order graduation-themed party headband boppers or party hats online for a fun and lighthearted touch. Plan some online games or other fun activities. A party isn't complete without a few fun activities, so think of a couple games or other enjoyable group activities you can do online. You can all join an online game, have a virtual dance party or karaoke session, or have a round of trivia to put all that hard-earned knowledge to the test. “Most Likely To” is a great game for a graduation party, and it's easy to play over video chat. Come up with a list of questions, like “Who is most likely to get elected as president?” or “Who's most likely to run away and join the circus?” Then, have everyone vote on who in the group is the best fit! Ask the guests to join a virtual toast for the grad(s). At some point during the party, have everyone pour their drink of choice and join in a toast for the guest of honor. Or, if there are several grads in attendance, lead the toast in honor of all of them. You can either have someone give a short speech, or keep it simple with a brief toast, like “Here's to the future!” If it's a high school graduation, stick to some fun alcohol-free cocktails or sparkling white grape juice. Look for a date and time that work for your guests. Because many people may be planning graduation parties around the same time of year, choosing a time that works for everyone can be tricky! Reach out to the group of people you most want to be there and coordinate with them to figure out what works best for all of them. When picking the date for your party, don't forget to take into account other events or obligations that your family or close friends might have. For example, if someone you know has a wedding in the summer, be sure to schedule your party during a different weekend. If you're celebrating a high school graduation, you might want to wait a few weeks after graduation so you're not competing with a bunch of other parties. Try for a date in June or July, before your friends start to leave for college. For a college graduation, it can work better to have your party right away, since you and your friends may have to leave campus within a day or 2 after graduating. Throw a combined party if you want to celebrate with other grads. This can be a great way to save money and create a fun, lively atmosphere. It's also a wonderful way for you and your graduating friends to share the joy of your accomplishment! Ask a few of your good friends if they'd like to combine their graduation party with yours. Combined parties work well for high school graduations, as all graduates have achieved the same goal and have graduated at the same time. Keep in mind, though, that you may not be able to invite as many extended family members to a combined graduation party. Reserve a venue that fits the size of your party. Think about the approximate number of people you'd like to invite to your party. Look for a venue that can hold all your guests and also fits your budget. You want to make sure that you have enough space for your guests and any activities you have planned! If you're planning to rent a space, call at least a few weeks ahead to make sure you can reserve a space for the time and date you want. Many people choose to host graduation parties at their homes. You can have an indoor party or set up tables and chairs outside for a festive summer bash. This is the least expensive option, so take into account how much money you're willing to spend on a party! If you don't want to have your party at someone's house, consider public party venues like restaurants, hotels, country clubs, beaches, pools, campgrounds, or parks. For a college graduation party, you can also have a simple celebration at a local restaurant or bar. But, keep in mind that local businesses will probably be super crowded during a graduation weekend. Make a guest list and send invitations. Include all the people who have shaped your high school or college experience. You might want to invite your friends, some of your extended family, and teachers or coaches you really appreciate. This is also a good opportunity to celebrate with family and friends who couldn't attend the graduation ceremony. Decide whether you want to send out paper or digital invitations. You could also send some paper invitations to family and virtual invitations to friends. With a paper invitation, you can add a copy of your senior picture as a keepsake for family members. Include all the basic information for your party: when, where, and how to RSVP. Make it clear in your invitation whether or not it's okay for your guests to bring other people with them, as well. Pick a theme to give your party a unique twist. Having a theme in addition to graduation can give your party a fun atmosphere and make it easier to plan your menu and décor. You can keep it simple and decorate with your school colors, or get creative and come up with an entirely different theme! A few possible themes include: “Tropical Hawaiian”: This is great for an outdoor party. You can light tiki torches, serve fruit punch, put grass skirts around tables, and play beach music. “Last Chance to Be a Kid”: This is a great way to let loose and let everyone have a bit of kid fun. Invite your guests to bring water guns, fill up water balloons, and have an outdoor water fight, followed by a barbeque. “Smart Cookie”: This is a fun and simple theme that will give everyone an excuse to indulge their sweet tooth! Choose cookie-themed décor and serve up some tasty baked goods, like cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. Create a menu that will accommodate all your guests. If you're not having your party at a restaurant, you'll need to provide food for your guests! Make sure that you have plenty of food, and that there's something for everyone. In addition to a main meal, serve a variety of finger foods and snacks throughout the party. Provide lots of options to suit different tastes and dietary needs. You can have the party catered, make your own food, or have a mix of homemade and catered foods. If you go DIY, think of dishes you can make ahead of time, like casseroles and cold salads. Allow guests to assemble their foods. Choose dishes like tacos, spaghetti, chili, burgers and hotdogs, salads, or sandwiches that guests can make how they like them. Just have a table set up buffet-style. Consider making or buying a cake that says congrats for the graduate. In addition to cake, you might want other desserts, like an ice cream sundae bar, cookies, or bowls of candy. Put up decorations that match your party’s theme. The decorations don't have to be fancy to make your party special! Even just a few balloons or a banner that says “Congrats Grads!” will help set the tone. If your party has a theme, pick decorations that fit, or make some of your own. Hang up balloons and streamers in your school colors or in a color that matches the theme of your party. Consider making a memory jar and placing pencils and slips of paper beside it. Ask each of your guests to write down one memory they have with you from school. This will make a wonderful keepsake that you can treasure for years to come. Add a bit of nostalgia. A graduation party is an ideal place to reminisce about the fun times you've had in school. Display pictures from throughout the years. If you're throwing a graduation party for multiple graduates, it can be fun to have a baby photo guessing game. Tack up photos of each graduate as a small child and have each guest try to decide who is who. Set up a board games table for quick and easy fun. At a graduation party, you want to make sure you have plenty of different activities to entertain your guests. Even if you're hosting an outdoor party, having an indoor board games table can be a great way to give your guests an option to cool off inside. Pick up some fun party games like Taboo or What Do You Meme, or stick with simple classics like chess or checkers! Create a table where you can lay out all of your board games for people to choose from. Make sure you have plenty of chairs for guests to sit in. Offer a variety of games. Choose some that can be played with as few as 2 people. Board games are an easy activity to set up, and they will provide plenty of entertainment to your party guests without requiring you to facilitate. Play interactive games for some lively group fun. Think of classic party games like charades or even more active ones like relay races or dodgeball. You can play these games in pairs or teams. Set up a large pad of paper have guests play Pictionary. If you don't have a Pictionary game, come up with your own clues. These can be random, or you can relate them back to graduation. If you are outdoors, you can play games like Twister and cornhole. Set up a DIY photo booth to make some lasting memories. This is a great way to remember your high school or college graduation party. Guests will enjoy playing with props and taking silly pictures, and they'll have a memento from the occasion. Buy a premade backdrop from a party store, or make your own with some simple craft items. Use a large piece of paper or a sheet as a backdrop against a wall. This can be plain or patterned. Add a banner that has the name of the graduate's school and the year. Use poster board to create props like speech bubbles, giant mustaches, and hats for party guests to hold up as they snap photos together on their phones. Give a graduation party toast. This can be a great way to honor the graduate(s) and celebrate their great accomplishment. The person who gives the speech or toast should be someone who knows the graduate well, either a family member or good friend. The toast doesn't have to be long or elaborate—in fact, it's best to keep it short, simple, and sincere. Make sure to speak to the specific strengths and accomplishments of the graduate, and wish them luck in the future. If you want, you can use a favorite quote that seems fitting for the occasion. Toast with champagne or sparkling juice. | Choose a video chat platform that works for all your guests. Send out virtual invitations to help the party feel official. Put up graduation-themed decorations in your on-screen area. Get dressed up like you would for an in-person party. Plan some online games or other fun activities. Ask the guests to join a virtual toast for the grad(s). Look for a date and time that work for your guests. Throw a combined party if you want to celebrate with other grads. Reserve a venue that fits the size of your party. Make a guest list and send invitations. Pick a theme to give your party a unique twist. Create a menu that will accommodate all your guests. Put up decorations that match your party’s theme. Set up a board games table for quick and easy fun. Play interactive games for some lively group fun. Set up a DIY photo booth to make some lasting memories. Give a graduation party toast. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-New-Pet-Rabbit | How to Care for a New Pet Rabbit | To care for a new pet rabbit, decide before you bring it home whether it will live indoors or outdoors. If it will live outdoors, provide the rabbit with a spacious pen that's at least 2 feet wide and 4 feet long, along with space to exercise. If you'd prefer to keep it indoors, rabbit-proof your house by removing hazards, including any wires the rabbit could chew. Also, provide a litter box so you can litter-train the rabbit. Spend time talking to, petting, and grooming your rabbit each day as it becomes comfortable with your presence, and provide the rabbit with fresh grass or hay and plenty of clean water each day. | Decide whether your rabbit will live inside or outside. Before bringing your new pet home you need to decide if you intend the bunny to be a house rabbit or live outdoors in a run in the yard. House rabbits are popular pets but there are a few factors to consider. While you will have to do more cleaning and training for a rabbit that lives indoors with you, you will not have as much social contact with a rabbit that lives outside. If you decide to keep your rabbit inside, you will need to rabbit-proof your house. Rabbits chew anything and everything, including electrical cables and the legs of your antique furniture. Make sure you are able to 'rabbit proof' your home so that cables are all tidied away out of reach of the rabbit, and there is no item that you would be upset if it got damaged by gnawing. If you decide to keep your rabbit inside you will also need to litter box train it. It is not hygienic to have the rabbit ranging around the house, pooping and peeing wherever they please. The solution is to litter train the rabbit to use a litter box. However, most rabbits poop mostly in one particular spot, so you can use this to your advantage by placing a litter tray in whichever spot they usually poop. If you have a male rabbit who is spraying urine everywhere, you may need to get him desexed. If you decide to keep your rabbit outside you will need to commit to spending time socializing it every day. Make it a part of your schedule, otherwise the rabbit may become anxious and fearful in your company. Get a rabbit hutch. The hutch (or rabbit house) should be at least 2 feet (0.61 m) wide and 4 feet long, and tall enough to let the rabbit stand up to its full height. The bottom of the cage should not be made of wire, but the sides can be. Outdoor hutches are most commonly made of wood with a door fitted at the front made of chicken wire. This allows for good ventilation and for the rabbit to see out. The wood offers a degree of thermal protection to insulate the rabbit from the elements, and is sturdy, protecting the rabbit from predators. An outdoor hutch will need to have a run attached to it, so that your rabbit can exercise. The run should be a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 m) by 8 ft by 2ft tall, for a rabbit under 2kg. Many indoor hutches are made of plastic with a wire roof. This has the advantage of being lightweight, so you can move it around the house easily. If you can't find a hutch you like, make your own ! It isn't as simple as buying one, but it can be much better for your rabbit. Cover the bottom of the hutch with bedding. You must provide bedding that is soft, warm and absorbent. Cover the entire base to a minimum depth of 3–4 inches (7.6–10 cm). This cushions the backs of the rabbit's hind legs, which are prone to pressure sores if not enough padding is provided. Commonly used substrates for bedding include wood chips, hay, or straw. Of these, straw is the warmest and softest and makes the best bedding material, hay is second best (and is more expensive than straw), and sawdust it third best. Get a litter tray. You will need to litter train your rabbit if you are keeping it inside. The litter tray will need to fit inside the hutch and not take up more than a third of the floor space. Transfer your rabbit carefully from its carrier to its hutch. Rabbits are a prey species, which means when they are stressed they want to hide. Moving home is a big deal for a bunny, and so when you bring them home leave them in the quiet to settle in. Leave the rabbit undisturbed for 24 hours. This will help it grow accustomed to the new sights, sounds, and smells of their new home without the added challenge of strange people staring at them. Start interacting with your rabbit after 24 hours. Take it slowly. Spend as long as time allows each day sitting beside the hutch talking to the rabbit. If the rabbit is already tame, then open the hutch door and stroke along the rabbit's back. Avoid hovering your hand over the rabbit's head as this is what a predator would do. Try picking up the rabbit carefully. If the rabbit doesn't run away when you gently pet it, then sit on the ground and gently lift rabbit out and onto your lap. Sitting on the ground is less frightening to bunny, because they are ground dwelling and being high in the air is unnerving for them. To pick up your rabbit, place a hand on its chest and another on its bottom, and carefully lift it so that its side is parallel to your chest, and it is sitting on one of your arms while the other forms a barrier so it can't fall off. Then place it on your lap. If the rabbit is not used to being picked up and runs away, do not forcibly remove the rabbit. Instead, take your time and tempt the rabbit out with an extra tasty treat. Once the rabbit gets used to your voice, and realises you are no threat, it will eventually go for the treat. Once bunny is regularly staying out to receive the treat, you can start to stroke their back. Once they accept this, at that stage you can try to pick bunny up. Remember, rabbits are prey animals. Unlike dogs or cats, their mothers do not carry them, so the only situation in the wild in which they would be picked up would be when a predator was carrying them. Some rabbits just don't like being picked up, so if your rabbit won't let you pick it up, leave it be. Groom your rabbit. Grooming your rabbit is another great way to bond. Use a comb and a soft brush, and once bunny is happy being stroked, use the brush to groom it. This is another good way to teach rabbit your company is a good thing, and perhaps try this first if the rabbit is still skittish about being picked up. Ask the previous owner what the rabbit ate. In the short term, offer the rabbit that same food. Too many changes at once are likely to upset the rabbit and food is one thing you can keep constant (at least for a few days). As the rabbit gets more confident, if its diet is not ideal, start to change its food. Know what to feed your rabbit. Rabbits are herbivorous and their ideal food is growing grass. Grass provides the correct balance of nutrients and fiber, which grinds down their teeth and gets their gut to work. However, it's not possible to provide good quality growing grass all year round, especially for an indoor rabbit, so a compromise always has to be reached. The best food for your rabbit is growing grass but you will most likely need to supplement the grass with other foods. Fresh green hay is the best alternative to grass. If feeding pellets , only offer small amounts, the rest of the diet should be hay. Know what foods to avoid giving your rabbit. Just because rabbits are herbivores, doesn't mean that they should be eating any plant-based diet. Try to avoid muesli type feeds. These are far from ideal, and avoid using if at all possible. A muesli food has identifiable ingredients such as squashed peas, corn, wheat, nuts, and biscuit. The problem is the rabbit will eat the tasty bits and leave the nutritious parts. This leads to weak bones and overgrown teeth, and the rabbits also tend to become overweight. It is an old wives tale that rabbit's under 6 months of age should not get fresh greens and vegetables. The trick is to give in moderation as a daily treat. Small pieces of fruit may be given on occasion, but should be strictly limited due to their high sugar content. All new foods should be introduced slowly over time. If any digestive upset is noticed, offer the rabbit unlimited water, unlimited hay and some old-fashioned (long cooking) oats. Remove all other types of food and restrict the rabbit to this diet for three days. If the digestion has returned to normal, you may reintroduce other foods again slowly, one at a time. Also, any food can potentially cause problems if eaten to excess. Carrots contain a lot of oxalate, and if given everyday can predispose the rabbit to bladder stones. A safe way to feed vegetables is to never give the same thing two days in a row - thus you may give cucumber / Monday, red pepper / Tuesday, carrot / Wednesday, broccoli / Thursday and so on. Don't overfeed your rabbit. Find out how much food your rabbit needs based on its weight and breed. You must feed them every day, but do not feed too much based on their weight. If you have a big or standard size rabbit, and you are feeding them grass, you have to feed them a lot, making sure they get enough calories every day, which means they are eating almost constantly. If you are feeding your rabbit pellets, they will get enough calories much faster, in as little as 20 minutes. Try to be consistent with the times of day you feed them. Provide fresh drinking water at all times. Use a clean, algae free container. Mix up water with Apple Cider Vinegar (the cloudy type is best) for your rabbit. Add two capfuls of vinegar to one gallon and use that to fill your rabbit's water container. The Apple Cider Vinegar provides many health benefits for the rabbit such as shiny coat, boosts the immune system and helps to maintain healthy intestinal bacteria. Rabbit sipper bottles are a good idea because the water is held in a reservoir attached to the hutch, and does not get contaminated by bedding, food, or pellets that may get kicked into a bowl of water. Likewise bowls of water are prone to being tipped over, which could be disastrous on a hot day if the rabbit is left with nothing to drink. If your rabbit prefers drinking from a bowl, get a heavy one that they cannot tip. If your rabbit lives outside in the winter, you should get a heated water bottle, so their water supply does not freeze. Let your rabbit out while you are home, if you have an indoor rabbit. A house rabbit gets a good dose of both exercise and mental stimulation, especially if it is allowed out when you are home. Let the rabbit be free to follow you around and even watch TV with you! Take your rabbit outside. If you have an indoor rabbit, take it outside but be sure it cannot escape. If you have an outdoor rabbit, let it out into the yard once in a while. Your outdoor hutch should have a run attached to it, so your rabbit can exercise when it wants, but you will get more interaction with it if you let the rabbit out in the yard to play with you and to get some training. Never leave your rabbit alone outside. Birds could snatch away your precious bunny. You can even purchase a rabbit harness and leash, so you can take your rabbit for a hop around the block. Spend time with the rabbit. Do activities such as grooming or training or just spend time playing with it. Rabbits are slow learners but you can teach them simple tricks and they can be clicker trained. Provide your rabbit with toys. They love to be playful. Rabbits are also active and curious, and need a good or wide variety of toys to keep them occupied and out of mischief!.You can use cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes as toys. A great free toy is a toilet paper roll stuffed with hay (after the toilet paper has been used up, of course). Most rabbits love this toy. It gives them something to toss around, gnaw and a snack! It's also a great way to recycle! Cat toys often make good rabbit toys. A small plastic ball with a bell inside is usually fun for them to push around. Another idea is the type of baby rattle made like a keyring. Rabbits love to toss them around and shake them. Remember that rabbits will gnaw anything they can reach. Check toys every day and remove anything that seems like it might become unsafe. Most (unpainted, unvarnished) wood is safe for rabbits to chew, as are paper products, such as cardboard, but always use common sense. Check items for things which might cause problems, such as staples, glue, paint, varnish, glossy labels, etc and remove any plastic toys the rabbit has managed to gnaw small pieces from. Clean and change the bedding in the litter box frequently. Rabbit droppings are very dry and round, so they aren't hard to clean up. Try to put a little bit of hay into the litter box, because rabbits like to eat while they use the bathroom. This encourages them to keep going to the litter box. Don't wait too long to clean the cage. It will get disgusting, smelly, and is not good for your rabbit's health. Get your rabbit neutered. Neutered rabbits make better pets as they are less territorial and less prone to aggression. Rabbits can be desexed from around 12 weeks of age. If you have more than one rabbit (of either sex), then this young age is strongly advised or you may have a rabbit population explosion on your hands. Get your rabbit vaccinated. From 12 weeks of age rabbit's can be vaccinated against myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic diarrhea. Both diseases are fatal to rabbits. One annual injection is all it takes to keep the rabbit protected. Also speak to your vet about a course of fenbendazole against a common rabbit parasite called Encephalitozoon Cuniculi. A high percentage of rabbits carry this parasite, which can cause neurological problems, kidney failure, or blindness in later life. A single course once a year is advisable to keep your pet safe. Do not bathe your rabbit. There is no need to give a rabbit a bath as they clean themselves frequently and the oil on their bodies is natural, not harmful. Water can get in their ears and their ears can get infected. Also, the stress of a bath can be very bad for your rabbit's health. Rabbits are very clean animals and should never NEED a bath. If your rabbit gets a messy bottom, this is often the result of a problem. Watery poop is fatal to rabbits. If your rabbit has watery poop, you must seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Clumpy poo on the bunny's bottom may be the sign of too rich a diet, or a rabbit who has become too chunky to properly clean itself. In this case, it is fine (and important) to give a bunny 'butt bath'. This should be done very gently with just a few inches of lukewarm water. Set the bunny's bottom (only!) in the water and use your hand to gently loosen and clean the clumpy mess. Once clean, remove and thoroughly dry the bunny. It is extremely important to address whatever caused the clumpy poo. Restrict food to unlimited hay and some oats for three days. In the case of a very chunky rabbit, make sure the rabbit is getting plenty of exercise. Rabbits were not designed to sit around! If the outdoor hutch your rabbits are in does not protect from thunderstorms, snow, or rain, you need to offer protection to keep your rabbit healthy. | Decide whether your rabbit will live inside or outside. Get a rabbit hutch. Cover the bottom of the hutch with bedding. Get a litter tray. Transfer your rabbit carefully from its carrier to its hutch. Leave the rabbit undisturbed for 24 hours. Start interacting with your rabbit after 24 hours. Try picking up the rabbit carefully. Groom your rabbit. Ask the previous owner what the rabbit ate. Know what to feed your rabbit. Know what foods to avoid giving your rabbit. Don't overfeed your rabbit. Provide fresh drinking water at all times. Let your rabbit out while you are home, if you have an indoor rabbit. Take your rabbit outside. Spend time with the rabbit. Provide your rabbit with toys. Clean and change the bedding in the litter box frequently. Get your rabbit neutered. Get your rabbit vaccinated. Do not bathe your rabbit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cool-Yourself-Without-Air-Conditioning | How to Cool Yourself Without Air Conditioning | To cool off without air conditioning, close your blinds during the day to keep the sun out so the temperature stays cool. Set up a few fans around your home to keep the air circulating and create a nice breeze. Set any ceiling fans in your home to rotate counterclockwise, which can actually cool the air off more. You should also keep your windows open at night to let cool air in, which will make it easier to sleep. Another thing you can try is freezing a water bottle and placing it at the foot of your bed to cool you off at night. You can even make your own AC by filling a bowl with ice and setting it in front of a fan. When you turn the fan on, it will blow a refreshing, cool breeze into your home. | Drink water frequently. Your body will feel cooler if you are well-hydrated. Try drinking eight ounces of water at least every hour. Adding mint leaves, or orange, lemon, or cucumber slices to your water makes it more refreshing. It may be easier to drink more if your water is flavored. Spritz yourself with cool water. Fill a spray bottle with cool water and adjust it to fine mist. Spray it on your exposed skin for an instant cooling effect. You can also use a water misting fan. These portable devices are battery operated so you can take them with you wherever you go. As you mist and fan yourself, the water is evaporated on your skin, giving you an instant cooling sensation. Freeze a handkerchief and put it on your neck, forehead, arms, or legs. Adding a cold cloth to your skin can help you beat the heat. When the cloth heats up, simply rinse it out and stick it back in the freezer. You can also put an icepack behind your head. Run cold water over your wrists. Douse your wrists and other pressure points, such as your neck, your inner elbows, and behind your knees, in cool water for 10 seconds each. This will reduce your temperature for a little bit. Wet your hair. Wet hair cools the body down, so try this for an instant chilling effect. You can wet all your hair, or just along the hairline. The evaporation of the water will cool your head (though it may make your hair a bit frizzy if it's curly). Wear a water-soaked bandana and put it on your head. Fill your bathtub with cool water and get in. Once you are used to the temperature, let some water out and refill with cold water. Keep doing this until you are sufficiently cold. Your body will stay cool for a long time after you get out. Take a cool shower rather than a bath, if you prefer. You could also soak your feet in a bucket of cold water. The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face, and ears, so cooling any of these will efficiently cool the body. Kiddie wading pools are great for adult feet too. This can be especially helpful for cooling down right before you go to bed. Go for a swim. Visit the swimming pool, lake, ocean, or river and unwind. Taking a dip in the water will cool you down immensely. Be sure to wear sunscreen to prevent getting a sunburn, which will heat you up even more. Close the blinds or curtains. Shutting your blinds and curtains during the day will help block the sun's rays. As soon as the sun hits your building in the morning, close all windows and keep exterior doors and windows closed throughout the hottest part of the day. Do this until night falls and it is cool enough to open the windows for the night. Angle your blinds up, so that if you are looking through them you can see the ground, not the sky. For even better protection, get cellular, insulated curtains, or window tint film, which, like car tint, looks like a dark or shiny part of the glass itself. Open the windows at night. Open strategic windows so that cooler night air is blowing in throughout the evening. Leaving all interior doors open (including closets and kitchen cabinets) helps, too. If you leave them closed, they store the daytime heat and your house won't cool off so quickly at night. Be sure to get up and close the windows and blinds as soon as the sunlight hits your house. This can be as early as 5-6 a.m. in some areas. If you don't want to leave your windows open overnight, open them very early in the morning and again after the sun sets. Cool down your home with fans. Position a ceiling fan, an upstairs window fan, or an attic fan to draw off the heat collected in upper rooms and push the heat outdoors. Set up your portable fan so that the fan sucks up cooler air from the floor below, and blows hot air upwards towards the ceiling. Use a combination of fans to create good air circulation. Blow hot air out by positioning a powerful exhaust fan near a window and use oscillating fans placed near other windows to blow in fresh, cooler air. You can also turn on your stove ventilator hood fan or open up your chimney flue. These will also draw hot air out of the house and pull cooler evening air into the house. It may also help your home feel cooler if you run a dehumidifier since the dryer air will feel more comfortable. For instance, try running the dehumidifier in your room at night with the door closed. Make a do-it-yourself air conditioner. Put a metal bowl of salted ice in front of a fan, and adjust the fan so that the air is blowing over the ice. Or, use one or more 2 liter (0.5 US gal) bottles and fill them mostly full of water (70%) and rock salt (10%). Leave 20% of the volume empty for expansion. Freeze the liquid in the bottles, then place them in a large bowl (to catch dripping condensation). Position a fan to blow on them. As the salty ice in the bottles melts, the air around them cools and the fan will blow that air at you. The salt lowers the temperature at which the water freezes, allowing you to make the ice super cold. The water and salt in the bottles can be refrozen every night and used repeatedly. Turn off all heat sources. Don't use the stove or oven for cooking. Eat cold food, or use the microwave or an outdoor grill when cooking your meals. Turn off your lamps and your computer when you're not using them. You should also turn off your TV since it gives off a lot of heat and takes the power off of non-essential plug-in power adapters. Incandescent light bulbs also give off heat. Switch to compact fluorescents or LEDs. Send up the cool air. If your home has a basement and central air system, have an HVAC professional add a cold air return in the basement to pull the naturally cool air that falls down and recycle it into the rest of your home by simply setting your furnace to "fan" mode. Install an individual room ventilation system with a cool air intake, hot air exhaust, and temperature and humidity controls. This will bring the night-time air in and let the A/C take over in the middle of the day. Set your ceiling fans to run counterclockwise. This will draw hot air up while circulating a cool breeze through your rooms. Turn the fans up to a higher speed to add an even cooler effect. Install a whole-house fan. This will pull hot air into the attic, where it dissipates via attic vents. To cool your house, open a door to the basement, and make sure that all doors between the basement and the room where the fan is located are open. Turn it on at night and open downstairs windows, and that will cool the house efficiently. However, make sure that you've got good attic vents, or your attic won't properly exhaust the heat. If you don't have them already, install attic vents. It's amazing how much difference a cool attic makes to the temperature of a house. Avoid peak sunlight hours. Avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are hottest. You can also avoid a sunburn this way. Instead, exercise or run errands early in the morning or late in the evening. The early morning and evening are usually cool enough to enjoy your walk , run , hike, bike , gardening , or yard work. Wear natural fiber summer clothing. Wear loosely-woven natural fabrics (cotton, silk, linen) rather than polyester, rayon, or other artificial fibers (with the possible exception of performance fabrics). Choose light-colored clothing. Darker colors will absorb the sun's heat and stay warmer longer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat. Go barefoot. Take off those shoes and socks, especially on extremely humid days. Wearing shoes and socks will make your feet sweat, and raise your overall body temperature. Go barefoot as often as you can. Stock your freezer with flavored ice treats. Grab some popsicles from the grocery store, make your own popsicles , or freeze a bag of chopped fruit such as watermelon, pineapple, or lemons. Cooling down can be a tasty experience too! Use a hint of mint. Mint refreshes the skin and leaves a nice cooling sensation. Try a few minty or menthol products to cool your skin. Slather on lotion with peppermint (avoid your face and eyes), shower with peppermint soap, use a minty foot soak or other powders with mint. There are even a few minty recipes you could try, for example: Watermelon Yogurt Mint Smoothie Irish Cream Mint Chocolate Drink Mint Truffles Use silk or satin pillowcases and sheets. Smooth sheets help you stay cool, so opting for silk or satin can make you more comfortable. Crisp cotton sheets are better than flannel, which should be stored during summer months. Silk, satin, and cotton will feel smoother and cooler as you sleep. | Drink water frequently. Spritz yourself with cool water. Freeze a handkerchief and put it on your neck, forehead, arms, or legs. Run cold water over your wrists. Wet your hair. Fill your bathtub with cool water and get in. Go for a swim. Close the blinds or curtains. Open the windows at night. Cool down your home with fans. Make a do-it-yourself air conditioner. Turn off all heat sources. Send up the cool air. Set your ceiling fans to run counterclockwise. Install a whole-house fan. Avoid peak sunlight hours. Wear natural fiber summer clothing. Go barefoot. Stock your freezer with flavored ice treats. Use a hint of mint. Use silk or satin pillowcases and sheets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-True-Friend | How to Find a True Friend | To find a true friend, take opportunities to meet new people and seek out people that are loyal and trustworthy. Try to take the initiative and begin socializing with acquaintances such as distant family members, neighbors, or co-workers. Ask people to hang out and organize group events to see who you connect with. It can also help if you try to meet as many new people as possible. Tag along to social gatherings or take up hobbies or classes in activities that spark your interest. These are great ways to get to know people that you have things in common with. Once you start meeting people, check if they have qualities and traits that you would value in a true friend. Look for people who are loyal and trustworthy, as friends that you can rely on and who value you too are important. It's also important to seek people that you can have fun with. Find someone who you can laugh with and whose company you genuinely enjoy. | Take the initiative. When it comes to finding a true friend, you can't afford to be lazy. A real friend won't just magically materialize on your doorstep, so you need to be willing to put some work in. Take matters into your own hands and start socializing. Stop waiting for other people to do the work for you. Call people up and ask if you can hang out with them, or organize an event yourself. Don't worry about seeming desperate or needy. Focus on you and your goal. If it all works out in the end, then who cares? Try to hang out in such a way that no one feels you are clinging to them in desperation or friend-poverty. If there is a group, make eye contact with everyone, and not directing your speech singularly. Meet new people. You won't make friends by sitting at home alone every night. You need to be proactive, so force yourself out of the house and meet as many people as possible. It might be intimidating at first, but it'll be worth it in the end. One of the easiest ways to meet people is through friends you already have. Tag along to a party or social event and get your friend to make the introductions. Meet people through hobbies or classes. Friends are generally people that you share a common interest with, so the people you meet through hobbies or classes are excellent potential friend material. Meet people through work. You might have a work colleague who you feel a connection with, but you've never hung out socially. Now is the time. Meet people online. Sometimes there's a stigma attached to meeting people online, but it can be a genuinely great way to meet people. Blogging, social networking and posting on online forums are all perfectly viable ways of socializing. Avoid going to places that have one focus. This means that you shouldn't try to get a chance at cinemas and theaters, since there the main focus is on the screen and you won't meet too many people there except by chance. Public places like tea and coffee shops, parks and bars help a lot in socializing. However, there are other places with a friendly environment that you shouldn't hesitate to try out. Don't be oversensitive. Meeting people for the first time can be tough. They may seem disinterested or unwilling to make an effort. Or else you might hit it off instantly, but you never hear from them again. Don't be disheartened. Finding a true friend takes time. You should realize that a friend you have earned with a lot of hard effort is commonly a true friend. Don't be picky. Keep an open mind about who you hang out with. When you're trying to make friends, being picky is not a good strategy. Your initial goal is to meet as many people as possible, so talk to everybody and keep an open mind. This will help you determine about people's personalities and know who to stay away from and what good characteristics should be present in a good friend. Even if you meet someone who looks or seems like someone you'd have nothing in common with, talk to them and give them a chance. They might turn out to be your truest friend! You're not going to know a true friend at first sight - you'll have to get to know them first - so consider every possibility! Be persistent. Even if your first attempt at putting yourself out there isn't as successful as you had hoped, don't despair! People can take a little while to warm up, so the second or third time meeting someone might go a lot better than the first. If you invite someone to hang out, don't be upset if they can't make it. Chances are they have a genuine excuse, it's not because they don't like you. Give it a week or two, then ask again. Sometimes it just won't work out with someone and that's okay. Consider it a practice run for when you meet the real deal. Be patient. It takes time to really get to know someone, especially when you're looking for true friendship. If you continue to put yourself out there and make an effort to hang out with as many people as possible, eventually you'll find someone you genuinely connect with. Be realistic about how much time it'll take to really get to know someone. Sure, you might hit it off and feel like you've known someone for ten years rather than ten minutes, but usually it'll take much longer, depending on how often you hang out. In the right situations, you can make new friends very quickly - like when you start college, move to a new city, or join a sports teams. Start a conversation. The first step in getting to know a potential friend is to strike up a conversation. Believe it or not, very interesting conversations can start up with, "The weather is sure cold!". Another way is to find out a little bit about them and their interests. Once you get started on an interesting topic, the rest will come naturally. Try making a general comment or asking a question about something generic, just to break the ice. For example, "Great party, huh?" or "How do you know John?" Try to listen more than you talk. Show that you're interested in what they have to say. Even if you find their speech boring, try to appear concentrated in order to not hurt the other's feelings. Find out about their interests and hobbies. If you can find something you have in common, the conversation will flow more freely. Get their contact information. If you hit it off with someone, make sure to get their contact information before you part ways, you'll need it if you want to organize to meet up with them again. Get their phone number or email address, or ask if they're on Facebook. It doesn't matter as long as you have a way of reaching out to them. Be sure to give them your contact details too. They might just invite you to do something fun. Invite them to hang out. Here is where a lot of people falter. It's fun to meet people once and make friends with them on Facebook afterwards, but you won't develop a true friendship unless you take the next step and invite them to hang out. Hang outs are not necessarily about going to Starbucks and buying a Coffee Espresso for both of you! Try new and fun ideas, like consider going on a long-drive if you have a car You don't need to invite them to do anything special, just ask them if they'd like to go for a drink or hang out at the beach. Even if they can't make it, they'll probably be flattered you asked. Try again in a week or so. Let them have their space otherwise they will think you are too clingy. Accept every invitation. It's good to make your own plans to meet up with people, but if you get an invitation it's even better. Think of it as an easy opportunity to get to know someone better or meet more people. Accept every invitation that's thrown your way, even if it's to see a movie you're not interested in or to play a sport you don't like. Once you're there, you will be glad that you made the effort. You don't want to get a reputation as the person who never shows up for anything. That's a surefire way to never get invited anywhere. If you really can't come, explain your reasons to the other person funnily and in such a way that they realize you aren't refusing to your own option but on a real excuse. Give the relationship time to grow. Deep, meaningful relationships don't just blossom overnight - you need to nurture them and allow them time to mature. Once you've made the initial steps and established a routine of hanging out, just repeat, repeat, repeat. To become a true friend with someone, you need to hang out fairly often, keep in touch, enjoy good times together, and get to know each other on a deeper level. Look for someone you can have fun with. A true friend is someone that you have a great time with. You should be able to make your own fun, laugh together, get in trouble, and genuinely enjoy one another's company. It's not necessary that you have to laugh with your true friend---deep and meaningful conversations for a long period of time are usually are helpful to nurture a friendship. Look for someone who will be honest with you. A true friend will always be honest with you, no matter what. It doesn't matter whether it's about something trivial, like whether your outfit looks good on you, or something life-altering, like if they found out that your partner is cheating on you. A true friend will never keep you in the dark. This doesn't include their telling you about their personal affairs all of a sudden. This will take a little time since your friendship isn't that ripe yet! Look for someone who will be loyal to you. A true friend will be fiercely loyal to you, whether you're present or not. This means that they'll stand by you, even if they don't agree with your decisions and stick up for you when nobody else will. However, don't expect them to stand up for you when you truly are wrong. If they do, reconsider their being a good friend. Look for someone trustworthy. You can trust a true friend with anything, whether it's to feed your cat while you're on vacation or to keep your deepest, darkest secrets. If your secrets litter around the whole school, and the only person you have told it to would be your best friend, then they are not really considered real friends. Look for someone dependable. A true friend is there when you need them, to share the good times and help you through the bad ones. They return your phone calls. They show up for the lame double date you made them agree to. They don't go M.I.A. when the going gets tough. Look for someone supportive. A true friend is supportive of you and your goals. They won't try to change you, make you feel uncomfortable to holding you back. | Take the initiative. Meet new people. Don't be oversensitive. Don't be picky. Be persistent. Be patient. Start a conversation. Get their contact information. Invite them to hang out. Accept every invitation. Give the relationship time to grow. Look for someone you can have fun with. Look for someone who will be honest with you. Look for someone who will be loyal to you. Look for someone trustworthy. Look for someone dependable. Look for someone supportive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Pet-Training-Supplies | How to Buy Pet Training Supplies | To buy pet training supplies, start by deciding what products you want or need to purchase like a collar, clicker, or litter box, for example. Ask for recommendations from your vet, other pet owners, or the experts who work at a nearby pet store. Then, read online reviews to see what other customers have thought of the product and look up any recalls or safety issues to make sure you aren't buying a dangerous item. Don't forget to buy positive reinforcement, like toys or special food treats, while you're training your pet, too. | Visit the pet store. Go to your local brick-and-mortar store are browse the shelves for possible training items. The stores are generally organized according to animal so you should have little difficulty finding the section that you need. Ask store workers about items that they would recommend or avoid. One way to get an extra level of insight is to ask workers, “What training items are frequently returned and why?” This tells you the training supplies that you should generally avoid due to the high level of customer dissatisfaction. Before you purchase anything make sure that you are a member of the store's reward or points club, if that is an option. It could save you money in the long run. Look for supplies online. Many traditional pet stores have gone digital and we've also seen the development of numerous online-only businesses. The benefit of purchasing online is that you have access to more pet brands to compare in terms of both price and quality. Enter “pet training supplies” into your search engine to see possible options. Make sure that the site is legitimate before you purchase anything. Some people try to take advantage of enthusiastic pet owners by setting up false sites and stealing information. Look for the BBB and pay secure logos and check out the “About” page as well. Talk to fellow pet owners. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find out which training supplies are good and which ones to avoid. If you belong to an animal or breed club, ask the fellow members for their item recommendations. You can also do this online as many pet owners congregate in animal-specific forums. For example, German Shepherd owners have their own forum space to discuss any topics of interest, including training difficulties and aids. Get advice from your vet. When you bring your pet in for a check-up, or even beforehand, ask your vet for supply suggestions. They will be able to tell you what the new fads are while also pointing you to tried and true products. They may even endorse a particular product that they feel passionate about. As with all of these initial inquiries it is best if you can be specific. Instead of simply asking about training supplies you might request advice on purchasing puppy housetraining supplies, if that is what your pet needs. Read online reviews. Consumer feedback will give you a general idea as to whether or not a product can be used effectively and is worth the cost. They will also often discuss or describe durability. Once you've narrowed your search down to a specific list of items go through and enter these items names into your search engine one-by-one. Read any reviews that pop up. Many of these review sites, such as Consumer Affairs, will also offer information on pet supply recalls. If you are at all concerned about your items being subject to a recall it may be a good idea to sign-up for one of these email notification lists. Consider the cost. Keep in mind that purchasing a multitude of pet training supplies all at once could add up to a substantial bill. Consider coming up with homemade versions of some items. Or, watch for sales as they pop up. You can also buy some of the more generic items in bulk, such as puppy training pads. An example of a homemade item would be if you personally cooked your dog's treats for its agility training. As you think about the cost it may also be worthwhile to purchase an extended warranty, if it is available. This very much depends on the item, including the odds that it could get damaged during regular use. Find an appropriate collar, leash, and/or harness. Cats, dogs, and many other pets will require a collar to aid in training and to provide a measure of security should they get lost. You may also want to consider a leash for your pet if you take regular walks. A harness is best for those pets who like to pull against the lead or who require a little bit of extra guidance. You'll want to purchase the appropriate size so that all of these items sit snugly, but not tightly, against your pet's skin. A too tight collar, for example, can cut into the skin of your pet or even choke it. Don't automatically discount the use of a leash or harness with a non-dog pet. Many people have find it quite fun, for example, to train their cats to walk with a leash. Select required sporting gear. If you and your pet are participating in some type of sport it is important to purchase supplies specifically designed for that activity. You'll want to make sure that these training supplies not only enhance performance, but also protect your pet from possible injury. When in doubt contact your local sporting agency or fellow participants for advice. For example, if you are working with your cat on agility training there are certain items, such as ramps or hoops, that are commonly used by owners. Buy required certification gear. Similar to sporting, if your pet is pursuing some type of advanced training that will lead to a certification then you will want to buy the right gear for this activity. For example, therapy dogs will often need specific patches and vests early on in the training process. These items aid in the training process by preventing people from interfering with your pet's work. As part of the class your pet may receive some of these supplies. You can also ask the instructor for assistance in selecting any other necessary items. Investigate clicker training. Clickers are all the rage right now. They are little hard plastic boxes that make a clicking noise when pressed upon. They are usually held in your hand for ease of use. If you are considering any type of obedience training a clicker may be useful. They are also fairly cheap so you may just want to purchase one to see if your pet responds to it at all. To train with a clicker you give a click for certain positive behaviors. You then pair this click with praise or another type of positive reinforcement, such as a treat. Cats, dogs, rabbits, pigs, and other pets generally respond well to clicker use. For maximum effectiveness you could pair your clicker with a target stick. This is a light, hand-held stick with a ball at the end. An owner can use it to point to a desired location or item. Cat and bird owners find these useful for agility and behavior training. Anticipate your pet’s restroom needs. This is the one type of necessary training that many pets have in common. Do some research online to determine what is the best approach to housebreaking your pet. You may need to go through numerous different products to find the right one that your pet agrees with. For example, purchasing a litter box and training your cat to use it isn't always as simplistic as it sounds. You need to use the right litter for the stage-of-life. You also must choose the type of box that your cat prefers. Some animals even prefer food in their restroom area, such as rabbits. Indoor rabbits like to munch on hay while they take care of restroom business. Training them to use a box is far easier if you accommodate their wishes. Handle your pets safely. While training your pet you need to look out for your own safety as well. Some pets are more difficult to handle and require a bit of preparation in advance. For example, if you are working with certain types of birds you may need a specialty glove for them to perch upon. Talk to other trainers in your area to discover what works the best. Get toys for general play. Almost all pets respond well to new (or even old) toys. Earning trust through play is an important part of any training process. Get a few new toys as often as you can and rotate them in with the older toys. You can also use access to a favorite toy as a bit of motivation for a difficult part of the training process. Cats, for example, loves toys that make unique noises or are complex to the touch, such as feathers. Check all toys for safety. It is best to go online to look up any toy safety concerns that specifically pertain to your pet's breed. Some animals don't do well with strings (birds) whereas others (cats) are perfectly okay with them. Varying sizes of balls can be an issue for pets as well because they can present a choking hazard. Trust your safety instincts as well. If a toy looks dangerous to you, don't buy it. Even common items such as tennis balls can be hazardous when used by certain animals, such as particularly large dogs. Replace worn down toys. It is also always a good idea to pick up and remove any toys that are well past their prime. Pet training supply manufacturers are not fully regulated and so it is best to not push these products too far. Any toys that are ripped apart could possibly be ingested by your pet. Select special food treats. Many training regimens involve positive reinforcement in the form of treating. Buy a treat type that is best suited for your particular pet. Their animal group may do best with certain types of treats and your pet may have personal preferences as well. For example, cats do well with pieces of tuna, diced cooked chicken, or even commercial treats. Make sure to buy treats that are actually treat portions, not meal replacements. | Visit the pet store. Look for supplies online. Talk to fellow pet owners. Get advice from your vet. Read online reviews. Consider the cost. Find an appropriate collar, leash, and/or harness. Select required sporting gear. Buy required certification gear. Investigate clicker training. Anticipate your pet’s restroom needs. Handle your pets safely. Get toys for general play. Check all toys for safety. Replace worn down toys. Select special food treats. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-a-Barbie-Doll | How to Dress a Barbie Doll | To quickly and easily make clothes for your Barbie, create a no-sew dress by getting a sock and cutting both ends so that you're left with a tube of fabric. Next, trim an end of the fabric to your desired length and snip arm holes at the top of each side. Alternatively, if you want to make a skirt, take a 4 inch square of fabric, fold it in half twice, and cut a curve along the open edges. Then, unfold the fabric, cut 3 inch hole in the center, and pull the skirt onto the Barbie's waist. Finish by using a 4 inch fabric strip for a sash. | Use a sewing machine to make a simple dress. Choose a lightweight fabric in a pattern that you'd like for the dress. Cut a 5 x 12 in (12 x 30 cm) rectangle that will make the bodice and cut a 2.5 x 6 in (6 x 15 cm) rectangle for the skirt. Wrap the bodice around the Barbie so you can see what size to make it. Gather the top of the large rectangle together and sew the smaller rectangle to it. Attach a 4 in (10 cm) long strip of velcro along the back and stick the dress shut. You can embellish the shirts and dresses by sewing on straps or using different types of fabric. Try making a simple dress using an old shirt sleeve in your favorite fabric. Create a no-sew shirt or dress. Get out an old sock in a color and fabric you like. Cut both ends from the sock so you're left with a tube of fabric without elastic or a heel. Trim an end of the fabric until it's the length you want the shirt or dress to be. Snip arm holes out near the top of each side and slip the shirt or dress onto your Barbie doll. Dress socks will make softer dresses that lay well on your Barbie doll while woolen socks will make rustic looking dresses. Cut out a skirt and tie it with a sash. Take a square of fabric at least 4 in (10 cm) wide and fold it in half. Fold it in half again and cut a curve along the open edges. Unfold the trimmed fabric to reveal a circle. Cut out a small 3 in (7.5 cm) circle in the center so you can push your Barbie doll's legs through. Pull the skirt up and onto the Barbie's waist. Wrap a 4 in (10 cm) long strip of fabric around the waist to secure the skirt. You can use cotton, satin, lace, velvet, or any sturdy fabric. If you want a lighter fabric such as tulle, you'll need to use several layers to fill out the skirt. Check craft fairs for clothes. Go to local craft fairs or shops and buy handmade Barbie clothes. You can usually find a large variety of styles and fabrics. If you don't see what you're looking for, talk with the crafter and ask if they can design something just for you. You may be able to find a tailor or seamstress who can adjust doll clothing to fit your specific Barbie doll. Buy Barbie clothes online. Check your favorite online websites for used, new, or vintage Barbie clothes. You can buy handmade clothes from Etsy or check eBay for handmade and commercial Barbie clothes. Message the seller to ensure the clothes will fit your exact Barbie doll. Once you've found the right clothes, have an adult make the purchase for you. You can buy Barbie clothes in bulk or search for a single outfit. Knit or crochet your own Barbie clothes. Use your favorite yarn to knit or crochet dresses, skirts, hats, and shirts for Barbie. You'll need to use small needles to create a tight knit that won't stretch out when you put the clothes on the doll. Check fabric stores for patterns you can purchase or check online for free patterns. Buy Barbie clothes from toy stores. One of the easiest ways to ensure you get clothes that fit your doll is to buy the clothes from a toy store. If you're dressing a newer Barbie that has a different body style, you'll have to buy clothes specifically made for its body type. For example, buy clothes made for original, curvy, petite, or tall Barbie. Decide how formal you want Barbie to look. If your Barbie will be going to a dressy event, you'll want a stylish outfit with lots of matching accessories. For example, choose a sweeping gown with jewelry and high heels. For a more casual daytime look, you might dress Barbie in classic slacks with a colorful blouse. To keep things informal, choose sneakers or a slouchy hat. Choose clothes based on the activity she’ll be doing. To dress your Barbie for a story you're playing, make sure the clothes match her activities. For example, she'll need a sweater and thick pants if she's going on a ski trip. If she's dressing for the first day of school, your Barbie might wear slacks and a blouse. Choose a skirt, dress, pants, or shorts. Match the fabric and color of the item to the style you're going for. For example, pick a dark velvet fabric for an evening dress or use a denim skirt for a simple daytime look. If you're picking a cold weather outfit for Barbie, choose corduroy or thick-textured pants that you can pair with boots. Select a top. If you're unsure which shirt, blouse, or sweater to match with Barbie's pants, skirt, or dress, hold a top up to the bottom. Try unexpected combinations to see what you like. You might try a fun, cropped t-shirt with a bright skirt. You could even mix a solid black top with a floral print skirt. Put the outfit on your Barbie. Once you've selected a fashionable outfit for your doll, start putting the clothes on it. If the clothes have velcro, peel the velcro apart and slide the dolls arms and legs into the right holes. Bring the velcro back together and push it to secure the clothes. Some clothing may have snaps that you need to push and pop together. Avoid pulling the clothing with snaps too hard or the snaps may pop. Finish the outfit with a jacket. Try layering several thin shirts or jackets for a simple casual look. You can also create a formal look by putting a thick coat or shimmery jacket over an evening gown. For example, pair a creamy jacket or coat with a solid color shirt and black leather pants. Keep textures and colors in mind. Decide if you want to use colors and textures that match or if you want to switch things up. An outfit using a single color such as cream or black can look stylish and sophisticated. If you'd like a unique look, mix different colors and fabrics. For example, give your Barbie a light tulle wrap if she's wearing a heavy velvet dress. Match the outfit with the accessories that came with it. If you're dressing your Barbie with an outfit that you purchased, it probably came with accessories to complete the look. For example, if you're dressing your Barbie as a doctor, the outfit probably came with a stethoscope and lab coat. If your Barbie is in her swimsuit, she'll need a towel and beach ball. Don't be afraid to mix and match accessories. Your Barbie can have as many interests and occupations as you want, and her outfit should reflect that. Add a hat or gloves. If you want the Barbie to look casual, put a floppy sun hat, slouchy hat, or beanie on her head. You can also pull the doll's hair back with clips. For more formal looks, dress her in hats with veils, flowers, or jewels. You can knit or crochet your own Barbie hat. Check fabric stores or online sewing sites for patterns. For example, knit a Barbie beret in your favorite color. Include jewelry, glasses, or sunglasses. Put reading glasses on Barbie or sunglasses, if she's going to be out in the sun. You can also include jewelry like beaded necklaces or dangling earrings to make your Barbie look glamorous. You can also style your doll with crowns, headbands, and bracelets. Put on shoes that complement the outfit. Try on a variety of shoes to see which style matches the outfit you've chosen. Choose from sandals, high heels, boots, ballet shoes, or sneakers. You'll need to push the Barbie's feet firmly into the shoes so they don't fall off. To make it easy to find pairs of shoes, store the shoes in a divided container that you can snap shut. For example, keep them in a jewelry case that has divided tabs. Find a purse or bag for your Barbie. Many formal dresses for Barbie come with matching handbags or clutches. If you want your Barbie to look more formal or polished, have her hold a bag. For more casual looks, have the doll hold a backpack or slouchy bag. Some office or business Barbies may come with a briefcase or messenger bag. | Use a sewing machine to make a simple dress. Create a no-sew shirt or dress. Cut out a skirt and tie it with a sash. Check craft fairs for clothes. Buy Barbie clothes online. Knit or crochet your own Barbie clothes. Buy Barbie clothes from toy stores. Decide how formal you want Barbie to look. Choose clothes based on the activity she’ll be doing. Choose a skirt, dress, pants, or shorts. Select a top. Put the outfit on your Barbie. Finish the outfit with a jacket. Keep textures and colors in mind. Match the outfit with the accessories that came with it. Add a hat or gloves. Include jewelry, glasses, or sunglasses. Put on shoes that complement the outfit. Find a purse or bag for your Barbie. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-Mint | How to Prune Mint | To prune your mint plant, wait until after it flowers, then cut or pinch off about 1/3 of the length off the end of each stem. Shape the plant so it's growing within the boundaries of its pot, rather than spilling over the sides. Once it's flowered, you can trim your mint plant regularly. You can then use the fresh mint, freeze or vacuum-seal it for use later, or turn the cuttings into new plants. | Prune mint back by about one third after flowering. Wait to prune mint until after it's fully flowered. Using a pair of shears, cut about one third of the length off the end of each stem. Mint is a relatively hearty, fast growing herb, so do not be afraid to prune--your plant will be fine. Pruning can actually encourage growth. This is not a destructive thing to do to your mint plant. If you don't have shears or don't like to use them, you can also prune mint with your fingertips. This process will take a bit longer, but is just as effective. With your fingertips, pinch off about one third of the length of the stem. Use your fingernails when pinching the stems to create a clean break. It may be easier to use your fingertips if you're pruning a small amount of mint indoors. You might also want to use scissors or a sharp knife. Shape your mint plant. As you're trimming your mint plant, consider what shape you'd like your plant to be in. You want to shape the mint in a way that grows in the confines of its pot without getting out of control. Mint can grow fast, and in many directions, so you want to trim your plant into a shape that's compatible with the pot. Shape the plant so it does not have too many leaves and shoots pouring over the plant. Focus on trimming around the plant. Make sure the plant isn't sprawling too far over the side of the pot. Store your mint for future use. After a big harvest, it's important to store your mint properly so that it can be used for months to come. There are various ways to store mint, the most popular being drying mint. There are several methods to dry mint, including baking it on the oven, hanging it to air-dry, and dehydrating it. You can freeze mint. Pick through your mint leaves and remove any damaged leaves. Pat dry the mint leaves with a towel. Cut up the mint leaves and remove the stems. Place about 1 to 2 teaspoons of leaves in various compartments of an ice cube tray, fill with water, and place in the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen, place them in an airtight container or bag and leave them in the freezer. Frozen mint will keep for three months. You can also vacuum seal mint. Once again, pick through mint to remove damaged leaves and pat the plant dry. Place the mint in a bag and label it with the date. Use a vacuum sealer, which can buy online, to vacuum seal the bag. Each vacuum sealer operates slightly differently, so you'll have to follow manufacturer's instructions. Mint is usually harvested fresh throughout the year as needed. Avoid harvesting if the plant is not growing very well due to very cold weather or other bad conditions. Trim your mint plant regularly. Mint is mature when it begins to bloom (after about 90 days), but it can be harvested any time after it is 3 to 4 inches tall. Trimming your mint plant regularly will allow it to become full and healthy. You'll also be able to use fresh mint after each mini harvest. Make sure to trim your mint carefully each time it needs to be cut back. Remember to trim the mint so it grows in the rough shape of the pot you're using. If you're trimming mint outside, make sure to trim mint so mint plants do not overgrow your garden. While you can use shears to prune mint, small plants can easily be pruned just using your fingers. Use mint for cooking. Small pieces of mint can be used in many recipes. If a recipe calls for dry mint, try using freshly cut mint in its place. This can add a stronger mint flavor. You can also add mint leaves to beverages like lemonade or mojitos to add flavor. Turn a small harvest into a new mint plant. If you want more mint plants, you can create them using the trimmings from your existing mint plant. Clip off 6 inches of a stem from your mint plant, and place it in a pot filled with potting soil. This stem will transform into its own plant with lots of sunshine and water. Fill a plant with potting soil mixed with a heavy amount of compost. Take the stem you cut from the original mint plant and slide it into the soil. You can also place mint stems in a glass of water. Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line or they will rot. Eventually, roots will start to grow. Plant your mint in a pot. Mint plants have a fast-growing root system, which is why it's best to plant your mint in a pot. If you plant mint in your garden without a container, it will quickly spread to take over the entire garden. If you want to plant your mint outside, dig a hole at least 5 inches deep, and place a container (such as a pot or a mesh bag) into the hole. Then, plant your mint inside of the container and pack dirt on top of it. The container will keep the roots from spreading to the entire garden. If you want to plant your mint indoors, purchase a pot to plant your mint in. Place the pot near a window where it will get sunlight throughout the day. Don't place the plant near a heat source. Choose the right time to plant mint. If you're leaving your mint outdoors, when you plant your mint is important. Make sure to plant your mint in the spring if you live in a climate that experiences winter. If you live in a frost free climate, mint will thrive in mid-fall. Water your mint plant often. Make sure to water your mint often, as mint thrives in damp soil. Mint can grow in a variety of soils, but doesn't do well in dry environments. If you live in a dry environment, keep an eye on the plant and water it more frequently. Water your mint plant at least once per day. Fertilize your mint on occasion. For the most part, mint should grow well enough on its own. However, you should occasionally supply a light amount of fertilizer to the soil surrounding your mint. This will encourage healthy growth. This can be especially helpful if you harvest your mint a lot. Do not fertilize your mint often. Harvesting it every 3 to 4 weeks should be enough. Choose a fertilizer that's low in salt, as salt can cause the tips of mint leaves to turn brown. Plant your mint properly. When you plant your mint, plant it so that it is about 1/4 inch below the surface. You should only plant one seedling if you're using a pot. If you're planting your mint in your garden, plant each seedling about 2 feet apart. Be sure to plant each seedling it it's own container. Make sure to plant mint where it can receive sunlight. When planting mint in pots, make sure you can move the pots near direct sunlight. Do not choose pots that are too big to fit on a porch or patio. While it's best to grow mint outdoors, you can plant it inside. If you choose to do so, pick an area where your mint will be consistently exposed to morning light. You should also keep it away from anything like a heater or furnace, as this can dry mint out. Make sure the pot you use to plant mint is free from cracks. Mint roots grow fast, and they will spread through the crack of a damaged pot. | Prune mint back by about one third after flowering. Shape your mint plant. Store your mint for future use. Mint is usually harvested fresh throughout the year as needed. Trim your mint plant regularly. Use mint for cooking. Turn a small harvest into a new mint plant. Plant your mint in a pot. Choose the right time to plant mint. Water your mint plant often. Fertilize your mint on occasion. Plant your mint properly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Track | How to Prepare for Track | To prepare for track, workout 2-3 times per week leading up to track season. Focus on going for shorter 100-meter runs to improve your speed and longer 1,000-meter runs to build your endurance. You should also do strength-training exercises, like squats, lunges, planks, and situps, so your muscles grow stronger. In addition to working out, eat balanced meals with lots of protein and carbohydrates so you get the nutrients and energy your body needs to run. | Try a ladder workout. Ladder workouts, or pyramid workouts, involve starting with a short distance, gradually working up to a longer distance, and then working your way back down to the original shorter distance. For example, run 200 metres (0.12 mi), 400 metres (0.25 mi), 800 metres (0.50 mi), 400 metres (0.25 mi), and then 200 metres (0.12 mi) at a medium pace with 2-3 minutes of rest in between. This kind of workout can improve your endurance and pacing. You can also do reverse ladder workouts, where you start at a longer distance, work your way down to a shorter distance, and then finish at the longest original distance. Do this type of workout 2-3 times each week when getting into shape for track season. Run shorter distances repeatedly to improve your speed. Practice running 100 metres (110 yd) and/or 200 metres (220 yd) over and over again to improve your sprinting ability. Focusing on these shorter distances may help you to develop speed, pacing ability, and strength. Try doing a workout where you run 4 total laps. Run continuously as you sprint the 100 m (110 yd) straightaways and jog the 100 m (110 yd) curves of each lap. For best results, focus on sprinting shorter distances 2-3 times each week. Run longer distances repeatedly to improve your endurance. Focus on running longer distances over and over again to prepare your body for distance events. Run 800 metres (0.50 mi) and 1,600 metres (0.99 mi) at a time during your workouts to gain endurance. Try doing a workout where you jog 1,000 metres (0.62 mi) 5 times with a 90-second resting break between each one. To successfully gain endurance, focus on running longer distances 2 or 3 times every week. Slow, easy miles will help you gradually prepare your body for track. Do lower body strength training once or twice a week. While running is the more obvious way to condition your body for running track, lifting weights is necessary for strengthening your muscles effectively. Incorporate lower body strength training exercises into your workouts 1-2 times each week to build up your leg muscles for running. Some exercises you can try include: Squats Forward lunges Calf raises Situps Add in weekly upper body strength training. While it may not seem like it, building your upper body is also very important for running track. Your chest, shoulders, and arms should be strong for driving your arms as you run, and a strong back may help you to maintain good posture while running. Try to incorporate some of the following upper body strength training exercises into your workouts about once a week: Bench presses Upright rows Biceps curls Planks Eat healthy, balanced meals. At track practice each day, you'll be exerting a lot of energy. Because of this, it's important to eat healthy meals that can effectively provide the nutrients that your body needs. Eat an energizing breakfast each day to kickstart your metabolism and a lunch that contains both protein and leafy greens. Eat foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates just after your workouts. Try eating oatmeal with berries or a couple of eggs, a piece of toast, and a glass of orange juice for breakfast. Consider eating a grilled chicken breast with a big salad that has carrots, cucumbers, and peppers in it for lunch. Incorporate spaghetti and marinara sauce, potatoes, lean meats, and/or fava beans into your post-workout meals. Ask your coach for advice. It's a good idea to approach the track season with a few goals in mind. Bring up your weaknesses with your coach and ask them if they can help you improve in those areas. This may help you make progress and also get closer to your coach. If you're struggling with a certain physical setback, such as pacing or hurdling form, ask your coach for advice on how to get better. You can also talk to your coach about how to handle certain mental struggles, such as dealing with a big loss. Get 9-10 hours of sleep the night before. As an athlete, you'll need to sleep more in order to give your body the proper amount of rest and recovery time. This will allow your body to perform as well as possible. Try to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep the night before you compete in a meet. Getting 9 or 10 hours is even better. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day. Exerting yourself will make you sweat and lose a significant amount of the water in your body. Fill up your water bottle before starting your day and keep it on you all day long so that you can stay hydrated. Once you drink it all, refill your water bottle and continue drinking it throughout the day. Eat healthy, light snacks before the meet. If there's a lot of time between the last meal you ate and the event you're competing in, eat a healthy snack or 2 to keep yourself strong, focused, and energized. Go with something small and light, like a piece of fruit and/or a granola bar, to avoid getting lightheaded or upsetting your stomach. Try to keep a positive mindset. When you're about to compete, it's important to think optimistically. It can be easy to let the pressure get the best of you, but that will only stress you out and possibly hinder your performance. When negative thoughts of self-doubt pop into your head, give yourself positive reminders, such as: You've prepared the best you can, and that's what matters. You are capable of doing well. Everything happens for a reason. Listen to music. Listening to music can help you stay focused before the meet by tuning out the high-pressure environment and eliminating distractions. Listen to rap, rock, or dance music to get yourself positively pumped up for your event. Try listening to slower soothing music if you want to relax your mind. Jog 2 laps slowly. Before you start exerting your body, you'll need to get your muscles loose. Start off by jogging around the track 2 times at a very slow, conversational pace. 2 laps is the equivalent of 800 metres (0.50 mi). Do static stretching for at least 15 minutes. Static stretching involves holding a position for 10 seconds while staying still. After you've done a little jogging, static stretching will help you continue to loosen up your muscles. Stretch for a total of at least 15 minutes to get your body properly stretched. Some basic static stretches you can do include: Standing hamstring stretch Standing quadriceps stretch Side lunge stretch Butterfly stretch Prone calf stretch Do dynamic warm up exercises for another 15 minutes. After doing some static stretches, move on to dynamic stretches, which involve movement. These have many benefits in addition to activating your muscles, including improving your range of motion and body awareness. Some dynamic stretches include: Knee to chest A-skips B-skips High knees Butt kicks Get a sports physical. Before you start running track, go to the doctor and get a physical to make sure that it's safe for you to run. During the physical, you'll fill out information about your medical history and be examined physically by the doctor. You may have the opportunity to get a physical done at school. If not, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Get athletic clothes, shoes, and equipment. You'll need to get a few different things to wear and use at practices and meets. Get some athletic clothes, such as gym shorts, athletic leggings, moisture-wicking shirts, moisture-wicking socks, and sports bras, that make working out comfortable. Be sure to get some running shoes that have proper support to prevent injuries, a water bottle, and a water-resistant duffel bag to keep everything in. It would be a good idea to keep a sweatshirt and sweatpants in your duffel bag to wear while you warm up. Try sprinting if you can run fast. If you prefer sprinting shorter distances to jogging long ones, then sprinting events might be for you. The sprinting events in track include the 100 m (110 yd) dash, the 200 m (220 yd) dash, and the 400 m (440 yd), each of which you can run on your own or in a relay with 3 other people. In a relay race, the first runner in a team of 4 starts with a baton and passes it to the next person immediately after they've finished running the required distance. Then, the second person runs the same required distance and passes it to the third team member and the cycle continues. The 4th team member crosses the finish line with the baton. Go for middle or long distance events if you have endurance. In track, there are several different longer races that your school or running program may or may not offer. Typically there is a 800 m (0.50 mi) race, 1,600 m (0.99 mi) race, and a 3,200 m (2.0 mi), but the options vary by school and track type. Consider doing one or more of these events if you feel stronger and faster as a distance runner. Especially at the collegiate level, there are farther distance options, sometimes as long as 10,000 m (6.2 mi)! Try jumping events if you can jump high and/or far. If you consider yourself agile and athletic but not necessarily a runner, then a jumping event might be a good fit for you. While practicing for these events, you'll probably do a mixture of different exercises, including cross training, weight lifting, sprinting, and jumping drills. Consider trying one of the following jumping events: Long jump Triple jump High jump Try hurdling events if you love both running and jumping. If you can't decide between running and jumping events, hurdling events incorporate both types of movement. Typically, you can do the 100 m (110 yd) hurdles, 400 m (440 yd) hurdles, or both. Either way, you'll have 10 evenly-spaced hurdles set up on the track in your lane that you have to jump over on your way to the finish line. You can do up to 4 events, so if you love both running and jumping, you could do a running event, a jumping event, a hurdling event, and you'd still be able to do one more. Attempt throwing events if you’re strong but don’t prefer to run. For the most part, throwing practice consists of throwing drills and weight lifting. Consider focusing on throwing events if this kind of workout sounds more appealing to you than running-focused workouts. There are several different throwing events that you can try, including: Shot put Javelin Discus | Try a ladder workout. Run shorter distances repeatedly to improve your speed. Run longer distances repeatedly to improve your endurance. Do lower body strength training once or twice a week. Add in weekly upper body strength training. Eat healthy, balanced meals. Ask your coach for advice. Get 9-10 hours of sleep the night before. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day. Eat healthy, light snacks before the meet. Try to keep a positive mindset. Listen to music. Jog 2 laps slowly. Do static stretching for at least 15 minutes. Do dynamic warm up exercises for another 15 minutes. Get a sports physical. Get athletic clothes, shoes, and equipment. Try sprinting if you can run fast. Go for middle or long distance events if you have endurance. Try jumping events if you can jump high and/or far. Try hurdling events if you love both running and jumping. Attempt throwing events if you’re strong but don’t prefer to run. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Relieve-Back-Pain-Through-Reflexology | How to Relieve Back Pain Through Reflexology | To relieve back pain through reflexology, apply pressure at the base of your toes on the top and bottom of your foot, which can help alleviate upper back and shoulder pain. You can also help relieve upper back and shoulder pain by applying pressure to the base of your pinky and ring finger on the top of your hand. If your spine is aching, apply pressure to the outside edge of your palm or along the inside edge of your foot. | Treat the right area. You can treat lower back pain by applying pressure to the reflexes on the soles of your feet, the entire area around your heel and around your ankle, as well as the inner edge of each foot—the reflex points for your spine are located along the inside edges of your feet. You can treat upper back pain by applying reflexology to the reflex points for your shoulders and upper back, which are represented on the soles and tops of your feet just beneath the base of your toes. Massage your lower legs. A simple massage and ankle rotation can help prepare your legs for reflexology treatments. Use gentle but firm pressure and massage your calves, ankles, soles of your feet, and toes. Flex your foot forward and backward, and then rotate your foot to loosen up your ankle. Massage the lower arch-edge of your foot for 5-10 minutes. This area corresponds to your lumbar area and will help relieve general back pain. Direct your attention to your cervical spine. The spine reflex points follow the line of the inside edge of your foot; these reflex points are not on the sole of your foot. Support your right foot with your left hand and use your right thumb to work all of the spine reflexes that are located along the inside edge of your foot, from the tip of your big toe all the way to your ankle. Starting at your toe, press your thumb firmly into the skin and move slowly along the whole length of your foot so you are sure to press every reflex spot. Work your sciatic nerve. The reflexes for the sciatic nerve are found just behind your ankle bone and continue up in a straight line for about 4" or 10 centimeter (3.9 in). Sciatica causes searing pain down the leg because the nerves are compressed, which can be triggered by a number of factors. Working the sciatic nerve reflex points will improve the blood supply to this area. Working the sciatic nerve reflexes every day for a few minutes is a great way to prevent a painful case of sciatica. Use your index finger and thumb to press gently on the area. Move your finger and thumb back and forth, bringing them together and then sliding them apart. Take care of upper back pain by applying reflexology to the points that correspond to your upper back and shoulders. These points are located at the base of your toes, at the top and bottom of your feet. Apply pressure with your thumb to the area just beneath the base of your toes, first on the sole of your foot and then on the top of your foot. When you work the sole of your foot, you can also press your knuckles deeply into those reflexes. Use a lighter touch for the same reflex points located on the tops of your feet because that area is more bony and sensitive. Use hand reflexology for convenience. Sometimes, you may not have time to take your shoes off and perform a full foot reflexology treatment. You can use hand reflexology instead. You can also use hand reflexology if your feet are injured or infected in any way. Contact the reflex points for your spine. You can do this by applying pressure with your thumb along the outside edge of your palm. Work on your right hand first and then switch to your left hand. Work the reflexes that correspond with your shoulders and upper back. You can do this by applying pressure to the area just beneath your pinky and ring fingers on the top of your hand. On the palm of your hand, the area for your shoulders and upper back is located just beneath your pointer and middle fingers. There is also a reflex point for the upper back on your palm just below the base of your thumb, on the outside of your hand. Always work the reflex points on both hands; your left shoulder reflexes are at the base of your left pinky and your right shoulder reflexes are at the base of your right pinky. | Treat the right area. Massage your lower legs. Direct your attention to your cervical spine. Work your sciatic nerve. Take care of upper back pain by applying reflexology to the points that correspond to your upper back and shoulders. Use hand reflexology for convenience. Contact the reflex points for your spine. Work the reflexes that correspond with your shoulders and upper back. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Newborn-Hamsters | How to Care for Newborn Hamsters | To care for newborn hamsters, keep the babies with their mother in a quiet, separate cage for 2 weeks after the birth, disturbing them as little as possible. Additionally, give the mother plenty of nutritious food, such as mice or rat pellets, in the first few weeks to make sure it's able to feed the babies. After the first week, place a sipper bottle of water low in the cage so the newborn hamsters can reach it. Once the hamsters are 3 weeks old, make sure to separate the males from the females so they don't start to mate. | Assess the parents' risk factors. Hamsters reach sexual maturity as young as 6 weeks old, though it is not advisable to let them mate at this age. A female should be at least 8 - 10 weeks old before mating, and males 10 -12 weeks old. Once a hamster reaches 12 months of age, it should no longer be bred, as health risks skyrocket. The average hamster lifespan is 18 - 24 months. Look for signs of birth. Hamster pregnancies are very short, lasting just 15 - 18 days. When you know your female is expecting, look for the following signs that she's preparing to give birth: Restlessness without getting time for exercise Nest-building behavior Very angry behavior and irritable Conscientious grooming Squeaking and scratching Eating and drinking more than usual Prepare the cage is ready for birth. When you see the signs that the mother is close to giving birth, make sure the babies have an adequate cage to be born into. The cage should be cleaned and prepared before birth, but not too close to the mother's due date. It is important not to disturb the mother in the last few days of pregnancy, as it raises the odds of her cannibalizing the babies. A few days before her due date, put her in a clean cage by herself and leave her undisturbed. If you don't know exactly how far along she is, isolate her when you notice her belly swelling. Remove toys from the cage. The mum might hurt or kill the babies if toys get in the way. Don't use cotton wool or other materials that could form strands on the cage floor, as they could tangle around the babies. Also avoid straw, as the sharp ends could hurt them. Safer alternatives include aspen, paper flakes, Carefresh, or wood fiber pulp. Provide the mother with nesting material - something warm she mother can burrow into. Recommended materials include un-dyed tissue paper, toilet paper, or kitchen paper. From 2 days before the due-date to 10 days after birth, do not change anything in the cage or handle the mother. Be sure a nest has been built. When the mother is almost ready to give birth, she will build a breeding nest. Thus, there is no need for you to add any extra housing or move the babies to a separate location. In fact, disturbing the nest after birth could be disastrous. Hamsters are known for cannibalism, and stressing the mother in any way could endanger the babies. This risk is highest the first week after giving birth, and in first-time mothers. Interfere very little for the first week. After the babies are born, continue to refill water bottles and food dishes for a week, but don't disturb the mother and her babies. Keep them as isolated from traffic and noise as possible — keep curious children, loud TV or radio sounds, and nosy dogs or cats out of the room. Do not handle babies at all for 14 days after birth. Do not clean the cage for those 2 weeks, either Keep the room temperature around 70 F. Understand how the babies will develop. Hamster babies are born incredibly vulnerable — furless, deaf, blind, and with their limbs are only partially developed. However, they grow and develop very quickly. As they grow, keep these approximate landmarks in mind to make sure they're developing at a healthy, normal rate: 4-7 days: eyes and ears should open 6 days: they start to crawl around 7-10 days: they take an interest in solid food 6 days: hair starts to grow 10-20 days: they start to be able to drink from a sipper bottle Let the mother care for her babies. The newborns' best chance of survival is if they have a mother with strong nurturing instincts. You job is to stand back and let her do all the work. If you upset or disturb her, she's more likely to turn on her young, so stay out of her way. With newborn hamsters in the care of a mother, less is definitely more. Make sure the mother is well-fed. In the first couple weeks, when the babies get all their nutrition from the mother, it's important that the mother is well-fed and healthy. You can choose fresh foods like timothy grass, carrots, and other food, but you can still feed her hamster food. Pelleted food suitable for rats or mice is preferable to hamster muesli. This is because the hamster can selectively eat the tastier bits of the muesli, leaving behind the less tasty but more nutritious bits. Provide food and water for the babies. At around 7-10 days, the babies will be ready to get food and drink from a source other than the mother. Don't put a water bowl in the cage, as they may drown in it. Instead, place a sipper bottle with the nozzle about 1–2 centimeter (0.4–0.8 in) above the bedding. This is in addition to the mother's normally placed bottle — the babies' bottle will be too low for the mother to reach. The babies will begin snacking on their mother's food when they're ready. Once they start to eat solid food, make sure there's plenty to go around. Separate the hamsters by sex at the appropriate age. Syrian hamsters must be segregated by sex at 3-4 weeks, at which age they will begin to fight. You can leave dwarf hamsters together safely, but you should separate them by sex if you don't want them to mate. This should be done within 48 hours of weaning, which can be done around 21-28 days after birth. Puberty starts around 2 - 18 days after weaning. Hamsters are ready to reproduce at this time. Understand the risks. Successfully raising orphaned hamsters is almost unheard of. Newborn hamsters are born very poorly developed, and need a precise balance of nutrition. The mother's milk is the best source for their needs, and manmade replacements won't help them grow healthy organs and bones the same way. Don't be disheartened if the orphans die. Their odds were never good, but at least you gave it a go. Be very careful using a surrogate mother. Though natural hamster milk is the best source of nutrition for developing babies, hamsters are not very well-suited to surrogacy. Even if you have a lactating female without babies of her own, there's a high likelihood that she would cannibalize any strange babies you put in with her. A non-lacting female won't have the milk the babies need. Replace the mother's milk as best as possible. The closest you can get to hamster milk is Lactol, which is a milk replacement designed for use with dogs. Hamster pups need strict hourly feeding 24 hours a day until they start to eat solids. Luckily, they usually begin showing interest in solids early, at around 7-10 days. Once they start eating solids, you can reduce their milk feeding to once every three hours. Use an eyedropper to feed them. Suck some Lactol up in the eyedropper, then squeeze it so a drip hovers on the end of the pipette. Hold the drop against the baby's mouth. Hopefully, it will try to suckle, or at least lick the milk from the tip. Avoid squirting milk into the hamster pup's mouth. They're so tiny that even a small amount of fluid could flood down into the hamster's lungs and either drown them or cause pneumonia. This is one of the main reasons orphans are so difficult to rear. Regulate the temperature for them. Hamsters are born furless, so until they're about 10 days old, they cannot regulate their own body temperature. Keep them at a constant temperature of at least 70 F by either using a heat pad or keeping the room at that temperature. The babies will be comfortable in temperatures up to 80F. Above this, the youngsters may start to develop heat stress. When the pups are in the nest, partially cover them with bedding to help keep them warm. | Assess the parents' risk factors. Look for signs of birth. Prepare the cage is ready for birth. Be sure a nest has been built. Interfere very little for the first week. Understand how the babies will develop. Let the mother care for her babies. Make sure the mother is well-fed. Provide food and water for the babies. Separate the hamsters by sex at the appropriate age. Understand the risks. Be very careful using a surrogate mother. Replace the mother's milk as best as possible. Use an eyedropper to feed them. Regulate the temperature for them. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Parvovirus-in-Dogs | How to Diagnose Parvovirus in Dogs | While only your vet can diagnose parvovirus in a dog, there are symptoms you can watch out for. At first, you may notice that your dog seems restless, lethargic, and doesn't have an appetite. If your dog shows these symptoms, then develops severe vomiting and diarrhea, especially if there is blood in the stool, it may have parvo, and you should go to the vet immediately. If you think your dog may have parvo, keep it away from your other dogs, since this is an extremely contagious disease. | Look for the first signs of illness. These first signs are vague and non-specific, and include restlessness, fever, lack of energy, and loss of appetite. Sickness and diarrhea usually develop within 24- 48 hours of this. The incubation period for parvo is 5 - 7 days, but can be as little as 2 days or as many as 20 days. Be concerned if your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea. The sickness and diarrhea are severe. People who have experienced a dog with parvovirus remark that the diarrhea has a distinctive smell, not present with other diarrhea. The animals are unable to keep oral fluids down and rapidly become dehydrated due to the severe nature of the vomiting and diarrhea. The dog will then become toxic and go into shock, meaning it may collapse and lose consciousness. Inspect your dog's stool for blood. This may be very obvious if your dog is having uncontrolled diarrhea, as is common with parvo. Any dog that starts to pass blood should see a vet without delay. This is especially true for unvaccinated dogs. Call your veterinary clinic immediately and make an appointment for that day. However, keep the dog isolated because they could pose an infection risk to other dogs. When making the appointment explain to the receptionist the nature of your concern so that the clinic can isolate the dog appropriately. Be especially alert for the signs of illness in puppies. Dogs that are too young to have gotten the Parvo vaccine yet are clearly at risk for the disease. Parvo can be devastating to the developing systems of puppies and can kill them easily. If they are nursed through the acute gastrointestinal phase (sickness and diarrhea) and survive, they may still have life-altering damage to the heart muscle. Assume it is a different illness if your dog is up to date on vaccinations. A dog older than 16 weeks that has received a full initial vaccine course and regular boosters as an adult, should be protected against parvovirus. Thus, it is unlikely (but not impossible) for this dog to get parvo. However, an unvaccinated dog or a puppy under 16 weeks old is at high risk should they come into contact with parvo. This does not mean that you shouldn't take your dog to the vet right away! A dog that is vomiting and having bloody diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Take your dog to the veterinarian at the first sign of parvovirus. It is very, very important to start treatment for parvovirus as quickly as possible. Quick treatment can save your dog's life, while delayed treatment puts it in danger. In many cases with puppies, parvo can not be caught early enough to save the puppy's life. This is one of the most devastating aspects of the disease, its mortality rate in puppies. Discuss with your vet whether a specific diagnosis is necessary. The treatment given remains the same regardless of whether it is severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (another illness with symptoms of vomiting and bloody diarrhea) or parvovirus. Therefore, it is not usually essential to reach a specific diagnosis. However, where finances allow, there are tests which can confirm the nature of the problem. It is most useful if the vet runs a full blood count, which gives an overview of the organ function, dehydration, white cell count, and anemia. Parvovirus attacks the bone marrow, and a low white cell count in the face of signs of infection, is a strong pointer towards parvovirus in dogs with the corresponding symptoms. Next, there are various lab tests that can be run on feces. Your vet can run a test in the clinic called an ELISA test. These work on a similar principle to a pregnancy test and change color in the presence of parvovirus proteins. The test takes around 15 minutes to run, but can occasionally produce a false positive or negative result. Further testing can confirm the veracity of the ELISA test. This test needs to be sent to an outside lab and so there is a delay. The lab can either look for the virus itself under an electron microscope, or run a PCR test, which identifies small pieces of parvovirus DNA in the feces. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for treatment. Treatment involves aggressive intravenous fluid therapy to correct dehydration, drugs to control nausea, and antibiotics if the dogs has a secondary infection. With quick treatment, parvo does not have to be a death sentence. Without treatment, however, parvo has a 91% death rate. Some clinicians have had success using interferon therapy, but this involves high doses of a costly drug and so the cost can be prohibitive. Get your dog vaccinated. Vaccination is highly effective in dogs with a good immune system. Get your dog vaccinated as soon as it is old enough. This is the best and most effective way of keeping your dog safe and stopping the spread of the disease. Puppies cannot be vaccinated when they are very young. A puppy has maternally derived antibodies (MDA) present in the bloodstream. These interfere with the pup's body registering the vaccine, as the MDA can attack the vaccine. This is why the last vaccine needs to be given around 16 weeks of age, because by this time the MDA has gone from the pup's body. Keep puppies and unvaccinated dogs isolated. When a puppy is too young to be vaccinated you should keep it away from other dogs. While it is good to get a young dog socialized to many different animals and experiences, the risk of a life-threatening parvo virus should delay this socialization. You should also keep an infected dog isolated. This will help to limit the spread of the infection. Also tell your neighbors that your dog has parvo so that they can take proper precautions to keep their dogs safe. Disinfect and dispose of contaminated items. If you have had a parvo breakout in your home, do not risk infecting future dogs in the home. Bleach kills the virus, so all items that can be thoroughly cleaned with bleach should be. Items that cannot be cleaned with bleach should be disposed of. If you have had a dog with parvo you should not bring a puppy into your home for at least six months after the virus is treated. This is even after you disinfect your home with bleach and replace items that cannot be properly disinfected. The risk to a puppy is too high to risk exposing it to this deadly virus. Disinfect areas where dogs go to the bathroom. Since parvo can live in the environment for long periods of time, it is a good idea to keep dog areas as tidy as possible to limit the risk of parvo being present. If you know a dog with parvo has gone to the bathroom in a specific area, that area should be disinfected. Use a solution of bleach and water to accomplish this, with a ratio of 1 part bleach to 15 parts water. Pour this on outside areas that may be infected with parvo. This is not to say that you can eliminate it for sure, but you can reduce the chances of it surviving in your yard or dog area. Even after you disinfect an area, you should not bring uninfected dogs into the area for six months. Parvovirus is extremely hardy and it is not deactivated by high temperatures. It can survive at up to 60C for 60 minutes, meaning it can even survive steam cleaning. It is also resistant to desiccation (drying out). The only thing that will kill it is bleach, so all laundering and cleaning needs to include bleach. Be aware of the severity of the virus. Parvovirus does a lot of harm in the body because it requires dividing cells to grow. It tends to colonize the gut wall, because the cells there divide rapidly. This rapid attack of cells leads to a quickly debilitating illness. This is also why the heart is at risk in puppies, because the cells of the heart are dividing rapidly in young dogs and so they are ripe for viral colonization. Infected feces can pose a risk to unvaccinated dogs for weeks or months, or even years, to come. This combined with the severity of the virus' effects is why parvovirus outbreaks are so serious and devastating. | Look for the first signs of illness. Be concerned if your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea. Inspect your dog's stool for blood. Be especially alert for the signs of illness in puppies. Assume it is a different illness if your dog is up to date on vaccinations. Take your dog to the veterinarian at the first sign of parvovirus. Discuss with your vet whether a specific diagnosis is necessary. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for treatment. Get your dog vaccinated. Keep puppies and unvaccinated dogs isolated. Disinfect and dispose of contaminated items. Disinfect areas where dogs go to the bathroom. Be aware of the severity of the virus. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-an-Animal-Shelter | How to Start an Animal Shelter | If you're thinking of starting an animal shelter, start by learning about shelters already in your community, so you can figure out how to provide something new or different. For example, consider starting a shelter that focuses on older dogs, who are harder to adopt out. Then, put together a budget that includes things like rent, food for the animals, and veterinary care services. After that, look for financing through banks, government grants, and online fundraising campaigns. | Identify the animal shelter’s focus or speciality. Before you jump right into your plan for an animal shelter, you should consider how your shelter will differ from the other shelters in your area. If there is already an animal shelter that focuses on small dogs, for example, you may not want to also base your shelter around housing small dogs. Think about a need in the community or in the animal adoption market that your animal shelter could fill. This could be older or elderly dogs who do not often get adopted or maimed animals that are not often accepted into larger animal shelters. This will also ensure that you are not competing with other animal shelters in your area and give your animal shelter a clear focus. Though the animal shelter is made for the wellbeing of animals, it is also a business. You should treat it as a business that needs to be sustainable and appealing. Create a budget for the shelter. Get your finances for the shelter in order by sitting down and drawing up a budget. The budget should cover all start up costs, all outgoing expenses, and all incoming funds. Your budget should cover: Costs for the shelter structure: This should include rent payments or building maintenance payments. You may also need to cover heating, water, and electricity expenses. Shelter supplies: This should include any equipment needed to make the shelter functional for animals, food for the animals, cleaning materials, and waste disposal. Animal care supplies: This should include the costs for routine vet treatment, neutering services, microchipping, and animal toys. You may also need to insure your vehicle as a shelter vehicle to transport animals to and from the shelter. Use part of your income as start up funding. Some animal shelter owners will treat the animal shelter as a part time job and will supplement the start up costs with their full time income at another job. This option is useful if you live in a household where two people both have stable, full time jobs and can donate a portion of their income to the shelter. Apply for government grants. Talk to your local chapter of The Humane Society and other national animal welfare associations to get a sense of government funding and what you might qualify for. Often, local governments will provide funding to animal shelters to help maintain animal welfare in the area and animal control. Take out a business loan. Talk to your bank about taking out a small business loan to help fund your shelter. You will likely need to be making a steady income over a period of time to qualify for the loan. Fundraise in your area and online. You should also reach out to the community, local and online, to help support your shelter. Set up a fundraising campaign online to generate publicity for the shelter and to raise money. You can also organize a fundraising event with other animal shelters in the area or other animal related businesses. Collaborate with community partners to promote the fundraising event, as this will help promote the shelter as a valuable asset to the area. Apply for an animal shelter license. You can do this through your state's department of agriculture. The cost for the licensing fee will depend on how many animals you plan to shelter at one time and can range from a $100 licensing fee for 20 or fewer pets to a $400 licensing fee for 80 or fewer pets. To obtain a license, a city inspector will look at your animal shelter to ensure it is fit for animals. She will then collect the licensing fee from you and process your application. Determine the type of accommodations you want to offer animals. Though you may think of an animal shelter as a stand-alone building or structure that you rent or lease, you can also provide accommodations for animals in the form of a small indoor shelter built in your backyard or adapt an existing outdoor area to create a shelter. The size and type of the accommodation you choose will depend on the space available, your skills, your finances, and the local laws around animal shelters in your area. There are several accommodation options, including: A newly built animal shelter, which will be expensive and have high start-up costs, but may be easier to maintain than an existing structure. An indoor shelter in an existing structure, which is a cheaper option but could be harder to keep clean and maintain. A shed or outdoor shelter, which is another cheap option but could be more difficult to keep sanitary and stress free for the animals. Outdoor pens in a volunteer or community garden, which is a cheap and community-oriented option. However, you will need to determine who will pay for the maintenance of the shelter and have a contingency plan in the event the community space is moved. Fostering animals in your home, where you take care of one to two animals in your home at a time until they are adopted into other homes. This is not a full-blown animal shelter but it could be a good way to gain more experience in taking care of animals on your own. Decide how many animals you will accept at a time. Though it may be tempting to take in as many animals as you can in your new shelter, doing this could lead to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions for the animals. Instead, it's best to put a cap on how many animals you will accept at one time, especially as you get your shelter up and running. Some shelter owners start by taking two to three animals at a time and then expand from there. Many shelter owners suggest starting small and expanding slowly. In some states, animal shelters are permitted to have up to 80 pets at a time. The number of animals you take in could be based on how much space you may have in the shelter location and how many animals you can take care of on your own or with a few volunteers. You should also consider if you are going to be working full time at the shelter or part time, as you may only have enough time to devote to a few rescue animals at a time. It is not mandatory that you decide which types of animals you are going to focus on in your shelter. You can house cats and dogs in the same shelter, but you may need to create separate areas for different animal types and establish different areas for male and female animals. You should also consider your level of expertise and comfort with certain animals. If you are more aware of the needs of cats and dogs, for example, you may decide not to take in birds and rabbits at your shelter as well. Look for a shelter location you can afford. Talk to other shelters in your area about available spaces that could work as a shelter or look around your neighborhood for a space you can rent or lease. Consult your budget and consider if you have enough funding to build a structure yourself in your backyard or in a community space. You may also want to repurpose an existing area in your home, like a garage or a shed, to serve as a shelter. Keep in mind you will need to maintain these repurposed areas so they are sanitary and comfortable for animals. Solicit volunteers through other shelters or animal organizations. To get the shelter going, you will need individuals who can help you care for the animals and maintain the shelter space. Look for volunteers who work at other shelters or other local animal organizations. Focus on finding passionate, experienced volunteers who are not afraid of hard work and have an energetic approach to taking care of animals. Hire one to two workers to help you get off the ground. If your budget allows, you may consider hiring one to two workers part time to help get the shelter off the ground. Check the references and resumes of the workers to ensure they have experience taking care of animals and have a good rapport with animals. Create a screening process for the animals. As the animal shelter owner, you will need to decide if you are going to screen the animals before you allow them into the shelter. This could mean testing the temperament of the animal through a temperament test, or by evaluating the health of the animal. If the animal is aggressive or appears dangerous, for example, you may not decide to allow it into the shelter. You may also require the animals to all be checked by a vet before they can be housed in the shelter. It may be important to you to also identify any psychological or emotional issues in the animals and work on ways to address this. Set guidelines around daily care and maintenance of the animals at the shelter. Your shelter should adhere to the highest sanitary guidelines and rules to ensure the animals are being treated humanely. Establish daily care rules for the workers, including daily cleaning and feeding schedules, as well as time set aside for playtime and friendly engagement with the animals. The goal of the shelter should be to provide for the animal's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. You may also want to create a partnership with a local veterinarian in your area. This can then make it easier to arrange vet visits to the shelter. One major rule you should establish in the shelter is to ensure that all animals are spayed and neutered. This will prevent unplanned pregnancies at the shelter. Determine the types of training you will offer at the shelter. You should consider if the shelter will offer to housebreak animals and teach them basic obedience skills. If you are sheltering dogs, for example, you may also focus on kennel training the dogs. Remember that the shelter should be a temporary housing option for animals and should provide enough care to make the animal viable for a permanent home. You may want to require your workers to take training classes on how to best take care of animals in a shelter. This can allow them to stay up to date on the latest state guidelines for care and ensure that the highest quality care is offered to animals at your shelter. Use social media regularly to promote the shelter. Social media can be a great way to get the word out and promote your shelter. Set up social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and follow as many local animal-related businesses and organizations as possible. Post pictures of animals in your shelter regularly to keep your followers up to date. You should also start conversations with your followers by responding to comments on Facebook and Instagram. You may also want to tweet to local animal-related businesses to show them you are engaged on social media. Set up a website for animal adoption through the shelter. A website can be a great way to connect with prospective animal owners and to advertise your shelter. Make sure the website features a lot of photographs of the animals at the shelter and include short bios for each animal. This will make the animals more appealing to people looking to adopt. You can create your own website or hire a web designer to help you with the website. Network with animal organizations in your area. This could mean partnering with animal organizations for annual or bi-annual events in the community or doing monthly events where the shelter works with other local organizations, like schools and care homes, to bring animals into these spaces. Networking on a local level can help raise the profile of your animal shelter and show the community that you are willing to give back. | Identify the animal shelter’s focus or speciality. Create a budget for the shelter. Use part of your income as start up funding. Apply for government grants. Take out a business loan. Fundraise in your area and online. Apply for an animal shelter license. Determine the type of accommodations you want to offer animals. Decide how many animals you will accept at a time. Look for a shelter location you can afford. Solicit volunteers through other shelters or animal organizations. Hire one to two workers to help you get off the ground. Create a screening process for the animals. Set guidelines around daily care and maintenance of the animals at the shelter. Determine the types of training you will offer at the shelter. Use social media regularly to promote the shelter. Set up a website for animal adoption through the shelter. Network with animal organizations in your area. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Head-a-Letter | How to Head a Letter | To head a business letter, start by typing your street address and your city, state, and zip code on the first 2 lines in the upper right side of the page. Then, put the date 2 lines below that on either the left or right side. Write the date in words rather than numbers, so it says “June 4, 2018,” for example. Next, type the recipient's name and address 2 lines below the date on the left side of the page. You can then skip 2 lines and begin your salutation with “Dear” and your recipient's title and name, followed by a colon. | Open a word processing document. You can use an open source processor on Google Drive or a fresh piece of paper in a typewriter; however, formal business letters should always be typed and printed, with a signature in pen. Use a sheet of company letterhead if it is available. At minimum, formal letterhead includes the person's name, the name of the business, the address of the business, phone number and usually a company logo. This information takes the place of a sender's address in the body of the letter. Start your letter with your address, if you don't have letterhead. Only include your street address, city, state and zip or post code on the first two lines in the upper right hand side of the page. You don't need to put your name or title, since it will be included in the closing at the bottom of the letter. You may also choose to include your email address or phone number, if your letter suggests contacting you by one of those methods. Include the date. Use a month, day and year format, such as “May 4, 2019.” You can include it two spaces below your address on the right or on the left. There is a lot of variation on which side the date is written, so look for another piece of correspondence from your company to use as an example. Dates in the UK may be written with the day, month and year. For example, “4 May 2019.” Type the recipient's address two lines below the date on the left side of the page. This is also called the “inside address” and it should include the name of the person with title, the address in US Post Office or Royal Mail format. Include the name of the company, if applicable, on a line between the person's name and the address. Don't indent the address, date, salutation or paragraphs. The paragraphs in a business letter are separated by spaces and begin flush with the left hand side. If you are writing to a foreign country, type the country in all capital letters on the last line. The inside address should be approximately one inch (2.5 cm) below the date if the date is on the left hand side, or it should be one space below the date if it is on the right hand side. Press “Enter” twice. Then, begin your salutation with “Dear” and the person's title and name. For example, “Dear Mr. Reading” or “Dear President Reading.” Include a colon after the salutation. Continue with the body of your letter. Finish it with a formal salutation, a signature and your name and title. Choose a monogrammed or personal stationery. Unlike business headers, many personal letters are handwritten on stationery that says the person's initials or full name at the top. Write your address in the top right corner only if the person to whom you are writing does not already know your address well. Envelopes may get thrown away and including a sender's address is the best way to encourage a reply. Move on to the date if you are on friendly terms with the recipient. The sender's address should include two lines, the street and the city, state and zip code. A name is not necessary. Write the date that you are writing and sending the letter two lines below your address on the left or right. Format it using the month, day and year. For example, “September 15, 2014.” Personal letters should be sent immediately after the are written to expedite time-sensitive information. Don't include the recipient's address in informal letters. If you are writing a formal complaint or letter that will go on record with an organization, you should use the etiquette rules governing a business letter. Write your salutation beginning with “Dear. ” The formality of the address will depend upon how well you know the person to whom you are writing. Always include a colon after the salutation. You can use “Dear Mr. James,” “Dear Larry James” or “Dear Larry.” Continue the letter, including body paragraphs, a closing, a signature and enclosures. | Open a word processing document. Use a sheet of company letterhead if it is available. Start your letter with your address, if you don't have letterhead. Include the date. Type the recipient's address two lines below the date on the left side of the page. Press “Enter” twice. Continue with the body of your letter. Choose a monogrammed or personal stationery. Write your address in the top right corner only if the person to whom you are writing does not already know your address well. Write the date that you are writing and sending the letter two lines below your address on the left or right. Don't include the recipient's address in informal letters. Write your salutation beginning with “Dear. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kettle-Cook-Potato-Chips | How to Kettle Cook Potato Chips | To kettle cook potato chips, start by cleaning and peeling 1 potato for every 10-15 chips you want to make. Then, cut the potatoes into thin slices and soak the slices in water to remove the excess starch and keep them from browning. Next, fill a large kettle a third of the way with oil, like canola or vegetable oil, and heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, dry off the potato slices and cook them in the oil in batches until they're golden and crispy. | Clean and peel as many potatoes as you need based on the amount of chips you want to make. If you want healthier chips leave the skin on and clean well. An average-sized potato yields about 10 to 15 chips, although amounts vary based on the size of the potato and how thinly you slice it. Idaho potatoes are recommended for chips, but you can use any variety you have on hand. Slice potatoes as thinly as desired, placing slices in a large bowl of water to remove excess starch and prevent browning. A mandolin slicer can be used for a thin, even cut and added convenience. Fill 1/3 of a large kettle with the oil of your choice and heat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees Celsius). Recommended oils include canola, rice and vegetable since they have little flavor and do not alter the taste of the potatoes. Canola oil is the healthiest of these options, since it is low in saturated fat and high in heart-healthy omega-3 fat. Transfer potato slices from the large bowl of water to a colander. Shake off excess water, and pat the potato slices dry with paper towels. Submerge potato slices in heated oil, cooking until they appear white and matte. Remove the slices from the oil with a slotted spoon, and place them on a platter lined with paper towels. Do not crowd the potato slices. Cook them in multiple batches with each batch composed of a single layer at the surface of the oil. Increase the oil heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and re-submerge chips, cooking in batches until they are golden and crisp. Transfer cooked chips with the slotted spoon onto a platter lined with fresh paper towels. Pat chips lightly with additional paper towels to absorb excess oil. Season chips with salt or your choice of seasoning. Depending on your tastes, you can combine plain salt with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, dry mustard, dill or other seasoning mixes. Finished. | Clean and peel as many potatoes as you need based on the amount of chips you want to make. Slice potatoes as thinly as desired, placing slices in a large bowl of water to remove excess starch and prevent browning. Fill 1/3 of a large kettle with the oil of your choice and heat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees Celsius). Transfer potato slices from the large bowl of water to a colander. Submerge potato slices in heated oil, cooking until they appear white and matte. Increase the oil heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and re-submerge chips, cooking in batches until they are golden and crisp. Transfer cooked chips with the slotted spoon onto a platter lined with fresh paper towels. Season chips with salt or your choice of seasoning. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Glitter-Bomb | How to Make a Glitter Bomb | To make a glitter bomb balloon, start by inserting the long portion of a funnel through the neck of a balloon and pouring some glitter in. Once you've filled the balloon, blow it up with your mouth, or inflate it with helium if you want it to float. When the balloon is fully inflated, either tie off the neck of the balloon or wrap a piece of ribbon around it for decoration. Make sure you inflate the balloon at least 1 hour before you plan to use it to allow the static electricity to pull the glitter up and along the sides. In order to pop the balloon, tap the side with a pin or needle until it bursts, causing glitter to fly out in every direction. | Gather all necessary supplies. Glitter bomb poppers are similar to confetti poppers used to celebrate New Year's Eve, weddings, birthdays, or other holidays. Party poppers or crackers first appeared as British party favors in the 1840s. Save money on poppers – and fill them with glitter – by making them at home. You will need: Paper towel roll cut in half or toilet paper roll Glitter (different colors) Scissors A Stapler with staples Bakers twine or string Scotch tape Hot glue gun and sticks Beads Ribbons for streamers Cardstock Tissue paper Construct a trap door. Glitter bomb poppers explode when someone pulls a string attached to a 'trap door'. Cut a tissue paper square that is large enough to cover the bottom of your tube (about 3 inches or 7.5 cm). Trace the end of the tube onto a piece of cardstock and cut out the circle. Use the hot glue to glue this circle to the center of the tissue paper square. Let dry for several seconds. Use scissors or a needle to puncture the center of the circle and thread an arm's length of string or twine through the hole. Attach the trapdoor to the tube. Before gluing the tissue paper and cardstock trapdoor to your tube tie a bead to the end of the string, making sure it is on the side that will face the inside of the cardboard tube. Attach the trapdoor by using the hot glue to glue the edges of the tissue paper to the sides of the tube. At this point, your glitter bomb popper should look like a tube with one end sealed off, and a string 'tail' extending from the base. Decorate the tube and fill the tube with glitter. Be creative when decorating the body of the tube. You can wrap it in colored construction paper or metallic foil, or glue ribbons or streamers to the sides and bottom. Before sealing the opposite end, use a funnel or measuring cup to fill ½ to ¾ of the tube with glitter. Add a cone-shaped top. Turn your popper into a rocket by adding a cone-shaped top. Draw a 3.25 inch (8.3 cm) circle on a piece of cardstock. Use the scissors to cut this out, and then cut a single snip from the edge to the center. Pull the edges of the cut together until they overlap about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) to form a cone. Stable the edges together. Attach the top by punching two small holes just below the opening of the tube. Thread a string through the holes. Bring the two ends of the string together over the opening and thread them through a bead. This will help keep the string centered. Next, thread the string up and through the hole at the top of the cone. You can use this string to hang your popper from the ceiling or attach it to a string of garland. Release the glitter. Pull on the string extending down from the trap door. This will cause the trap door to rip-off and cause the glitter to rain down on unsuspecting partygoers. Turn your glitter popper into a glitter cracker. Modify this design so you can include them as party favors, rather than party decorations that need to be hung up. The glitter is released when you "crack open" the ends of the tube, instead of pulling on a string. Wrap your cardboard roll in tissue paper. Use enough tissue paper that it extends several inches beyond each end of the roll. Next, glue cardstock, construction paper, or metallic foil onto the body of the roll (over the tissue paper). Twist one end of the tissue paper and tie it off with ribbon. Use a funnel to fill the tube with glitter. Finally, twist and tie the tissue paper at the opposite end to seal-off the roll. Release the glitter and crack-open the tube by gripping both ends with your hands and pulling them apart. Instruct people to pull as hard as they can so the glitter will explode and not simply fall out. Gather all necessary supplies. This glitter bomb is easy to make and a great way to add some sparkle to Birthdays or New Year's Eve parties. You will need: Paper straws (different colors) Glitter (different colors) Scissors Tape Scrap paper Bowl (optional) Hot glue gun and sticks Cut the paper straws in half. Bend the straw in half and cut it in the center with scissors. You will use the paper straws to hold the glitter. By cutting them in half, you double your number of glitter bombs. They are also easier to hold and break open than full size straws. Glue one end of the straw. You will want to plug one end of the straw, but keep the opposite end open for now. Use a few drops of hot glue at one end to create a plug. This will make it easier to fill the straw with glitter. Let the glue dry. Fill the straw with glitter. Hold the straw vertically over the bowl so the open end is facing up. Use your piece of scrap paper to make a funnel. Place the funnel over the open end and tilt it upright to fill the straw with glitter. Once the straw is filled, pour extra glitter back into its container. Tap the end of the straw to remove excess glitter. Plug the open end with hot glue and let dry. Release your glitter bomb. Pull both ends of the straw with your hands until it breaks open. It should release a small explosion of glitter. Wave the ends around to release extra glitter trapped in the straw. At a party, countdown and have everyone release their glitter bombs at the same time. Gather all necessary supplies. Empty peanut shells make great impromptu glitter bombs. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to add to small packages. You will need: A bag of unshelled peanuts Scissors Glitter (different colors) Hot glue gun and sticks Acrylic paint (optional) Paint brushes (optional) Crack open the peanuts. Use scissors to carefully crack the peanuts. Place the peanut lengthwise between the blades of the scissors and gently apply pressure. Once the peanut splits, use your fingers to separate the two halves and remove the nut from the shell. Repeat until you have your desired number of “peanut glitter bomb” cartridges. Make sure you keep associated shell halves together. Discard peanuts that develop any cracks. Fill the peanut shells with glitter. Place associated shell halves next to one another and fill one side with glitter. Repeat until all shell halves are filled. Glue the peanuts back together. Apply hot glue to the edges of the shell half with the glitter. Position the half without glitter so the edges line-up with the glue and press the two halves together. Let the glue dry. Once you glue the halves together, you can paint the exterior of the shells with acrylic paint. Consider pouring the paint into a plastic bowl or cup, and mixing glitter into the paint. This will turn the dull peanut shell into a colorful, sparkly glitter bomb. Crack open the glitter bomb. Give the peanut to a friend. Tell them to hold each end and quickly crack the shell. Watch as glitter is released from the center. Gather all necessary supplies. Sparkle balloons are great decorations for adult or children's birthday parties. Once you are finished using them as decorations, you can pop them with a pin to release the glitter inside. You will need: Balloons (different colors) Glitter (different colors) A plastic funnel Helium tank with helium (optional) Fill the balloon with glitter. Insert the long portion of the funnel through the neck of the balloon. Pour the desired amount of glitter through the funnel. You can use this same technique to fill a balloon with paper confetti. Simply cut tissue paper into small circles. Grab a small handful of the tissue paper circles, fold them in half, and then fold them in half again. Use the bottom of the funnel to poke the ball of tissue paper into and through the neck of the balloon. Inflate the balloon. You can either blow the balloon up with your mouth, or inflate it with helium if you want it to float. Tie off the neck of the balloon. You can also tie a string or ribbon the balloon for decoration. Inflate balloons at least one hour before your party. This allow enough time for the static electricity inside the balloon to pull the confetti and/or glitter up and along the sides. Pop the balloons. Tap the side of the balloon with a pin or needle until it bursts. This will cause glitter to fly out in every direction. Attach balloons inflated with air and not helium to a length of garland. Either tape the balloons directly to the garland or tie them on with string. String banners with glitter and/or garland filled balloons along the wall or ceiling. Give you guests pins and tell them to pop the balloons – coating everyone (and everything) in a sparkly layer of glitter. | Gather all necessary supplies. Construct a trap door. Attach the trapdoor to the tube. Decorate the tube and fill the tube with glitter. Add a cone-shaped top. Release the glitter. Turn your glitter popper into a glitter cracker. Gather all necessary supplies. Cut the paper straws in half. Glue one end of the straw. Fill the straw with glitter. Release your glitter bomb. Gather all necessary supplies. Crack open the peanuts. Fill the peanut shells with glitter. Glue the peanuts back together. Crack open the glitter bomb. Gather all necessary supplies. Fill the balloon with glitter. Inflate the balloon. Pop the balloons. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Foot-Blisters | How to Prevent Foot Blisters | To prevent blisters, wear shoes that fit well and leave 1/2 inch of space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe. Avoid high heels, flip flops, and tight shoes as they can all put pressure on different parts of your feet. Once you have good shoes, break them in by wearing them for short periods every day before you start wearing them all the time. Also, try to wear synthetic or wool socks since wet cotton can cause blisters through friction. | Choose shoes that are the right size. Your shoes should be neither too tight nor too loose. A properly-fitting shoe will leave a half-inch of space between your longest toe (which is not necessarily your largest toe) and the tip of the shoe. Walk around in the shoes before buying them to ensure fit and comfort. A square or rounded "toe box" (the area of the shoe in which your toes go) will provide the best fit and greatest comfort. Try on shoes before you buy them, even if you know your size. This is because sizing may vary widely from brand to brand. Purchase shoes that fit well, even if the size is different from what you are used to wearing. Feet may swell up to eight percent in the course of the day, so shop for shoes in the afternoon, as that is the time of day when your feet will be enlarged. By choosing shoes that will fit comfortably even when your feet are at their largest, you will help to prevent blisters at all times. Avoid footwear prone to causing blisters. Shoes that squeeze your foot, ones that are too loose, or ones that cause you to walk abnormally subject your foot to pressure and friction that may result in blisters. Try to avoid wearing these types of shoes, which include: High heeled shoes, especially those with narrow toe boxes. These can force the toes into a cramped position, put intense pressure on the ball of the foot, and increase friction on the heel and elsewhere. Flip-flops, which put pressure on the toes as they squeeze to keep the shoes from falling off. Any overly tight style of shoe. Break your shoes in. Before wearing new shoes for prolonged periods of time, wear them for just short sessions. For instance, before wearing a new pair of shoes all day long, wear them for just a couple of hours at home. This process, known as breaking in your shoes, gives them time to gradually conform to your exact foot shape so that they will fit most comfortably. It is especially important that shoes which will be worn for athletic or intensive purposes, such as hiking boots, are properly broken in before they are used normally. Choose the right socks. Cotton socks can absorb moisture; this can help control foot odor, but friction caused by the damp cloth also increases the risk of blisters. Instead, choose socks made of quick-drying synthetic fabrics or wool. Padded sports and hiking socks can be found at athletics and footwear stores. These can help prevent blisters. Some people prefer to wear two layers of socks to combat moisture and friction: a thin “wicking” sock and a thicker sock over that. Use comfortable and supportive insoles. At footwear stores and many pharmacies, you will be able to find a variety of insoles that can be inserted in your shoe to provide more support, comfort, and a better overall fit. Make sure to purchase shoes with removable insoles so that you can replace them with more comfortable and/or supportive insoles as required. Replacement insoles may be made of neoprene (foam rubber), memory foam, gel-filled pads, and other materials. Evidence shows that neoprene insoles in particular can reduce the incidence of blisters. Insoles, especially orthopedic ones, may be available in various shapes designed to conform to different foot types. Try out different insoles until you find ones that fits your shoe and foot comfortably. Switch your shoes frequently. For instance, don't wear the same pair several days in a row; instead, alternate them with another pair or two. By wearing different shoes, you will help to prevent blisters by ensuring that your feet aren't always being rubbed in the same places. Keep your feet dry. Choose shoes made of material that is watertight but also breathable. This will keep moisture out, but also allow sweat to evaporate from your feet. Plastic and nylon shoes make it hard for your feet to ventilate. Choose footwear made of leather, canvas, mesh and other breathable materials. If your shoes or socks become wet, remove them as soon as possible. Let them dry before wearing them again. Dry your feet and put on fresh, dry socks and shoes. Keep debris out of your socks and shoes. When foreign material like sand and twigs gets into your socks and/or shoes, it can increase friction as you walk and thus cause blisters. Properly-fitting footwear will help keep debris out. If you feel anything in your socks or shoes that shouldn't be there, stop and remove it immediately. Use a lubricant. If you are prone to getting blisters in a certain spot on your feet, coat that area with a lubricant before putting on your socks and shoes. Good options include: Petroleum jelly. Talcum powder (baby powder) A foot balm such as Badger foot balm An anti-chafing ointment such as Bodyglide Tape problem areas of your feet. By placing a small amount of adhesive material over areas of your feet that are prone to friction (known as “taping”), you can protect them and help prevent blisters from forming. Moleskin, available at pharmacies, is preferable to duct tape (which can lose its stickiness when it becomes wet). Cut a piece of moleskin slightly larger than the area susceptible to friction. Remove the backing from the moleskin to expose its adhesive surface. Press the moleskin to your foot, smoothing out any wrinkles from the center to edge. Put on your socks and footwear. Toughen your skin by building endurance. If you increase the distance you walk, run, or hike by small amounts over time, the skin of your feet will become tougher. This can help to prevent blisters from forming. For example, if you want to start a running routine, you can prevent foot blisters caused by running if you start by running short distances before gradually building up to longer distances. Be prepared when hiking. Hiking can put extra strain on the feet, because it may involve traveling long distances on foot in less-than comfortable footwear. You can help prevent foot blisters when hiking by following the steps above. In particular: Make sure your hiking boots are properly broken in and conform well to your feet. Wear two layers of socks. A thin sock made of a synthetic material will help to reduce friction. Wearing another sock made of a non-cotton, absorbent material such as wool will help to wick away moisture and keep your foot dry. Lubricate any part of your foot prone to blisters. In addition, keep a supply of lubricant with you in case you feel any blisters beginning to form during your hike. Apply moleskin patches to any high-friction areas. Carry a supply of moleskin with you in case you need extra protection along the way. Take precautions when wearing dress shoes. Dress shoes can be uncomfortable if they are made of stiff material, if they force your feet into unusual positions, or if they are not worn very often or broken in properly. You can take some preventative measures, however: Apply moleskin patches to any high-friction areas. Lubricate any part of your foot prone to blisters. Use replacement insoles for more support and comfort. Choose and wear athletic shoes carefully. Athletic shoes are work in high-intensity situations that can cause a lot of friction and sweating. To prevent blisters in these situations, make sure to: Choose athletic shoes that fit your feet very comfortably. Make sure you properly break your athletic shoes in by wearing them for only for short sessions until they conform to the shape of your feet. Only use them for full sessions after they are properly broken in. Apply moleskin patches to any high-friction areas. Lubricate any part of your foot prone to blisters. Wear non-cotton socks to reduce friction between your foot and shoe. | Choose shoes that are the right size. Avoid footwear prone to causing blisters. Break your shoes in. Choose the right socks. Use comfortable and supportive insoles. Switch your shoes frequently. Keep your feet dry. Keep debris out of your socks and shoes. Use a lubricant. Tape problem areas of your feet. Toughen your skin by building endurance. Be prepared when hiking. Take precautions when wearing dress shoes. Choose and wear athletic shoes carefully. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Milky-Spore | How to Apply Milky Spore | Milky Spore is a natural pest control that you can apply to your garden to get rid of grubs. Although it's best to apply Milky Spore in the early fall, you can apply it any time as long as your soil is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour your Milky Spore into a lawn and garden dispenser, which is a tube that will dispense the powder evenly when you tap the ground with it. Apply the powder every 4 feet in a grid formation around your garden. Then, water the ground lightly to help the powder soak into the soil. It can take a couple of years to fully get rid of your grubs, but the Milky Spore should work for at least 10 years without needing another treatment. | Apply Milky Spore in the early fall for the best results. This is when the grubs will be feeding the most so that they'll be fatter for the winter, and the soil will still be warm. If you can't apply the powder in the early fall, aim for applying it during the summer. Apply the powder anytime during the year, as long as the soil is at least 65 °F (18 °C). To check the temperature of the soil, stick a metal thermometer roughly 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep into the soil. If the soil is below 65 °F (18 °C), the grubs won't be feeding and the powder won't be ingested. The soil doesn't need to be damp or wet for you to apply the Milky Spore. Pour the Milky Spore powder into a lawn and garden dispenser. These work best for distributing the powder — if you use a regular spreader, it's likely that the powder will blow away once it's been dispensed. Pour the powder into the lawn and garden dispenser, which looks like a long tube. A 10 oz (280 g) container treats 2,500 square feet (760 sq m), while a 40 oz (1,100 g) box treats 10,000 square feet (3,000 sq m). This dispenser is designed so that when you tap it on the ground, it dispenses the powder. Create your own dispenser using a coffee can, if necessary. If you don't want to purchase a dispenser just for applying the Milky Spore powder, create one using an old coffee can and a 4 ft (120 cm) long stick. Punch 15 holes in the bottom of the coffee can using a nail, and attach the coffee can to the stick using duct tape. A 1 pound (0.45 kg) coffee can works best. Fill the can just as you would the lawn and garden dispenser. The nail holes should be big enough for the Milky Spore to pass through, but they don't need to be huge—a medium-sized nail should work. Apply the powder every 4 feet (1.2 m) in a grid formation. Walk around your yard in straight lines, tapping the ground every 4 feet (1.2 m) with your dispenser or can to release the powder. Do this in rows that are 4 feet (1.2 m) apart so that you create a grid of powder on your yard. Dispense about 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) teaspoon of powder every 4 feet (1.2 m). Don't worry about the areas that went untreated in the grid — the spores will spread naturally throughout the entire area. Water the ground lightly so that the powder absorbs into the soil. Try to water the soil immediately after you apply Milky Spore, but at least within 24 hours. Apply it right before it's about to rain and let the rain help the powder soak into the soil, or lightly water the soil yourself. If you're watering the ground yourself, use a spray hose with a softer spray setting— you don't want to spray the ground so intensely that the powder washes away. If you're applying it before rain, make sure the rain is going to be light as opposed to a heavy storm that will wash the Milky Spore away. Observe the changes over the next few months to years. Milky Spore doesn't work immediately — the grubs have to ingest the spores and then the spores will multiply, meaning it can take several months for them to die. It could take a couple of years for your entire yard to be free of grubs. Once it has been treated, the Milky Spore should work for at least 10 years without another treatment. Since it takes several years for the grubs to completely die, be patient and know that the Milky Spore is working slowly. Look for sections of your lawn that are yellow or brown. If your grass starts turning yellow, and then brown, it's likely that it's infected with grubs. If sections of your grass are completely dead, Milky Spore will likely help. This often happens in the late summer. Try to pull up pieces of your grass. The grubs like to eat the grass roots, causing your lawn to turn yellow and brown. If you can easily pull up chunks of grass in areas you think are infected, this is a sign that the grubs are in the soil. Cut up a section of the lawn to spot the grubs. Use a flat spade to cut off the top section of an infected area of grass. If you roll it back, the grubs should be visible. They're white larvae and are often curled up in a C-shape. The grubs range in size, but average about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. | Apply Milky Spore in the early fall for the best results. Pour the Milky Spore powder into a lawn and garden dispenser. Create your own dispenser using a coffee can, if necessary. Apply the powder every 4 feet (1.2 m) in a grid formation. Water the ground lightly so that the powder absorbs into the soil. Observe the changes over the next few months to years. Look for sections of your lawn that are yellow or brown. Try to pull up pieces of your grass. Cut up a section of the lawn to spot the grubs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Rabbit-Breed | How to Choose a Rabbit Breed | When choosing a breed of rabbit, consider the kind of temperament you want. For example, if you have kids, pick a sturdy, easy-going breed like a French Lop. If you're looking for a cuddly and sociable pet, go for breeds like the Silver Fox or Mini Plush Lop. Additionally, watch out for breed-specific issues that may be a problem, such as the Britannia's tendency to nip or the Lionhead's clingy personality. You'll also need to account for practical issues, such as how much space you have. For instance, don't pick a large breed if you can't offer it lots of room. | Choose breeds that will get along with kids. If you have children, make sure you pick a rabbit that gets along well with younger people. Some rabbits tend to be more child-friendly than others, so make sure to read up on whether a breed is patient with kids before making a decision. Some breeds tend be nippy and may bite or scratch when handled improperly. Smaller breeds, like the Netherland Dwarf for example, are generally less suitable for kids. Belgians hares are somewhat fragile and may be injured easily through mishandling, so they may not do well in homes with young children. French lops tend to be very sociable, so they may make great family pets. Dutch rabbits tend to do well with children. Find a sociable breed. Ideally, a pet should be friendly and social. Look for a breed that has a reputation for having a friendly personality when choosing a rabbit breed. Many rabbits do not like to be picked up, which can make them a challenging starter pet. Finding the right breed is very important. French lops and silver foxes, for example, tend to be very social and laid back breeds. Mini plush lops are a smaller breed that tend to be very affectionate with their owners. Watch out for breed-specific temperament issues. Some breeds have known temperament issues. While not all rabbits of a specific breed will have the same issues, it's worth knowing if there are any temperament issues to watch out for when considering a breed. Britannias, for example, may be prone to nipping issues. If you're considering this breed, watch out for nipping when visiting a rabbit you're considering adopting. Some breeds are the opposite and need a lot more human interaction and attention than others, such as the Lionhead rabbit. While they can make for good lap pets, they may not be the best choice if you don't have much time available. English spots may sometimes have a more nervous temperament. Pick a size suitable for your home and family. Small and medium-sized rabbits have the advantages of needing less space. If you plan to keep your rabbit in an indoor cage, a smaller rabbit may be a good option. However, if you have kids, you may actually want a larger rabbit. Children are more likely to accidentally injure smaller breeds through improper handling. For example, a rabbit that's only about a foot long shouldn't need a cage more than two feet in length. If you live in a small apartment, this can work. A rabbit that's three feet long may need a very large cage, which can be hard to fit in a smaller space. Avoid angoras and English lops if you're inexperienced. English lops have long ears that can easily get infected through being dragged across the ground. Angoras have long fur that requires extensive grooming. Unless you have had rabbits before, and know how to deal with issues like infections and grooming, it's a good idea to avoid breeds that have special needs. First time rabbit owners should go for breeds that require less extensive care. Make sure you have enough space. Rabbit cages should be at least twice the full length of the rabbit when it's completely stretched out. Larger is always better, however. Before you pick your rabbit breed, make sure you have the space in your home to provide a big enough cage. As rabbits spend a large amount of time in their cages, a large cage is important for your rabbit's well being. Review breed-specific health problems. Some breeds may be prone to health problems or require special diets. This can cost extra money over the years. Before choosing a rabbit, ask the breeder or pet store what health problems you can potentially expect from the breed. For example, French angoras, American fuzzy lops, and giants need special diets to thrive. This can potentially cost extra money. Some long haired breeds require more brushing and coat care to keep them healthy, prevent hairballs and massive shedding. Mini Lops tend to be more prone to ear infections and dental issues, but they are one of the most family friendly breeds. Take your other pets into account. Rabbits can sometimes get along with dogs, cats, and other pets during supervised interactions. However, not all pets are appropriate to keep in the same house as a rabbit. Ferrets tend to prey on rabbits and birds can be loud and disruptive, which can cause a rabbit undue stress. If you have a bird, keep it separate from your rabbit. Dogs and cats often learn to get along with rabbits, but supervised interactions are important. Some rabbits, however, never learn to get along with cats and dogs. If a rabbit is a more timid breed, or simply has a more timid personality, it may not do well in a house with cats and dogs. If you have a herding, driving, or terrier breed dog you may not want to get a rabbit, as these breeds are hardwired to chase after small game. It may be very challenging and dangerous to bring a rabbit into the mix, but make your best judgment based on the behavior of your individual pet. Meet a rabbit to learn its temperament. Do not choose a rabbit based on breed alone. You should always meet a rabbit in person a few times and spend time holding and interacting with it before deciding to adopt it. Even if a breed is known for having a friendly temperament, an individual rabbit may display behavioral issues depending on its history. Avoid rabbits if you have very young children. Older children can usually do well with rabbits, but very young children should not keep rabbits as pets. Children who have not yet developed motor skills can seriously injure rabbits through mishandling. Make sure any rabbit you choose is healthy. A healthy rabbit will be alert and energetic. Their fur should be shiny and even with no patches of hair loss or evidence of external parasites. They should not appear either bony or overly fat with pockets of fat build up. Before choosing a rabbit, run your hands over both sides to check for lumps and bumps. You should also make sure both sides of the rabbit feel the same. When choosing a rabbit from a breeder or pet store, ask if the rabbit has any preexisting health conditions or special needs before deciding to adopt it. Take allergies into consideration. If you've never had a rabbit before, it's possible a household member could be allergic. Make sure everyone in your home meets the rabbit before you adopt it and watch for things like sniffling, sneezing, and other signs of an adverse allergic reaction. People with cat allergies may be more likely to be allergic to rabbits. Rabbits also need hay to thrive, so it's a bad idea to get a rabbit if someone in your household has a hay allergy. | Choose breeds that will get along with kids. Find a sociable breed. Watch out for breed-specific temperament issues. Pick a size suitable for your home and family. Avoid angoras and English lops if you're inexperienced. Make sure you have enough space. Review breed-specific health problems. Take your other pets into account. Meet a rabbit to learn its temperament. Avoid rabbits if you have very young children. Make sure any rabbit you choose is healthy. Take allergies into consideration. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-a-Puppy-Its-Name | How to Teach a Puppy Its Name | To teach a puppy its name, try a simple exercise by putting the dog on a leash and calling it when its not looking. When the dog comes to you, give it a treat as a reward. Once your dog starts responding to its name, try calling it when it's distracted, like while playing with a ball, to test your dog's ability to concentrate. To help your dog recognize its name, use the name as much as possible, including when you're giving it food. You should also be consistent and patient with your puppy, since it can often take time for them to learn their name. | Get to know your puppy. Spend a few days with your puppy before deciding on a name. Play with him and see what he likes or dislikes. For example, during which activities does he wag his tail or seem excited? In which moments does he seem withdrawn? Are there particular foods he prefers? After some time, you both will be more comfortable with each other. You might draw a name from his personality traits or habits. If your dog has lots of energy, you could name him Sparky for instance. It is important to teach your puppy his name before you begin teaching commands. Having your puppy know his name will help the training process. Choose a name with one or two syllables. A puppy's name should produce a quick response. Dogs respond better to short sounds. For example, ideal dog names are Bella, Buddy, or Lucky. Use a name that you will not mind repeating endlessly. Allow household members to contribute to the naming process. If you have small children, consider picking a shorter name that they can say. Select a name with distinguishable sounds. By having easily identifiable sounds in the name, the puppy can differentiate his name from surrounding noise. Utilize names with crisp, commanding consonants (“k” or hard “c”) like "Cocoa." Sibilant consonant or blends (“s,” “sh” or “zh”) in names like "Shadow" also help dogs hear their names. Consider names like BeeBee with distinct vowel sounds. Avoid names that rhyme with frequently used words. For example, do not choose a name that rhymes with a household member's name (e.g. Jim, name: Tim), an oft-used word (No!, name: Bo), or command (Stay, name: Shay). If the name sounds too close to another word, the dog might be confused. Your dog does not understand the meaning behind his name. Instead, your puppy responds in a particular way to a certain sound. Find a place to begin training. You can train in your home in the kitchen or living room. A backyard or a quiet outdoor space where there are no distractions also works. Your puppy can be on or off his leash to start. Plan training sessions. Dogs have short attention spans. For this reason, it is best to plan more frequent, shorter training sessions. Plan five minute training sessions with three to five "name calls" during different times of the day. Practice over the course of a few days. Call your puppy's name in a happy, clear voice. Use your puppy's name one time per exercise (e.g. Come, Molly!). If you repeat the name continually before the dog comes, he will tune the name out. Use the puppy's name with positive commands. Consider running away from your puppy while you call his name. Dogs love to chase things and might be more likely to follow you. Use the Name Game to practice name recognition. In the training area, keep him on a ten-foot leash. Give him five feet to wander. When he is not looking, call the puppy with an excited voice. Make sure he comes to you. If he does not come, pull him gently towards you. When he gets to you, praise him and give him a treat. Repeat the exercise until your puppy consistently returns to you when you call his name. Do not use the puppy's name in conjunction with negative commands or words (no and stay). Do not scold the puppy if he takes a while to come to you. Avoid nicknames that might confuse your dog, like "Come!" and "Stop!" These might sound funny, but they'll only lead to distress. Reward your puppy if he responds to his name. Say, "yes!" when he comes. Give him verbal praise and/or a treat. Overall, act very excited and pleased about his behavior. You also could give your dog a belly rub. You can alternate what rewards you give the puppy. The goal is to associate puppy's obedience with a positive response from you. Make training more challenging. After your puppy has mastered initial training, train in different locations. Throw in a distraction like a bouncing ball, then call its name. Practice while your puppy is playing, chewing, grooming, sleeping, etc. Aim to have your puppy respond to you no matter where you are. Stop giving treats gradually. Once your puppy consistently responds to his name, slowly stop giving him treats (for name response). Give him a treat every other time he responds. Lengthen the time between treats until he no longer needs treats for name response. Use the puppy's name continually. Once you are done training, continue using the puppy's name frequently. Say it when you walk, feed, bathe, or groom him. Say his name during positive moments. Give it time. If it takes a while for your puppy to learn his name, that is okay. Each dog learns at his own pace. The key is to be consistent in saying his name. Over time, he will learn to understand that when he hears his name, you want his attention. Remember that no dog will respond to his name 100% of the time. Dogs are not machines and thus make errors. They might not hear you or they might have a bad day and not want to listen. Some dog breeds like hounds are more difficult to train than other breeds. Be extra patient. | Get to know your puppy. Choose a name with one or two syllables. Select a name with distinguishable sounds. Avoid names that rhyme with frequently used words. Find a place to begin training. Plan training sessions. Call your puppy's name in a happy, clear voice. Reward your puppy if he responds to his name. Make training more challenging. Stop giving treats gradually. Use the puppy's name continually. Give it time. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Better-at-Tennis | How to Get Better at Tennis | To get better at tennis, keep your eye on the ball at all times, even when you're hitting it, to improve your accuracy. Also, remember to use a gentle grip when holding your racket since gripping it too tightly can make your shots slow and weak. If you're having trouble serving, try shifting all of your weight onto your back leg, which will give you momentum when you serve. You should also focus more on accuracy than speed and strength when serving so the ball goes where you want it. | Focus on accuracy, not speed, when serving the ball. Beginner tennis players often serve the ball using all of their speed and strength. You don't need to hit the ball with all your might, though! Don't put 100% of your energy into a serve. Professional players tend to give about 80% energy. When you serve, focus more on accuracy than power. Practice hitting the ball exactly where you want it to go rather than just hitting is as hard as you can. Concentrate on your aim. Carve out time in your tennis routine to work on practice serves. Put all your weight on your back leg before you take a shot. By putting your weight on your back leg, you'll set yourself up to create momentum going forward. This will make it so your body moves in a much more fluid and natural way when you take your shot. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times. Even though this sounds easy, every tennis player must master this skill. Train your eyes on the ball when your opponent serves it to you. Make it the focus of your entire vision. Follow it as it comes to you. Watch as you hit it with your racket. Then, continue to follow the ball as it moves across the court. Keep your head still and your eyes on the ball even when it makes contact with your racquet. It's natural to want to look ahead at your target, but you have to break this habit. Remind yourself during every practice to do this and it will eventually become second nature. Move slowly and deliberately on the court. Don't rush your shots. Use as much time as you can to serve, position yourself, and to gather your thoughts between points. If you rush yourself unnecessarily, you'll break your focus and take shots that are inaccurate. Hold your racket gently, if your swing is rigid or slow. Avoid putting a death grip on your racket. This will not only tire your hand out quickly, but it'll probably take you longer to respond to your opponent's shot. Instead, hold the racket loosely and gently. While this may take some getting used to, you'll be able to improve your power and accuracy. Restring your racquet if your swing becomes weak or inaccurate. Some people restring their racquets themselves, but unless you have a tennis stringing machine and a few special tools, it's better to hire a professional to do it. Once you do, you'll likely see some improvements in your hits. This is especially true if you feel as if you don't have a hard enough serve. Look up tennis shops or sporting goods stores in your area, and call to find out if they do restringing. Many of them do. Practice regularly. With the right feedback, a lot of practice will enable you to address and fix the many of the weaknesses in your game. As a result, you should establish a regular tennis schedule so you are always improving. If possible, practice 4 or 5 times a week for about 2 hours. Any amount of feedback you get while practicing will help you improve your game. Play with people who are better than you. You won't improve your game if you play with people who aren't as good as you. Instead, challenge yourself by playing with people who have more skill and experience than yourself. This way, you'll not only be able to watch them, but you can gain their feedback about what you can do to improve your game. Find a new practice partner if you think you've outgrown your old one. You can look for new partners at your tennis club or put the word out that you're looking for one. If you aren't part of a tennis club, look into joining one! Enter tournaments and play with different people. Look for tournaments in your region. Depending on where you live, there may be several or even a dozen or more tennis tournaments every year. Many of these tournaments will include people of all skill levels. You may be able to enter a tournament through your local tennis club. If you're a high school or college student, you can try to join your school's team. Ask your match partners for constructive criticism. Have an informal discussion with your match opponents about your game. Ask them about your performance. Find out what they think you can do to improve your game. In addition, ask them what your strengths are. Only offer your opponent constructive criticism if they ask for it. Regardless of your partner's response, you should respond politely and express your gratitude for their feedback. Find a coach or professional to provide you with feedback. Hire a coach or a professional player to observe you play. The more matches they observe, the better. This way, they'll be able to study your game and give you feedback about ways you can improve your playing. To find a coach or professional: Contact a local tennis club near you. Look online to see if there are professionals or coaches in your area who will meet with you. Video yourself playing. Set up a camera or have a friend record you while you play. Then, watch the video and note aspects of your game that could be improved. You'll likely discover issues with your serve, stance, and posture that you didn't know about. Watch to see if your shots are too short or too deep. Note whether you're standing in the wrong place for a serve or when defending. Look to see if there are types of shots that you have a hard time with. For example, if you have problems hitting high bouncing balls with your backhand. Drink water or a sports drink during changeovers. Keep yourself as hydrated as you can. Take advantage of sports drinks with vitamins and electrolytes to keep your energy up. This way, you'll be able to perform as best as you can. Eat a granola bar, energy bar, or nutritional bar every other changeover. You can also eat any other source of carbs. Also, consider a snack that has some protein. By eating carbs and protein, you'll replenish some of the energy you've expended while playing. This will enable you to play longer and more effectively. Get a quick fix of protein by snacking on a handful of mixed nuts. Dried fruit or a banana will give you a quick dose of carbs during a changeover. Stretch before your match. Set aside 5 or 10 minutes before your match to stretch. You can either do static stretching (stretching and holding your pose) or dynamic stretching (doing a variety of movements). If you already stretch, consider stretching a little more. Do a chest stretch by holding your arms out as far as you can. Stretch your core by bending slowly to one side and then the other. Stretch your legs by reaching for your toes. Commit yourself to a cardio regimen for an hour 3 or 4 times a week. The best exercises you can do are running or swimming. Cardio will help increase your endurance and make it so you can quickly move around the court. Practice aerobic exercises for half an hour 3 or 4 times a week. An aerobic workout will complement sustained cardio, increase your agility, and improve your reflexes. A good aerobic workout will include a variety of exercises. Ultimately, the more exercises and the more time you spend, the better. Practice pogo jumps to improve your springing ability and to strengthen your ankles. Do some lunges to improve your lower body endurance and strength. Try jumping jacks to improve your core and and agility. Do strength training a few times each week. Choose exercises that target your back, legs, core and shoulders. Lat pull downs, leg presses and resistance band moves are all excellent ways to focus on those areas. To work your arms, use weight machines with cables and pulleys that replicate arm movements in tennis. | Focus on accuracy, not speed, when serving the ball. Put all your weight on your back leg before you take a shot. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times. Move slowly and deliberately on the court. Hold your racket gently, if your swing is rigid or slow. Restring your racquet if your swing becomes weak or inaccurate. Practice regularly. Play with people who are better than you. Enter tournaments and play with different people. Ask your match partners for constructive criticism. Find a coach or professional to provide you with feedback. Video yourself playing. Drink water or a sports drink during changeovers. Eat a granola bar, energy bar, or nutritional bar every other changeover. Stretch before your match. Commit yourself to a cardio regimen for an hour 3 or 4 times a week. Practice aerobic exercises for half an hour 3 or 4 times a week. Do strength training a few times each week. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Molarity | How to Calculate Molarity | To calculate molarity, divide the number of moles of solute by the volume of the solution in liters. If you don't know the number of moles of solute but you know the mass, start by finding the molar mass of the solute, which is equal to all of the molar masses of each element in the solution added together. Once you have the molar mass, multiply the number of grams of solute by 1 over the molar mass to convert the grams into moles. Finally, divide the number of moles by the volume of the solution to get the molarity. | Know the basic formula for calculating molarity. Molarity is equal to the number of moles of a solute divided by the volume of the solution in liters. As such, it is written as: molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution Example problem: What is the molarity of a solution containing 0.75 mol NaCl in 4.2 liters? Examine the problem. Finding molarity demands that you have the number of moles and the number of liters. If the problem provides each of these figures, no preliminary calculations are needed. Example problem: Moles = 0.75 mol NaCl Volume = 4.2 L Divide the number of moles by the number of liters. The resulting quotient will give you the number of moles per liter of solution, otherwise known as molarity. Example problem: molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution = 0.75 mol / 4.2 L = 0.17857142 Write your answer. Round off the number of digits after the decimal point to two or three, depending on your instructor's preference. When you write out the answer, abbreviate "molarity" with "M" and state the chemical abbreviation of the solute involved. Example problem: 0.179 M NaCl Know the basic formula for calculating molarity. Molarity expresses the relationship between the number of moles of a solute per liters of solution, or the volume of that solution. In formula form, molarity is expressed as: molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution Example problem: What is the molarity of a solution made by dissolving 3.4 g of KMnO 4 in 5.2 liters of water? Examine the problem. Finding molarity demands that you have the number of moles and the number of liters. If you are not provided with the number of moles but you do have the volume and mass of the solution, you will need to use these two figures to calculate the number of moles before continuing on. Example problem: Mass = 3.4 g KMnO 4 Volume = 5.2 L Find the molar mass of the solute. To calculate the number of moles from the mass or grams of solute used, you must first determine the molar mass of the solute. This can be done by adding together the separate molar masses of each element found in the solution. Find the molar mass of each element using the periodic table of elements. Make sure that you count the atoms for each element and calculate the molar mass of each of the atoms. Example problem: Molar mass of K = 39.1 g Molar mass of Mn = 54.9 g Molar mass of O = 16.0 g (The solute contains 4 O atoms, so count the 16g 4 times.) Total molar mass = K + Mn + O + O + O + O = 39.1 + 54.9 + 16 + 16 + 16 + 16 = 158.0 g Convert the grams into moles. Now that you have the molar mass of the solute, you need to multiply the number of grams of solute in the solution by a conversion factor of 1 mole over the formula weight (molar mass) of the solute. This will give you the number of moles of the solute for this equation. Example problem: grams of solute * (1/molar mass of solute) = 3.4 g * (1 mol / 158 g) = 0.0215 mol The grams units of the solute and solute mass cancel each other out so you are left with mol units. Divide the number of moles by the number of liters. Now that you have the number of moles, you can divide this value by the number of liters of solution in order to find the molarity. Example problem: molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution = 0.0215 mol / 5.2 L = 0.004134615 Write your answer. You should round off the number of digits after the decimal point to the place requested by your instructor. Usually, this will be two or three places after the decimal point. Additionally, when you write out the answer, abbreviate “molarity” with “M” and state the solute involved. Example problem: 0.004 M KMnO 4 Know the basic formula for calculating molarity. In order to find molarity, you need to calculate the number of moles of solute for a solution per liter of solution. Milliliters cannot be used. The general formula used to express molarity is written as: molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution Example problem: What is the molarity of a solution containing 1.2 moles CaCl 2 in 2905 milliliters? Examine the problem. Calculating molarity requires you to have the number of moles and the number of liters. If you are provided with the volume in milliliters instead of liters, you will need to convert the volume into liters before continuing your calculations. Example problem: Moles = 1.2 mol CaCl 2 Volume = 2905 ml Convert the milliliters into liters. Find the number of liters by dividing the number of milliliters by 1000, since there are 1000 milliliters per 1 liter. Note that you could also simply move the decimal point to the left three places. Example problem: 2905 ml * (1 L / 1000 ml) = 2.905 L Divide the number of moles by the number of liters. Now that you have the number of liters, you can divide the number of moles of solute by this value in order to find the molarity of the solution. Example problem: molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution = 1.2 mol CaCl 2 / 2.905 L = 0.413080895 Write your answer. Round off the number of digits after the decimal point to the amount requested by your instructor (usually two or three places). When you write out the answer, you should also abbreviate “molarity” with “M,” and state the solute. Example problem: 0.413 M CaCl 2 Find the molarity of a solution made by dissolving 5.2 g of NaCl in 800 ml of water. Identify the values provided to you in the problem: mass in grams and volume in milliliters. Mass = 5.2 g NaCl Volume = 800 ml water Find the molar mass of NaCl. Do this by adding together the molar mass of sodium, Na, and the molar mass of chlorine, Cl. The molar mass of Na = 22.99 g The molar mass of Cl = 35.45 g The molar mass of NaCl = 22.99 + 35.45 = 58.44 g Multiply the mass of the solute by its molar mass conversion factor. In this instance, the molar mass of NaCl is 58.44 g, so the conversion factor is 1 mol / 58.44 g. Moles NaCl = 5.2 g NaCl * (1 mol / 58.44 g) = 0.08898 mol = 0.09 mol Divide 800 ml of water by 1000. Since there are 1000 milliliters per liter, you will need to divide the number of milliliters in this problem by 1000 in order to find the number of liters. You could also look at it as multiplying 800 ml by a conversion factor of 1 L / 1000 ml. To hasten the process, you could simply move the decimal point three places to the left instead of multiplying or dividing anything. Volume = 800 ml * (1 L / 1000 ml) = 800 ml / 1000 ml = 0.8 L Divide the number of moles of solute by the number of liters of solution. In order to find the molarity, you need to divide 0.09 mol, the number of moles of the solute NaCl, by 0.8 L, the volume of the solution in liters. molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution = 0.09 mol / 0.8 L = 0.1125 mol/L Tidy up your answer. Round your answer off to two or three decimal places and abbreviate molarity with “M.” Answer: 0.11 M NaCl | Know the basic formula for calculating molarity. Examine the problem. Divide the number of moles by the number of liters. Write your answer. Know the basic formula for calculating molarity. Examine the problem. Find the molar mass of the solute. Convert the grams into moles. Divide the number of moles by the number of liters. Write your answer. Know the basic formula for calculating molarity. Examine the problem. Convert the milliliters into liters. Divide the number of moles by the number of liters. Write your answer. Find the molarity of a solution made by dissolving 5.2 g of NaCl in 800 ml of water. Find the molar mass of NaCl. Multiply the mass of the solute by its molar mass conversion factor. Divide 800 ml of water by 1000. Divide the number of moles of solute by the number of liters of solution. Tidy up your answer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Register-to-Vote-in-California | How to Register to Vote in California | To register to vote in California, visit registertovote.ca.gov to complete an online application. You'll need to have a California driver's license to register online. If you don't, you can print your filled-out form and mail it to your county elections office instead. Alternatively, you can register to vote by picking up a paper application from any DMV office, your county elections office, or at most post offices, libraries, and government offices. | Visit the online voter registration site. The California Secretary of State's office maintains a website where you can complete an application and register to vote. To access this site, go to https://registertovote.ca.gov/. To proceed with the application in English, click the button that says "Register to Vote Now." If you would prefer the application in another language, you can choose from Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, or Vietnamese. Choose the option that matches your citizenship and residency. Most commonly, you would choose the first option to classify yourself as a US citizen and resident of California. However, while you must be a US citizen to register to vote, you don't necessarily have to reside in California to register to vote in California. There are additional options if you are a service member stationed overseas, or if you are a US citizen who resides outside the US. When you have chosen the correct option, click the "Next" button to continue the application. Provide your personal information and identification number. Fill in your first and last name, email address, and phone number. Then scroll down and provide your date and place of birth. Further down, the form requires your home address. For identification, you can enter either your California driver's license number, your California identification card number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you don't have a state identification card or Social Security number, check the appropriate boxes. You will be assigned an identification number by your county elections official. It is optional to provide your phone number and email address. If you provide your telephone number, it becomes a matter of public record. Your email address does not. Complete the optional sections of the form. Below the identification section, you have the option of identifying your race or ethnicity and choosing the language in which you prefer to receive any election materials. below the mailing address section, you can choose your political party preference. The questions regarding race or ethnicity and language preference do not require any response. While the political party question does require a response, you can choose "No party" to indicate that you don't want to choose a party affiliation. Keep in mind that if you don't choose a party, you may not be able to vote in primary elections. Use your DMV signature to sign the application. When you register online, you can use the signature on your California driver's license or identification card to sign your application. The system will search for your information in the DMV database automatically. If you do not have a driver's license or state identification card, or the DMV does not have your signature on file, you will have to print your completed form, sign it, and mail it to your county elections office. The address for your county elections office is available at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/. Wait for your voter registration card to arrive in the mail. Within 3 weeks after you complete your registration application, you should receive notice from the Secretary of State's office that you are a registered voter in the state of California. If you don't receive anything after 3 weeks, contact your county elections official and ask if you are registered to vote. Contact information for your county elections office is available at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/. You can also check your voter status online at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/. You will need to enter your first and last name, California driver's license or identification card number, the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Pick up a paper application at a convenient location. Paper voter registration applications are available at any DMV office, your county elections office, and at many post offices, public libraries, and other government offices. You can also call the voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE and have one mailed to you. To find contact information for your county elections office, go to https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/ and scroll to find the county where you reside. Fill out your application using black ink. Check the boxes classifying your citizenship neatly, and print your name, date of birth, and mailing address legibly in the spaces provided. Include the number for your California driver's license or identification card, along with the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you don't have a California driver's license or identification card, or a Social Security number, leave these fields blank. Your county elections official will assign you a voter identification number. Sign and date your application after you've finished filling it out. You may want to make a copy for your records. Mail your application to your county elections office. Once you've completed your application, fold it and seal it in a regular envelope. Affix postage and place in the mail. If you don't want to mail your application, you can also take it to your county elections office in person to turn it in. If the address isn't listed on the application, you can find it at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices/. Receive notice that you are registered to vote. Within 3 weeks of the date you mailed your application (or hand-delivered it), you should receive notice from your county elections office that you are officially registered to vote. If you don't get this notice, you can call your county elections office and ask if your registration has been completed. You can also check your voting status at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/. If you mailed in your application, allow at least a week for it to be received and processed before you use this site. Find a conditional voter registration location. If you missed the 15-day deadline, you can still register and vote during the early voting period. You must vote at an early voting location that offers conditional voter registration. Go to https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/ to find the location nearest you. You can search by county, or by city and zip code. Bring along your California driver's license or identification card if you have one. Complete a voter registration card. At the early voting location, you'll be given a registration form to fill out. You must provide your full name, mailing address, date and place of birth, citizenship and residency status. There are also fields for your California driver's license or identification card number, as well as the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you don't have a California driver's license or identification card, or Social Security number, you can leave these fields blank. An election official will assign a voter identification number for you to use. Vote your provisional ballot. Once you've completed the voter registration card, you can also vote on a provisional ballot on the same day. Once your registration is completed, your provisional ballot will be counted. You don't have to re-register for the next election. Through this process, your registration becomes permanent. Confirm your registration status. When you are certified as a registered voter, your county elections office will mail you a notice informing you of your status. If it's been 3 weeks since you completed conditional registration and you still haven't received a notice, call your county elections office and ask if you're a registered voter. You can also check your voting status online at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/. | Visit the online voter registration site. Choose the option that matches your citizenship and residency. Provide your personal information and identification number. Complete the optional sections of the form. Use your DMV signature to sign the application. Wait for your voter registration card to arrive in the mail. Pick up a paper application at a convenient location. Fill out your application using black ink. Mail your application to your county elections office. Receive notice that you are registered to vote. Find a conditional voter registration location. Complete a voter registration card. Vote your provisional ballot. Confirm your registration status. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Hairstyle | How to Choose a Hairstyle | To choose a hairstyle, start by considering the shape of your face and opt for a style or cut that flatters that shape the most. You can also consider what facial features you want to highlight or conceal when deciding on a hairstyle. If you're choosing a hairstyle for a special occasion, try a sophisticated updo or neatly slick your hair back away from your face for a polished look! | Go with layers, an asymmetrical cut, or a defined pixie on a woman’s round face. Women with round faces will want to have layers with longer hair or make a bold statement with shorter hair. Hair past your shoulders or a bob should have rich layers to add definition to your face. For shorter hair, try an asymmetrical bob or a defined pixie. Either cut will add angles and shape to your soft features. Wear the sides and back short to create chiseled features on a man’s round face. Men with round faces can create the illusion of chiseled features by wearing their hair longer on top and very short, even shaved, on the sides and back. Try a side part or messy fringes on the longer top section of your hair to complete the look. A thin, well-groomed beard that goes close to your Adam's apple looks good on a round face if you like facial hair. Try blunt bangs or a center part on women’s heart-shaped faces. Heart-shaped faces are wider at the top around the cheekbones and come to a point down toward the chin. Bangs that are cut straight across your forehead work well on heart-shaped faces by framing the wider part of your face. If you're not a fan of bangs but have a heart-shaped face, try a center part to show it off. A side part tends to create an illusion of elongating your face, which is great for round faces but unnecessary for heart-shapes. This face shape can wear most all lengths and types of layers well. Get lots of layers, waves, or a diamond cut for a woman’s square-shaped face. Women with square-shaped faces have a wider jawline and more angular features than other face shape types. Softer hairstyles work better than angular or boxy styles on this face shape. Lots of length is great on a square-shaped face, especially if you add layers and/or waves to the ends. A diamond cut is longer in the back and shorter up front, and is worn best with wavy hair on square-faces. If you wear bangs, go with side-swept ones as opposed to straight-across to keep your style softer. Wear your sideburns short and style your hair upward for a man’s square face. Men with square faces can add a little length to their face by wearing an upward style like a pompadour. Another way to add some length is by keeping your sideburns above the ears. If you like facial hair, a longer beard also works well on a square face. If you'd prefer to keep longer hair, a bun may also be a good option. This keeps the sides looking short, and the bun can be as high and as long as you would like. Keep volume at the top for a men’s and women’s triangular-shaped faces. Men with triangle-shaped faces have narrower temples and cheekbones and wider jawlines. Keeping your hair longer and textured at the top can help your face look more proportioned. If your hair has some curl to it, grow it out on top and wear it in a messy pompadour. If you like wearing facial hair, a thicker beard or goatee that's well-groomed can disguise the angles of your jawline. Women with triangular faces can wear a layered bob with bangs well. Fringe in the front helps create the illusion of a wider forehead. Experiment with different styles if your face is oval-shaped. Oval-shaped faces are known for being the most well-proportioned, and can basically rock any style. Browse hair magazines and pictures on the internet to find your favorite style, and take it to your hairdresser at your next cut. Flatter a large forehead with bangs. If you have a large forehead and want to try concealing it a bit, bangs are your best bet. Choose thick, straight across bangs if your face is heart- or oval-shaped. Round- and square-shaped faces look best with side-swept bangs. Draw attention away from your nose with a side-part. If you don't like your nose for any reason, you can draw attention to your eyes instead with a deep side-part. Side-parts also create an illusion of length for your face, and they tend to draw attention toward your forehead and chin and away from your face's center. Wear a pixie cut if you have small features. Small eyes, noses, and mouths may get drowned out in long, layered tresses. If your facial features are on the smaller side, consider wearing your hair short. Pixie cuts and chin-length bobs draw lots of attention to your features and help them to look more proportioned. Men with small features should try keeping their hair clipped short and avoiding too much facial hair, or their features may be overpowered by lots of hair. Conceal a long neck with long locks. If your neck is on the longer side and you'd like to hide it a little, simply grow your hair long. Wear it straight or in waves to draw attention away from the length of your neck. If you currently have shorter hair, it can take a few months to grow longer tresses. To add some extra length while you grow your hair, use clip-in extensions. You could even consider getting wigs to try some different styles. Wear a loose, wavy updo with a lacy dress. Lacy dresses are the most romantic and call for a romantic hairstyle to match. Consider an updo with loose waves and add flowers or barrettes to complete the look. If your hair is naturally straight, use rollers or a curling iron to add waves before you sweep it up and twist it a few times in the back. Secure your updo with bobby pins and decorative barrettes to complete the look. Try a high, messy, fishtail braid with a halter dress. Halter dresses look great with a style that complements their long, strappy appearance. Add some volumizer to your hair and pull it up into a high ponytail. Make a loose fishtail braid and secure it with an elastic hairband. If you don't have the length or volume of hair to pull off this look, try adding some clip-on extensions before pulling your hair up. Wear side-swept waves with a mermaid dress. Mermaid dresses are very elegant; wear an equally elegant hairstyle with yours to complete your look. Get loose waves by braiding your hair into one large, loose braid and sleeping in it overnight. Then simply add styling serum before your event and comb all of your hair off to one side. Add some hairspray to finish off your waves and complete this elegant style. Try a ballerina bun with a one-shouldered dress. One-shouldered dresses have a bold and dramatic appearance, so let them get the attention they deserve by keeping your hair up and out of the way. Simply pull your hair up into a high ponytail and wrap the tail around the center all the way to the ends. Secure the bun with bobby pins all around. Consider using extensions or a sock bun to achieve this look if your hair isn't very long or is very thin. To make the look more sleek and modern, smooth some gel or mousse into your hair to tame frizz and flyaways. Then, pull your hair back in your ponytail and proceed with the bun. Curl and pin shorter hair to one side for a vintage look. If you have a bob that's chin- or shoulder-length, create a 1920s style by curling with large rollers or a curling iron and setting the curls with hairspray. Comb all of your curls over to one side, and pin them in place with bobby pins. Add flower or rhinestone barrettes to any length hair. Any length hair can be dressed up with one or several barrettes. Place them throughout an updo on longer hair, or style shorter hair with curls or twists before placing your barrettes throughout. Choose barrettes that match your dress or your jewelry for the best look. Slick back your hair or make a pompadour for a classic look. Guys can instantly make their hair more formal by combing it back with pomade. To create a pompadour, slick back the sides of your damp hair with pomade. Take a round brush, and starting at the back of your head, roll the brush backwards while pushing your hair upward and forward and blasting it with hot air from your blow-dryer. Continue the rolled brushing all the way over the top to your forehead until the top of your hair is tall and rounded. Run more pomade through it, and set the style with some high-hold hairspray. For optimal results, use a nozzle attachment on your blow dryer. This helps focus the air on the specific sections of hair you are working with. | Go with layers, an asymmetrical cut, or a defined pixie on a woman’s round face. Wear the sides and back short to create chiseled features on a man’s round face. Try blunt bangs or a center part on women’s heart-shaped faces. Get lots of layers, waves, or a diamond cut for a woman’s square-shaped face. Wear your sideburns short and style your hair upward for a man’s square face. Keep volume at the top for a men’s and women’s triangular-shaped faces. Experiment with different styles if your face is oval-shaped. Flatter a large forehead with bangs. Draw attention away from your nose with a side-part. Wear a pixie cut if you have small features. Conceal a long neck with long locks. Wear a loose, wavy updo with a lacy dress. Try a high, messy, fishtail braid with a halter dress. Wear side-swept waves with a mermaid dress. Try a ballerina bun with a one-shouldered dress. Curl and pin shorter hair to one side for a vintage look. Add flower or rhinestone barrettes to any length hair. Slick back your hair or make a pompadour for a classic look. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Plastic-Rice | How to Identify Plastic Rice | To identify plastic rice, drop a tablespoon of your rice into a glass of water and stir it for a few seconds. Wait about 30 seconds for the mixture to stop swirling. Then, look for any grains floating on the surface, which indicate that your rice isn't real. While you're cooking your rice, you should also look out for a layer of thick residue from melting plastic. If you're boiling your rice on the stovetop, check it after 10 minutes. Or, if you're cooking it in the microwave, check it after 3 minutes. | Purchase plastic rice beads if you want a comparison. Plastic rice beads are available online and at some art supply stores. They're used to cushion shipped cargo and for crafts projects. When you conduct your experiments, you could compare a sample of plastic rice with the rice you want to test. Some people have seen videos of plastic rice beads being produced and assume that they're made just to be passed off as food. However, plastic rice beads are more expensive to produce than actual rice, so it wouldn't be profitable to try to substitute plastic for the real thing. Add rice to a glass of water. If you just want to test a small amount, drop a tablespoon of rice into a glass of water. To test a larger batch, add the rice to a large pot and cover it with 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of water. If you're also testing a sample of plastic rice, add it to a separate container of water. Stir the water and let it settle. Mix up the rice and water for a few seconds. Then give the mixture about 30 seconds to stop swirling. Look for grains that floats to the surface. Because of its density, rice sinks in water. If any grains float to the surface after the water settles, you should be suspicious. The difference will be obvious if you're also testing a sample of plastic beads. You might see bits and pieces of dirt and other debris float, but all the grains of rice should sink. Aside from verifying its authenticity, soaking and rinsing rice before cooking removes impurities and helps separate the grains. In the end, you'll have a fluffier, less sticky bowl of cooked rice. Add rice to a pot or bowl of water. Combine equal parts of rice and water, or use whichever ratio you prefer to use when you normally cook rice. Use a pot if you're boiling the rice on the stovetop, or combine the rice and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Use a separate container to boil plastic rice beads if you're testing a comparison sample. Cook the rice in the microwave or on the stovetop. Bring the rice to a boil over medium heat on the stovetop. Alternatively, you could microwave the rice on high for about 3 minutes. Check the surface for a layer of thick residue. If you're boiling the rice on the stovetop, check it after about 10 minutes, or take the bowl out of the microwave after 3 minutes. Skim the surface with a spoon to check for a layer of plastic residue. When boiling rice on the stovetop, you might have to lower the heat to calm a rolling boil so you can see the surface clearly. If you're testing a sample of plastic, you'll be able to skim a thick layer of melted plastic from the surface. In addition, unlike rice, the plastic won't start to fluff and absorb the water. Rice is starchy, and some stickiness or residue is normal, especially in short-grained varieties. However, there's a noticeable difference between a thin starchy residue and a thick layer of melted plastic. Coat a skillet with oil and heat it on the stove. A tablespoon of oil should be enough to coat the surface of a skillet. Alternatively, you could coat the surface with cooking spray. After coating the skillet, set your burner to high heat and get your pan hot. Cover the skillet with a single, thin layer of rice. When the oil becomes very thin and hot, add rice to the skillet. You'll need to be able to observe individual grains, so don't add too much rice. If you're testing a sample of plastic rice beads, heat them in a separate skillet. Check for grains that contract and melt. Plastic will begin to melt after a couple of minutes on the hot skillet. Look closely, and if there are any plastic grains, you'll be able to see them start to change shape and liquefy. If you're testing samples side by side, you'll have no problem seeing the plastic rice beads contract and melt. Melting plastic also has a distinct smell, which you'll also detect if you're testing a sample of plastic rice beads. | Purchase plastic rice beads if you want a comparison. Add rice to a glass of water. Stir the water and let it settle. Look for grains that floats to the surface. Add rice to a pot or bowl of water. Cook the rice in the microwave or on the stovetop. Check the surface for a layer of thick residue. Coat a skillet with oil and heat it on the stove. Cover the skillet with a single, thin layer of rice. Check for grains that contract and melt. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Like-a-Woman-in-the-1800s | How to Dress Like a Woman in the 1800s | To dress up like a woman in the 1800s, try for a Victorian style with a full-length dress and petticoats. Pull on elbow-length gloves and style your hair in a curly updo, like a bun with braids, then finish the look with black boots and a fancy hat. If you want a simpler look, try for a pioneer style with a button-down shirt and a long, plain skirt and apron. Pull your hair into a bun or a simple braid and complete the style with practical leather boots and a bonnet. | Wear a corset for a regal, historically-accurate look. Corsets were a necessity for any Victorian woman, and their modern resurgence in popularity means it's easy to find and buy one for your own Victorian look. For the most historically-accurate look, go for a Victorian-style, S-shaped silhouette, which will give a classic hourglass shape. Look for corsets on specialty outlets online. If you're trying a corset for the first time, don't lace it as tightly as you can just yet. Let your body get used to the slight constriction. Lace down about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and leave it for about 2 hours. If your body feels OK, lace down another inch; if not, take the corset off and try again tomorrow. Most Victorian women didn't wear their corsets very tightly, contrary to popular belief, so don't feel pressured to slim down your waist to painful proportions. If you choose to wear a corset at all (they're not required!), simply fit it so that it's comfortable around your chest and waist. Put on a full-length dress with a petticoat and bustle. Women in the 1800s wore dresses with long, full skirts that reached the ground, but the exact style of the dress shifted throughout the century. If you're looking for a more general costume, go with a long, full skirt of plain fabric in a muted, solid color. Layer your dress with a petticoat or a bustle if you can. For a simple-to-make take on an 1800s dress, buy a full-length, long-sleeved dress online and fill it out with petticoats, which you can buy or make yourself. You can also pair a full-length shirt with a plain, button-down shirt for a similar effect. In the mid-1800s up to about 1865, women wore bell-shaped skirts with voluminous petticoats. In the late 1800s, the front of the skirt became flatter as emphasis shifted to the back, with lots of flounces and ruching. The bodice area of dresses stayed relatively the same throughout the 1800s, tightly-fitted with high collars and sometimes sloping necklines for evening wear. Slide on a pair of elbow-length gloves. Long, elegant gloves are a must-have for any Victorian-era costume. Go for a creamy white color with lace, or match the color of your gloves to your dress. You can buy long gloves online or in party stores. If you can't find a longer pair, shorter-length gloves will work too. Pull on old-fashioned stockings. Victorian women never went out without long stockings on. Look for a thin, light pair that reaches at least to your knee, made of solid fabric like cotton or wool. Women often went for pairs with pretty embroidery or interesting patterns, so you can go the same route and add a pop of subtle color to your look. Look for an old-fashioned pattern, like simple stripes, small flowers, or even a bolder plaid. Try to find one that matches the color scheme of your dress. You can find knee- or thigh-high stockings at most clothing stores. Go with black shoes or boots for footwear. Footwear was pretty simple for Victorian women, who tended towards flat-heeled black lace-up boots that reached to their mid-calves. In the latter half of the century, though, shoes with pointed and rounded toes started to come into fashion as well. Choose whichever style is more comfortable and looks best with your outfit. You can find lace-up leather boots in most shoe stores that can look quite accurate with the right dress and accessories. You can also go with shorter, heeled booties for a later-1800s look. Curl your hair and twist it into an updo. For a simple Victorian look, keep a straight middle part and use a curling iron to create ringlets. Pull most of them back into a bun while letting a few trail down around your face. If you don't want to curl your hair, try putting it in a bun, leaving 2 thick chunks on the side free. Pull these loosely back towards the bun and pin them to create interesting loops. Victorian women also liked to experiment with braids and styles like crimping, so feel free to get creative. Straight hair left down is a good look for younger girls dressing Victorian-style, but women over the age of about 20 should always go with an updo. The Victorians didn't consider it appropriate for older women to have their hair down in public. Complete the look with a decorated hat. Victorian women always sought to keep their skin protected from the sun, which meant that large hats were all the rage when outdoors. You can buy these big, decorative hats online (search “Victorian women's hats”) or make your own by decorating a light straw hat with ribbon and cloth flowers. Accessorize with jewelry or a fan. You can accent your look with simple jewelry, like a locket hung on a ribbon or a classic charm bracelet. For another fun accessory, pick up a light, Victorian-style fan or make your own from pretty paper or cloth. You can also carry around a parasol, which Victorian women used as another layer of sun protection. If you want to embellish your look with makeup, keep things very simple—the Victorians thought that wearing very visible makeup was inappropriate. Instead, simply powder your face lightly and add a bit of blush to your cheeks, plus a very subtle lipstick and eyeshadow. Pair a floor-length skirt with a button-down shirt. Pioneer women tended to dress with more practicality than their more cosmopolitan counterparts in the city. To create an authentic pioneer look, buy or make a full-length maxi skirt that reaches 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) above the floor and wear a simple button-down, long-sleeve top to match. For the most historically-accurate style, look for solid, dark colors for both pieces. If you want to get more creative, choose a lighter blue color or an old-fashioned pattern, like flowers or birds, which a pioneer woman might have worn on a special occasion. If you don't have a button-down shirt, a plain long-sleeve or three-quarter-length shirt will work as well. You can pair your skirt with a petticoat if you want, although it's not necessary; pioneer women needed to move around more easily, so they often wore less fabric beneath their skirt than Victorians. Wear a corset, or skip it for a more “outdoorsy” look. Some pioneer women wore corsets, but it wasn't considered as necessary as in the city. If you want to try it, look for a Victorian-style, S-shaped corset, which you can find online. If you're trying a corset for the first time, don't lace it as tightly as you can just yet. Let your body get used to the slight constriction. Lace down about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and leave it for about 2 hours. If your body feels OK, lace down another inch; if not, take the corset off and try again tomorrow. Layer an apron over the skirt. Aprons were a must for practical frontier women. Tie one around your waist in a simple white or cream shade, or play with a pattern or color to offset your skirt. Look for a style that comes to about your mid-calves. You can find long aprons online, or make your own by cutting a piece of fabric about 3/4 of the skirt length and the same width around the waist. Gather in the top edge and cinch it down to about half of its length. Sew a ribbon to the top edge of your apron to make a waist tie. Pull on thick stockings and plain leather boots. Pioneer women typically opted for comfortable, flat-heeled boots that reached to their mid-calf, which allowed for easy movement. Pair them with comfortable knee-length stockings with either a fun or a practical pattern—these won't be seen unless you show them off, so have fun with it. You can find leather boots and high stockings in shoe stores and online. Braid your hair or secure it in a bun. Keep your hairstyle simple with a classic low bun, or mix it up by adding braids on the side of your head or around the bun. Create a down-the-middle part for whatever hairstyle you decide to go with. You can also braid your hair simply down your back. For younger girls, two braids is another good option. Make or buy a plain bonnet. Complete your pioneer woman look with a practical bonnet, which would've been used to protect from the sun and keep flyaway hairs tamed down. Look online for a simple cloth bonnet that will match the rest of your outfit. You can also tie on a handkerchief or bandana in place of a bonnet, or try making your own by looking up a sewing tutorial online. | Wear a corset for a regal, historically-accurate look. Put on a full-length dress with a petticoat and bustle. Slide on a pair of elbow-length gloves. Pull on old-fashioned stockings. Go with black shoes or boots for footwear. Curl your hair and twist it into an updo. Complete the look with a decorated hat. Accessorize with jewelry or a fan. Pair a floor-length skirt with a button-down shirt. Wear a corset, or skip it for a more “outdoorsy” look. Layer an apron over the skirt. Pull on thick stockings and plain leather boots. Braid your hair or secure it in a bun. Make or buy a plain bonnet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Thyroid-Cancer | How to Diagnose Thyroid Cancer | There are 4 different types of thyroid cancer, but they can all be treated successfully if you spot their symptoms early on. The most obvious symptom is a hard lump on your neck that grows over time and doesn't move when you touch it. You may also feel aches or pains in the front of your neck or throat. It's common for thyroid cancer to make your voice sound hoarse or weak and make it harder for you to swallow. Someone with thyroid cancer will often have difficulty breathing. If you experience some or all of these symptoms, see your doctor for a physical exam to get a diagnosis. They will likely ask you questions about your condition and may recommend blood tests or an imaging exam. | Check for a lump on the front of your neck. A lump in the neck is the most distinctive symptom of thyroid cancer. The lump is located low on the front part of the neck, near where the neck meets the collarbones. The lump may be visible, or you may be able to feel it when you touch your neck. See your doctor immediately if you develop a lump in your neck. In some cases, you may notice an overall swelling of the lower front part of your neck, instead of a well-defined lump. The lump may appear suddenly or grow rapidly. Most neck lumps are caused by non-cancerous conditions, such as an enlarged thyroid gland or goiter. The lump is more likely to be caused by cancer if it is hard or firm to the touch, does not move easily when touched, and grows over time. Thyroid cancer may also cause swollen lymph nodes in your neck. Make note of pain in the front of your neck. Thyroid cancer may cause aches or pain in your neck and throat. In some cases, the pain may radiate up your neck and into your ears. See your doctor if you have neck or throat pain that: Lasts longer than a week. Is accompanied by a lump in your neck. Causes difficulty breathing or swallowing. Watch for changes in your voice. Thyroid cancer may affect your voice, causing it to sound hoarse, weak, or different in pitch from usual. See your doctor if you experience voice changes that: Do not go away after 3 weeks, especially if you haven't had a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Are accompanied by pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a lump in your throat. Look for difficulty swallowing. Thyroid cancer may make it difficult for you to swallow food or liquid. Swallowing may be painful, or you may experience a sensation of food being stuck in your throat. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing. Pay attention to breathing problems. Thyroid cancer may cause your airways to feel constricted, making it difficult to breathe. See your doctor immediately if you have trouble breathing. Get checked if you have a persistent cough. Thyroid cancer can also cause a cough that does not go away. If you have a cough that lasts more than a few weeks, especially if you have not had a cold or other upper respiratory infection recently, see your doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor for an exam. If you suspect you may have thyroid cancer, schedule a visit with your primary care doctor. They will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. Let your doctor know if there is any history of thyroid cancers or other types of cancers in your family. Go the the doctor as soon as you notice symptoms. Do not delay treatment. Get blood tests to check your thyroid function. If you have symptoms of thyroid cancer, your doctor will probably recommend bloodwork. These blood tests are not used to detect the cancer itself, but can rule out other thyroid disorders and check for unusual hormone or antigen levels that may be associated with thyroid cancer. Have imaging tests done to check for thyroid tumors. Imaging tests, such as CT scans or ultrasounds, can help identify possible cancerous tissue in the thyroid. They can also help determine whether, and how far, the cancer may have spread. If your doctor suspects that you have thyroid cancer, they may order a variety of imaging tests, including: A thyroid ultrasound. An ultrasound can determine if nodules in the thyroid are fluid-filled or solid. Solid nodules are more likely to be cancerous. A radioiodine scan. For this type of scan, your doctor will inject you with a small amount of radioactive iodine, or ask you to swallow it in pill form. A special camera then detects concentrations of radioactivity in your thyroid. “Cold” areas (with low radiation) may be cancerous. A CT, MRI, or PET scan. These types of scans create detailed images of internal organs. They can be useful for detecting tumors in the thyroid, as well as cancer that may have spread beyond the thyroid. Get a biopsy to detect cancer cells in your thyroid. If other tests show that thyroid cancer is likely, your doctor will order a biopsy to make the final diagnosis. This involves taking a small piece of tissue from the thyroid for laboratory testing. The most common type of thyroid biopsy is fine needle aspiration (FNA). FNA biopsies can typically be performed in the doctor's office under local or no anesthesia. The doctor will insert a fine needle into 3-4 points on the suspected tumor and pull a small amount of tissue into a syringe. The FNA may need to be repeated if the samples do not contain enough cells for a clear diagnosis. If the diagnosis is still unclear after a second FNA test, your doctor may recommend a surgical biopsy or lobectomy, in which some of your thyroid tissue is surgically removed under general anesthesia. Talk to your doctor about treatment options, if necessary. If you are diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you will need to talk to your doctor about what to do next. Your doctor will refer you to a team of specialists who deal with cancer and thyroid conditions. Appropriate treatment depends on the type of thyroid cancer you have and how far it may have spread. Common treatments include: Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. Sometimes it is necessary to remove affected lymph nodes, as well. Radioactive iodine treatment. This is usually used together with surgery to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. Radiation therapy. This treatment is typically used if surgery and radioactive iodine therapy are ineffective. Targeted therapies, in which the cancer is treated directly with medications that destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. Thyroid hormone replacement medications. Since many thyroid cancer treatments destroy or damage the thyroid itself, you will need to take supplements to replace the hormones produced by the thyroid. Note the connection between sex, age, and thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is 3 times more likely to occur in people who are biologically female than in people who are biologically male. The likelihood of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer also depends on your age. Women are usually diagnosed with thyroid cancer in their 40s-50s, while men are usually diagnosed in their 60s-70s. The risk of age can vary based on the type of thyroid cancer. Papillary thyroid cancer, which is the most common type, can occur at any age while the most aggressive form, anaplastic thyroid cancer, is more common in people over the age of 60. Look at the history of thyroid cancer in your family. You may be at increased risk of developing thyroid cancer if someone else in your family has had it. The risk is especially high if one of your parents, a sibling, or your child has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Certain types of thyroid cancer, such as medullary thyroid cancer and familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma, tend to run in families. About 25% of people with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) inherit the disease. If your family has a history of this type of thyroid cancer, you can get a DNA test to see if you have the gene for it. Find out if you have other genetic risk factors. Certain kinds of genetic mutations and syndromes can increase your chances of developing thyroid cancer. You may be at risk of developing thyroid cancer if you have been diagnosed with: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Cowden disease. Carney complex, type I. Examine your history of thyroid conditions. People who have had other thyroid conditions, such as an inflamed thyroid or goiter, may have a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. However, there is no increased risk associated with an overactive or underactive thyroid. Determine if you have a history of radiation exposure. Past exposure to radiation can increase your risk of developing thyroid cancer. People who received medical radiation treatments to the head and neck when they were children may be particularly at risk. You may also be at risk if you were ever exposed to radioactive fallout, e.g., from a nuclear weapon or a nuclear powerplant accident. Make sure you get enough iodine in your diet. Having an iodine deficiency may increase your risk of getting thyroid cancer. Most people in the US get plenty of iodine in their diets. However, if you live in a part of the world where iodine deficiency is common, or if you suspect you may have an iodine deficiency, talk to your doctor about adding more iodine to your diet. | Check for a lump on the front of your neck. Make note of pain in the front of your neck. Watch for changes in your voice. Look for difficulty swallowing. Pay attention to breathing problems. Get checked if you have a persistent cough. Make an appointment with your doctor for an exam. Get blood tests to check your thyroid function. Have imaging tests done to check for thyroid tumors. Get a biopsy to detect cancer cells in your thyroid. Talk to your doctor about treatment options, if necessary. Note the connection between sex, age, and thyroid cancer. Look at the history of thyroid cancer in your family. Find out if you have other genetic risk factors. Examine your history of thyroid conditions. Determine if you have a history of radiation exposure. Make sure you get enough iodine in your diet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Third-Eyelid-Protrusion-in-Cats | How to Treat Third Eyelid Protrusion in Cats | To treat third eyelid protrusion in cats, start by taking your kitty to the vet to have the seriousness of the condition evaluated. After examining your cat's eyes, your vet will likely suggest a treatment plan consisting of medication and, depending on the severity of the problem, surgery. If the protruded third eyelid or tear gland is red and irritated, ask the vet about prescription anti-inflammatory or steroid eye drops that you can administer at home. | Seek and follow the treatment advice of your vet. Sometimes, a third eyelid protrusion will resolve on its own. In other cases, though, veterinary treatment will be necessary to move the third eyelid back to its normal position. After examining your cat's eyes, your vet will come up with a treatment plan, which will likely consist of medication and surgery. Ask your vet any questions you may have about the recommended treatments, such as how the medications work and how the surgical procedure is performed. Following the treatment plan will increase the chances of successfully treating the protrusion. Give your cat an anti-inflammatory medication. If the protruded third eyelid or tear gland is red and irritated, anti-inflammatory eye drops will be useful. Steroids are anti-inflammatory. For cherry eye (protrusion of the third eyelid's tear gland), a steroid eye drop could relieve the inflammation enough for the tear gland to move back to its normal position. To give your cat eye drops , hold her gently yet firmly in your lap or place her on a sturdy flat surface. Tilt her head up, open her eyelids up with your non-dominant hand, and put the prescribed number of drops in her eye with your dominant hand. When you give the eye drops, make sure the bottle tip does not touch her eye. Cats usually do not like getting eye drops. Consider giving the eye drops close to your cat's mealtime. Her mealtime will serve as her reward. Treat the underlying medical condition. If a medical condition is causing the third eyelid protrusion, it should be treated as well. For example, a heavy intestinal worm burden has been associated with Haw syndrome. Your vet would prescribe a dewormer to kill the worms. Administer topical epinephrine. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is used to treat Haw syndrome (both third eyelids are protruded). A few drops of epinephrine will cause the third eyelids to rapidly retract back into their proper positions. The third eyelids may end up spontaneously retracting in a few weeks or months. However, the administration of eyedrops is rarely done in practice. This is because the eyelid protrusion is a symptom rather than a syndrome on its own. The protrusion is not harmful, so most vets prefer to explain the above and either treat the underlying cause or wait for the protrusion to resolve on its own. A drug called phenylephrine is similar to epinephrine and can be used to treat Haw syndrome. The topical epinephrine or phenylephrine would be applied in the same way as the topical anti-inflammatory. Follow your vet's instructions regarding the number of drops to put in the affected eye(s). Look for the third eyelid. The third eyelid is white or light pink. If it is protruding, it will come out and at least partially cover the cornea (clear covering of the eye). As long as the third eyelid is covering less than 50% of the cornea, your cat will still be able to see fairly well. Haw syndrome is a neurologic condition in which both third eyelids protrude. Horner's syndrome, another neurologic condition, can also cause third eyelid protrusion. The third eyelid has its own tear gland. Instead of seeing the third eyelid itself, you may see its tear gland protruding. This condition is called cherry eye, which is rare in cats. The gland will look like a pink, oval mass. Remember when you see the eyelid protrusion. A protruding third eyelid is not always abnormal. For example, it will protrude when your cat is sleeping deeply and retract back when she wakes up. It will also come out if she gets into a cat fight—a small eye muscle will pull the eye back into the socket, allowing space for the third eyelid to come out. If the third eyelid protrudes when eye protection is not needed, then the protrusion is likely abnormal. Causes of abnormal protrusion include: Significant weight loss or dehydration, causing the eye to sink back into the eye socket Third eyelid tumor or inflammation A mass within the eye, pushing the third eyelid forward Neurologic problem (Haw or Horner's syndrome) affecting nerve control of third eyelid Check your cat’s eyes for redness. If your cat's third eyelids are protruding, her eyes may become red from irritation. For example, if the third eyelid's tear gland is protruding, it may become red from airborne dust. Dust could also cause the third eyelid itself to become irritated and red. Take your cat to your vet. Third eyelid protrusion in cats can have many causes. Your vet will need to perform a detailed eye examination and perform some other diagnostic tests to determine the protrusion's cause. During the eye exam, your vet will examine the protruded third eyelid, measure tear production (Schirmer tear test), test the pupils' response to light (pupillary light reflex), and use a fluorescent green stain to look for injuries to the cornea. If your vet suspects a neurological cause, they may want to perform other diagnostic testing, including a neurologic exam and skull x-rays. Over-the-counter (OTC) eye treatments for people don't work well in cats. Do not treat your cat's eyes with OTC treatments before taking her to your vet. Doing so could make it more difficult for your vet to diagnose the protrusion. If your cat suffered an eye injury, take her to your vet immediately for treatment. | Seek and follow the treatment advice of your vet. Give your cat an anti-inflammatory medication. Treat the underlying medical condition. Administer topical epinephrine. Look for the third eyelid. Remember when you see the eyelid protrusion. Check your cat’s eyes for redness. Take your cat to your vet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Basal-Metabolic-Rate | How to Calculate Basal Metabolic Rate | To calculate basal metabolic rate as a man, start by multiplying your weight in kilograms by 13.8 and your height in centimeters by 5 and adding those 2 numbers together. Then, add 66 to that number. Finally, multiply your age in years by 6.8 and subtract that number from the first one. To calculate basal metabolic rate as a woman, first multiply your weight in kilograms by 9.6 and your height in centimeters by 1.8 and add those 2 numbers together. Then, add 655 to that number. Finally, multiply your age in years by 4.7 and subtract that number from the first one. | Measure your height in centimeters. Generally, the bigger your frame is, the higher your BMR. All other things being equal, a tall man has more body tissue than a shorter man, which means he uses more energy each day simply by living. If you're not sure of your exact height, begin by getting an exact measurement of it. Use centimeters - BMR calculations are done in metric measurements. Stand with your back to a wall, with your heels touching the wall and your body straight. Have someone mark the height of the top of your head. Measure to straight up to that mark from the floor with a measuring tape to find your height. If you know your height in inches, you can multiply it by 2.54 to find your height in centimeters. Determine your weight in kilograms. If you haven't weighed yourself in a while, step on a scale. Generally, the heavier you are, the more energy your body uses every day. Weighing yourself is also a good idea if you're trying to gain or lose weight, as you'll need to be able to judge your progress an initial value. If you know your weight in pounds, you can multiply it by.454 to find your weight in kilograms. If you're trying to gain or lose weight, remember that your weight can fluctuate by 5 pounds or so throughout the day based on what you've eaten and drank, when you've used the bathroom, etc. If you're embarking on a journey to change your weight, weigh yourself about once a week at the same time of day while wearing similar clothing each time. Use the BMR equation for males. For men, the equation for calculating BMR is: BMR = 66 + (13.8 x weight in kg.) + (5 x height in cm) - (6.8 x age in years). This simple equation takes into account your height, weight, age, and sex. BMR increases with height and weight but decreases with age. The value for BMR in this equation is given in kilocalories per day. In everyday English, kilocalories are usually just called "calories" - you are probably familiar with calories from the Nutrition Facts section of food packaging. Know other factors that can affect your BMR. The BMR equation isn't perfect - it's just a convenient way of approximating your BMR. Your personal BMR will vary based on several other factors, including: Muscle mass. Leaner, more muscly bodies have higher BMRs than fatter bodies. A 200-lb Olympic swimmer with a near-zero level of body fat will have a much higher BMR than a 200-lb man with a moderate level of body fat. Bodily growth. People experiencing rapid growth (such as during puberty) will have higher BMRs, as will people growing new tissue after an injury. Body temperature. Elevated body temperature (as accompanies a fever) can increase BMR. Diet. Fasting or drastically dieting can reduce your BMR as the body compensates to run on less fuel. Heredity. Some people simply inherit their metabolism from their parents - if you've ever met someone who can eat endlessly without gaining weight, you've met someone who inherited a high BMR naturally. Measure your height and weight. Just like in men, BMR varies greatly among women based on height and weight. For an accurate BMR measurement, get accurate values for your height and weight. Use metric values - centimeters for height and kilograms for weight - as the BMR equation assumes metric measurements. To convert your height in inches to centimeters, multiply it by 2.54. To convert your weight in pounds to kilograms, multiply it by.454. If you're trying to lose or gain weight, remember to weigh yourself about once a week, at the same time of day each time. Your weight can fluctuate by 5 pounds or more each day simply from normal activity. Use the BMR equations for females. Because women often (but not always) have less lean body mass (found by subtracting the mass of fat tissue in the body from the total mass of the body) than men, they will generally have lower BMRs. The BMR equation for females takes this into account - it multiplies height and weight by smaller values. However, since women's metabolisms slow less drastically with age than men's, the value that age is multiplied by is also smaller. For women, the BMR equation is: BMR = 655 + (9.6 x weight in kg.) + (1.8 x height in cm) - (4.7 x age in years). As always, the value for BMR in this equation is given in "kcals (calories) per day." Know that pregnancy can affect BMR. Like men, diet, growth, body temperature, muscle mass, and heredity can influence a woman's BMR. However, women are unique in that pregnancy can also significantly impact BMR. Women who are pregnant (or breastfeeding) will have higher BMRs than women who are not. Nourishing an infant as it grows (and, later, producing breast milk) requires extra energy from the body - if you've ever noticed a woman's appetite increase when she becomes pregnant, you've seen this effect in action. | Measure your height in centimeters. Determine your weight in kilograms. Use the BMR equation for males. Know other factors that can affect your BMR. Measure your height and weight. Use the BMR equations for females. Know that pregnancy can affect BMR. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Neck-Pain-in-Dogs | How to Treat Neck Pain in Dogs | To treat neck pain in your dog, try covering its neck with a heating pad for 5-10 minutes at a time to relieve the pain and discomfort. Additionally, use a harness when you walk your dog, instead of a collar and leash, to avoid putting any strain on its neck. You should also elevate its food and water bowls so it doesn't have to bend its neck as much in order to eat and drink. Along with these measures, make sure to monitor your dog's condition and take it to the vet if you notice symptoms like incontinence or loss of appetite. | Evaluate your dog's injury. Dog's can suffer from whiplash and neck sprain quite easily. Anything from a sudden halting brake during a car ride to jerking his head around playing catch or running with other dogs could have caused your pet to experience some neck pain. Schedule a check up. Your vet will want to run tests and may require X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI to rule out any more serious conditions. It's important to rule out those conditions, as many debilitating illnesses and infections that cause neck pain require quick medical treatment. Even a severe spinal trauma may require corrective surgery. Administer supportive care. If your dog is suffering from a sprained neck, your vet may prescribe muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication to treat the pain and facilitate movement. Allow your dog plenty of time to rest and recover. Do not be tempted to give human pain relief medication to your dog unless instructed to do so under veterinary supervision. Identify the symptoms of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to a host (in this case, a dog) through a tick's bite. Ticks can thrive in many different environments in North America and Europe. If your dog has been through a grassy field or a forested area, he may have picked up a tick. While the trademark "bulls eye" rash is an easy indicator in humans, it does not show up on animals, which may make this disease more difficult to diagnose in dogs. Common symptoms include: Neck pain Muscle spasms Pain and sensitivity to touch Lethargy Signs of fever Administer antibiotics. Lyme disease cannot be treated without proper veterinary care. Your veterinarian will be able to give you the antibiotics your pet needs to fight the disease and start feeling better. Some of the more commonly prescribed antibiotics are doxycycline, tetracycline and amoxicillin. Your dog will most likely need to take antibiotics every day for around one month. Your vet may recommend extending or shortening the treatment length. Follow your veterinarian's advice and ask questions if you're unsure of how or when to administer antibiotics. Check your dog often for ticks. Dogs who frequent wooded or grassy areas should be checked for ticks often. To check a dog for ticks, run through the following list: Run your fingers over the entire length of your dog's body. Check hard-to-see places like armpits, between toes, and behind ears. Look for bumps or raised spots. Any time you find a raised spot, pull the fur apart to inspect the bump. Use a magnifying glass if you need to. If you see a tiny spot with eight legs, it is most likely a tick. Remove ticks whenever you find one. It's important to act fast, as ticks can transmit disease to their hosts within 24 hours of contact. To safely remove a tick from your dog: Use a clean pair of tweezers to grasp the tick's head, as close to your dog's skin as possible. You may wish to wear disposable gloves to reduce the likelihood of infection to yourself. Pull the tick straight out of the skin. If the tick breaks apart, be sure to remove any pieces left behind, as these may also transmit Lyme disease. Identify the symptoms of meningitis. Meningitis is an infection (usually viral) that causes an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can affect any breed of dog, but some dog breeds inherit breed-specific forms of meningitis, and it is not known how or why this happens. Some breeds known to inherit this disease are beagles, Bernese mountain dogs, pugs, and Maltese terriers. Common symptoms of canine meningitis include: Fever Neck pain "Stiff" neck and rigidity (difficulty moving the head and neck) Weakness in the legs Loss of balance/equilibrium Seizures Administer medication. Meningitis cannot be treated without proper veterinary care. The most common course of action is to suppress the immune response, typically through high doses of steroid treatment. Prednisone is commonly prescribed for dogs with meningitis, though your vet may prescribe other medications, either with or without prednisone. Watch for signs of relapse. Canine meningitis is rarely curable, and while treatment options can reduce the symptoms and improve a dog's quality of life in the short term, relapses are quite common, and may be fatal. Alert your veterinarian of any signs of relapse in your pet. Identify the symptoms of cervical disc disease. Cervical disc disease, also known as a slipped disc, tends to happen as dogs age. Typically discs "slip" in one of two ways: disc extrusion, in which the nucleus pulposus slips out from the center of a vertebra and causes damage to the spinal cord, or disc protrusion, in which the fibrous ring around vertebrae grow thicker, causing the spinal cord to painfully contract. Typical symptoms include: Neck pain/sensitivity Yelping or crying Rigidity of the neck Difficulty or inability to lower the head during feeding Difficulty walking Arched back Down-turned head Incontinence Paralysis Get a diagnosis. A veterinarian is the only person who can diagnose cervical disc disease. He will probably take X-rays of the neck and spine to determine whether a disc extrusion or protrusion is the cause of your dog's pain. Give your dog supportive care. Unless your vet recommends surgery to correct the slipped disc, the best way to treat cervical disc disease is through supportive care. Keep walks relatively short. Use a harness on walks instead of locking the leash to your dog's collar, as a collar may put additional strain on your dog's neck. Administer any pain medication or muscle relaxants your vet prescribes for your dog. Identify the symptoms of Wobbler's syndrome. Wobbler's disease is a painful ailment found in many large dog breeds, such as Dobermans, Great Danes, and mastiffs, and is caused by either a slipped or herniated disc, or by a bony deformity around the spinal cord. The name Wobbler comes from the short, "wobbly" stride of dogs afflicted with this disease. Typical symptoms of Wobbler's syndrome include: Weakness in the limbs Difficulty standing or rising after reclining Tendency to drag one or more paws (usually the back legs; look for worn or chipped nails as telltale signs) Muscle loss extending through the shoulders Partial or full paralysis of one or more limbs Get a diagnosis. Your veterinarian will most likely order X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI in order to diagnose whether or not your dog has Wobbler's syndrome. Depending on the severity of your dog's condition, your vet may recommend surgery. Give your dog supportive care. Unless your vet orders surgery to correct the problem, the best thing you can do is make your dog comfortable. Administer any medications your vet prescribes to treat inflammation and swelling in the neck and spine. You will also need to reduce your dog's activity. Some vets recommend keeping dogs with Wobbler's syndrome confined to a crate in order to let the dog rest and restrict his movement. If your vet diagnoses your dog with Wobbler's syndrome, you will need to use a harness for walking him instead of a leash. Do not keep a collar on your dog's neck if he is diagnosed with Wobbler's disease. Consider physical therapy. Some veterinary clinics offer water therapy and acupuncture as part of a holistic rehabilitation therapy. Talk to your vet about what may work best for your dog. Use a harness to walk your dog. If your dog is suffering from any kind of neck pain, a collar may cause too much strain and discomfort on his neck and spine. A harness can be a useful alternative, as it spreads pressure over his chest and does not put any strain on your dog's neck. Avoid using a collar, and opt for unleashed, fenced-in yard time whenever possible instead of walking your dog on a leash. Use a heating pad. Heat therapy is a useful tool in relieving mild neck discomfort, especially in dogs with arthritis. Follow the directions bag's packaging and heat for the appropriate time. Then speak calmly to the dog, encourage him to lie down, and place the bag over his neck for a period of five to ten minutes at a time. Make food and water more easily accessible. If your dog is suffering from neck pain, he may have a hard time lowering his head to eat and drink out of his bowl if you keep it on the floor. Keep your dog's bowl elevated to a height that allows him to eat and drink without having to bend and stoop. Monitor any deterioration in your dog’s mobility. It is important when managing neck pain to be alert for any deterioration in the dog's mobility. Neck pain is often a warning sign of other impending health problems, so it's important to determine and treat the cause of the pain, rather than just the pain itself. Any dog with neck pain should be rested as movement is likely to make the pain worse. If the dog has other symptoms, such as if he goes off his food, then a vet check is essential. | Evaluate your dog's injury. Schedule a check up. Administer supportive care. Identify the symptoms of Lyme disease. Administer antibiotics. Check your dog often for ticks. Remove ticks whenever you find one. Identify the symptoms of meningitis. Administer medication. Watch for signs of relapse. Identify the symptoms of cervical disc disease. Get a diagnosis. Give your dog supportive care. Identify the symptoms of Wobbler's syndrome. Get a diagnosis. Give your dog supportive care. Consider physical therapy. Use a harness to walk your dog. Use a heating pad. Make food and water more easily accessible. Monitor any deterioration in your dog’s mobility. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Boyfriend-in-Middle-School | How to Be a Good Boyfriend in Middle School | The best way to be a good boyfriend in middle school is to make your partner feel special. Do nice things for them, like checking on them when they're sick and giving them small gifts. Similarly, give them a cute pet name, like “Babe” or “Boo.” When you aren't together, send them a nice text saying, “I'm thinking about you,” or “I can't wait to hang out with you later!” Similarly, give them compliments like, “You're so smart,” or “Wow, you look great.” Additionally, show affection when you're together by holding hands, hugging, and sitting close together. | Take care of a sick partner. No one likes being sick, but a cold can be made a bit better when someone you care about is there. Go with them to their doctor's appointments, bring them some soup; just be there to help them through it. It'll show that you care, and that you're willing to risk catching their cold in order to be with them. Get them the best gifts. Good gifts don't have to be expensive. Think about the things that they like and try to find gifts that fit within that. You might have to do some snooping around with their friends or family to find out what they like. Stuck for ideas? Make your own! Duct tape roses, a jar of love notes and baked goods are all great examples of personal gifts that don't cost very much. They'll appreciate the work you put into your gift. Be attentive. Pay attention to the little things to show that you care! If they get a new haircut, tell them it looks great. If they've got a new outfit on, they're probably hoping that you'll notice it. Mention these things when you notice them and always in a nice way. If complimenting a haircut, think about specifics, like “I like what you did with your bangs.” When you want to compliment an outfit, try saying things like “I love that color on you” or “I love that skirt.” Be nice with their friends. They've probably had their friends longer than they've been your partner, and there's a good reason they've chosen to keep them around. You don't have to be friends with them too, but you shouldn't be mean to them or ignore them. Definitely don't try to break them up. If their friends are mean or taking advantage of your partner, then you should talk about it with an adult. Avoid flirting with other people. Your partner might think you don't care about their feelings, or about the relationship! It's not like you need to stop talking to everyone else, but if you're constantly smiling and touching someone else, then your partner might feel hurt. Let them know you’re thinking about them. Don't be afraid of being random! It can be when you wake up, before you go to bed or when you're doing homework. People love to know that they matter to someone else! One of the best ways to do this is to send a quick text. It doesn't have to be anything more complicated than “Thinking of you. :)” Listen to them. No matter what they're talking about. They may want your opinion, or just want to know that you care about what bothers them. You don't need to listen like they're your teacher and you're taking notes for the test, but pay attention. Ask questions and comment sometimes to show that you're listening. If they're talking about a problem with a friend, you can ask questions about their history, or their motivations. General comments, like “I can't believe it!”, “Tell me more about that” and “I see” show that you're listening. Forget about winning arguments. That's not to say that you should always agree with what they say, but you shouldn't be trying to win. Be nice, and always try to fix the problem instead of just wanting to be the one who's right. This shows that you're mature and care more about fixing a problem than just winning. A common argument in middle school is how often you see your partner. Instead of trying to just get what you want, try to find a middle ground that works for both of you. Give your partner their space. It's easy, especially in a new relationship, to want to spend as much time with your partner as possible. You have to try and let your partner do their own thing. Strike a balance between letting your partner enjoy their hobbies without you and getting some quality time together. This will create a more trusting relationship with less negative feelings. Be physically affectionate. Hold hands when you're together. It's a simple touch that creates a physical connection reflecting your emotional connection. It makes them feel loved and shows you're not afraid to be public with your relationship. Other ways to be affectionate include putting your arm around their waist, hugging them and cuddling. Come up with a cute pet name. Pet names make for closer relationships. It gives a specific word or expression a meaning that's only known to the two of you. It's cute and shows you care. You can use cute pet names like honey, cutie or sweetheart. Feel free to come up with your own! Give them a compliment. It doesn't have to be the most creative compliment in the world; it's much more important to know the right time for a compliment. Just a simple “You're beautiful” does wonders when they're not feeling her best. Try to avoid always complimenting their appearance; compliment them on aspects of their personality that make them special. You can compliment their nurturing side, their kindness or intelligence. | Take care of a sick partner. Get them the best gifts. Be attentive. Be nice with their friends. Avoid flirting with other people. Let them know you’re thinking about them. Listen to them. Forget about winning arguments. Give your partner their space. Be physically affectionate. Come up with a cute pet name. Give them a compliment. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Treat-Animal-Bites | How to Treat Animal Bites | To treat an animal bite, clean the wound immediately by removing any debris inside it and gently washing it with anti-bacterial soap and water. Once the wound is clean, let it bleed a little for a minute or two, gently squeezing it to help if necessary, so that any bacteria or debris deeper inside can come out. If the bleeding is serious, apply pressure with a clean cloth for a few minutes to stop the flow. When you have the bleeding under control, apply some antibacterial cream and cover it completely with a clean bandage. If you can't stop the bleeding or blood is spurting out, get medical attention so a professional can treat the wound. | Make sure you're safe. Before treating any animal bites, you need to make sure that you and/or the injured person is safe from the attacking animal. Running away to your house or car is recommended, but sometimes force may be needed to drive the animal off. Throwing rocks from a distance is probably safest, but kicking or hitting the animal to get it to release its bite is sometimes required and can save a life. Try making yourself as big as you can and yell loudly in attempts to scare the animal off before getting physical with it. Almost 50% of all dog bites involve an animal owned by the victim's family or neighbors, so getting away from the dog is usually not too difficult. Getting attacked in the wild by a large animal (bear, wolf, badger) is much more serious. "Playing dead" has worked for some, but so has running away or counter-attacking. Animals are unpredictable and bite for many different reasons. If an animal seems to be protecting its territory or family, running is the best option. If it seems to be hunting or attacking by its own accord, scaring, playing dead, or attacking are the best options. Clean the wound immediately. If you or your child is bitten by an animal, once you're safe from further harm, clean the wound as soon as you can by running water over it for a few minutes. Carefully remove any objects from the bite (teeth, hair or dirt) and then gently wash the wound more thoroughly with soap and warm water. Using saline (a saltwater solution) is also a good idea. You may have to remove clothing or roll up pants/sleeves to get to the wound. Use anti-bacterial soap if possible in order to help sanitize the wound — the mouths of all animals (including humans) contain lots of bacteria. Don't forget to wash your hands with soap and water if you're treating an animal bite on someone else. Better yet, wear protective gloves if you have any. If you need tweezers to remove any debris from the bite wound, rinse them in rubbing alcohol first to prevent the transfer of bacteria. Encourage a minor wound to bleed a little. If the bite wound is relatively minor, encourage it to bleed slightly by gently squeezing it or by putting pressure on the sides of the wound. Allowing the wound to bleed a little helps to flush out any bacteria or debris that's deeper in the tissues. A minute or two should be enough before trying to stop the bleeding (see below). If the bite wound is already bleeding freely then don't encourage it any further. A continual trickle of blood is sufficient to help clean out the wound and reduce some of the pressure caused by inflammation. Any spurting of blood from a bite wound is an indication that a blood vessel is severely damaged and medical attention is needed as soon as possible. Stop the bleeding of a more serious wound. If the bite wound is still bleeding heavily after washing and cleaning it, then stopping the flow of blood is important to prevent the victim from going into shock. The best way of doing this is to put a clean cloth, pad or sterile dressing over the wound and applying significant pressure for a few minutes. Applying pressure to a wound triggers the blood to coagulate and clot, which seals the wound and starts the healing process. Keep the bite wound elevated above the level of your heart to slow bleeding and swelling. If you can't control the bleeding with pressure and you are far from help, you may have to tie a tourniquet above the wound, which puts pressure on the arteries and cuts off circulation. Rope, cord, belts, a scarf, and pieces of ripped clothing can be used as tourniquets. Tourniquets should only be used in emergency life-threatening situations and for short durations because tissue starts to die within a few hours of not getting blood. Bandage the bite wound. After the bleeding is under control, dry the wound as best you can and cover it with a clean dressing or bandage that covers the wound entirely. Before applying the bandage, apply some antibacterial cream to the wound (Neosporin, Polysporin) if you have any to help prevent infection. The cream will also keep the dressing from sticking to the wound and causing more bleeding when the bandages are changed. Natural sanitizers you can add to the wound include as iodine solution and hydrogen peroxide, although both will sting and cause some discomfort for a few minutes. Butterfly bandages help to hold the edges of a wound together. Place the across the wound (rather than lengthwise) and pull the edges closer together. If the bite wound is quite deep and/or jagged, you'll likely need stitches from a doctor. Change the bandage daily. Replacing the old bandage with a fresh one each day keeps the wound clean and promotes healing. Save any severed body parts. In extreme cases, people lose body parts from animal bites, particularly fingers and ears. If this is the case with you or your child, save the part and wash it thoroughly along with your body wound. Rinse it with saline water, ideally. Wrap the severed body part in a clean tissue/dressing and place it in a plastic bag surrounded by ice so it can be transported to the hospital. Ice slows tissue decomposition. It's often possible to surgically reattach the severed body part at a hospital if the tissue isn't too damaged. Take some pain medication. The pain related to an animal's bite is due to tissue damage and swelling of the puncture wound. Thus, take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) — it can be helpful to reduce pain and inflammation in the short term. Painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol) can be used for animal bites also, but they don't impact the swelling. Children and teenagers shouldn't take aspirin, and children under two should not be given ibuprofen so stick with child's Tylenol or something similar. If you are severely bleeding from an animal, then take acetaminophen for pain relief instead of NSAIDs because they tend to "thin" the blood and reduce your body's clotting ability. Get calmed down. Getting bitten by an animal is a traumatic experience, especially if it's a vicious attack or by your own pet. Calm yourself or your child down with deep breaths and reassurance that they're safe and going to be fine. Keep yourself or your child warm with a blanket or appropriate clothing to help prevent shock. Signs of shock include: rapid breathing, rapid pulse, pale skin, dizziness, weakness, shaking and mental changes (confusion, anxiousness, agitation). Encourage crying or venting if need be. Don't bottle up any emotions. Prepare for any potential vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects from fear and pain due to the increased release of hormones, such as adrenaline. Know when to get medical attention. Most animal bites don't puncture the skin, at least not very deeply, so the risk of severe bleeding or infection is minimal. In these cases, seeing a doctor is probably not needed. However, with more serious injuries involving lots of bleeding and deep wounds, medical attention is always recommended. If your doctor thinks the risk of infection is low, then they will close the wound with stitches. However, if the wound is deep and caused by a puncture, then it will likely be left open and cleaned regularly. Dog bites are much more common than cat bites, but infection is more likely with cats because they inflict deeper puncture wounds that can't be thoroughly disinfected. Your doctor might take x-rays to rule out broken bones and check your nervous system to rule out nerve damage. Your doctor may want to know more about the location of the bite and type of animal so they can report the attack to the animal control office or police. Animals that bite people are a public hazard. Watch for signs of infection. Regardless of how serious you think your bite wound is, you should be vigilant about watching for signs of infection. Slicing or tearing bite wounds and gashes are less likely to get infected than deep puncture wounds, even with careful washing. Signs that indicate your bite wound is infected include: increased swelling and pain, discharge of yellow or green pus from the wound, red skin that's very warm to the touch, high fever, chills and/or a feeling of fatigue. If you notice any of these signs, don't try to treat the infection at home. Instead, head to a walk-in clinic or make an appointment with your doctor. Any red streaking around the wound indicates an infection in the lymph system (lymphangitis), which can be life-threatening. In addition to treating the wound with antibiotic cream, your doctor may prescribe some antibiotic pills for a few weeks to either fight an infection or prevent one. Between 15 and 20% of dog bites get infected, whereas the infection rate is higher with cat bites — almost 50%. Get a rabies shot. Bites from non-immunized domestic animals (such as pets) or any wild animal carries the risk of rabies — a potentially deadly viral infection that affects the central nervous system. Rabies is more common from the bites of bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes than it is from dogs and cats because most domestic animals are vaccinated against rabies. Some animals, such as rabbits, squirrels and other rodents rarely carry rabies. A rabies shot should be given within 48 hours of getting bit, although it can be avoided if the animal is documented to be vaccinated and is free of infection. Signs of rabies start out like most other viral infections (fever, headache, weakness), but it can progress to confusion, agitation, hallucinations, paralysis and foaming at the mouth. Death usually occurs within days once rabies infects the brain and causes advanced symptoms. Consider a tetanus shot also. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can develop from any infected wound, especially if it's caused by a deep puncture. If you have not received a tetanus booster shot within the past 10 years and get a puncture wound from an animal (not just a surface scratch), then you should see your doctor and get vaccinated as soon as you can. Most people are vaccinated against tetanus shortly after birth, but immunity often wears off after ten years, so booster shots are occasionally needed. Signs and symptoms of tetanus tend to appear anytime from a couple of days to a few weeks after the tetanus bacteria enters your body from a bite wound. Common symptoms of tetanus include: fever, sweating, stiff neck, stiffness or spasms in jaw and abdominal muscles, difficulty swallowing. | Make sure you're safe. Clean the wound immediately. Encourage a minor wound to bleed a little. Stop the bleeding of a more serious wound. Bandage the bite wound. Save any severed body parts. Take some pain medication. Get calmed down. Know when to get medical attention. Watch for signs of infection. Get a rabies shot. Consider a tetanus shot also. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Scams-and-Spam-on-Tinder | How to Spot Scams and Spam on Tinder | While scam and spam accounts can pop up on Tinder, you can protect yourself from them by recognizing suspicious profiles and messaging behaviors. The easiest way to tell an account is fake is if there is a weird link in their profile or they ask you to visit a website. Additionally, be wary of profiles that only have 1 photo or mostly professional-looking pictures to make them seem like a model or celebrity. While messaging, avoid accounts that contact you instantly after matching, as it's probably a spam bot. You should also be suspicious if the conversation gets racy quickly, especially if they give you a phone number to text. | Avoid profiles with weird links in the biographies. Some profiles will direct you to click on a link. Beware of any profiles that say, for example, “if you want to learn more about me” or “check out my website.” If the URL looks shortened, it most likely leads to a scam site. While some profiles may offer legitimate links, never click on a link if you feel unsure. Watch out for profiles with one photo or glamor shots. Profiles with one photo, especially when accompanying bios devoid of key details such as occupation and education, are red flags. Also avoid profiles that depend on professional-looking photos, photos that look edited, or photos of celebrities. Skip profiles that confuse you with many photos of different people. Finally, always pass on profiles that try to lure you with scantily-clad, perfect-looking bodies. For example, many spam bots rely on women in suggestive poses wearing bikinis or underwear. Male-themed profiles may show shirtless men with well-chiseled abs. Scammers are refining their bots, so a spam profile may hide behind an image of a cute girl or boy you'd find next door. If the person looks like a model, it's probably too good to be true. Check to see if you have friends and interests in common. Tinder's algorithm attempts to match you with people nearby based on friends and interests you have added to Facebook. When you get matched with a profile that shares nothing in common with you, it is likely a spam bot that didn't add interests to Facebook. Distrust fast replies. Many spam bots will send you a message as soon as you are matched with them. This is to lure you in quickly. Even if this doesn't happen, consider the speed of messages. Do any come faster than a real person should be able to type? If so, it is a spam bot. Some spam bots may now be programmed to time their responses. Monitor future messages for inconsistencies, such as for responses that seem generic rather than tailored to your conversation, those that sound nonsensical, and those with poor grammar and spelling. One way to test for bots is to send a nonsense message. Type a bunch of random letters like “agdsgdgdf.” Bots will respond to it as if it is a normal message. Be suspicious of conversations that quickly become suggestive. Most people won't jump to racy talk when speaking with a stranger through Tinder. Bots however will quickly escalate the conversation such as by suggesting you may get a phone number if you “play with them” or through other sexually charged messages. Back out when they immediately want to leave the app. Soon enough, the bot will ask you to go somewhere else. They'll give you a link, saying that they want to leave Tinder or talk to you in private on another site. Do not click any link they show you. If you do, do not give up your credit card information. Some scams will send you a phone number. Don't give out your phone number or other personal information. Search the phone number through a reverse phone lookup if you are unsure about its legitimacy. Look out also for quickly-sent links where the spammer tells you something along the lines of “you've got to check this out” or “you won't believe this.” Often, they don't explain the unsolicited link, but they may also talk about an amazing application, video, or product. Don't even look at these. Be aware of how many questions they ask you. Real scammers on Tinder will try to solidify a connection with you. They will ask you lots of questions about yourself, particularly about past relationships and your financial situation. They won't want to tell you lots of details about themselves, and if they do, look out for any inconsistencies. Never give out significant personal information when getting to know someone on Tinder. As you progress, be alert during all your interactions. Once you build trust, look for scam signs, such as the person making excuses not to meet you, not having new photos to send, or requests for money. Perform a Google search on images. Create a screenshot of a person's picture using your phone, then go to CTRLQ.org. Click the “upload picture” button to reverse search the image. This may link you to the location where the image was taken from, such as Facebook or a cam site, revealing telltale signs such as the person's name differing between accounts. CTRLQ.org doesn't always work as well as directly searching from Google. To do this, you will have to send the picture to your computer by connecting your phone through USB, e-mailing it, or storing it in a service such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive. Retrieve the image, then go to the image tab on Google's search engine. Click the camera icon in the search box. Screenshots on Android are done by holding down the power and volume-down buttons at the same time. On Apple products, hold the Sleep button near the top of the device, then press the home button at the bottom of the device. Never send money. Spam bots will entice you to sign up for a website, whereas scammers will ask you to send money to help them out of a bad situation, such as car or family trouble. As soon as you are asked for money, cut off all contact. This includes never putting your credit card into linked cam sites or information lookup sites. Perform your own searches on the person through Google and, when using reverse phone lookup, stop once you get the phone number's area of origin for free. Be protective of your personal information. Some spammers and scammers will ask you for sensitive information. Besides social security, credit card, and bank information, don't give out your work and home addresses. Also, don't give out your phone number to someone you don't trust. For example, a scammer may ask for your address to send you a gift and others will ask questions early on about how much money you make or where you bank to get a sense of how much of a target you are. Scam websites ask for your credit card and other personal information. Some spam bots will give you a phone number early on to build trust. Remember to check it online for legitimacy. Don't give out your phone number until you feel safe, since it can be used to sign you up for spam. Reverse lookup a phone number. When someone gives you a number, research it. You can Google search it to see if the area code matches your area. Also, go online to sites such as Whitepages or Reverse Phone Lookup. Type in the number and it will give you some information, such as the location of the phone. Lookup sites offer full reports for a small fee, but this offer isn't recommended. You will get enough information from a standard search without sharing your credit card. | Avoid profiles with weird links in the biographies. Watch out for profiles with one photo or glamor shots. Check to see if you have friends and interests in common. Distrust fast replies. Be suspicious of conversations that quickly become suggestive. Back out when they immediately want to leave the app. Be aware of how many questions they ask you. Perform a Google search on images. Never send money. Be protective of your personal information. Reverse lookup a phone number. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Over-Your-Love-Even-Though-You-Broke-It-Off | How to Get Over Your Love Even Though You Broke It Off | Getting over someone you cared about can be difficult, even if you're the one who broke it off. But you can cut off contact, remember why you made the decision, and focus on yourself to heal after you end a relationship. To distance yourself from your ex, delete their contact information from your phone and email, and remove them from your social media so you won't see or be tempted to talk to them. You can also keep in mind why you decided to break things off to help yourself move on. Whenever you find yourself thinking about them, remember the reasons why you ended the relationship. If it helps, make a list of all of the reasons so you can review it whenever you need to. Focus on yourself by practicing self-care such as spending time with friends and family, or doing things that make you feel good like going to the gym. | Cut off contact. After the breakup is behind you, go cold turkey and stop contacting your ex. It won't do either of you any good carrying on contact right away. Even if you choose to be friends in the future, it's best to take time apart to rediscover who you are in your own. Remove your ex from your contacts list on your phone, email, and other media. Detox from social media. Pulling the plug on social media can be good for the spirit, especially following a split. Resist the urge to lurk on your ex's page, check up on their friends, or spend hours looking at your old pictures together. Taking a short detox can help you move forward without suffering. Some people are tempted to publicize their breakups or make their exes jealous through social media. Logging off for a week or so can help you avoid any drama you might later regret. Put away the memories. The next order of business is getting some distance from things that remind you of your ex. Sort through any gifts and mementos and decide whether to return, trash, or store them. Try not to talk about them. Letting go of the person you broke it off with also means cutting down on the amount of time you spend talking about them. Challenge yourself to gradually stop saying their name or retelling stories about them. Ask your friends and family members to gently remind you when you keep bringing up the person's name. You can also put a rubber band on your wrist and snap it against your skin whenever you say your ex's name to distinguish the behavior. Get closure. To move on, you need to close off the chapter that includes your ex. Perform a closure ritual to say goodbye emotionally. Try writing a letter and reading it aloud as if they could hear you getting some final thoughts off your chest. Tear the letter to pieces when you're done. Just remember to resist the urge to send it. Pack away any mementos and briefly reflect on the highlights of the relationship. As you tape up the last box, mentally let go of the past and welcome the future. Remember your choice. Keep in mind that, for some reason, you chose to break things off with your ex. Moving on can be hard, but you must honor that choice. Remind yourself of all the reasons you wanted the relationship to end. Make a list and review it whenever you have doubts about your decision. For example, your ex may have been really controlling, causing you to feel suffocated in the relationship. Or your friends and family may have not approved of your ex. These are both good reasons why you may have chosen to break things off. Nurture yourself. Letting go of a relationship is mentally and emotionally stressful, even when the decision was necessary. Be gentle with yourself for awhile. Carve out time to do your favorite relaxing activities. Self-care looks different for everyone. You might want to walk through the woods, call a friend, paint your nails, or cuddle with a pet. Just do things that make you feel good. Getting extra physical activity, be it more time at the gym or a walk during your lunch break, can help you manage stress and anxiety. List qualities you want in a future partner. Past relationships can serve as guideposts for what you do and don't want in the future. Once the initial pain has faded, reflect on your relationship. Grab a pen and jot down any lessons you've learned that can be useful in future relationships. For instance, your partner may have been very clingy and possessive, which pushed you away. In the future, you might desire a partner who is self-confident and has their own interests and friends. See a counselor. Sometimes, you need a nudge to move forward after breaking off a relationship. If you don't have anyone to talk to or have trouble going about your daily life, talking to a counselor can help. Ask your primary care physician for a referral to see a mental health counselor in your area. Set SMART goals. The end of a relationship is as good a time as any to forge ahead towards achieving your dreams. Now that you're single, you can refocus on what you want out of life. sit down and write out a few SMART goals for the next year. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. For instance, you might set a goal to gain admission into college, which requires you to get good grades, volunteer, and get recommendations from your teachers. Learn something new. Use your free time to develop a new skill. There has to be something you've put off learning or never had time for due to your relationship. You now have the opportunity to pick up new skills and hobbies. For example, you might decide to learn how to code or learn how to ride a horse. Modify your routine. Getting out of a relationship can feel awkward at first because you likely have holes in your schedule that used to be reserved for couple activities. Change your daily and weekly schedule, filling your hours with constructive activities. You might start a new morning routine of running or doing yoga before school or work. Or you might start a new Friday game night tradition with your best friends. Spend time with friends and family. Those closest to you can help lift your spirits after a breakup. They may also distract you from thoughts of your ex. Reach out to friends and family and let them know you need their support. Say, “I've been having a tough time since the breakup. Want to get together this weekend? I could use some friend time.” | Cut off contact. Detox from social media. Put away the memories. Try not to talk about them. Get closure. Remember your choice. Nurture yourself. List qualities you want in a future partner. See a counselor. Set SMART goals. Learn something new. Modify your routine. Spend time with friends and family. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Your-Parents%27-Divorce | How to Deal With Your Parents' Divorce | To deal with your parents' divorce, understand that the divorce is happening because of issues between them and is not your fault in any way. Next, acknowledge your feelings and avoid suppressing them, since it's completely normal to have strong and even confusing emotions during this time. It's also best to avoid taking sides in your parents' conflicts, and staying neutral will be much easier on you emotionally. If you need to, talk to your parents or someone else you trust about your feelings so you don't have to shoulder them alone. | Know that it is not your fault. If your parents are getting divorced, it's because of issues between the two of them, not because of anything you did. Most of the time, parents choose to get divorced because they fight with each other, because their feelings about one another have changed, or because of a serious issue in the relationship, like infidelity or substance abuse. There's no reason for you to feel guilty at all. You may be even more likely to blame yourself for the divorce if your parents get you involved in their conflicts or if they seem to hold it against you for caring about the other parent. No matter what they say or do, it is important to remember that you did not initiate these conflicts and that you have the right to love both of your parents. If your parents ever say something to make you feel like the divorce is your fault, talk to them about it. They may have not really meant what they said at all. Try to keep in mind that this is a stressful time for your parents and they are not perfect. Accept your feelings as normal. No two kids feel exactly the same way about their parents' divorce. You might be confused, angry, sad, or even glad, if your parents fought a lot. No matter how you are feeling, it's important to validate your emotions. There's no reason to feel guilty about how you are feeling. Talk to friends and family members. Don't forget that your friends and family members are there for you during this difficult time. Reach out to people who you are close to for support. You may even know people who have been through a similar situation. If you have siblings, they are going through the same thing that you are going through, so be there for each other. You may not want to talk to all of your friends about your parents' divorce. Choose one or two close confidants who will understand your situation and be compassionate. Chances are some of your friends have also dealt with a divorce. Don't be afraid to talk to your parents. Talking to your parents about the effect that their divorce is having on you can make a big difference. Remember, if they don't know what you think or how you feel, they can't help you cope with those thoughts and emotions. Let them know how you're feeling and what you're worried about. If you have questions about how the divorce will affect your future, ask! Even if your parents don't know the answer, this will give you the opportunity to have an open conversation about what will happen next. Try to talk to your parents face-to-face rather than through text conversations. Expressing how you feel in person will help facilitate more understanding and empathy for one another. Seek professional help. Even if you don't have any friends or family members who you can talk to about your parents' divorce, you don't need to deal with your emotions by yourself! There are many resources available to adolescents who need some help getting through this tough stage. You may want to talk to a social worker or psychologist. If you don't know one, ask your doctor for a referral. Your school may have counselors who are available to talk with you about personal issues. There are also support groups specifically designed for children and adolescents who are dealing with their parents' divorces. You may be able to find a group at your school or in your local community. Don't suppress your emotions. No matter how you are feeling about your parents' divorce, it's important to confront those emotions instead of trying to bury them. When people suppress their emotions, they often turn to destructive behaviors, like abusing drugs and alcohol or overeating, to help them cope. These kinds of behaviors will only make the situation worse. If you are struggling with self-destructive behavior, it's important to get professional counseling right away. You need to learn healthier ways to deal with your emotions so you will not feel the need to harm yourself. Find new ways of dealing with stress. Your parents' divorce may have created more stress in your life than you've ever had to deal with before. If so, you may not be well-equipped to handle that stress, so it's important to look for ways to cope. Everyone is different, but most people are able to find enjoyable hobbies that help them get through tough times. Journaling helps many people sort through their feelings and relieve stress. Physical activities like playing sports or going for walks are excellent for reducing stress. Other hobbies may also relieve stress simply by getting your mind off of your parents' divorce. Try doing an art project or socializing with friends. Work out a schedule. More than likely, you will end up splitting your time between your two parents after they divorce, whether you spend an equal amount of time with both of them or live primarily with one and visit the other. Talk to your parents about how this will work. They may already have a plan, or they may want your input. You and your parents will need to come up with a schedule that allows you spend time with both parents, but does not interfere too much with your other responsibilities and commitments. Tell your parents how you really feel about the custody arrangement, especially if something about it isn't working for you. They may be willing to make adjustments to the schedule to help make it easier for you. Adapt to a new home and/or school. In some cases, a divorce may mean that you need to move to a new home, maybe even in a new school district. This can seem catastrophic for many young people, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world. Try to look at the situation in a positive way. You can see it as an opportunity to meet new people and try new things. While you should definitely try to make new friends if you're moving to a new area, you should also keep in touch with your old friends. Even if you don't get to see them every day anymore, you can keep in touch with them over the phone and on social media, and they can offer you a lot of support as you adjust to your new life. Try not to be angry with your parents for forcing you to move. Instead, work on building your relationship with them. They may be able to offer you a lot of support if you stop shutting them out. Be prepared for financial changes. Divorce often causes financial hardship for both parents. You may find that your parents have to work more or are not able to afford as many luxuries as they were when they were married. While this may be an adjustment for you, try to understand that they are doing everything they can to provide you with the best possible life. Try not to worry too much about your family's finances. If you have specific concerns, such as how your parents will pay for your college education, don't be afraid to bring up the subject with them. Accept that your parents may start dating. One of the more challenging adjustments for many children of divorce is learning to deal with their parents' new boyfriends and girlfriends. Some parents start dating shortly after a divorce, while others may wait longer. If your parents have not started dating yet, it may help to prepare yourself for the reality that it might happen. Try to remind yourself that you want both of your parents to be happy, even if that means getting into a relationship with someone besides your other parent. If your parents remarry, you may find yourself living with a step-parent, and maybe even step-siblings. If this happens to you, do your best to get to know your new family members and form a relationship with them. While it may not always be easy, being welcoming to them and trying to find common interests will make the transition much easier. If you're ever uncomfortable with someone who one of your parents is dating, or if you have questions about how the relationship will affect you, don't be afraid to talk to your parent about it. When doing this, be kind and respectful instead of accusing your parent of trying to hurt you by dating. Figure out how you can include both parents in your life. If your parents don't want to see each other, it may be tricky to coordinate events that they used to go to together. Take some time to sit down with your parents and discuss ways that both of them can continue to attend important events. For recurring events, like sports games, you may arrange for your parents to alternate their attendance. This way, both of them will get to see you play and there will always be someone there to cheer you on, but they will never have to be at the game together. You may have to arrange to do some things twice. For example, it may work out better to have two separate birthday parties with each of your parents instead of trying to have them both come to one party. In some cases, you parents may have no choice but to attend the same event. For example, if you are graduating from high school, they will probably both want to attend the ceremony. In this case, talk to them ahead of time about being civil to one another and arrange for them to sit separately. Avoid taking sides. You will have a much easier time dealing with your parents' divorce if you can remain a neutral party. It's important to remember that your parents' issues are between the two of them, so you do not need to get involved. Try to maintain a relationship with both parents. Even if you live primarily with one parent, make an effort to stay in touch with the other one. If your parents try to make you choose sides, let them know that you want to maintain a healthy relationship with both of your parents. Talk to your parents about conflicts. Some divorced parents are not able to interact with each other without fighting. If this is the case for you, your parents may be creating a lot of stress and tension in your life. While there's nothing you can do about how your parents feel about each other, you can ask them to refrain from arguing in front of you, talking negatively about each other to you, or using you as a go-between. Make it very clear that you do not want to be caught in the middle of their arguments. Let your parents know if they are leaning on you too much. In some cases, parents rely on their children for emotional support during difficult times. This may not be a problem, but if you feel burdened by it, it's important to talk to your parent about how you feel. You should not be expected to be the rock if you are having problems dealing with the divorce as well. If a parent depends on you for support more than you are comfortable with, try to think of other people who he or she may be able to confide in. If there are no close friends or family members for the parent to talk to, suggest professional counseling. Try to keep in mind that the divorce is just as hard for your parents as it is for you. They may need help dealing with their emotions, just like you might. | Know that it is not your fault. Accept your feelings as normal. Talk to friends and family members. Don't be afraid to talk to your parents. Seek professional help. Don't suppress your emotions. Find new ways of dealing with stress. Work out a schedule. Adapt to a new home and/or school. Be prepared for financial changes. Accept that your parents may start dating. Figure out how you can include both parents in your life. Avoid taking sides. Talk to your parents about conflicts. Let your parents know if they are leaning on you too much. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Raw-Broccoli | How to Eat Raw Broccoli | You can easily eat raw broccoli as a healthy snack or as part of a meal. To lightly flavor your broccoli, season it with things like salt, pepper, lemon, balsamic vinegar, and fresh ginger. You can also drizzle it with a dressing or dip it into a sauce. Try a ranch-style dressing or Greek yogurt or make a sauce with lemon, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. Alternatively, mix your raw broccoli with other raw vegetables, like carrots, pea pods, and bell peppers for a salad. You can even throw in some cooked meat, seeds, or nuts for extra protein. | Clean the head of broccoli with cold water. The crevices in broccoli can easily hide dirt and even small bugs. Run cold water over the broccoli head, and use your fingers to rub clean any dirty spots. For broccoli that is particularly dirty, fill your sink with cold water and let the broccoli soak for 2 to 3 minutes. Soaking the broccoli will loosen any crusted particles that you were unable to rub off. Then, rinse the broccoli for a second time to wash away the dislodged dirt. If you are using packaged broccoli florets, pour the contents into a colander and rinse the florets under cold water. Dry off the broccoli head with a paper towel. Gently pat the broccoli until it is completely dry. The crevices can hold water just as easily as they can hold dirt, so rotate the broccoli head as you are patting it. Drying the broccoli will give you extra traction for when you go to cut it later, and will also prevent any dressings you put onto it from becoming watery. Do not rub the surface of the broccoli to dry it. Excess pressure against the bundle of florets might cause pieces to start to break off. Use a sharp knife to cut the florets from the main stem of the broccoli. Do this on a cutting board to avoid damaging your counter or table. Cut the florets until they are broken into pieces of about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Trim any brown or damaged-looking parts as they may be rotten. The broccoli might still be wet, so be careful when cutting and trimming it. The florets are the dark green, bushy parts. Each will have a small stem, or a bundle of small stems. While the stems are completely edible, not everyone likes to eat them raw because they can be stringy or tough. Taste one of the stems and determine for yourself whether you want to keep the them or not. A medium head of broccoli will yield approximately 3-4 cups (525 g-700 g) of florets. Experiment with herbs and spice pairings to simply season the raw broccoli. Broccoli has a simple taste that can be paired subtly with lemon pepper, or salt and black pepper, or combined with bold flavors like balsamic vinegar, basil, and fresh ginger. These common flavors will add to natural taste of the broccoli, and can even be combined with other raw vegetables to make a salad. Some other classic broccoli seasonings include garlic powder, cumin, curry powder, cayenne pepper, cilantro, and rosemary. Drizzle the florets with a homemade ranch-style dressing for a creamy topping. By making your own dressing, you will be able to experiment with the texture and consistency of the dressing. Add more vinegar to thin out the dressing, or add more sour cream to thicken it up. If you don't have time to whip up your own dressing, grab the store-bought ranch and dip the florets in that for a quick snack. For a quick ranch-style dressing, mix together a ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of mayonnaise, a ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of sour cream, 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of white distilled vinegar, and 2 tablespoons (9.6 g) of ranch seasoning mix. Toss the florets with lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard for a zesty flavor. In a bowl mix together 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil, and the juice from half of a lemon. Add in the florets from 1 medium head of broccoli, and toss everything together. The simple dressing will have spicy and acidic flavoring from the mustard and lemon juice. Add different textures with the florets that will complement the seasoning. Cherry tomatoes or sliced almonds will add an extra crunch, and 1 clove of minced garlic will add a pop of flavor. Dip florets into a creamy Greek yogurt dip for a filling lunch or snack. The Greek yogurt will add protein to your dish that will help keep you full longer. Take 1 cup (240 mL) of Greek yogurt, the juice from half a lemon, and season it with your favorite spices. Play with the different amounts of spices to make the dip fit your tastes. Start with approximately 1/2 tsp (0.8 g) of the spices, and increase the amounts from there. Try a combination of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, dried dill, and dried parsley for a mild tasting dip. Experiment with bold flavors like a mixture of paprika, fresh chives, and minced garlic. Marinate the florets to add flavor and soften the texture of the broccoli. Create a simple marinade using lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. To do this simply put the coated florets into a plastic bag, seal the bag, and let it rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight. The flavors will have softened the florets and thoroughly seasoned them. If the lemon marinade sounds too simple or bland, then consider making a vinegar-based marinade instead. Using the florets from 2 medium heads of broccoli, mix together 1 cup (240 mL) of cider vinegar and olive oil, and 1 tsp (approximately 1.6 g) of sugar, dill weed, black pepper, garlic salt, and table salt. Allow the marinade to soak the broccoli overnight in the refrigerator, and enjoy the myriad of flavors the next day. Mix a bowl of florets with your favorite protein or fruit for a simple salad. Given the sweet and earthy flavor of broccoli, it can easily substitute lettuce in your favorite salad dish. Experiment by using different fruit combinations with grilled chicken, turkey, or any other meat of your choosing. Broccoli salad can be an excellent lunch or dinner option to serve to your family and friends. For a refreshing afternoon salad, take 1 head of broccoli florets and mix it with slices of fresh strawberries, red onions, and almonds. Drizzle on a dressing of 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of lemon juice, and a ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of mayonnaise. Serve this salad chilled, and enjoy. For a fun evening salad, add chunks of grilled chicken to 1 head of broccoli florets, and sprinkle on some sweet cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds or walnuts. Then whisk together a zesty dressing using ⁄ 4 cup (180 mL) of mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey. Pair the florets with other raw vegetables for a colorful side dish. When paired with other raw vegetables, broccoli can be used as a simple side dish for large dinners. To your broccoli florets, add chopped carrots, blanched pea pods, and slices of bell peppers. Then toss the mixed vegetables with any sauces or juices that are prevalent in your meal to tie the flavors together. Serve the florets and mixed vegetables with grilled chicken and rice. Drizzle on some soy, sweet and sour, or teriyaki sauce to make a colorful Asian cuisine. Transform the raw broccoli into a creamy coleslaw. You can buy broccoli slaw mix that is already assembled at the store, but if you choose to make your own, you can experiment with mixing different types of fruit and vegetables. For a dressing, either marinate the broccoli-mix in traditional slaw vinaigrette found at your local grocery store, or get creative and whisk up your own. To the florets from 1 medium head of broccoli, consider adding 3 large grated carrots, 1 cup (100 g) of shredded red or green cabbage, 2 sliced green onions, and 1 diced and peeled red or green apple. Complement the mixture with a spicy vinaigrette by mixing 1 cup (240 mL) of mayonnaise, ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp (6.25 g) of grated ginger, 1 tsp (1.6 g) of salt, 1/2 tsp (0.8 g) of black pepper, 1/2 tsp (0.8 g) of Chinese Five-spice powder, and 1/4 tsp (0.4 g) of cayenne pepper. Mix the vegetables with the vinaigrette, and let it rest in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours. When you are ready to serve, top broccoli slaw with hazelnuts or raisins for an added texture. | Clean the head of broccoli with cold water. Dry off the broccoli head with a paper towel. Use a sharp knife to cut the florets from the main stem of the broccoli. Experiment with herbs and spice pairings to simply season the raw broccoli. Drizzle the florets with a homemade ranch-style dressing for a creamy topping. Toss the florets with lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard for a zesty flavor. Dip florets into a creamy Greek yogurt dip for a filling lunch or snack. Marinate the florets to add flavor and soften the texture of the broccoli. Mix a bowl of florets with your favorite protein or fruit for a simple salad. Pair the florets with other raw vegetables for a colorful side dish. Transform the raw broccoli into a creamy coleslaw. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pack-a-Duffel-Bag | How to Pack a Duffel Bag | To pack a duffel bag, place heavy items at the bottom of the bag so they don't crush lighter items. Also, roll up all of your clothes before packing them, which will help prevent wrinkles. If you need to keep some things separate, try using smaller bags for specific groups of items, like toiletries or electronics. Additionally, pack items you'll need to access regularly near the top of your bag so you don't need to dig through your duffel all the time. | Pack only what you need. Make a list, and check off items as you pack them so that you know exactly what you do and do not have. Separate your list into categories: e.g. clothing, electronics, food, toiletries, documents, and gear. Consider the weather, the duration of the trip, and the range of expected activities. Make sure that you will be prepared for every situation that you will reasonably encounter – but be careful not to over-pack. If you're going somewhere outdoors, make a list of gear as well as clothing. Most sleep-away camps provide a list of what to bring. Use this as a checklist, and take it with you to make sure you don't forget anything when it's time to go home. Remember that you can usually buy things at your destination, if you're going to a populated area. If you are taking your duffel to the woods, or to a less-populated area, then you'll want to lock down the absolute necessities. Nonetheless, try to keep perspective about how many things you truly need. Pack heavier items first. You'll want to carry and store your duffel bag zipper-side up, so it's important to keep the large objects on the bottom. If you pack light or fragile things into the bottom of the duffel compartment, they will be crushed by the weight of the items above them. Place shoes and other flat non delicate items at the bottom of the bag. Roll all articles of clothing besides jackets and place them tightly on top of the shoes. Place the jackets on top of the rolled items and tuck it in on the sides. Pack to avoid wrinkling. Duffel bags are especially prone to compressing and creasing loose clothing. If everything is jumbled together, it can easily leave its mark on your garments. Try to arrange things into compartments, and fold in a way that limits creasing. Roll your clothing. This is generally considered the most space-effective method, as well as the best way to reduce wrinkling. Put certain types of clothing into specific parts of your duffel so that you'll know where to find them: for instance, put all of your socks together, and all of your shirts together, and all of your pants together. Fold smaller items of clothing between the folds of larger items of clothing. On the inside, fold the clothes that are least likely to crease. Then, work outward until you have a small, neatly-folded bundle. Try using "packing cubes" to partition the interior of your duffel. You can buy cubes with compression zippers to take down the bulk – and you can even vacuum-pack certain items that tend to spread out. Stuff lightweight clothing items inside your shoes. This might include gloves, socks, undergarments, and other thin fabrics. In addition to saving space, this method should help your shoes hold their shape by reinforcing the walls. In general: for the sake of efficiency, pack anything light and compressible inside of anything heavy and hollow. Ladies: Put your bathing suit bottoms inside your bathing suit tops, and scrunch them up. For bikinis, hook the top around the bottom and compress it all together. For one pieces, just knead the thing into a bundle. You don't have to worry about bathing suits getting wrinkles, as they will straighten out when you swim. Face the zippered side up. This is especially important if you've packed the heaviest items on the bottom and the most fragile items in the center. The amorphous walls of the duffel will not provide much protection for the contents. Thus, you will need to need to handle your bag with particular care. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of the duffel, and try to keep it from taking too much wear. Keep need-to-access belongings near the top. It can be a pain to dig through the depths of your duffel bag just to find one item – especially if you are using a particularly large bag. If you think that you might need to access anything over the course of a given day, take care to arrange that thing in an easily-accessible position near the zipper. On the other hand: items near the top of the bag will be easy picking for would-be duffel thieves. Pack your most important and sensitive belongings deep within the bag, ideally inside socks or other containers. Repack when necessary. Over the course of a trip, you may find that your belongings become jumbled and mussed from the day-to-day demands of living out of a duffel. Sometimes, you will need to take heavy items from the bottom of the bag, which can disturb the carefully-layered strata of clothing and travel necessities. Do not hesitate to take everything out of your bag and reorder it! It won't take long, and the belongings within will be much safer from the wear and tear of travel. Consider taking everything out of your bag each evening when you arrive at your place of lodging. Then, take a few minutes to thoughtfully repack the bag in the morning before you leave. This way, you can ensure that the most important items for each day remain at the top of the bag. Compartmentalize. Consider using smaller, also-amorphous bags to divide up the space within your duffel. Use a bag for your toiletries, a bag for your food, and a bag for your dirty laundry. This way, you won't need to rifle through the main compartment each time you need something. You can take out the appropriate "compartment bag," then quickly sort out the needed item. Bring a day-pack for day trips. If you'll be staying in one place and heading out for day-trips, take along a smaller bag so that you don't need to lug your duffel everywhere. Stuff the day-pack into your duffel. Each day, leave the large duffel in your place of lodging, and fill the day-pack with only the essentials. The day-pack can even function as a separate, modular "compartment" within the main duffel chamber. Store your toiletries, or your electronics, or your food in the day-pack to keep these items apart from the other contents of your duffel. The day-pack may be easier to pack into the duffel if it, too, is amorphous rather than rigid in structure. This way, you can pack the day-bag within and around your other belongings – it won't take up a commanding space. Buy a duffel bag of an appropriate size. Some duffels offer a huge capacity—as many as 130 liters (34.3 US gal) of space—while others are much smaller and more portable. Before you buy, consider what you'll be storing in this duffel bag, and where you'll be going. Check online and at local outdoor supply stores to track down the best bag for you. If you'll be using the bag mostly for quick weekend or overnight trips, then you may want a relatively small and portable model. If you'll be using your duffel to, say, transport two weeks' worth of garments and gear for an adventure trip, then consider looking into larger bags. Try checking thrift stores and used-gear websites for cheap, lightweight duffel bags. These bags are rugged and durable, so you should not need to splurge on a new model. Pick your pockets. Some duffel bags are very simple: just the one large main compartment, with no frills or extra features. Other bags feature various inner and outer pockets to more easily separate your things. Remember that more volume means more weight! Consider using a rolling duffel bag. If you're bringing a large volume of belongings, then your duffel might be too heavy to comfortably carry for any length of time. You can buy a duffel bag with wheels, or you can install wheels yourself with a bit of DIY craftsmanship. Be aware, however, that wheels will add up to several pounds of extra weight. Many travelers choose duffel bags exactly because they are so lightweight – and most airlines enforce a size limit on both checked and carry-on luggage. Consider whether ease of transport is worth less room for your things. | Pack only what you need. Pack heavier items first. Pack to avoid wrinkling. Stuff lightweight clothing items inside your shoes. Face the zippered side up. Keep need-to-access belongings near the top. Repack when necessary. Compartmentalize. Bring a day-pack for day trips. Buy a duffel bag of an appropriate size. Pick your pockets. Consider using a rolling duffel bag. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Squash | How to Grow Squash | To grow winter squash, start by planting 4 to 5 seeds in 1 inch high hills spaced about 6 feet apart and covering them with mulch and compost. Next, water the squash weekly in the mornings to allow the water to evaporate during the day. Once the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin your hills so that there are no more than 2 to 3 seedlings per hill. When the fruit has turned a solid color and the rind is hard, harvest the squash, and cure them outdoors for a week in dry, sunny weather. | Find an area that receives full sunlight and has few weeds. Ideally, you should plant your squash on flat ground and locate a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil. Avoid planting your squash beneath trees or fences, or near lawn sprinklers. Test your soil for a pH range between 6 and 6.5. Squashes prefer a slightly acidic soil, so you should be testing your soil for the right range, and correcting accordingly. Get a pH soil test from your local home improvement store, and follow the instructions. Correct your soil’s pH, if necessary. If your soil does not fall into the 6-6.5 pH range, correct your soil by adding nitrogen fertilizer or manure and compost. Your soil test should provide a sense of what fertilizers and compost you should add to your soil to correct the pH. You can also successfully grow squash in neutral or even mildly basic soils. Plant both summer and winter squash in spring once the soil temperature is above 60 °F (16 °C) at a depth of 4 inches (10 cm). Make sure the last frost has passed. Even if the soil temperature is warm enough, a frost could damage your squash seeds. If you plant before the soil is warm enough, your squash seeds probably won't grow. Test the soil with a regular thermometer. Squash can be started indoors. Plant the seeds in peat pots around 3 to 4 weeks before your planting. However, be sure to harden the seedlings so they won't shock as much when you move them outside. To harden seedlings, you slowly expose them to outdoor conditions over the week or two before you plant them outside. Move them outdoors for a short period of time each day, beginning with 1 to 2 hours and then increasing in 1 hour increments. Make sure to shield them from direct sunlight and wind. Determine the type of summer squash you want to plant. Find out what variety of summer squash grows well in your area. Three common summer squashes include zucchini (green), patty pan (round), and crookneck (yellow) squash. Plant summer squash seeds in 6-inch (15 cm) hills that are 12 inches (30 cm) apart. These hills will help provide the soil and nutrients for our summer squash to grow. Cover each summer squash seed with an organic mulch to help maintain soil moisture. Space your summer squash rows 3 feet (0.91 m) apart. This will help your summer squash grow well and allow the vines to spread. If you're planting on a hill, space your summer squash rows farther apart to encourage healthy plant growth. Keep the soil moistened to a depth of 6 inches (15 cm). Summer squash needs plenty of water to grow successfully. Aim your water at the root of the plant, not the leaves, and make sure the stream is gentle enough to not damage the leaves. Always water in the morning to avoid damaging the leaves in the sun. If it's rained and the soil is sufficiently moist, you don't have to water the plants. Harvest summer squash 55 days after planting. Once the plants start producing squash, check them for mature squash daily. Do not pick summer squash when the vine is wet, as this can cause plant disease. Avoid leaving large summer squash vegetables on the plant since this can lead to plant disease and stunted growth. Ideally, you should harvest when: Crookneck and straightneck varieties are 1 ⁄ 2 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) in diameter. Zucchini is 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) long. Scallop types are 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in diameter. Do not pick the squash by hand as this may damage the fruit. Instead, use scissors or a paring knife to cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the fruit. Frequent harvesting improves the overall yield and will keep the plant producing longer into the summer. Use summer squash or freeze it. Summer squash only keeps for about 3 days in the refrigerator. To freeze, slice your summer squash immediately after picking and place it in the freezer. Choose your winter squash variety. Winter squash varieties range from butternut squash to spaghetti squash to acorn squash. Though there are many varieties, they are all grown in similar ways, so choose the squash you'd prefer to have in your garden and consume in your kitchen! Plant winter squash in late spring. The earlier you plant your winter squash, the less likely it is that your squash will get any disease. However, do not plant winter squash within 14 weeks of your first expected fall frost or it might not fully ripen. Plant winter squash seeds in 1⁄2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) high hills. Sow 4-5 winter squash seeds per hill. Gently cover winter squash seeds with mulch and compost. Space winter squash hills about 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 m) apart. The larger your expected squash, the farther apart you should space your hills. Winter squash are vine plants that need room to grow and “run” along the ground. Water once a week to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm). Winter squash should be watered in the morning. Avoid watering the leaves and instead aim your water at the root of the plant. Water more frequently in sandy soils. Don't water if the soil is already moist from rainfall or other irrigation. Water the plants early in the morning instead of at night. This allows the water to evaporate during the day. Watering at night may lead to mildew. Thin winter squash once the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) tall. To avoid overtaxing any one hill, thin your winter squash hills so that there are no more than 2 to 3 thin seedlings per hill. Snip off unwanted plants but avoid disturbing the roots, as this could also disturb the roots of the remaining plants. Harvest winter squash once the fruit has turned a solid color and the rind is hard. Make sure you harvest before a hard freeze, since a hard freeze will ruin the vine and destroy the fruit. When harvesting, leave at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) of stem, and leave more if possible. Field-cure your winter squash for a week in dry, sunny weather. If the weather is cold or rainy, cure your winter squash indoors in a well-ventilated space. Curing winter squash dries and toughens the skin, allowing for longer storage. Store winter squash in a dry location that is around 55 °F (13 °C). Do not pile winter squash on top of one another, and remove any squash that show signs of damage. Squash varieties like acorn squash and striped delicata squash should be eaten a few weeks after harvest. Butternut squash should be eaten after a few months of storage. Round squashes like Blue Hubbard squash can be stored until March or April. For longer storage, cook, mash, and freeze your winter squash. | Find an area that receives full sunlight and has few weeds. Test your soil for a pH range between 6 and 6.5. Correct your soil’s pH, if necessary. Plant both summer and winter squash in spring once the soil temperature is above 60 °F (16 °C) at a depth of 4 inches (10 cm). Determine the type of summer squash you want to plant. Plant summer squash seeds in 6-inch (15 cm) hills that are 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Space your summer squash rows 3 feet (0.91 m) apart. Keep the soil moistened to a depth of 6 inches (15 cm). Harvest summer squash 55 days after planting. Use summer squash or freeze it. Choose your winter squash variety. Plant winter squash in late spring. Plant winter squash seeds in 1⁄2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) high hills. Space winter squash hills about 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 m) apart. Water once a week to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm). Thin winter squash once the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) tall. Harvest winter squash once the fruit has turned a solid color and the rind is hard. Field-cure your winter squash for a week in dry, sunny weather. Store winter squash in a dry location that is around 55 °F (13 °C). |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Small-3D-Atom-Model | How to Make a Small 3D Atom Model | With a few arts and crafts materials, you can easily make your own small 3D atom model. You'll need glue, scissors, cardstock, string, large craft balls, and small craft balls. Look for large craft balls in 2 different colors or paint them yourself. To make the nucleus, glue the large balls together, alternating between the 2 colors for the protons and neutrons. Then, cut out rings of cardstock and tie them in a concentric circle with string. Glue the small craft balls onto the rings in the correct formation of electrons. Finally, hang your nucleus in the middle of the rings with string, and you're all done. | Prepare your materials. You will need glue, scissors, cardstock, string, 40 large craft balls (20 of one color for the protons and the other 20 for the neutrons that's a different color), and 20 small craft balls for the electrons. Glue the protons and neutrons together. Glue both colored craft balls into a ball, alternating between the protons and neutrons as you glue.This will resemble the nucleus. Cut out the cardstock. Cut out a small, a medium, a large, and an extra-large ring using the scissors. Tie the rings. Using the string, tie all the rings in a concentric circle around the nucleus. Glue on the electrons. Glue two small craft balls to the small circle, eight on the medium circle, eight to the large circle, and then two to the extra-large circle. These will resemble all the electrons on the atom. Attach a piece of string to the outer circle to help the model hang. Enjoy! You can now show off and display your 3D model of the atom calcium. Prepare your materials. You will need 16 medium-sized polystyrene balls, a paint brush, three different paint colors, 8 small polystyrene balls, strong craft glue, an eye hook, wire, duct tape, and a fishing line. Paint 8 of the polystyrene balls a paint color. Use the paint brush to brush the paint over only 8 of the medium sized balls. It's recommended to use the color blue as these balls will resemble the protons. Allow the balls to dry until they are no longer wet. Paint the other 8 balls a different color. Repeat the same process with the other 8 balls. Paint the balls another color, preferably red since this is resembling the neutrons, and set them aside to allow it to dry. Paint the small polystyrene balls another color. Using the paint brush, paint the 8 small balls another color, preferably green to resemble the electrons. Set the balls aside to dry until they are no longer wet. Glue the medium-sized balls together. Using the strong craft glue, glue both different colored medium-sized balls together to resemble a nucleus, alternating between the protons and neutrons as you glue. Screw the eye hook on top of the 'nucleus'. Thread and poke the small balls onto a piece of wire. Form the wire into medium-sized hoops. Gently form the wire into hoops to resemble the atom. Secure the wire and atom together using the duct tape. Tie the fishing line on the hoops and eye hook to help the model hang. Enjoy! You can now show off and display your 3D model of the atom oxygen. Prepare your materials. You will need 6 wooden craft sticks, strong craft glue, 10 medium-sized Styrofoam blue craft balls, 10 medium-sized Styrofoam red craft balls, and 10 small yellow Styrofoam craft balls. Glue the medium-sized balls together. Using the strong craft glue, glue both different colored medium-sized balls (the protons and neutrons) together to resemble a nucleus, alternating between the protons and neutrons as you glue. Poke the wooden craft sticks onto different areas of the 'nucleus'. Leave two of the sticks to stand on the ground so the model can stand itself. Poke and attach the small balls. On each craft stick, poke the small yellow balls to resemble electrons. Enjoy! You can now show off and display your 3D model of the atom neon. | Prepare your materials. Glue the protons and neutrons together. Cut out the cardstock. Tie the rings. Glue on the electrons. Attach a piece of string to the outer circle to help the model hang. Enjoy! Prepare your materials. Paint 8 of the polystyrene balls a paint color. Paint the other 8 balls a different color. Paint the small polystyrene balls another color. Glue the medium-sized balls together. Screw the eye hook on top of the 'nucleus'. Thread and poke the small balls onto a piece of wire. Form the wire into medium-sized hoops. Tie the fishing line on the hoops and eye hook to help the model hang. Enjoy! Prepare your materials. Glue the medium-sized balls together. Poke the wooden craft sticks onto different areas of the 'nucleus'. Poke and attach the small balls. Enjoy! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge | How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge | To dispute a credit card charge, start by identifying the date, amount, and merchant of the unauthorized charge, and then immediately call your credit card company to report the error. You can also often contact your company online as well. Next, follow up by sending a letter through certified mail that outlines the details of the disputed charge if you spoke to a representative over the phone. If the company agrees the charge was a mistake, your account will be credited and all associated fees should be removed. | Identify the unauthorized charges. An unauthorized charge is any purchase on your credit card that you did not make or authorize. Take out your credit card statement and identify the dates, amount, and merchant of any unauthorized charges. You will need this information to report to your credit card company. If your credit card statement does not arrive on time, call your credit card company. Do not delay. The federal Fair Credit Billing Act states that consumers must report unauthorized charges to their credit card issuer within 60 days that the statement containing the error was mailed. If you learn of the unauthorized purchase sooner, however, you should report the error as soon as possible. One way to detect fraud early is to enroll in your credit card's bank website. You can then monitor charges at your own convenience without waiting for a monthly statement. Call the phone number on the back of the card. You should immediately report any unauthorized charges as soon as you discover it. Additionally, you may also want to cancel your card and ask the credit card company to issue a new one. Follow up in writing. Although you should certainly call as soon as possible, you should also follow up with your credit card company in writing. Be sure to send the letter certified mail, return receipt requested. Send the letter to the department authorized to handle billing disputes, which should be listed on your most recent credit card statement. The letter should include: a copy of the billing statement with the questionable charge highlighted your name your account number an explanation of why you believe the charge is incorrect The Federal Trade Commission has a sample letter available at their website for you to use. Revise it to fit your circumstances. Keep a copy of all correspondence for your records. Understand your liability. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, consumers are not liable for more than $50.00 in fraudulent charges. Furthermore, major credit card companies like Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express often have zero liability policies, which means that you will not be held liable for any portion of the fraudulent charges. Wait for a response. Once you have disputed a charge, the credit card company will credit your account for an amount equal to the disputed charge. This means that any payment you make on the card will not include the disputed amount. The credit card company must acknowledge receiving your dispute within 30 days. If you do not hear within 30 days, call the credit card company again. Complete required forms. The credit card company may send you forms to fill out. Complete them quickly and mail them back as soon as possible. The company has 90 days to perform an investigation and get back to you. Receive a decision. The credit card company must inform you in writing of the results of its investigation. If the company agrees the charge was a mistake, then your account will be credited and all finance charges, late fees, and other charges must be removed. If the credit card company finds that some or all of the disputed charge was legitimate, then you can request whatever documents the card company has proving that you really owe the money. You have 10 days to write the credit card company and telling them that you will not pay the disputed amount. Once you refuse to pay, the credit card company has the choice to bring a collections action to recover the amount. Also, the company may report you to a credit reporting company as delinquent, though it must also state that you don't agree that you owe money. Identify the type of complaint. Be clear about what your grievance is: Goods not received i.e. The merchant charged you for an item you did not purchase Overcharge i.e. charged you more for an item than you agreed to You can also dispute a charge if you have a complaint about the quality of goods or services that you received. Technically, this is not a “billing complaint.” Nevertheless, you may request a “charge back” from the credit card company. A “chargeback” is effectively a refund. To request a chargeback for goods or services, you must have spent more than $50 and the purchase must have been in your home state or within 100 miles of your home. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-9.jpg\/aid6681750-v4-728px-Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-9.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>"} Keep a record of all correspondence with the business. Store all of the following together in an easily accessible place: receipts invoices texts notifications emails faxes tickets calls forms pictures of the product {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-10.jpg\/aid6681750-v4-728px-Dispute-a-Credit-Card-Charge-Step-10.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>"} Contact the merchant's customer support. After you realize that the charge has been caused by a merchant's error, you can contact the merchant immediately to inform them of the mistake. Although you are not required to contact the merchant, merchants will often address your complaint in a satisfactory manner.. Call them/ email them or post a request ticket on their website with as much information as possible in the order of the time it occurred. Remember, you want to build a clear case of how you did everything in your capacity to communicate the type and quality of service you requested but your expectation was not met. Keep a record of the complaint number or ID in a safe place. Include the following in your complain: Date and time of the purchase Order number Amount and currency Date, time, quality and quantity of the product and service received if any Date, time, quality and quantity of the product and service you expected Any previous effort you made to get the quality, type, product or service you expected How you want them to resolve the issue e.g. get a full refund or ship you the item again or refund you only for the faulty item or give you a gift coupon Your contact information for them to get back to you Thank them for their anticipated support Follow up with the business. Any established business will tell you exactly how long you need to wait for a resolution. Wait patiently till that time has passed. In the meantime, make sure you are available at the phone number/ email address you mentioned. If they ask for more information, look it up from your previous steps or tell them you don't have it. Call them again if they don't respond in 48 hours otherwise with your complaint ID pulled up. Contact your credit card company. If you are unable to reach an immediate resolution with the merchant, then you should immediately contact the credit card issuer by calling the phone number on the back of the card or on your billing statement. Don't wait too long for the merchant to issue a refund. If the refund isn't immediate, then move on to your credit card company. Once contacted, your credit card company will contact the merchant on your behalf in order to reach a resolution. Follow up with a letter. You should follow up your phone call with the credit card company by writing a letter. If you are challenging the quality of goods or services, then you should make sure that your letter includes: the request for a chargeback your account number the specific amount on the statement that you decline to pay the steps you have already taken to try and settle the dispute Approach a consumer rights organization. If a dispute with the credit card company is past due, normally after 60 days, approach a consumer rights organization. In USA, for example, Better Business Bureau is an organization that holds businesses accountable. Sign up and post a ticket with the same information you gave the business. You may have a time window to do this as well, longer than filing a dispute with the credit card company. | Identify the unauthorized charges. Do not delay. Call the phone number on the back of the card. Follow up in writing. Understand your liability. Wait for a response. Complete required forms. Receive a decision. Identify the type of complaint. Keep a record of all correspondence with the business. Contact the merchant's customer support. Follow up with the business. Contact your credit card company. Follow up with a letter. Approach a consumer rights organization. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Age-a-Deer | How to Age a Deer | When you're trying to figure out how old a deer is, start by looking at its size and build. For example, by the time a whitetail buck reaches maturity at 4 and a half years, it will have a thick, muscular neck and a bulky stomach and chest. You can also examine the deer's antlers. If they don't stick out beyond the deer's nose, it is likely a juvenile. Additionally, you can determine if a deer is an adult by checking to see if it has more than 5 teeth on each side of its lower jaw. | Learn what female deer look like. A doe is a female deer and is commonly confused with young male deer, or fawns. Female deer do not have antlers and neither do fawns. Typically, the top of a fawns head will be much flatter than a doe's head. Female deer will have longer, more muscular necks than young male deer. Study what baby deer look like. Fawns, or baby deer, have small, square bodies, square heads, and large ears. Their bodies and legs are thin and haven't built any significant muscle definition. Sometimes fawns will not have any antlers, so they are easy to confuse with does. Examine the neck width. Young bucks will have much thinner necks than adult bucks. Once the deer reaches 3 to 3.5 years old, the neck will begin to start to look more muscular. By 4.5 years old, the buck will have a muscular, proportionally sized neck. During breeding season or the rut, a buck's neck will become swollen and large. Look at the deer's legs. Young deer's legs look much thinner and longer in comparison to its body. Up until three years old, the legs will maintain this thin and long appearance. When the deer reaches 4 1/2 years in maturity, the legs will often look much shorter and stockier in comparison to younger deer. You should also look for dark tarsal glands. These can be found at the joint on the deer's leg and are darker the older the deer is. Study the deer's body. Young deer will have much smaller stomachs and torsos than fully grown deer. Examine the deer's stomach. If it looks stocky or bulky, there's a good chance that the deer is fully matured. Another area to look at is between the neck and chest. As the buck ages, this area will also become larger. Look at the length of its antlers. Get a side view of the deer and take a look at how long the antlers extend in front of its face. An older buck's antlers will stick out about as far as the deer's nose. Adult deer's antlers will typically jut out 20 inches (50.8 cm) or more in front of their face. If the antlers do not protrude far in front of the deer's face, there's a good chance that it's a younger buck. It may be hard for novice hunters to determine an age of a buck by its antlers because they grow at different rates depending on the health of the habitat. Examine the antler spread. Look at the buck straight on and try to estimate the distance in between both of his antlers. Antlers will almost never be larger than 14 inches (35.56 cm) apart for bucks who are younger than 2.5 years old. Once the buck is 3.5 years old or older, the antler diameter will typically grow to over 15 inches (38.1 cm). Understand the deer in your area. The size of deer antlers will often heavily depend on the healthiness of the habitat for the deer. Get to understand the deer's habitat and the average size for antlers of adult and young bucks. Talk to your local hunting association or park rangers to better understand the deer in your area. In places like South Texas a buck's antlers can grow to 110-150 inches (279.4-381 cm) long. In Wisconsin a buck's antlers can grow to be over 200 inches (508 cm) long. Count the number of teeth in the jaw. A deer that has five or fewer teeth in its mouth is a fawn. Typically a deer will have four teeth if it's 5 to 6 months old and five teeth if it's 7 months old to one-year-old. Once the deer is over a year old, it will develop its sixth tooth. Look at the third tooth in the deer's mouth. If the deer is under a year old, its third tooth will be a tricuspid, or have three cusps that form a single tooth. This tricuspid will look worn down until it falls out to be replaced by a permanent bicuspid, or a tooth that has two ridges. Examine the coloring on the third tooth. If the third tooth is bicuspid, it could still be a younger deer. If the coloring is lighter on its third tooth, or the tooth is just starting to develop, the deer is a little older than one year old. If the third tooth is the same color as the rest of the teeth, the deer could be anywhere between 2.5 years old to a fully matured deer. Look at the enamel on the teeth. As a deer starts to age, the enamel on its teeth will start to wear away and the teeth will start to brown. Fully matured deer will have most of the enamel on their teeth worn away at this point. If the teeth look worn down, there's a good possibility the deer is over five years old. | Learn what female deer look like. Study what baby deer look like. Examine the neck width. Look at the deer's legs. Study the deer's body. Look at the length of its antlers. Examine the antler spread. Understand the deer in your area. Count the number of teeth in the jaw. Look at the third tooth in the deer's mouth. Examine the coloring on the third tooth. Look at the enamel on the teeth. |
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