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https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-a-Jaguar-from-a-Leopard
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How to Tell a Jaguar from a Leopard
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To tell a jaguar from a leopard, start by comparing their body sizes, since leopards are usually smaller than jaguars. Jaguars typically have much larger heads than leopards, and their tails are shorter. Both cats feature coats with rosette patterns, but only a jaguar will show rosettes that merge and form a band around the tail. A jaguar's coat will also have spots inside the rosettes, whereas the leopard's rosettes are spaced closely together and don't have spots.
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Compare the body sizes of the two animals. One of the biggest differences between jaguars and leopards is their physical size. Leopards are generally smaller than jaguars, though size discrepancies exist within each species. Jaguars can grow up to 6.25 feet long (1.9 meters). Adult jaguars can weigh up to 211 pounds (96 kilos) and stand 25 to 30 inches (76 centimeters) tall at the shoulders. Leopards can grow up to 6.3 feet (1.92 meters) in length and weigh up to 198 pounds (90 kg). Leopards are taller than jaguars, with adult leopards standing up to 31 inches (78.74 centimeters) tall at the shoulders. Look at the size of each animal's head. Another physical distinction between jaguars and leopards is the size of each animal's head. Jaguars typically have much larger heads than leopards, which makes sense given the overall body size difference between these two cats. Examine the tail of the animal. The size and patterns on each animal's tail can be another distinguishing feature. The tail of a jaguar is typically shorter than the tail of a leopard. A jaguar's tail patterns are also unique: the rosette patterns on the tail may appear to "merge," forming a band around the tail. Examine the coat of each animal. Though jaguars and leopards have very similar-looking coats, there are some noticeable differences between the two. Close examination of the patterns and coloration can often reveal which animal is which. While both animals have rosette patterns on their coats, a leopard's rosettes are solid. A jaguar's coat will have spots inside the rosettes, setting it apart from those of a leopard. The rosettes on a jaguar's coat are usually much larger, whereas a leopard's rosettes are typically very closely-spaced together. A jaguar's base coat color is usually a shade of yellow, but it can also be reddish-brown or even darker. The throat, outer legs, underbelly, and lower flanks are usually white (though they may have spots). Both animals can have an all-black coat, but a black leopard will still show a rosette pattern on its black coat. A black jaguar's coloration can also appear more like a mix of blue/black and purple. Check whether the animal carries prey into a tree. Leopards and jaguars are both skillful hunters, but leopards are the only known big cat that carries its dead prey into a tree. Leopards also climb/jump out of trees headfirst. If you witness the animal carry its prey into a tree, it is definitely a leopard. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that leopards will do this every time. Observe how the animal behaves around water. There is a distinct behavioral difference between leopards and jaguars when it comes to being in the water. Both jaguars and leopards are skilled swimmers, but jaguars will actively spend time in water, whereas leopards will generally try to avoid being in the water as much as possible. Notice the way the animal fights other animals. Both cats are strong, skillful predators. However, jaguars are typically more willing than leopards to fight a larger animal species. Leopards, by contrast, will usually run away from larger creatures like lions, pythons, or even hyenas. Learn the geographic regions of each animal. While physical and behavioral characteristics are the easiest ways to distinguish between a jaguar and a leopard, you can also identify the animal by its geographic location. These two big cats naturally live on opposite sides of the world, though of course some individuals may be kept in captivity in other regions. Jaguars live exclusively in North America, Central America, and South America, and may not be able to survive in a leopard's habitat. Leopards live in African and Asian countries, and may not be able to survive in a jaguar's habitat. Consider a jaguar's typical habitat. In addition to geographic location, it may also be helpful to know the animal's preferred environment. Jaguars are somewhat diverse in their habitat selection, though they typically inhabit rain forests, flooded wetlands, swamps, and dry grasslands. Know a leopard's typical habitat. Though they live on different sides of the world, leopards and jaguars often reside in similar habitats. Leopards can inhabit a broad range of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, mountains, deserts, and rainforests. The specific habitat a leopard inhabits depends largely on which continent it resides in.
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Compare the body sizes of the two animals. Look at the size of each animal's head. Examine the tail of the animal. Examine the coat of each animal. Check whether the animal carries prey into a tree. Observe how the animal behaves around water. Notice the way the animal fights other animals. Learn the geographic regions of each animal. Consider a jaguar's typical habitat. Know a leopard's typical habitat.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Crane-Humidifier
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How to Clean a Crane Humidifier
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To clean a crane humidifier, start by unplugging it and separating the water tank from the base. Next, fill the tank with water and 2 tbsp of white vinegar, screw the cap on tightly, and shake the tank vigorously for 30 seconds. Then, empty, rinse, and dry the tank. For the base, fill it with water, add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. After draining the base, clean the nooks and crannies with a soft cloth, then rinse with cool water and allow it to dry.
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Gather your supplies. To clean your Crane humidifier, you will need water and four tablespoons of white vinegar. You will also need a soft, clean cloth if you choose to dry the humidifier base by hand instead of letting it air dry. Unplug the humidifier. It is important that you do not attempt to clean your Crane humidifier while it is plugged in. Doing so could result in injury to you or damage to the machine. Before cleaning the humidifier make sure you turn it off and unplug it from the power source. Separate the water tank from the base. You will need to remove the water tank from the base of the humidifier. You will be cleaning each part separately. Separate these parts of the humidifier as you prepare to clean it. Remove any additional accessories. If your humidifier has accessories, like diffusers, you will need to remove these parts. They will need to be cleaned separately from the humidifier tank and base. Fill the tank with water. Remove the water tank from the humidifier base and unscrew the cap. Add water until the tank is filled to or just below the maximum fill line. Add white vinegar to the tank. Measure out two tablespoons of white vinegar. Gently add the vinegar to the humidifier tank. For larger humidifiers, like the Crane SmartDrop, you can add up to three tablespoons of white vinegar. Vigorously shake the tank. After you add the vinegar and water to the tank, replace the cap and screw it on tightly. Then hold the tank with two hands and shake vigorously. You will want to shake the tank for at least 30 seconds. Empty, rinse, and dry the tank. After you have vigorously shaken the vinegar solution in the tank, unscrew the cap. Pour the vinegar solution down the drain of a nearby sink or bathtub. Rinse the tank with water until the vinegar smell dissipates. Allow it to dry until next use. Clean the accessories. If your humidifier has accessories like a diffuser, you will need to soak them in a solution of two tablespoons of white vinegar and one gallon of water for about 10 minutes. Then rinse and air dry the accessories. Scrub away any build-up on these accessories with a dampened soft cloth or cotton swab. Fill the base with water. After you have removed the humidifier tank from its base, fill the base with water. You will need to fill the base up to the maximum fill line. Add white vinegar. Once you have filled the humidifier base with water, you will need to add white vinegar to the base. Measure out two tablespoons of white vinegar and add them to the water in the base. Allow the vinegar and water to sit in the humidifier base for 30 minutes. Empty the base. Pour the water and vinegar out of the base and down a nearby sink or bathtub drain. Be sure you empty all of the vinegar solution from the base. Clean the nooks and crannies. Sometimes sludge can build up in the humidifier base. If this is the case, dip a soft cloth or cotton swab in the vinegar solution and use it to scrub out any hard-to-reach areas. Rinse and dry the base. Rinse the base with cool water until the vinegar smell dissipates. Allow the base to air dry before you use it again. Alternatively, you can wipe the base dry with a clean, soft cloth.
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Gather your supplies. Unplug the humidifier. Separate the water tank from the base. Remove any additional accessories. Fill the tank with water. Add white vinegar to the tank. Vigorously shake the tank. Empty, rinse, and dry the tank. Clean the accessories. Fill the base with water. Add white vinegar. Empty the base. Clean the nooks and crannies. Rinse and dry the base.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-an-Apple-Tree-from-a-Seed
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How to Grow an Apple Tree from a Seed
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To grow an apple tree from a seed, first get seeds from 2 different kinds of apples and dry them completely. Then cover them with a damp paper towel and put them in an airtight container. Refrigerate them so they'll grow roots, checking daily and spraying the paper towel with water when you need to so it's always moist. After 70-80 days, take your seeds from the refrigerator and plant them in a pot. Keep them in a sunny spot in your house, and look for your first leaves in just a few weeks!
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Collect two different kinds of seeds. Apple trees must be planted in pairs in order to bear fruit—apple trees are not self-pollinating, so they need a different kind of apple tree to pollinate with. You can either extract the seeds from an apple you are eating, or buy apple seeds at the store. Keep in mind that growing an apple tree from the seeds you have collected does not necessarily guarantee that the tree produced from these seeds will bear fruit or be the same kind of apple. Try to pick or buy seeds of apple trees that do well in your climate zone or else your tree may die once planted outside. If you want to grow apples for their fruit, it is recommended that you buy a sapling tree from a nursery rather than growing an apple tree from seed. To learn how to transplant a young tree, click here. When attempting to grow an apple tree from seed, you should also keep in mind that the tree produced will not have any dwarfing characteristics (meaning that it will grow to its full height of about 30 feet/9 meters). If you think you have enough room in your yard for this tree, great! You should also keep in mind that trees planted from seeds could take 8 to 10 years to produce fruit, while a transplanted sapling will produce fruit in a much faster time frame. Lay your seeds out to dry. Once you have extracted the seeds from the fruit and have gotten rid of any pieces of the fruit clinging to the seeds, you should lay them out to dry. This means simply air drying them until there is no moisture on the outside shell. Cover your seeds with a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel and seeds into a sealable plastic bag, jar with a lid, or Tupperware box. Whatever your container is, make sure it can be sealed. You can also use moist peat moss rather than paper towels if you have any peat moss just hanging around. Place your seeds in the fridge. Seeds need a period of exposure to cold temperatures called “after-ripening”. This is essentially simulated winter. During this time, the seeds will begin to grow roots and sprout. They will need to be left in there for 70 to 80 days. Keep the temperature the seeds are stored at around 40 to 50ºF (4.4 to 10ºC), with optimal temperature being 40 to 41ºF (4.4 to 5ºC). If possible, do this during actual winter so that when you take the seeds out of the fridge, they will be aligned with the actual seasons. Planting your sprouts in the early spring after the last frost will have the best results. Check every so often to make sure the towel stays damp. It is important to keep the towel damp while the seeds are in the fridge, so check them daily. However, keep in mind that the seeds will not sprout while they are in the fridge. Prepare your pot and soil. Your seeds will need to be planted outside in a prepared seedbed or in a pot. Use a good potting mix. Apple seeds grow best in soil with a neutral pH level. Fill the pots with the soil and create a divot in the soil that is one to two times larger than the sprouted seed. Do not add any fertilizer. It is not necessary, though you can add leaf mulch or compost if you want to give you seedling an extra boost. Place the seed in the divots of soil. Put the seeds into the soil divots and then cover them, making sure to gently pat the soil down. Water the seed immediately so that the soil settles around the seed and the soil stays moist. Keep the pot at room temperature. While growing in the pot, the seed and soil should be kept at, or slightly higher than, room temperature. The seed should have access to sunlight for a good part of the day, so putting it in a windowsill that gets sunlight for some of the day is a good idea. Watch your seedling for growth. Several weeks after planting, your seeds should begin to start throwing up little leaves. From there they will grow taller and stronger. Keep them in pots until they look strong and any risk of frost has passed. If you think your seedling is outgrowing its pot, transplant it to a larger pot and keep watering it daily. Pick a location for your tree(s). There are several factors that should determine the spot you plant your tree. These include sunlight, soil, and space. Sunlight: Apple trees need full sun. This means that they should get six or more hours of direct sunlight every day. Where you plant your tree will depend on your location. An eastern facing slope is usually a good choice, but a north facing slope may also work. Evaluate your options for possible locations before you plant. Soil: Apple trees don't like soggy feet. That means they need to be planted in soil that will retain moisture but does drain well. The soil should be moderately rich and have a relatively neutral pH level. Space: Because you are growing your tree from seed, it will grow to full size (meaning it can reach 20-30 feet/6-9 meters in height). You will need to make sure that it has enough space for its root system to grow. Plan to plant your tree at least 30 feet (9.1 m) from another tree, particularly if you are planting two apple trees in a row. Know when the conditions are right for transplanting. Once your little sapling has gotten big enough that no one will step on it or think it is a weed, carefully transplant it without cutting off any roots. The best time of year to plant depends on your location--in Zone 8 and warmer, fall planting can work well. If you live anywhere other than a Zone 8, plant in spring. once the threat of hard frost has passed. Remove any weeds in a four-foot diameter of the planting site. Dig a hole that is twice the diameter or your sapling's root system. Make sure that the hole is roughly two feet (.6 meters) deep. Once you have made the hole, try to loosen the soil of the walls of the hole--this will help your tree's roots to penetrate the soil. Transplant your sapling. Gently spread out your tree's roots so they are not tangled or get bunched up in the hole you have dug. Start to replace soil all around the roots. Once you have covered the roots, pat the soil down firmly to get rid of any air pockets that might be hanging out around the roots. Fill the rest of the hole with loose soil. Again do not add any fertilizer or un-aged compost to the soil around your tree. The fertilizer could actually 'burn' your young tree's roots. Water the tree in well to eliminate air pockets. After you have watered your tree, spread mulch to help you sapling retain moisture. Hay, straw, or organic hardwood chips work well as apple tree mulch. The mulch should be spread in a three foot circle around the tree. Doing this will help retain moisture and keep grass from growing and competing with your young tree's roots for water and nutrients. Water your tree. While the tree is still short (roughly 6-8 in/15-20 cm tall) the tree should be watered every 10 to 12 days. As the tree grows, however, you can cut back on the watering, so long as the soil continues to stay moist (but not soggy). As they grow, you will need to water them less frequently. However, in the summer, water your tree every one to two weeks. During other times of the year, you can let nature do the rest, unless you live in an extremely dry area. If this is the case, keep in mind that the equivalent of an inch or two (2.5-5 cm) of water a week is ideal for the first year. Make sure you give it a good soaking, not just a sprinkle. Ward off pests. If you live in an area with deer, you'll need to protect your young tree. Deer absolutely love to browse the buds on apple trees, in some cases they'll even damage the trunk itself. To protect your trees as they grow, cut a length of chicken wire that is tall enough to cover your tree, and long enough to form a loop around the tree. Secure the wire to a post and close the loop. Watch the tree as it grows so that limbs do not become entangled in the wire. In low-pressure areas, spraying the tree with a purchased or home-brew spray may also be effective. If deer are not a problem in your area, keep away rabbits and mice by placing short wire mesh around the base of the tree. Spray away insects. You might find yourself at battle with insects that are causing your fruit to become diseased. You can buy a spray at your local nursery or garden supply store to ward them off. Fight the apple maggot. These are one of the most common plagues to the apple tree. Hang a baseball-sized red ball or two in your trees branches in June. Coat the balls with sticky goo like Tangle Trap, which can be purchased at garden supply stores. Fertilize your tree when it has gotten older. Your apple trees should be fertilized each spring. Fertilize the tree after the last snow has melted away (if you get snow) but before the tree begins to produce buds. You should use a fertilizer with a nitrogen and oxide content (NPK) of 10-10-10. You should lay the fertilizer down under the canopy of the tree and should put down half a pound (.23 kg) of it for every inch (2.5 cm) of the tree's trunk diameter. Always perform a soil test before adding fertilizer. You may need to use a slow-release organic fertilizer based on your soil test results. Too much nitrogen will cause excess vegetative growth and limit fruit production. Do not use a weed-and-feed fertilizer--these sort of combination fertilizers can hurt apple trees. Hold off on pruning a young tree. Prune as little as possible the first few years, so you don't delay fruit bearing. You should prune off any branches that are dead or diseased. An apple tree wants to build a lot of growth before it decides to create fruit--its way of reproducing--so let it grow till it starts to bear. Rid your young tree of misplaced buds before they have the chance to grow into branches that you'll just have to prune later. You will also need to prune the tree to establish a 'central leader'. If there are two limbs growing vertically, prune off the smaller or less-desired one so the tree can direct all of its energy towards the central leader. Train your tree. This may sound odd, but your tree's branches will need to be shaped to maximize the fruit the tree produces. Any branch that has an angle of 35 degrees or less from the trunk will need to be trained into a better angle (any angle larger than 35 degrees from the trunk). Bend a stem down so that it is almost horizontal and tie it to stakes in the ground or lower tree branches with string. Leave it tied down for a few weeks. Thin excessive fruit. Producing too much fruit can actually be a bad thing for your tree—the excess fruit can weigh the tree's branches down and reduce the quality of the apples produced. You should thin out the fruit so that there are only one or two apples per cluster, and so that they are roughly six to eight inches (15-20 cm) apart. Prune a mature tree annually. Once your tree has produced fruit and filled in, you will need to provide it with annual pruning. Do this when the tree is dormant. Cut away vigorously growing stems that grow upright (these are normally found in the higher parts of the tree). You should prune off dead, diseased, or broken branches, as well as limbs that are growing in toward the tree or that are crossing each other. Cut away any very low growing limbs--in general, your tree's limb should start growing roughly 18 inches (45 cm) or higher from the ground. You should also remove weak twigs, which generally grow on the undersides of branches.
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Collect two different kinds of seeds. Lay your seeds out to dry. Cover your seeds with a damp paper towel. Place your seeds in the fridge. Check every so often to make sure the towel stays damp. Prepare your pot and soil. Place the seed in the divots of soil. Keep the pot at room temperature. Watch your seedling for growth. Pick a location for your tree(s). Know when the conditions are right for transplanting. Remove any weeds in a four-foot diameter of the planting site. Transplant your sapling. Water the tree in well to eliminate air pockets. Water your tree. Ward off pests. Fertilize your tree when it has gotten older. Hold off on pruning a young tree. Train your tree. Thin excessive fruit. Prune a mature tree annually.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Red-Kidney-Beans
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How to Cook Red Kidney Beans
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To cook dry beans, start by discarding any discolored or shriveled beans, and soaking them in water overnight. Then, bring the beans to a boil before lowering the heat. Next, add your chosen ingredients, like garlic and onions. Let the beans simmer for an hour, then check to see if they're done. If they're not ready, continue cooking and checking them every 10 minutes until they're soft.
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Sort and wash the beans. Dried beans are among the most nutritious and affordable foods you'll find in your local grocery store. However, they require a little extra work before you can start cooking them. Start by pouring your beans out on a flat surface and looking for any that are shriveled or discolored. Discard these beans (and, if you find them, any small rocks). Next, drop your beans into strainer and rinse them gently under a little running water. This helps to remove any small imperfections or dirt particles you may have missed. The process for cooking beans is basically the same no matter how much you're cooking at once. The rest of this section will assume you're cooking 1 pound of beans ( about 3 cups dry or 6-7 cups when cooked ), which will feed four or five people easily. If you can, soak the beans overnight. Drop your rinsed and sorted beans into a large stove pot, cover them with an inch of water, and set them in the fridge overnight. They will soften slightly and absorb some of the water by the next day. They may appear larger and somewhat wrinkled. This is normal. This isn't essential , but it's always a good idea if you have time. Letting the beans soak will shorten their cooking time, help them cook more evenly, and make them slightly easier to digest. In addition (there's no nice way to say this), soaked beans tend to cause less flatulence. Bring the beans to a boil. If you let your beans soak overnight, pull them out of the fridge, drain them, and re-cover them with an inch of water. If you didn't soak your beans, transfer them directly to the stove. Heat on "High" until the water reaches a moderate boil. If needed, you can keep the water from foaming or boiling over by adding a dash of vegetable or olive oil. If you are using the garlic, onions, and other optional ingredients above, add them to the water as soon as you begin heating the pot. Reduce the heat and allow the beans to simmer. As soon as the beans reach a healthy boil, turn the heat to "Low." The boiling should reduce to a gentle simmer. Stir gently. Leave the beans on the stone with the lid on (but tilted to allow the steam to escape). Start checking for done-ness after about an hour. Dry beans almost always take a long time to cook. You may stir the beans occasionally every 15 minutes or so, but don't expect them to be anywhere near done before at least an hour or so. At this time, you may check the beans by taking one in your hands and crushing it (after it has cooled, of course). Don't eat red kidney beans that are raw or obviously undercooked. This can cause a temporary condition similar to food poisoning (see "Tips" below). If the beans are even a little "crunchy," they aren't done. You want beans that are completely smooth and soft — this texture should be almost "creamy." Be patient. A batch of dry beans can take anywhere from one to four hours to cook completely. Resist the temptation to crank up the heat — this will just make them cook unevenly. Add a little salt when the beans are slightly tender. As soon as you notice the beans start to lose some of their "crunchy" texture, add a few teaspoons of salt to the water. This will give the beans a pleasantly savory taste. Make sure that you don't add the salt before this point. Adding it before the beans have started to break down will lengthen the cooking time and make the beans cook unevenly. Cool and store the beans. Continue stirring and tasting the beans every 10 to 15 minutes. When the beans all seem to have a soft texture without a hint of "crunchiness," they're ready to eat! Let the beans cool in their cooking liquid, then serve or transfer to the fridge (keeping the beans in their liquid). If you think the beans are especially watery, you can drain some of the liquid, but try to avoid pouring it all off. Leaving the beans in their cooking liquid helps maintain their texture and flavor (plus, the liquid itself is flavorful and full of nutrients). You can even use it as a nutritious base for soups. Prepare the beans for cooking as above. Cooking in a pressure cooker (or a slow cooker, crock pot, etc.) is basically the same as the stove top process, but with a few minor changes. You'll want to start with exactly the same steps as you'd use above: sort and wash the beans, then cover them with water and let them soak overnight if you have time. Put beans and water in the pressure cooker. If you soaked the beans overnight, drain the soak water and add the beans to the pressure cooker. If not, add the beans directly. Cover the beans with about an inch of water. Don't fill the cooker more than halfway. Heat to high pressure. Secure the lid and place the pressure cooker on the stove over medium-high heat. Once it reaches high pressure, reduce the heat to low to maintain the pressure. If you are using an electric pressure cooker, simply set it to the high pressure setting. If you are including the garlic and optional vegetables, add them before securing the lid. Count on a much quicker cooking time. Pressure cookers cook beans very quickly compared to ordinary stove top cooking. Most recipes call for anywhere between 22 and 30 minutes of cooking time. You may want to check for done-ness after about 20-22 minutes and adjust the cooking time accordingly. When the beans are done, release the pressure under cold running water, then drain and rinse the beans. Check whether the beans are plain or flavored. Compared to dry beans, canned beans are a mixed bag. Some cans contain beans that are "plain" except for the preservative fluid they are sitting in. Other cans contain beans that are sitting in a sauce. Some cans even contain beans that are meant to be heated and eaten on their own. A quick check of the label should tell you which type of beans you have. When in doubt about how to use canned beans, check the back of the label. Many will include sample recipes and serving suggestions. Rinse plain beans. Plain canned beans usually come in a clear, slimy brine. This works well for keeping them fresh and it's perfectly safe to eat, but it can taste unpleasantly "artificial." All it takes to get rid of this gross substance is to pour the contents of the can into a strainer and rinse them with cold water for a few seconds. Heat the beans in a saucepan or microwave. Canned beans come pre-cooked, so all you need to do is heat them up. If you're using plain beans that you've just rinsed, add a small amount of water to the container you're heating the beans in. If you're using beans in a sauce, you can usually just heat the beans in their liquid without any extra work. If you're using a microwave, be sure to heat the beans in a microwave-safe container like a ceramic or glass bowl (rather than a metal or plastic one). If you're camping, you can cook a can of beans-in-sauce directly in its can. Simply open the top of the can and carefully place it over your campfire. This is easiest if your fire pit has a metal grate, but if it doesn't, you can just balance the can on a rock near the edge of the fire. Be careful — it will get very hot. Alternatively, add plain beans to other recipes. Since canned beans are already cooked, it's easy to use them in other other recipes. If these recipes require cooking, add the beans at the end of the cooking process so they don't over-cook. For cold recipes, you can usually use canned beans as-is. In the section below, you'll find a few recipe suggestions that you can use red kidney beans in. Except where noted, you can use cooked dry beans or plain canned beans interchangeably. Try making red beans and rice. This classic Southern dish is hearty, tasty, and filling. The protein and fiber in the beans pair with the carbohydrates in the rice to make a meal that's completely satisfying on its own. However, you can also serve with gumbo, jambalaya, or spicy sausage for a true Deep South feast! Try making chili. This popular, spicy stew is perhaps the most famous recipe for using red kidney beans in the world. Traditionally served with meat ("con carne"), chili can be served in virtually endless ways. Try it with an assortment of veggies for a vegetarian treat or pair it with a serving of cornbread for a classic American frontier dish. If you're using dry beans for this recipe, you'll want to cook them until they're most of the way done on their own, then transfer them to the chili pot with the liquid ingredients. This prevents them from over- or under- cooking. If you're using canned beans, add them near the end of the cooking process. Try making bean soup. Bean soup is delicious, nutritious, and easy to make — all you need are beans, water, and your favorite vegetables and seasonings to make a full-fledged meal. You can also add ham (or ham flavoring) for a classic combination, though sausage, chicken, beef, and other meats work just as well. There's no "right" way to make bean soup, so feel free to get creative! Here is a great recipe to get you started. If you're using dry beans, you can add the other ingredients to the pot the beans are cooking in as soon as they're most of the way cooked. If you're looking for inspiration, a can of diced tomatoes makes a great addition to almost any bean soup. Plus, it will do wonders for the presentation, turning the greyish water to a pleasant brownish-orange. Try making a cold bean salad. Have a few different types of canned beans handy? Drain them, wash them, and toss them together with a little olive oil and salt for a low-calorie salad that's also a great source of protein and fiber. You can try adding chopped red onions, tomatoes, and corn to add tangy flavor, but the great thing bean salad is that it's usually great on its own, too! Try making a bean dip or hummus. Making a hummus-like bean dip out of red kidney beans is so easy it's criminal. Just add the beans with a little salt, pepper, and olive oil to a blender or food processor and pulse until you have a creamy spread. If you're going for a more "hummus-y" taste, add a little tahini and lemon juice — these are essential ingredients in traditional hummus. Garnish with cayenne pepper and parsley before serving.
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Sort and wash the beans. If you can, soak the beans overnight. Bring the beans to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow the beans to simmer. Start checking for done-ness after about an hour. Add a little salt when the beans are slightly tender. Cool and store the beans. Prepare the beans for cooking as above. Put beans and water in the pressure cooker. Heat to high pressure. Count on a much quicker cooking time. Check whether the beans are plain or flavored. Rinse plain beans. Heat the beans in a saucepan or microwave. Alternatively, add plain beans to other recipes. Try making red beans and rice. Try making chili. Try making bean soup. Try making a cold bean salad. Try making a bean dip or hummus.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Meditate-for-Beginners
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How to Meditate for Beginners
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Once you've found a meditation area free of noise, bright lights, and other distractions, sit on the floor or in a comfortable chair with your back straight and your chin down. Breathe in and out through your nose, and focus your attention on your breath. If your attention wanders, simply bring it back to your breathing. Continue breathing until your timer rings.
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Think about what you want to achieve with your meditation. People come to meditation for a wide range of reasons — whether to improve their creativity, help visualize a goal, quiet their inner chatter, or make a spiritual connection. If your only goal is to spend a few minutes every day being present in your body without worrying about everything you have to do, that's reason enough to meditate. Try not to over-complicate your reasons for meditating. At its core, meditation is just about relaxing and refusing to be caught up in everyday anxieties. Find a distraction-free area to meditate in. Especially when you're just starting out, it's important to clear your environment of distracting sensations. Turn off the TV and radio, close your windows against the street sounds outside, and close your door to noisy roommates. If you share your home with roommates or family members, you may find it difficult to find a quiet space where you can focus on meditation. Ask the people you live with if they would be willing to keep quiet for the duration of your meditation exercise. Promise to come tell them as soon as you're finished, so they can resume their normal activities. A scented candle, a bouquet of flowers, or incense can be great little touches to enhance your meditation experience. Dim or turn out the lights to help you concentrate. Use a meditation cushion. Meditation cushions are also known as zafus. A zafu is a circular cushion that allows you to sit on the ground while meditating. Because it does not have a back, as a chair does, it doesn't let you slump back and lose focus on your energy. If you don't have a zafu, any old pillow or sofa cushion will do to keep you from getting sore during long stretches of cross-legged sitting. If you find that sitting without a chair-back hurts your back, feel free to use a chair. Try to be present in your body and maintain a straight back for as long as it feels comfortable, then lean back until you feel you can do it again. Wear comfortable clothes. You don't want anything to pull you out of your meditative thinking, so avoid restrictive clothing that might pull on you, like jeans or tight pants. Think about what you might wear to exercise or to sleep in — those types of loose, breathable clothes are your best bet. Choose a time when you’re comfortable. When you're more familiar with meditation, you might use it to calm you down when you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed. But if you're a beginner, you may find it hard to concentrate at first if you're not in the right frame of mind. When you're starting out, meditate when you already feel relaxed — perhaps first thing in the morning, or after you've had to unwind after school or work. Remove every distraction you can think of before you sit down to meditate. Grab a light snack if you're feeling hungry, use the restroom if you need to, and so on. Have a timer at hand. You want to ensure you practice your meditation for long enough, but you also don't want to break your concentration by checking the time. Set a timer for the length of time you wish to meditate — whether 10 minutes or an hour. Your phone may have a built-in timer on it, or you can find many websites and apps that will time your sessions for you. Sit on your cushion or chair with a straight back. The upright posture helps you to concentrate on your breathing as you purposefully inhale and exhale. If you're sitting in a chair with a back, try not to lean back against it or slouch. Stay as erect as possible. Position your legs in whichever manner is comfortable to you. You can extend them out in front of you or cross them beneath you like a pretzel if you're using a cushion on the ground. The most important thing is that your posture remains straight. Don’t fret about what to do with your hands. In the media, we often see people holding their hands at their knees when meditating, but if that's uncomfortable for you, don't worry about it. You can fold them in your lap, let them hang at your sides — whatever allows you to clear your mind and concentrate on your breathing. Tilt your chin as though you’re looking downward. It doesn't matter if your eyes are opened or closed when you meditate, though many people find it easier to block out visual distractions with closed eyes. Either way, tilting your head as though you're looking down helps open up the chest and ease your breathing. Set your timer. When you're in a comfortable position and are ready to get started, set your timer for however long you'd like to meditate. Don't feel any pressure to reach an hour-long transcendental state during your first week. Start small with 3-5 minute sessions, and work your way up to half an hour, or even longer if you'd like. Keep your mouth closed as you breathe. You should both inhale and exhale through your nose when meditating. However, make sure your jaw muscles are relaxed, even though your mouth is closed. Don't clench your jaws or grind your teeth; simply relax. Focus on your breathing. This is what meditation's all about. Instead of trying not to think about the things that might stress you out on a day-to-day basis, give yourself something positive to focus on: your breath. By focusing all of your concentrating on your inhalations and exhalations, you'll find that all other thoughts from the outside world fall away on their own, without you having to worry about how to ignore them. Concentrate on your breathing in the way that's most comfortable for you. Some people like to focus on how the lungs expand and contract, while others like to think about how air passes through the nose when they breathe. You might even focus on the sound of your breathing. Just bring yourself to a state of mind where you're solely focused on some aspect of your breath. Observe your breath, but don’t analyze it. The goal is to be present within each breath, not to be able to describe it. Don't worry about remembering what you're feeling, or being able to explain the experience at a later time. Just experience each breath in the moment. When it passes, experience the next breath. Try not to think about the breathing with your mind – just experience it through your senses. Bring your attention back to your breath if it wanders. Even when you've gained a lot of experience with meditation, you'll find that your thoughts might wander. You'll start thinking about work or bills or the errands you have to run later. Whenever you notice the outside world creeping in, don't panic and try to ignore them. Instead, gently nudge your focus back to the sensation of your breath in your body, and let other thoughts fall away again. You may find it easier to maintain your focus on inhalations than on exhalations. Keep this in mind if you find it to be true. Try to concentrate especially on the feeling of your breath as it leaves your body. Try counting your breaths if you're having trouble refocusing your attention. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Accept that focus will be hard for you when you're just starting out. Don't berate yourself––all beginners experience the inner chatter. In fact, some would say that this continual return to the present moment is the "practice" of meditation. Furthermore, don't expect your meditation practice to change your life overnight. Mindfulness takes time to exert its influence. Keep coming back to meditation every day for at least a few minutes, lengthening your sessions when possible.
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Think about what you want to achieve with your meditation. Find a distraction-free area to meditate in. Use a meditation cushion. Wear comfortable clothes. Choose a time when you’re comfortable. Have a timer at hand. Sit on your cushion or chair with a straight back. Don’t fret about what to do with your hands. Tilt your chin as though you’re looking downward. Set your timer. Keep your mouth closed as you breathe. Focus on your breathing. Observe your breath, but don’t analyze it. Bring your attention back to your breath if it wanders. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Chipped-Bathtub
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How to Fix a Chipped Bathtub
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If you have a small chip in your bathtub, you can fix it with an epoxy kit. Before you start, scrub the damaged area of your tub clean with a sponge and some soap and water. Follow the directions on your epoxy kit for mixing the 2 components together. Once they're mixed, use a small spatula or a paintbrush to spread a thin layer of the epoxy over the chip. Wait for it to fully dry, which should take at least 2-3 hours, then use sandpaper to buff out the dried epoxy until its smooth. If your bathtub is badly damaged, you can use a bathtub refinishing kit to restore the finish. You'll need to sand the whole tub to remove the old finish, repair all the cracks with epoxy, then paint on new primer and finish.
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Buy a 2-component epoxy kit for chip repair. Look in the adhesive or bathroom repair section of a home hardware store. Buy a kit that comes with both the catalyst and hardener that you will mix together to create the epoxy. Most epoxy chip repair kits come in shades of white to match the most common color of bathtubs. Try to choose a kit that will closely match the shade of your bathtub, or 2 kits that you can mix together to create the right color. Epoxy repair kits work to fix chips in all kinds of bathtubs including ceramic, porcelain, acrylic, fiberglass, and enamel tubs. Scrub the damaged area with a sponge and soap or tub cleaner, then dry it. Use warm water and dish detergent or a household tile and tub cleaner to clean the chipped area. Thoroughly dry the area with a clean rage after you finish cleaning it. You can also use acetone or rubbing alcohol to clean the area. Any product that removes grease and soap scum will work to clean the chip. Follow the directions on your epoxy kit to mix the 2 components together. Some epoxy kits come with a mixing tray and stirring stick for you to use. Mix the epoxy in a disposable tray with a toothpick or matchstick if your kit didn't come with the mixing supplies. It's a good idea to set the tray on a piece of cardboard or some scraps of paper to catch any spills. Apply the epoxy to the chip with a small spatula, paint brush, or bottom of a matchstick. Scoop up a small amount of the epoxy with your chosen utensil. Spread it carefully in a thin layer over the chip by working in 1 direction and smooth out any spots where it pools. Make sure that anything you use to apply the epoxy is disposable. It will be hard to get the epoxy off of anything it touches. It's easiest to start with a small amount of epoxy and add more layers than it is to put too much on and remove it. Let the epoxy dry, then sand down the surface with 400-600 grit sandpaper. Follow the directions on your epoxy kit to let it fully dry. Gently sand the surface with 400- or 600-grit sandpaper until it feels smooth like the rest of the tub. Some epoxy will set in 2-3 hours, at which point you can sand. Other kits may advise you to wait up to 24 hours before sanding. You can add another layer of epoxy after sanding if you can still feel the chip. Then repeat the process. Keep in mind that while this is will help hide small chips, you may still be able to notice the patch. This will be especially obvious if you try to fill a number of chips with the epoxy. Buy a bathtub refinishing kit at a home improvement center. Save yourself time by buying a whole kit that has everything you need to refinish your tub. Most kits come with tub cleaner, sandpaper, primer, refinishing paint, a paint tray, a brush, and a roller. Check that the kit comes with a durable resin coating for your tub. Some cheaper kits come with an epoxy coating, which chips and discolors faster. Refinishing kits can cost from about $30-$100 USD. Tub refinishing kits work to refinish all kinds of bathtubs including ceramic, porcelain, acrylic, fiberglass, and enamel tubs. The kits will provide a new porcelain-like finish to these kinds of tubs. Ventilate the bathroom, cover the floors, and put on protective gear. Open up all the windows and put a fan in the bathroom to ventilate it. Cover the floors with heavy-duty plastic sheets to keep them safe during the refinishing process. Put on a face mask and goggles. You can also drape plastic sheets over fixtures like the toilet and sink to protect them. Clean the bathtub with the cleaner from the kit. Read the directions on the cleaner to apply it to the tub and use a sponge to scrub the tub clean. Rinse the tub out, then go over it with the sponge and cleaner 2 more times to remove any soap scum and stains before you refinish it. If your kit did not come with cleaner, then purchase an industrial strength bathtub cleaner to use. Let the tub completely air dry, or speed up the process with towels and a hair dryer. Sand the whole tub with the sandpaper in your kit to remove the old finish. Start with the lowest-grit sandpaper from your refinishing kit and sand the whole surface of the tub in circular motions by hand, or with an electric sander. Work your way up to the highest-grit sandpaper in your kit until the tub is completely smooth. Your refinishing kit should come with sandpaper to use. If your kit didn't come with sandpaper, then start with 400-grit sandpaper and work your way up to 2000-grit. Increase the grit of the sandpaper in increments of 200 until you reach 1000-grit sandpaper, then go up in increments of 500 until you end using 2000-grit sandpaper. Repair any chips or cracks in the tub with a 2-component epoxy chip repair kit. Follow the instructions to mix the two parts of the epoxy in a small tray. Use a small brush, spatula, or the bottom end of a matchstick to apply thin layers of epoxy to any chips. Wait 2-3 hours until the epoxy dries and sand the patches down with 2000-grit sandpaper to match the finish of the rest of the tub. This will ensure that the tub has no chips or cracks and seal the surface before you apply the new finish. Get a 2-component epoxy chip repair kit from the bathroom remodeling or adhesive section of a home improvement store if your kit did not come with it. Put painter's tape on the walls and around any plumbing fixtures. Tape along the edges of the tub where they touch the walls and around the faucet and other fixtures. Even if you have a steady hand, it's easy for paint to go astray! Painter's tape is the blue masking tape that you can find at hardware and paint stores. Apply 1 coat of primer with a brush and roller. Use a roller to roll on the primer onto the large, flat sections of the tub like the floor and sides, then use a brush to get into the corners and curved parts. Let it dry for at least 2-3 hours before you start to paint on the new finish. Priming the surface is an important part of ensuring that the new finish adheres correctly so that you end up with the correct texture. Make sure that the primer is completely dry to the touch before you paint over it. Paint on 2-3 coats of the new finish with a brush and roller. Always paint in 1 direction when you apply the new coat to your tub. Roll on the new finish to the floors and sides in even back-and-forth rolls until the flat area is completely covered. Fill in the corners and curves of the tub with even back-and-forth brush strokes. Let each coat dry for at least 30 minutes before you put the next coat on. Some kits may come with a spray-on finish. If you use a sprayer instead of a brush or roller, try to spray evenly and in 1 direction. Make sure your walls and fixtures are well-protected by tape where there is a risk of paint spray hitting them. Let your bathtub sit for 2-3 days before you use it. The new finish needs to set completely before you run water over it. Consult your kit's directions for the exact drying time for your specific finish. If you don't let the finish dry long enough, you could end up with streaks and bubbles in the new coating and you will need to start the process over again. Your new DIY finish will last for years, but keep in mind that professional finishes will last even longer. The chemicals used in this process can be dangerous, so it may be a good idea to stay somewhere else for a few days while the tub cures.
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Buy a 2-component epoxy kit for chip repair. Scrub the damaged area with a sponge and soap or tub cleaner, then dry it. Follow the directions on your epoxy kit to mix the 2 components together. Apply the epoxy to the chip with a small spatula, paint brush, or bottom of a matchstick. Let the epoxy dry, then sand down the surface with 400-600 grit sandpaper. Buy a bathtub refinishing kit at a home improvement center. Ventilate the bathroom, cover the floors, and put on protective gear. Clean the bathtub with the cleaner from the kit. Sand the whole tub with the sandpaper in your kit to remove the old finish. Repair any chips or cracks in the tub with a 2-component epoxy chip repair kit. Put painter's tape on the walls and around any plumbing fixtures. Apply 1 coat of primer with a brush and roller. Paint on 2-3 coats of the new finish with a brush and roller. Let your bathtub sit for 2-3 days before you use it.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Throat
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How to Clean Your Throat
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To clean your throat, be sure to use a mouth rinse and brush your tongue every day. If you need to remove phlegm from your throat, try an over-the-counter expectorant medication. Non-caffeinated herbal teas like green tea, ginger tea, chamomile, or lemon tea may help eliminate irritation in the throat caused by phlegm-causing infections. Eating raw ginger and garlic can also help clear up congestion and clean out your throat!
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Use mouth rinses. Using a mouth rinse on a daily basis can help clean out the back of your throat and prevent bacteria that causes bad breath and a variety of mouth diseases. Mouth rinses may contain antimicrobial agents to prevent disease, fluoride that reduces tooth decay, and odor neutralizers to combat bad breath. Some mouth rinses are merely cosmetic, meaning they seek to eliminate bad breath temporarily but do not have the bacteria fighting powers of stronger brands. Make sure you purchase a mouth rinse that is therapeutic and designed to clean your mouth and throat in addition to eliminating bad breath. Mouth rinses will come with instructions on how to use them. Most of them require you to swish or gargle the liquid for a number of seconds before spitting it into the sink and rinsing out your mouth with water. Take care of your tonsils. Tonsils are small collections of lymph tissue in the back of the throat that are often the cause of infections and bad breath. Some people have their tonsils removed via operation to keep these from occurring, but if you still have your tonsils they may require upkeep to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Sometimes, tonsil stones, which are concretions of food particles and mucus, build up in the folds of the tonsils and cause bad breath. They may also make you feel like you're gagging, or like you need to clear your throat constantly. If you're having trouble with tonsil stones, you may need to regularly irrigate your tonsils, using an irrigation system you can purchase at a drug store. Tonsil irrigation systems work somewhat like nasal or ear irrigation systems do, in that a rubber syringe is used to spray water and some kind of medication in the back of the throat to remove unwanted debris. Make sure you don't use too much pressure or force, or you could irritate your tonsils or cause bleeding. You can also buy tonsil sprays at most drug stores. These are medicated sprays you use on the back of your throat to clean out your tonsils and prevent decay. If your tonsils are growing uncomfortably large, taking oral probiotics might hinder their growth. Talk to your doctor before trying any new medication, however. If you aren't able to remove tonsil stones on your own, or they pose a serious problem for you, see your doctor. Brush your tongue. When brushing your teeth each day, make sure you take a few minutes to brush the back of your tongue with your toothbrush. This helps clean your throat and mouth in addition to your teeth, and prevents the build up of disease and bad breath causing bacteria. Try over the counter medications. The quickest way to remove phlegm and other unwanted substances from the throat is simple over-the-counter medication that can be purchased at most drug stores and supermarkets. OTC medications labeled as "expectorants" are designed to clear mucus and phlegm from the throat and chest. These include brand names like Mucinex or generic medications like guaifenesin. Always check the side effects of any new medications you're taking. Many expectorants cause drowsiness and sometimes medication labels might even advise you not operate a motor vehicle while taking the medication. You should always consult your physician when taking any new medications, even over the counter meds, to make sure they're safe for you given your medical history and any current medication you're taking. If over the counter medications do not help, see your physician. If she thinks it's necessary, she may refer you to an Ears, Nose, and Throat Specialist to help find you a prescription medication to clear out your throat. Use a saline solution to clear your nasal passages. Salt water, or saline solution, can effectively clean out the throat for a short period of time by preventing nasal drip, reducing stuffiness, and removing mucus from the nose. You can buy sterile saline solution from the drug store or make your own at home. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of distilled water at room temperature. If you have to use tap water, boil it first to sterilize it and then let it cool down. Dissolve the baking soda and salt into the water. You will need some kind of rubber syringe. You can use an ear syringe or a medical syringe with no needle. Squirt the solution into your nose and let it run into the back of your throat. Spit it out into the sink. Do not be concerned if you accidentally swallow some of the solution. It will not hurt you. This should help clear your nasal pathways, which will reduce the buildup of phlegm in your throat. Repeat as symptoms persist. Make sure to keep the syringe sterile by washing it with soap and water after using it. Replace your saline solution every few days. Try a honey and lemon mixture. Honey and lemon both have antibacterial properties that can help soothe the throat and remove phlegm, mucus, and other bacteria. Combine honey and lemon juice in equal properties and mix thoroughly. You can take a spoonful of the mixture pure, but many people find the taste too sweet. If that's the case, adding it to your tea, coffee, or even just to a cup of hot water can help it go down easier. Don't give honey to children under 1 year old. It can contain botulism spores that can cause a serious infection in infants. Use eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil can be applied externally to relieve congestion, which may help clear up the throat. You can buy eucalyptus oil from most drug stores, supermarkets, and health food shops. Remember, it's only for applying to the skin and should never be taken orally. Always dilute eucalyptus oil in a carrier oil first, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil. You can gently massage eucalyptus oil into your chest to and neck and leave on for a few hours to relieve congestion. This may result in your throat clearing up. Try ginger and garlic. Raw ginger and garlic can be extremely helping in clearing up congestion and cleaning out the throat. Ginger and garlic both have antibacterial properties that can help clear out infections that lead the phlegm and mucus in the throat. Phlegm itself contains a variety of bacteria that garlic can destroy. You should consume ginger and garlic uncooked for the best results. If the idea of chewing whole bits of garlic or ginger puts you off, you can always mince both and take with water like a pill. Drink herbal teas. Herbal teas have been known to eliminate irritation in the throat caused by phlegm-causing infections. Green tea, ginger tea, chamomile, or lemon tea are good choices. Try a non-caffeinated variety for best results. Herbal tea can melt away mucus in the throat, decongesting you and cleaning out your throat. Eat spicy foods. Spicy foods could potentially irritate an already sore throat, so use this method with caution. The idea is that spicy foods loosen phlegm and make it runnier, easier to remove via coughing and blowing your nose. Chili, peppers, wasabi, and horseradish are all good choices. However, if you've had issues such as acid reflux in response to spicy foods in the past, it might be best to try a different method. Avoid certain foods. If your throat is clogged or congested, there are certain foods you should avoid as they can make the problem worse. Dairy products, like cheese, yogurt, and milk, can increase mucus production in the body. Meals rich in salt and oil should also be avoided. Refined sugars and other artificial sweeteners can irritate the throat and make problems worse. They should be avoided while you're trying to clean your throat. Soy products, like tofu and soy milk, can also increase the production of phlegm. Therefore, you should not substitute milk and cheese with soy alternatives while trying to clean out your throat. Drink plenty of water. Proper hydration can help mucus stay loose and not get caught in your throat as easily. Aim for about 8 glasses of water a day, although if you're sick with a cold you may need to drink slightly more than this as you'll be producing more mucus. Water keeps your throat lubricated, which reduces phlegm production. Drink water with meals instead of other beverages and have a bottle of water nearby while you're at work or relaxing at home and sip on it periodically. Do not smoke. Smoking not only results in a litany of other health problems, it's very bad for your throat. Not only does smoke irritate the vocal folds, tobacco use makes you more susceptible to infections resulting in more colds and flus and therefore more mucus. Ditch the cigarettes while trying to clear out your throat and look into plans for quitting long term. Drink alcohol and soft drinks in moderation. If you have phlegm stuck in your throat, alcohol and carbonation should be avoided. Carbonated beverages, even carbonated waters, can irritate the throat and create unnecessary phlegm. Alcohol not only irritates existing phlegm, it lowers the immune system which can prolong your cold or flu, meaning your throat will take longer to clear out.
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Use mouth rinses. Take care of your tonsils. Brush your tongue. Try over the counter medications. Use a saline solution to clear your nasal passages. Try a honey and lemon mixture. Use eucalyptus oil. Try ginger and garlic. Drink herbal teas. Eat spicy foods. Avoid certain foods. Drink plenty of water. Do not smoke. Drink alcohol and soft drinks in moderation.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Boil-a-Hot-Dog
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How to Boil a Hot Dog
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To boil a hot dog on the stove, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, then carefully place the hot dogs into the pot one by one. Boil the hot dogs for 6 minutes. If you're boiling a whole pack, you may need to add an extra minute or two to make sure they're cooked all the way through. Carefully remove the hot dogs from the water with tongs or pour the water through a strainer, then serve. If you made extra hot dogs, you may want to leave them in the hot water so they'll stay hot until you're ready to eat them.
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Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. The pot should be large enough to fit all the hot dogs you want to boil. Leave a few inches of room at the top of the pot so it won't boil over when you add the dogs. Place the hot dogs in the pot. Carefully slip them into the pot one by one. Don't toss them in all at once, or the boiling water could splash you. Boil the hot dogs for six minutes. Hot dogs come pre-cooked, but they taste best when they're heated thorough. Boiling them for six minutes is enough time to get the hot dogs piping hot, but it's short enough to keep them from splitting down the middle. You want to avoid letting the hot dogs split, since they'll lose a lot of flavor if they do. If you're boiling a large pack of hot dogs, they may need an extra minute or two. Test a dog to see if it's ready before removing the rest of them from heat. If you're boiling just a dog or two, they may be ready before six minutes are up. Test a dog at five minutes to see if it's hot enough to suit you. If not, put it back in the water. Remove the hot dogs from heat and drain them. You can remove them one by one with tongs, shaking off the water as you go. As an alternative, pour the entire pot of dogs through a strainer, so that the water runs through and the dogs are caught. If you made enough hot dogs for people to come back for seconds, leave the extra dogs in the pot of warm water. Just move it to a cool burner and put a lid on the pot; the extra dogs are still likely to be hot when you're ready to eat them. If you're serving a big crowd and you want to keep a lot of hot dogs warm, keep the burner on the lowest heat setting until all the hot dogs are gone. Fill a microwave-safe bowl half-full with water. Make sure the bowl is large enough to hold the amount of hot dogs you want to cook. A glass or plastic microwave-safe bowl works fine. Slit the hot dogs with a knife. This will prevent the dogs from bursting in the microwave. Make a lengthwise slit through the skin of each hot dog you're cooking. Cook the hot dogs on high for 75 seconds. Check the dogs after 75 seconds to determine if they need more time by cutting off the tip of a hot dot to see if it's thoroughly heated. If it needs more time, continue cooking in 30 second increments until all of the hot dogs are fully heated. You can also check to see if it needs more time by looking at the texture of the hot dog; if the skin looks wrinkled and darker in color, it's probably done. If you're cooking more than a few hot dogs, they will need an extra minute or two to fully heat. Note that a microwaved hot dog isn't fully safe to eat unless it's cooked for at least 75 seconds. Drain the hot dogs. Use a fork to remove them from the hot water and drain the dogs on a paper towel before serving. Season the water before you boil the hot dogs. Plain boiled hot dogs taste great, but you might want to give yours a kick by adding some spices. Try adding half a teaspoon of salt if you like your hot dogs salty. In addition, pour in one or more of the following spices before you turn up the heat: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon Italian spice mix 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Pour a beer into the water. Beer imparts a delicious sausage flavor to the hot dogs. It's the perfect way to add flavor if you're cooking up a batch of dogs to eat while watching sports or serving a roomful of adults who like the flavor of beer. Just add an entire beer to the water to replace a cup and a half of water. Bring it to a boil and cook the dogs as normal. If you're up for an experiment, try different types of beer. For example, a pale ale will impart a very different taste than a darker beer. This method works for hot dogs of any kind, but tastes especially good with all-beef dogs. Add a garlic clove to the water. Tossing in a garlic clove or two while the water comes to a boil is a great way to add earthy flavor to your hot dogs. You don't even have to peel the garlic; just throw in a clove or two unpeeled. Try sauteing the hot dogs after you boil them. If you want crispy dogs, quickly sauteing them after you've boiled them is the way to go. Heat a skillet over medium high and add a dash of olive oil. Use a knife to split your dogs in half lengthwise. When the oil is hot, sauté the dogs split-side down until they're brown and crispy. Dress the dogs with your favorite condiments. No matter how you cook your dogs, the best flavor comes afterward in the form of great condiments. Place your dogs in their buns and add your favorite toppings. Here are a few ideas: Chili Shredded cheese Ketchup and mustard Chopped onions, raw or sauteed Sauteed mushrooms Pickle relish
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Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Place the hot dogs in the pot. Boil the hot dogs for six minutes. Remove the hot dogs from heat and drain them. Fill a microwave-safe bowl half-full with water. Slit the hot dogs with a knife. Cook the hot dogs on high for 75 seconds. Drain the hot dogs. Season the water before you boil the hot dogs. Pour a beer into the water. Add a garlic clove to the water. Try sauteing the hot dogs after you boil them. Dress the dogs with your favorite condiments.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Gangster-Bankroll
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How to Create a Gangster Bankroll
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If you want to show off and let everyone know you're the life of the party, create a gangster bankroll. To make an impressive bankroll, you'll need plenty of cash. When you're ready to take your money out of the bank, ask for an assortment of bills so you have everything from 100 dollar bills to singles. If your bills are wrinkled, you can actually flatten them and make them look crisp by microwaving them for 5 seconds. Keep a close eye on them so they don't burn. You'll also want to make sure all of your money is facing the same direction, with the presidents facing up and towards you. Stack your money so the largest bills are on the top. Then, fold your stack over so the highest bill is on the outside. Wrap a thick rubber band around your folded money to keep it neat.
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Get paid. You'll need plenty of cash to make an impressive bankroll. Find a way to put some money in your bank account. If you don't have a high paying job, you can always pick up a few more hours at work or find another job to go to on the weekends. You can even try to sell some of your old stuff. Pawn shops will give you money for appliances you no longer use. You can sell your gently used clothes at thrift shops. Start a blog about something you know about. Offer to walk dogs or wash cars in your neighborhood for a small fee. Get your money out of the bank. When you feel like you have enough money to put together your bankroll, take the money out of your account. Let the teller know that you need an assortment of different bills. You should have plenty of: $100 bills $50 bills $20 bills $10 bills $1 bills Make your money look fresh. You can't have a flashy bankroll with wrinkled bills. Straighten out crinkled money so that it looks new. There are a few different ways to straighten your money: Put your money in the microwave for about five seconds. Keep an eye on it so that it doesn't burn. Go over your bills with a dry iron on a low setting with no steam. Be very gentle so you don't accidentally burn holes in your cash. Face your money. Make sure your money is all right-side up with the presidents facing towards you. Your bankroll will look messy if the bills are facing in different directions. Make sure your bills are neatly coordinated in the same direction. Stack your money so that the largest bills are on top. Your $100 bills should be first followed by the rest of your bills in descending order. Your $1 bills should be at the very bottom. Be sure that you have a good number of $1 bills. They will make your bankroll appear larger. If you have $2 bills, you can place them after your $20 bills and before your $10 bills. Since they are rare, people will likely think they are $20 bills when they glance at your bankroll. Fold your money over. The highest bills will be on the outside. You should be able to see Benjamin Franklin's face on the outside of your bankroll. Your $1 bills should be in the center. Make sure to fold your money evenly so that it looks neat. Clean up your bankroll. All of your bills should be parallel. Use your fingers to push any loose edges back to the center of your bankroll. When all your bills are even, run your fold between your thumb and forefinger to solidify the crease. Fatten your wad. The bigger your bankroll looks, the more impressive it will be. Stuff the center of your bankroll to make it appear larger. You can put I.D. cards, play money or anything else that will fit in your bankroll to make it look huge. Make sure you can keep your stuffing hidden. It could be really embarrassing if anyone notices it. Find a thick rubber band. If you don't have any thick rubber bands laying around, go to the grocery store and buy a head of broccoli. The rubber band that comes wrapped around it will work perfectly for your bankroll. You may need to turn the rubber band inside out if it has the logo of the grocery store on it. Tie your bankroll together. Wrap your thick rubber band around your folded money. You may need to twist the rubber band around your bankroll a few times to make sure it's held together tightly. You don't want any loose money to fall out when you take out your bankroll. The rubber band should be positioned in the center of your bankroll. After you tie your bankroll together, you may need to fidget with your money to make it even again. Show off. When you go out, spend your bankroll lavishly. When you pay for things, flash your bankroll and let everyone see you rummage through all your big bills. Act like you have money to burn. Keep at least one $100 bill on the outside of your bankroll at all times. Be careful. When you're not using your bankroll, keep it in your pocket. You don't want to misplace it or have it stolen. If you flash your bankroll on the street, it could even attract muggers and get you into trouble. Carry a wallet along with your bankroll to pay for things when you're not trying to show off. Always know exactly where your bankroll is.
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Get paid. Get your money out of the bank. Make your money look fresh. Face your money. Stack your money so that the largest bills are on top. Fold your money over. Clean up your bankroll. Fatten your wad. Find a thick rubber band. Tie your bankroll together. Show off. Be careful.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Guy-Back-from-Another-Girl
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How to Get a Guy Back from Another Girl
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If you want to get a guy back from another girl, work on improving yourself and being happy. Start by making some casual contact with your ex. Talk to him about things you have in common and keep it lighthearted so you don't scare him off. Work on being friends with him before you try to get him back. In the meantime, try to build your confidence and be the best version of yourself you can be. Focus on your hobbies and spend time with your friends and family. That way, you'll be happy and stable if he comes back to you. Once you've become good friends with him again, consider telling him that you still have feelings for him and want him back. If he feels the same way, he'll leave his girlfriend for you. If not, then you'll find someone better!
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Reestablish contact. This can take some time and needs to be perfectly timed. Once your no contact period is over, you need to consider ways to reconnect with your ex. The best way to do this is case-specific. For example, if you have a lot of mutual friends, then you can attend a party that a mutual friend is throwing. Or, if you feel more comfortable not reestablishing contact in person, you can try texting him to ask something innocent, like the name of a restaurant you both once went to. Keep these conversations short, to the point, and emoji-free. Be nice to both of them. You have to be nice to both of them, so it doesn't seem suspicious that you're talking to your ex again. Avoid reminiscing about your old relationship in the presence of his new girlfriend because that can get awkward and is a dead giveaway that you're still wanting him. Text him occasionally, but don't bombard him. Once you reestablished contact with your ex, you can casually begin texting him. How often and how much you can do this depends on how receptive he is. Texting the link to a funny Tumblr or an old inside joke between the two of you shows that you still value what you guys used to have, but it doesn't seem desperate. At this stage, you're actively inserting yourself back into his life, and there could be some objections from his new girlfriend. Do your best to not criticize her in his presence or over texting. Be cool and confident because if he keeps talking to you despite her protests, then that is a great sign that your approach is working. Focus on becoming his friend again. Friends meet for coffee or chat about what new movies are out. Make your short-term goal to have him as a friend. This will help him let his guard down, and will allow you to reestablish the connection that drew you both together in the first place. Was it a mutual love of baseball? The fact that you both hated the math class you took together? Think of this stage as pressing the restart button on your friendship. A good way to stay out of the friend zone is to break the touch barrier. Don't do anything overly obvious, but simply touching his shoulder or reaching across the table for his arm while you're making a point can send the right signals. Let him know how you feel. Once you've carefully built up to winning him back, it's time to let him know how you feel. This is best done in person so that you can see his reactions and hear his voice inflections. Rehearse what you plan to say beforehand so you don't stumble over your words. Try to not be overly emotional. Simply say that you miss what you both had before, you know what you did wrong in the relationship, and you want to give it another shot with him. Let him know that you're aware that while the past won't instantly be erased, you know what mistakes were made and what to avoid. Avoid crying or pleading with him, if he doesn't seem to be on the same page with you. This makes you look desperate, and will likely drive him away completely. At this point, you've reestablished a friendship with him, and that might be all he is ready for right now. Be respectful of his feelings, and don't try to force a romantic relationship if he doesn't seem ready for it. Even though you tried your best, be ready for rejection. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, our exes are not in the same mindframe as us. Keep in mind that he might still be hurting over your break up, or he might truly love his new girlfriend. Encourage him to take his time. You know firsthand the pain of a break-up, and if you are successful at winning him back, then he has to break-up with another girl and hurt her feelings. It will show self-confidence and maturity for you to tell him to take some time and be kind to his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend when he breaks the news to her. Be sure that your reason to get back together is legitimate. Of course you think your reason to steal your man back is legitimate, but try to objectively consider if this is a good thing to do. Do you genuinely miss him and his companionship, or are you just angry that he moved on from you so quickly? Try to be honest with yourself as to whether your wants are worth breaking up his current relationship. This is especially true if cheating was involved in your original break-up. Consider whether you want to have to endure something like that again. It might seem like he's the one for you, when in reality, you might just be experiencing some sadness and jealousy over the loss of a relationship that you invested time and energy in, not the guy himself. Institute a temporary no-contact rule. If you decide that you want to try to win him back, then the first order of business is to institute a no-contact rule. You don't have to unfriend or unfollow him on social media, but don't call him, send him private messages or texts, or post on his social media accounts. Keep yourself visible so he knows you still exist, but do not engage him at all. There are exceptions to this. For example, if you have children with your ex-boyfriend, then you cannot simply stop speaking to him, for their sake. If you find yourself in a situation that makes it impossible to have zero contact with your ex, then keep conversation to an absolute minimum. Be polite but don't chat him up, and leave as quickly as possible. The no contact period is probably one of the hardest things to do when you want to win back your ex. It's important to remember that this is a means to an end. Although not true of all guys, most guys want what they can't have. So removing yourself from him will, at minimum, make him realize what it's like to not have you in his life. Your goal is to make that picture look bleak. Resist comparing yourself to his new girlfriend. Once you've cut off contact with your ex, it can be tempting to hop on his new girlfriend's social media accounts and torture yourself with pictures of how perfect she seems and how happy they look together. Avoid comparing yourself to his new flame. She has nothing on you except his attention, which you are working to win back. If she seems taller or thinner or more athletic, don't get down on yourself. Remember that he loved you for you once, and he can again. Make small physical changes. This does not mean going on a crash diet or exercising excessively. However, you feel most confident when you feel good about yourself. Try a new hairstyle or color, get a manicure or pedicure, or hit the gym. This will boost your self-confidence, and even if you don't win him back, you'll feel good about yourself knowing you look your best. Give yourself some time. Break-ups can hurt, and seeing your former boyfriend with a new rebound relationship can feel awful. However, you need to allow time for dust to settle on your old relationship before you begin planning how to get your ex back. A couple months is ideal, and a month is the absolute minimum you should wait before trying to get him back. You risk appearing desperate or clingy if you rush into your attempt to win him back. This gives him ammunition to use against you to paint you as the crazy ex-girlfriend. Resist the urge to immediately start trying to win him back. Assess what went wrong the last time. Where did your last relationship go wrong? Did he cheat on you? Did you leave him and now regret it? Did you guys have trust issues? Think back to your relationship's biggest problems and think seriously about how you will address those going forward. You don't want to win him back only to immediately lose him because nothing has changed in your attitudes and expectations. Redirect your anger into something positive. It can be easy to feel bitter and resentful after a break-up. When you've put a lot of time and energy into a relationship, it can be hard to see your ex happily moving on with another girl. No one wants to take back an angry, bitter ex, so you need to direct your anger into something positive. Some good ways to redirect your anger are taking high intensity classes like kickboxing, so you can physically release your anger, or you can try journaling or meditation to work on channeling your anger into something positive.
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Reestablish contact. Be nice to both of them. Text him occasionally, but don't bombard him. Focus on becoming his friend again. Let him know how you feel. Encourage him to take his time. Be sure that your reason to get back together is legitimate. Institute a temporary no-contact rule. Resist comparing yourself to his new girlfriend. Make small physical changes. Give yourself some time. Assess what went wrong the last time. Redirect your anger into something positive.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Exclusion
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How to Deal With Exclusion
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Dealing with social exclusion can be painful, but there are ways to handle these situations that will leave you feeling more self-confident and included in the end. If you've been excluded, try to remember that it's not your fault and that the situation is temporary. While it's healthy to feel angry or sad, try not to dwell on the situation for too long. Instead, use these moments to take stock of your relationships. Whatever you decide about your excluders, spend some time regrouping and regaining your confidence with people who make you feel included. If you decide that you still want to socialize with the people who excluded you, organize an outing or event to regain your sense of inclusion.
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Accept what happened. Exclusion is not your fault, and a friendship breakup does not mean that you're a failure or that you're doomed to never have friends again. The good thing about the high emotionality of exclusion is that it is a relatively temporary condition. This means that once you accept your feelings of exclusion they will evaporate shortly, leaving you with a clear mind to act in response. Acknowledge feeling of anger and hurt toward whoever excluded you, but try not to dwell on them for too long. To help acceptance, remind yourself that these feelings are not permanent, but that they are teaching you something meaningful about the social world. The pain of exclusion temporarily interferes with your ability to connect well with others, so the sooner you let yourself feel the full range of your exclusion feelings, the sooner you can get safely back in the game to do something about them. However, the sting of rejection should not be ignored. Even though it is painful, it can send you a strong push to look elsewhere for connection or tell you that you should give up on a particular person or prospect. Put the event in perspective. Sometimes events can truly clue you in to parts of your behavior that are problematic for other people. Usually though, we take rejection much too personally. Upsets like not getting the job you want or being rejected by someone you want to date actually has very little to do with the unchanging parts of your personality. Don't make the experience into a catastrophe. Even if you have experienced exclusion or rejection before, understand that exclusion is not a negative judgment of your character. In reality, it's a sign of perceived incompatibility. If reflection tells you that you really did do something to merit the exclusion you experienced, try apologizing. Giving a simple apology for your behavior is a good fix that can help you heal more quickly. It works well because you'll feel as though you've done something social that also addresses the issue. Look at your options. After the initial pain of rejection, most people move into an “appraisal stage,” in which they take stock and formulate their next steps. Acting to relieve this pain is natural, so what can you do to feel more included? Exclusion actually makes you more sensitive to potential signs of connection, more attentive to social cues, and more willing to please. Take advantage of this special moment of sensitivity to new connections! Ask yourself the following to see if you really want to make it work with the people who excluded you: Was this a "fluke" incident where I felt excluded even despite my friends' best efforts to include me? Are these excluders people with whom I am certain that I have a true, fulfilling connection? Would it help me get over what happened to have a talk about it? If so, would others be willing to explain their perspectives? Resist responding by lashing out. Another temptation that arises when dealing with exclusion is the urge to become angry and aggressive toward your excluders. Some people try to force others to pay attention to them in attempts to reassert a sense of control over the situation. Try learning techniques to control anger to use if these impulses creep up. When you're around people who trigger the pain of the exclusion, monitor your body for signs of anger and take steps to release it without hurting or snapping at others. Responding by lashing out can begin a vicious cycle. People who act aggressively tend to have an even harder time gaining social acceptance. Seek inclusion elsewhere. Whatever you decide about your excluders, it is always good to have different groups of friends to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. People often respond to rejection by seeking inclusion elsewhere to recharge self-esteem. Consider the people in your life who make you feel included. Gaining confidence through connection is important for getting back on your feet, even if you still hope to branch out and eventually continue to make new friends, too. For example, even though your family cannot replace your social life, try spending some concentrated time with a loving parent or relative. Play the role of the organizer. If you find that the exclusion was not severe enough to stop trying to socialize with the person or people, make an effort to regain feelings of inclusion with them. You can do this without forcing it by organizing a fun day out or inviting them somewhere that you know you will feel comfortable and able to socialize (like your home or a cafe that you frequent). Report exclusion that is also bullying. If you are being excluded over and over again by the same person (or group of people), it may count as bullying. Bullying is a serious offense that can escalate quickly, so it's important to reach out to your teachers, parents, or counselors who will address the problem with you. Look for signs that the exclusion is a form of bullying, and seek help if it is: The exclusion involves other malicious acts like making threats, spreading rumors, and launching physical or verbal attacks. This behavior happens on an ongoing basis and shows no signs of letting up. The excluder(s) is dangerous to you by having significantly more physical strength, popularity, or access to information that would harm you if it spread. Let yourself grieve. Exclusion is not just embarrassing or stigmatizing, but actually quite painful. The pain of exclusion triggers the same part of your brain that physical pain does, meaning that ostracism is not just a blow to your ego. Understand that you will feel uncomfortable feelings and that letting yourself grieve in this situation is as important as keeping a broken arm in a sling. You wouldn't be out the very next day pitching a baseball game, would you? Try taking a day to yourself to process what happened. Don't be afraid to burst out sobbing, listen to sad music that matches your mood, or yell into a pillow if you feel angry and frustrated. These feelings will pass if you express them. Foster fulfilling relationships. Focus your efforts on making friends and developing relationships that you feel comfortable falling back on. For example, try finding a confidant--someone who you can trust to listen and be understanding when you need to talk about serious personal issues (and vice versa). This way, even if you venture out and take some risks socially, you know that you will never be left without anyone to turn to. Choose to value quality over quantity. Some of the pain of rejection comes from the fact that many of us have rigid standards and "shoulds" for what a social life should look like. Remember that it's not always realistic to expect to be a social butterfly with tons of different groups clamoring for your time. Satisfying social lives come in many forms, and it is the quality of relationships, not how many you have, that makes you feel connected and included For many people, having one or two deep friendships with lots of care and time involved is more fulfilling than having many friends who are hard to connect with one-on-one. Focus on self-confidence. When you are confident in yourself, fewer and fewer social encounters really feel like exclusions (even if you get just as many invites as you did before developing your confidence!) Confidence is a state of mind that involves understanding that regardless of how you feel now, there will always be a place for you and all of the unique gifts that you bring to the table. Trust in the fact that the cards fall the way they do in order to teach you something meaningful. The hard part is dropping your expectations and beliefs about how things "should" turn out. Focus on past successes and the qualities that you have that contributed to that success. Use these qualities to improve other parts of your life, like making new friends. One common reaction to exclusion is to play the role of the victim by pouting and moping in excess. But, being a victim signals to other people that you expect to be befriended. This is typically not an attitude that draws people in, and it can make you put less effort into making friends without you even realizing it. Remove reminders of the excluders. If you have been excluded consistently in one domain (like school or work) or by the same group of people, do whatever you can to avoid painful reminders of exclusions. Of course, this can't be done completely--nor should you dedicate too much energy to escaping the memory. Just make efforts not to engage with specific people or return to the scenes of exclusion when possible. Since exclusion is such an emotional event, memory triggers can still bring painful feelings well after you make peace with what happened. For example, if your excluders are your peers at school you might not be able to avoid them in class. However, try to have as little face time as possible at lunch and after classes. Get active. The endorphins that are released during cardiovascular exercise are notoriously helpful for elevating mood. Especially if feeling excluded is contained to one event, this can help you deal with the immediate emotional aftermath. Try to integrate brisk walks into your routine, at the minimum, or try activities like running, cycling, swimming, and high intensity yoga. Consider taking over-the-counter pain medication. You may want to consider taking the suggested dose of acetaminophen (like Tylenol) at night when you go to sleep and in the morning waking up. Doing this can help diminish the hurt feelings that usually arise with social rejection because it lowers the sensitivity of our neural censors for pain. OTC medications such as acetaminophen have a risk of side effects. You should check with your doctor before taking any medication, especially if you plan to use acetaminophen for an "off label" purpose (off label meaning that you are taking the drug for reasons other than what the FDA has approved it for treatment of a condition, the conditions that are listed on the label). Seek therapy. When exclusion occurs frequently or one instance stays on your mind for a long period of time, you can feel seriously devastated. Since depression, substance abuse, and suicide are common for people dealing with long-term ostracism, take steps to get a handle on your feelings as soon as possible. Psychologists can help you talk through these feelings and make behavioral modifications that will be more likely to bring about success socially.
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Accept what happened. Put the event in perspective. Look at your options. Resist responding by lashing out. Seek inclusion elsewhere. Play the role of the organizer. Report exclusion that is also bullying. Let yourself grieve. Foster fulfilling relationships. Choose to value quality over quantity. Focus on self-confidence. Remove reminders of the excluders. Get active. Consider taking over-the-counter pain medication. Seek therapy.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Dust-Mites
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How to Get Rid of Dust Mites
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To get rid of dust mites, start by dusting all of the surfaces in your home with a damp cloth, which will get rid of any dust or dander that mites rely on. Then, vacuum your floors, carpeting, and any upholstered furniture. While you're dusting and vacuuming, machine wash your bedding, pillows, and curtains with hot water to kill any dust mites that are on them. If you can't machine wash something, just put it in the freezer for 24 hours instead.
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Dust with a damp cloth. Dust mites feed on dead skin, dander, and other things that are found in dust. Therefore, where there's dust, there are likely dust mites. A key to eliminating dust mites is getting rid of their food source, and that means dusting with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth regularly to avoid spreading dust. It's important to use a damp cloth, because a dry cloth will just stir up allergens and spread dust around the house. Items to dust include furniture, shelves, books, decorations, trinkets, pictures, fixtures, and other items that collect dust. Vacuum the entire house. Vacuuming is another great way to get rid of dust, skin, dust mite feces, and other allergens from your house. To avoid spreading dust and allergens, it's important that you use a vacuum outfitted with a HEPA filter that will trap allergens and prevent them from being blown around the house. When vacuuming, pay particular attention to floors, baseboards, furniture, carpeting, rugs, and behind and underneath furniture. Use upholstery attachments to get the seams, crevices, and corners of your furniture. Wash your bedding in hot water. Dust mites can be found all over your bedding. Remove the pillowcases, sheets, blankets, and covers from your bed. Place the items in the washing machine and wash them with hot water and the regular cycle. When the washing machine is done, transfer the items to the dryer and dry them on a hot setting. To kill dust mites, the washing machine or dryer must reach between 130 and 140 F (54 to 60 C). Clean curtains and drapes. Dust mites love heavy curtains as much as they love pillows and bedding. Remove curtains and drapes from their rods or tracks and check the care label for washing instructions. For washable curtains, remove any hooks or hangers. Transfer the curtains to the washing machine and wash them with hot water. Transfer them to the dryer or hang them to dry according to the care label. Some curtains may be dry clean only. Take the curtains to a dry cleaner to kill dust mites. Wash toys. Toys, stuffed animals, and other fabric items are great hiding places for dust mites. Collect all washable items and wash them in the washing machine using hot water. Transfer the load to the dryer and dry the items on high heat. Freeze items that can't be washed. There are some items that you won't be able to machine wash to kill dust mites. With these items, you can freeze them instead to get rid of mites. Transfer each item to a separate plastic bag, and seal the bag tightly. Transfer the item to the freezer and leave it there for 24 hours. Good candidates for freezing include: Pillows Special toys Delicate fabrics Reduce humidity levels in the house. Dust mites love high humidity. The easiest way to decrease the humidity in your house is with a dehumidifier. You can also decrease the humidity by opening windows on dry days. Always use fans and vents when cooking, showering, and other activities that create steam. By reducing the humidity in your house, you can create an environment that's not ideal for dust mites, and you will slow down how quickly they reproduce. Install a hygrometer to keep an eye on the humidity, and keep the level below 50 percent. Turn down the temperature. Dust mites also love high temperatures. The ideal temperature for them is between 75 and 80 F (24 and 27 C). In winter, set your thermostat to 70 F (21 C), and even cooler in the bedroom if that's comfortable. In summer, use fans, windows, and air conditioning when necessary to keep your house cooler. Spray your home with a disinfecting spray. Disinfectants like Lysol are ideal for killing dust mites, and will make your home inhospitable to them. After your regular dusting, spray the disinfecting spray everywhere that dust tends to collect, including: Corners Baseboards Floors Shelves Curtains Near furniture Use eucalyptus. Certain essential oils, and eucalyptus specifically, are effective at killing dust mites. There are a few ways you can use eucalyptus around the house to make your home unfriendly for dust mites, including: Add 20 drops of eucalyptus oil to your washing machine, especially when you're using a cold or warm water setting. Pour about 30 drops of eucalyptus oil into a spray bottle and fill the bottle with water. Use the spray around the house, including on your bed, furniture, pillows, toys, carpets, and other areas where dust mites live. Get rid of clutter. Clutter and unnecessary items around the house attract and trap dust, and this creates a feeding frenzy for dust mites. One of the best ways to get rid of dust mites is to eliminate their food source, and while it's not possible to completely get rid of dust, you can reduce it by throwing out, selling, or properly storing items like: Books Decorations and ornaments Picture frames Trinkets Home accessories Decorative pillows Dust regularly. Regular dusting with a damp cloth is a great way to reduce dust in the house and eliminate food sources for dust mites. Always dust by wiping surfaces with a damp cloth to avoid spreading dust and other allergens around the house. For the best results, dust your entire house on a weekly basis. Wash linens and bedding regularly. Because linens and bedding are such a hot spot for dust mites, it's important to keep these clean. Weekly washing in hot water that's between 130 and 140 F (54 to 60 C) will help to control dust mites in your bedroom. Be sure to wash: Sheets Pillowcases Duvet covers Blankets Get rid of carpeting. Carpets and rugs are among the worst places in your house for harboring dust mites. While regular vacuuming and washing (for small rugs) will help to reduce mite numbers, getting rid of the carpet altogether will be even more effective. When possible, remove carpeting and replace it with: Tile Hardwood Laminate Cork Concrete Replace dust-collecting fabrics with easy-to-clean items. Because things like thick curtains and drapes can house large numbers of dust mites, you can help get rid of them by replacing these items. For instance, you can replace curtains with plastic blinds or wooden shutters, and fabric cushions and pillows with leather or pleather ones. Not only are these items easier to clean, but they also won't attract dust mites the way fabrics do. Groom pets regularly. Pet dander is another huge food source for dust mites. To reduce dander in the house, take your dogs and cats outside daily for a thorough brushing. For dogs, you should also give them monthly baths to reduce dander and fur around the house. Pets can also suffer from dust mite allergies, so keeping them cleaner is beneficial for you both. Use mattress and pillow covers. Mattress and pillow covers are plastic or hypoallergenic fabric envelopes that protect your bed from dust mites, bed bugs, and allergens. The covers encase your mattress or pillows and prevent dust mites from getting in, and protect you from allergens that are already present. To keep these covers clean, wipe plastic ones with a damp cloth and wash fabric ones weekly. Increase the ventilation in your house. Better ventilation means lower humidity, more airflow, and less dust, and all of these are good for controlling dust mites. You can improve ventilation by opening windows, using ceiling and portable fans, and by making use of vents in the house, such as in the kitchen and bathroom.
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Dust with a damp cloth. Vacuum the entire house. Wash your bedding in hot water. Clean curtains and drapes. Wash toys. Freeze items that can't be washed. Reduce humidity levels in the house. Turn down the temperature. Spray your home with a disinfecting spray. Use eucalyptus. Get rid of clutter. Dust regularly. Wash linens and bedding regularly. Get rid of carpeting. Replace dust-collecting fabrics with easy-to-clean items. Groom pets regularly. Use mattress and pillow covers. Increase the ventilation in your house.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Feel-Like-Eating-Breakfast-First-Thing-in-the-Morning
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How to Feel Like Eating Breakfast First Thing in the Morning
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You may find it hard to feel like eating breakfast first thing in the morning, but there are things you can do to help! Try to avoid eating anything for about 2-3 hours before you go to bed each night so you'll be more hungry when you wake up. Set your alarm a little earlier than normal to give yourself plenty of time to eat, and do about 30 minutes of light exercise, like push-ups or sit-ups, to work up an appetite. Over time, this should help your body get used to eating in the mornings.
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Avoid eating anything in the 2 to 3 hours before you go to sleep. It'll be harder for you to feel hungry first thing in the morning if you're not finishing your dinner until just before you go to sleep. Aim to have your dinner finished 2 or 3 hours before bedtime, and avoid snacking after dinner to help build your appetite for breakfast. If you feel yourself getting hungry before bedtime, try drinking a glass of water first, or only snacking on something small. Opt for a few apple slices, some cheese cubes, or a banana rather than something more substantial. Some studies have found that eating less at nighttime and more during the day can help with weight loss and general health. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. If you wake up in the middle of a sleep cycle or have to drag yourself out of bed in the morning, you might not have the time or the desire to eat a good breakfast. Make sure that you are getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night, and that you leave yourself time to eat breakfast the next morning. Try going to bed a little earlier than you usually would, so that you can wake up a little earlier as well. Wake up earlier so you have plenty of time for breakfast. If you have to rush out the door in the morning to avoid being late, it's easy to make it an excuse for skipping breakfast. If you want to start eating breakfast first thing, set your alarm around 20 minutes earlier than you usually would to make sure you'll have plenty of time to eat. Put your alarm out of arm's reach, so you have to wake up and get out of bed to turn it off or hit the snooze button. Exercise for 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast. If you're not feeling hungry when you first wake up, doing a little exercise is a great way to build up your appetite. Try going for a run , or even just doing some push-ups or sit-ups first thing in the morning before you sit down for breakfast. It may help to drink a glass of juice or have something small like a banana before your morning workout. See what feels best for you and go with that. Mix up your breakfast options. If you're eating the same thing for breakfast every day, it can be easy to get bored with your options and choose to skip it altogether. Try planning ahead when shopping so you can vary your breakfast options based on what you're in the mood for. Here are a few simple suggestions: Try and get multiple types of cereal, or different toppings for your cereal or muesli for some easy variation. Stock up on eggs and choose one of the many ways to prepare them. Get something more interesting than white bread to replace your morning carbohydrates. Try scones, crumpets, bagels, French toast waffles or homemade biscuits. Purchase some frozen breakfast foods, such as some pastries or breakfast pizzas, for something special you can cook up quickly. Try a liquid breakfast at first. Eating a big meal first thing in the morning might take some time to adjust to, either in terms of appetite or time. Instead, try making a fruit smoothie, or even drinking a glass of juice first thing in the morning. This will help get you in the habit of eating early, and may even kickstart your appetite and make you want to eat something else. Use whatever fruits and liquids you want when making your smoothie. Part of the fun is customizing it to whatever you're in the mood for! Keep some frozen fruit or berries in the fridge that you can throw into a smoothie without having to cut up or prepare. This will speed up the smoothie-making process, and the cold may help wake you up! Pick something you can prepare in advance. If you're not eating breakfast because you run out of time in the mornings, try planning ahead the night before so you have less to organize. Make some breakfast muffins or prepare some overnight oats to reduce the amount of work you have to do in the morning. There are plenty of different healthy breakfasts that you can prepare in advance. See what else you can find or come up with. Keep some breakfast options that you can eat on the go. For mornings that you're in more of a rush than usual, it can help to keep some granola bars, bananas, or something similar that you can eat on your way out the door. This will stop from you skipping breakfast on even the most stressful mornings, and make it an easy habit to keep. Trail mix and fresh or dried fruit are also great options for a quick breakfast. Have leftovers or other non-breakfast foods for breakfast. There's nothing to say you have to eat cereal, toast, or other breakfast foods for breakfast. If you're not in the mood for a bowl of oatmeal, dig into some leftovers from the previous night, or anything else that's in your fridge. As long as your breakfast has some protein and ideally some carbohydrates, it should set you up for the day or at least get you to lunchtime. Spread your breakfast over the morning. While starting the day with a big breakfast is great for manual laborers and farmers, but you might not use up all that energy as quickly if you're sitting in an office. Instead of one big breakfast, spread a few breakfast snacks over the course of your morning. This will prevent you from skipping breakfast without needing to have a big appetite as soon as you wake up. Try eating a small bowl of cereal when you first get up, a banana on the way to work, and a granola bar or some nuts after an hour or so. Mix it up and see what works best for you.
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Avoid eating anything in the 2 to 3 hours before you go to sleep. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Wake up earlier so you have plenty of time for breakfast. Exercise for 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast. Mix up your breakfast options. Try a liquid breakfast at first. Pick something you can prepare in advance. Keep some breakfast options that you can eat on the go. Have leftovers or other non-breakfast foods for breakfast. Spread your breakfast over the morning.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-an-Unnatural-Color-to-Dye-Your-Hair
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How to Choose an Unnatural Color to Dye Your Hair
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If you want to dye your hair in an unnatural color but can't choose a shade, use your eye color as a guide. For example, yellow, orange, or blue hair will compliment blue eyes, while red, pink, or green hair goes well with brown eyes. Alternatively, pick a color that reflects your personality. If you're loud and bold, show it off with a bright color like red or neon green. If you're a mellow, creative person, opt for blue or purple. As you think about the color you want, remember how it will work with your hair and skin tone. A blue tone might look cool in your imagination, but it might react with your natural hair to look greenish in reality, so be prepared to go with your second or third choice.
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Choose a flattering shade of your favorite color. If your favorite color is blue, dye your hair a unique shade of blue that stands out to you and complements your skin tone. If you wear the same color of clothing on most days and you want to try out a monochromatic look, dye your hair to match your clothes. For example, if you wear lots of green, choose a shade of green to complement your wardrobe. Go with a color that reflects your unique personality. If you are loud and bold, you could go with an eye-catching color such as red, orange, aqua, yellow, or neon green. If you are creative and artistic, you might try green, orange, blue, purple, or even a rainbow look. If you prefer something more understated, try a muted color like light pink, dark blue, or royal purple. Dye your hair a bright, fun color for the summer. Summer is the brightest season and many people tend to go for warm colors like orange, red, and yellow. However, cooler shades of blue and green can also work great for summer! If you're a student, summer may be a great time to experiment with bold color. Consider fun, summery colors like: Red Pink Bright blue Magenta Bright green Dye your hair a cheerful or pastel color in the spring. If spring is in the air, you might want to follow suit with a unique hair color to celebrate the end of winter. Spring colors are typically bright, natural colors or pastel colors, similar to an Easter palette. You might consider colors like: Coral Turquoise Peach Cobalt Blue Lavender Choose a hair color that looks flattering with your eye color. If you want your hair and eye colors to play off one another, consider matching your eye color closely or choosing a complementary color on the color wheel to create a striking contrast. For example, if you have blue eyes, you could try a matching shade of blue, or go with a complementary color, like yellow or orange, to create contrast. If you have green eyes, try a matching shade of green for hair color. If you want to create contrast with a complementary hair color, consider red or purple. Brown is neutral, so it's harder to create contrast if you have brown eyes. Brown eyes usually have warm, yellowish undertones, so consider dyeing your hair a pale blue or violet shade to create contrast. If you have hazel eyes, think about shades of red, pink, or purple to create contrast. Go with an appropriate color for your daily lifestyle. Not all hair colors are appropriate for work and school. Keep in mind that unconventional hair colors will make you stand out in a crowd and stick around for quite a while, so think carefully about whether your color is appropriate for all situations before you take the plunge! Colors that are found in natural hair, like red, black, and blonde, are generally appropriate for most situations. Dramatic colors, like hot pink, may not be appropriate if you work in a highly professional setting or if your school has strict rules about appearance. With certain creative jobs, an unconventional hair color may not be a concern. Keep your skin tone in mind as you weigh your options. Contrast can be just as flattering as harmony! Matching your hair dye color to your skin's undertones is the easiest way to go, but you can also do the opposite and get great results. If you decide to go this route, be sure to hold up swatches of the color next to your face to make sure the contrast is complementary. For example, if you have red undertones, go with a cooler color, like an icy blue or soft green. Don't forget—you can always test-drive a hair color with a hair color app to make sure you like the way it looks before making a commitment! Experiment with bold colors using an app to see how they look first. There are many apps out there that allow you to upload a photo of yourself and play around with different hair colors. If you need inspiration or want to confirm that a color is right for you, search the app store for a free hair color app you can use. Try search terms like "hair color change" or "virtual hair color salon" to locate an app. Be ready to bleach your hair before adding the fun color on top. If your hair is naturally light blonde, you may be able to achieve a bright or unnatural color without bleaching first. For most people, however, bleaching is necessary if you want to rock a vibrant, unconventional hair color. If you try to dye dark hair with a bright dye, the color won't show up. Bleach is pretty strong stuff, so make sure your hair is healthy and in good shape before applying bleach. Be sure to follow the package instructions carefully if you decide to bleach at home for the best results! If you've never bleached your hair before and you're nervous about it, consider going to a salon. If you have dark hair and you really don't want to bleach your hair, you may have some luck using tinted conditioners like Overtone. Get a permanent hair dye for the longest-lasting color. Permanent hair dye lasts 4-6 weeks, so it's definitely the way to go if you're certain about the hair color you want. You may need to touch up your roots a couple of times during that time frame to keep your color looking its best. Keep in mind that bright colors fade quickly. You may want to think about whether you can live with the faded version of your chosen color before you dye your hair. For example, your bright purple hair color will start fading to reddish pink or lavender after a few weeks. Red hair is one of the most difficult colors to maintain because it tends to fade very fast. Red hair usually requires a touch up every 2 to 4 weeks. Use semi-permanent dye to experiment without commitment. Being stuck with an unnatural hair color for 4-6 weeks might sound a bit scary! Go with a semi-permanent dye if you want more flexibility to experiment with bold color. The color will last for 3 weeks, fading a little more each time you shampoo your hair. Most unnatural hair colors dyes on the market are semi-permanent. Expect to alter your daily hair care approach to maintain vibrancy. To keep your hair color looking bright and fresh, you'll need to change up some of your habits. For example, the sun will fade hair color, so if you spend time outdoors every day, you may want to cover your hair or reconsider the color. Limiting how often you shampoo to once or twice weekly and washing your hair with cold water can also help preserve the color. If you play sports or sweat a lot, you probably need to shampoo your hair every day. A bright hair color may not be a good idea. If cold showers sound unpleasant to you, you might want to avoid unconventional hair color. Keep the cost of upkeep in mind when you choose a color. Bleach, hair dye, and frequent touch-ups can be tough on your wallet! If you're planning to have your hair colored by a professional stylist rather than dyeing it yourself, the cost will be even higher. Spend some time considering whether you're willing to invest in the cost of your look. If you're low on funds, think about dyeing your hair a more natural color, which will be easier and cheaper to maintain.
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Choose a flattering shade of your favorite color. Go with a color that reflects your unique personality. Dye your hair a bright, fun color for the summer. Dye your hair a cheerful or pastel color in the spring. Choose a hair color that looks flattering with your eye color. Go with an appropriate color for your daily lifestyle. Keep your skin tone in mind as you weigh your options. Experiment with bold colors using an app to see how they look first. Be ready to bleach your hair before adding the fun color on top. Get a permanent hair dye for the longest-lasting color. Use semi-permanent dye to experiment without commitment. Expect to alter your daily hair care approach to maintain vibrancy. Keep the cost of upkeep in mind when you choose a color.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Color-Fondant
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How to Color Fondant
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To color fondant, start by kneading it until it's soft, then rolling it into a tube. Next, dab a little of the fondant coloring you're using onto a toothpick and stroke it across the surface of the fondant. Use just a little coloring at first, and roll the fondant with your fingertips to mix it in. If you want a marbled effect, stop rolling when it looks streaked or striped. For a more uniform look, roll the fondant until the coloring is evenly distributed. Then, add more coloring if you want your fondant to be darker, but roll it out after each addition to check the color.
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Cover your work area with wax paper. This will prevent the fondant from sticking to it. Knead the fondant with your hands. Make sure that it is very soft. Roll into a sausage or tube shape. This provides more surface for applying the color to. Dab just a little of the frosting color onto the tool you're using. Use something small and pointed, such as a clean artists brush or a toothpick. Stroke the color across the fondant surface. Draw it across the surface as far as it will go. Avoid digging into the fondant. This can introduce unwanted pockets of air, which can leave bubbles in the fondant. Roll the fondant with your fingertips. Keep rolling until the color has been evenly distributed. For a marbled effect, stop when the surface looks streaked or striped. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid1241042-v4-728px-Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} If you want your fondant darker, just add more color. It's best to start with a little, and increase if needed. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid1241042-v4-728px-Color-Fondant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} For an even, complete colored effect, knead or roll until the coloring has spread throughout the whole fondant. Choose a coloring type. There is a wide variety of possible colorings for use with fondant, including: Paste colors - only use a tiny quantity as this is very concentrated Gel colors - this is a strong color and it's easy to use Powder colors - this needs to be dissolved in liquid before use to avoid undissolved pieces showing in the fondant Liquid colors - use cake decorating versions to ensure nice consistency Lustres - for adding a sheen. Be aware of a few issues with some colors: Daffodil Yellow is an all natural food coloring and does not contain yellow #5. (Many people are allergic to this). Daffodil Yellow currently contains alcohol which all other colors do not have present. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/aid1241042-v4-728px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet1.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>"} Leaf Green is a brighter green with more yellow than Kelly Green. Both of these greens require very little color, how much color added depends on the tone of the green you want. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet2.jpg\/aid1241042-v4-728px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet2.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>"} When icing is colored deep red, a bitter aftertaste may be detected. Red No-Taste should be used when a large portion of red coloring is used on the cake. Red No-Taste does not contain red 3 which causes the bitter taste. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet3.jpg\/aid1241042-v4-728px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet3.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>"} Rose paste color will obtain hot pink with good results. Rose Petal is a soft, muted rose color. Pink is a traditional pastel with a slight yellow tone. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet4.jpg\/aid1241042-v4-728px-Color-Fondant-Step-9Bullet4.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>"}
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Cover your work area with wax paper. Knead the fondant with your hands. Roll into a sausage or tube shape. Dab just a little of the frosting color onto the tool you're using. Stroke the color across the fondant surface. Roll the fondant with your fingertips. For an even, complete colored effect, knead or roll until the coloring has spread throughout the whole fondant. Choose a coloring type. Be aware of a few issues with some colors:
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https://www.wikihow.com/Ask-for-Help
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How to Ask for Help
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Asking for help is easier if you can articulate your needs. You may want to make a list of what you need help with and rank the importance of each need by assigning a number from 1-10 to every item. Next make a list of people who could help you and match each person with a particular need that they are best suited to aid with. When asking for help, clearly state your need in a positive, self-confident way. Finally, when you do receive help, thank those who stepped up in a sincere and specific manner.
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Make a list of what you need. It's normal to feel overwhelmed in general and just want some help. However, you'll be better prepared to ask for help if you can clearly articulate your needs. For example, maybe you've recently had surgery and need a lot of help just getting things done. Your list might look like this: Go to the grocery store Take the kids to dentist appointments Walk the dog Help with depression Rate the importance of each need. Assign a number from 1-10 to each need. A 10 means that this task is essential, a 1 means that it is not that important. This will help you figure out your most pressing needs. You can start with getting help for those, and then work your way down the list. For example, it's normal to struggle with depression after a surgery. That would be rated a 10, since it can impact your ability to take care of other needs. Write down a list of people who could help you. While it might seem daunting to ask for help, remember that there are likely plenty of people in your life who will be more than happy to help you. Start with family and close friends and then think about other parts of your network. Your list might include: Your partner Your siblings Your children Your best friend Your neighbors Match each person with one specific need. Now it is time to compare your lists. Choose which person to ask for help with each task. Maybe your sister is a therapist. Ask her for some ideas about how to cope with depression. If your kids are old enough, they can walk the dog. Ask your partner to take a break from work to make sure the kids get to the dentist. Ask your neighbor if they would mind picking up a few things at the grocery store the next time they make a run. Choose people based on their abilities and their relationship to you. This is called delegating tasks. Delegating tasks to people you trust can help you reduce stress, especially in times when you need extra help. Recognize that it is healthy and smart to ask for help. It is important to remember that it is not weak to ask for help. In fact, it shows that you are strong enough to voice your own needs. You won't be able to do much good for others if you don't ask for the help you need. It's also smart to ask for help. If you don't, you might find your situation worsening instead of getting better. Choose the right time. Don't ask someone for help when they are obviously busy or distracted. For example, don't ask your professor for help with homework right as they are trying to start class. Similarly, don't ask your boss for advice as they are rushing out the door. If you're not sure whether or not it is a good time, just ask. You can say, “I've love to ask for your help with something. Is there a time that's good for you to talk?” Speak up. In most cases, if you don't ask for help you won't receive it. Sometimes people might be hesitant to step up and offer help. If you need something, speak up and ask. Maybe you're traveling alone in a new city. If you're lost, ask for directions. Stop into a nearby store, or ask the bus driver which stop you need. You may feel vulnerable speaking up for help, but a certain degree of vulnerability can help you find the help you need. Don't feel weak, insecure, or embarrassed by asking for help. Be specific. People aren't mind readers. Instead of just saying, “I need help,” clearly state precisely what it is that you need. For example, instead of saying to your teacher, “I'm confused. Can you help me?”, say, “I don't understand how to solve the equation for X. Can you please show me a sample problem?” Instead of saying to your partner, “I need you to help more around the house,” you may say, “Could you please take the trash out and also do a load of laundry, please?” Frame the request in a positive way. Sometimes it's tempting to whine a little bit. This could be a defense mechanism if you feel uncomfortable asking for help. It will help if you ask in a positive way instead. Don't tell your co-worker, “I'm so swamped! Could you cover for me at the meeting this afternoon?” That might imply that you're busy, but you don't think your co-worker is. Instead, say, “I know we're both busy, but you seem to be handling the stress better than me. Do you have time to take my place at the meeting this afternoon so that I can get caught up?” Don't be self-deprecating. No one wants to hear you put yourself down. Try not to talk negatively about yourself when asking for help. Instead, act confident. You'll be more likely to receive the help you need. Try not to say things like, “I'm so stupid. I'll never get Algebra. Can you help me again?” Instead, say, “This is complicated, but I know I can do it. Would you mind showing me another sample problem?” Be persistent. Sometimes the help you receive might not turn out the way you expected. That can be frustrating. However, it is important not to give up. Keep trying to get help and make it work for you. Maybe you just had your first mentoring session with your boss. You might feel like you didn't receive the sort of helpful advice that you were hoping for. Instead of canceling your next meeting, try again. Prepare a list of specific questions that you have for them. If you asked someone for help and they didn't come through, don't be afraid to ask someone else. Sometimes, you may need to reach out to a few people before getting assistance. Gain credibility by helping others. People will be more likely to agree to help you if you have been known to help others. Build a reputation as a helpful person. If you see a co-worker who has too much on their plate, offer your assistance. They'll likely return the favor when you find yourself frazzled. If your friend is sick, offer to drop off some food for them. You'll likely receive the same kind treatment when you find yourself in a bind. Acknowledge the help you received. Even though you might feel embarrassed that you needed help, don't pretend like it never happened. Directly acknowledge that you appreciate what the other person did for you. Try to make this acknowledgment shortly after receiving help. If your professor stayed after class to go over your paper with you, say, “Thanks for staying. I appreciate your time.” Maybe your teen did some extra chores around the house when you were working late. Say, “That was really helpful of you to get dinner started.” Be sincere. When someone is helping you, it's okay to be a little bit vulnerable. The other person might appreciate knowing that they are genuinely helping you. For example, you could say, “Wow, thanks for watching the kids this evening. We really needed a date night!” Showing that your need was genuine is a good way to be sincere. Explain how they helped you. Be specific when you thank someone. Let them know exactly what they did for you. You could say to your therapist, “Thanks for this session. I think you've given me some good tools to start overcoming my anxiety.” You could tell your partner, “Thanks for making dinner tonight. It meant a lot to me to be able to just put my feet up after a long day at work.”
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Make a list of what you need. Rate the importance of each need. Write down a list of people who could help you. Match each person with one specific need. Recognize that it is healthy and smart to ask for help. Choose the right time. Speak up. Be specific. Frame the request in a positive way. Don't be self-deprecating. Be persistent. Gain credibility by helping others. Acknowledge the help you received. Be sincere. Explain how they helped you.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Date-Someone-You-Aren%27t-Attracted-To
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How to Date Someone You Aren't Attracted To
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Dating someone you aren't attracted can be confusing, but by getting to know them and focusing on your compatibility, you can start to make sense of your feelings. If it's still early on in your relationship, try giving the person a chance to see if your attraction grows. Sometimes, attraction can develop the more you get to know someone. In the meantime, concentrate on their other qualities that you like, like their intelligence, honesty, and kindness. However, if you still don't feel attracted to your partner after a while, you just might not be a good match. Consider politely breaking things off with them, or take some time to think about what's important to you in the long term.
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Get to know them. You might find that they have special qualities that make them the perfect partner for you. It takes some people a while to open up and show you their personality so be patient with them. Someone with a vivacious personality will be fun to be around. Someone who is loyal and supportive will always be there for you in a relationship. Find common interests. You'll have a great time with someone who enjoys the same things you do. They may even share some of your personal values. If you can find some common ground, you'll be able to have interesting conversations about things that both of you are passionate about. Introduce them to your favorite bands. See if you have similar tastes in movies. Tell them what values are important to you. Pay attention to how they make you feel. Take a break from focusing on how you feel about the person and think about how you feel when you're around them. It may be wise to overlook some of their flaws if they make you feel great about yourself. Do they always know exactly what to say to help you feel better when you're down? Do they help you feel at ease by listening to your problems without judging you? Do you feel confident to be yourself when you're around them? Think long-term. Decide whether or not you can see yourself having a future with this person. Remember that attraction is a feeling that comes and goes. The things you're attracted to may even change over time. What's more important for a long-term relationship is whether or not you have fun being around a person. Intense attraction to someone usually only lasts for the first few months of a relationship. Even if you're not attracted to this person now, can you see your attraction to them growing in the future? Do they have any attractive traits you may have overlooked? Be honest with yourself. Make a list of all the things that you find unattractive about the person. Determine which of the traits on your list are changeable. If the person has permanent traits or behaviors that you don't like, then you should decide if it's worth it to start a relationship with them. Traits like a person's style, hygiene and manners can be altered over the course of a relationship. Traits relating to a person's physical attractiveness or personality will be very difficult to change and will likely remain the same throughout the duration of a relationship. Consider if it’s fair for you to ask them to change. The thing that you find unattractive about someone might be something that makes them happy. Even if they do agree to change it, they might end up resenting you down the line. However, if they can benefit or grow from changing the traits you find unattractive, then you should let them know. If someone feels comfortable wearing casual clothes but you are attracted to people that dress in formal wear, then you shouldn't ask them to change their style to fit your preference. If what turns you off about someone is a bad habit like smoking, then you should tell them. You may be able to help them improve their health. Have a conversation. Make sure that both of you are on the same page. Let them know exactly how you feel.They may not want to be in a relationship with someone who doesn't feel immediately attracted to them.Don't assume that they're willing to wait for your attraction to grow.Ask them how they feel about the situation and be sure to listen intently to everything they say. Say something like: “I really enjoy spending time with you but I don't feel attracted to you at this point. I'd like us to take some time to get to know each other to see if that changes. Are you willing to take things slow?” “I think we have a real emotional connection. I may not feel physically attracted to you yet but sometimes it takes me a while to feel that way. I'd like to try starting a relationship with you. What are your thoughts about that?” Be straightforward. Tell them if you don't see the relationship going anywhere. The longer you wait to let them know, the more you could hurt their feelings. It's not fair to lead someone on if you're just keeping them around until someone better comes along. If one person expects a passionate relationship while the other person is just looking for a caretaker, the relationship could end in a disastrous breakup. Define what is important to you in a relationship. Be clear with yourself about all the qualities that you need in a partner. You may find that there are more important things to you in a relationship than attraction. Does your date have any of the qualities that you're looking for? You may want a partner who is: supportive kind intelligent outgoing polite Think about your past. If you seem to always find yourself in relationships that don't fulfill you, you may be putting too much importance on immediate attraction. Intense attraction to someone can sometimes blind you to the fact that you may not be compatible with them. What initially attracted you to your former flames? What worked and what didn't work in your past relationships? Does your current date have different qualities than your former partners? Look for contradictions. Maybe you want things from a partner that are contradictory. For example: Do you want someone who's very driven to succeed in their career but who also has plenty of free time to spend with you? If you have traits that you look for in a partner that is contradictory, you may have to choose which ones are more valuable to you. You'll have a tough time finding someone who's dedicated to physical fitness but who will enjoy eating with you at your favorite fast food restaurants. If you want someone who's extremely social, you can't expect them to also like spending weekends alone with you at home. Be flexible. Do you have a mental image of your perfect partner that is impossible for people to live up to? If so, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Understand that even though a person might not have every trait you look for in a partner, they could still have a lot of great qualities. If you're unwilling to bend, you could be miss out on a really amazing person. You may be shutting yourself off from being attracted to people who don't meet your intense qualifications. You might be holding people to such a high standard because of your own insecurities. It might be easier for you to look for reasons to shut a person out than face potential rejection from them. Be realistic. Do you think your dates should be as "hot" as the celebrities on magazine covers? If so, you could have an unreasonably high standard of beauty. Remember that those celebrities have makeup artists and stylists who work long hours just to make them look beautiful. Even then, the pictures still need to be photoshopped to look perfect. If you're holding people to an idealized standard of beauty, you're being unfair to them. Think about how you'd feel if people compared you to your own standards for physical attractiveness. Change your perspective. Are you focusing on every imperfection that a person has in order to rank their looks? If so, you could be training your brain to look for people's flaws rather than to appreciate the whole picture. Look for what you do like about a person's looks rather than what you don't like. If you're overly critical about people's looks, you won't be able to be attracted to them. You may find that when you stop trying to pinpoint someone's flaws, they magically become more attractive. Remember that looks fade. If you're looking for someone to be with long-term, you might want to take their physical attractiveness out of the equation. People's looks change over time. If you decide who to date based on their appearance rather than their personality, you might find that you have nothing in common with them in the future. Some physical traits do show aspects of a person's character. If a person is very physically fit, it may show you that they are committed to taking care of their body and can someday commit to taking care of you. Realize that beauty is only skin deep. Try to look beyond their physical attractiveness to see what kind of person they are on the inside. A person's looks are no indication of how they will treat you or whether or not you'll be compatible with them. If you're too enamored with a person's physical attractiveness you may overlook flaws in their character. Experience new things. If you've only been attracted to and dated a certain type of person, it's likely that you've been on many of the same types of dates. By dating someone who doesn't fit the mold of your usual type, you may open yourself up to broad spectrum of new experiences. For example, your date could take you to: a sporting event a ballet an exotic new restaurant a comedy show Discover new things about yourself. By dating a new type of person, you could find out new things about your own personality. They might show you an entirely different side to yourself that you were completely unaware of. If you're an introvert and your date really enjoys being around people, you could find that you enjoy socializing more than you realized. If your date takes you to a volunteer event, you could find that you really love giving back to the community. If your date likes to talk to you about politics, you could find that you have strong opinions about the political process. Find new avenues for attraction. You could become attracted to this person in ways that you haven't experienced before. You may grow an intense emotional connection to them or you could find that their intelligent conversation stimulates your mind. Sometimes attraction takes time to develop. At some point, you could look back and wonder why you weren't attracted to them in the first place. You might be drawn to their: humor kindness positive outlook charm ambition Learn not to judge people too quickly. It can be rewarding to take the time to see who a person really is. Sometimes you can't see a person's character right away. By delaying your judgment of a person, and giving a connection time to form, you open yourself up to a new realm of possibilities. You could find that someone you weren't initially attracted to becomes someone you can't live without. Being compassionate could also help you grow your social circle. If you hold off judgment for people you initially don't like, you could find that they grow into some of your best friends.
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Get to know them. Find common interests. Pay attention to how they make you feel. Think long-term. Be honest with yourself. Consider if it’s fair for you to ask them to change. Have a conversation. Be straightforward. Define what is important to you in a relationship. Think about your past. Look for contradictions. Be flexible. Be realistic. Change your perspective. Remember that looks fade. Realize that beauty is only skin deep. Experience new things. Discover new things about yourself. Find new avenues for attraction. Learn not to judge people too quickly.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Bee-Stinger
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How to Remove a Bee Stinger
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To remove a bee stinger, use a flat edge, like a credit card or your fingernail, to scrape over the stinger, which will look like a little black dot. Continue scraping until the stinger is pulled out. Alternatively, pull the stinger out with tweezers, taking care not to squeeze the exposed end, since it could release more venom into your skin. After removing the stinger, apply ice to the area and keep it elevated if possible.
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Call emergency medical help if you have severe allergic symptoms. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to bee stings and carry an epinephrine auto injector, known as EpiPen, use it immediately. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, get emergency medical attention : Dizziness or faintness Difficulty breathing Swollen tongue Hives Scrape across the stinger using a flat edge. Use the edge of a credit card, your fingernail, or a blunt knife to scrape over the stinger, which looks like a small black dot. Scraping across will actually pull the stinger out and to the side. Scraping across the stinger prevents the venom sack from releasing more venom down into the sting. Apply an ice pack. The site of the sting will become inflamed and start to swell. Applying ice will numb any pain and keep the swelling down. If you were stung on your leg or arm, elevate the limb. Apply hydrocortisone cream. Gently wash the site with mild soap and water. Then, apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream to minimize any reaction you might have. For a more natural treatment, you can mix baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste. Spread this over the sting site. Use honey. If you don't have hydrocortisone on hand, spread pure honey over the sting site. Place gauze or a small cloth over it and let it sit for up to an hour before rinsing off. Apply toothpaste. Toothpaste is another natural alternative to neutralize the venom of a bee sting. Simply dab a little toothpaste over the sting site, place gauze or a small cloth over it, and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse the toothpaste off. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This will help relieve some of the pain. Be sure to follow the package instructions regarding dosage. For children, consult with your pediatrician for appropriate dosing of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Take an antihistamine. This may reduce the severity of a reaction. You can take something like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or apply calamine lotion to reduce itchiness.
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Call emergency medical help if you have severe allergic symptoms. Scrape across the stinger using a flat edge. Apply an ice pack. Apply hydrocortisone cream. Use honey. Apply toothpaste. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Take an antihistamine.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Writing-Skills
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How to Improve Your Writing Skills
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To improve your writing skills, focus on using strong words that are clear, precise, and descriptive. Then, cut out extra words and phrases that clutter your sentences and confuse the reader. When telling a story, use your words to show the reader what you're trying to convey, instead of explaining things in excessive detail. Finally, avoid clichés, since they come off as lazy and won't leave a lasting impression.
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Use active instead of passive voice. One of the most common manifestations of bad writing is overuse of the passive voice. In English, the most basic sentence structure is S-V-O: Subject-Verb-Object. “The zombie bit the man” is an example of this sentence structure. The passive voice can cause confusion by putting the object first: “The man was bitten by the zombie.” It usually requires more words and use of a “to be” verb form, which can suck the energy out of your writing. Learn to avoid these constructions as much as you can. Using the passive voice isn't always bad. Sometimes there is no clear way to make a statement active, or sometimes you want the lighter touch a passive construction allows. But learn to follow this rule before you start making exceptions. The main exception to this is science writing, which conventionally uses the passive voice to put the emphasis on the results, rather than the researchers (although this is changing, so check the guidelines before you write). For example, “puppies fed spicy dog food were found to have more upset stomachs” puts the emphasis on the finding rather than the person doing the finding. Use strong words. Good writing, whether it's in a novel or a scholarly essay, is precise, evocative and spiced with the unexpected. Finding the right verb or adjective can turn an uninspired sentence into one people will remember and quote for years to come. Look for words that are as specific as possible. Try not to repeat the same word over and over unless you are trying to build a rhythm with it. One exception to this is the words used to describe dialogue. Bad writing is filled with "he commented" and "she opined." A well-placed "sputtered" can work wonders, but most of the time a simple "said" will do. It may feel awkward to use the word "said" over and over, but changing it up unnecessarily makes it harder for your readers to get into the back-and-forth flow of the conversation. “He said/she said” becomes nearly invisible to your readers after a while, allowing them to stay focused on the characters' voices. Strong doesn't mean obscure, or more complicated. Don't say "utilize" when you could say "use." "He sprinted" is not necessarily better than "he ran." If you have a really good opportunity to use "ameliorate," go for it—unless "ease" is just as good there. Thesauruses can be handy, but use them with caution. Consider the predicament Joey from Friends gets into when he uses a thesaurus without also consulting a dictionary: “They're warm, nice people with big hearts” becomes “They're humid, prepossessing homo sapiens with full-sized aortic pumps.” If you're going to use a thesaurus to spice up your vocabulary, look up your new words in the dictionary to determine their precise meaning. Cut the chaff. Good writing is simple, clear and direct. You don't get points for saying in 50 words what could be said in 20, or for using multi-syllable words when a short one does just as well. Good writing is about using the right words, not filling up the page. It might feel good at first to pack a lot of ideas and details into a single sentence, but chances are that sentence is just going to be hard to read. If a phrase doesn't add anything valuable, just cut it. Adverbs are the classic crutch of mediocre writing, and they often serve only to clutter up a sentence. A well-placed adverb can be delightful, but much of the time the adverbs we use are already implied by the verb or adjective—or would be if we had chosen a more evocative word. Don't write "screamed fearfully" -- "scream" already suggests fear. If you notice that your writing is filled with "-ly" words, it might be time to take a deep breath and give your writing more focus. Sometimes cutting the chaff is best done at the editing stage. You don't have to obsess about finding the most concise way to phrase every sentence; get your ideas down on paper however you can and then go through to edit out unnecessary stuff. Your writing doesn't just exist in a vacuum—it's experienced in conjunction with the reader's imagination. You don't need to describe every detail if a few good ones can spur the reader's mind to fill in the rest. Lay down well-placed dots and let the reader connect them. Show, don't tell. Don't tell your readers anything that could be shown instead. Instead of just sitting your readers down for a long exposition explaining a character's background or a plot-point's significance, try to let the readers discover the same ideas through the words, feelings and actions of your characters. Especially in fiction, putting this classic piece of writing advice into practice is one of the most powerful lessons a writer can learn. For example, “Sydney was angry after reading the letter” tells the reader that Sydney felt angry, but doesn't give us any way to see it for ourselves. It's lazy and unconvincing. “Sydney crumpled the letter and threw it into the fireplace before she stormed from the room” shows that Sydney was angry without having to say it outright. This is far more effective. Readers believe what we see, not what we're told. Avoid clichés. Clichés are phrases, ideas or situations that have been used so often that they've lost any impact they once had. They're also usually too general to leave a lasting impression on your reader. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, cutting clichés out of your work will make it better. "It was a dark and stormy night" is a classic example of a clichéd phrase—even now a clichéd concept. Compare these similar weather-related opening lines: “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”— 1984 , by George Orwell. It's not dark, nor stormy, nor night. But you can tell right from the start something's not quite right in 1984. “The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.”— Neuromancer , by William Gibson, in the same book that gave us the word "cyberspace." This not only gives you the weather report, it does so in such a way that you are immediately placed into his dystopian world. "“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”— A Tale of Two Cities , by Charles Dickens. Weather, emotion, damnation, and despair—Dickens covered it all with an opening line that leaves the reader ready for anything. Clichés are also important to avoid when you're writing about yourself. Saying you're a “people person” says nothing definite about you. Saying you're able to communicate well with a variety of people because you grew up in a bilingual family and lived in six countries growing up lets your reader know you're a “people person” without you relying on lazy language. Avoid generalizations. One of the hallmarks of sloppy writing is broad generalizations. For example, an academic essay might say something like “In modern times, we are more progressive than people a hundred years ago.” This statement makes a host of unfounded assumptions and doesn't define important ideas like “progressive.” Be precise and specific. Whether you're writing a short story or a scholarly essay, steering clear of generalizations and universal statements will improve your writing. This applies to creative writing, too. Don't allow yourself to assume anything without examining it. For example, if you're writing a story about a female character, don't assume that she would automatically be more emotional than a man or more inclined to be gentle or kindly. This kind of non-examined thinking keeps you in a creative rut and prevents you from exploring the variety of possibilities that real life presents. Back up what you say. Don't speculate without providing evidence for your assertions. In creative writing terms, this is similar to the “show, don't tell” principle. Don't just say that without a strong police force society as we know it would break down. Why is that true? What evidence do you have? Explaining the thinking behind your statements will allow readers to see that you know what you're talking about. It will also help them determine whether they agree with you. Use metaphors and similes with caution. While a good metaphor or simile can give your writing punch and vigor, a bad one can make your writing as weak as a baby. (That, by the way, was a weak simile.) Overusing metaphors and similes can also suggest that you aren't confident with what you're saying and are relying on figures of speech to explain your ideas. They can also become clichéd really quickly. A “mixed” metaphor mixes two metaphors so that they don't make sense. For example, “We'll burn that bridge when we come to it” mixes the common metaphor “We'll cross that bridge when we come to it” and “Don't burn bridges.” If you're not sure how a metaphor goes, look it up -- or skip it altogether. Break the rules. The best writers don't just follow the rules—they know when and how to break them. Everything from traditional grammar to the writing advice above is up for grabs if you know a transgression will improve your piece. The key is that you have to write well enough the rest of the time that it's clear you are breaking the rule knowingly and on purpose. As with everything, moderation is key. Using one rhetorical question to create a punchy opening can be very effective. Using a string of six rhetorical questions would quickly diminish their effect. Be choosy about when and why you break the rules. Edit, edit, edit. Editing is one of the most essential parts of writing. Once you finish a piece of writing, let it sit for a day and then read it over with fresh eyes, catching confusing bits or scrapping whole paragraphs—anything to make your piece better. Then when you are done, give it another read, and another. Some people confuse “editing” with “proofreading.” Both are important, but editing focuses on considering what your content is and how it works. Don't become so attached to your wording or a particular idea that you aren't willing to change it if you discover that your ideas would be more clear or effective presented in another way. Proofreading is more technical and catches errors of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting. Pick up a good book or ten. Whether you're writing the next Great American Novel or a scientific journal article, becoming familiar with examples of excellent writing in your genre will help you improve your own writing. Read and understand the works of great and influential writers to learn what is possible with the written word and what readers respond to best. By immersing yourself in works by good writers, you will expand your vocabulary, build knowledge, and feed your imagination. Look for different ways of organizing a piece of writing or presenting a narrative. Try comparing different author's approaches to the same subject to see how they are alike and how they differ. For example, Tolstoy's Death of Ivan Ilych , and Hemingway's The Snows of Kilimanjaro. Remember that even if you're writing nonfiction or academic writing, reading examples of great writing will improve your own. The more familiar you are with the many ways it's possible to communicate ideas, the more varied and original your own writing can become. Map the allusions that run through your culture. You might not realize it, but books, movies and other media are filled with references and homages to great literature. By reading some classics, you will build a body of cultural knowledge that will better inform your own writing. Make sure you understand why a classic work is considered great. It's possible to read a novel like The Catcher in the Rye and not "get it" or see its value immediately. If this happens, try reading an essay or two about the piece to learn why it was so influential and effective. You may discover layers of meaning that you missed. Understanding what makes great writing great is one of the best ways to grow your own skills. This applies for nonfiction and academic writing too. Take some examples of work by well-respected authors in your field and take them apart. What do they have in common? How do they work? What are they doing that you could do yourself? Attend the theatre. Plays were written to be performed. If you find that you just don't “get” a work of literature, find a performance of it. If you can't find a performance, read the work aloud. Get yourself into the heads of its characters. Listen to how the language sounds as you read it. More than a movie ever can be, a theatrical performance is like words come to life, with only the director's interpretation and the actor's delivery as filters between the author's pen and your ears. Read magazines, newspapers, and everything else. Literature isn't the only place to get ideas—the real world is filled with fascinating people, places and events that will inspire your writerly mind. A great writer is in touch with the important issues of the day. Know when to put down your influences. It happens all the time: you finish an awesome novel, and it leaves you fired up to get cracking on your own writing. But when you sit down at your desk, your words come out sounding unoriginal, like an imitation of the author you were just reading. For all you can learn from great writers, you need to be able to develop your own voice. Learn to cleanse your palate of influences with a free writing exercise, a review of your past works, or even just a meditative jog. Buy a notebook. Not just any notebook, but a good sturdy one you can take with you anywhere. Ideas happen anywhere, and you want to be able to capture those oft-fleeting ideas before they escape you like that dream you had the other night about...um...it was...uh...well it was really good at the time! Write down any ideas that come to you. Titles, subtitles, topics, characters, situations, phrases, metaphors—write down anything that will spark your imagination later when you're ready. If you don't feel creatively inspired, practice taking notes about situations. Write down the way people work at a coffee shop. Note how the sunlight strikes your desk in the late afternoon. Paying attention to concrete details will help you be a better writer, whether you're writing poetry or a newspaper article. Fill up your notebook and keep going. When you finish a notebook, put a label on it with the date range and any general notes, so you can refer back to it when you need a creative kick in the pants. Join a writing workshop. One of the best ways to improve your writing and stay motivated is to talk with others and get feedback on your work. Find a local or online writing group. In these groups members usually read each other's writing and discuss what they liked, didn't like and how a piece might be improved. You may find that offering feedback, as well as receiving it, helps you learn valuable lessons to build your skills. Workshops aren't just for creative writers! Academic writing can also be improved by having friends or colleagues look at it. Working with others also encourages you to share your ideas with others and listen to theirs. Write every day. Keep a diary, mail a pen pal, or just set aside an hour or so for free writing. Just pick a topic and start writing. The topic itself doesn't matter—the idea is to write. And write. And write some more. Writing is a skill that takes practice, and it's a muscle that you can strengthen and nourish with the right training. Pick a topic and lay out a general arc for your story. It doesn't have to be complex, just a way to get your head around the direction of the plot. For example, that classic Hollywood story line: boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back again. (The chase scenes are added later.) Write an outline. It can be tempting to just start writing and try to figure out twists and turns of your plot as you go along. Don't do it! Even a simple outline will help you see the big picture and save you hours of rewriting. Start with a basic arc and expand section by section. Flesh out your story, populating it with at least the main characters, locations, time period, and mood. When you have part of an outline that will take more than a few words to describe, create a sub-outline to break that section into manageable parts. Keep some space in your story outline to add characters, and what makes them who they are. Give each of them a little story of their own, and even if you don't add that info into your story, it will give a sense of how your character might act in a given situation. Don't be afraid to hop around. If you suddenly have a brilliant idea about how to resolve a situation near the end, but you're still on Chapter 1, write it down! Never let an idea go to waste. Write the first draft. You're now ready to start your "sloppy copy," otherwise known as your first draft! Using your outline, flesh out the characters and the narrative. Don't let yourself get bogged down here. It's not crucial to find exactly the perfect word when you're drafting. It's much more important to get all your ideas out so you can tinker with them. Let your story guide you. Let your story have its say, and you may find yourself heading in unexpected, but very interesting directions. You're still the director, but stay open to inspiration. You'll find that if you've thought sufficiently about who your characters are, what they want, and why they want it, they'll guide how you write. Finish your first draft. Don't get caught up in fine tuning things yet, just let the story play out on paper. If you realize 2/3 of the way through the story that a character is really the Ambassador to India, make a note, and finish the story with her as the Ambassador. Don't go back and start re-writing her part till you're done with the first draft. Write it again. First draft, remember? Now you get to write it from the beginning, this time knowing all the details of your story that will make your characters much more real and believable. Now you know why he's on that airplane, and why she is dressed like a punk. Write it through to the end. By the time you are done with the second draft, you will have all the information about your story, your characters, the main plot, and the subplots defined. Read and share your story. Now that you've finished the second draft, it's time to read it—dispassionately, if possible, so that you can at least try to be objective. Share it with a couple trusted friends whose opinions you respect. Write the final draft. Armed with notes from your reading the story, plus notes of your friends or publishers, go through your story one more time, finalizing as you go. Tie up loose ends, resolve conflicts, eliminate any characters that do not add to the story.
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Use active instead of passive voice. Use strong words. Cut the chaff. Show, don't tell. Avoid clichés. Avoid generalizations. Back up what you say. Use metaphors and similes with caution. Break the rules. Edit, edit, edit. Pick up a good book or ten. Map the allusions that run through your culture. Make sure you understand why a classic work is considered great. Attend the theatre. Read magazines, newspapers, and everything else. Know when to put down your influences. Buy a notebook. Write down any ideas that come to you. Fill up your notebook and keep going. Join a writing workshop. Write every day. Pick a topic and lay out a general arc for your story. Write an outline. Keep some space in your story outline to add characters, and what makes them who they are. Don't be afraid to hop around. Write the first draft. Let your story guide you. Finish your first draft. Write it again. Write it through to the end. Read and share your story. Write the final draft.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-Calcium-Hardness-in-a-Pool
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How to Lower Calcium Hardness in a Pool
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Keeping up with your swimming pool might seem overwhelming, but lowering the calcium hardness in your pool is a relatively easy process. If you notice any lumps of calcium on the tile or plaster of your pool, scrape it off with a paint scraper. Then, vacuum the pool's lining using a suction or pressure vacuum. You can do this while the pool's full. Once you've gotten rid of the excess calcium, drain 4 to 6 inches from your pool with a hose or pump and refill it with fresh water. Wait 12 hours, then, test the calcium hardness again with a test kit to make sure the calcium hardness is within the limit.
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Use a strip or chemical test to check the calcium levels in your pool. Purchase a calcium hardness test kit from the home improvement store or pool center. Use the kit to gather water from the pool, and add the chemicals or test strip to the water. Then, wait for the strip or the water to change colors, and match the color to the label on the packaging of the kit. The calcium hardness should be around 250-350 parts per million (PPM). If the hardness is above 350 PPM, you will need to lower it. If the calcium levels in your pool are regularly above 350 PPM, do a calcium hardness test for your tap water. Some areas have very high levels of calcium in the public water supply, which will cause higher calcium levels in your pool. Test the pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels of the pool. Changes in pH, chlorine levels, and alkalinity can be a symptom of calcium hardness. Using a test kit from the home improvement store or pool center, gather water from the pool. Then, add chemicals or place a test strip into the water, and wait for the strip or water to change colors. Compare the color to the package to find the pH, chlorine levels, or alkalinity level of the water. In general, the pH should be between 7.2-7.4. Chlorine levels should be between 1-3 PPM. The alkalinity level should be between 80-120. For pools with calcium hardness issues, try to keep the alkalinity level as close to 80 as possible. Add muriatic acid if you need to lower the alkalinity of the water. If you find that your calcium levels are still high, you can adjust the alkalinity of the pool to control calcium hardness. For a pool with high calcium levels, add 2-3 capfuls of muriatic acid to lower the alkalinity to around 80. Be sure to wait at least 12 hours before testing the alkalinity again. You can find muriatic acid in most home improvement stores or pool centers. If you have troubling finding it, try searching online. Put sodium bicarbonate in the water if you want to raise the alkalinity. If you add too much muriatic acid, the alkalinity of the pool can drop below 80. Add 2-3 capfuls of sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, to the pool water, and wait 12 hours before testing the alkalinity of the pool again. If the alkalinity is still slightly low, add an additional capful and wait 12 hours to test the water. You can find small boxes of sodium bicarbonate at the grocery store. If you want to buy in bulk, look for multi-packs at the home improvement store or order a large box online. Pour soda ash into the water to raise a low pH. If the pH of your pool is below 7.2, add 2-3 capfuls of soda ash to the water. Then, wait at least 12 hours to test the pH again. If it's still low, add an additional capful of soda ash and wait another 12 hours to test the water. You can find soda ash at most pool centers. If you're having trouble finding it, order from an online pool supply retailer. Monitor and adjust the chlorine levels as needed. The chlorine level should be around 1-3 PPM when tested. If the chlorine is low, increase it by adding chlorine tablets to the skimmer basket. If it's high, remove the chlorine tablets from the basket for 12 hours. Then, retest the water to ensure that the chlorine is between 1-3 PPM. If you don't have any chlorine in your pool and the chlorine level is still high, purchase a chlorine neutralizer, such as sodium sulfite, from a pool center. Read the directions on the package to figure out how much to add to the pool to lower the chlorine levels to a reasonable level. Chlorine is important for balancing the effects of calcium hardness. These 2 chemicals work together to make sure that the pool water is clean and safe to swim in. Vacuum the pool thoroughly and scrape or chip off any calcium deposits. Before you adjust the calcium in your pool, use a small hammer or paint scraper to chip away at large calcium deposits on tile or plaster. Then, thoroughly vacuum the pool using a suction or pressure vacuum with a brush attachment to remove debris and scum from the lining. Although high levels of calcium can't hurt you, you may want to try to clean the pool without getting into the water. If you do get into the pool, rinse your body with fresh water afterwards, and be sure to wash your bathing suit. Drain some of the water from your pool using a hose or pump. Get a water pump or a use a hose to make a siphon , and place it in the pool. Place the discharge end of the hose or pump in a well-draining area, and wait until the water is about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) lower than the original height. If you have a very large pool, or a pool with a deep end, you may want to remove 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) more. Never drain your pool completely unless you are planning to do structural adjustments. Draining all of the water can cause the pool to lift from its foundation because of a loss of weight. Use a hose to refill the pool with fresh water from a spigot. Attach a garden hose to an outdoor hookup, and place the end of the hose into the pool. Turn on the spigot and let the water run from the hose into the pool until the water has reached its original height. The fresh water entering the pool will dilute the calcium levels, making the parts per million much lower. Avoid overfilling the pool, which can cause the rest of the chemicals to become imbalanced. Test the calcium hardness in the pool using a test kit. About 12 hours after you finish the water replacement, use a calcium hardness test kit to gather the newly diluted water in a container. Then, insert a test strip or add the chemicals in the kit to the water, and wait for it to change colors. Match the color with the corresponding one on the package to see the calcium level in parts per million (PPM). For most pools, you should aim for around 250-350 PPM. You can find calcium hardness test kits, and other chemical test kits for your pool, at most home improvement stores or pool centers. Test the calcium levels in your pool once every 1-3 months. Using a test kit from a home improvement store or pool center, collect the water in a cup and test it. Depending on the type of kit, you might simply place a test strip in the water, or you might have to add chemicals. Wait for the strip or water to change colors, and then compare the color to the label on the packaging to find the calcium level. If you have frequent issues with high calcium levels, testing once every 2 weeks can help you to maintain the calcium level. Avoid testing too often. Calcium levels can fluctuate for a number of reasons, and you shouldn't be alarmed my minor increases or decreases. Keep an eye out for a calcium film on the pool liner or equipment. One of the first signs of calcium hardness is a thin, white film, called scale or scum, that coats the lining and equipment of the pool. When you see this film forming in your pool, immediately vacuum the affected areas, and test the water with a calcium hardness test. It's important to remove the scale as soon as possible to prevent hard calcium deposits from forming, which can ruin some pool surfaces. Brush and vacuum the pool at least once per week to remove debris. Natural materials like leaves and dead bugs can release chemicals when they begin to decay in the pool. Use a pool vacuum with a brush attachment to remove them from the bottom of the pool as quickly as possible. Use the brush to scrub away calcium and algae deposits before they get too large. Try to remove leaves and bugs from the pool with a skimmer net before they have a chance to sink to the bottom. This will make your pool look cleaner and can keep the chemicals in balance.
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Use a strip or chemical test to check the calcium levels in your pool. Test the pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels of the pool. Add muriatic acid if you need to lower the alkalinity of the water. Put sodium bicarbonate in the water if you want to raise the alkalinity. Pour soda ash into the water to raise a low pH. Monitor and adjust the chlorine levels as needed. Vacuum the pool thoroughly and scrape or chip off any calcium deposits. Drain some of the water from your pool using a hose or pump. Use a hose to refill the pool with fresh water from a spigot. Test the calcium hardness in the pool using a test kit. Test the calcium levels in your pool once every 1-3 months. Keep an eye out for a calcium film on the pool liner or equipment. Brush and vacuum the pool at least once per week to remove debris.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-Of-Roaches-In-an-Apartment
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How to Get Rid Of Roaches In an Apartment
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To get rid of roaches in an apartment, purchase or make your own roach baits and place them in problem areas where you've frequently spotted roaches. Don't forget to change and replace your bait stations frequently for the best results! Make sure you put away your leftover food, sweep frequently, and avoid stacking dirty dishes in the sink to eliminate their food sources and prevent the roaches from coming back.
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Purchase some baits. Baits are one of the safest and most effective ways to eliminate roaches. They work over an extended period of time and can either kill roaches directly (when roaches eat the bait) or indirectly (when roaches eat the poisoned feces or corpses of those that have already sampled the bait). You can purchase baits in the form of small containers filled with bait (bait stations) or dispensable gels. A variety of bait gels and baited traps are available from most hardware stores, drug stores, and supermarkets. Common brand names include Avert, Blue Diamond, Combat, and Max Force. Make your own baits. You can make effective baits out of a variety of household ingredients. Try one of these bait recipes: Mix small, equal portions of white flour, cocoa, oatmeal, boric acid, and Plaster of Paris. Mix 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of citrus pulp, ¾ teaspoon (about 4 ml) of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of corn meal, and ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) of boric acid. Bait mixtures containing boric acid should be kept out of reach of children and pets. Place bait stations in identified problem areas. Bait stations are most effective if set up in areas where cockroaches are known to gather, such as cabinets, the spaces behind and under appliances, and areas where food and moisture are readily available (such as bathrooms and kitchens). Avoid leaving your bait stations out in the open. They are more likely to be effective (and less likely to be found by pets and children) if they are placed under or between appliances, in dark corners, and inside cabinets. If you made your own bait, put it in a small container, like a shallow bowl or a plastic food storage container lid, and place it as you would a commercial bait station. Use bait gels in small spaces. Bait gel is ideal for cracks and crevices where cockroaches like to hide, but where regular bait stations will not fit. Change and replace your bait stations frequently. Since bait stations serve as food sources for roaches, they will become empty quickly in areas where roaches gather. Empty bait stations can serve as hiding places for cockroaches. How quickly your bait stations become empty will depend on how many roaches you have. Commercial baits may include instructions to replace your baits every 3-6 months, or more frequently if roaches return before the recommended period ends. If you make your own baits, inspect them every few weeks and replace them once the bait is depleted or cockroaches begin to reappear. Make sure other food sources are not available. For baits to be effective, they must serve as the roaches' primary food source. Clean up and put away food in areas where your traps are set up. Purchase one or more pesticide dusts. Three basic types are available: silica (as found in products like Delta Dust or Safer Ant & Crawling Insect Killer), diatomaceous earth (Roach and Ant Killer D-E Dust), and boric acid (Borid, Pic Boric, or Roach Prufe). Silica and diatomaceous earth work by damaging and desiccating the cockroach's exoskeleton, while boric acid is highly toxic to roaches when ingested. Borax (sodium borate) is often used as a homemade roach pesticide. Borax contains the same element (boron) as boric acid, but may be less effective as a pesticide. Place pesticide dusts in places where roaches hide. These dusts should be used sparingly. Roaches will notice and avoid big piles of dust. Use a small pesticide powder duster to puff a thin (barely visible) film into cracks, void spaces around cabinets, and underneath appliances. Re-apply your dusts every 3-4 months, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Keep pesticide dusts away from pets and children. Although these pesticides are relatively safe, they can still be harmful. Be especially cautious when using dusts that contain boric acid. Do not use these dusts on surfaces where food is prepared or consumed. Vacuum up roaches when you see them. This is a quick and effective way to “spot treat” your roach problem. If you see live roaches, droppings, or egg cases, vacuum them up and dispose of your vacuum bag or the contents of your vacuum canister in a garbage container outside of your building. Set sticky traps and jar traps. These types of traps can help reduce the number of roaches in your apartment, and can also be useful for helping you identify areas in your apartment where roaches are most likely to gather. You can purchase sticky traps in most hardware stores, drug stores, or department stores. You can make your own traps by lining the inside of a jar with Vaseline and placing a slightly moist piece of bread and some slices of raw potato inside as bait. You can kill the roaches you trap in the jar by filling the jar with soapy water. Dispose of the trapped roaches in a garbage container outside your building. Hire a licensed professional to treat your apartment. Pest control experts are permitted to use chemicals that private citizens are not, such as Avermectin. Contact your landlord to find out if they already have a working relationship with an exterminator in your area. Talk to your property manager or building supervisor. Even if you eliminate roaches from your specific apartment, they will keep returning if the building is not treated. Roaches can inhabit the walls and spaces between units, or travel between units in a building. Eliminate all roach food sources. They love the carbohydrates and sugar found in your food, soaps, and even plants. Keep food (for humans and pets) in glass or plastic containers, with lids that fit tightly. Transfer any food that you keep in bags, boxes, or other materials that are easy for roaches to chew through. Replace bar soap with liquid soap dispensers, and spread a bit of petroleum jelly on plant holders and pots to keep roaches away from the plants in your apartment. Keep garbage, compost and recycling in tightly sealed containers, and take out your garbage frequently. Keep problem areas clean. Crumbs, spills, and stains will attract roaches. Clean kitchen surfaces thoroughly after preparing food. Sweep up crumbs and mop up spills immediately. Scrub inside cabinets and around and under appliances. Take extra care to sweep and scrub up any roach droppings that you find, since these can attract other roaches. Pick up clutter. Roaches like to hide in boxes, stacks of paper, or piles of laundry. Avoid storing paper bags, magazines, or newspapers on the floor or in cabinets. Eliminate sources of moisture. Keep your bathroom and kitchen as dry as possible. If you have leaky pipes or worn grout, bring them to your landlord's attention. Mop up spilled water immediately, and wipe down sinks and bathtubs immediately after use. You may wish to empty pet water dishes overnight. Check for cracks and holes. Roaches travel in and out of walls, doors and windows through cracks as small as 1/5 inch (0.5 cm). Check your window screens, doors and walls for holes or other damage. Put weather stripping over any cracks in your doors. Cracks and holes in the walls can be repaired with spackle or caulk. You may wish to consult with your landlord before attempting any repairs yourself.
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Purchase some baits. Make your own baits. Place bait stations in identified problem areas. Use bait gels in small spaces. Change and replace your bait stations frequently. Make sure other food sources are not available. Purchase one or more pesticide dusts. Place pesticide dusts in places where roaches hide. Keep pesticide dusts away from pets and children. Vacuum up roaches when you see them. Set sticky traps and jar traps. Hire a licensed professional to treat your apartment. Talk to your property manager or building supervisor. Eliminate all roach food sources. Keep problem areas clean. Pick up clutter. Eliminate sources of moisture. Check for cracks and holes.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Bar
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How to Build a Bar
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To build a bar, start by choosing an area that has enough space for at least 2 seats, and room behind the bar for storing drinks and glasses. Measure and cut a plywood base for your bar so that it fits snugly into the area. Once the base is installed, build around it by adding paneling, cabinets, molding, and any other details that you'd like. Then, measure, cut, and set the bar top so that it fits atop the base that you built. Finish off the bar by painting or staining the surfaces and sealing the wood with a protective coating.
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Lay out the plywood boards. Lay out the 60” x 42” and both 24” x 42” plywood boards. They should be in a space and at a level which is safe and comfortable to work in. Attach the framing. Glue and then nail the framing into place. The 60” pieces go across the bottom and top of the front wall The 24” pieces go across the top and bottom of the side wall Two 37” pieces between the top and bottom pieces on all three walls One 37” piece at the center of each side wall, and the remaining 37” should be evenly spaced on the front wall. Mark the placement of the 37” boards at the top edge of the wall boards, so that you can find them again if necessary. Attach optional nailing blocks. If you intend to install a footbar, place two 6” blocks on the front wall, between the 37” framing pieces (at whatever distance is necessary for the width of the footbar, so long as they can fit between the 37” pieces). Be sure to mark on the bottom edge of the plywood where these are located. Place the feature wood. You will need to buy whatever type of wood you want to be visible, so it should be fairly high quality. Lauan is recommended. Glue it to the frame and then very carefully nail it into place. Mark the position of the corner stiles. The corner stiles of the front wall will need to be offset in order to form the corner joint and give the walls a solid look. The stile should overhang the panel by ¾”, such that the side of a similar board will be covered. Mark this placement but do not attach the stile. Place rails on front panel. Place the top and bottom 54 ½” rails on the front panel, glueing them and then nailing them into place. Be sure to place the large rail at the bottom (where the nailing boards are located, if you chose to use them). Place stiles on front panel. Place three of the the 31 ¼” stiles on the front wall, evenly spaced, between the rails. Insert panel molding. Using molding which is no wider than the stiles are thick, line the inside edges of the recessed panels with the moulding to give it a more seamless look (or go without if you'd prefer a craftsman feel). These will need to be mitered and then nailed into place with 1 ¼” nails. Attach side panels. Standing the front wall and a side panel, glue the edge of the side panel to the back of the front wall. Be sure that the nice wood is facing outward and that you have the front wall the right side up (with the 6” nailing blocks at the bottom). Clamp these together, draw a line on the front wall where the center of the side panel is located and then drill pilot holes and place 3” screws along the line, joining the walls together. Repeat with the other side panel when complete. This step works best with two people. Add corner stiles. Attach a 42” 1x4 to each end of the front wall with glue and then nails, remembering to leave the overhang. Using the cut 42” 1x4's, glue and nail those onto the side walls where they meets with the front wall, completing the corn stile. Finish side panel details. Glue and nail the remaining stiles and rails into place. The two remaining 42” 1x4's will need to be placed at the other edge of the side walls, with the same ¾” overhang as with the front panel. The 42” 1x2's are then placed next to these as endcaps for the wall. The rails will need to be measured and cut to fit between the side wall corner stiles and then the two remaining 31 ¼” stiles can be centered on the side panels. Place the remained of molding into the recessed panels when the stiles and rails are in place. Measure and cut the bar-top base. You will need to determine the measurements of the bar-top for yourself, as it will depend heavily upon your needs and preferences. Form the base from three pieces of plywood, the front piece wedge between the side pieces. The overhang should be at least 6”. Dimensions of roughly 12” x 50” for the front piece and 12” x 33 ½” for the side pieces is recommended. Install the base. Use 1 ¼” screws to attach the bar-top base to the walls, being careful to center your screws in the top edge of the wall. Measure, cut and set the bar-top. You will then need to cut to size a bar-top from whatever material you wish to use. The measurements will depend on the dimensions of your bar-top base. For the bar-top, the front piece will need to be longer than the side pieces, fitting in the opposite way to how the base was constructed (this will give it strength). The bar-top will also need to be narrower in order to fit the bar-top molding. Check the depth between the two slots on your molding to determine how much narrower the bar-top will need to be. Measure and cut the material accordingly and then place it using 1 ¼” nails. Try to place the nails in such a way that they will be covered by the lip of the molding (if it is wide enough to allow that). Install the molding. Once that is done, measure your molding to fit and then miter the three pieces together at 45° (leaving it flat at the back ends so that it sits flush with the edge of the end cap). Nail it into place with 1 ¼” nails from the underside of the plywood base. You're done! Add storage and workspace. You will want to add some kind of storage and counter space behind the bar, as the included instructions don't provide any. You can do this in a number of ways. You could add a counter supported by brackets. You could find a stand-alone kitchen which fits in the space. You could build a series of shelves which fit into the space. It is also possible to simply leave it like it is. The decision is entirely up to you. Attach the optional footbar. If you want to add a footbar, you can do that. Simply be sure to add the additional 6” support blocks when building the frame, as described in the instructions. Attach the footbar using whichever method is recommended by the manufacturer. Get advice from your local hardware store staff. Consider alternative surfaces. You may want to consider various ways to customize the appearance of your bar. You can do this by using a unique bar-top surface (such as one made from stone or colored glass) or by painting or staining the wood. The recessed panels are another opportunity for customization, since you can add contrasting material (like tile) to add interest to the bar.
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Lay out the plywood boards. Attach the framing. Attach optional nailing blocks. Place the feature wood. Mark the position of the corner stiles. Place rails on front panel. Place stiles on front panel. Insert panel molding. Attach side panels. Add corner stiles. Finish side panel details. Measure and cut the bar-top base. Install the base. Measure, cut and set the bar-top. Install the molding. Add storage and workspace. Attach the optional footbar. Consider alternative surfaces.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Whiskey
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How to Make Whiskey
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To make whisky, first place a burlap sack full of corn kernels in a bucket of warm water. Let the corn soak for 10 days, then remove any sprouted ends from the kernels and crush them with a rolling pin. Once they're fully mashed, put the kernels in a bucket of boiling water and let the container cool. When the solution reaches 86 °F, add yeast to the mash and pitch it for 5 minutes. Then, cover the bucket with a lid outfitted with an airlock and let the mash ferment for up to 10 days.
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Start the sprouting process by soaking the corn with warm water. Place 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) of untreated kernel corn in a burlap sack and place that burlap sack in a larger bucket or container. Then, saturate the burlap sack with warm water. Make sure the corn is completely and evenly soaked. Why sprout the corn for whiskey? In short, sprouting eliminates the need for added sugar in the mash, allowing you to get a more authentic whiskey. Also called "malting," sprouting causes enzymes in the corn to convert starches to sugar. Those sugars then become the building blocks of the alcohol in the whiskey. Let the kernel corn sprout for 8 to 10 days. Keep the bag in a warm, dark environment, such as a well-insulated garage or basement. Make sure the corn remains damp for about a week and a half. During the sprouting phase, keep the temperature of the corn between 62° and 86° F (17° and 30° C). Remove the sprouted ends from the corn. Wait for the sprouts to grow 1/4 in. (0.6 cm) long, and then rinse the corn in a bucket of clean water. While doing so, remove as many of the sprouted roots as possible by hand. Discard the sprouts. Reserve the corn. Crush the kernels. Using a rolling pin with a solid end, a wooden muddler, or any other large implement, crush the kernels in the primary fermenter. Stop when all the kernels have been broken apart. If you want to, you can also use a grist mill to crack apart the corn. You can only do this, however, when your corn is fully dried; wet corn won't go through the grist mill properly. To dry your corn for use in a grist mill: Lay the sprouted corn in a thin layer over a clean, even surface. Place a box fan near the corn and turn it on. Let the fan dry out the damp corn, stirring a couple times a day. Add 5 gallons (18. 9 l) of boiling hot water to the corn mash. You're now ready to ferment. Allow the mash to cool down to 86º F (30º C). Use a thermometer to test the temperature. You want the mash to cool down but still be considerably warm for the yeast to do its job. Pitch the yeast. Add the yeast to the top of the mash and close the lid on the fermenter. For about four to five minutes, carefully pitch the fermenter at an angle, slowly moving back and forth, to agitate the yeast. Vent your fermenter with an airlock. An airlock is an essential tool for fermentation. It allows the CO 2 to escape but no air to get into the mash. Air getting into mash would minimize the effect that yeast otherwise has. You can make an airlock yourself quite easily, but buying one is cheap. It's possible to get one for under a couple of bucks. Allow the mash to ferment in a relatively warm environment. The fermentation process will take anywhere from 5 to 10 days, depending on the yeast, the temperature, and how much grain you're using. Use a hydrometer to tell when the primary fermentation is complete. If the reading on the hydrometer is the same for two to three consecutive days, you're ready to begin distillation. Try to keep the mash at a steady 77° F (25° C) while it's fermenting. Again, you need enough heat for the yeast to activate and consume the starch. When the mash is finished fermenting, strain or siphon the mash into a still. If choosing to strain the mash, use a clean pillowcase. Try to keep as much of the solids as possible away from the still when transferring the mash. Heat the wash in the still slowly, until it just reaches a boil. With whiskeys, you don't want to rush the distillation; heat up the still on medium heat over the course of 30 minutes to an hour until it just begins to boil. Heating the wash too quickly will result in burnt wash and off flavors. The temperature zone in which you'll distill your alcohol will be between 172° and 212° F (78° and 100° C). Why this temperature? Alcohol and water have different evaporation points. Alcohol begins to evaporate at 172° F, whereas water doesn't begin to evaporate until 212° F. So if you can heat the wash up to at least 172° F but no more than 212° F, the evaporated liquid in the still will be alcohol and not water. Turn on the condensing tube after the wash hits 120º - 140º F (50º - 60º C). The condensing tube takes the evaporated alcohol and cools it quickly, turning it back into liquid form. Slowly, the condensing tube should begin to spit out liquid. Throw out the heads. The heads are a mixture of volatile compounds that evaporate from the wash and should not be consumed. They include methanol, which is lethal in large quantities. Luckily, the heads come out of the wash first. For a 5 gallon (18.9 L) wash, prepare to throw out the first 50 - 100 mL of condensed liquid just to be safe. Collect the body in 500 mL batches. After the heads is collected and dumped, you're ready to collect the good stuff. When the thermometer on the condensing tube hits 175º - 185º F (80º - 85º C), you're starting to collect the valuable prize — moonshine. This is also referred to as the "body" of the distillate. Throw out the tails. Continue collecting the body until the thermometer on the condensing tube begins reading 205º F (96º C). At this point, the evaporated liquids you start distilling are fusel oils, which should be thrown away. Turn off the heat source and let the pot still cool down completely. Allow your distilled moonshine to cool off as well. Use a proof and tralle hydrometer to test the ABV (alcohol by volume) of your moonshine. You want to know how strong your moonshine is, both for aging and as an indication of how well your distillation went. Be sure not to confuse the proof and tralle readings on the hydrometer. Your proof will always be two times the amount of the tralle. Age the whiskey. If you do decide to age your whiskey, you want it to go into the barrel at around 58% to 70% ABV. Aging will make the whiskey smoother and give it its distinctive taste. Whiskey will only age in barrels. When it is bottled, whiskey will stop aging. Whiskey is generally aged in oak barrels. The barrels can be carefully charred or toasted first, or can be sourced from another distiller that's kept another spirit in the barrel for added flavor. If you want to add oak flavor to your moonshine but don't want to have to spring for a barrel, you can also add toasted oak chips to your whiskey. Toast your oak chips over low heat (200º F) in the oven for an hour, until they are aromatic but not yet charred. Remove and cool. Transfer to whiskey container and steep for 5 - 15 days or longer, depending on your tastes. Strain the whiskey through cheesecloth or a clean pillowcase to catch all the wood chips. Dilute the whiskey. After your whiskey is aged, you'll want to dilute it before you drink it and bottle it. At this point, the whiskey is still probably 60% - 80% ABV, which would make for a fiery, uncomfortable drinking experience. It should be diluted to around 40% or 45% ABV for a much more pleasant drinking experience. Bottle and enjoy! Bottle your whiskey, along with a note on when you bottled it. Always drink responsibly.
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Start the sprouting process by soaking the corn with warm water. Let the kernel corn sprout for 8 to 10 days. Remove the sprouted ends from the corn. Crush the kernels. Add 5 gallons (18. Allow the mash to cool down to 86º F (30º C). Pitch the yeast. Vent your fermenter with an airlock. Allow the mash to ferment in a relatively warm environment. When the mash is finished fermenting, strain or siphon the mash into a still. Heat the wash in the still slowly, until it just reaches a boil. Turn on the condensing tube after the wash hits 120º - 140º F (50º - 60º C). Throw out the heads. Collect the body in 500 mL batches. Throw out the tails. Turn off the heat source and let the pot still cool down completely. Use a proof and tralle hydrometer to test the ABV (alcohol by volume) of your moonshine. Age the whiskey. Dilute the whiskey. Bottle and enjoy!
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https://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-During-a-Fast
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How to Exercise During a Fast
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If you want to exercise while fasting, make sure to consult your physician first, so they can advise you on how to create a safe and effective plan. Since your body will be relying on stored energy during your fast, opt to do a less vigorous workout, such as light yoga, Tai Chi, gardening, or going for a walk. However, if you feel dizzy or lightheaded at any point, stop immediately and eat something or drink some water. On non-fasting days, you can do higher intensity exercises, as long as you do them right after eating. You may also want to try to eat more protein on your non-fasting days, if you want to build muscle mass.
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Consult your physician. You should see your doctor before beginning any exercise routine, but even more so when fasting. Your doctor knows your medical history and can provide guidelines specific to you. Talk to your doctor about your desire to fast and your exercise plan. They will be able to tell you if this combination is safe and appropriate for you. If you have any pain or discomfort while exercising or side effects of fasting, discontinue the fast and exercise and call your doctor immediately. Your doctor's major concern will likely be whether or not your heart is healthy enough for exercise while fasting. Nutritionist's recommend not going below 1,200 calories a day when dieting/fasting, especially if you are active. Opt for a less vigorous workout. A low-intensity exercise may be more beneficial if you're fasting. This may help ensure that your body doesn't use protein for fuel. During a fast, your body relies on stored energy in the form of glycogen (your body's storage form of glucose). If you haven't eaten in awhile, you may be running low on glycogen which will force your body to use protein as fuel. Choose exercises like walking instead of running. Moderate walking is a low-intensity way to stimulate your heart rate. Do light yoga or Tai Chi. Slow, deliberate movements not only balance and stimulate the body, these ancient practices have been known to calm and clear the mind. Garden or do light yard work. They require bending, stretching and lifting, among other body movements. Both are basically exercise disguised as a hobby or a fun chore. If at any point, even during low-intensity physical activity, you feel lightheaded or dizzy, discontinue the exercise immediately. You may need to drink water and eat a small meal to help you feel better. Include higher intensity exercises after eating. If you're following an intermittent fasting program or a fasting diet for weight loss, you can still include more vigorous intensity exercise. Ramping up in the intensity or frequency of your exercise program is possible, but it's best to to do this on the days you've eaten. After meals or snacks your body has had the chance to replace its primary fuel of glycogen. You'll also have a more steady supply of glucose in your body from your recently eaten meals or snacks. Some experts recommend only doing your higher intensity workouts immediately after meals to help ensure you have enough fuel (carbohydrates) to last you throughout your workout. Eat protein on non-fasting days. If you're following an alternating fasting plan or are trying to lose weight by fasting, it's recommended to eat a higher amount of protein on your non-fasting days. Higher amounts of protein is especially important if you're attempting to build muscle mass. Health experts recommend consuming multiple small, high protein meals every three to four hours. According to the Institute of Medicine, the recommended daily intake of protein should be 46 grams and 56 grams for men and women, respectively. Try and boost your protein intake to the max. Consuming about 3 – 4 ounces of lean protein will provide you with about 20 – 25 grams of protein. Drink water. Unless your fast includes abstaining from water, it's essential to avoid dehydration when exercising. Adequate hydration is important for your body's normal, daily functioning. Generally, most health professionals will recommend you consume anywhere from eight to 13 8-oz glasses (2 to 3 liters) of water daily. Most fasts will allow you to have water (even fasts for medical exams or tests). Make sure to ask or review your fasting plan to see what you can and cannot have as far as hydrating fluids. Have a realistic exercise plan. You may want to run instead of walk, or think you can handle heavy weight-lifting, but fasting changes the limits of what your body can normally do. If you need to fast for a medical exam or a religious observance, plan to include regular low-intensity exercise as you feel able. Once your fast ends, you'll be able to return to your normal activity routine. If you are fasting from sun-up to sundown, you may want to avoid exercise during those hours. Instead, exercise close to when you can eat in the early morning or in the evening. If you're fasting for weight loss or other nutrition related goals, you'll need to carefully plan in physical activity. This means understanding you'll need to do more low-intensity exercise on your fasting days and only commit to doing higher intensity exercise on days that you consume more calories.
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Consult your physician. Opt for a less vigorous workout. Include higher intensity exercises after eating. Eat protein on non-fasting days. Drink water. Have a realistic exercise plan.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Bleach-Body-Hair
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How to Bleach Body Hair
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Before you bleach your body hair, start with a small test patch on your arm so you can safely check for redness or irritation. When you're certain the bleach is safe, wash the area you want to apply it to using soap and water. Then, mix the bleaching ingredients according to the package instructions, and apply a solid, even layer of bleach to the intended area. To ensure that your hair lightens evenly, try to fully cover all the hairs, but don't rub the bleach back and forth against your skin. After about 7 to 10 minutes, remove the bleach with a paper towel and water. For the following 8 hours, avoid using harsh soaps, since they could irritate your skin.
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Do a test patch on a small spot before you apply the bleach all over. Read the box, and mix a small amount based on the particular ratios of bleach and activator product. Apply the bleach to a 1 in × 1 in (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) section of your body, such as your inner arm. After about 7-10 minutes, remove the product with water. If there is no redness or irritation after 24 hours, you can use the bleach kit safely. If you notice any redness or irritation after using the bleach, do not use this to bleach your body hair. If the reaction does not go away within 1-2 days, see your doctor. Wash the area you want to bleach with soap and water. Before you apply the bleach, rub the area with soap and rinse it thoroughly using cool or warm water from your faucet. It is helpful to cleanse the area before you bleach it to remove any natural oils, sweat, or debris. Mix the bleaching ingredients based on your particular instructions. Read over your instructions to ensure you mix the products correctly. Typically, there is a powder bleach container, a jar or cream activator, and a mixing tool in at-home bleach kits. Use the included mixing tool to scoop up the products, and put them in a small dish. Most kits call for 1 spatula of powder bleach and 2 scoops of cream activator. If you mix the bleach incorrectly, you may wind up damaging your skin. As you do this, be careful not to get the bleach on your skin. If you do, rinse it off completely. Apply a solid, even layer of bleach to your intended area. Once your bleach is mixed up, use the mixing tool to scoop up the product, and spread it across the area you want to bleach. You can bleach your arms, legs, or upper lip, for instance. Ensure all of your hairs are fully covered so they lighten evenly. As you spread the bleach, avoid rubbing it back and forth into your skin. If you notice any empty spots after you first apply the bleach, go back in and fill them in with more product. Let the bleach process for 5-10 minutes. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes, as directed in your particular instructions. Some kits require more or less time to process the bleach. If your hair is light brown or blonde, you may not need quite as much time to process the hair. If your hair is very dark, you may need the full processing time. Do not leave the bleach on longer than indicated in the directions—it could lead to chemical burns. Remove a small section of bleach to check the overall lightness. After your timer is done, take your mixing tool and scrape off a 1 in × 1 in (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) section of the bleach. Inspect your hair to see how light it is now. If your hair is light enough, you can rinse off the bleach next. If your hair is not light enough, let it process for 2-4 more minutes, based on your instructions. If you notice any irritation, rinse the bleach out right away. Rinse off the bleach when your hair is light enough for your liking. When your hair passes your inspection, you're nearly finished! Simply wipe off the excess bleach with a paper towel and rinse off any residue. Rinse off the product completely so no bleach remains. As you do this, you can use your hand to rub away the product. When there are no bubbles or white specs in the water, your skin is likely clean. Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers for about 8 hours. If you use an abrasive cleaner on your newly bleached hair, it may irritate your skin. If bleaching the hair at night, shower in the morning rather than before you go to bed. Mix equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in a bowl or cup. This is a safe method, as peroxide and water are both natural ingredients. Use a ratio of 1:1 to mix the same amount of solution into a dish. Swirl a spoon around to ensure the liquid is mixed correctly. Saturate a cotton ball or pad in the liquid mixture. Once you mix the hydrogen peroxide and water, dip a cotton ball or pad into the dish, and let the liquid completely soak the cotton. You can move it around in the dish until it is completely saturated. This should take about 15-30 seconds. If your cotton ball or pad is dripping excessively, squeeze it out slightly over top of the dish. Put the cotton ball or pad on the spot you want to bleach. You can bleach your abdominal hair and forearm area, for example. Use multiple cotton balls or pads if you want to cover multiple spots at the same time. Sit in the sunshine for 20-30 minutes for the peroxide to process. To lighten the hair properly, it is best to sit in the sun since hydrogen peroxide is activated by sunlight. Set a timer after you put the cotton ball or pad in place, and check the lightness after about 20 minutes. Note that the hair may not appear much lighter after the first use. It will take several applications. Wash off the hydrogen peroxide thoroughly. Once you're finished lightening your hair, take a clean washcloth and wipe off the bleached area. You can also hop in the shower quickly to rinse off if you prefer. Peroxide isn't harmful for your skin, but it may dry it out over time. Apply a nourishing lotion to rehydrate your skin. Throughout the bleaching process, your skin may get dry from the exposure to hydrogen peroxide. To keep your skin soft and healthy, it is best to rub a dime-size amount or so of lotion rich in vitamin E oil over your bleached area. Do this immediately after rinsing and drying the bleached area. You can also use lotion with a cocoa or shea butter base, as these are very moisturizing and made from natural ingredients. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and water in a cup. For best results, use freshly-squeezed lemon juice. Bottled or organic lemon juice also works well. Fill a cup about 1/3 of the way with lemon juice, then fill the cup another 1/3 of the way with water from your faucet. Using water to dilute the lemon juice reduces the acidity a bit, so your skin doesn't dry out severely. Soak a cotton ball or pad in the mixture. To apply the lemon juice to the hair you want to bleach, it is easiest to use a cotton ball or pad. Dunk the cotton ball or pad into the cup of lemon juice, and remove it after a few seconds. Ensure the middle and outside of the cotton is adequately wet. Place the cotton ball or pad where you want to apply the bleach. You can use lemon juice to safely bleach your upper lip, abdomen, arms, and legs. Hold the cotton in place throughout the bleaching process. Sit outside with the lemon solution in place for 15-20 minutes. Sunlight helps boost the lightening effects of the lemon juice, as the sun activates the citric acid. After 20 minutes or so, your skin will feel very dry, so this is a good time to stop the bleaching session. If you burn easily, apply sunscreen to the rest of your skin to avoid sunburn. Rinse off the lemon juice completely. Use warm water to get rid of any lemon juice or residue. If bleaching your arms, you can hold your arm under the sink. If bleaching your face or legs, use a clean washcloth. Moisturize the area with lotion after you clean the bleached area. Lemon juice makes the skin very dry, so it's best to replenish it with moisturizing lotion right after cleansing the skin. Use products containing cocoa butter, shea butter, or vitamin E oil, for instance. You can massage the lotion into the skin for a relaxing effect. Repeat this every day to notice substantial results. Lemon juice can lighten body hair, but it does take several applications and some patience. For best results, use this bleaching technique every day. If you aren't able to bleach with lemon juice daily, aim for 3-4 days a week.
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Do a test patch on a small spot before you apply the bleach all over. Wash the area you want to bleach with soap and water. Mix the bleaching ingredients based on your particular instructions. Apply a solid, even layer of bleach to your intended area. Let the bleach process for 5-10 minutes. Remove a small section of bleach to check the overall lightness. Rinse off the bleach when your hair is light enough for your liking. Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers for about 8 hours. Mix equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in a bowl or cup. Saturate a cotton ball or pad in the liquid mixture. Put the cotton ball or pad on the spot you want to bleach. Sit in the sunshine for 20-30 minutes for the peroxide to process. Wash off the hydrogen peroxide thoroughly. Apply a nourishing lotion to rehydrate your skin. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and water in a cup. Soak a cotton ball or pad in the mixture. Place the cotton ball or pad where you want to apply the bleach. Sit outside with the lemon solution in place for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off the lemon juice completely. Moisturize the area with lotion after you clean the bleached area. Repeat this every day to notice substantial results.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Faucet-Brand
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How to Determine a Faucet Brand
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To determine a faucet brand, look on the faucet for a logo or model number, which might be small and hidden around the curves of the faucet or handles. Try cleaning the faucet off first so it's easier to spot the logo or model number. Alternatively, you can determine the faucet's brand by looking at the shape of the handles. If they're completely rounded, the faucet was likely made by Chicago Faucet. If they have point-tipped bulges where the stem meets the handle, the faucet is probably a T&S faucet.
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Clean the faucet handles and check for a logo. To ensure that dirt and grime aren't covering up the brand name or logo, spray the faucet and the handles with a multipurpose cleaner or glass cleaner. Wipe the cleaner off with a rag, and then observe the faucet and handles to see if there are any words or shapes that may represent a particular brand. Look at all of the faucet’s parts under a flashlight. Some brand names and logos on faucets are very small or are etched into inconspicuous parts of the faucet. To get a better look at the faucet, hold a flashlight over it and get close to it. Look all around the curves of the faucet and the handles to be sure that you aren't missing a subtle representation of the faucet brand. Look for a model number if there’s no logo. While less likely, there may just be a model number visible on the faucet instead of a brand name or logo. If you find a number but no brand information on the surface of your faucet, try looking up the number online. If you search the entire model number, the company's webpage may pop up. Look for a user manual if you recently bought the faucet. Many items that you purchase come with an instruction booklet or a small informational packet. Look around your home to see if you can find the manual that may have come with your faucet. Turn off the water supply before taking the faucet apart. To turn off your water supply, look for a stop valve that will keep the water from flowing through your fixture. Stop valves are usually located below or near the fixtures, and they typically have a chrome finish and an oval shape. Turn the stop valve clockwise until you can't anymore before taking your faucet apart. If you're working with a sink faucet, the stop valves should be located underneath the sink and all the way back. If you can't find the stop valve, you may need to shut off your entire home's access to water. To do this, find the main shut off valve and turn it clockwise. The main shut off valve is most likely located inside near your water meter. Use a screwdriver to remove the faucet’s indicator button and handle. With a flathead screwdriver, pop off the indicator or index button, which is typically located on the top of the handle. When you take this off, you should see the head of a screw at the center of the handle. Unscrew this screw with your screwdriver, pull off the handle, and set everything aside. Locate the broach at the top of the stem. At this point, the stem should be exposed and you should be able to see the broach. The stem of the faucet is a cylindrical piece that makes up the moving parts on the inside, while the broach is the gear-shaped piece of metal that sits at the top of your faucet's stem and allows the faucet valve to open and close. Darken 1 spline with a marker. The splines are the pointed ridges that go all the way around the outside of the broach. Use a permanent marker to darken any 1 of the splines so that you can effectively count how many there are. Count all the way around until you end up at the marked spline. Use the marked spline as a starting point. Count each spline and stop when you've gotten back to the marked spline. This is the number of splines your broach has. Identify Delta faucets by their " D "shaped broach. Observing this part of your faucet is often a good way to at least narrow down the brand possibilities, as different companies have different broach sizes and shapes. If the broach is " D " shaped, you may have a Delta faucet on your hands. Other brands that have " D " shaped brooches include Moen and Mixet. Spot an American Standard faucet by its 22-point broach. This means that the broach at the top of the stem has 22 splines coming off of it. American Standard is one of the more common brands that has this particular number of splines, so if you count 22 points on your broach, your faucet may be an American Standard faucet. To double check, measure the broach. If it measures 0.375 inches (0.95 cm), then it's likely an old American Standard model, and if it measures 0.438 inches (1.11 cm), then it's likely a current American Standard model. Recognize Fisher faucets by their 0.39 inches (0.99 cm) broaches. Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure your broach. If the measurement is 0.39 inches (0.99 cm), then there's a good chance that you have a Fisher faucet. To double check, count the splines on the broach. Fisher broaches typically have 12-point broaches. Some other brands that have broaches that measure 0.39 inches (0.99 cm) include Bradley, Elkay, Sears, and Universal Rundle. Spot a T&S faucet by the bulges on its stem. Unlike most other brands, T&S faucets have pointy-tipped bulges that stick out on either side of the stem. These bulges are located near where the handle meets the stem. If you notice some excess metal sticking out from your faucet in this area, it may be a T&S faucet. Recognize Chicago Faucet faucets by their bullnose-shaped handle. Take a close look at the shape of your faucet handles. If they're entirely rounded and don't seem to have any sharp points or edges, your faucet's brand is likely Chicago Faucet.
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Clean the faucet handles and check for a logo. Look at all of the faucet’s parts under a flashlight. Look for a model number if there’s no logo. Look for a user manual if you recently bought the faucet. Turn off the water supply before taking the faucet apart. Use a screwdriver to remove the faucet’s indicator button and handle. Locate the broach at the top of the stem. Darken 1 spline with a marker. Count all the way around until you end up at the marked spline. Identify Delta faucets by their " D "shaped broach. Spot an American Standard faucet by its 22-point broach. Recognize Fisher faucets by their 0.39 inches (0.99 cm) broaches. Spot a T&S faucet by the bulges on its stem. Recognize Chicago Faucet faucets by their bullnose-shaped handle.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Personal-Essay
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How to Write a Personal Essay
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To write a personal essay, start by deciding on an experience that affected your life in some way, such as how failing a pop quiz in class made you change your goals. Next, draft an outline containing the points you want to make, and including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. When writing, start your essay with an engaging scene that introduces the characters and main theme, then develop the characters in the body section so they're well-rounded. Conclude by summing up what you learned from the experience.
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Find an angle for your essay. Your life may not be littered with exciting stories, or intense drama, but that's okay. Your personal essay can still be engaging for your reader if you focus on finding an angle for your essay. You should try to find a unique or interesting take on an experience, or moment in your life. Looking at an experience from a particular angle can turn it into deep, meaningful subject matter for your essay. For example, maybe you want to write about an experience where you learned about failure. You may think the time you failed a pop quiz in class. Though the quiz may have seemed insignificant to you at the time, you realized later that failing the pop quiz forced you to reassess your goals and motivated you to get a passing grade. Seen from a certain angle, your small failure became a gateway to perseverance and determination. Explore a few different story ideas when you're getting started so you can find the one that's most unique and representative of what you want to convey in your essay. Write about a significant moment. A good personal essay will explore a specific experience that created a sense of conflict in your life. The personal essay can be a way to explore how and why you were challenged or hurt by the experience. Think of it as a space where you can discuss a significant moment and reflect on its impact on your life. This could be a seemingly small moment that ended up having a profound influence on you later, such the first time you experienced disgust as a child or the look on your mother's face when you told her you were gay. Try to really dig into why you were hurt or compelled to overcome a challenge in this moment in your essay. Remember that moments charged with strong emotion will often be more engaging to readers. Having a strong reaction to a specific moment will allow you to write passionately about it and keep your reader interested in your essay. Discuss a specific event that triggered an emotional response. You may also explore a specific event in your life that left a lasting impression on you. Often, personal essays act as reflections on an event that occurred in your life and shifted it in some way. Think of a specific event that is unique and personal to you. The stranger the event, the more likely the essay will be engaging to read. For example, you may focus on the day you found out your father cheated on your mother, or the week you mourned the death of a loved one. Think about a heavy experience in your life that shaped who you are today. You may also decide to write about a seemingly light topic or event, such as your first ride on a roller coaster, or the first time you went on a cruise with your partner. No matter what event you choose, make sure it is an event that triggered a strong emotional response, ranging from anger to confusion to unabashed joy. Think of a person in your life that you have difficulty with in some way. You may want to explore a tenuous relationship with a person in your life in your personal essay. Think about a person you have grown apart from or feel estranged from. You may also choose a person that you have always had a difficult or complicated relationship with and explore why this is in your essay. For example, you may think about why you and your mother stopped speaking years ago or why you are no longer close to a childhood friend. You may also look at past romantic relationships that failed and consider why they did not succeed or a relationship with a mentor that went sour. This could also be about someone that you're close with. For example, you could write about a moment that tested your relationship with a close friend. Respond to a current event. Good personal essays consider the specific, such as your experiences, as well as the general, such as a current event or larger issue. You may focus on a current event or topic that you feel passionate about, such as abortion or refugee camps, and consider it from a personal perspective. Ask yourself questions about the current event. For example, how does the current event intersect with your own experiences? How can you explore a current social issue or event using your personal thoughts, experiences, and emotions? For example, you may have an interest in writing about Syrian refugee camps in Europe. You may then focus your personal essay on your own status as a refugee in America and how your experiences a refugee have shaped the person you are now. This will allow you to explore a current event from a personal perspective, rather than simply talk about the current event from a distant, journalistic perspective. Create an outline. Personal essays are usually formatted in sections, with an introductory section, a body section, and a concluding section. These sections are broken down as follows: The introductory section should include “the hook”, opening lines where you catch the reader's attention. It should also have some sort of narrative thesis, which is often the beginning of an important event in the piece or a theme that connects your experience to a universal idea. The body sections should include supporting evidence for your narrative thesis and/or the key themes in your piece. Often, this is in the form of your experiences and your reflections on your experiences. You should also note the passage of time in your body sections so the reader is aware of when and how certain events occurred. The concluding section should include a conclusion to the events and experiences discussed in the essay. You should also have a moral of the story moment, where you reflect on what you learned from your experiences or how your experiences changed your life. In the past, it was advised to have five paragraphs total, one paragraph for the introductory section, three paragraphs for the body section, and one paragraph for the concluding section. But you can have more or less than five paragraphs for your personal essay as long as you have all three sections. Begin with an engaging opening scene. You should open your personal essay with an introductory section that is engaging and interesting for your reader. The opening section should introduce the key characters of the essay as well as the central theme or themes of the essay. It should also present the central question or concern in the essay. Don't begin with a line that explains exactly what is going to be discussed in, such as, “In this essay, I will be discussing my fraught relationship with my mother." Instead, draw your reader into your piece and still provide all the information needed in your opening line. Start instead with a specific scene that contains the key characters of the essay and allows you discuss the central question or theme. Doing this will allow you to introduce the reader to the characters and the central conflict right away. For example, if you are writing about your fraught relationship with your mother, you may focus on a specific memory where you both disagreed or clashed. This could be the time you and your mother fought over a seemingly insignificant item, or the time you argued about a family secret. Try to use an active voice instead of a passive voice as much as possible when you're writing your essay. Write from your unique voice or perspective. Though you are writing a personal essay, you still have the freedom to use a unique writing voice or point of view. Like other writing genres, personal essays are often more successful when the writer uses a writing voice that entertains and informs the reader. This means using word choice, syntax, and tone to create an engaging narrative voice in the essay. This writing voice may be conversational, much like how you might speak to a good friend or a family member. Or, the writing voice may be more reflective and internal, where you question your own assumptions and thoughts about the subject of the essay. Many personal essays are written in the first person, using “I”. You may decide to write in the present tense to make the story feel immediate, or past tense, which will allow you to reflect more on specific events or moments. Include vivid sensory descriptions in your essay to help the reader connect with your unique perspective. Describing touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound can help the reader invest in your story and feel like they're there with you. Develop the characters so they are well-rounded and detailed. Be sure to describe your characters with sensory detail and physical detail. Even though you are pulling from your real life experiences in your essay, you should still consider storytelling elements like plot and character. Using these elements in your essay will keep your reader engaged and help your essay to flow smoothly. You can also include lines of dialogue spoken by your characters, based on your memory of the event. However, you should limit dialogue to only a few lines a page, as too much dialogue can start to veer away from personal essay and more toward fiction. Include plot in your essay. You should also have a sense of plot in your essay, where a sequence of events or moments add up to a realization or moment of conflict at the end of the piece. In general, it's a good idea to write the events in your essay in chronological order so it's easy for the reader to follow along. You may use a plot outline to organize your essay. The plot points should act as supporting evidence for the central question or issue of the essay. Focus on uncovering a deeper truth. This means thinking about the deeper meanings that are at the core of your personal experiences. Try to discuss your experiences with honesty and curiosity, where you are trying to uncover a hidden truth or a truth you did not know was there at the time. Often, the best personal essays will try to expose a truth that is uncomfortable or difficult for the writer to discuss. It's important to remember that though an experience may appear to have all the drama necessary to make a good personal essay, it may be a drama that is too familiar to the reader already. Be wary of experiences that are familiar and filled with pathos that a reader may have experienced before. If you are writing about the sudden death of a loved one, for example, it may feel important and deep to you. But the reader will likely know what to expect of an essay about a dead loved one, and may not relate to your essay because they did not know the loved one like you did. Instead, you may try to uncover a truth that is deeper than “I am sad my loved one died.” Think about what the loved one meant to you and how the loved one affected your life, in positive and negative ways. This could lead to the uncovering of a deeper truth and a stronger personal essay. Try out different literary techniques and forms. You can add richness to your writing by experimenting with different literary techniques and forms, such as metaphor, repetition, and personification. Your personal essay may be that much stronger once you add in literary techniques that show how well you can tell your story. For example, you may use metaphor to describe the experience of telling your mother you are gay. You may describe your mother's face as “impenetrable, a sudden wall”. Or you may use a simile, such as “my mother's reaction was silent and stunned, as if she had been struck by lightning.” Read the essay out loud. Once you have written a first draft of your personal essay, you should read through it and listen to how it sounds. You may read it out loud to yourself or to a sympathetic audience. As you read it out loud, you should highlight any sentences that are confusing or unclear as well as sentences that do not appear as strong as the rest of the draft. You should also make sure your characters are well developed and your essay follows some kind of structure or sense of plot. Consider if you are hitting a deeper truth in your draft and what you can do to get there if it is not yet on the page.Revising your essay will only make it that much stronger. Proofread and revise the essay. Once you have a strong draft of the essay, you should sit down and proofread and revise it. You can take into account the notes you made on the draft as you read it out loud as well as feedback you receive from trusted readers. When you are revising, you should consider if your content is really worth writing about, if you are writing about a topic or subject you are passionate about, and if your reader will understand your writing. You want to avoid confusing your reader, as this can turn her off from reading to the end of your essay. You should also make sure the focus and themes of the essay are clear. Your experiences should center around a central question, issue, or theme. This will ensure your personal essay is well written and concise. Avoid relying on spellcheck to catch all of the spelling and grammar errors in your essay.
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Find an angle for your essay. Write about a significant moment. Discuss a specific event that triggered an emotional response. Think of a person in your life that you have difficulty with in some way. Respond to a current event. Create an outline. Begin with an engaging opening scene. Write from your unique voice or perspective. Develop the characters so they are well-rounded and detailed. Include plot in your essay. Focus on uncovering a deeper truth. Try out different literary techniques and forms. Read the essay out loud. Proofread and revise the essay.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Shave-With-an-Electric-Shaver
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How to Shave With an Electric Shaver
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Before you shave using an electric shaver, wash your face with a warm cloth to soften your beard, which makes it easier to get a clean shave. Then, hold the shaver in your dominant hand at a 90 degree angle to your face and use your other hand to pull your skin tight. Start shaving by moving in the direction of the grain of your facial hair, which is usually from the top towards your jaw. Use circular motions as you shave if you have a rotary shaver, but opt for back-and-forth movements with a foil shaver. To finish, lift up your head to shave under your chin and on your neck.
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Choose the shaver that best fits your needs. Read men's forums or consult a grooming specialist, like a barber who specializes in facial shaves, to understand how your facial hair grows and the correct technique to approach the contours of your face. Everyone's hair grows at a different rate and has a different texture so be aware of what features benefit you most. While electric shavers are mostly used for dry shaving, new models can also be used for wet shaving as well. However, new wet models may be pricey. Consumer sites can help you determine which shavers suits your price point. Some shavers may be overpriced based on added features that you do not need for your specific hair type. Wash your face. Warm water, a hot shower, or a warm face cloth will help soften your beard and thus make it easier to get a clean shave. Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser to get rid of any dirt that has built up. If you have sensitive skin, consult a skin care specialist to find out what cleanser is best for you. Wet a washcloth with hot water if you don't have time to shower. Hold it to your beard/stubble for a few minutes. Allow your face to adjust. It usually takes about 2 weeks to adjust to an electric shaver but during this time, the oils from your shaver will blend with those of your face. Use an alcohol based pre-shave. Alcohol based products will remove dirt and your skin's natural oil (sebum) from your skin and make your facial hair stand straight up. A powder version can be used if you find alcohol to be an irritant. Most pre-shave products include ingredients like vitamin E to ensure that your skin is protected and irritation is reduced. There are some products like pre-shave optimizer and pre shave oil that can improve the effectiveness of an electric shaver. Consult a skin care specialist to find out what best works for your skin. Stick to your skincare routine once you've found what works for you. Find the grain of your facial hair. Rub the places where your facial hair grows and the direction that feels smooth is the direction that's "with the grain." This other direction will give resistance when you rub it. This is "against the grain." It does not matter whether your facial hair is straight, curly or coarse, learning the direction it grows allows you to avoid irritation and in-grown hairs. Identify what factors are most important to your shave. Whether you want to save time, avoid mess, or get a close shave without irritating your skin, there are basically two types of electric shaver to use: rotary and foil. Rotary shavers utilize a revolving motion that guarantees a closer shave. This is a very popular choice because it doesn't pull hair and provides a comfortable shave. The three rotating mechanisms of a rotary shaver can help with hard to reach areas. Flexibility can depend on the brand so do your research to accommodate the contours of your face. Titanium blades that form part of the rotary mechanism aid in painless shaving. A foil shaver has oscillating blades behind steel foils that lifts the hair out of the face as opposed to cutting it. These electric shavers have 3 to 4 blades and more blades means a reduced shaving time but can also be more noisy . The large head allows you to cover more area so this choice may be right for you if you want a quick and efficient shave. Replace your blades periodically. Foil shavers need the foil replaced every 1 -2 years depending on the toughness of your stubble. If you end up pressing harder to get a decent shave, chances are that you forgot to change the foil. Rotary blades needs to be replaced once a year. Skin irritation is another sign that you need to change the foil. Don't throw away the manual as details of how to replace parts and valuable manufacturer contact information will become invaluable the longer your keep your shaver. Shave with proper technique. Understand that each shaver utilizes a different method to remove hair so optimize your shave by moving in a supplementary direction. When using a rotary shaver, make small circular motions with the shaver head on your face but remember not to press hard or go over the same spot repeatedly to avoid irritation. Foil shavers work best when you shave with back-and-forth strokes. Keep your shaver clean. Debris can easily build up, especially if you have thick facial hair so be sure to regularly clean your electric razor. Do not bang your shavers or use tools that aren't specific to cleaning shavers. Foil shavers by Braun, Panasonic or Remington can be cleaned by lifting the head frame off and gently brushing out the whiskers from the under side with the cleaning brush supplied by the manufacturer. Do not touch the screen because it is very fragile. Philips rotary head shavers can be cleaned by lifting off the razor head assembly and brushing out the under side of the three cutters and the razor chamber. Don't tap the heads on the sink as it may dent or damage the precision-made combs. Remove each cutter and comb the retaining plate of your rotary shaver every other month, or more if you have thick or fast growing hair, by brushing the whiskers from the cutters and soaking them in liquid cleaner and lubricate. Ensure your blade is sharp. It is recommended that you replace these at least once a year, or you will fail to get a good shave, and may end up irritating your skin. Hold the shaver in your dominant hand. For example, if you use your right hand to write, also use it to shave. Use your off hand to hold your skin tight as you go over your skin with the shaver. Make sure to shave against the grain if you want a closer shave but careful to take your time for best results. Hold the shaver at right angles to your face as your other hand pulls the skin taught to ensure hairs stand upright. This will also create maximum skin contact which reduces shaving time and minimizes snagging. Use your non-dominant hand to pull your skin tight. This will help you get the closest shave possible. Shave your cheeks and the side of your face. Shave with the grain, usually from the top towards your jaw. Shaving against the grain gives a closer shave but is an easy way to cut yourself and you run the risk of cutting hair below the skin level, which creates ingrown hairs. These are also known as razor bumps because the whisker grows into the surrounding tissue instead of out of the pore, which causes inflammation and possible infection. Shave your sideburns. Make sure to look at the mirror at a level angle to ensure both sides are even. Put down the shaver and use both index fingers to help give you some perspective of which side is longer by placing each finger at the bottom of each side burn. For example, place your left finger at the bottom of your left side burn pointing towards your reflection in the mirror. Do the same with your right finger at the same time to get a sense of which side burn is longer and adjust accordingly. Shave your mustache area below your nose. Use your index finger of your non-dominant hand to lift up your nose and force your upper lip downward to provide more surface area for you to shave. You can also try moving your upper lip away from the direction that you are shaving. For example, shave downward and to the left as you move your upper lip toward the right. This will help flatten out your skin and expose your shaver to more of your hair. Shave underneath your lip and chin. Bite and suck in your lower lip to maximize the surface area that the shaver touches. Go slowly around your lip to make sure you don't cut yourself. You can also try moving your jaw away from the direction of your shaving stroke. For example, shave downward and to the left as you move your jaw to the right. This will flatten out your skin and expose your shaver to more of your hair. Shave your neck and beneath your jaw. This area is the most sensitive and the trickiest so take your time. Tilt your head up and move closer to the mirror to get the best visual angle. Many men with sensitive skin should shave the most tender areas, like the neck area below the jawbone, first, and then move to tougher spots like between the ears, nose and mouth because some shavers generate heat that can cause irritation. Check your mirror for missed spots. Electric shavers may leave small patches in hard to reach areas so it's best to take a look in the mirror before putting away your shaver. Wash away and wipe off any loose hair and use your finger tips to feel if there are any loose strands remaining. Apply lotion to your newly shaved face. This is especially important if you use alcohol based pre-shave, as the alcohol dries your face out. Consult a skin care specialist to find out what after shave works best for your skin type. Aftershaves, eau de toilets, and colognes are used for different purposes. Aftershave helps to give you a fresh scent after shaving while moisturizing and medicating your skin. Be aware of your surroundings in case coworkers or others in close proximity are sensitive to the strong smell that these products may provide. Clean your razor. In many models you can lift off the head of the razor. You should then brush the whiskers out of the cutter and cleaning brush. Lubricate the metal pieces of your cutter and screen. A small amount of lubricant should be sprayed on the screen while the razor is running. Do not wipe it off when you're done. Consult the user's manual for what lubricant works best for your model. Do not use a lubricant meant for other tools as it may contain harsh chemicals not meant to touch your skin. Consult a skin care specialist immediately if a rash or irritation happens after applying a new lubricant. Chances are you're having either an allergic reaction to the lubricant or a combination of the lubricant and other skin care products.
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Choose the shaver that best fits your needs. Wash your face. Allow your face to adjust. Use an alcohol based pre-shave. Find the grain of your facial hair. Identify what factors are most important to your shave. Replace your blades periodically. Shave with proper technique. Keep your shaver clean. Ensure your blade is sharp. Hold the shaver in your dominant hand. Use your non-dominant hand to pull your skin tight. Shave your cheeks and the side of your face. Shave your sideburns. Shave your mustache area below your nose. Shave underneath your lip and chin. Shave your neck and beneath your jaw. Check your mirror for missed spots. Apply lotion to your newly shaved face. Clean your razor. Lubricate the metal pieces of your cutter and screen.
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https://www.wikihow.life/Manage-Your-Home-Waste
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How to Manage Your Home Waste
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To manage your home waste, start shopping in the bulk-food section of your grocery store so you don't have as much food packaging to dispose of. Also, take reusable cloth bags with you when you go shopping so you're not bringing home lots of plastic bags. You can also start composting some of your food scraps so you're throwing less away, like egg shells, vegetables, and coffee grounds.
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Use cloth bags instead of plastic. This small measure will greatly reduce the amount of waste you bring into your house. No matter where you're shopping, you can bring your own reusable cloth bags instead of accepting plastic bags from the store. Plan ahead by purchasing several reusable bags and storing them where you won't forget to bring them along next time you go shopping, like in your kitchen or in the trunk of your car. If you forget to bring your cloth bags to the store, you can still reduce waste! Ask the person bagging your groceries not to use double bags. Most stores now sell cloth bags, so you could spring for those instead of accepting plastic or paper - you can never have enough around the house. Using cloth bags isn't limited to grocery shopping. Take one along when you go shopping for clothes, tools, or any other items you may need. Buy food that has less packaging. If you tend to buy food that comes in boxes wrapped in plastic with individually-wrapped serving sizes inside, you're probably producing more waste than you want to. Look for ways to buy food with minimal packaging, especially plastic packaging, and you'll see your daily mound of garbage turn into a tiny hill. Here are a few tricks to try: Use the bulk food section. You can buy rice, beans, cereals, teas, spices, and other dry foods in the bulk food section of your grocery store. Store the foods in airtight glass or plastic containers when you get home. Do vermicomposting. You can make your own worm composting system. Make dinner instead of heating it up. Take-out food and microwaveable dinners require a lot of packaging, and it all just goes in the trash. It definitely takes more time, but consider replacing some of your instant meals with homemade creations. Your waistline will thank you, too. Buy dairy items in containers you can return. An increasing amount of dairy companies offer a return system in which you buy a glass jug of milk, cream or buttermilk and return the jug for a deposit. This is a great way to cut down on using plastic. Buy from farmer's markets. They offer mounds of fresh produce that have never touched plastic. Bring along cloth bags to carry your purchases home. Don't use bottled drinks unless you have to. Bottled water - and other bottled drinks - are a major source of waste in many places. In some places bottled water is safer to drink than tap water, but if that's not the case in your area, consider using tap water instead. You can always filter the water if you don't like the way it tastes. This is more economical and much better for the environment. If you really want to go the distance, you can nix other bottled and canned drinks, too. For example, instead of buying a case of ginger ale, why not make your own? Homemade lemonade and limeade are also great choices. If you do choose to buy drinks by the bottle, choose large containers, rather than small ones. Get a 5 gallon (18.9 L) container of water with a dispenser instead of buying an 18-pack of small bottles. Reduce your paper usage. If you like using computers, there are very few reasons you still need to have a lot of paper waste in your house. Taking measures to reduce the amount of paper you buy, as well as the amount of paper that gets sent to you in the mail, can save you the headache of having to sort through piles of papers. Go paperless when it comes to bills; choose to pay them online instead. Consider reading your news online instead of having a newspaper delivered to your house. Take measures to stop junk mail from overflowing your mailbox. Consider making your own household cleaners and detergents. Many of the containers used for cleaners and detergents aren't recyclable, so they end up going in the garbage. If you have the time and inclination, making your own formulas and storing them in glass containers will end up saving tons of money and significantly reduce your garbage output. You'll also end up creating a chemical-free environment for your family. Here are a few great recipes to try: Make your own laundry detergent Make your own glass cleaner Make your own bathroom cleaner Make your own kitchen cleaner Make your own hand soap Make your own shampoo and conditioner Donate items when possible. If you have old clothing, electronics, or other items you don't want but are still in decent shape, donate them instead of throwing them out in the trash. Better they end up in a classroom or someone's closet than the landfill. Old clothes and fabric scraps can be donated to a fabric recycling facility. Schools often accept donations of old computers and other electronics. Contact a local homeless shelter, thrift store, or donation center to see about donating furniture, electronics, cars, and any other items you're finished using. Reuse containers. Durable containers can be reused a number of times before they need to go out with the garbage or recycling. Bottles, boxes and bags can all serve a second purpose if you know how to use them. Use paper bags to hold recyclables, if you don't have a bin. You can also use them to fashion book protectors - a flashback to grade school days. Reuse paper by printing on both sides, or letting your children draw on the back of used paper. Use food-grade glass containers (that didn't previously contain anything toxic) to store dry goods and leftovers. Plastic containers are fine to use for storage, but be careful about reusing them too many times to store food. Plastic, even if it's food-grade plastic, can eventually break down and start leaching chemicals into the food. Follow your city's recycling policies. In some places you need to sort plastic, glass, and paper recyclables and turn them in separately, while other cities allow you to place all recyclables in the same bin and be done with it. Some cities provide recycling pickup, while other places have a recycling center where you can drop everything off. Check your city's website and follow its policy regarding proper recycling. In general, the following household waste can be recycled: Plastic containers numbered 1 - 7 Paper products like computer paper, egg cartons, newspaper, and cardboard Glass containers Aluminum cans, aluminum foil Dispose of trash and hazardous waste properly. There are some household items that just can't be recycled or reused. These items have to be thrown out with the trash or disposed of at a hazardous waste facility. Try to reduce your consumption of the following items, and when you do use them, dispose of them according to your city's laws: Batteries Paint TVs, computers, and other electronics Light bulbs Save your food scraps and yard cuttings from the trash. Food scraps and yard cuttings don't need to be thrown out. Instead, you can compost them and turn them into rich, nutritious soil that can be used to nourish your garden - or donated to someone else who will be able to use it for theirs. There are many ways to compost; some compost mixtures allow for items like meat and dairy to be included, while others are strictly for fruit and vegetable scraps. To start a basic compost pile, save these items: Green items, which break down quickly, like raw vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, grass cuttings, leaves Brown items, which break down slowly, like sticks and branches, paper, cardboard, eggshells, sawdust Create a compost site. Select an area in a sunny or partially shaded spot in your yard for your compost site. Ideally, you'll compost directly over dirt or grass, but if you don't have a large yard area, you can compost on a concrete patio. Here are a few different ways you can structure your compost site: Make a compost pile. This is the simplest way to compost. All you have to do is make a pile in your yard. It should be located well away from your house, since composting sometimes attracts mice and insects. Make a compost box. You can construct a box made to the exact dimensions that suit your needs using old pallets. Buy a compost bin. They're available at most home and garden stores, and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Choose to make either a cold or hot compost heap. Making a cold heap requires less effort, but it takes longer for the compost to be ready. Making a hot heap requires a little work, but you'll have compost in as little as 6 - 8 weeks. Here's the difference: To make a cool compost heap , fill your bin with a few inches of both green and brown materials. Keep piling more in whenever you need to get rid of food scraps or toilet paper rolls. When the bin is full, leave it to compost. It may take up to a year to full compost, but you can use the compost forming at the bottom of the bin as needed. To make a hot compost heap , mix your green and brown materials well, and fill your bin all the way up (or heap up a big pile). It will warm up and get hot to the touch; when this happens, stir it up, and it will cool. When it heats up again a few days or weeks later, stir it up again. Keep doing this until it stops heating up after you stir, then let it rest to finish composting. Maintain your compost site. If it seems to be rotting too fast and turning slimy, add more brown items to slow it down. If it seems to be too dry to work its magic, add some water or more green items. Turn the pile periodically or when it smells like ammonia. The more effort you put into tending to your compost site, the faster you'll have usable compost. Use your compost when it's ready. It can take a month or two to produce compost. You'll know your compost is ready when it turns a rich brown or black color and takes on an earthy smell. Your compost can be used to fertilize your vegetable or flower garden, or you can simply spread it around your yard to give your grass and other plants a nutrition boost.
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Use cloth bags instead of plastic. Buy food that has less packaging. Do vermicomposting. Don't use bottled drinks unless you have to. Reduce your paper usage. Consider making your own household cleaners and detergents. Donate items when possible. Reuse containers. Follow your city's recycling policies. Dispose of trash and hazardous waste properly. Save your food scraps and yard cuttings from the trash. Create a compost site. Choose to make either a cold or hot compost heap. Maintain your compost site. Use your compost when it's ready.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Into-Shape-for-Horseback-Riding
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How to Get Into Shape for Horseback Riding
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To get into shape for horseback riding, do exercises that will build your hip and leg muscles, like stair step-ups, wall step-ups, and hip adductors. You should also focus on building your core strength through things like yoga, sit-ups, and planks. Although focusing on your legs and core is helpful, don't neglect your other muscle groups since you need your whole body for riding. Also, work on improving your endurance and stamina by getting in some aerobic exercise, like running, 3 times a week.
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Do stair exercises. Walk up to the stairs in your home-if you don't have any, a stair stepper will do or a stepladder if you have one. Stand on the stair closest to the ground. When you stand, hold onto the railing at first. Now, holding the railing, balance on only the balls of your feet. Slowly stretch down and lower your heels until you feel the stretch in your calves. Sound familiar? This is recreating the stirrup! Hold for ten seconds. This will not only improve your position, but your balance as well! Now, try letting go of the railing- this will take some practice. Try until you can balance for two seconds, then try five, then increase little by little as you improve. Try the wall strengthening exercise. This is a variation of the stair exercise. Walk up to any wall in your house and put your foot up against it about 1/2 to 3/4 of the position it would be in your stirrups. Hold for three seconds then release back against the wall. Repeat five times; as you get better you can increase amount of time with your foot up and how many you do in all. Try beach ball hip adductor exercises. Use any rubber or plastic ball as long as it is at least a foot in diameter. Find a hard chair that allows your knees to sit at right angles to the floor and then scoot to the edge of the chair so that your thighs are completely off of it. Squeeze the beach ball between your knees, hold for fifteen seconds, and then release. Do this a few times a day until 15 becomes easy, then increase to 20, then 30, and so on. This is a great way to increase your ability to hang on to your horse with your thighs. It increases the inner thigh muscles. You can also go to the gym and use what is called the "hip adductor" machine. Many equestrians who have had to take time off have noted that when they regularly use the hip adductor machine before getting back on a horse, they are more likely to feel fit and avoid the pain in the inner thighs when one gets back on a horse after a long time off. Spend five minutes two or three times a day doing sit ups. If you prefer other abdominal exercises like crunches, that's okay too. Good riding is abdominal riding. This means that you need to really use your abdominal muscles to balance yourself, while clinching the horse with the legs when needed. Doing sit-ups with a work-out ball is up to 20% more effective. Try using yoga poses. Even if you don't practice yoga regularly, holding a few key positions, like the boat, half-boat, or warrior, for a few seconds a day can improve your fitness. As an added bonus, doing these moves correctly can also strengthen your back and improve your posture! These also help open up the shoulders, which is good for people who do a lot of slouching. Practice good posture. It is easy to become complacent about posture when sitting at a computer or watching TV, but these are some of the best times to work out your back and shoulder muscles by simply sitting up straight and opening your chest. Riding is an aerobic activity, so the longer you are able to maintain your poster, the better equipped you will be for riding. Do reverse sit-ups. This is a good exercise for the back and core, and it doesn't require as much coordination as yoga. Lie with your back on the floor and your knees flexed. Now lift your knees towards your head instead of the other way around. Repeat as many times as you would do a normal sit up. This move is better for your abs and doesn't shorten your hip flexors. It's important that those are loose for riding. Try the plank position. This is often considered yoga move and it is great for your core muscles. Put yourself into the push-up position but instead of leaning on your hands, lean on your forearms. Push yourself up so that only the balls of your feet and your forearms are touching the floor. Contract your deep core muscles and keep your back flat, making sure to not let your lower back arch or your hips droop toward the floor. Hold for about 45 secs and repeat a few times a day. (If you can't do an elbow plank without your lower back hurting, start with an easier version, which is just holding the upper position of a push-up.) Try the plank on horseback in the jockey position, and grab the neck for comfort to the horse and the rider. This will gain the forearm to help you stay balanced on the horse for 20 secs. This is also good for people who are into show jumping and approaching a jump. Don’t neglect any muscle group. In riding it is necessary to have even toning all over your body. Do not neglect doing some upper body exercises. Many upper level riders have a small set of weights and lift them a few times a day. Do your own horse chores. Give your horse a good massage with a rubber curry comb. Carry your own water buckets and hay. Do chores around the barn like clean the horse's stall or paddock and wheel the wheelbarrow. All of these horse related activities are exercise and make the barn your free workout gym. Make sure you do aerobic exercise at least three times a week. You don't need to be aerobic shape to run a marathon, but you do need to be relatively slender and fit. Try to go on a 20-30 minute run three times a week to keep your endurance and stamina up and any extra weight off. Build muscle endurance. Endurance is a huge part of being a rider. Running should help with your aerobic endurance, but you need to build muscular endurance also. Try starting a weight lifting regimen with lower weights and high reps. Fitness is great but if you don't have endurance you can't go anywhere. Stretch! Always stretch before and after exercise. Take time to warm up and to cool down. Focus on stretches that target your groin and thighs, such as the butterfly stretch, to stay flexible and reduce stiffness. Be sure you do all of your stretches slowly and carefully. Studies have shown passive static stretching prior to a workout can reduce stability and strength. If you must stretch, warm up using dynamic stretches particularly for the inner thighs. Try doing pull ups, push ups, or other back-related workouts. Swimming is also a good option. Many beginner and intermediate riders focus too much on abdominal strength and end up leaning forward in the saddle. Counter this tendency by exercising back muscles and think "lean back" instead of "sit up" when on the horse.
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Do stair exercises. Try the wall strengthening exercise. Try beach ball hip adductor exercises. Spend five minutes two or three times a day doing sit ups. Try using yoga poses. Practice good posture. Do reverse sit-ups. Try the plank position. Don’t neglect any muscle group. Do your own horse chores. Make sure you do aerobic exercise at least three times a week. Build muscle endurance. Stretch! Try doing pull ups, push ups, or other back-related workouts.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Total-Cost
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How to Calculate Total Cost
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To calculate total cost for a personal budget, start by tracking your spending for 1 month to determine your average monthly expenses. Once you have a good idea of how much you spend in a typical month, figure out your total cost of living by tallying up all of your fixed costs, such as rent, utilities, phone bills, gasoline for the car, and groceries. Next, add up your variable costs for 1 month, such as nights out, clothing, and vacations. Finally, add your fixed costs to your variable costs to get your total costs.
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Calculate your fixed costs. Start finding your total cost of living by tallying up all of your fixed costs for the time period you're looking at. Note that most (but not all) personal budgets are calculated monthly. In this case, fixed costs are expenses that must be paid every month. These include rent, utilities, phone bills, gasoline for the car, groceries, and so on. Fixed costs do not change very much (if at all) from month to month.These are costs that don't increase or decrease depending on how much personal spending you do in a month — for instance, if you go on a shopping spree at your favorite clothing store, your rent won't go up. As an example, let's say that we need to put together a personal budget to save money. In our case, our fixed costs are: rent = $800, utilities = $250, phone bill = $25, internet bill = $35, gasoline for commuting to work = $200, and groceries = $900. Adding these up, we find that our total fixed costs are $2210. Add up your variable costs for one month. In contrast to fixed costs, variable costs depend on your lifestyle and include all expenses that are not strictly necessary, but that improve your quality of life. Variable costs include expenses like shopping trips, nights out, clothing (beyond what you need), vacations, parties, gourmet food, etc. Note that, even though expenses like utility bills can vary slightly from month to month, they aren't variable costs because they're not optional. In our example situation, let's say that our variable costs include: money for theater tickets = $25, weekend vacation = $500, dinner party for a friend's birthday = $100, and a new pair of shoes = $75. This would bring our total variable costs to $700. Add your fixed costs to your variable costs to get your total cost. Your total cost of living on your budget is the total amount of money you spent over a one month period. The formula for finding this is simply fixed costs + variable costs = total cost. Using the examples of fixed costs and variable costs given above, we would calculate our total cost as follows: $2210 (fixed costs) + $700 (variable costs) = $2910 (total cost). Track your spending to determine your monthly expenses. Unless you're already practicing very good financial habits, you may not keep track of every single expense in a given month. This means that you can run into problems when you have to total up all of your expenses at the end of the month. To remove guesswork from the equation, try actively tracking your expenses for one full month. After this, you'll have a good idea of your fixed costs, so you'll only need to track your variable costs in the future. Tracking fixed costs is easy — simply keep track of your housing expenses (rent, etc.) and save every major monthly bill you receive for that month and you'll have a good deal of the work done. Groceries can be a little messier to keep track of, but if you keep your receipts or monitor your checking account transactions online, it shouldn't be hard to get an accurate total. Tracking variable costs can be a little more difficult. If you use credit or debit cards to make all of your purchases, you can simply add your expenses at the end of the month by using your online banking profile (nearly all checking accounts and credit card accounts now give you this option for free.) On the other hand, if you make lots of cash or check purchases, you'll want to save your receipts or write down the amount of money you spend with each purchase. Add up your business's fixed costs. In the world of business, fixed costs are often referred to as overhead costs. This is the money the business needs to spend simply to keep operating. More accurately, we can say that fixed costs are the costs that do not increase or decrease as the business produces more or fewer goods and services. Fixed costs for a business are similar to (but not exactly the same as) those for a personal budget. A business's fixed costs include rent, utilities, building leases, equipment, machinery, insurance premiums, and labor not involved in the production of the goods and services. For example, let's say that we own a basketball factory. Our monthly fixed costs include: building lease = $4,000, insurance premiums = $1,500, loan payments = $3,000, and equipment = $2,500. In addition, we pay $7,000 per month for workers that don't directly affect the production of our basketballs — janitors, security guards and so on. Adding these up, we get a value for our fixed costs of $18,000. Figure out your variable costs. In business, variable costs are a little different than they are for personal budgets. A business's variable costs are the expenses that are directly affected by the amount of goods or services produced. In other words, the more a business creates (in terms of products produced, services rendered, and so on), the greater its variable costs will be. Variable costs for a business include things like raw materials, shipping expenses, labor that is involved in the production process, and so on. In addition, utilities can be a variable expense if they fluctuate with the output of your business. For example, since a robotic car factory uses a large amount of electricity and since the amount of electricity needed will increase as more cars are produced, utilities can be classified as a variable cost. In our basketball factory example, let's say that our variable costs include: rubber = $1,000, shipping = $2,000, factory worker wages = $10,000. In addition, our factory uses a large amount of natural gas for the rubber vulcanization process and this cost increases as production ramps up — this month's utilities bill was $3,000. Adding up our expenses, we get total variable costs of $16,000. Add your fixed and variable costs to determine your total cost. As with personal budgets, the formula for calculating a business's total costs is quite simple: Fixed Costs + Variable Costs = Total Cost. In our example, since our fixed costs are $18,000 and our variable costs are $16,000, our total monthly cost for the factory is $34,000. Find your business's costs on its income statement. Most businesses' fixed and variable costs can be found on their financial documents. Specifically, the income statement should contain all of the variable costs tied to the production of the business's goods and services in addition to crucial fixed costs like rent, utilities, and so on. The income statement is a standard financial document — nearly all businesses with some sort of accounting operation should have one. In addition, you may want to consult another document called a balance sheet to determine how much money the business needs to pay back in the future. The balance sheet contains (in addition to other important figures) a business's liabilities — the money it owes to others. This can help you determine your business's financial health: if you're just barely making enough money to meet your total cost and you have major liabilities, your business may be in an unfavorable position. Find the initial price of the investment. When it comes to determining the cost of an investment, your expenses usually don't begin and end with the money you put into the stock, mutual fund, etc. For people without direct access to the stock market (i.e., most ordinary people), it's necessary to use an investment adviser or broker to help build a portfolio and, because these experts don't work for free, the cost will be a little higher than the money set aside for the investment. Start determining the cost of your investment by identifying the amount of money you plan to use purely for the investment. As an example, let's say that we've recently inherited $20,000 from an obscure relative and that, rather than squandering it all on a luxurious vacation, we want to invest half of it in the stock market to get some long-term potential out of it. In this case, we'll say that we are investing $10,000. Account for any fees. As noted above, investment advisers don't usually work pro bono. Generally, an adviser will need to be paid in one of two ways: via a flat fee (usually hourly) or via a commission (usually a percentage of the investment). In both cases, determining the impact on the total cost is simple. For fee-based investment services, multiply the adviser's hourly rate by the amount of time spent on your portfolio and include any minor associated fees. For the purposes of our example, let's say that our chosen adviser charges $250/hour (not bad — prices can easily range to $500/hour). If she agrees that it will take two hours of work to put together our portfolio, her fee will be $500. Let's say we need to add $100 to this in the form of various minor fees and we get a total of $600. If necessary, add the commission. Another way to pay your adviser for handling your investments is in the form of a commission. This is generally a small percentage of whatever you buy through the adviser. The more money you invest, the smaller the percentage usually is. In our example, let's say that, on top of her flat fee, our adviser also charges a 1% commission. This is only for example purposes — in the real world, it's usually either one form of payment or the other, not both. In this case, since 2% of the $10,000 we want to invest is $200, we'll add this to our total cost. A word of caution: because their pay is determined by how much you buy and sell, some commissioned investment advisers have been known to act unethically, convincing clients to ditch old stocks and buy new ones frequently in an effort to line their own pockets. Only use the services of advisers that you know and trust. If all else fails, flat fee-paid advisers tend to have less of an incentive for conflicts of interest. Account for taxes. Finally, add the cost of any government taxes incurred as part of the investment process. In the U.S., taxes can be (and are) levied on investment income after you've already invested your money, but, when determining the total cost of an investment, you're generally more worried about taxes that are levied up-front. These can vary from locality to locality, so talk to a trusted investment adviser about your tax burden before you agree to invest. In our example, let's say that there is a 1% tax on all major investments (in the real world, again, this may or may not be the case where you live.) In this case, since 1% of $10,000 is $100 , we'll add this to our total cost. Add it all up. Once you know your initial investment, any associated fees and commissions, and any expected taxes, you're ready to find its total cost — simply add each individual cost together. Let's solve our example problem: Initial investment: $10,000 Fees: $600 Commission: $200 Taxes: $100 Total: $10,900
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Calculate your fixed costs. Add up your variable costs for one month. Add your fixed costs to your variable costs to get your total cost. Track your spending to determine your monthly expenses. Add up your business's fixed costs. Figure out your variable costs. Add your fixed and variable costs to determine your total cost. Find your business's costs on its income statement. Find the initial price of the investment. Account for any fees. If necessary, add the commission. Account for taxes. Add it all up.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Flirt-With-Your-Girlfriend
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How to Flirt With Your Girlfriend
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Flirting with your girlfriend is a fun and simple way to keep the flame alive in your relationship. Take opportunities to touch her and look at her, just to make her feel wanted. Try putting your arm around her when you're watching a movie or hug her from behind when she's standing at the kitchen counter. Even just smiling at her can go a long way! If you want to really turn on the romance, give her unique compliments from time to time to show you appreciate her. For example, don't just say, “You're beautiful.” Instead, try, “Sometimes I'm so captivated by how gorgeous you are. I can't stop staring at you today.” But don't just notice her physical attributes. Make sure to voice your appreciation for her personality and intellect as well. If you don't have a lot of time to talk on certain days, send her a sweet note to show you're thinking about her. It could be a simple “good morning” text or a note of encouragement on her car window.
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Show her that you're attracted to her. Go out of your way to touch her, look at her, and create sexual attention. Make her feel wanted! You may notice that you aren't doing these things because you're embarrassed, or insecure, or unsure of how she will react. If she is your girlfriend, and you've been intimate with each other, and you're attracted to her, then you don't need to hold back. Let your hormones take control from time to time, and show her that she is the object of your animal urges. Use your eyes. Let your gaze rest on her when she's working on something, when she's in the other room, or when she just looks particularly beautiful. Do not worry about being weird! You're attracted to her, and she's attracted to you, and there's nothing wrong with owning that dynamic by staring at her. When she asks you what you're looking at, tell her how beautiful she looks. Only say it if you truly mean it! Be confident. Do not hesitate to flirt with your girlfriend. She is your girlfriend because the two of you have entered into a verbal agreement – so there's a pretty good chance that she likes you and wants your attention. Many people find confidence sexy. Own it! Touch her. Don't be afraid to get casually physical. Touch is one of the most powerful ways to build attraction and sexual tension. However, it doesn't need to be overtly sexual. A light touch can be enough to signal that you're thinking about her, and it can go a long way toward reestablishing intimacy. Put your arm around her when you're watching a movie, or hug her from behind while she's standing at the counter. Run your fingers through her hair. Touch her arm, gently, when you pass her in the hall. Don't be afraid to get more sexual if you're comfortable being intimate with one another. Grab her butt, or caress her thigh. If you're in a private place: walk up behind her, put your hands around her waist, and grind slowly into her body. Hold her hand! This is a great way to flirt, and it can also break the touch barrier if you're in a new relationship. You don't need to come up with a reason to hold her hand; if you feel it, do it. Smile at her. Even if you are upset, or stressed out, or thinking about something else: take the time to be present and smile a lot in her presence. There's something about a guy's smile that can really turn a girl on. Girls like genuine smiles, not just flirtatious smiles. Don't try too hard on this one. Just think positive thoughts and let your face do the work. Appreciate her. Every day, find the opportunity to compliment her about small things: tell her that she's beautiful, or that you love it when she sings, or that you admire the way that she stood up to her frustrating boss. Don't just recycle the same compliments! Try to think of something new to say. This is not just about giving her a compliment – it's about challenging yourself to continually appreciate your girlfriend for the unique, beautiful, and always-growing human being that she is. Find unique and genuine ways to phrase your compliments. Don't just say, "You're really beautiful." Say, "Sometimes I am just so captivated by how gorgeous you are. I can't stop staring at you today." Don't just appreciate her physical beauty. Show her that you appreciate her personality, her creativity, her intellect – the things that really make her who she is. Try to compliment her on the qualities that you know are important to her. Declare your feelings for her. A romantic declaration isn't always as playful as some of the other flirting methods, but it can make your girlfriend feel warm, safe, and loved. She might even respond to your words with a physical demonstration of that love! It's always important to check in with your partner and affirm your feelings, especially if you think that she might feel insecure about the state of your relationship. Tell her that you love her, or that you really like her, or just that you think she's awesome. When you feel it, say it! Write notes. Send her a sweet "good morning" text message to wake up to. Leave a physical note on her bathroom mirror, her car window, or her locker at school. Make her a card, or draw her a picture, or write her a poem. Tell her that you love her, or that she is awesome, or that you're thinking of her. The medium and the message don't matter so much as the act of showing her that you care. If she is having a big day, write her a note that encourages her and inspires her. "Go get 'em, tiger! You're brilliant, and you're going to ace this test today!" or "You've got this. Play hard and good luck!" Give her something sweet. Bring her flowers, or a box of chocolates, or a book that you think she'd like. Bake something for her, or make something for her, or give her something pretty that you've found. You never need a reason to give your girlfriend a thoughtful gift. The gift can be something incredibly simple. When you meet up with her, bring her favorite snack or a bottle of her favorite drink. It is truly the thought that counts. Ask her what her favorite flower is. Not every girl has a favorite flower – but many do. You can use this knowledge again and again, or you can surprise her with new flower types that make you think of her. Consider hand-making something for her. Write her a song, or paint her a picture, or fold a piece of origami, or whittle her something from a piece of wood. She will appreciate the time you spend. Make her laugh. Using your sense of humor is a wonderful way to flirt around. It's good to be able to talk about serious things – but don't let your relationship itself become too starchy and serious! Relax and have fun every once in a while. Don't be afraid to get goofy and let your true self shine! Be present. Put away your phone, your computer, and your other devices when she's around. If you are always fixated on other things when you're hanging out with your girlfriend, she might feel as though you don't value her time. Listen to her, and make it clear that she has your full attention. This is one of the simplest ways to make your girlfriend—or anyone, really—feel wanted and appreciated. Keep perspective. Your phone isn't going to go anywhere. You can call that person back. Indeed, it can be a great, simple romantic gesture if you make a show of seeing your phone buzz, then decisively turning it off and putting it away. If you absolutely need to take a call or send a text, just explain yourself and get it over with. Say, "I'm sorry to be rude and text while we're at dinner! I just want to send this quick text to my brother so that I can give you my full attention." Take her out. Set some plans in advance, but remember to be spontaneous! Create new experiences together, and make her feel as though her life is an adventure. This can be as simple as a trip to the movies, or as involved as a spur-of-the-moment trip to Hawaii. It can be easy to fall into a routine when you're always going to the same places and doing the same things together. She's your girlfriend, now, but that doesn't mean that you should stop dating her! Take her on a trip for the day or the weekend. Go camping, or to the beach, or to a new city. Shake the patterns of the everyday, and see how it spices up your love life! Find something that neither of you have ever done before. Explore the world together. Choose experiences that enrich and excite you both. Surprise her. Not every girl likes surprises. If she does, however, a mystery date or an unexpected visit to her workplace can be a great way to show her that you're thinking about her. Building anticipation can also be a great way to create sexual tension and get her thinking about you.
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Show her that you're attracted to her. Use your eyes. Be confident. Touch her. Smile at her. Appreciate her. Declare your feelings for her. Write notes. Give her something sweet. Make her laugh. Be present. Take her out. Surprise her.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-British-Shorthair-Cat
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How to Identify a British Shorthair Cat
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To identify a British shorthair cat, look at the cat's face and head to see if it has broad and round ears, wide jowls, a short nose, and chubby cheeks, which are all defining traits of British shorthairs. You should also look for a thick tail, broad shoulders, and a full chest since British shorthairs usually have a stocky build. Also, note how long the cat's coat is and what color it is. If it's short and grayish blue, white, black, calico, or amber, you could be looking at a British shorthair.
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Look at the cat’s face and head. The British shorthair cat has a chubby face with chipmunk cheeks. Look also for a rounded contour to the face, with wide jowls and a generally wide head. The head should sit atop a neck that is short but thick. The cat's ears are broad and round. The nose of the British shorthair cat is short. A cluster of whiskers protrudes from just below and to either side of the nose. The British shorthair cat's default facial expression is in dispute. Some describe the cat as having a happy smile, while others contend that it has a sour expression. Check the cat’s body. The British shorthair cat has a stocky and broad-shouldered build and a full chest. It has a thick tail that tapers to a round tip. Look at the cat’s legs. To identify a British shorthair cat, look for short, strong legs. They have rounded paws at the end of each of their four legs. Examine the coat. The British shorthair cat, as its name implies, has a short coat. The coat is quite dense, however, and its short length does not prevent it from shedding heavily. It has a crisp or plush feel to it. The cat's coat is often a grayish blue, but it could be spotted, white, black, calico, cream, or amber, too. Look at the cat’s eyes. The eyes of the British shorthair cat are large and round. They tend to be copper or deep gold in color. Occasionally, British shorthair cats will have blue or deep green eyes. Weigh the cat. Male British shorthair cats weigh about nine to seventeen pounds (4.1 to 7.7 kg) when full-grown. Females weigh between seven and twelve pounds (3.2 to 5.4 kg). Weigh your cat when it is fully grown to determine whether it could be a British shorthair cat. Monitor the cat’s health. British shorthair cats tend to be quite healthy. There is, however, a small chance of the cat developing polycystic kidney disease, which can cause cysts in the kidney. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy might also be inherited in British shorthairs. If you're worried about your cat's health, talk to your vet about getting a genetic test to check for the likelihood of inherited health problems. DNA testing can also help determine the breed. British shorthairs are susceptible to developing cataracts. If you get a British shorthair, make sure to take it to a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Do a DNA test on the cat. DNA tests are usually used to check for hereditary diseases in cats, but it also can help you tell whether the cat is a British shorthair or not. Talk to your vet for more information regarding DNA tests for cats. If you are buying the cat from a reputable breeder, they should have done genetic testing already. Ask them if you can see the test results. Observe the cat’s demeanor. The British shorthair cat is known for being serious, thoughtful, and solitary. It tends to have a low energy level and is quite mellow. This breed can be quite affectionate and is generally agreeable, with few owners reporting problems between the cat and other pets or people in the house. Test the cat’s interest level in being carried. British shorthair cats do not like being carried. If you pick the cat up and find that it squirms, mewls, or makes other indications that it is uncomfortable being carried, you might have a British shorthair cat on your hands. British shorthair cats are also unlikely to enjoy sitting on your lap. Don’t try using the frequency of the cat’s meowing to identify it. There is some disagreement about whether or not British shorthair cats are very vocal. Some suggest that they are relatively quiet cats and rarely meow. Other people believe that the cats are among some of the most vocal. For this reason, avoid drawing any conclusion about your cat's identity based on its vocalization habits. Locate a reputable breeder. Buy your British shorthair cat from a breeder recognized as trustworthy by the International Cat Association, the Cat Fanciers Association, or a similar organization. This way, you will be sure to get a cat that has been raised properly and had its health certified. You could also ask your local veterinarian which breeders are reputable. British shorthairs are relatively rare, and you're unlikely to find one in a shelter. You might occasionally see one available in local classified ads or at pet shops, but the best way to get a healthy cat is to obtain one through an ethical and reputable breeder. Look for red flags. When buying a British shorthair cat, be on the lookout for breeders who have kittens available all the time or have multiple litters available. The ability to pay online with a credit card should also be considered a warning sign. Check the conditions. When shopping for a British shorthair cat, keep an eye on the environment the cat is kept in. If the cats are isolated in cramped cages or pens, or if their living conditions are unsanitary and dirty, you should not buy a British shorthair from that breeder. Cats raised in such conditions are harder to socialize later, and could suggest health problems. Don’t rush the purchase. Sometimes you will have to wait many months before you can get the cat you want from a breeder. Reputable breeders will not sell kittens until they've been weaned from their mothers after they're 12 to 16 weeks old. Spend time researching exactly what you want in your British shorthair cat and locate a trustworthy breeder who will work with you.
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Look at the cat’s face and head. Check the cat’s body. Look at the cat’s legs. Examine the coat. Look at the cat’s eyes. Weigh the cat. Monitor the cat’s health. Do a DNA test on the cat. Observe the cat’s demeanor. Test the cat’s interest level in being carried. Don’t try using the frequency of the cat’s meowing to identify it. Locate a reputable breeder. Look for red flags. Check the conditions. Don’t rush the purchase.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Show-Respect
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How to Show Respect
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To show respect, try to be sincere and a good listener when you talk to people since it shows that you care about what they're saying. Also, compliment people when they do something impressive so they know their hard work didn't go unnoticed. If someone helps you out, send them a thank you note and offer to return the favor. Just make sure you follow through on your promise or you could come across as disrespectful.
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Show gratitude. Thank people for their assistance and their support on a regular basis. It's important to remember all the people who've helped you on your journey. Show respect by saying thanks. Even if there's not an obvious occasion for thanks, showing it regularly will mean a lot to people. Send letters, calls, emails and texts to people you've lost touch with. It doesn't need to take more than a few minutes to express yourself. Remember to thank your: Parents Siblings Co-workers Classmates Friends Teachers Neighbors Compliment the achievements of others. When others are successful, draw attention to it and celebrate their ability and their achievement. Learn to recognize when other people put forth extra effort and achieve something and praise them for it with sincerity. Take them aside and do it in private, so your compliments will seem genuine. Instead of making your first reaction, "Why didn't that happen to me?" try saying "That's so great for them!" Keeping a positive attitude will focus attention away from yourself and spread goodwill. If someone you respect seems to be having a rough time, or seems to have less to compliment than others, make an extra effort to compliment their effort, their attitude, or other positive attributes. Be sincere. While it's important to thank people and praise others, most people don't usually respect brown-nosing. Be genuine in your thanks and in showing your respect to other people's effort. Speak from the heart. Even something as simple as "It's always good to see you" can mean a lot and show lots of respect. It doesn't need to be complicated. Do what you say you'll do. If you commit to an event or make plans with someone, come through on your end of the deal. Being reliable shows respect for people's time, and shows that you're making a special effort to be there for them. Respect other people's efforts by being on time, being prepared, and being enthusiastic. Always come to work, school, or sports practice ready to go. Have your materials in order and complete all the necessary work ahead of time. You'll show respect for others by not wasting their time. It can seem like telling someone "No" will be disrespectful, but you've also got to learn to be consistent and realistic with your abilities. It's hard to respect flakiness. Offer your assistance. Go out of your way to help people when it seems like they need it, especially if it isn't required of you. Volunteer to help your friend move, or stay late to help clean up after school events. Go above and beyond. Even helping your little brother with his homework or helping your dad clean the yard without being asked shows a tremendous amount of respect. If it seems like one of your friends or neighbors is feeling down or going through a rough patch, give them the encouragement that they might need. Learning to say, "You've got this" can make all the difference in the world for someone who might be struggling. Respect the abilities of others. Offering too much help can sometimes be disrespectful. Sometimes, it's also smart to take a step back and let other people prove themselves and take care of manageable situations or problems on their own. Try to recognize when someone is capable of doing something on his or her own and mind your own business to show that person the respect he or she deserves. There's a big difference between offering to help someone emotionally when he or she is going through a bad break-up and insisting on helping someone make cereal. Be a good listener. Practice active listening to show people that you have respect for their opinions and ideas. Watch and be quiet when someone else is talking and spend time thinking actively about what they're saying. Too often, we wait to talk instead of really listening to other people's ideas. Even if you think you disagree, try to consider the point of view and empathize with it before responding. You're showing respect to the person by hearing them out and letting them make their own case. You might be surprised. Ask lots of questions. To show respect for other peoples' opinions, question them. Ask open-ended, leading questions that show you're fully engaged with their ideas and that you're listening closely. Questioning doesn't mean that you're trying to poke holes in their story, or that you don't believe them. Ask for more when it seems like they might have more to give. Instead of asking for more details, ask about how someone feels about a particular topic. If someone's telling a story, ask "How'd you feel afterwards?" Even if you think you know, let them tell you. Let them make their own case. Learn to spread the wealth. If it seems like someone isn't talking much in a group conversation, ask them a specific question to open the door for communication. You don't need to draw attention to it by saying something like, "You're awfully quiet, Steve" just say, "Steve, what did you think of the Super Bowl?" Learn about the perspectives of others. Learning to empathize with other people who have very different experiences and perspectives than your own will help you learn to show respect. Be proud of your own opinions and perspectives, but don't assume everyone feels the same way and avoid putting them in an awkward position. Temper your attitudes and learn where people are coming from before you share your opinions so you can know how to respond. While it might seem easy to make a casual comment about how "dumb" football is in a mixed group, you can never know if someone's recently-deceased grandfather made a living as a ref and loved the sport dearly. Pick your battles. Sometimes it shows respect to speak up and voice your opinion, as a way of respecting the intelligence of others. On the other hand, sometimes it's better to hold back on your opinions and avoid unnecessary arguments that raise tempers. Showing respect Try softening your arguments the first time you bring something up. If you think college football is a vicious and disgusting money trench, package that message in a respectful way and voice it, even if others will disagree: "It worries me that so much money is funneled into student athletes at the expense of other more important things. What do you think?" Show respect for their opinion by sharing your own and listening to their argument. Perhaps there's little use in arguing with your great uncle about gay marriage for the umpteenth time. Will it be worth it to bring it up at the dinner table? Respectfully disagree. When you have to dissent, do it calmly and by treating your conversation with tact. Respect the perspective of the other person. Don't insult their opinion or ideas, even if you disagree with them. Try to acknowledge common ground before adding your disagreement. Straight with praise and then move to your addition to the conversation. Even something as simple as "That's a good point. I think I'm seeing it a little differently though..." does the trick in lightening your disagreement. Be specific with your critique, avoiding simple or insulting language like "You're wrong" or "That's dumb." Take care of yourself. To show respect for yourself, Try to give yourself the same consideration that you give everyone else. Don't short-change your own ideas and wants at the expense of others. You're worth it. Know when to ask for help. Have respect for your own abilities and skills, but learn to recognize when you're out of your element. Don't make it harder on yourself than you need to. Treat yourself to well-deserved trips and gifts every now and again. Spend time with your friends and do fun things in your free time. Avoid self-destructive behaviors. Drinking to excess on a regular basis or habitually self-deprecating yourself will tear you down in mind and body. Try to work actively to build yourself up and surround yourself with encouraging, enlightening, helpful people. Are your friends the kind of people you want to be around? Do they ever criticize you or Try to keep you down? Consider moving on. Stay healthy. Make regular visits to the doctor to make sure you're healthy and fit. Take care of health problems as soon as they arise and don't put off "bad news." Avoiding the doctor's office because you don't like it isn't showing respect for yourself and your own well-being. Exercise regularly and eat well. Start developing easy routines, even walking a few miles a day or doing some light stretches to get in touch with your body and maintain it. Cut out junk foods and eat a variety of nourishing foods. Stand up for yourself. When you want something, go out and get it. Don't let your fear about stepping on toes get in the way of making things happen that will better your life and achieve something positive for yourself. If you've got an opinion, share it. If you want to change jobs, start a band, or take up acting in your 40s, do it. Make a decision and follow through. Be ambitious. We all get caught in ruts, many of them of our own making. Develop plans for yourself and specific steps for carrying them out. Plot an upward trajectory for yourself to keep yourself moving forward in life and staying satisfied. Show respect for yourself by being the best version of yourself you can be. Consider making a five-year plan to get where you want to go. If you're a student, what are your college plans? Your after college plans? How might you realistically achieve those goals? If you're in the working world, are you happy in your job? Are you doing what you love? What would it take to get paid for your passion? How long would it take to make it happen? Is it possible? Answer these questions honestly and specifically to develop a plan of success. Don't judge people before you get to know them. Give people the benefit of the doubt, even people of whom you might have a bad first impression. Everyone is fighting a big fight. Assume they have good reasons for being the way they are, doing what they do, and believing what they believe. Decide to like people. It's too easy to come up with reasons to dislike someone, to disrespect someone, or to dismiss them. Instead, look for the spark and the warmth in people. Decide to like them, and it'll be much easier to show respect. Translate a person's quirks into strengths to help change your attitude. Instead of thinking, "That person is mouthy and egotistical" say "That person really speaks her mind. I like that spark." If you can't say anything nice...well, you know . Keep a lid on it sometimes. Learn to distinguish between confrontations that need to happen and silly arguments. You'll keep yourself sane and earn the respect of others by learning to keep quiet. Don't get dragged into the muck. Worry about your own backyard. Don't get mixed up in other peoples' business and create unnecessary enemies. Busybodies make quick enemies, usually because there's not enough going on to keep them occupied. Stay busy and keep your life full of interesting and engaging activities so you don't have the time and energy to worry about what your neighbors are doing, or how your classmates are doing on their homework. Take up new hobbies and spend less time on Facebook. Getting your stalk on is a good time filler, but it can breed resentments and jealousies where none need be. Reach out. Giving people you don't like the cold shoulder may be the easiest way to avoid confrontations, but it can also be cruel and rude, especially in school or at work where everyone likes to feel included. You don't have to be best friends, but respect people by including them. Aim for at least one friendly attempt with people you don't especially like. "How are you today?" will at least show that you're trying. You might even change the way you feel.
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Show gratitude. Compliment the achievements of others. Be sincere. Do what you say you'll do. Offer your assistance. Respect the abilities of others. Be a good listener. Ask lots of questions. Learn about the perspectives of others. Pick your battles. Respectfully disagree. Take care of yourself. Avoid self-destructive behaviors. Stay healthy. Stand up for yourself. Be ambitious. Don't judge people before you get to know them. Decide to like people. If you can't say anything nice...well, you know Worry about your own backyard. Reach out.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Pinto-Beans
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How to Grow Pinto Beans
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To grow pinto beans, start by planting them in the spring in a sunny, outdoor area. Then, once the seedlings sprout, thin them out so there's about 6 inches of space between each one. Next, continue to water the beans whenever the soil dries out, and apply a fertilizer that's rich in phosphorous and potassium halfway through the growing season. Finally, harvest the beans after 90-150 days, or whenever they dry out.
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Plant in the spring. Plan on planting your pinto beans after the danger of frost has completely passed. Pinto beans need soil temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) to germinate properly. These plants also need between 80 and 140 days without frost to reach full maturity. Select a planting site that receives full sun. To mature properly, pinto bean plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Make sure that you have not grown other legumes in your chosen planting site within the past three years. Amend the soil. The soil needs to be loose, well draining, and fertile. Consider mixing mature compost into the soil to improve these properties before planting the beans. Also note that the soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. If the soil tests below 6.0, add lime or wood ash to raise it. If the soil tests above 7.0, add organic matter like pine needles or peat moss to lower it. You can also consider adding pinto bean inoculant to the soil. Doing so is not especially vital, but it often helps the plant fix its own nitrogen more effectively. Make sure that the compost and other amendments reach a depth of 6 inches (15 cm) within the soil. Choose your bean type. Pinto beans come in bush and pole varieties. Bush beans are easier to grow but produce a smaller yield. Pole beans require the use of a stake, trellis, or similar support system but tend to produce more. Soak the beans. Place the beans you intend to plant in a shallow dish of water and allow them to soak overnight the evening before you plan on sowing them. The beans should soak anywhere from 8 to 24 hours before you plant them. Soaking the beans will prepare them for germination. Install a support system, if necessary. If you are planting pole beans instead of bush beans, install a trellis, stake, or vegetable cage before you plant the beans. The support system you use should be 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m) tall. Ideally, the texture of the surface should be fairly rough since this will make it easier for the vines to climb it. Space the holes 3 inches (7. 5 cm) apart. Each hole should be 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep. Pinto bean plants do not transplant well, so you should plant the seeds directly in the soil instead of trying to start them early indoors. Sow the seeds. Place one bean in each hole. The eye of the pinto bean should face down. For standard or light soils, cover the sown seeds with a loose layer of garden soil. If your soil is notably heavy, though, cover the seeds with sand, peat moss, vermiculite, or mature compost, instead. Water as needed. You should not drench the seeds, but you do need to make sure that the soil is adequately moist to promote better germination. Water the seeds well immediately after planting them. If you have not received much or any rain, water the seeds a second time three to four days after planting. Thin out the seedlings. When the seedlings have established themselves, thin them out, leaving only 6 inches (15 cm) or so between them. Consider adding a little extra space to this if you are growing bush beans instead of pole beans. Pinto beans will usually take between 8 and 14 days to germinate when the soil temperature consistently falls within a range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 27 degrees Celsius). Water sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out before watering the plants again. Pinto beans can survive in mild drought, but if the roots become soggy, they can rot away. Apply water at the base of the plant, directly to the soil. Avoid getting the leaves wet since this can lead to mildew and similar fungal disease. You should also water early in the morning to allow the plant and soil enough time to dry before the cool dampness of evening sets in. Pinto beans should receive an average of 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week. Withholding water is especially important once the bean pods begin maturing since doing so can help the beans dry on the plant. Apply mulch. Mulch can keep the soil warm for a longer period, thereby extending the growing season. It can also help prevent or minimize weeds. Mulch can also help prevent bean pods from rotting if any low growing ones touch the ground, and it promotes consistent soil moisture. Black plastic mulch works especially well. Organic mulches, like weathered straw, untreated lawn clippings, and shredded bark are also great choices. The mulch should be 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) deep. Add the mulch shortly after the soil has warmed. When weeds do pop up, carefully pull them out by hand. These plants have shallow root systems that can be disturbed very easily. It may even be best to simply shave off the top of the weeds using a shallow stroke with a garden hoe. These weeds may re-sprout from the roots, but they will eventually die off, and the roots of the bean plant will ultimately be safer. Fertilize once. Apply a compost tea or similar fertilizer roughly halfway through the growing season. The best fertilizers for pinto beans will be rich in phosphorus and potassium. Pinto beans provide their own nitrogen, so you should usually avoid fertilizers that are nitrogen-rich. If the leaves begin to pale, though, the plant may not have enough nitrogen, in which case you should apply an organic fertilizer like fish emulsion that can offer a quick dose of nitrogen. Train the vines. If you have planted pole beans, you will need to train the vines to grow vertically during the first few weeks. Tie the vines to the support system you installed using soft twine or small bits of cloth. As the vines extend further, tie them higher along the support system. Never stretch the vines to the point of breaking, though. After a few weeks, the plant will usually begin to grow vertically on its own and may no longer need training. Look out for pests and disease. Pinto beans are weak against fungal diseases and several pests, including aphids, leaf hoppers, mites, and beetles. Prevent most fungal diseases by avoiding wet foliage and waterlogged roots. Good air circulation should also help prevent diseases like blights and mosaic disease. When you spot pests, use organic pesticide sprays, pick them off by hand, or spray them off with a garden hose. Rabbits and deer can also pose a threat to your pinto beans since they eat away the leaves. If these animals start causing problems, install pest netting or fencing to keep them out of your plants. Fungicides may be used if you spot signs of fungal disease, but you should select an organic fungicide if you plan to actually harvest and consume the pinto beans later. Wait until the beans dry out. Most pinto beans will reach this stage between 90 and 150 days. Bush beans mature at once, giving you a single harvest. Pole beans yield several harvests and should be picked regularly so that more beans can grow. Note that mature beans can barely be dented when bitten. If the weather starts getting damp before the seeds fully dry, pull the entire plant after most of the foliage has already died and hang it by its roots in a well-ventilated, dry location. The bean pods can finish drying this way. Shell the pods. You can shell pinto bean pods individually by hand or in batches. To shell the beans in batches, place the pods in an old pillowcase and walk on it for a minute or so, crushing the pods open. You can remove the chaff by pouring the beans back and forth between two containers or by letting them sit out in a breezy area. Freeze the beans temporarily. Place the beans in a freezer-safe container and let them sit in your freezer for several hours before transferring them to long-term storage. This added step can help prevent problems with weevils and similar pests. Store the beans in a cool location. Place the shelled, cool beans in airtight jars and store them in a dry, cool place, like a pantry or cellar. Dried pinto beans will usually last at least one year if stored properly but may last even longer.
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Plant in the spring. Select a planting site that receives full sun. Amend the soil. Choose your bean type. Soak the beans. Install a support system, if necessary. Space the holes 3 inches (7. Sow the seeds. Water as needed. Thin out the seedlings. Water sparingly. Apply mulch. Fertilize once. Train the vines. Look out for pests and disease. Wait until the beans dry out. Shell the pods. Freeze the beans temporarily. Store the beans in a cool location.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Blinds
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How to Install Blinds
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To install blinds, start by making marks on the wall where you want to hang the blinds, either inside the window frame or on the wall above it, depending on your preference. Next, open the door on the each mounting bracket and line it up with the mark you made. Then, attach the brackets by drilling screws through the holes on the back of the bracket. Once the brackets are attached, snap the valance clips onto the head rail of the blinds before placing the rail into the brackets. Finally, close the bracket doors and attach the valance to the head rail.
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Measure your windows. You need to do this to make sure that you buy the correct size of blind. Use a measuring tape to determine the size of the window. You can either mount your blinds on the inside or on the outside of the casing. If you hang your blinds on the outside, your window (and the blinds) will look larger. Hanging the blinds on the inside gives your window a slimmer look. Inside mounts also allow more light to shine around the edges of the blinds. Measuring for an outside mount : Measure along the outside edges of the casing that surrounds the window. Measure the exact length from the top of the casing to the bottom of the casing (or to the sill if your window has one). Measuring for an inside mount : Put your measuring tape inside the casing where the glass of the window meets the casing. Measure the width of the window at the top, middle and bottom. If there is any difference in the numbers, use the smallest figure to base your measurements off of. Purchase your blinds according the measurements you made. There are many different kinds of blinds to choose from--vinyl, PV, aluminum, wood--and the choice you make will have to be based on personal preference. If you plan on putting aluminum blinds in a nursery or your child's room, make sure that the blinds you choose are painted with certified lead-free paint. Make your mounting marks. Unpack your blinds and make sure all of the parts are there. If there are instructions that come with your blinds, follow them along with the steps listed here. You will need to make some pencil marks so that you know where to place your brackets. For an outside mount : Hold the blind up so that the head rail (the top part of the blind) is centered and leveled with your window's casing (the two vertical slats that form the 'frame' of the window). Make a pencil mark right below the head rail on each side of the casing. You should also make a mark ¼ of an inch past the end of each head rail. For an inside mount : Place the head rail inside the casing. It should be level--keep your handrail level, even if your window is not. Make pencil marks below the head rail on each end. Open the bracket door and hold the end brackets in place. Place them inside the pencil marks you have made. There are two open sides to the bracket--one of them should face out towards you, while the other should face in towards the center of the window. The bracket door must face towards the inside of the room. If your bracket door is tricky to use, consider trying to open it with one of your fingers and a screwdriver. Mark where you will be drilling. Using your pencil, mark the spots where you will need to drill your pilot holes (there should be two of them). You should choose two diagonal holes to drill into so that your brackets are sturdier. Take the brackets away and hold up a level to the two holes are even. For an outside mount: The brackets should be placed on the outside face of the window casing on both sides of the window. For an inside mount : The brackets should be placed up against the inside top corner of each side of the window. Drill the holes for the screws. Each bracket comes with two screws. If you are drilling into wood, use a 1/16-inch diameter drill bit to make a hole that is slightly smaller than the screw that you will use to secure your bracket. Replace the bracket and drill your screws into place. If you are drilling into drywall, plaster, concrete, tile, stone, or brick, use appropriate screws, anchors, or plugs and follow the specific instructions that come with them. Snap the valance clips in place. Valance clips are used to attach the head rail to the valance. The valance is what covers the head rail and makes it look a bit more decorative. The valance clips should be snapped over the front lip of the head rail before the head rail is inserted into the bracket. Your blinds may be made up of 'ladders' of blinds. If this is the case, snap each valance clip into place next to the top of each ladder--not directly on top of it. If they are put directly over each ladder, the valance clips might get caught in the cords of the blinds. Place the head rail into the brackets. Once you have finished drilling the brackets into place, make sure the bracket doors are wide open and then insert the head rail into the brackets. When you have situated the head rail, snap the bracket doors closed. You should hear an audible snapping noise. Attach the valance. Place the valance along the head rail in the position you would like it to be in. Rest it on top of the valance clips. When you have positioned it the way you would like it be, press gently down so that the valance clips snap into the valance, holding it in place. Secure the blind wand. If your blinds came with a wand for opening and closing them, and it did not come pre-attached, attach it now. Push the plastic sleeve of the hook up, insert the wand's end into the hook, and then slide the plastic covering back down.
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Measure your windows. Make your mounting marks. Open the bracket door and hold the end brackets in place. Mark where you will be drilling. Drill the holes for the screws. Snap the valance clips in place. Place the head rail into the brackets. Attach the valance. Secure the blind wand.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-Coral
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How to Feed Coral
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To feed your coral directly, first purchase some coral food, which you'll use to feed it 2-3 times a week. When you buy the food, you'll need to get at least 3 different types to mix together, such as copepods, rotifers, and marine plankton, which will give your coral some nutritional variety. Once you have your coral's food, follow the serving size instructions and mix the 3 types together in a small bowl with a little bit of salt water from your aquarium. Then, let the food mixture soak for 10 minutes to allow it to dissolve into the water. When you're ready to feed your coral, use a pipette to gently squirt a small amount of the food mixture near each polyp of your coral.
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Use an aquarium lamp with a timer to simulate night and day. All coral rely on photosynthesis for part of their nutritional needs. An aquarium light with a timer will allow your coral to feed itself. Coral photosynthesize through zooxanthellae algae, which grows on their surface and gives coral their vivid colors. Light alone will keep most coral alive but will not allow them to thrive. Keep fish and other microfauna in your coral aquarium. The waste products of these creatures will be used to indirectly feed your coral. Damselfish, Clownfish, Blue Green Chromis, and Firefish all fit in well with a coral environment. Microfauna are the critters that live alongside coral in the ocean. Sponges, sea squirts, and marine worms are microfauna that will thrive alongside your coral and help to keep them healthy and well-fed. Purchase fish foods that can also be eaten by coral. These include phytoplankton, krill, shrimp, squid, or clams. Feed your fish. Feed your fish using the instructions on the box. Small bits of the food will naturally drift in the water, allowing your coral to eat it up. Leave your fish and other microfauna in the aquarium with your coral. The fish will digest the food and excrete detritus and dissolved organic compounds. Your coral will naturally feed on this residue. Feed your coral directly if necessary. If you notice your coral looking unhealthy, you may need to feed them directly. Feed your coral two to three times a week. Wait one to two days between each feeding. You should notice an improvement in your coral's health. Purchase coral foods with different particle sizes. Coral polyps come in many different shapes and sizes. Smaller polyps will not be able to take in large particles of food, while larger polyps will prefer large particles of food. Mixing together a variety of foods with different particle sizes will give you the best results. Three foods with different particle sizes is enough to feed most coral. There are many options for coral foods. Any combination of copepods, rotifers, and marine plankton, will work. Refer to the food containers for serving sizes. Different foods with different particle sizes will have different serving sizes. It's important to get the serving sizes right so you don't end up with extra food floating around in your tank. Overfeeding your coral can lead to a buildup of nitrates in your aquarium. Nitrates are toxic to coral. If you stick to the serving sizes on the food containers, this won't be a problem. Mix the three foods together with saltwater from your aquarium. Measure out the serving sizes for each of your three foods. Place in a bowl or other container. Mix in enough salt water to soak all of the foods. Let the food mixture soak for 10 minutes. This will allow the food to dissolve into the saltwater. It's OK to let it soak for more than 10 minutes. Just don't let it soak for less than 10 minutes. If you make extra food, you can store it in your refrigerator in a sealed container. Turn off the flow in your tank. This will allow you to target feed each coral without the food drifting away. Keep the lights on. Feed your coral at the end of the day when the daytime lights on your aquarium are still running. You want to mimic a natural environment as much as possible in your aquarium. Coral are most active in the evening before the sun goes down. Feeding your coral in the evening will ensure they absorb the most nutrients. If you forget to feed your coral in the evening, it's OK to do a make-up feeding during the day. Fill a baster or coral feeding pipette with the food mixture. You can use a regular cooking baster for this or purchase a specialized pipette. You can fill it all up at once or fill it with a small amount of food and feed one coral at a time. Target feed your coral. Place the tip of the baster or pipette into the tank. Get the tip close to the individual polyps. Squirt a small amount of the food mixture near each polyp. Squirt the food mixture out gently so you don't damage your coral. Turn the flow back on in your tank. This will allow fish in your saltwater tank to feed on the leftover coral food and will help to keep the aquarium clean.
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Use an aquarium lamp with a timer to simulate night and day. Keep fish and other microfauna in your coral aquarium. Purchase fish foods that can also be eaten by coral. Feed your fish. Leave your fish and other microfauna in the aquarium with your coral. Feed your coral directly if necessary. Feed your coral two to three times a week. Purchase coral foods with different particle sizes. Refer to the food containers for serving sizes. Mix the three foods together with saltwater from your aquarium. Let the food mixture soak for 10 minutes. Turn off the flow in your tank. Keep the lights on. Fill a baster or coral feeding pipette with the food mixture. Target feed your coral. Turn the flow back on in your tank.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Mattress
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How to Clean a Mattress
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Before you clean a mattress, remove all of the sheets, blankets, and pillows that are covering the bed. Vacuum the mattress to remove any dust, hair, and other debris. If there are any spills on the mattress that are still wet, blot the area with a clean, damp cloth. If there are stains which have set in, dip a toothbrush into a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap, then gently scrub away the stains. To deodorize the mattress, sprinkle baking soda across the surface, then vacuum it away about 30 minutes later. Remake the bed with clean sheets.
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Remove pillows and decorations from the bed. Before you can clean the mattress, you must remove everything that's covering it. Start by removing the top layer of items, including pillows, decorative pillows, blankets, toys, and other objects. When you remove your pillows for sleeping, take the pillow cases off and throw them in the laundry basket. Fold up blankets and move items from the bed to a different part of the room so they're out of the way when you clean. Strip the linens. Once all the decorative items, pillows, and covers are off the bed, remove any sheets that are covering the mattress. This includes top sheets, fitted sheets, and any mattress protector you may have installed. Throw fabric sheets into the laundry basket along with the pillow cases. Wash your bedding and linens. When everything is off the bed and the mattress is bare, you can begin the cleaning process. Wash the sheets, linens, and pillow cases in the washing machine while the mattress is being cleaned. That way, you'll start with a completely fresh bed. Read and follow care labels when washing any fabrics. Use the hottest water and dryer settings possible to kill any bacteria or dust mites that may be hiding in your linens. If you use a duvet, remove the cover and wash it with the linens as well. Vacuum. The first step to cleaning your mattress is vacuuming. This will remove mites, dust, dead skin, hair, and other debris from the mattress. Use a wide brush attachment to vacuum the top of the mattress. Use the long upholstery nozzle to get into cracks, to vacuum edges and piping, and to clean the sides and corners. Before vacuuming, make sure the nozzle and brush attachments are completely clean. Address fresh spills. Any recent spills that are still wet should be cleaned immediately. Get a clean cloth damp with cold water. Blot the spill with the damp cloth. Do not rub or scrub the spill, as this can push it farther into the mattress. Keep blotting until you've absorbed all the excess liquid. Spot clean stains. Combine 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of liquid dish soap in a small bowl. Use a spoon to stir them together and creates suds. Dip an old toothbrush into the suds. Gently scrub the suds into affected areas of the mattress. Wipe away excess cleaner with a clean, damp cloth. This solution will be effective to treat stains from dirt, food, drinks. You can also cover the stain with oxidizing bleach. Let it soak into the mattress for about 15 minutes and then scrub it away with water. For a memory foam mattress, use only the smallest amount of cleaner possible, because memory foam should never get wet. Clean biological stains with enzyme cleaner. Spray some enzyme cleaner onto a clean cloth. Blot the stain with the cloth to saturate it. Let the enzyme cleaner sit for about 15 minutes. Blot the area with the same cloth to remove the stain. Blot the area with a clean cloth that's damp with cold water. Don't spray liquid cleaners directly onto the mattress. Mattresses aren't designed to get wet, especially memory foam, so use as little cleaner as necessary to treat the stains. An enzyme cleaner will break down the proteins in blood, urine, sweat, vomit, oil, grease, and other biological stains. It can also help get rid of any odors. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress. Once you've dealt with stains, you can clean and deodorize the entire mattress. To do this, sprinkle a generous dusting of baking soda over the entire surface of the mattress. To give your mattress a fresh smell, stir five drops of your favorite essential oil into the baking soda before sprinkling it onto the mattress. To apply the baking soda more evenly, pour it into a sifter first, and distribute it over the mattress using the sifter. Give the baking soda time to absorb odors. Let the baking soda sit on the mattress for at least 30 minutes. This will give it time to break down acids, absorb smells, and absorb any liquid left over from your spot cleaning. You can leave the baking soda on for several hours if you have the time. The longer it's on the mattress, the more it will absorb and clean. Vacuum the mattress again. When the baking soda has had time to sit, vacuum the mattress to remove the baking soda. You'll take acids, odors, and liquid that the baking soda has absorbed along with it. Use the brush to cover the top of the mattress, and the long nozzle to get into corners, cracks, seams, and piping. Let the mattress air out. Once the mattress is clean, it's a good idea to let it air out for a while so any liquid left in the mattress can dry out. Moisture that's trapped inside the mattress can lead to mold, and this will be very difficult to remove. During the warmer seasons, open a window in the room to let in fresh air and dry out the mattress faster. You can also open drapes and curtains to let in the sunshine, as the UV rays in the sun will help kill bacteria and mold on the mattress, eliminate odors even more, and dry it out faster. Flip or rotate the mattress. For conventional mattresses that don't have a designated top and bottom, turn the mattress over so you're sleeping on the other side. For mattresses that do have a designated top and bottom, rotate the mattress 180 degrees. This will ensure even wear over the surface of the mattress. You should flip or rotate your mattress every three to six months to ensure even wear. Apply a mattress protector. A mattress protector is a plastic case that you can use to keep your mattress safe. You slip the case over the mattress like you would with a duvet and duvet cover. Then close the zipper to seal the mattress and protect it from spills, dust, dirt, stains, and even bed bugs. There are also mattress pads and covers you can buy to protect just the top of the mattress from spills and dirt. Make the bed. When the mattress is clean, dry, flipped, and protected, you can make the bed with your clean linens. Start with the fitted sheet, followed by the top sheet. Put the pillows back in their cases, and return all pillows, blankets, and decorations to the bed as well. Feel the mattress all over before making the bed to check for moisture. If you encase a damp mattress in linens and blankets, it won't dry out and you'll have mold growth.
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Remove pillows and decorations from the bed. Strip the linens. Wash your bedding and linens. Vacuum. Address fresh spills. Spot clean stains. Clean biological stains with enzyme cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress. Give the baking soda time to absorb odors. Vacuum the mattress again. Let the mattress air out. Flip or rotate the mattress. Apply a mattress protector. Make the bed.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Makeup-to-Look-More-Masculine
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How to Apply Makeup to Look More Masculine
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To best way to apply makeup to look more masculine is to cover up acne with concealer and use powder to reduce shine. Contour your face to highlight angular features, like your cheekbones and jawline. Apply concealer to make your eyes look smaller and define them by applying a powder-based eyeliner on your top lash line. Then, shape your eyebrows so they look thick and bushy.
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Apply a layer of beauty balm. This will smooth out your skin and conceal some blemishes and discolorations. You should use balm over foundation. Foundation will make it obvious you're wearing makeup. Balm will smooth out your features, prepping your face for makeup, without making the fact you're wearing makeup obvious. Use your index finger to dab dots of beauty balm around your face. Focus on areas in which your skin is uneven. Use a fluff brush or your fingers to blend the balm into your skin. Use circular motions and keep blending until the foundation looks natural. You should not see any obvious lines or marks on your face. Cover up blemishes with concealer. Focus on areas prone to acne, like the chin and forehead, as well as under your eyes. You can use your fingers to apply concealer. You can also use the wand that came with the package. As with the foundation, work the concealer into your skin with circular motions. You can use your fingers, a brush, or a makeup sponge. Keep blending until the concealer looks natural. It should blend into your foundation and skin tone. There should not be any lines on your face. Use a powder to reduce shine. After applying foundation and concealer, your makeup will not appear that different than feminine makeup. You should take steps to reduce the shiny appearance left by foundation and cover up. Makeup powder should be dabbed across your face to dull the appearance of your foundational makeup. Choose a powder foundation that matches your natural skin tone. Dab the foundation over your face using a large brush. Target the areas on your face that are the shiniest. Your cheeks and cheekbones, for example, may be shiny after applying cream foundation and cover up. Contour around your face. Men tend to have more angular features. You can create this affect by using a darker shade of highlighter or foundation to create the illusion of shadows around your cheekbones, jaw, and forehead. Use a small contouring brush to apply the makeup. Start with your cheekbones. Suck in your cheeks and draw a dark line running down your cheekbones. Draw another line tracing your chin and lower jawline. This will create a sharper, more masculine facial structure. Draw a slight l-shape on both your temples. Then, on your forehead, shade a triangular shape on both sides of the forehead. Draw the triangle just above the arch of each eyebrow. Use a light powder to blend the contour shades throughout your face. It should not be obvious you're wearing makeup. Use a large brush and circular motions to blend. Aim for sharper lines without making the contouring harsher. Shade around your nose to make it look bigger. Men tend to have larger and more defined noses. Using a dark foundation or highlighter, you can shade around your nose to make it more prominent. Use a large brush to apply. Shade both sides of the nose. This will also darken the area. Men tend not to wear foundation, so areas of the face usually look darker. Make sure to shade under the tip of your nose, as well as the sides of each nostril. Shade the area where your nose meets your brow bone. This create the appearance of a shadow under the eyebrow. This is important, as men tend to have more prominent fore brows. Use makeup to make your eyes smaller. Men tend to have eyes that are smaller in appearance. Therefore, you want to make your eyes look smaller with the use of makeup. To do so, use a concealer lighter than your skin tone under your eyes. Use your fingers to apply the concealer right under your eyes. Apply in an arch that follows along your lower eyelid. Keep working the concealer in until it blends naturally with your skin. When you're done, your eyes should look slightly smaller. Alternatively, you can add some natural looking darker colors under your eyes for the "boy beat" look. Treat your eyebrows. Getting the eyebrows right is the most important part of creating a masculine look using makeup. Male eyebrows tend to be bushier than female eyebrows. They also tend to lack shape. While female eyebrows are arched slightly, male eyebrows may be thicker and more furrowed. You can use makeup to fill in gaps in your eyebrows and shape them in a more masculine style. Use an eyebrow powder that matches your natural brow color. Use a small brush to start applying the makeup. Start applying powder at the end of your eyebrow nearest your nose. Fill in any gaps in your eyebrow hair to make them look thicker. As you work your way across your eyebrows, apply the makeup in a straight line. Work against the natural curve of your brow. Blend the makeup in a way that makes your eyebrow appear straighter. Use a subtle eyeliner. You can enhance your eyes a bit with eyeliner. This will call attention to your masculine looking eyes and brows. However, use a subtle shade. A dark, noticeable shade may look more feminine. Apply the eyeliner right at your lash line. Go for a brown or chocolate brown shade. Select a powder-based liner. This will be less noticeable than other liners, while also defining your eyes. Choose an eyebrow powder that matches your facial hair. You can use eyebrow powder on your existing facial hair to make it look thicker and scruffier. Stop by a local drugstore or makeup store. Look for an eyebrow powder that matches the color of your natural facial hair. You may have to experiment with several different types of eyebrow powder before finding one that looks natural on you. Apply the powder over your existing facial hair. Use a small angled brush. Dip it into the eyebrow powder. Then, apply the powder over your existing facial hair. Use circular motions to dust the powder over your facial hair. Give particular attention to areas where there are gaps in facial hair. Keep in mind, this will not work as well if your facial hair is just growing in. You want to wait until your stubble is fairly noticeable before attempting this. Make sure to blend out the makeup. Otherwise, your makeup will look unnatural. Blend the makeup into your neck and cheeks so the color fades gradually. A dramatic change in color or texture will make it obvious you're wearing makeup.
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Apply a layer of beauty balm. Cover up blemishes with concealer. Use a powder to reduce shine. Contour around your face. Shade around your nose to make it look bigger. Use makeup to make your eyes smaller. Treat your eyebrows. Use a subtle eyeliner. Choose an eyebrow powder that matches your facial hair. Apply the powder over your existing facial hair. Make sure to blend out the makeup.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Heal-a-Broken-Toe
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How to Heal a Broken Toe
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To heal a broken toe, it's important that you visit a doctor or specialist so they can determine the severity of your injury. While you wait for your toe to heal, avoid using your injured foot as much as possible. You should also apply an ice pack to your broken toe for 10-15 minutes every hour until the pain and swelling start to subside after a few days. Also, try to keep your foot elevated on a chair or stack of pillows while it's healing, which will help combat inflammation.
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Schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you develop sudden toe pain from some type of trauma and it doesn't fade away after a few days, then schedule an appointment with your family physician or go to the emergency room of your local hospital or an urgent care clinic that has X-ray services if symptoms are severe. Your doctor will examine your toe and foot, ask questions about how you injured it, and maybe even take X-rays in order to determine the extent of the injury and type of fracture. However, your family doctor is not a musculoskeletal specialist, so you may need a referral to another doctor with more specialized training for serious problems with your toe. The most common symptoms of a broken toe include intense pain, swelling, stiffness and usually bruising due to some internal bleeding. Walking is difficult, and running or jumping nearly impossible without excruciating pain. Other types of healthcare professionals who could help diagnose and/or treat broken toes include osteopaths, podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists, as well as emergency room or urgent care physicians. See a specialist. Small hairline (stress) fractures, bone chips and contusions are not considered serious medical conditions, but severely crushed toes or displaced compound fractures often require surgical intervention, especially if the big toe is involved. Medical specialists such as an orthopedist (bone and joint specialist) or physiatrist (muscle and bone specialist) can better assess the seriousness of your fracture and recommend appropriate treatment. Broken toes can sometimes be related to diseases and conditions that affect and weaken bone, such as bone cancer, bone infections, osteoporosis or complications related to diabetes, so the medical specialists need to consider these when examining your toe. X-rays, bone scans, MRI, CT scan and ultrasound are modalities that specialists may use to help diagnose your broken toe. Broken toes are usually the result of dropping something heavy on the foot or "stubbing" a toe against something hard and immovable. Understand the type of fracture and most appropriate treatments. Make sure you get the doctor to clearly explain the diagnosis (including the type of fracture) and provide you with various treatment options for your injury, as simple stress fractures can usually be treated at home. In contrast, a mangled, bent, or deformed toe is usually a sign of a more serious fracture and best left to trained professionals. The smallest toe (5th) and the biggest (1st) are fractured more often than the other toes. Joint dislocations can cause crooked toes also and look similar to fractures, but physical examination and X-rays will distinguish between the two conditions. Utilize the R.I.C.E. treatment protocol. The most effective treatment protocol for minor musculoskeletal injuries (including stress fractures) is abbreviated R.I.C.E. and stands for rest , ice , compression and elevation. The first step is rest — temporarily stop all activity that involves your injured foot in order to address your injury. Next, cold therapy (ice wrapped in a thin towel or frozen gel packs) should be applied to the broken toe as soon as possible in order to stop any internal bleeding and reduce inflammation, preferably while your leg is elevated on a chair or stack of pillows (which also combats inflammation). Ice should be applied for 10-15 minutes every hour, then reduce the frequency as the pain and swelling subside over the course of a few days. Compressing the ice against your foot with a compression bandage or elastic support will also help control the inflammation. Don't tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your foot. Most uncomplicated broken toes heal well, usually within four to six weeks, at which time you can slowly resume athletic activities. Take over-the-counter medications. Your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, or regular analgesics (painkillers) such as acetaminophen to help combat the inflammation and pain associated with your toe injury. These medications tend to be hard on your stomach, liver and kidneys, so they shouldn't be taken for more than two weeks at a time. Tape your toes for support. Tape your broken toe to an adjacent uninjured toe (called buddy taping) for support and to assist realigning it if it's somewhat crooked (speak with your doctor first if your toe appears crooked). Thoroughly clean your toes and feet with alcohol wipes and then use strong medical-grade tape that's preferably waterproof so it can withstand showering. Change the tape every few days over the course of a few weeks. Consider putting some gauze or felt in between your toes before taping them together in order to prevent skin irritation. To make a simple, homemade splint for additional support, place trimmed Popsicle sticks on both sides of your toes before taping them together. If you're unable to tape your own toes, then ask your family doctor, specialist, chiropractor, podiatrist or physical therapist for assistance. Wear comfortable shoes for four to six weeks. Immediately after your toe injury, switch to comfortable-fitting shoes that have plenty of room in the toe cap in order to accommodate the swelling and the taping. Choose hard-soled, supportive and sturdy shoes over more trendy types and avoid wearing high heels for at least a few months, because they push your weight forward and severely crowd the toes. Supportive open-toed sandals may be used if the inflammation is excessive, but remember that they don't offer any toe protection. Get reduction surgery. If the broken bone fragments don't align together, the orthopedic surgeon will manipulate the pieces back into normal position — a process called reduction. In some cases, reduction can be accomplished without invasive surgery depending on the number and positioning of the bone fragments. A local anesthetic is injected into the toe to numb the pain. If the skin is broken due to the trauma, stitches will be needed to close the wound and topical antiseptics administered. With open fractures, time is of the essence because of potential blood loss and the risk of infection or necrosis (local tissue death due to lack of oxygen). Strong painkillers such as narcotics may be prescribed until anesthesia is administered in the operating room. Sometimes with severe fractures, pins or screws may be required to hold the bones in place while they heal. Reduction isn't just used with open compound fractures; it is also used with any fracture with significant displacement. Wear a splint. After a reduction of your broken toe, a splint is often put in place to support and protect the toe while it heals properly. Alternatively, you may have to wear a supportive compression boot, but either way, you'll likely need the use of crutches over the short term (two weeks or so). At this stage, minimizing walking and resting with your injured foot elevated is still highly recommended. Although splints provide support and cushioning, they don't provide much protection, so be extra careful not to bump your toe while walking. During the bone-healing phase, make sure your diet is rich in minerals, especially calcium, magnesium and boron, as well as vitamin D in order to promote bone strength. Get a cast. If more than one toe is broken or other bones of the forefoot are injured (such as the metatarsals), then your doctor might apply a plaster or fiberglass cast to your entire foot. Short-leg walking casts are also recommended if the fragments won't stay snugly together. Most broken bones heal successfully once they have been repositioned and are protected from further trauma or excessive pressure. Following surgery, and especially with the help of a cast, severely broken toes take six to eight weeks to heal, depending on the location and extent of the injury. After such a long time in a cast, your foot may need some rehabilitation as described below. After a week or two, your doctor may request another set of X-rays to ensure that the bones are aligned and healing properly. Watch for signs of infection. If the skin is broken near your injured toe, you are at higher risk of developing an infection within the bone or the surrounding tissues. Infections get swollen, red, warm and very tender to the touch. Sometimes they leak pus (which represents your white blood cells at work) and smell bad. If you experienced an open compound fracture, your doctor may recommend a precautionary two-week course of oral antibiotics to deter the growth and spread of bacteria. Your doctor will examine the area carefully and prescribe antibiotics if there is an infection. Your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot following a serious fracture if it was caused by puncturing or lacerating your skin. Wear shoe orthotics. Orthotics are customized shoe inserts that support the arch of your foot and promote better biomechanics while walking and running. Following a broken toe, especially if the big toe is involved, your gait and foot biomechanics may be negatively altered from limping and avoiding toeing off. Orthotics will help reduce the risk of problems developing in other joints such as the ankle, knee and hips. With a severe fracture, there's always a risk of arthritis developing in surrounding joints, but orthotics can mitigate the risk. Seek out physical therapy. After the pain and inflammation have disappeared and the broken bone is healed, you may notice the range of motion or strength within your foot is reduced. As such, ask your doctor for a referral to a sports medicine specialist or physiotherapist who can offer a variety of tailored strengthening exercises, stretches and therapies in order to improve your range of motion, balance, coordination and strength. Other health professionals that may be able to help rehabilitate your toe/foot include podiatrists, osteopaths and chiropractors.
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Schedule an appointment with your doctor. See a specialist. Understand the type of fracture and most appropriate treatments. Utilize the R.I.C.E. Take over-the-counter medications. Tape your toes for support. Wear comfortable shoes for four to six weeks. Get reduction surgery. Wear a splint. Get a cast. Watch for signs of infection. Wear shoe orthotics. Seek out physical therapy.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Ants-without-Pesticides
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How to Kill Ants without Pesticides
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To kill ants without pesticides, keep a spray bottle filled with diluted vinegar or dish soap and water and use it to spray the ants whenever you see them. You can also sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around the areas where the ants congregate. This powder isn't harmful to pets or children, but the fine particles can irritate your lungs, so wear a mask when you're distributing it. To destroy a whole nest, pour a pot of boiling water into one of the entrances used by the ants.
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Use dish soap and water. Fill a water bottle with one part dish soap and two parts water, then shake it up to mix the solution thoroughly. When you see a line of ants (or just one ant, for that matter) spray the mixture over them. They'll immediately halt and suffocate. Wipe up the dead ants with a wet cloth, and keep the spray bottle around for next time. Setting out shallow dishes of soapy water is another good way to kill ants. Lure them in with a trail of something sugary. This method is good for killing groups of ants, but it won't take out the entire nest. If ants keep coming back, you might have to address the source of the problem. Soapy water is a natural insecticide that kills most insects, not just ants. Try it on roaches, too. Try white vinegar and water. Ants really hate vinegar, and you can make a cheap, easy pesticide just using vinegar and water. Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly onto the ants to kill them, then wipe up the ants using a damp paper towel and discard them. You can also use vinegar and water as a deterrent; spray it around your windowsills, doorways and other places where you see ants coming inside. Some people have found that using this vinegar solution to clean the floors, windows and countertops makes ants less likely to crawl over these surfaces. White vinegar makes an excellent household cleaner, and you can't smell it once it dries. Make a lemon juice solution. If you can't stand the smell of vinegar, spray the ants with a lemon juice solution. They're averse to the citric acid in lemon juice, so you can use this spray as a deterrent as well by spraying it around the perimeter of your house. Mix up a solution of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water and use it as an all-purpose spray. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth inside the house. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a very effective insecticide that doesn't harm humans or pets in the least. It's composed of fossilized diatoms that have been ground to a powder. When insects walk over the powder, the tiny fossil shards scratch the waxy outer coating on their exoskeletons, causing their bodies to dry out. Sprinkle the powder along your baseboards, windowsills, and around the perimeter of your house to kill ants. Use an applicator or a dusting bulb to do this. It's recommended that you wear a mask or cloth over your face when handling diatomaceous earth. While the powder isn't harmful when ingested, the tiny particles can be hard on your lungs when you breathe them in. Diatomaceous earth becomes ineffective when it gets wet, or even when the air is damp and humid. It will regain its effectiveness when dry, so if your home's humidity is reducing the potency of your DE consider using a dehumidifier in the problem areas. Use boric acid. It's completely natural and it really works against ants. When they ingest boric acid, it poisons their stomachs and they die. Boric acid also damages ants' exoskeletons the same way diatomaceous earth does. It comes in the form of a white or blue powder that you distribute with a dusting bulb in areas where you commonly see ants, like near your baseboards or in your windowsills. Boric acid is not a toxic pesticide, but it should not be consumed by humans or pets. Avoid using it in areas where your children and pets play. Don't use it near food sources or in your kitchen cabinets. While it should not cause harm to your pets, it may be toxic to smaller animals like birds, reptiles, and fish. Boric acid is toxic to beneficial insects as well. Make boric acid sugar traps. These are easy to put together, inexpensive, and best of all, extremely effective. All you need is a few pieces of cardboard or index cards (one for each trap), a bottle of corn syrup or any type of sticky sugar substance, and boric acid powder. Here's how to make the traps: Mix 2 tablespoons of corn syrup and 2 tablespoons of boric acid in a small bowl. Make sure the texture is paste-like and sticky, not runny. Add more boric acid if it's too wet. Use a spoon to spread the mixture over the surface of your cardboard pieces. Each piece is its own trap. Set the traps where you tend to see ants. If they like to collect on your bathroom floor, put one there. Put one under the kitchen sink, and another on your front porch. Set the traps around wherever you see ants gathering. Since the traps contain boric acid, don't put them in your kitchen cabinets or near food sources. You can put the traps outside, too. Place them in your flower beds or near your trash cans. The sugary smell might attract critters other than ants, like your child or dog. Make sure to put the traps out of reach of kids and pets. Wait for the traps to attract ants. If you have an infestation, it won't be long before the traps become full of ants who wander onto the cardboard in search of sugary food and feast on the boric acid-tainted syrup. They won't die just yet, but the poison will soon take action in their stomachs. In the meantime, they'll return to their nest to bring some food back for their fellow ants, which will in turn ingest the poison. When you see ants entering and leaving the traps, let them move around freely. If you kill them, they won't get the chance to bring the poison back to the nest, killing dozens more ants. This method won't necessarily kill the entire nest of ants, but it will significantly reduce the population of ants around your home. Change out the traps when the syrup dries. After a few days, you'll probably need to set out fresh traps. Mix up a fresh batch of the ant poison, spread it on pieces of cardboard, and set out the traps. Keep using the traps until ants no longer come to them. After a week or two, you should see the number of ants coming to feed on the syrup decline dramatically. When you start to see dead ants around the vicinity of the traps, and you no longer witness hordes of ants marching into the house your work is done. Use cornmeal borax traps to kill the larvae. Worker ants eat liquids, not solids, but they'll carry cornmeal pieces back to their nest. They'll feed the solid pieces to larvae, which then convert the food into liquid and feed it back to the worker ants. In this way, the boric acid cycles through several generations of ants. Make sure the dishes of cornmeal and borax are low enough to ants to get in and out. You can also make a dry paste with cornmeal, borax, and a few drops of water. Spread the paste in areas where you tend to see ants. Follow ants to track down the nest. If ants keep swarming your house no matter what sprays and traps you employ, you'll need to attack them at their source: the nest. When you see a trail of ants marching inside, follow it as far as you can to find the anthill. Depending on the species of ant you're dealing with, the nest may be out in the open, hidden carefully in rocks or hedges, or inside your house. Little black ants are one of the most common home invaders. These ants walk in long, slow lines, giving away their nest sites to anyone with the good sense to follow them outside. You'll find their nests in sheltered spots around the yard. Odorous house ants (known for the rotten coconut smell they emit when you crush them) build nests inside the house in window frames or inside the walls. They also build nest outdoors in woodpiles, mulch piles, under rocks, and in other outdoor crevices. Pavement ants tend to nest in cracks in the sidewalk or driveway. You might not be able to see the nest itself, since it could be hidden under the pavement, but you should be able to find the ants' entryway. Fire ants usually don't come inside the house, but you might have a nest on your property that's preventing you from walking around your yard in bare feet. Look for a large mound raised above the ground and composed of sand-like granules. Prepare a pot of boiling water. Fill a large pot halfway to the top with water. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. As soon as the water comes to a boil, and while it's still piping hot, you'll need to be able to get it from the kitchen to the nest you found. Pour the water over the nest. Try to pour it into the entry hole you found. The boiling water will kill hundreds of ants on contact, and it will also cause the nest to collapse. If the nest is quite large, you might want to pour more than one pot of water over it. If the nest you're dealing with is indoors, the boiling water trick might damage your house. Instead of using water, douse the nest with a bowl of soapy water. You can also put on a pair of long rubber gloves and scrape the nest into a bucket, then drown the ants. If you're dealing with fire ants, make sure you approach the nest wearing long pants tucked into socks and long sleeves. The ants are sure to get angry, and they may swarm out of the nest and attempt to climb into your clothes. Check for ants over the next few days. If the boiling water effectively killed them, your ant-enduring days should be over. If you see a slow trickle coming back, give the nest another boiling water treatment. Sometimes it takes more than one application to effectively kill all of the ants. If the boiling water doesn't seem to be doing the trick, take a stake and stab it down into the nest. Wiggle it around until you have a fair-sized crater. Fill the crater with baking soda about halfway up and pour vinegar over it. If you're trying to kill red ants, you can also try what is known as "bucketing." Wearing pants tucked into long socks for protection, take a shovel and quickly shovel the fire ant mound into a large bucket that has been sprinkled with baking soda, which keeps the ants from climbing out. Keep going until the whole nest has been shoveled out. Drown the ants in vinegar and water or with boiling water. Plug the entrance holes if you can't get to the nest. Sometimes it's difficult to access the entire nest, but you can usually find an entrance hole. You can pour boiling water into the entrance hole, but it's often just as effective to simply plug the hole. Fill it up with dirt or rocks, and sprinkle some boric acid around the site for good measure. The ants will likely relocate their nest. Make a line that ants won't cross. There are several natural substances that ants abhor so much, they won't go near them. If you use one of these substances to create lines around your windowsills, around the perimeter of your house, and in any spots where ants are getting inside, you can keep ants from coming inside. Freshen up the lines every few days, since ants will be able to get through once the lines are broken. Here are substances that work for this purpose: Cinnamon Cayenne pepper Ground orange or lemon peels Coffee grounds Squirt lemon juice along outdoor edges. This will keep the inside of your house from getting sticky, but the ants will be deterred by a strong citrus smell. You can also squirt a solution of half lemon juice, half water around the outside of your house. Use essential oils to keep ants away. They hate the smell of a variety of essential oils, many of which smell very pleasant to humans. Add 10 drops of essential oil to 1 cup of water, then spray the solution both indoors and outdoors to keep ants away. Here are the oils you can try: Lemon oil Peppermint oil Eucalyptus oil (don't use this near cats! It's toxic to them, but not to dogs) Lavender oil Cedar oil Keep your surfaces clean so ants aren't interested in coming in. During the spring months, when ants are most likely to come inside the house, do your best to keep your floors, countertops, and cabinets spotless. This goes a long way toward keeping ants out. If they don't smell food, they won't be interested in invading your house. Keep food containers tightly sealed, too. This is especially important for sugar, honey, syrup and other foods that ants like to eat. Clean up spills right away, especially fruit juice or syrup spills. Seal your house to keep them out. If you don't give ants a door inside, they'll be more likely to stick to outdoor areas. Find all the little cracks and crevices where they could be getting in, like under the door, around the windowsills, and in other little cracks in the foundation. Fill the holes with caulk or other sealants to keep your house airtight. Spritz the areas with lavender or lemon water for good measure.
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Use dish soap and water. Try white vinegar and water. Make a lemon juice solution. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth inside the house. Use boric acid. Make boric acid sugar traps. Set the traps where you tend to see ants. Wait for the traps to attract ants. Change out the traps when the syrup dries. Keep using the traps until ants no longer come to them. Use cornmeal borax traps to kill the larvae. Follow ants to track down the nest. Prepare a pot of boiling water. Pour the water over the nest. Check for ants over the next few days. Plug the entrance holes if you can't get to the nest. Make a line that ants won't cross. Squirt lemon juice along outdoor edges. Use essential oils to keep ants away. Keep your surfaces clean so ants aren't interested in coming in. Seal your house to keep them out.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Know-when-an-Earthquake-Will-Strike
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How to Know when an Earthquake Will Strike
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While there is currently no proven way to predict an earthquake, there are certain signs that can you can be on the lookout for. There are reports of animals, from bees to birds to bears, leaving their homes or breeding grounds just before an earthquake, so noticing odd behavior in wildlife or even in your pet may give you a heads up that something is about to happen. You might also feel some foreshocks or smaller earthquakes before a larger event occurs. If you're not sure if that rumbling you felt was a big truck or the earth shaking, verify quakes online with tracking websites like USGS and apps like myShake.
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Watch for reports of "earthquake lights. " Days, or mere seconds, before an earthquake, people have observed strange lights from the ground or hovering in the air. Though they are not fully understood, earthquake lights may be emitted from rocks that are under extreme stress. Earthquake lights have not been reported before all earthquakes, nor has the timing been consistent, but if you hear about strange lights or talk of UFO in your area, you may want to go over your earthquake preparedness plan and make sure your emergency survival kit is stocked. Earthquake lights have been observed as short, blue flames coming up from the ground, as orbs of light that float in the air, or as huge forks of light that look like lightening shooting up from the ground. Observe unusual changes in animal behavior. There are reports of animals, from toads to bees to birds and bears, abandoning their homes or breeding grounds just before an earthquake. It is not understood why animals may sense an oncoming event, possibly because of changes in the electric field or responding to the P-wave, but noticing strange behavior in your pet may give you a heads up that something is about to happen. Chickens may stop laying eggs before an earthquake. If you notice your hens stop laying eggs for no reason, make sure you and your family know what to do in case of an earthquake. Catfish respond violently to changes in electric fields, which may occur before an earthquake. If you are fishing and see a ton of catfish suddenly thrashing around, it is possible an earthquake is on the way. Look around for a safe place away from trees or bridges that might fall on you. Dogs, cats, and other animals can feel an earthquake seconds before it can be detected by humans. If your pet begins acting nervous and erratic, becomes frightened of seemingly nothing and runs to hide, or if your normally calm dog begins to bite and bark, you may want to look around for a place to take cover.Dogs will also howl a lot and loud if there is an earthquake. Notice possible foreshocks (smaller earthquakes that lead up to the "main" earthquake). Though foreshocks may not always occur before an earthquake, and it is impossible to tell which earthquake is the main quake until after the fact, earthquakes tend to happen in clusters. If you experience one or more small earthquakes, there may be another, bigger earthquake on the way. Because it is impossible to predict how long an earthquake will last or its magnitude, when you feel the ground begin to roll, take the appropriate actions to protect yourself from falling debris, depending on where you are (indoors, outdoors, in your car). Investigate the seismic cycle of any faults in your area. Though there is no way to pinpoint the exact arrival of an earthquake, scientists can examine sediment samples to get an idea of when major earthquakes occurred in the past. By measuring the amount of time between events, they can come up with a rough idea of when a major quake might hit. Cycles can stretch for hundreds of years--it may be 600 years (or more or less) between major earthquakes along a fault--but there's no way to truly know if or when the next big quake will occur. If the nearest fault line still has 250+ years in its cycle before another big earthquake, allow that to give you some solace. But do remember that there are no hard and fast rules for predicting earthquakes, so you should have an emergency kit prepared just in case. Participate in an earthquake early warning program. Right now Japan, Mexico, and California are the only areas that provide official earthquake early warnings, though research is being conducted to expand these systems to include places near fault lines. Even with systems in place, they can only provide tens of seconds of advance warning before an earthquake. There are, however, services that will send you text messages alerting you of natural disaster occurrences or warnings in your area, including earthquakes. These alert messages can provide you with instructions in an emergency, including evacuation routes and available emergency shelters. Your city may have a warning system in place, such a sirens followed by a warning or instructions. Make sure you know if your town or city has such a warning system. Check an earthquake tracking website. Not sure if that rumbling you felt was a big truck outside, or construction, or even just a weird dream? You can verify earthquakes online with tracking websites such as USGS and apps such as myShake, which will show you where and when any earthquakes were recorded and the magnitude of each quake. Assemble a survival kit for your home and car. If there is an earthquake, you may lose power and cell service, access to clean water, food, and medication. Putting together a survival kit will ensure your family has their basic needs covered should anything happen. For your home, try to have enough supplies for up to 2 weeks. This means 1 gallon of water per person for each day, non-perishable foods (and a can opener if they are in cans), medications for each day, bottles and diapers for babies, and hygiene products. Vehicle survival kits should include maps, jumper cables, enough water for at least 3 days (1 gallon per person per day), non-perishable foods, blankets, flashlights. Don't forget your pets! Make sure you have water, food, bowls, medication, a leash and collar or carrier for your furry friends. Check out a more extensive list of items on the Red Cross website or [ Ready.gov ]. Secure large, heavy, or tall furniture by bolting it to the wall. One of the biggest dangers of an earthquake is unstable buildings and the things inside the buildings that can fall and crush you. Anchoring heavy furniture to the wall will make your home much safer if there is an earthquake. Bookshelves, wardrobes, armoires, hutches, and china cabinets are all examples of furniture that should be bolted to the wall. Mirrors and flat screen TVs should also be secured to the wall so that they can't fall off and shatter. Don't hang them over couches or beds. Practice "drop, cover, and hold on. " Contrary to popular belief, a door frame is not the safest place to be in an earthquake. You want to drop to your knees so the quake doesn't knock you over. Cover the back of your head and neck with your arms. Or, if you can safely crawl under a solid table or desk, do so and then hold on to one of the legs so you move along with it. You may only have a few seconds to act, and practicing will allow you to react faster. If there is no cover, try to get to an inside corner of the room and get low to the ground. If you are outdoors, try to get to an open area away from buildings, live wires, and other things that might fall on you, and drop, cover, and hold on. If you are in a city, it may be safer to go inside and find cover. If you are in a vehicle, get out from under any bridges or overpasses. Stay in the car and come to a stop as soon as possible, avoiding buildings, trees, or wires that might fall on your car. Make sure your family has a communication plan. Agree upon where you will meet if there is an emergency. Learn important phone numbers (like your parents work and cell phone numbers). Choose a person who lives in another town or state as a contact. It is sometimes easier to reach someone who is not in the disaster area. If you are separated from your family, this person can relay your location and that you are safe.
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Watch for reports of "earthquake lights. Observe unusual changes in animal behavior. Notice possible foreshocks (smaller earthquakes that lead up to the "main" earthquake). Investigate the seismic cycle of any faults in your area. Participate in an earthquake early warning program. Check an earthquake tracking website. Assemble a survival kit for your home and car. Secure large, heavy, or tall furniture by bolting it to the wall. Practice "drop, cover, and hold on. Make sure your family has a communication plan.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Love-Your-Country
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How to Love Your Country
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Loving your country can help you appreciate your blessings and support your fellow citizens. Read books or watch documentaries to learn about the history of your country and the people who shaped it. Find out about the stories behind your national holidays and celebrate them when they come around every year. You can also learn the national anthem so you can sing along at sports games and other public events. If you want to display your love for your country, fly your national flag in your house, on your lawn, or on your car. Loving your country doesn't mean you agree with every decision your government makes or that you dislike other countries. It just means you're proud to live there and be a part of the culture.
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Wear patriotic colors, flags, historic figures, or images. Nothing shows you love your country more than showing it through clothing or accessories! Each country has its own identifying image that defines who they are, and how they are perceived internationally. Make sure in the US you are aware that wearing an image of the US flag is a violation of the flag code. Some national colors are indeterminable from one another. A unique flag shape like Nepal's flag, however, is undoubtedly unique. Two pennants on top of one another, with a sun and moon inside, is different from all other rectangular and square flags. The bear has been associated with Russia since the late 1500s. It represents a variety of things, like guardian status. A fierce bear on a red shirt, perhaps superimposed on top of a hammer and sickle, is unmistakably Russian. There is a wide variety of flags with red, white, and blue, and those with stars, but there are none other than the United States flag, with that grouping of colors and prominent 50 stars. An article of U.S. flag apparel is very recognizable. Fly your country's flag. You can purchase flags, bumper stickers, or any other emblems at a local store. Hang them on your car, your front lawn, or anywhere that can outwardly show you respect your country. Remember to treat the flag with the utmost respect. Learn the flag etiquette. Generally, a flag should not touch the ground, be used in severe disrepair, or disposed of improperly. In the US, the flag should not be a part of a uniform, costume, or outfit. Fold the flag properly when it's being stored. There is a precise way to fold each flag, and researching your specific flag should provide you with specific instructions on the proper folding techniques. Attend a national pride parade. Many countries have parades for people to display the pride they have for their country, or for their country of origin. It could be on the day of independence, or some other historic date, but the important part is to celebrate with your countrymen. Participate by getting up and dancing to traditional music. Cheer on the participants who are beaming with national pride. Celebrate holidays. What happened in your country on this day in history? Did they win a war? Did they gain independence? Recognize that holidays are much more than just occasions for parties or, in some countries, sales at department stores. Acknowledge the solemnity inherent to certain holidays, especially those that commemorate a victory that involved bloodshed. Be an active citizen. Actively demonstrate your love for your country by being part of its political process. Continually strive for a better country for all! There are a variety of ways to contribute your time, effort, and knowledge to the politics of your country. Volunteer at a voting or polling area. Take part in the voting process by helping others who may not be as versed in politics, or who may not understand specific ballot measures upon which they are voting. Be part of a phone bank. Call several people with the script provided by your political party, or member running for office. You'll appreciate it when you reach someone who shares your appreciation for the political process. Raise funds for your candidate's campaign. Whether it's asking for large donations from big contributors, or hosting a fund-raising event, running for office takes a significant amount of money. Encourage children to love their country. Grow their national pride so they will have respect someday as a citizen. This is the best way to set a positive example. As children grow older, explain to them why you feel they should hold their country in high regard. Remember that blind patriotism can be dangerous. Encourage your children to use their minds. Find a hero. Look for a person who is a good role model and embodies the values your country holds dear. Find one who will make you proud to be where you call home. Seek out a hero who was instrumental in your country's history and development. Medal of Honor winners are a perfect role model. Whether it's the Victoria Cross of U.K. and Commonwealth countries, the Congressional Medal of Honor from the U.S., or the Order of Taegeuk Military Merit from South Korea, someone who is awarded the highest military honor has most likely sacrificed much for their country. Great leaders responsible for sweeping reforms are great role models. One such ruler, King Chulalongkorn of Siam, became the king and immediately attempted visionary reforms such as ending slavery, remodeling the judicial and financial systems, avoiding colonialism, and setting up the structure for current-day Thai citizenship. Athletes are sometimes great national heroes. For instance, during the buildup for WWII, Adolf Hitler planned to use the Olympics as a display of Aryan dominance. U.S. track star Jesse Owens ruined those plans by capturing four gold medals in as many events. Join the military. Nothing speaks more to the commitment for one's nation than joining the military. It is the ultimate act of willingness to sacrifice life for the liberty of countrymen. It is so important that, in some countries, like South Korea, the mandatory conscription may even lead to pro-military voting habits as an adult. Study the history of your country. Learn about the foundation of your country, the key moments leading to its creation, and its reputation since the time it became a nation. Embrace the positive changes your country has made since historical errors of the past. Read about where your country stood during various wars near and afar. Who were their allies and nemeses? Did they always align with the righteous side of history, or have they historically been considered the villain in large confrontations? Research the politics of your nation. Was it always in its current form? Or did a great war or uprising change the system from something like a monarchy to a republic? Look up the great milestones during your country's history. Check the timeline from inception until today, analyzing and interpreting the major events. Research and memorize the National Anthem. Showing your patriotism through the National Anthem is important because most contain words that vividly describe a historical event in the country's past. Additionally, many National Anthems have gone through several amendments, which modify the potential meaning of an ever-changing nation, and may not have been adopted as the National Anthem initially. The Canadian National Anthem was written in Quebec city by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier and was initially titled “Chant national.” It represents the combined feelings, particularly after WWI, of a united French and English-speaking Canada. During the French Revolution, a French Army captain named Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed “La Marseillaise” – named so because troops from Marseilles sang it when approaching Paris – as an act of defiance against the combined invading forces of Austria and Prussia. It's meant as a rallying cry for citizens fighting for their rights and liberty. Written by Francis Scott Key in September of 1812, the U.S. National Anthem – also known as The Star-Spangled Banner – started as a poem celebrating the perseverance of U.S. Fort McHenry during British attack. The lyrics were written on a British ship the morning after a pre-battle, prisoner release negotiating. That following morning he was let off the ship and the lyrics are his recollection Fort McHenry's triumph. Read patriotic legends of your country. Most legends and tall-tales possess at least a shred of reality. The creativity and imagination required to concoct some of the stories is amazing. A few of the following tales perfectly illustrate how one could be proud of their nation's creative past. The Chinese held the secret to silk production for over 3000 years. It was said they held the secret to their lucrative export so dearly that anyone revealing the production secrets was sentenced to death. One Egyptian legend says King Surid had a dream where the flat earth flipped upside down, and because of that, he inserted riches inside the pyramids and sealed them. Since some of the pyramids are yet undiscovered, this may yet be true. The American Indian legends related to “Devil's Tower” say a great god pushed rock and earth upward and upward to save young boys from a great bear, one who scratched and clawed to get them. Given that “Devil's Tower” was formed by a geological process called intrusion, the legend is actually somewhat correct. Focus on current events. Learn about what your country is currently doing that brings great honor to your nation. See if they are the leader in a specific industry, export, or sport. Examine how much they help others in need or align with organizations attempting to make the world a better place. On May 23, 2016, India became just the third nation in the world to launch a space shuttle, potentially cutting other nations' costs by ten-fold. The Syrian refugee crisis of 2016 has affected numerous countries. The experience has been debated far and wide, but learning about why your country has or hasn't helped is a potentially debatable moral issue of our time.
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Wear patriotic colors, flags, historic figures, or images. Fly your country's flag. Attend a national pride parade. Celebrate holidays. Be an active citizen. Encourage children to love their country. Find a hero. Join the military. Study the history of your country. Research and memorize the National Anthem. Read patriotic legends of your country. Focus on current events.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Hem-Pants-With-Sewing-Machine
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How to Hem Pants With Sewing Machine
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If you've bought or received pants that are too long, you can hem them with a sewing machine so they fit perfectly. Start by folding your pants inside-out. Then, mark 1 line with chalk where you want your pants to end and a 2nd line ½-inch lower on each leg. Cut your pants legs off at the bottom lines and fold them over at the top lines. Use a clothes iron on full heat to smooth down your hems. Finally, sew your hems about ⅛-inch from the fold.
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Measure for someone else. Have them wear the garment. They should stand on a step stool or an elevated surface to help you gauge the length. Ask the person approximately how high they would like the new hem to be. Fold it on the outside, do not tuck it into leg, and ask them to confirm the length.The wearer can now remove the pants and give them to you. Measure on yourself. You can roll the pants up to the desired length gradually with one fold. Make sure to stand up straight when pulling up the fold to make sure it sits at the proper length. You can now remove them. Compare to another pair of pants. If you have a pair of pants that fits you perfectly, use that pair as a model for the pants in question. Lay out the pants you're planning to hem, and then lay your ideal pants directly on top of them. This should show you the excess of the pants you need to remove. Mark the length. Use a piece of chalk to mark the location you want hemmed. Make sure that the pants are unfolded and you create a clear mark on each leg. Measuring from the previously-made line, measure and mark three lines at 1/2-inch intervals. There should now be four white chalk lines going down to the edge of the pants. Typically, hems will be about 1/2 an inch wide, so use 1 1/2" of fabric below the new hem to make a clean edge. Make sure the lines are even on both legs. Measure by ironing. Once you've decided on the length, fold your pants to the desired hem. Iron the crease of the desired fold. Take a piece of chalk or a pencil and mark the halfway mark. This is the halfway mark between the edge of the fold and the crease. Unfold the leg and mark the crease if you want. The ironed crease should be bold enough to see. Use a ruler. To perfect a clean line to guide your scissors, use a ruler. Make sure you position the ruler's edge to the mark. Get your scissors out. If you don't have sewing scissors, consider buying a pair. You can also use your regular everyday scissors, but it is easier to use a sharp pair. Start at the bottom. Cut the line closest to the bottom first. Be patient and avoid cutting fast. This will create messy zig-zags instead of a neat edge. Creating multiple lines isn't necessary, but it helps with your accuracy. Use pins. Pins are the perfect tool for cutting adjustments to your clothing. Stretch the width of each leg out and use pins to hold them. This will create a tension in the legs that will make them easier to cut. Cut till the middle line. Cut the following lines above your initial cut until you reach the line under the top line. Focus on one leg at a time. Don't cut the topmost line or crease. This line marks where your pants will be hemmed. Cut loose threads. Use your scissors to cut any loose threads that got left behind. You might need to repeat this step near the end or after you wash the pants. Fold the pants inside out. Fold the pants so that the outside of the pants are facing out. You should be able to see the inner seam. This will make it easier to sew the hem. You could simply fold the legs inside out without doing this to the entire pants. Fold the hem. Fold up the hem from the edge up to the top line. Make sure your top line or crease is on the edge of the fold. This edge will be the hem. Make sure the size looks good before you finalize the job. Iron the fold. Take your pants onto an ironing board. Wait till the iron is fully heated. Then iron the fold down. This will create a professional fold and ensure that you don't have any uneven lines. Load your sewing machine. Load the bobbin with the thread of your choice. You can use matching thread to blend in, or a contrasting color, like the gold thread used on most denim jeans. Set your machine. For a simple hem set your machine for a straight stitching, or a small or medium straight thread. Begin stitching. Make sure you position your pant leg so the machine only stitches the hem and not the leg's opening together. Sew about 1/8 inch from the top of the hem. Continue sewing in a straight line around the circumference of the leg. Repeat on the other leg. Follow the same steps on the other leg. Don't forget to iron the seam on the opposite leg and compare the length with the finished leg. This is your last chance to fix any irregularities in the length. Done! You can now wear your jeans.
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Measure for someone else. Measure on yourself. Compare to another pair of pants. Mark the length. Measure by ironing. Use a ruler. Get your scissors out. Start at the bottom. Use pins. Cut till the middle line. Cut loose threads. Fold the pants inside out. Fold the hem. Iron the fold. Load your sewing machine. Set your machine. Begin stitching. Repeat on the other leg. Done!
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https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Sense-of-Humor
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How to Improve Your Sense of Humor
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To improve your sense of humor, watch funny movies and TV shows to get an idea of what makes people laugh. Alternatively, try spending more time with people who are funny, like a relative or co-worker who is hilarious. Then, try making others laugh with a joke or a funny story about something that happened to you. You can also make others laugh by poking fun at yourself, like making fun of your tendency to keep everything as neat as possible.
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Tell funny stories. Sometimes, the funniest thing you can do is tell a funny story. Jokes are great, too, but your audience will likely find that something that actually happened to you will be a little more humorous. Think of a few funny things that have happened to you and tell those stories when appropriate. For instance, perhaps your friend group starts discussing coffee shops. You might say something like, “Oh no. Never again. The last time I went to a coffee shop, the barista poured hot coffee all over my pants. And yes...it got in my underpants.” Keep your stories concise. When telling a joke or funny story, get to the point. People have short-attention spans in general, but they are even shorter for jokes. Keep your story quick, to the point, and hilarious. Make the end funny. When trying to surprise your friends or coworkers with a funny story or joke, put the surprise at the end. This will keep them on the edge of their seat and ensure they don't laugh until you're finished with your sentence. You might say “And do you know what was in my car when I opened the door, Rebecca? A cat!” This will be funnier than saying “And, Rebecca, a cat was in my car when I opened the door!” Use exaggeration. When telling a funny story, it's okay to exaggerate sometimes for comedic effect. Make sure, though, that you exaggerate wildly so your audience knows you're not telling the truth; they'll still laugh! For instance, you might say, “Yeah, the steaks at that new place are MASSIVE. They're bigger than my first apartment!” Swap out dull words for funnier ones. Some words are just funnier than others; use that to your advantage. These words often allow for more emphasis than do words that are more monotone. One example of this is the word “Pop-Tart”, which sounds funnier than just saying “breakfast.” Other examples are using “underpants” instead of “underwear.” Make fun of yourself. Sometimes the funniest thing you can do is poke fun at yourself. Think about it - you probably do some hilarious things on a daily basis that nobody knows about but you! Share those things with others and laugh with them. For instance, maybe you're a neat freak, but you left a dish in the sink this morning. You might tell a coworker, “I'm so stressed out right now! I'm such a clean freak and I left a dish in the sink this morning. Is this the first step to becoming a hoarder?!” Find at least one funny joke or story you can tell. Identify some funny story, event or joke that can work in any situation and with any group. Use that when the moment is right or when you want to lighten the mood. Avoid making up stories or using something you've seen on TV as your own. Chances are you'll get caught, and you'll look like you're trying too hard. For instance, use a funny story about your friends, family, or yourself. Practice telling jokes in the mirror. Practice makes perfect! While you're developing your sense of humor, practice your jokes on yourself. Look in the mirror and notice how you deliver it and which parts are funny to you. Remember to keep the punchline at the end and keep your facial expression fun and upbeat. Watch comedies. The funnier the things are that you surround yourself with, the funnier you'll be in real life. When you get home from work or school each day, watch a few episodes of a funny movie or TV show. Pick something that's sure to get you laughing. For instance, you might watch reruns of The Office or the movie Bridesmaids. Go to local comedy clubs. Check out comedy clubs in your area and study the comedians. What kinds of jokes or stories worked with the audience and what didn't? Notice what things made you laugh the most and tell similar stories and jokes in your personal life. You can also watch comedy shows online if you can't find a local club. Use YouTube to learn from others and get feedback. Watch other comedians on YouTube to learn new ways to be funny and enjoy humor. It's also a good idea to start your own YouTube channel to get feedback on your own funny stories and jokes. Reflect on what you’re grateful for. Focus in on the positive aspects in your life and more on the negative. This will help improve your overall mood and make it easier for you to laugh throughout your day. Each day, think about one thing that you are grateful for and meditate on that. You can also keep in list in your phone, as well. Spend more time with funny people. Do you have a coworker who you think is hilarious? Or maybe an aunt who keeps everyone laughing? Hang out with them sometimes! Ask your coworker out for a drink or go over to you aunt's house to chat. Do something fun everyday. You don't need to skydive to have more fun, though you can if you want, but do plan at least one fun thing per day. You might choose to go see a new movie that's just come out or play with your kids for an hour. Whatever you choose, sit back, relax and enjoy it. Lots of experiences and interactions with other people will give you extra material for your own comedy. Have a game night. Plan a fun game night for you and your friends. Bring board games, card games, or just play charades. This will give you an opportunity to loosen up and spend time with those you love. Keep a journal to record funny events and things that amuse you. Not only will this help you remember funny stories to tell later, it will also train you to look for comedic moments in your own life. Over time, this will help you have a better sense of humor. Every time you notice and write down something humorous, you'll be getting more practice! Collect funny stories about your own life or moments from others' lives that you find amusing. Write down funny things you find, such as quotes, messages on signs, or silly coincidences. Reduce stress in your life. You can't really enjoy life if your stress levels are high so cut some of that out! Maybe you've taken a second job to pay for the boat you just bought and you don't have any time for yourself. Sell it! No material thing is worth losing your peace over. Maybe you're stressed at work or school. Make a to-do list and prioritize everything. Do the most important tasks first. Take breaks to give yourself some relief. You can also talk to your boss or teachers if your workload is too much. Do different voices or impressions. Impressions can be a great way to get a laugh out of others. You can mock celebrities, politicians, or even your own friends and family if they're not sensitive. Avoid impersonating people of different nationalities from you. For instance, never mock someone who has a thick Asian or Mexican accent when speaking English. Use your facial expressions to be more engaging. When you're telling a funny story, don't forget to be expressive. Smile and laugh along with everyone. If you're telling a shocking part of the story, widen your eyes and lean forward for dramatic effect. You can also use your hands to be more expressive, too. Tell stories with your body language, as well. How you move and gesture communicates a lot to the people you're talking to. The way you tell a story goes a long way toward making it funny, so practice making gestures as you talk. Watch yourself tell a story in front of the mirror. Film yourself telling a story to see what your body language looks like. Keep practicing on camera to improve your gesturing. Laugh at other peoples’ jokes. Being funny is also about recognizing the humor in others. When your friends, family, or coworkers are funny, share in the joke by laughing with them. People will see you as having a better sense of humor if you're able to laugh and make others laugh. Have fun! Most importantly, have fun! Don't get so caught up in making people laugh that you forget to enjoy yourself. Remember, you are more than your humor. So get out there and enjoy life!
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Tell funny stories. Keep your stories concise. Make the end funny. Use exaggeration. Swap out dull words for funnier ones. Make fun of yourself. Find at least one funny joke or story you can tell. Practice telling jokes in the mirror. Watch comedies. Go to local comedy clubs. Use YouTube to learn from others and get feedback. Reflect on what you’re grateful for. Spend more time with funny people. Do something fun everyday. Have a game night. Keep a journal to record funny events and things that amuse you. Reduce stress in your life. Do different voices or impressions. Use your facial expressions to be more engaging. Tell stories with your body language, as well. Laugh at other peoples’ jokes. Have fun!
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https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Budget-Spreadsheet
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How to Create a Budget Spreadsheet
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To create a budget spreadsheet, start by opening a new spreadsheet and creating columns for things like amounts, due dates, and paid dates. Then, create cells to record your income sources, like your monthly pay, followed by cells to record expenses, such as food and housing. Under the individual income sources and expenses, make a cell that calculates your total income and one that calculates total expenses. Finally, at the bottom of the sheet, create a cell that subtracts your total expenses from your total income to get the cash balance.
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Open the spreadsheet program of your choice. To create a spreadsheet, you will need to use a spreadsheet program. Many different programs are available for free online if you don't already have a program like Microsoft Excel or Numbers installed on your computer. For example, Google Drive, Apache OpenOffice, Zoho Sheet, and Excel Online are just a few of the many free options available to you. Once you've found a program to use, install it and open the program up to a blank sheet in a new workbook (a collection of sheets). Put in column headings. Skip the first cell and put "Amount" in cell B1. This column will record the value of every other item on the sheet. Go to the next cell to the right, C1, and write in "Due Date." This column will record due dates of various bills or payments, where necessary. Go another cell to the right, to D1, and write in "Paid?" or something similar. This is an optional column that allows you to track whether or not the bills due at the dates in the C column have been paid. Create cells for recording monthly income. Start in cell A2 by typing in "Income." This simply serves as a heading for the rest of your income items. Then, go to the next cell down, A3, and type "Net Pay." Then, type "Other Income" in the next cell down, A4. For most people, this will be all the income line items you will need. However, if you receive a substantial amount of income from another source (investment income, royalty income, etc.), you may want to include additional line items for those types of income. Make a cell that calculates total monthly income. When you've created cells for all of your types of income, you'll need one that totals up your monthly income. Create this cell in the next available cell underneath your last income line items (so, if you only have "Net Pay" and "Other Income," this will be cell A5). Write "Total Income" in this cell. In the cell directly to the right of that cell (B5 in the example), you need to create a formula to calculate total income. This formula is the SUM formula. Start by typing "=SUM(" in that cell. Then, click the cell to the right of "Net Pay" and drag down to the cell to right of your last income line item cell. In the example, this would be cells B3 to B4. Alternately, you can type in the cell range by typing the first and last cells, separated by a colon, into the SUM function. The whole formula should look something like this: =SUM(B3:B4). The SUM function in excel adds up the value contained within the specific cells, which can either be input individually (B2, B3, B4) or in a range (B2:B4). Excel has many other functions that can be used to simplify calculations. If you receive an error message when entering the formula, this means that you have made an error in writing your formula. Recheck it to make sure that it matches the formula above. Fill in expense titles. Next, you need to input expense in the same way that you put in income. Odds are that there will be considerably more individual line item expenses than there are income items. Because of this, it's easiest to split your expenses up into general categories. Start by skipping a line after your "Total Income" cell in column A and write in "Expenses." In the next cell down, write in "Housing." This is the largest expense for most people, so create space for this category of expenses first. In the cells below this one, fill in different housing expenses that you have each month, like mortgage or rent payments, utilities, and insurance, using one cell for each expense. Skip a line after this category and move on to Food, following the same pattern. Here are some ideas for expense line items and categories, in case you miss any: Housing: mortgage or rent; Utilities (power, gas, water); Internet, cable, satellite; Insurance; Other (taxes, HELOC payments, etc.) Food: Groceries; Eating out; Other food expenses. Transportation: Car loan payments; car insurance; car maintenance; public transit costs; gas; parking/tolls; Other transportation expenses. Health: Health Insurance; Co-pays; Medicine; Other health expenses. Personal/Family Expenses; Money sent to family; Child support; Daycare; Clothing/Shoes; Laundry; Charitable giving; Entertainment; Other personal expenses. Financing expenses: Credit card fees; check cashing fees; Bank fees; Other fees. Other: School loans; School expenses; Credit card payments; money put into savings; Miscellaneous. Sum up expenses. After writing in all of your expense categories, you need to create a cell that will automatically total them up for you. Just like you did for income, create a new cell underneath the last expense line item and write in "Total Expenses." In the cell directly to the right of this one, input your sum formula. Again, you just need to type "=SUM(" and then click and drag down from the cell to the right of your first expense line item and drag down to the one to the right of your last. It doesn't matter if you've left blank spaces anywhere, as the program will ignore them. For example, your sum equation here may look like this: =SUM(B9:B30). Make sure to always close the parentheses in your equation by adding a closing parenthesis mark. Write in an equation for finding total monthly cash balance. Skip another line under your cell in column A where you wrote "Total Expenses" and write in "Cash Balance." This cell will be used to calculate the difference between your income and expenses. In the cell directly to the right of this one, you need to enter the formula to find the difference between those two values. Start by typing "=" and then click on the cell in column B that contains your total income formula. Then type a "-" and click on the cell in column B that contains your total expense formula. This cell will now calculate the difference between the two. For example, your equation might look something like "=B5-B31". Note that no parentheses are required for this equation. Input your income sources. Fill in the amount of your monthly pay, after taxes, benefits, and any other alterations to your pay in the cell to the right of the "Net Pay" cell. Then, input other income (like child support or other payments) in the appropriate cell next to that label. Fill in other appropriate incomes in the B-column cells next to their labels. Include all of your expenses. Fill in the amount of the various expenses you have in the appropriate B-column cells next to their labels. Be sure to include the total amount of those expenses in the month you are budgeting, not just the current amount to that point. Input due dates where applicable. Next to expenses that relate to bills or payments (like utilities, cable, mortgage, or car loans) write in the day of the month that the bill or payment is due in the C column. This doesn't have to be in a specific format, but make sure you can read it easily. If you've already paid it this month, be sure to mark it so in the appropriate D column cell by placing a Y or X there, depending on your marking system. Check that your sum calculations are working. Look at your total income, total expense, and cash balance cells after entering your information to see if they are functioning correctly. If the formula is broken, the spreadsheet should let you know with some sort of demarcation within the formula cell. To be extra sure, you can add or subtract the formula yourself using a calculator to check whether or not it is being calculated correctly. A common error message is a circular reference error. This means that the range being used within an equation includes the cell in which the equation is contained. A message box will pop up saying, "Excel cannot calculate a formula." Check your equation's cell range and make sure you have entered it correctly (that it includes only inputs and not the equation cell). Analyze your monthly cash balance. Your monthly cash balance measures how much money you have left over each month after your expenses have been taken out. If this number is positive, you may consider allocating more money to savings. If it is negative, however, you should look through your expenses and try to find areas where you can cut them down. Look for areas where you are overspending. Totaling up your expenses in this way may help you realize areas where you are spending more than you thought. For example, you may think nothing of spending $8 or $10 each day on lunch, but over a month this adds up to several hundred dollars. In this case, you could consider packing a lunch or seeking cheaper options. Look for cases like this where you could reduce your spending, if necessary. Analyze spending over time. After completing several of these monthly budgets, you can use them to track how spending on some expenses change over time. For example, maybe you've been spending increasing amounts of money on entertainment over time, or maybe your cable bill increased without your noticing. Compare expenses between months to see if they remain more or less constant. If they don't, look into the problem further. Make room for new savings. Once you've cut some expenses and made room for more savings, increase the line item expense for "savings" or "savings account deposits" or any other area where you have allocated money for savings. Increase this value using your newfound positive cash balance and then restart the process. This will help you make your life cheaper over time and also put more money into savings. Click on "Format" and select "Copy" to duplicate a page in Excel. You'll find the "Format" option under the Excel home screen. You can add your copy to your current workbook or a different one. This allows you to reuse your budget spreadsheet each month. As another option, you can follow this same process by right clicking on the spreadsheet tab and selecting "Copy." To copy your spreadsheet within the same workbook, click "Copy," then select "Create a Copy" and click "OK." If you want to create your copy in a different workbook, click "Copy," then change the workbook listed in the "To Book" section to the correct workbook. Finally, select "Create a Copy" and hit "OK." Press “control," left click the tab, and drag to the right for an easy option. This will create a duplicate of your budget spreadsheet in Excel, which you can update month-to-month. You may find this option easier, as you don't have to click on any menus. This technique only works if you're copying your budget into the same workbook. If you want to copy it to a different workbook, use the menu. It's best to copy your budget spreadsheet before you fill it in every month, unless you want to reuse your numbers. Otherwise, you'll need to delete all of your old data at the beginning of every month. Make a copy of a Google Sheet by right clicking and selecting “duplicate. ” The copy will appear on the toolbar at the bottom of your screen, to the right of your existing spreadsheet. To change the title of the copy, right click on the tab, then click on “rename” to title the tab appropriately. If you want to copy your budget spreadsheet into a new spreadsheet, right click and then select “copy to…” Then, you can choose the name of your new spreadsheet. It's best to copy your budget spreadsheet before you put in any information that changes month-to-month.
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Open the spreadsheet program of your choice. Put in column headings. Create cells for recording monthly income. Make a cell that calculates total monthly income. Fill in expense titles. Sum up expenses. Write in an equation for finding total monthly cash balance. Input your income sources. Include all of your expenses. Input due dates where applicable. Check that your sum calculations are working. Analyze your monthly cash balance. Look for areas where you are overspending. Analyze spending over time. Make room for new savings. Click on "Format" and select "Copy" to duplicate a page in Excel. Press “control," left click the tab, and drag to the right for an easy option. Make a copy of a Google Sheet by right clicking and selecting “duplicate.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Grapes-Fresh
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How to Keep Grapes Fresh
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If you want to keep grapes fresh, refrigerate them as soon as you come home. Place the grapes in a sealed plastic bag or an airtight container, but do not wash them, as this will cause them to ripen more quickly. Next, store the container at the back of the refrigerator, which is usually the coolest spot, and avoid storing them near foods with a strong smell, like onions or garlic, as the grapes may absorb the odor. Then, enjoy the grapes within 2-3 weeks!
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Search for grapes with firmly connected stems. Grapes with brown stems that come off easily when you pull them are often overly ripe, and may quickly spoil. Avoid clusters that are losing grapes left and right and opt for stems that are firmly connected. Although you can likely find them year round, the best time to look for fresh grapes is in the fall, when they're technically in season. Try looking for grapes at farmers markets to find fresher varieties than your average supermarket pick. Grapes at a farmers' market were typically picked 1-2 days ago, while supermarket grapes have probably been off the vine longer. Look for yellow-toned green grapes or plump red grapes. Fresh green grapes should range from pale yellow-green to light green, while red and purple grapes can range from light red to a deep, almost-black purple. Choose red grapes that do not have any green tinge to them and are plump on the stems. Some types of grapes naturally take on different colors. For example, Japanese muscat grapes vary from light green to shades of red. Look for other signs of freshness if you're unsure about the ideal color. Avoid purchasing grapes that have brown spots; this may mean that they're rotting. Check for a vinegar scent and brown discoloration. Because of fermentation, grapes that have spoiled may smell strongly of vinegar. Fresh grapes should smell sweet, so if you're picking up a whiff of something sour, look for a different bunch! You can also look for brown spotting on the grapes, which often accompanies the vinegar smell. The same process that causes grapes to spoil also causes wine to taste like vinegar if it isn't stored properly. If you come across sour wine, that probably means that the bacteria in the grapes has turned into acetic acid, and the wine has spoiled. Avoid clusters of grapes that are showing signs of mold. If the grapes have white or gray patches of mold or look furry, choose a different bunch. Moldy grapes will also feel soft to the touch, and might even fall off their stems naturally. Mold is a sign of rot and could quickly spread to the remaining healthy grapes in your bunch. If you see any mold, pick a different cluster! Keep unwashed grapes in their original packaging. Grape packaging is designed with the right balance of ventilation and cover to keep grapes fresh for as long as possible. Try to avoid washing your grapes before you store them, since the water will make your grapes mold more quickly; just store them as they came. You can store grapes in a closed plastic bag, but they will not ventilate as well and will go bad faster. Dispose of grapes that are deteriorating. Check the grape bundle you bought and look for grapes which are falling off, browning, or already molding. If there are any in the bunch, pull them off and dispose of them. These bad apples can affect surrounding grapes. Ideally the clusters you bought won't have deteriorating grapes on them, but it happens, and the best way to deal is to not let it affect all of the other grapes. Put the unwashed bag of grapes in a high humidity drawer in your fridge. Grapes preserve the best if they are kept at 32 °F (0 °C) with 90-95% humidity. They will therefore preserve best in a high humidity drawer. If you don't have a high humidity drawer, you can store the grapes in the back of the fridge, where it is typically cooler. Keep the grapes away from odorous foods in the fridge. Grapes are very susceptible to odor absorption, and their bags have holes in them for proper ventilation. Keep them away from foods with strong smells, like onions and leeks, which can transfer their odor to the grapes and alter the taste. Alternatively, you could keep your grapes near odorous foods that you think might add an interesting flavor, like different varieties of fruits (passion fruit, jackfruit) as a fun experiment in fruit-merging flavors. Freeze grapes to use in smoothies, wine, or as a cold snack. Frozen grapes make great wine ice cubes in the summer and can keep flavor for a few weeks in the freezer. Rinse your grapes under cold water, pat them dry, and remove the grapes from their stems. Then, lay the grapes out on a baking tray lined with wax paper, to prevent the grapes from clumping. Don't try to thaw grapes out after freezing them, as they will taste mushy. Instead, pop them in a smoothie, use them as ice cubes, or eat them as is. Grapes can last 3-5 months in the freezer, but they will lose their flavor much sooner. Remove and wash grapes within 5-10 days of storing them. Grapes will start to go bad after just a few days in the fridge, so be sure to eat them as soon as you can. Before you serve them, run the bundle of grapes under cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Rinsing grapes removes bacteria and pesticides from the fruit that could be harmful to your health. Eat grapes as a solo snack or add them to salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. You can simply put grapes in a bowl and munch on them or get creative by making a grape smoothie or adding the grapes to a salad or sandwich recipe. Red grapes make a great addition to chicken or tuna salad, while green grapes can go very well with yogurt and granola. Older grapes are a good addition to smoothies or homemade jams. Use your frozen grapes as decorative ice cubes. Frozen grapes are an amazing way to keep your wine cool without worrying about the ice melting and watering down the wine. Simply remove red or white grapes from your freezer and place 2-4 frozen grapes in each wine glass. Use red grapes in red wine and green grapes in white wine to keep a consistent flavor.
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Search for grapes with firmly connected stems. Look for yellow-toned green grapes or plump red grapes. Check for a vinegar scent and brown discoloration. Avoid clusters of grapes that are showing signs of mold. Keep unwashed grapes in their original packaging. Dispose of grapes that are deteriorating. Put the unwashed bag of grapes in a high humidity drawer in your fridge. Keep the grapes away from odorous foods in the fridge. Freeze grapes to use in smoothies, wine, or as a cold snack. Remove and wash grapes within 5-10 days of storing them. Eat grapes as a solo snack or add them to salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. Use your frozen grapes as decorative ice cubes.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-to-Do-a-Front-Walkover-in-1-Day
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How to Learn to Do a Front Walkover in 1 Day
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If you want to do a front walkover in 1 day, you'll need to practice the basic skills that make up the move. The handstand is the setup for the front walkover, so spend an hour or 2 practicing handstands against a wall until you feel comfortable being upside down and supporting your weight with your arms. When you can confidently do a handstand, practice bridges by lying on your back with your hands and feet on the ground, then pressing up to form an arch. Once you've mastered the bridge, work on cartwheels. After a few hours of practicing these skills separately, have a spotter help you transition from 1 into the other smoothly until you can confidently do a front walkover.
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Find a safe place to practice. Before you attempt a front walkover, you'll need a spot where you can play around with new techniques and exercises without worrying about hurting yourself. Look for spots that are outside or have enough space for you to move around freely. If you're practicing outside, try to find an area with grass, sand or loose dirt, which can help cushion the impact if you fall. Make sure your outdoor practice space is clear of rocks, twigs and other debris that could cause a painful mishap. See if you can spend the afternoon learning the front walkover in your school gymnasium or the local community center. Parks and playgrounds with rubberized flooring make great places for safely trying out new skills. Grab a spotter. Pull a friend, parent or sibling aside and ask them if they can spot you as you get the hang of difficult or scary skills. A spotter can guide you and support your weight as you run through the movement, which lets you focus on your technique. Almost anyone can be a spotter, so there's no reason not to have one on your first few tries. To properly spot a front walkover, have your spotter place one hand across your lower back and give you a lift as you stand up out of the bridge. Your spotter should be someone who is tall and strong enough to help hold you up. Put down some mats. Mats and protective padded surfaces will serve to prevent injury in case you land incorrectly. They will also take away a good deal of fear, as you know you're unlikely to get hurt even if you mess up. Once you get more comfortable with the skill, you can slowly start building up the courage to do it without pads. Testing the waters with a mat can really speed up the learning process, so that by the end of the day you'll be doing walkovers with no hesitation. You can buy fold-up tumbling mats designed specifically for gymnastics and cheerleading at most sporting goods stores. These will lay over any flat surface and store easily when you're finished with them. If you don't have mats available to you, use folded blankets, pillows or couch cushions to break your fall. Go at your own pace. Even though your goal is to learn to do a front walkover in the course of a day, there's no need to rush yourself. The bigger a hurry you're in, the more likely you are to make mistakes or develop bad habits. Spend a couple of hours or longer breaking down and drilling each phase of the technique and take your time overcoming intimidating challenges. Create short-term goals for the day, such as "I'd like to be able to hold a bridge by the end of the afternoon," or "I'll try my first walkover without a spotter after dinner." Don't forget to take rest breaks occasionally. Tumbling is a strenuous activity, and you won't perform as well if you're tired. Stretch out thoroughly. Movements like the front walkover can put a lot of strain on your wrists, shoulders and back, so it's a good idea to stretch out these parts of your body prior to practicing. Following a light warm up, loosen up your muscles and joints. This will get your blood flowing and energize you, as well as increase your range of motion, allowing you to get into tricky positions easier. Raise both arms up high, then reach across your body as you lean from side to side at the waist. Lie face down on the floor and push your torso up and back to limber up your lower back. Flex both wrists to get them ready to hold you up. Don't neglect your warm up and stretching routine. You're at a much higher risk of injury if you force your body to perform difficult movements before it's ready. Start with a handstand. Since a well-controlled handstand is the setup for the front walkover, it will be useful to make sure you have it down first. Place both hands on the floor in front of you. Kick up with one leg, then bring both legs together in a vertical position with your body straight and aligned. Maintain your balance by making minor adjustments with your hands and shoulders. Practice your handstands against a wall until you get used to being upside down and supporting yourself on your arms. Instead of returning your feet to the floor beneath you when you exit the handstand, lower yourself forward into a bridge. This technique is called a front limber, and it will help get you more comfortable with transitioning to your feet. Aim to spend an hour or two drilling your handstand, then start working on transitioning into the bridge and follow-through. Get the hang of a bridge. The bridge and backbend translate perfectly to the second part of the walkover. Lying on your back with your hands and feet planted firmly on the ground beneath you, press up so that your body forms an arch. Support yourself by keeping your arms and legs straight and strong. The back flexibility needed for to hold a solid bridge is key for learning the front walkover. Squeeze your butt muscles to help you stay tight in a bridge. You won't need to be able to hold a bridge for very long in order to do a walkover, so focus on standing up from the bridge to help you practice coming out of the technique easily. Turn a few cartwheels. Master your cartwheel to get used to the action of kicking up to your hands, which will carry you over when doing the walkover. Set your hands down on the floor one after the other as you swing your back leg up. Drive through with your kicking leg to lift yourself into an inverted position, then rotate around and set it back down, followed by your opposite leg. The technique of landing on the same foot you kick with is used in both the cartwheel and front walkover. When doing a front walkover, you'll only be tweaking your cartwheel technique slightly so that you're moving straight forward rather than sideways. Adjusting your cartwheel technique to practice kicking up into a handstand can help you get the hang of getting inverted by the end of the day. Reach down and place both hands on the floor. Take a staggered stance, with whichever leg you prefer to kick up with in the back. Bend over at the waist and set your hands down a couple feet ahead of your front foot. Your hands should be a comfortable distance apart and parallel, with your fingers spread out in front of you. Start with your weight in the heels of your palms and shift it to your fingers as you raise up into the handstand. Your hands should stay in the same position throughout the walkover. Kick your back leg up behind you. Throw your kicking leg up hard, keeping it as straight as possible throughout the movement. The kick will begin to lift you into a handstand. Keep your other foot on the floor for as long as you can. The momentum generated by the kick will power you through the walkover in one smooth motion, while your extended front leg will act as a counterbalance to help you stand back up. You'll need to kick forcefully in order to rotate around with enough speed to walk out of the backbend. Front walkovers are all about confidence. If you don't commit to the movement, you won't have enough force to carry you over. Raise up into a handstand. After you kick up, begin lifting your other leg off the ground. Both legs should now be in the air, leaving you in an inverted position. Balance carefully as you continue to whip your legs over and behind your body. Brace your upper body, but keep your hips and legs loose. Press your fingers into the floor to stabilize yourself and control your speed as you bring your legs over the top. Unlike a normal handstand, resist the urge to bring your legs together. They should stay split from the time you kick to the time your first foot hits the floor. Lean forward to catch yourself in a bridge. At the top of your handstand, arch your back to bring your kicking leg closer to the ground as it comes around. Lean your weight forward as you prepare to come into contact with the floor. The basic idea is that you're gracefully falling into a bridge one leg at a time. While your body is tilting forward, keep your eyes on the floor just in front of your hands to maintain your center of gravity. If you try to look too far up or down, you may fall out of position. Use a raised surface, like a bed or the seat of a couch, to get a feel for landing with your first leg. This is the most difficult part of the skill, and will likely take a few hours to practice before you get it down. Touch down with one leg after the other. Your kicking leg should now have traveled over your body and be pointed at where you will land. Keep leaning and arching your back until you feel your toes hit the floor. Shift your weight onto your first foot. As you swing your other leg through, push off of the ground with your arms and shoulders to return you to an upright position. You can then glide naturally out of the movement and finish strong and tall. You've just done your first front walkover in less than 24 hours! Keep your legs split until the moment your first foot touches the floor. If they're too close together, the transition won't be as smooth and it will be much harder to stand back up. Practice front walkovers regularly until you start to see improvement in your technique.
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Find a safe place to practice. Grab a spotter. Put down some mats. Go at your own pace. Stretch out thoroughly. Start with a handstand. Get the hang of a bridge. Turn a few cartwheels. Reach down and place both hands on the floor. Kick your back leg up behind you. Raise up into a handstand. Lean forward to catch yourself in a bridge. Touch down with one leg after the other.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Risks
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How to Take Risks
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If you want to take risks to achieve your goals but you've been too afraid till now, start by believing in your ability to take on bigger responsibilities in life. You can do this by taking stock of what you've already achieved, like jobs and qualifications, to remind yourself you have great skills and talents deserving of being put to good use. It can also help to imagine the consequences of not taking a risk, because even though it might seem counter-intuitive, by avoiding risks you're settling for less, and risk leading an unfulfilled life of many regrets. And before you're done imagining, try to visualize everything going well for you. For example, if you decide to look for a new job, imagine yourself doing it, with your nameplate on the door already!
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Stop underestimating yourself. One of the reasons people struggle with taking risks is because they are not confident that they will be able to handle the stress, responsibility, or pressure that comes along with it. You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for, so stop doubting your own abilities! If you are considering moving to a new place, remind yourself that you have lots of skills and talents, so you should not be afraid of not being able to find a job or make new friends. If you want to ask someone on a date but you're worried she might say no, remind yourself that you are a great person with a lot to offer and that you will be just fine even if she does say no. Consider the risks of settling. You may be so bogged down with worries about the consequences of taking a risk that you forget there are consequences involved with not taking a risk also. If you never take risks, you will always be settling and living with regret. This constitutes a serious risk as well, as you may not be living the fulfilling life you really want. For example, if you are thinking about taking a new job that you think you will enjoy much more than your current job, but you are concerned that it is not as secure as your current job, consider that you risk being unhappy and never enjoying your work if you stay where you are. Remember that risk is relative. Everyone has a different tolerance for risk and danger. It can be beneficial to push your comfort zone a little to reach for things you want to accomplish, but there's no need to compare your own risk-taking to others. Don't let anyone pressure you into taking risks. You should take them because you want to, not because other people want you to. On the other hand, don't let people talk you out of doing something risky just because they would not be comfortable with doing it. What matters is your comfort level, not anyone else's. Be realistic about what could go wrong. It's always possible that your risk may not pay off, but it's important to keep the consequences in perspective. People tend to overestimate both the likelihood that something will go wrong and the severity of the consequences that will ensue. Take a minute to reflect on what would actually happen if your risk didn't pay off and how you would handle it. For example, if you want to take the risk of making a public announcement about an important issue, you might stop yourself because you think that you will forget what you have to say, that people will laugh at you and that your entire life will be ruined. Consider that even if you forgot what you wanted to say and people laughed at you, there is a very small probability that this would ruin the rest of your life. Let go of what others think. Stop living the life that you think other people expect you to live, and start living the life you really want to live. If you aren't constantly worrying about disappointing others or embarrassing yourself, it will be much easier for you to take risks in life. If you are getting a lot of pushback from your friends and loved ones about your decisions, try having a talk with them. Say something like, "I really want to do this, and I find it very upsetting that you are so judgmental of it." You can try to explain your decisions to others, but don't feel like you have to justify them to anyone except yourself. Consider who you want to share your big risk with and talk to them after you have made your decision. Picture everything going well. Once you've decided that a risk is worth taking, try visualizing the scenario in your head several times with everything going exactly as planned. Don't let negative thoughts about things that could go wrong creep into your head. This positive thinking will help you build the confidence you need to go through with your risk. If you find yourself dwelling on possible negative outcomes, try repeating the desired outcome to yourself out loud. It may also help to remind yourself of all of the precautions you will be taking to prevent the negative thing from happening. Start small. There's no reason you have to jump right into a huge risk right away! Starting with smaller risks will help improve your tolerance for risk and give you the confidence you need to take more of them. You can start by just saying yes to all opportunities that come your way, instead of trying to make new opportunities for yourself right away. For example, if someone asks you if you'd like to work on a new project at work, accept it. If someone invites you to try a new sport with them, give it a try even if it's not something you'd ordinarily do. Another way to start small is to just take a single step towards the risk you want to take. For example, if you want to try scuba diving but are too afraid to try, take a small step in the right direction by snorkeling in a pool. Try to tackle your biggest fear. Everyone has one colossal fear that holds them back in life, whether it's fear of public speaking or fear of heights. Whatever your fear is, go out of your way to face it head-on. People have lots of fears, and often the best way to get over them is to expose yourself to them. For example, if you are afraid of heights, try walking on a high bridge. Make sure you stick to something safe. If something bad happens, your fear may get worse. If the thought of facing your biggest fear is too overwhelming, pick a part of it you will tackle. For example, you could drive near a tall bridge and just look at it rather than crossing, or you could take a few steps onto it with the help of a friend. You don't need to confront your fears alone for it to “count.” Find your happy place. Taking some risks may make your life happier and more fulfilling, but other risks may not have the same effect. Experiment with risk-taking in small steps to find out what level of risk enhances your life. There's no reason to challenge your own comfort with risks that won't do you any good. Remember that everyone is different. Some people thrive under constant pressure, while others are happier with a more steady routine. You will know when you have found the right balance for you when you feel fulfilled and have no regrets about the risks you didn't take. Know that you can always back out. Just because you've decided to take a risk does not mean that you can't change your mind. Always go with your gut and don't be afraid to change your plan along the way. There's a difference between changing your mind and giving up. Try not to back out because you are too afraid to go through with taking the risk. Instead, back out if you realize that the risk is not worth taking or if an alternative presents itself that will provide the same or better benefits. Avoid reckless risks. There are some risks that are never worth it, like driving drunk or committing a crime. If there is substantial risk of injury or punishment and no true benefit, don't take the risk. Risks that pose unnecessary harm to other people are usually not worth it either. It is not your place to risk the safety of other people. Risky sports like skydiving may be the exception to this rule. For some, this may be a reasonable risk because the adrenaline rush and genuine enjoyment are a huge reward. For others, this may seem like a reckless risk. Always weigh the risks and benefits. If you want to make smart choices, it's very important to understand how much risk a given activity involves, how significant the risk is, and what the potential benefits are. Carefully compare the possible consequences with the possible benefits in order to determine if a risk is worth it for you. Some risks may be worth it in certain situations, but not in others. For example, if you want to quit your job and move to a new city with no plan, the risks will be higher if the economy is bad and you have a lot of debt to pay off than they will if the economy is flourishing and you are debt-free. It helps to have as clear an understanding as possible of what could actually go wrong. If you can get some kind of objective data or talk to an expert about the potential outcome, do it. If not, take some time to think through the possible consequences carefully. Try assigning a number value to each risk and benefit. (The worse the risk or better the benefit, the higher the number.) This can help you compare the risks and benefits of a specific activity in a very logical way. For example, if you are contemplating a risky investment, assign a number to the possibility of losing your investment (maybe an 8) and one to the possibility of making a fortune (maybe a 10). Then compare these two to help you determine whether the risk is worth it. Maintain a safety net. While taking risks is often a good thing, you should always make sure there is something in place to protect you from the worst case scenario. For example, if you want to start a business, your knowledge and experience can protect you from failure. If you want to swim with sharks, a cage can protect you from being eaten. In many cases, a financial safety net is a very good idea. Having a little cushion to protect you against losing your home and not being able to feed your family can make it much easier to take the risk of starting a business. Have a plan for failure. It's important not to fixate on the worst possible scenario (because this can prevent you from taking any kind of risk), but it does pay to be prepared. Before you take a risk that has potentially serious consequences, plan out how you will handle the worst case scenario. For example, if you want to invest all of your savings into a new business, come up with a way that you will be able to pay your mortgage if the business fails, such as renting out a room in your house. If you are taking a risk by asking a stranger out on a date, decide in advance that you will say something like, "Okay, no problem. Have a nice day," if he says no. Consider others. Whenever you take a risk, it's important to think of the way your decision may affect others. For example, if the thing you want to do carries a serious risk of injury or death, think about how this will affect your family when deciding if the risk is worth it. If your risk will have a serious impact on another person, it may be a good idea to talk to them about it. While it is ultimately your decision, it will help to know how the other person feels about it.
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Stop underestimating yourself. Consider the risks of settling. Remember that risk is relative. Be realistic about what could go wrong. Let go of what others think. Picture everything going well. Start small. Try to tackle your biggest fear. Find your happy place. Know that you can always back out. Avoid reckless risks. Always weigh the risks and benefits. Maintain a safety net. Have a plan for failure. Consider others.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Tampon
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How to Remove a Tampon
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To remove a tampon, sit on the toilet with your legs spread and try to relax as you pull the string at the end of the tampon. Once out, wrap the tampon in toilet paper and throw it in the garbage. If the string breaks or is lost, insert your pointer finger and feel around until you locate the tampon. Then, trap it between two fingers and guide it out. Plan to change your tampon every 3 to 5 hours to avoid saturation. Alternatively, if your tampon still has a lot of absorbency after several hours, then switch to a lower absorbency tampon.
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Remove your tampon every 3-5 hours to avoid saturation. Although tampons can be worn safely for up to 8 hours, they generally need to be changed more often than this. Depending on how heavy your cycle is, you need to change out your tampon every 3-5 hours to avoid leaks. Leaving a tampon in longer than 8 hours puts you at a higher risk for infection for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially deadly infection. If you try to change your tampon and it still has a lot of absorbency or only has a little blood on it, try switching to a lower absorbency tampon. Always wear the tampon with the lowest possible absorbency for your flow. Change your tampon if you feel any wetness. This means your tampon is no longer absorbing the blood and it is leaking. Wear a thin panty-liner if you are worried about your tampon leaking. Check your tampon if it feels uncomfortable. If your tampon is inserted correctly, you should not be able to tell it is there. If you can feel something, it means the tampon is too low. With clean hands, use one finger to push the tampon further up into your vagina. If the tampon won't move or it is painful to push, your vagina is too dry and you should remove the tampon and start over. You may want to try a tampon with a lower absorbency. Change your tampon if you tug on the string and it slides out easily. You should give the string a little experimental pull every time you go to the bathroom. If the tampon comes right out, then it's time to change. Change your tampon if there is blood on the string. Even if the tampon itself isn't fully saturated or doesn't slide out easily, if the string is bloody it means the tampon was about to leak. Check for symptoms of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome). Remove your tampon and seek medical help if you have: a sudden, high fever (usually 102°F or more); a red rash that looks like a sunburn anywhere on your body; feel dizzy or faint when standing up; or if you experience vomiting or diarrhea. These are symptoms of TSS. While it is rare, TSS can be deadly and these symptoms should be taken seriously. Sit on the toilet with your legs spread. Sitting over the toilet reduces any possible mess. Relax. Removing a tampon should not be painful. If you are nervous, take a deep breath and distract yourself by reading a magazine. Do not clench your vaginal muscles. If you can't relax, try to pee a little. This may relax the muscles enough to allow you to remove the tampon easily. Pull the string at the end of the tampon. The tampon should slide out easily, with little or no resistance. If the tampon does not come out easily or it is painful to remove, it may not need to be changed. Unless it's been 8 hours (in which case you should try the peeing trick to ease its removal), leave the tampon in another hour or two and then check it. If you remove the tampon after 4-8 hours and there is very little blood, you may want to switch to a lower absorbency tampon or use panty liners instead. Once removed, wrap the tampon in toilet paper and place in the garbage. Some companies claim their tampons are safe to flush, but it's generally not a good idea. Tampons will eventually break down, but not quickly enough that they won't expand and clog your pipes, destroy your septic tank, and cause a lot of (expensive!) plumbing problems. Don't panic. It is impossible for a tampon to get "lost" in your body if the string breaks or you can't find it. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Wet your hands, then apply soap. Scrub your hands with the soap, then rinse your hands clean. Dry your hands with a clean towel. Your hands can harbor germs that may transfer into your vagina. Make sure your nails aren't jagged or sharp, as you might scratch yourself. Get into the position you would normally be in when inserting a tampon. For example, you can sit over the toilet, squat, or stand with one leg up on the toilet seat. Choose the position that's most comfortable for you. Take a deep breath and try to relax. Insert your pointer finger into your vagina and feel for the tampon. Make circular and back and forth movements until you feel the tampon. It may be turned to the side or pushed up to the top of the vaginal canal, near the cervix and behind your bladder. Insert two fingers, trapping the tampon between them, and pull it out. If you cannot feel the tampon or have trouble removing it, trying sitting on the toilet and pushing as though you are trying to push out a baby or go poop.
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Remove your tampon every 3-5 hours to avoid saturation. Change your tampon if you feel any wetness. Check your tampon if it feels uncomfortable. Change your tampon if you tug on the string and it slides out easily. Change your tampon if there is blood on the string. Check for symptoms of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome). Sit on the toilet with your legs spread. Relax. Pull the string at the end of the tampon. Once removed, wrap the tampon in toilet paper and place in the garbage. Don't panic. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Get into the position you would normally be in when inserting a tampon. Insert your pointer finger into your vagina and feel for the tampon. Insert two fingers, trapping the tampon between them, and pull it out.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Boyfriend-in-Middle-School
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How to Get a Boyfriend in Middle School
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To boost your chances of getting a boyfriend in middle school, try approaching a boy directly if you're interested in him. It might seem scary, but you can just go up to him and say hi if you see him in the halls. You can also try showing your interest by sitting next to him at lunch, in class, or on the bus. Although starting a conversation can be intimidating, try asking him questions like, “So, what clubs are you thinking of joining this year?” to get to know him better.
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Practice good hygiene. Keeping yourself nice and clean will make you more attractive. Shower and use deodorant daily to keep your body smelling fresh. Wash your face and brush your teeth twice a day. You may want to shave your legs or armpits, but make sure to get permission from your parents before you start. Wear a bit of makeup if you'd like to. Don't wear too much, just enough to make you feel comfortable. Some makeup that looks good on middle schoolers is: A little mascara. This makes your eyelashes longer and boys are more likely to notice you. Try some concealer if you have dark under-eye circles or acne. Wear lip gloss or a light shade of lip-stick. Don't wear dark red lipstick; it makes you look too adult. Scented body lotions and perfumes are great, but avoid using too much. However, it is also okay to not wear makeup if that is what you choose. Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Dress in clothes that make you feel beautiful and confident. For some people that might be a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and for others it might be a flowy sundress. The more confidence and positive energy you radiate, the more people will be drawn to you. Make sure your clothes are clean and neat. Wrinkles and coffee stains are not so cute. Be confident in who you are. Yes, having a boyfriend is nice, but you shouldn't need one to feel good about yourself. Remember that you're awesome just the way you are. Embrace your unique personality, your quirky interests, and your body. It's important that you're comfortable with yourself before you focus on someone else. Don’t waste too much time worrying about how you look. It's easy to get fixated on how you look, or to wish you were prettier or thinner. However, remember that your values and your personality matter more than your appearance. In fact, confidence is actually more important than appearance in attracting guys! Talk to single guys in class. Are there a few cute, single boys in your classes? Take action and start conversations with them to see if you connect. If their desks are near yours, this will be a little easier, but you can always chat them up before or after class, too. Starting a conversation might be intimidating, but all you have to do is comment on something related to the class! If the classroom is freezing, you could say something like, “Are you cold? This classroom feels like the arctic.” You could also ask them for help. You might ask, “Can I borrow a pencil?” or “Did you happen to catch the homework assignment?” Go to parties and other social events. A great way to meet potential boyfriends is to put yourself out there! Go to your classmates' parties and attend school functions, like football games and pep rallies. The more boys you meet, the more likely you are to find the right one for you. To make the most out of the social events you attend, you can't stay huddled in a circle with your friends the entire time. If you see someone you like, start a casual conversation with them by commenting on something around you. For example, you could say, “I love this song! Do you know it?” If he's a fan too, you already have something in common! Ask your friends to help you meet boys. Your friends may know some cute single guys, so ask them if they can introduce you. Having a mutual friend with a guy can give the two of you something to talk about. Plus, if your friends approve of him, he's probably a good guy. You might say, “I think I want a boyfriend. Do you know any cute guys that I should meet?” Join clubs or activities that interest you. A great way to meet like-minded guys is to join an interesting activity or club! Having a common interest will help you connect. If you're an athlete, you could join a sports team, like swimming or track and field. You'll be able to show off your killer athletic abilities while meeting boys who share your love for sports. Maybe you love helping others. Join a volunteer organization at your school to meet sweet guys who love to do the same. Say hi when you pass him in the halls. Now that you've got your eye on someone, you need to show him how you feel. Start by saying hi and giving him a big smile when you run into him. Show him how happy you are to see him! Ask him questions. If you have time, start a conversation with your crush and ask him questions to get to know him better. Try to ask open-ended questions, which are questions that can't be answered with a simple yes or no.. An open-ended question could be something like, “So, why is Star Wars your favorite series of all time?” Sit by him. You're probably sitting a lot throughout the school day, so why not make the most of that time by sitting next to him? Sit next to him at lunch, on the bus, in class, or at the football game. Of course, it's best not to sit next to him all the time--you might scare him away. However, sitting next to him now and then will give him a hint. You can even save him a seat if you're feeling extra bold! Flirt with him. Flirting might seem pretty confusing, but it can actually be pretty simple! A good way to start is by touching him lightly on the arm when you're talking. You should also make eye contact, smile, and do a little playful teasing! Say something funny like, “Wow, you're pretty good at soccer...almost as good as my little sister!” Make sure you keep the teasing lighthearted. If it seems like you're hurting his feelings, back off. Use social media to flirt. Like his photos on Instagram, tag him in funny memes, and keep up your Snapchat streak. Moderation is key, though. Liking posts from months ago and sending him an endless stream of Snapchats may look a little creepy. Keep your texts fun and casual. You shouldn't be in constant communication with your crush, or you could seem clingy. Instead, text him every of couple days talking about something funny that happened at school or wishing him luck on his baseball game. Don't appear too eager when responding to his messages. Play hard-to-get by waiting a few minutes to respond to some of them. Make sure you're texting each other equally. If you're always the one who has to initiate the conversation, it's a bad sign. Help him out when he needs it. Once you and your crush are on a friendly basis, offer to do favors for him. Maybe he needs a ride to the school play, and your mom has an extra seat in the car. If he forgot his lunch, offer him your extra yogurt. Basically, you should try to be a good friend. Invite him to hang out in a group. Asking someone to hang out alone can be pretty scary, so start by asking him to hang out in a group. It'll keep things casual while giving the two of you time to bond. Plus, if your friends are there, they can give you tips and moral support. Get your friends and his friends together for a swim at the pool, a bowling tournament, or an adventurous day at the local theme park. Ask him to hang out one-on-one. Once you've hung out in group situations a few times, you may want to hang out one-on-one. Your parents might not let you go to a movie alone, but you can ask him to go for a walk with you at lunch, or invite him to your house for family game night. You could say, “Hey, do you want to come over tonight? My family is having a game night, and it's always super fun!” Make sure you ask your parents before making plans outside of school with your crush. Be upfront about your feelings. If you think he's interested and you want to start a relationship, it's important to be honest about your emotions. No matter how obvious you think you're being, your crush isn't a mind reader. You don't have to declare your undying love for him, but you should tell him that you're interested in something more than friendship. You might say, “I really like you, and I'd love to get to know you better.” Try to do this in a private situation so it's easier for both of you to communicate honestly and openly. Move on if he’s not interested. Sometimes, a relationship just isn't meant to be, so don't take it personally. If he avoids you, seems bored when you're together, declines your invitations to hang out, or seems to care more about chasing other girls, he may not be the one for you. Rejection can hurt, but there are tons of guys out there. Let yourself feel sad for a bit, then brush it off and meet some new guys who appreciate you for you.
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Practice good hygiene. Wear a bit of makeup if you'd like to. Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Be confident in who you are. Don’t waste too much time worrying about how you look. Talk to single guys in class. Go to parties and other social events. Ask your friends to help you meet boys. Join clubs or activities that interest you. Say hi when you pass him in the halls. Ask him questions. Sit by him. Flirt with him. Use social media to flirt. Keep your texts fun and casual. Help him out when he needs it. Invite him to hang out in a group. Ask him to hang out one-on-one. Be upfront about your feelings. Move on if he’s not interested.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Sail-a-Boat
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How to Sail a Boat
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To sail a boat, start by performing a detailed visual check of the cables and ropes that support the mast.Next, determine the wind direction by referring to the wind direction indicator at the top of the mast, then point the boat into the wind. Secure the bottom front of the mainsail and jib to the shackles on the boom and bow of the boat, then trim the jib sheets and mainsail before letting out the main sheet!
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Know the different parts of a sailboat. It is important to know the different parts both for safety reasons and to be able to sail your boat as efficiently as possible. If you don't know what to do when someone suddenly yells, “prepare to tack” or “watch the boom!” you may be in trouble. Block: This is the nautical term for a pulley. Boom: The horizontal support for the foot of the mainsail which extends aft of the mast. This is what you want to watch out for when changing directions in a sailboat. It can give you quite a wallop on the head if it hits you. Bow: This is what the front of the boat is called. Centerboard: This is a (usually fiberglass) plate that pivots from the bottom of the keel in some boats and is used to balance the boat when under sail. Cleat: Cleats are what lines (or ropes) get fastened to when they need to be kept tight. Halyard: Lines that raise or lower the sails. (Along with the sheets, aka running rigging.) Hull: The hull is the body of the boat and consists of everything below the deck. Jib: This is the sail at the bow of the boat. The jib helps propel the boat forward. Genoa: A foresail which is larger than a jib. Keel: The keel is what prevents a boat from sliding sideways ("making leeway") in whatever way the wind is blowing and stabilizes the boat. Line: Lines are ropes. They are everywhere on boats. There is only one "rope" on a sailboat, the bolt rope which runs along the foot of the mainsail. Mainsail: As the name implies, this is the mainsail of the boat. It is the sail attached to the back of the mast. Mast: The mast is a large, vertical pole that holds the sails up. Some boats have more than one mast. Painter: This is a line positioned at the front of small boats. It is used to tie the boat to a dock or another boat. Rudder: The rudder is how the boat is steered. It is movable so that when you turn the wheel or tiller, the rudder directs the boat in the direction you would like the boat to go. Sheets: The lines that control the sails. (aka running rigging.) Spinnaker: The usually brightly colored sail used when sailing downwind or across the wind. Stays and Shrouds: Some wires make sure the mast stays upright, even in very heavy winds. (aka standing rigging.) Stern: This is the term for the back of the boat. Tiller: The tiller is a stick attached to the rudder and is used to control the rudder. Transom: This is what we would call the butt of the boat. It is the back part of the boat that is perpendicular to its centerline. Wheel: The wheel works the rudder, steering the boat. Winch: Winches help tighten the sheets and halyards. When these lines are wrapped around a winch (in a clockwise direction), a sailor can turn the winch with a winch handle, providing mechanical advantage which makes it easier to bring in the lines. Know about the different kinds of sailboats. In general, if you are a beginning sailor you will most likely not be operating your own schooner. You will probably be working with a catboat, cutter, or sloop. Sloop : Sloops are the most common type of sailboat (when you think of a sailboat this is probably the one you picture in your mind.) It has a single mast and is rigged up with a jib in the front and a mainsail attached to the back of the mast. They can range in size and are ideal for sailing upwind. Catboat : A Catboat has a mast set up near the front of the boat and is a single-sail boat. They are small (or large, for that matter) and easily operated by one or two people. Cutter : Cutters have one mast with two sails in the front and a mainsail on the back of the mast. These boats are meant for small crews or groups of people and can be handled relatively easily. Ketch : A Ketch has two masts, with the second mast called the mizzen mast. The mizzen is shorter than the mainmast and is in front of the rudder. Yawl : Yawls are similar to ketches with the difference being that their mizzen masts are located behind the rudder. The reason for this placement is that the mizzen on yawls is for keeping balance, rather than for moving the boat forward. Schooner : Schooners are large sailboats with two or more masts. The mast in the back of the boat is either taller or equal in height to the mast at the front of the ship. Schooners have been used to commercially fish, transport goods and as warships. Know common terms used on a sailboat. Aside from the terms used for the different parts of the boat, there are also certain terms that sailors commonly use while at sea (or heading out to sea.) A trick to remember that port is left and starboard is right is that starboard has two 'Rs' in it, which is the beginning letter of 'right'. Starboard, green and right have more letters than port, red and left. You can also keep in mind that "port wine is red". Port: When you are facing the bow (the front of the boat) the side to your left is the port side. Starboard: Starboard is the right side of the boat when facing the bow. Windward: As the name might imply, windward is the direction from which the wind is blowing, upwind. Leeward: This is also called 'Lee'. This is the direction to which the wind is blowing, downwind. Tacking: Tacking is when you turn the bow of the boat through the wind so that the wind switches from one side of the boat to the other. This is when you most need to be mindful of the boom, as the boom will swing from one side of the boat to the other when you tack (you don't want to be in its way when it does that.) Gybing (Jibing): This is the opposite of tacking, which means that it is when you turn the stern (or back) of the boat through the wind so that wind shifts to the other side of the boat. This is a more dangerous maneuver in a strong breeze than tacking since the boat's sails are always fully powered by the wind, and may react violently to the change in the orientation of the boat to the wind. Care must be exercised to control the boom during this maneuver as serious injury is a possibility if the boom travels across the cockpit uncontrolled. Luffing: This is when the sails begin to flap and lose drive caused by steering the boat into wind or easing (loosening) sheets. Understand navigational buoys. It is important to look out for and honor navigational buoys--they'll let you know where the safe water exists. In North America, on your way out of the marina, red buoys are almost always left to port while green buoys are left to starboard. (Remember, Red-Right-Returning). For most of the rest of the world, this is the other way round. Perform a detailed visual check. Inspect all the standing rigging—the cables and ropes that support the mast—including the turnbuckles and cotter pins securing the rigging to the hull. Many sailboats have dismasted because a 15-cent cotter pin was missing! Check the lines ( running rigging ) that raise and control the sails ( halyards and sheets respectively). Make sure that they are separated, not wrapped around each other or fouled on anything else, and that they all have a figure-eight knot or other stopper knot on the free ( bitter ) end so they cannot pull through the mast or sheaves. Pull all lines out of their cleats and off their winches. There should be nothing binding any line; all should be free to move and be clear at this point. If you have a topping lift—a small line that holds the back of the boom up and out of the way when the sail isn't in use—let it out until the boom sags downward freely, then re-tie or re-cleat it. Watch out for the boom; it's just swinging around at this point; it will cause a painful "clunk" if it happens to hit you or your crew. The boom will return to its normal, horizontal position when you hoist the mainsail completely. If so equipped, be sure that the tiller is properly attached to and controls the rudder. Your sailboat is now prepared for you to hoist the sails! Check the condition of the sail, as well. It should be straight and white, not worn out, wrinkled, or frayed at the edges. Determine the wind direction. Many boats have a windex, or a wind direction indicator, at the top of the mast. You might also see flags on the point, and you can judge the wind based on the way the flags are flying. I If your boat doesn't have a windex, tie a couple of nine-inch pieces of old cassette tape, VHS tape, or oiled yarn to the shrouds—the rigging cables that hold up the mast. Place them on each side, about four feet up from the sides of the boat. These will show you from which direction the wind is blowing, although some sailors find cassette tape to be just too sensitive for this purpose. With experience, you'll be able to tell the direction of the wind just by feeling it on your face. Point the boat into the wind. The idea is to have the minimum amount of wind resistance when raising the sail, with the sail straight back. In this position, the sail won't be snagging on any shrouds or any other hardware, either. This isn't always easy. The boat won't turn readily because it's not moving ( under way ). Do the best you can, but be prepared to work for it! If your boat has a motor, use the motor to keep the boat pointed into the wind while you hoist sail. Here's a handy tip: if the water is not deep at your dock, or if you have no side pier, walk the boat out away from the dock and anchor it into the sand, and the boat will automatically point itself into the direction of the wind! Attach the sails. Secure the bottom front ( tack ) of the mainsail and jib to their respective shackles on the boom and the bow of the boat. There will be a small line ( outhaul ) attaching the rear corner of the mainsail ( clew ) to the end of the boom. Pull it so the foot of the main is taut, and cleat. This helps the mainsail have a smooth shape for the air flowing over it. Hoist the mainsail by pulling down on its halyard until it stops. It will be flapping around ( luffing ) like crazy, but that's OK for a short period of time. (Excessive luffing will drastically reduce the life and durability of the sail). The leading edge of the sail ( luff ) must be tight enough to remove folds, but not so tight as to create vertical creases in the sail. There will be a cleat in the vicinity of the halyard where it comes down from the top of the mast. Cleat the halyard. Using the jib halyard, raise the front sail ( jib , genoa or simply the headsail ), and cleat the halyard off. Both sails will be luffing freely now. Sails are always raised mainsail first, then the jib, because it's easier to point the boat into the wind using the main. Adjust your heading and sail trim for the wind. Sailboats cannot sail directly into the wind. As shown above, the red zone in the diagram indicates a "no go" zone when under sail. To sail to windward, a sailing vessel must sail about 45-50 degrees off the wind and change direction by tacking (or zig-zag). Turn the boat to the left ( port ) or right ( starboard ) so it's about 90 degrees off the wind. This is known as a beam reach. Pull on the main sheet ( trimming ) until the sail is around 45 degrees away from straight back ( aft ). This is a safe place for the main while you trim the jib. You will start moving and tilting ( heeling ) away from the wind. A heel of more than 20 degrees usually indicates that you're being overpowered. Releasing the mainsheet momentarily ( breaking the main ) will lessen the amount of heel, and you will return to a more comfortable sailing angle of 10 to 15 degrees. Trim the jib sheets. Although the mainsail is hoisted first, it is the jib that is trimmed first. There are two jib sheets, one for each side of the boat. Pull on the jib sheet on the side away from the wind ( leeward side ). This is the active sheet while the other is called the lazy sheet. The jib will form a curve or pocket; trim the sail until the front edge just stops luffing. Keep your hand on the tiller (or helm ) and stay on course! Trim the mainsail. Let out the main sheet until the front edge just starts to luff, then pull it back just until it stops. If you or the wind hasn't changed direction, this is the most efficient place to set the sails. If anything changes, you have to adjust them in response. You have just entered the world of the sailor, and you will have to learn to do many things at once, or suffer the consequences. Watch the front of the sail edge on the main and jib. If it starts to luff, you have two choices: tighten the sail sheet until it stops luffing, or steer away from the wind ( bear off ). When the sail luffs, it means that you are heading too much into the wind for your current sail setting. If you bear off slightly, (away from the wind) your sails will stop luffing. Watch your wind indicators (telltales). If you see it change so that the wind is coming from a direction that is more behind you, you will be wasting energy. Let out the sail until it is perpendicular to the wind. You will be constantly watching the sails, the telltales, and trimming sails because the wind won't blow from a constant direction for long. When the wind is at your back and side ( aft quarter ), it's called a broad reach. This is the most efficient point of sail as both sails are full of wind and pushing the boat at full force. When the wind is at your back, you are running with the wind. This is not as efficient as reaching, because air moving over the sail generates lift and more force than just the wind pushing the boat. When running with the wind, you can pull the jib over to the other side of the boat where it will fill. This is called wing-on-wing , and you have to maintain a steady hand on the tiller to keep this sail configuration. Some boats have a "whisker pole" which attaches to the front of the mast and the clew of the jib which makes the jib much easier to control and keep full of wind. Be sure to be vigilant of obstacles and other vessels, as having both sails in front of you blocks a significant portion of your view. Be careful —when the boat is running, the sails will be way off to the side, and because the wind is basically behind you the boom can change sides suddenly ( jibe or gybe ), coming across the cockpit with quite a bit of force. If you have a wind direction indicator at the top of your mast, do not sail downwind (run) so that the wind indicator points toward the mainsail. If it does, you are sailing with the boom on the windward side ( sailing by the lee ) and are at high risk of an accidental jibe. When this happens the boom can hit you with enough force to knock you unconscious and out of the boat ( overboard ). It's a good practice to rig a preventer (a line from the boom to the toe rail or any available cleat) to limit the travel of the boom across the cockpit in case of an accidental gybe. Close reach. Turn the boat slightly into the wind ("head up") so your heading is about 60-75 degrees off the wind. You will have to trim in the sheets tighter so the sails are more closely in line with the boat. This is called a close reach. Your sails are acting like the airfoil of an airplane: the wind is pulling the boat instead of pushing it. Close haul. Continue to turn into the wind ( head up ) and tighten the sheets until you can go no farther (the jib should never touch the spreaders on the mast). This is called close-hauled , and is as close as you can sail into the wind (about 45-60 degrees off the wind). On a gusty day, you will have all kinds of fun with this point of sail! Sail into the wind to an upwind destination. Sail a heading that is close to upwind in the direction of your destination with good speed, a close reach. Close-hauled will be the main and foresail pulled tight along the boat centerline and will allow the boat to sail closest to directly upwind, but speed will be smaller. On most sailboats this will be about 45 degrees from the wind direction. Remember, you can't sail straight into the wind. You have to maintain a certain angle to the wind in order to move forward. When you've gone as far as you can on this tack, turn the boat through the wind (or changing direction by tacking ), releasing the jib sheet out of its cleat or off the winch drum as the front of the boat ( bow ) turns through the wind. The main and boom will come across the boat. The mainsail will self-set on the other side, but you will have to quickly pull in the jib sheet on the now downwind side to its cleat or winch, while steering the boat so the mainsail fills and begins to draw again. If you do this correctly, the boat won't slow down much and you will be sailing to windward in the other direction. If you're too slow tightening the jibsheet again and the boat bears off the wind too much, don't panic. The boat will be pushed sideways a little until it gains speed. Another scenario would be to fail to put the bow of your boat through the wind quickly enough and the boat comes to a complete stop. This is known as being in irons , which is embarrassing, but every sailor has experienced it, whether or not they'll admit it is another story. Being in irons is easily remedied: when the boat is blown backwards you will be able to steer, and as the bow is pushed off the wind you will achieve an appropriate angle to the wind to sail. Point the tiller in the direction you wish to go and tighten the jib sheet to windward, ( backwinding the sail ). The wind will push the bow through the wind. Once you've completed your tack, release the sheet from the winch on the windward side and pull in the sheet to leeward and you'll be on your way again. Because speed is so easily lost when tacking, you'll want to perform this maneuver as smoothly and quickly as possible. Keep tacking back and forth until you get to your destination. Go easy when learning. Understand that it's best to practice on calm days, and so, for example, learn to reef your boat (make the sails smaller). You will need to do this when the wind is too strong and you're being overpowered. Reefing almost always needs to be done before you think you need to! It's also a good idea to practice capsize procedures on a calm day too. Knowing how to right your boat is a necessary skill. Sail safely. Remember that your anchor and its chain/line ( rode ) are important pieces of safety gear and can be used to stop your boat from going aground or can even be used to get the vessel floating again should a grounding occur. Lower and store your sails. Once you are safely at port, lower your sails by removing the tension from any of the lines, "halyards", holding the sails up. Once you have lowered your mainsail, it may be neatly "flaked" and secured to the boom with several ties, then covered. When your sails are not in use for a significant amount of time, they should be loosely folded and placed in their sail bags. You may need to do this for both your mainsail and the jib. Remove all sail battens from their pockets before folding the main. Do not fold your sails the same way every time or they will develop deep creases that will not be shaken out by the wind. Your sails should be stored when they are dry and mostly salt-free, as wet sails that are stored are generally inclined to grow mildew. Clean anything else that may have come out of place. Secure lines by tying them to cleats. Neatly wrap all loose lines up and secure them with ties, out of the way of anyone walking around on the deck. Wash the deck of salt, particularly if you have a teak deck. Salt can leave stains on the wood.
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Know the different parts of a sailboat. Know about the different kinds of sailboats. Know common terms used on a sailboat. Understand navigational buoys. Perform a detailed visual check. Determine the wind direction. Point the boat into the wind. Attach the sails. Adjust your heading and sail trim for the wind. Trim the jib sheets. Trim the mainsail. Watch the front of the sail edge on the main and jib. Watch your wind indicators (telltales). Close reach. Close haul. Sail into the wind to an upwind destination. Go easy when learning. Sail safely. Lower and store your sails. Clean anything else that may have come out of place.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Four-Leaf-Clover
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How to Find a Four Leaf Clover
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To find a four-leaf clover, stand over the clover patch and scan for any clovers that catch your eye or look different. Avoid inspecting every single clover in the patch, though, since this can be time-consuming! You can also run your hands over the clover patch slowly and feel for clovers that have extra leaves. If you happen to find a four-leaf clover, keep looking in that area, since they tend to grow close together!
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Do an online search for clovers in your area. If you're not sure where to find clovers in your area, do an online search for "clover patches" followed by the name of your town. You may find sites with an overview of the types of foliage in the different areas of your town. Users may also leave comments about local parks or trials on sites like Yelp, letting other people know the kinds of plants they found there. Walk around local areas with a lot of foliage. If you can't find clovers online, do your own search. Walk around areas with a lot of leaves and trees, like parks and trials, to seek out clover patches. If you have a backyard, look there as well. Clovers often grow in lawns. Check shady, dry areas. Clovers tend to thrive in soil that does not drain well. They also frequently grow in the shade. When out looking for clovers, check shady and dry areas for a clover patch. Identify a clover patch. Clover patches are comprised of plants with small green flowers circling a center point. Watch out for plants that look similar to clovers. Plants with purple circles at the center are not clovers. Also, if you see a whole patch of what look like four-leaf clovers, these are not clovers. Remember, four-leaf clovers are rare. There is one four-leaf clover for every 10,000 three-leaf clover in a patch. Scan the patch carefully. Do not try to look at every clover individually, as this will take far too long. Instead, stand above the patch and scan it closely. Pause if a clover jumps out at you and check to see if it has four leaves. Skim the surface with your hands. If scanning from a distance isn't working, crouch near the clover patch. Run your hands over the clover patch slowly. Focus in on the clovers as they pass through your fingers, checking for clovers with extra leaves. Push the leaves apart if you think you see a four-leaf clover. If you see what appears to be a four-leaf clover, push away the clovers surrounding it. See if it actually has four leaves. Clovers sometimes look like they have four leaves, but you're really seeing leaves from another clover clustering near it. Look in the same area if you find a four leaf clover. If you happen to find a four-leaf clover, keep looking in that area. Four-leaf clovers are caused by a genetic mutation. Therefore, they tend to be found close together as the seeds will spread around the same area. You may be lucky enough to find a second four-leaf clover. Don't try to look at every individual clover. Scanning the leaves works better than examining every leaf. As there are hundreds of clovers in a single patch, you won't have time to look at them all. If you scan the leaves instead, a difference in the general pattern may jump out at you. Look for smaller leaves on four-leaf clovers. Don't expect a four-leaf clover to have completely even leaves. Keep in mind, when scanning for a four-leaf clover, the clover's fourth leaf may be significantly smaller than the others. Don't get discouraged. Four-leaf clovers are incredibly rare. The more often you search, the more likely you are to find one. If you don't find a four-leaf clover on your first search, keep an eye out each time you pass a clover patch. The more often you look, the more likely you are to eventually find a four-leaf clover.
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Do an online search for clovers in your area. Walk around local areas with a lot of foliage. Check shady, dry areas. Identify a clover patch. Scan the patch carefully. Skim the surface with your hands. Push the leaves apart if you think you see a four-leaf clover. Look in the same area if you find a four leaf clover. Don't try to look at every individual clover. Look for smaller leaves on four-leaf clovers. Don't get discouraged.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Name-a-Horse
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How to Name a Horse
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If you are the proud owner of a new foal or horse, you'll need to register it and create a registered name for it. For a traditional approach, consider naming your horse after its parents. For example, if your horse's parents were “Cabot French Pepper” and “KVA Hi Time,” you might name your horse “SP Peppertime.” Alternatively, come up with an original name based on your horse's appearance, personality, or what it likes to do. A nice horse could be named “Honey,” a wild one might be “Midnight Madness,” and a mean one could be named “Grumps McGee.” If you are going to be racing your horse, give it a flashy name like “Dream Supreme.”
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Consider his breeding and pedigree. Often, breed registries have rules or guidelines for the registered names of horses. Run an online search for any rules that might govern the naming of your type of foal. (For rules on naming a thoroughbred racehorse, see Method Three). Many barns and breeders use prefixes for horses they breed. Don't run the risk of using their name without permission! Horses' registered names may be derived from those of their sire and dam. You can run an online source for registered horse names. Know the traditions observed when naming horses. Consider taking the registered name of your horse from the registered names of the horse's parents. In horse breeding, lineage means a lot. Of course, naming your horse after his mom or dad could also have sentimental value. Cabot French Pepper and KVA Hi Time, for example, may lead to a foal named SP Peppertime (in this case, 'Cabot,' 'KVA,' and 'SP' are all prefixes used exclusively by the breeders for their foals). Come up with an original name. If you don't particularly care about deriving a name from your foal's parentage, consider coming up with your own name. Some factors you should consider when naming your horse include appearance, personality, and what you are hoping your horse will do. Appearance: Does your horse have a unique marking, or a beautiful color worth naming him after? For a horse with a white streak down his forehead (known as a blaze) you might consider naming him Wild Fire or When Lightning Strikes. Personality: Is your horse affectionate, wild, or just a tad mean? A nice horse could be named Honey, a wild one named Midnight Madness, and a mean one named GrumpsMcGee. Occupation: Is your horse going to race? Get featured in parades? Give kids rides? Think about what your horse will do. If you are racing your horse, give her an attention grabbing name like Dream Supreme. Fill out the registration application. If you are a stallion owner, you will be receiving a registration application in the mail when you breed your stallion. If you don't have one of these applications, you can find the downloadable version online. The information you will need to know to fill out this form includes: Date foaled Breeding method Embryo transfer date & number Dam's name and/or registration number Current breeding reports Foal description including 5 photos Six foal name choices Other foal information Tax ID or social security number Note when the registered name of a horse is set. This is when the horse is registered with the breed organization; be careful not to change a horse's registered name if he already has one-- most organizations frown upon this. Look at the horse's registered name. Many horses will receive their barn name from a shortened version of their registered name. Try different ways of shortening your foal's registered name. Pick something that is easy to say. For example, 'ABC A Hot Summer Night' might be shortened to Night or Summer. Get to know your horse. Observe his behavior to decide on possible names. Is he a bucking bronco? Does he love carrots? Don't feel limited to typical human names; horses often receive rather unique nicknames such as 007, Chubby, and BB. Draw inspiration from movies, books, or TV shows. Perhaps you have a favorite movie horse that you've always loved (like the Horse of a Different Color in the Wizard of Oz). Run some searches on famous show horses, or horses that have played a part in history. For instance, the horse Paul Revere rode on his midnight ride was named Brown Beauty. Sampson was the name of the tallest horse ever recorded, and Beau was John Wayne's horse in the movie True Grit. Let your horse help you decide. Horses often gain a barn name for themselves - a nickname, for example, could result in a barn name, or a silly thing he does. Try coming up with a name that fits his personality or appearance - "Snuggles" for a friendly horse, or "Blaze" for a horse with a blaze. Visit a baby names website. Even though they're meant for humans, you might find an interesting name for your horse there! Baby name books are another option. Most importantly, use your imagination! Don't disregard silly ideas; after all, it's your horse. Do not pick a name that exceeds 18 letters. In the case of thoroughbred names, spaces and punctuation marks count as letters so you will old be able to have a total of 18 characters. For example, ThereAndBackAgain! is an acceptable name because it has 18 characters, but There And Back Again! is not because it has 21 characters (including spaces). Avoid names that may be considered vulgar and offensive. While this might seem obvious, what might not be vulgar or offensive to you might be offensive to someone else. Double check that the name you pick out does not have any bad connotations that are offensive to religious, political, or ethnic groups, or that are vulgar in anyway. For example, The Great Farter might be a funny name to you, but could be found vulgar by others, or might be taken as an offensive dig at God. Know what other categories of names should be avoided. Thoroughbred racehorses are not allowed to have names that are all initials; they cannot have names that are clearly promoting a commercial or artistic cause; and they cannot be named after a living person unless there is a written confirmation from that person saying it is okay. Do not consider naming your horse after historic victors. Any horse that has won a major race will have his or her name permanently retired. However, other names of horses that have not won major races can be recycled. For example, you cannot name your racehorse Seabiscuit, though you could potentially try naming your horse Seabisquick or some other play off of a famous horse's name. Come up with a name that sounds good when yelled by hundreds of adoring fans. If you want your racehorse to be a star, you'll need a name that fans (and gamblers) can get behind. For this reason, it may be better to pick out a shorter name, though catchy names aren't bad either. There's something very charming about chanting the name Ruffian (which is probably why Ruffian is racing's greatest filly). Be prepared to offer an explanation of your horse’s name if its not super apparent. The Jockey Club, which is the organization charged with recording and approving the names of racehorses, may require you to explain the name if its not very clear. For example, the 1977 Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew, was named after the owners' hometowns--Seattle, and the word for a swamp which in Florida is called a 'slew'.
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Consider his breeding and pedigree. Many barns and breeders use prefixes for horses they breed. Know the traditions observed when naming horses. Come up with an original name. Fill out the registration application. Note when the registered name of a horse is set. Look at the horse's registered name. Get to know your horse. Draw inspiration from movies, books, or TV shows. Let your horse help you decide. Visit a baby names website. Do not pick a name that exceeds 18 letters. Avoid names that may be considered vulgar and offensive. Know what other categories of names should be avoided. Do not consider naming your horse after historic victors. Come up with a name that sounds good when yelled by hundreds of adoring fans. Be prepared to offer an explanation of your horse’s name if its not super apparent.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Inheritance-Tax
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How to Avoid Inheritance Tax
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To avoid inheritance tax, try giving the money to your heirs while you're alive, since you can gift individuals up to $15,000 a year without being taxed. If you're married, you can transfer your estate to your spouse without being taxed, as long as they're a U.S. citizen. Alternatively, if your estate consists mainly of non-cash assets, consider setting up a life insurance policy for the amount of the taxes so the tax burden doesn't fall on your heirs. You can also transfer assets, such as real estate, to a limited partnership to limit their tax value.
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Determine what is taxable. Estate taxes and inheritance taxes are very similar and both seek to minimize the transfer of wealth after death. If you understand how to calculate these taxes, you will also be able to understand how to avoid them. Taxable property includes cash, securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, and business interests. A more in-depth description of taxable items is included in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Form 706, which is the Estate Tax Return. Look at Form 706 Instructions as well for help understanding what is considered taxable. Identify exclusions. Some items are not considered taxable for the purposes of calculating your gross estate. Generally, you will not be taxed for items owned solely by your spouse or other individuals. Life estates given to you in which title passed upon your death will not be included either. Also, you will not include charitable conservation easements, social security benefits, and workers' compensation death benefits. Calculate your gross estate. The gross estate, which will be calculated as of the date of death, includes everything you own or have certain interests in that is taxable. Do not include any exclusionary property in this calculation. When you calculate the value of these things, you will use the fair market value (FMV), not what you paid for it or what its value was when you acquired it. The FMV is the price at which something would sell between a willing buyer and willing seller if neither were under compulsion and both had a good understanding of the relevant facts. For example, let's assume that when you die you have $2 million in cash, $4 million in real estate, and $3 million in annuities. You also had a life estate in a home that was passed to your spouse at your death as well as workers' compensation death benefits that went to your child in the amount of $750,000. In this scenario, your gross estate would equal $9 million. Subtract deductions. You are able to reduce your tax liability by subtracting allowable deductions from your gross estate. When you do this, the remaining amount is considered your Taxable Estate. In general, you will be able to deduct the marital deduction, charitable deductions, mortgages and debts, administration expenses of the estate, and losses during estate administration. For example, let's assume that when you die you are able to take deductions in the amount of $2 million based on qualifying mortgages and the marital deduction. Based on the example so far, your Taxable Estate (Gross Estate - Deductions) equals $7 million ($9 million - $2 million). Identify taxable gifts. Under federal law, lifetime gifts are reported and any gift tax you may owe is calculated annually. When you die, those gifts are added back into your estate for the purposes of calculating estate tax. This results in you possibly paying taxes on the wealth that you give away, as well as the wealth you have kept and accumulated. Taxable gifts are generally gifts made after 1976 that are not qualified gifts for educational or medical purposes, or transfers that qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion, marital deduction, or charitable deduction. The value of the gift is the FMV. For example, let's assume you have given taxable gifts in the amount of $3 million over your lifetime. When you add this $3 million to your Taxable Estate, you will have Cumulative Taxable Transfers equaling $10 million ($3 million + $7 million). Determine if your estate is taxable. At this point you can step back and determine if you need to go any further. In 2019, the federal applicable exclusion amount is $11.4 million. A filing is only required if your Cumulative Taxable Transfers exceeds the exclusion amount. If it does not, you will not need to file an Estate Tax Return and you will not owe any federal estate taxes. If it does, you will have to file an Estate Tax Return. For example, if your Cumulative Taxable Transfers equal $10 million, your estate will not be taxable and you will not have to file an Estate Tax Return. Identify your Tentative Estate Tax. Your Tentative Estate Tax equals your Tax on Cumulative Taxable Transfers minus your Tax on Adjusted Taxable Gifts. Your Tax on Cumulative Taxable Transfers is calculated based on the Unified Tax Rate Schedule. In 2019, the top tax rate was 40%. You can subtract your Tax on Adjusted Taxable Gifts because those were taxed during your lifetime through your annual gift tax. For example, if your Cumulative Taxable Transfers equal $10 million, with a top tax rate of 40%, your Tax on Cumulative Taxable Transfers would be $4 million. However, you will be able to subtract your Tax on Adjusted Taxable Gifts. Since you had Adjusted Taxable Gifts equaling $3 million, the tax you have already paid on that amount in your lifetime would be subtracted from $4 million. Let's assume, for the sake of this example, that your Tax on Adjusted Taxable Gifts equals $1.2 million. If this was the case, your Tentative Estate Tax would be $2.8 million ($4 million - $1.2 million). Deduct credits. After you calculate your Tentative Estate Tax, you can begin subtracting various credits from that amount. The biggest credit is usually the unified credit. In 2019, the unified credit was $4,505,800. For example, you will be able to subtract the unified credit, which you will assume has stayed at $4,505,800, from your Tentative Estate Tax. Let's assume this is the only credit you can take. Recognize your estate tax liability. At the end of all your calculations you will be left with your final Federal Estate Tax amount. In this example, the amount of tax owed would be $0, because $2,800,000 - $4,505,800 is a negative number. Determine whether a state estate or inheritance tax applies. Several states have estate taxes or inheritance taxes, but these states are the minority. Inheritance and estate taxes are very similar taxes, as both seek to minimize the transfer of inherited wealth. However, an inheritance tax applies to transfers, while the estate tax applies to the estates themselves, regardless of who the recipient is. The following states have estate taxes: Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Illinois, Hawaii, New York, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. New Jersey and Delaware no longer have estate taxes for deaths that occurred after 1/1/2018. For example, if you live in Oregon, the exemption threshold is $1 million and the tax rate is somewhere between.8% and 16% (depending on the size of your estate). The following states have inheritance taxes: Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. For example, if you live in Iowa, transfers at death may incur a tax of somewhere between 0% and 15% depending on the amount of the transfer. Use your estate tax calculations to determine your state liability. Use your calculations in order to identify your taxable estate. If your taxable estate exceeds the exemption threshold in the state you live in, you may want to consider moving in order to avoid the tax liability. Establish an alternative residency. If you live in a state with an inheritance tax and wish to avoid it, consider establishing residency elsewhere, in a jurisdiction without an inheritance tax. You may relocate permanently, or divide your time between your old residence and your new one. If you divide your time, however, be sure to establish a record that supports your claim of a new residency. Do things like change your vehicle registration, voter registration, and forward your mail to your new address. Understand the transfer rule. If a surviving spouse is the heir, there is no applicable federal estate tax as long as the spouse is a U.S. citizen. If a surviving spouse is not a U.S. citizen, do some estate planning to leave a special trust to the spouse. However, the estate will be taxed once the surviving spouse dies. Understand the implications of the standard estate tax deduction. The first $11.4 million of an estate is exempt from taxation. That means that if the value of your estate was $15.4 million, only the second $4 million is subject to taxation. Set up an estate plan. Estate planning is the best way to limit taxes. Update the estate plan on a regular basis to reflect tax law changes, changes in assets, and family changes. An estate plan has the added benefit of preventing disagreements between beneficiaries after a death. Take advantage of the estate portability rule. A rule that went into effect in 2010 makes it possible for one spouse to transfer any unused lifetime estate exemption to the other spouse when they pass away. This means that your spouse can benefit from your exemption upon your death without you having to transfer part of your estate to them. In order to benefit from this rule, you must file an estate tax return, even if your estate isn't taxable. If you don't file a return, your spouse won't be able to use your unused exemptions. Alternatively, you could transfer some of your estate to your spouse, and that amount would be exempt from taxation upon your death. This is not usually necessary if you use the portability rule, however. Give money to future heirs while alive. Individuals can receive up to $15,000 per year without being taxed. After you reach your annual limit, any other transfer will be taxed as a gift. While there is a limit of $11.4 million in tax free gifts per lifetime, up until that point is reached, you may give your future heirs $15,000 per year indefinitely. Furthermore, you may deposit the money in a trust where it is protected and can accumulate over time. If a gift of money is paying for higher education or medical expenses, there is no limit to the amount that can be given tax-free, as they are considered "qualified transfers." However, keep in mind that the money must be given directly to the educational or medical facility providing the service in order to qualify. If there is concern about gifts to a child, a Crummey trust can be set up that allows the benefactors to require conditions on how and when the beneficiary receives access to the money. If a gift is made to someone who is more than a generation younger, such as a grandchild, gifts may be subject to the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. Consider life insurance. If the inheritance will be primarily non-cash assets such as property or a business, a policy for the amount of the estate taxes makes it possible for beneficiaries to retain assets rather than selling them to pay an inheritance tax. Transfer Life Insurance Policies to Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust. Another alternative (or subsequent step) is creating a life-insurance trust as the beneficiary of the policy in estate planning. As long as the trust is set up at least 3 years before death, the death benefits in the policy are not counted towards the value of the estate. Consider a grantor-retained annuity trust (GRAT). With a GRAT, income-producing assets are transferred into the trust for the life of the trust, usually 5 years, at a discounted value. You receive annual payments and any appreciation is tax-free to beneficiaries of the trust. Set up a Qualified Living Trust (QLT). A QLT removes your dwelling from the value of your estate and transfers it to a trust for a period of years (usually 10-15). While the trust owns your home, you may continue to live there. Once the trust expires, ownership of your home will be transferred to your heirs. If you still wish to live in your home, then work out a rental arrangement. Transfer assets such as real estate to limited partnerships to limit the tax value of assets. Beneficiaries can then be given shares in the limited partnership.
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Determine what is taxable. Identify exclusions. Calculate your gross estate. Subtract deductions. Identify taxable gifts. Determine if your estate is taxable. Identify your Tentative Estate Tax. Deduct credits. Recognize your estate tax liability. Determine whether a state estate or inheritance tax applies. Use your estate tax calculations to determine your state liability. Establish an alternative residency. Understand the transfer rule. Understand the implications of the standard estate tax deduction. Set up an estate plan. Take advantage of the estate portability rule. Give money to future heirs while alive. Consider life insurance. Transfer Life Insurance Policies to Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust. Consider a grantor-retained annuity trust (GRAT). Set up a Qualified Living Trust (QLT). Transfer assets such as real estate to limited partnerships to limit the tax value of assets.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Humanitarian
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How to Be a Humanitarian
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To be a humanitarian, start by looking for volunteer opportunities locally or by searching websites like www.idealist.com. Make sure to start small, like picking up litter in your neighborhood or volunteering at an after school program. Then, organize events like a clothing drive at work to get others involved. Additionally, work on being less selfish and freeing yourself from prejudices to develop a humanitarian mindset.
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Start small. You don't have to travel to the other side of the globe to be a humanitarian. You can start by affecting change in your own neighborhood. Look at the community around you and try to identify humanitarian issues that you can help address. It could be helping the homeless or the hungry, volunteering at an after school program, or picking up litter. Look for things that you feel like you could help to improve. If there is a lower income community in your area, think about what types of things you could do that could improve their standard of living. Volunteer at a local shelter. There are homeless shelters and food banks in many larger communities that are always looking for volunteer help. Shelters for victims of abuse are also fairly common and need help organizing and executing fundraising and day to day operations. You can offer your time to these organizations as a way to pursue local humanitarian work. Look for a cause that you feel strongly about and volunteer your time at a local organization to help. Humanitarian work can be done anywhere in the world, including your own neighborhood. Try using websites like http://www.idealist.com to find local organizations that need volunteers. Bring the humanitarian mindset to work with you. You can help humanitarian causes by getting the company that you work for involved. Organize a can drive at work, or start a collection of clothing to help the area's under privileged. Many companies will not only authorize you to pursue humanitarian efforts at work, they may even encourage it because it improves perception of the organization in the community. Make sure to speak to your manager for permission before starting a program at work. Reach out to local shelters and humanitarian organizations to see what is in high demand that you can attempt to help with. Spread the message on social media. One of the biggest challenges facing humanitarian organizations all over the world is funding. You can help by engaging your friends and family on social media and encouraging them to donate to humanitarian causes. This is one aspect of humanitarian work you can do from home that can have a global reach. You can share content posted by your favorite humanitarian organizations. Posting your own message about important causes with links to donate may help your message to reach people. Be consistent. Volunteering your time, skills, or resources here and there can be extremely rewarding, but consistency can help your efforts to compound. Instead of volunteering at a single event, or helping to raise funds one time, volunteer with consistency for local organizations that need your help. In order to be truly effective, humanitarian efforts must include both short terms and long term plans. Consistent humanitarian work can help you to develop a relationship with the people in your community that you are helping, which can be more rewarding for you both. Every bit of your work counts. Over time, a few hours out of your Sunday afternoons can compound into a significant change for the people in your area. Do away with selfishness. Being a humanitarian is about action, but your intentions matter too. Pursuing work that helps others with the intent of gaining something like recognition or influence isn't the purpose of being a humanitarian. Instead, look for ways to benefit others without placing an emphasis on what you may get in return. In order to be a capable humanitarian, you need to demonstrate tolerance, cultural understanding and altruism. Approach humanitarian work with a mindset of giving, helping, and hope to improve the world around you. Don't focus on what you can gain from your effort, focus on what your community can gain. Value human welfare. The nature of humanitarian work is to pursue ways to end human suffering in all forms. In order to do so, you must learn to appreciate the value in saving lives, relieving suffering, and helping to maintain human dignity. Try to imagine yourself in the difficult positions of the people you seek to help to better empathize with their situations. It's important that you learn to show empathy for all people. Valuing human welfare can help you to overcome the discomfort of helping people in difficult situations and environments. Free yourself from any prejudices. A humanitarian must value human life in all forms. That means letting go of any prejudices or generalizations you may find yourself making about groups of people. All people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion or race deserve to live a life that is free from suffering, and it's the humanitarian's job to help make that happen. It is not uncommon for people to grow up with misconceptions about groups of people they have never met, but you must actively engage and overcome these ideas. A humanitarian values all human life equally and works to alleviate suffering equally worldwide. Maintain a professional demeanor. Humanitarians need to carry themselves in a professional manner in the field as well as the office. Each organization has its own set of guidelines to aid in your understanding of professional behavior, but it is all based in the concept that all humanitarian workers should adhere to common standards in order to maximize their effectiveness in a crisis. Carrying yourself in a professional manner means maintaining an ethical standard and demonstrating respect for all you encounter. Being professional also means following the local laws and regulations as well as those enforced by your organization. Seek and embrace new experiences and challenges. Humanitarian work can lead you all over the globe and take you on exciting adventures, but it can also present some extremely difficult challenges. In order to be an effective humanitarian, you must seek new ways to solve problems and overcome obstacle and find the value in creating relationships with new people. Meeting new people and facing new issues can be a way of life for humanitarians. Embracing the experiences that are inherent to these challenges can help you to overcome them. Determine what skills you can offer. Humanitarian efforts need all kinds of skill sets, all over the planet. You may already possess a skill or trade that could be extremely helpful to the right cause. Take an inventory of your qualifications and use that to inform your search for a volunteer opportunity. Volunteering to share your expertise can help you make the biggest impact possible with your time and effort. You may want to consider volunteering in the same field you work in. Whether you work on a construction site or in a cubicle, there's likely an organization in need of your skill set. Consider what other skills you possess that may be helpful. Skills like leadership, problem solving, or any technical skill are always in high demand. Choose a cause to support. There are many different organizations and causes you can choose to volunteer for, so it's important to find one that you're passionate about. Volunteering overseas is a significant commitment, so finding a cause that matters to you can help alleviate the stress of leaving your home behind for a short time. Here are some common areas people volunteer their efforts for: Marine Conservation Wildlife Conservation Teaching and Education Community Development Healthcare Environmental Conservation Look for an organization that supports your cause of choice. Once you have identified a cause you'd like to work for, start looking for organizations that support that cause. Many organizations have volunteer programs to help get you placed in an area you can help. Make sure to research the organization you choose to volunteer for extensively, as your safety should be a top priority. Find volunteer opportunities online in databases like the one found here: http://www.workingabroad.com/database Once you find an organization you like, look for news stories about it online. It can help you to better understand the organization and shed light on any issues the organization has had recently. Contact the organization of your choice. Many organizations have outreach professionals whose job it is to help you plan your volunteer experience. Because each organization has different procedures, these people can walk you through the steps necessary to get on your way to providing aid in a part of the world that needs your help. You can also contact third party organizations like Working Abroad who can help get you started on the right track. Look for contact information on the webpage of the organization you choose. Ask questions to make sure you have all of your important concerns addressed like how you will travel there, where you will stay and what expenses are involved. Raise money for your trip. There are a number of expenses involved in volunteering to work for overseas humanitarian causes. You will likely be responsible for the costs of your transportation to and from the region of the world you volunteer in. Many organizations also charge a program fee to offset the cost of providing you with housing and food during your time abroad. These costs can vary dramatically depending on the organization you volunteer for and the distance you need to travel. You can get a good sense of how much you will need to raise by speaking to a volunteer coordinator within the organization you will be working with. Try using a fundraising website like GoFundMe.com or Classy.org to raise money for your trip. Ask friends, family and coworkers to help support your cause by donating toward the cost of your trip. Write letters to business owners or individuals in your community that you think may be willing to help. Plan your trip thoroughly and take the necessary precautions. Before leaving for a humanitarian aid trip, it's important the you plan things thoroughly. Start by making an appointment with your doctor or a travel medicine specialist to receive any immunizations that may be necessary for the region you're traveling to. Make sure to speak to your volunteer coordinator about what to expect so you can pack the necessary equipment and let your family know your plans. Make sure your coordinator tells you what kind of traveling you can expect to do and in what regions of the world so you can appropriately prepare for the trip. You may want to have a dental checkup before you leave as well, to ensure your trip is not hindered by an unexpected dental emergency. Share what you have learned. Your humanitarian trip will likely change the way you view the world around you, and it's important that you share that message with others upon your return. Studies have shown that humanitarian trips can increase reflexive learning about external factors effecting the world as well as internal factors that affect our perception. By sharing your experiences, you can encourage others to take similar trips, thus expanding their perspectives as well. Sharing your experiences can help encourage others to volunteer their time and skills as well. The experience you gain as a volunteer can also help lead to a career in humanitarian service. Ensure you have the right qualifications. If you don't have extensive volunteer work to pull from, you will likely need a master's degree from an accredited institution in order to find a career in humanitarian work. It can be an extremely competitive field to find work, so having an advanced degree in a field that is of particular benefit to the organization you want to work for can help. Advanced degrees in engineering, accounting, or other in demand fields are always sought after. A master's degree or higher in humanitarian related fields such as food security is a great way to get in the door. Put together a good résumé. You will need to apply to a position within a humanitarian organization just like any other job, so the first step should be to make sure you have an updated and well put together résumé. Make sure to highlight your skills and experiences that make you a valuable addition to a non-government organization's team. Make sure to list any volunteer experience you have in humanitarian endeavors. Create a cover letter that speaks to your passion about the organization you apply to, as well as the cause they support. Search for positions you’re qualified for on job board websites. You can find careers in the humanitarian industry on most traditional job boards like Indeed.com or Monster.com, but there are also specialized job boards you can visit that allow people to post only positions in non-government, humanitarian organizations. You may also want to create a LinkedIn account to help you look for positions. Try visiting Reliefweb.int, Trust.org or DevNetJobs.org for international humanitarian job postings. If there is a particular organization you have in mind, look on their website for open positions. Ace the interview. Once you are able to get an interview to work for the humanitarian organization of your choice, make sure to prepare beforehand. You should do research on the organization and prepare yourself to answer questions about your qualifications and goals, as well as about the organization you are interviewing with. Make sure to dress appropriately for your interview. You should wear a suit or a suit with a skirt and have good hygiene. Be professional and confident in order to leave a a good impression with the interviewer. Embrace working in the home office. Like any other organization, humanitarian non-government entities need people in all sorts of positions in order to be successful. Once you're offered a position, it may not be exactly what you were hoping for. Many humanitarian organizations will require that you work in their home office for a year or so before doing field work. Embrace this opportunity to get to know the organization and do your best to help from the position you're in. Take the opportunity to network with people within the organization and better understand how it goes about its humanitarian work. Remember that every person counts in terms of helping the cause. After time, you may be able to transfer to field work.
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Start small. Volunteer at a local shelter. Bring the humanitarian mindset to work with you. Spread the message on social media. Be consistent. Do away with selfishness. Value human welfare. Free yourself from any prejudices. Maintain a professional demeanor. Seek and embrace new experiences and challenges. Determine what skills you can offer. Choose a cause to support. Look for an organization that supports your cause of choice. Contact the organization of your choice. Raise money for your trip. Plan your trip thoroughly and take the necessary precautions. Share what you have learned. Ensure you have the right qualifications. Put together a good résumé. Search for positions you’re qualified for on job board websites. Ace the interview. Embrace working in the home office.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Film-Editor
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How to Become a Film Editor
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To become a film editor, start by checking out books from the library about film history and analysis to familiarize yourself with the nature of film. You should also try to watch all different kinds of movies, and pay close attention to the timing and pacing of scenes. Then, apply to a college film editing program to prepare for your career and gain access to editing equipment. While you're still in school, volunteer on student productions to gain hands-on experience. Additionally, apply for internships, which will help you network and possibly lead to a future job.
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Study how movies are edited. Watch produced movies and analyze the timing and pacing of scenes. Pay attention to how long each scene lasts, how much action or tension there is during a scene, and how each scene fades seamlessly into the next. Look for visual or sound cues that enhance dramatic rhythm. Go to your local or school library and check their database for books on film history and film analysis. Familiarize yourself with the nature of film, primarily by watching everything you can get your hands on. Get a feel for specific directors or editors and what makes their work distinct. For each television or film production you watch, look online for major newspaper reviews, such as the New York or Los Angeles Times. Reading professional critiques will help you develop your own critical eye. Choose the best program. Apply to and enroll in a college film editing program. Your choices include a specialized film school, a four year college or university, or a local community college. Decide what's best for you in terms of affordability and location, and research options that match your needs. A four year program offers the best preparation for a career in film editing. Check out the list of available majors at your state university system's colleges. If you want to get away from your hometown, look for out-of-state programs. A film school or four year degree from a California- or New York-based school could help you secure better internships and apprenticeships. Schools near these industry centers can help you develop a stronger network and allow you to be closer to more work opportunities. A university program will also help you access professional development resources, like publications and calls for entry. A key perk to film school is access to equipment. Renting equipment can be expensive, but it can be cheaper if you're a student, especially if you rent through your university program. When you're researching programs, ask about their available equipment and rental procedures. Choose the best courses. Your coursework will include basic editing and commercial editing, film history, storytelling, and screenwriting. In addition, you will learn how to use photo and film editing software programs like Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro (FCP). FCP is the Hollywood standard for film editing, and you'll need to take software-heavy courses that'll allow you to master it. Go for a course load heavy in technology and software training. Film editors don't manually cut film anymore, so it's important to have a strong foundation in both established and emerging tech and programs. Even after you've graduated, it's common for editors to continue their education by occasionally taking formal courses. This helps to stay up to date with the industry's technological changes. Make productive relationships at school. Hone your skills when you're just starting out or in school by editing smaller projects. Work with your friends or with peers at university. Start out with independent editing projects to put your education into practice, and edit as many short films as possible. Use your university years as an opportunity to start growing your network by working with your peers and seeking out mentors among your professors. Collaborative amateur projects are important when you're starting out, especially in today's industry environment. Working with others is a highly prized skill, so collaborating early on will help you further down the road. Even making silly videos, putting projects on Youtube, and other small spare-time endeavors will help you exercise your editing muscles and put theoretical knowledge into practice. Volunteer your services on student productions or local productions. While a film school education can give you a knowledge base and technical foundation, it's essential to build concrete experience. The more tangible experience you have, the better your chances of getting your foot in the door in the world of film editing. Start out small by looking for smaller, local productions or by continuing to collaborate with peers you've met along the way. You can look online for local production job and gig listings Word of mouth is key for getting gigs, whether paid or unpaid, and at both amateur and professional levels. Get an apprenticeship or internship. In addition to volunteering your time on local productions, you'll likely have to continue paying your dues and working for free for a considerable portion of your early career. Networking is key throughout the process, and you'll have to rely on your growing network to land an apprenticeship with a major production company. Even though it's free labor, apprenticing or interning will help you demonstrate that you possess actual skills and a solid work ethic. Consult your professors and try to access their networks while you're in school. This will help you to land good internships or apprenticeships, both while you're in college and when you're breaking into the field after graduating. You might have to take several apprentice jobs before you actually start to make a modest income. Treat every job as if you're getting a million-dollar income. Prove that you have a great work ethic and are a pleasure to work with. Land an entry level job in a film studio. Those with whom you've apprenticed or interned will be essential for getting a paying job, whether they connect you with one or offer you a strong recommendation. You're unlikely to land a job in editing right away, even if you have strong apprentice gigs under your belt. Take any job that comes along, whether it's as a tour guide on a studio lot, a personal assistant to somebody on a film crew, a secretary at the office, or a runner for a production. Build a strong network. Be polite to everybody you meet and promote yourself. Hand out business cards with links to your website and reel. Make it known that you're looking as a job as a film editor. Building your network of connections this way can lead to unexpected chances, like becoming a film editor on a short that later wins an award at a festival. If you meet people who work in the editing room, ask if you may occasionally join them to observe and learn. It might take up to ten years before you've built a robust enough network and record of on the job training to land a job with a reasonable income, so be persistent. Start your own editing business or service. One of the easiest and most effective ways to build your body of work is to create your own business. Invest in cards and other marketing materials to make yourself professional and competitive. Starting an editing service with a skilled peer is also wise in the current market, as collaborative skills are desirable in the industry nowadays. When you're starting out, you find it necessary to branch out beyond your specialized field in order to build clientele. Consider getting in touch with local or emerging musicians about producing music videos for them. Be open to trade and bartering for compensation. Wedding or graduation videos, commercial marketing for restaurants and other local businesses, and producing corporate training videos are other examples of some avenues to take when you're starting your own business. Get a listing on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). Be strategic about how you build your body of work. Put your best effort into making each production you work on more legitimate than the last, and be sure to make long-lasting contacts with every job. Even shorts and low budget movies can get a listing on the IMDB, as long as the productions were released. Potential employers will refer to it before hiring you. The IMBD staff updates its listing regularly and selects films, television series and specials, commercials, music videos, and local or public access television shows for inclusion in its database. Register on the IMBD website and submit your individual credit or project's title to verify or correct its listing. Craft a competitive portfolio. Once you've built up your body of work, design a winning portfolio to market yourself successfully. You'll find that the applicant pool for editing jobs is intensely competitive, so you have to make yourself stand out. Send out your resume, along with a reel of your best work, to studio executives, directors, and other film editors. Make sure the materials you submit in applications are concise and show off only your best work. Submit design reels that are relevant for specific projects. You don't have to include everything you've ever done with every job application. If you're going for a gig as an assistant editor on a television program, don't submit graduation or wedding videos you've cut. If you don't have any relevant materials, television cuts in this case, music video or short film scenes would do. Ask people with whom you've worked in the past to look over your materials and offer feedback. Create a website that offers a more substantial selection of your work. Advance your career. Once you've demonstrated the quality of your work in independent productions and as an assistant editor, look for opportunities to take the helm. You must constantly build new connections in order to advance to the position of full editor. Make people want to work with you by always demonstrating a strong work ethic and likeable attitude. Start out by applying to be an assistant editor on a production. Consider joining a union for faster career advancement. Keep yourself informed about new technologies and software, taking courses in or teaching yourself new programs or devices.
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Study how movies are edited. Choose the best program. Choose the best courses. Make productive relationships at school. Volunteer your services on student productions or local productions. Get an apprenticeship or internship. Land an entry level job in a film studio. Build a strong network. Start your own editing business or service. Get a listing on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). Craft a competitive portfolio. Advance your career.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Beetroot
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How to Choose Beetroot
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To choose beetroot, go with a medium-size beetroot for most recipes and baby beetroot for salads. Check the produce for green, vibrant leaves and be sure to buy beets with roots that are still fully intact, since root breakage or damage will greatly diminish its shelf life. Then, gently press the beetroot's flesh to check for firmness and examine the exterior to make sure there are no major blemishes before making your purchase!
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Pick a standard medium-size beetroot for everyday use. Medium beetroots are about the size of the average adult fist. This the the regular beetroot you see most often at the grocery store. It's great for roasting, juicing, and anything else you want to try. They are the easiest to cook and the least likely to have hard cores. They're by far the most common beetroot and are also the most cost-effective option. Choose a baby beetroot for salads. These tiny beets resemble radishes and are perfect for eating raw or in salads. They also usually come with the greens still attached, which you can include in your salad! You can find them at most large grocery stores. Try an heirloom variety. There are many heirloom varieties of beet that are great for soups, roasts, salads, and juices. They're often sweeter and more tender than regular beetroot, but they can be more expensive and hard to find. Try your local farmer's market during the winter. Golden varieties like the Lutz Green Leaf have a bright gold color that won't stain as much as a regular beet. If you dislike the earthy flavors of standard beetroot, try the Cylindra or the Detroit Dark Red, both of which are sweet and tender. If you're worried about stains, try the Chioggia. It's almost white in color and won't mark or stain your teeth or clothes like other beets. Check for green, vibrant leaves. If your beetroot has leaves attached, check them for wilting, yellowing, or rot. They should be bright green and feel slightly firm to the touch. You don't have to throw away a beet with wilted leaves if you already have it, but you shouldn't buy it from the store. Press the beetroot to check for firmness. Beets are at their best when they're firm to the touch. Soft spots mean that the beetroot is too old to eat and may be rotten inside. But be careful--your beetroot should be firm, but not rock hard. A beet that is very hard to the touch will be difficult to cook. Examine the beet for blemishes. Roots are tough, so a few blemishes don't mean you can't eat it, but they will shorten its shelf life and can introduce bacteria. Always try to buy beetroot with smooth, unmarked skin. Buy beets that have fully intact roots. Every beetroot has a long, tapered root at the end. Check each end root to make sure it isn't broken or damaged--a broken root can make the whole beet spoil more quickly. Choose the smallest beetroot you can. The smaller the beetroot, the sweeter and tenderer it will be. Large beetroots often have a dull taste and hard, wood-like cores. If you have a choice between two beetroots, always pick the smallest one. Avoid washing beetroot before storing it. The outer layer of skin can be rubbed partially off by washing, leaving your beetroot vulnerable to spoilage. Instead of washing your beets as soon as you buy them, wait until you begin prepping them to eat. Separate the leaves from the root. Some beets have leaves attached when you buy them. The leaves will go bad before the actual root does, so remove the leaves from the beetroot right away. Keep at least 1 inch (25 mm) of stem on to prevent the color from bleeding out during cooking. Baby beets are the exception. They should have their leaves kept on! Store the leaves in the refrigerator. If you want to keep the leaves, put them in a plastic bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. They'll spoil much more quickly than the rest of the root, so you should eat them within a day or two. They can be eaten raw or cooked. Store the beetroot in a cool, dark, and dry place. Beetroot will last from ten days to three weeks if stored properly. Keep them somewhere cool, dark, and dry, like your refrigerator's vegetable drawer or a root cellar. You can also freeze cooked beetroot for several months. Dispose of beetroot that is mushy, discolored, or smells. Check your stored beetroots regularly to make sure they aren't spoiled. If you see any beets that are mushy, have a greenish or blackish color, or give off a strong odor, dispose of them immediately.
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Pick a standard medium-size beetroot for everyday use. Choose a baby beetroot for salads. Try an heirloom variety. Check for green, vibrant leaves. Press the beetroot to check for firmness. Examine the beet for blemishes. Buy beets that have fully intact roots. Choose the smallest beetroot you can. Avoid washing beetroot before storing it. Separate the leaves from the root. Store the leaves in the refrigerator. Store the beetroot in a cool, dark, and dry place. Dispose of beetroot that is mushy, discolored, or smells.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Flirt-With-Boys-Without-Being-Obvious
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How to Flirt With Boys Without Being Obvious
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If you want to flirt with boys without being obvious, try to get his attention and start a casual conversation by asking how his day is going when you see him. During the conversation, be sure to ask him specific questions about his interests. When he seems relaxed around you, start subtly touching him as you talk by brushing against his arm. If you see him around, make sure you smile at him and compliment something like his work on a class project!
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Talk to him regularly. Looking pretty from afar can get his attention for a bit, but you need to start conversing with him if you want to hold his attention. Don't bombard him with meaningless chatter every time you see him in the hallway, but try to start up casual conversation when you see he's alone and isn't busy. At the very least, try to say “Hi” and ask him how his day is going every day. As he becomes familiar with you, he's more likely to start liking you. Not only will he remember you and get to know you, he will certainly think you're a kind, social person to say hello every day. Ask him questions. This is a simple flirting technique that is definitely underutilized. Think about how special you feel when someone asks you specific questions about your life. It shows they pay attention, and they care about what is going on with you. Make your crush feel special too! Ask him questions about his classes, his extracurricular activities, or anything else you know he's interested in. This is an extremely subtle technique. Nonetheless, it will definitely make him feel good to know that you're fascinated in what he has to say. Touch him. This doesn't mean all the obvious touchy-feely flirting moves, like hugs and kisses. Instead, casually brush his arm while talking to him. Playfully graze his back or bicep when you're deep in conversation. Act nonchalant, as if you've touched him without even realizing it. No one else will probably notice these subtle moves, but he certainly won't miss them. Smile at him. Think about the people you want to spend time with– are they people with a constant frown on their face? Probably not! People are attracted to others who seem positive, happy, fun, and upbeat. Even if you aren't feeling great, try to wear a smile when you're around your crush, and flash one his way whenever you get the chance. Give him compliments. You don't have to tell him that his lips are luscious and his eyes make you melt– you can keep it subtle. Throw him casual compliments every once in awhile. Tell him that you like his new shoes, his new haircut looks great, or that he did a nice job on a class project. None of these compliments are romantic, but they'll let him know you notice and admire things about him. Be kind to all of his friends. If you offer him compliments and sweet smiles but act rude or disinterested in his friends, he may view you as insincere and fake. Instead, be kind to everyone, especially the people he cares about. Keep in mind that you will never be criticized for being caring, but you can look like a brat if you're only nice to your crush. This is as subtle as you can get when it comes to flirting. By being kind to his friends, you're showing him that you care about the people he cares about. This is also important because if his friends dislike you, he'll be less likely to pursue a relationship with you. Find common interests. Try to take notice about what he seems interested in by observing things like his t-shirts, pictures he hangs up in his locker, and what he talks about with his buddies. Even if your only shared interest is a television show, ask him if he caught the latest episode or mention if you recently had a nice binge-watching marathon. Anytime you can connect with him through a similar hobby or a shared interest, you're doing well. If he's passionate about something that you know nothing about, you can use this to your advantage as well. For example, if he loves baseball, ask him if he'd like to watch a game with you so he can show you what it's all about. Make eye contact with him. Even if you're shy, try extra hard to look into his eyes while you're speaking with him. This will show that you're engaged and really listening to what he has to say. Listening to him, and showing that you're interested, is an easy way to flirt without making it extremely obvious. Remember what he tells you. If he tells you that he's going to his sister's soccer game after school, ask him if she won the next day. If he mentions a test he's nervous for, ask him how it went. These are little ways to show him that you not only listen, but you care enough to follow up with him about it. This is a sweet, easy way to flirt with your crush. Mirror his body language. In other words, observe his body language and facial expressions and imitate them. This has been proven to make people feel comfortable and even feel friendlier toward you. It may seem a bit unnatural at first, it will make him warm up to you quickly, and a flirtatious conversation will flow more easily. If he's leaning against his locker, lean against one next to it while you talk. If he's smiling, smile back.
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Talk to him regularly. Ask him questions. Touch him. Smile at him. Give him compliments. Be kind to all of his friends. Find common interests. Make eye contact with him. Remember what he tells you. Mirror his body language.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Chicken-Farm-Business
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How to Start a Chicken Farm Business
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To start a chicken farm business, decide if you want to focus on eggs, meat production, or another specialty niche, then obtain the necessary equipment. Next, choose a chicken breed that matches your farming goals and set up coops or cages to keep them in. Feed and care for your chickens daily and be sure to separate any chickens that seem ill from the rest of the population. Don't forget to market your business by creating a website and advertisements!
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Make an egg-laying farm if you want to work with egg production. Chicken farms usually fall in 1 of 2 categories: egg-laying or meat production. Choose egg-laying as your focus if you'd prefer to work with hens and sell farm-fresh eggs. Although less common, some chicken farms handle both meat production and egg-laying. You can choose this option if desired, but it may require twice as much equipment and physical labor. Create a meat production farm if you're interested in processing meat. Meat production is a lucrative farming business if you're comfortable butchering and processing chickens for meat. If you're interested in raising and slaughtering chickens for meat, make a meat production farm instead. Meat production farmers can also utilize every part of the chicken when selling their products, including the bones, which has the potential for higher revenue. Choose a specialty niche for your business, if desired. Some chicken farms have a specialization that sets them apart from their competitors. Once you've decided on whether to create a meat production or egg-laying farm, you can also pick a niche within that sector like: Egg or meat processing: Processing poultry products for taste, quality, and safety Marketing poultry products: Promoting poultry products through advertisements to increase revenue Chicken breeding: Raising and selling chickens for pet owners or other farmers Pick a chicken breed that matches your farming goals. Not all chicken breeds are the same. Some (broilers) are best for meat production and others (layers) are best for egg production. Once you've chosen a niche, choose a chicken breed that is best for your specific niche. If you want to start an egg-laying farm, for example, you may want to choose a layer breed like Rhode Island Red, Hamburg, or Sussex chickens. You can find a list of popular chicken breeds and their specialties at https://chickenbreedslist.com/. Find a location close to your city's limits. While you can't always start a farm in your backyard, staying near a city is useful for transportation. Buy land outside of your town or city's limits, but close enough that you can drive to or from it on a daily basis. The further you move from your city or town, the cheaper the land will be. If you can't find land near the city limits, look for land in the countryside where you'll have plenty of space to farm. Pursue a bachelor's degree in agriculture or business. While not required, most aspirational farm owners complete an undergraduate degree first. To better prepare for a career in chicken farming, choose a bachelor's degree in agriculture, business, or a niche major like farm administration or poultry science if your college offers it. If you choose agriculture or poultry science, add a business minor (or vice-versa) to take classes on marketing, leadership, and other relevant topics. Get your degree online if you don't have time for a traditional four-year degree. Create a business plan for your chicken farm. Write an outline for how you plan to run your chicken farm and what your long-term goals are for the next 3-5 years. Include information like your history, structure, objectives, vision, products, target demographic, and marketing strategy in the plan. Once you've written the outline, review it with an established farmer or business advisor, and revise your plan based on their suggestion. If you're running an meat productions farm, for example, you could include your plans for raising and butchering chickens, revenue goals or the first year, and plans for marketing your poultry products in stores. Business plans are useful for attracting investors or business partners down the road. Apply for a loan to fund your chicken farm if necessary. If you don't have enough money for your supplies, schedule an appointment with your local bank. Discuss your financial history, business goals, and monetary needs with the loan advisor to apply for and secure a loan. Bring a business outline, evidence of your credit history, pay stubs, and anything else requested by the bank to your meeting. Start with a loan for the minimum amount of equipment and chickens for your farm. You can always get a larger loan as your business grows. Purchase all of the necessary equipment for your chicken farm. The type of equipment you need will depend on whether you're running an egg-laying or meat production farm. Head to an agricultural supply store to purchase the necessary equipment, which may include: Brooders Cages Coops Crates Egg trays Feeders Incubator Lighting instruments Nests Perches Waterers or heaters Waste disposal system Determine whether to hire laborers for your farm. How much manpower you'll need depends on the size of your farm. If you have less than 200-500 birds, you should be able to run the farm by yourself. Otherwise, especially if you want to grow your farm, you may need additional help. Start with a small farm so you don't have to pay workers until your chicken farm business is successful. Set up coops or cages for your chickens. Chickens need shelter from the outdoor weather and predators. Buy or build a chicken coop or cage on your farm with dimensions based on how many chickens you're housing. Build the chicken coop or cage at about 3 sq ft (0.28 m ) per chicken. Clean the chicken coop or cage regularly to prevent the chickens from spreading diseases. Raise chicks for your farm. After setting up your equipment, buy chicks from a breeder or agricultural supply store. If you're new to raising chickens, buy no more than 500 while you're establishing your farm before adding more to your business. Feed your chickens daily. Buy chicken feed from a pet or agricultural supply store and feed your chickens once a day. Give each chicken about 3.5 ounces (99 g) of chicken feed a day to keep your chickens healthy and prevent malnourishment. You can also give chickens corn, halved grapes, or cabbage as a treat, but avoid feeding them these treats more than several times a week as it's less healthy than chicken feed. Bring sick or infested chickens to a veterinarian. Diseases spread quickly between chickens, so inspect them regularly for illnesses or pest infestation. If you notice any abnormalities in your chickens' appearances or behaviors, hire a vet to diagnose and treat your chickens. Write down your farming sales and production records for future reference. To make sure that your business is creating a profit, keep a log of your sales, business growth, and financial losses on a spreadsheet. Determine whether you are gaining or losing money, and make goals to cut back on costs and earn more money. If you notice that you're spending too much on chicken feed, for example, shop around with different suppliers to find cheaper feed. You can also hire an accountant or financial advisor to keep your records organized for you. Market your poultry farm to spread the word. Marketing your business, especially during the first few years, is crucial for securing more customers and earning a larger revenue. To raise visibility, create ads, make business cards, create a website, and make newsletters (print or online) to promote your business. If you're new to marketing and want to improve your tactics, hire a marketing consultant to choose the best tactics for business promotion. Creating a logo for your business can also provide visibility for your brand. Connect with other farming businesses. Meeting other farmers can help spread the word about your farm and attract investors. Attend agricultural conferences and reach out to other farming companies (especially poultry farms) in your area to make positive, lasting connections. If you need to hire more workers, try to hire those with years of experience in poultry farming for better stability. Apply for more loans or investments to grow your business. Once you've established your farm, analyze your costs and apply for bigger loans if needed. If you want to pursue alternative ways to finance your business, you can also try applying to business lenders or investors known for financing agricultural businesses. If you're running a chicken breeding farm, for example, you may want a loan to buy better egg incubators.
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Make an egg-laying farm if you want to work with egg production. Create a meat production farm if you're interested in processing meat. Choose a specialty niche for your business, if desired. Pick a chicken breed that matches your farming goals. Find a location close to your city's limits. Pursue a bachelor's degree in agriculture or business. Create a business plan for your chicken farm. Apply for a loan to fund your chicken farm if necessary. Purchase all of the necessary equipment for your chicken farm. Determine whether to hire laborers for your farm. Set up coops or cages for your chickens. Raise chicks for your farm. Feed your chickens daily. Bring sick or infested chickens to a veterinarian. Write down your farming sales and production records for future reference. Market your poultry farm to spread the word. Connect with other farming businesses. Apply for more loans or investments to grow your business.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Thigh-Gap
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How to Get a Thigh Gap
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To get a thigh gap, start by eliminating fried and sugary foods that are high in trans fat from your diet. Instead, eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Aim to eat around 200 fewer calories per day so you lose weight at a healthy pace. As you're working on eating healthier, start toning your thighs with exercises like butterfly stretches, leg lifts, and inner thigh presses. Also, try to get in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 3 days a week.
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Understand that a thigh gap is not physically possible for most people. A thigh gap as wide as a supermodel's is not normal by any means, and oftentimes the photos of thigh gaps you see have been professionally digitally altered. While many people could stand to lose a little leg fat, some will never see a wide gap between their thighs even after shedding excess pounds. Genetics and body structure play the biggest role in whether you can gain a thigh gap. Simply put, most women have hips that are set too closely together for there to be a large gap between their thighs, even with very little fat on their legs. If you have wider set hips, however, a thigh gap might actually be possible while maintaining a healthy overall weight. Set realistic expectations. Dieting and exercise will not give you a thigh gap overnight — it is a long-term lifestyle change, not a quick fix. Physical results could take as long as three to four weeks to start showing. Even then, some girls' genetics keep them from achieving a thigh gap, no matter how skinny they are. Whatever the case, it is not healthy to achieve a thigh gap by skipping meals or by exerting yourself to exhaustion. Stay motivated by noticing the ways in which a healthy diet makes you feel better, instead of simply looking better. You might have more energy, or notice that your clothes fit in a more flattering way. It may not be what you wanted, but learning to be happy with who you are is a skill you will need to develop whoever you are. Don't let a thigh gap become your obsession. Getting a thigh gap has become the Holy Grail for some. They need it or they feel inadequate. In serious cases, people focus on it so much that they begin to lose perspective about other important things in life, like health or maintaining social relationships. A troubling number of teens and young girls are treating a thigh gap in an unhealthy way, fasting and possibly developing eating disorders. Don't let the prospect of a thigh gap make or break you. Your thighs do not say anything about you. Do not let anyone tell you what to do. Ask for help if you think that your quest for a thigh gap is turning unhealthy. If you are after a thigh gap, but the only way you feel you can get there is starving your body of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, please ask for help. Anorexia , bulimia , and other eating disorders are serious to your physical health and mental well-being. Especially during your teen years, not getting enough food can have serious health consequences. It affects brain development, heart function, and even reproductive health in a bad way. Pay attention to these signs that your eating may be turning into a disorder. Do you feel powerful when you skip meals? Do you lie about how much you eat? Are you deathly afraid of gaining weight? Is your self-worth primarily derived from your body weight? If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions, see a medical professional or talk to someone who can help you right away. If you do decide to achieve a thigh gap, use a combination of healthy dieting and exercise. Try to slowly chip away at any excess weight through a combination of diet and exercise until you hit your doctor-recommended BMI. If you still have not gotten a thigh gap, it may not be possible given your genes and bone structure. Even with exercise, it's impossible to target just one area on your body, such as your thighs. This myth is called spot training. Targeted training, say in your thigh area, does work, by taking flab and turning it into muscle, but you'll also be losing flab in other areas as well. You cannot tell your body to burn fat from a particular area on your body just by working it out. Remove junk food. Instead of restricting your intake, try focusing on eating healthy items that fuel your body (and do not satisfy your sweet tooth). Consider cleaning these items out of your diet: Trans-fats: These sneaky fats contribute to heart disease and high cholesterol, and are abundant in fast food, processed snack foods (such as potato chips), fried food and shortening or margarine. If you are not sure, check out the nutrition facts. Sugar: Processed sugar packs many calories without much nutritional benefit. Do not use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame or saccharine in your beverages, as some recent studies have shown possible dangerous side effects of these products e.g. some artificial sweeteners found in Diet drinks can increase your risk of a heart attack. Instead, try substituting unsweetened applesauce for sugar in recipes. Fill up on fiber. Not only is fiber good for you, it takes a while to digest and will fill up more space in your stomach, resulting in feeling less hungry. Try these sources: Fruits and vegetables: Common choices include celery, apples, spinach, cabbage, berries, carrots, pears and oranges (and many others!). Whole grains: Reach for brown grains instead of white ones: whole-wheat bread, brown rice, wheat tortillas, and wheat pasta. Eat nuts and beans. Try black beans, almonds, pistachios, pecans and lentils. Include some superfoods into your diet. “Superfoods” are foods that contain very low calorie counts and high fiber content. Some say they require your body to burn more calories to digest than the foods themselves contain The jury is still out regarding the effectiveness of superfoods regarding weight loss, but many of these foods are part of a healthy diet, anyway, so you do not have much to lose by choosing them over other higher calorie alternatives. Superfoods that might be worth adding to your diet include: Apples, goji berries, blueberries, and pomegranates Eggs, lentils, almond butter, salmon, and sardines Oats, buckwheat pasta, and quinoa Kale, chiles, tarragon, and avocado Low-fat plain yogurt, and parmesan cheese Olive oil Avoid overeating. If you are eating a healthy diet, but still feel like you are not quite where you would like to be, review what you are consuming every day. Even small restrictions, like eating 200 fewer calories per day, can lead to safe, gradual weight loss. Keep a food diary. You can write it down the old-fashioned way and look up calories online, or use an app like MyFitnessPal or Spark People. Whatever you choose, try to be consistent. Figure out your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This will tell you how many calories per day you burn simply by existing. This allows you to calculate your daily calorie burn rate much more accurately. It is unhealthy to eat below your BMR, but you can try eating 1.2 times as many calories as your BMR. Try cutting your calories in by about 200 to 300 from what your calorie out is. Make sure to count accurately, as that is the main failing point of most diets. 3500 calories is equal to 1 pound, so by cutting out 300, you should be dropping 1 pound every 11 days. For more help, see How to Calculate How Many Calories You Need to Eat to Lose Weight. Move past mistakes. If you give in to temptation, do not be discouraged! Everyone slips up once in a while. Simply resolve to get back to your healthy diet. Try butterfly stretches. Sit down on the floor, with your back straight and upright. Bend your knees outward, and put the soles of your feet together. Draw your feet as close to your pelvis as you can without straining, and try to lower your thighs so they are parallel to the ground. Hold for five to 10 seconds. You might need to hold your feet with your hands to do this stretch. That's OK! Be gentle. You may have seen people doing this stretch by flapping their knees vigorously up and down, like butterfly wings, but that is a quick way to injure yourself. Instead, aim to keep your movements slow and precise. Do a butterfly stretch before you start working out your thighs — it'll help loosen them up and prevent muscle tears. Do Pilates leg lifts. Lie down on your left side, with your head either resting on your left arm or supported by your left hand. Bend your right knee, and lift it over your left leg so your right shin is resting on the floor. Keep your left leg straight as you breathe out and lift a few inches, and then inhale as you lower it. Do three sets of 10 repetitions on each side. Try to keep your torso as straight and still as possible as you lift your legs. Move slowly. You will notice the slower your movements are, the more they will work your thighs. If you have a back injury, clear this exercise with your doctor before doing it. Do inner-thigh presses. You can do this exercise sitting at your desk, or try a more complicated version on the floor: Sitting press: Sit up straight in your chair, with your back straight and your abs pulled in. Place a towel, pillow, or other small object between your knees. Squeeze it between your knees as tightly as you can, and hold for a few seconds. Do 20 repetitions. Bridge press: Lie down on your back, with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart. Put something like a pillow, towel, or other soft object between your knees. Lift your pelvis until you are in bridge position (that is, the line running from the back of your knees to your shoulders is as straight as possible), and squeeze the object between your knees as tightly as you can. Do 20 repetitions before lowering yourself back to the ground. Get aerobic exercise. You should aim to get 30 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise at least 3 days a week. Not only will these exercises keep you healthy and help you slim down, they will also tone up your legs in the process. Running, walking briskly, climbing stairs, biking, swimming, and dancing can all help you slim down your legs. Find an exercise that you enjoy and stick with it. If you enjoy your workout, you will be more likely to do it regularly. Avoid exercises that bulk up your legs. These include squats, lunges, leg curls, and calf raises, among others. While these exercises are great for building muscle and toning up, they will not slim your legs down or help you achieve a thigh gap. You don't have to avoid these exercises, but do them in moderation. Focus instead on cardio exercises that work your entire body. Slip on shapewear. If you need a thigh gap by tonight, then your best option is to try on thigh-slimming shapewear. Your best options are a good pair of tights with a control top and a snug body shaper. Make sure that any body shaper you buy extends far enough down to cover the entire thigh. Try an anti-cellulite cream. These creams and cosmetic ointments claim to get rid of unwanted cellulite with consistent application. Since much thigh fat tends to be cellulite, some products could potentially prove helpful. Many of these creams contain caffeine. Caffeine stimulates blood flow and may help burn off cellulite, so applying an anti-cellulite cream with caffeine in it to your thighs might help reduce any cellulite clinging to that area of your legs. Consider dry body brushing. This process involves brushing your thighs with a specialized brush to stimulate blood flow and speed up fat loss. Use a special dry brush designed for this technique. These brushes are available from many health and beauty stores. Do not use a standard hairbrush. Dry brushing helps exfoliate dead skin and, theoretically, improves circulation while tightening your skin. Create the illusion of toned legs with self-tanner. While self-tanner may not be able to give you a thigh gap, if you need to show off your legs in a swimsuit or mini-skirt, you can use self-tanner to create the illusion of slimmer thighs and toner legs. Spray a self-tanner or bronzer over your legs from top to bottom. You might be tempted to only apply the tanner to your thighs to create the illusion of shadows, but the difference in hue between your thighs and calves will usually look unnatural, so you'll need to cover the entire leg. Know that you may be able to get the thigh gap in pictures by repositioning your body. If an elegant thigh gap picture is what you are after, you do not necessarily have to starve and put your body through agony. By trying this simple trick, you could get the look you are after with a whole lot less work. Straighten your legs. Pretend they are stiff as straw and hard as rock. Stick your butt out a little bit. Not too much, or what you are doing will become apparent. A little goes a long way here. Bend forward with your heels apart. Tip the back part of your heels apart, making sure to keep the front part of your toes together. Remember to do this subtle or it will not look natural or believable. Take your picture. If your camera is facing a downward angle, all the better. You should have recreated the thigh gap without much fuss and with minimal effort. Use this pose to enhance your thigh gap if you naturally have one. Wait out puberty. The surest way to a thigh gap, regardless of weight, is widened hips. If you're not quite through puberty, it's possible that your pelvis simply isn't wide enough yet. Most girls finish developing around the age of 16 or 17, but puberty can continue into the later teens in some cases.. Try to be patient! Don't resort to starving. Puberty involves much growth and change, and you need plenty of nutrients and calories to pull it off. If you deprive yourself, you will stunt the development of your figure. Accept that puberty takes years, not months. You might have a sudden growth spurt over a summer, but the physical transition from childhood to adulthood takes years. Try not to be discouraged if your development is taking longer than other girls you know. Know when to see a doctor. If you are 15 and have not menstruated yet, consider seeing a gynecologist. You might have another health condition that's delaying puberty. If you suspect that your hormones are seriously out of balance, make an appointment with a gynecologist or reproductive endocrinologist. A simple blood test can tell you a lot about what is wrong, and your doctor can prescribe the appropriate medications from there.
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Understand that a thigh gap is not physically possible for most people. Set realistic expectations. Don't let a thigh gap become your obsession. Ask for help if you think that your quest for a thigh gap is turning unhealthy. If you do decide to achieve a thigh gap, use a combination of healthy dieting and exercise. Remove junk food. Fill up on fiber. Include some superfoods into your diet. Avoid overeating. Try butterfly stretches. Do Pilates leg lifts. Do inner-thigh presses. Get aerobic exercise. Avoid exercises that bulk up your legs. Slip on shapewear. Try an anti-cellulite cream. Consider dry body brushing. Create the illusion of toned legs with self-tanner. Know that you may be able to get the thigh gap in pictures by repositioning your body. Straighten your legs. Stick your butt out a little bit. Bend forward with your heels apart. Take your picture. Wait out puberty. Know when to see a doctor.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Drive-Safely-in-the-Rain
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How to Drive Safely in the Rain
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To drive safely in the rain, slow down to 1/3 the normal speed limit since wet roads reduce traction. Then, increase visibility by turning on your headlights so you can see the road and so others can see you. If there are cars in front of you, make sure to stay 5 seconds behind them to avoid their spray, which can reduce visibility, and give yourself time to stop. As you drive, don't slam on your breaks and take turns slowly so you don't skid or hydroplane.
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Keep your windows clean and clear. Being able to see properly is key to driving safely any time, especially when visibility is already reduced because of rain. To improve your visibility : Clean the inside and outside of the windows regularly to remove dirt, dust, mud, smoke, fingerprints, grime, and other materials. If your windows fog up, turn on the air conditioning or cold air in the car and aim the vents at the windows. Turn on the rear defroster, and open the windows if necessary to increase the airflow. Maintain your lights. Take your car to a mechanic to have your headlights adjusted properly if you've never done this. This will ensure your headlights are pointing in the right direction, make it easier to see, and prevent you from blinding other drivers. Check regularly to make sure none of your lights have burnt out, and replace dead lights immediately. This includes headlights, brake lights, turn signals, tail lights, and running lights. Keep the light covers on your car clean so that dust and dirt don't reduce their efficacy. Maintain your tires. Tire tread is what allows your tires to adhere to the road, which is why it's so dangerous to drive with bald tires. Without the right traction, you can skid, slide, and hydroplane easily in wet conditions. New tires generally have about 10/32 of an inch of tread. Tires should be replaced when the tread gets to 4/32 of an inch. Tires with 2/32 of an inch or less of tread are unsafe and shouldn't be used. Turn on your windshield wipers. Along with keeping your windshield clean, you can also improve your visibility in wet conditions by ensuring that your wipers are up to the job, and by using the right washer fluid. Replace your wipers every year to prevent them from cracking, breaking, or not sealing properly when you need them most. Try a hydrophobic washer fluid that will cause water to bead up and drip off your windshield, rather than sticking to it and blocking your view. Slow down. During any inclement weather or unfavorable driving conditions, your first reaction should always be to adjust your speed accordingly. Wet roads reduce your traction, and slowing down reduces the chances of you skidding out, and will give you more time to react to emergencies. Wet roads can reduce your traction by about a third, so you should also reduce your speed by a third. Even small amounts of water can make the road more slippery, because the water mixes with oils on the road, and this creates a greasy layer. Driving too quickly on wet roads can lead to hydroplaning, which means that your tires lose contact with the road. When a car hydroplanes, you have very little control in terms of steering or braking. Stay focused. When you're behind the wheel, it's important to always pay attention to the road, other cars, and pedestrians. This is especially true in the rain, when you cannot see as well, and your ability to stop may be hindered by the slickness of the road. Stay focused by: Keeping your eyes on the road at all times Paying attention to what drivers and pedestrians are doing around you. Turning off the radio, and ignoring your cell phone and other electronic devices. Ceasing any conversations you were having with passengers. Not eating, reading, or putting on makeup while driving. Turn your lights on. When it starts to rain, turn on your headlights immediately, regardless of whether it's day or night. In some states, it's actually illegal to drive without headlights when it's raining. There are two reasons why you should drive with your lights on in the rain: First of all, your headlights will make it easier for other drivers to see your car. Second, rain typically means cloudy skies, and turning your lights on will help you see the road better. Drive with both hands on the wheel. You should always drive with your hands at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock on the steering wheel, because this gives you maximum control if you have to turn, swerve, or react quickly. It's especially important to have both hands on the wheel when driving conditions are subpar. While traditional wisdom said to drive with your hands at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock on the steering wheel, this increases the chances of injury from airbags in case of a collision. Stay five seconds behind the car in front of you. You should always leave a three- to four-second gap between your car and the car in front of you, and you should increase this to at least five seconds when it's raining. Not only does this give you more time to stop or adjust if necessary, but it also prevents reduced visibility caused by the spray from other cars. To determine how many seconds you are behind another car, make note of when that car passes a landmark (like a street sign) and then count how many seconds it takes before your car passes that same landmark. Leaving space includes leaving an opening where you can escape quickly if necessary. To do this, make sure you always leave at least one open space beside or in front of you that you can move into. Avoid slamming on the brakes. Slamming on the brakes can cause you to slide forward, and you won't be able to control the car. Hitting the brakes too hard can also force water into your brakes, making them less effective. Instead of braking, you can also slow yourself down by easing off the accelerator, and downshifting if you have a manual transmission. Not being able to stop as quickly in the rain is another reason why it's so important to leave extra space between your car and the one in front of you. Take turns slowly. Turning too quickly on a wet road can cause your tires to hydroplane, and this means you won't be able to control the car, and could skid out. Whenever you have a turn coming up, signal early and start slowing down sooner than you would in good conditions. Just like with driving, you should reduce the speed of your turns by about a third when it's raining. Don't use cruise control. Cruise control is another factor that can lead to hydroplaning. The weight of the car shifts slightly when you ease on or off the accelerator, and this helps the tires maintain traction with the road. But with cruise control, because the speed of the car is constant, there is no weight shift, and the car can lose traction. Pull over if necessary. Never be afraid to pull over to the side of the road if you don't feel comfortable driving. If you can't see the sides of the road, the cars in front of you, or your surroundings at a safe distance, pull over. Other things that can reduce your visibility include the glare from other car lights and lightning. You may also need to pull over if there's too much water on the road, the road is too slick, or you simply don't feel safe. To pull over safely, turn on your signal, check your mirror and blind spots, pull over as far as possible to the side of the road, and turn on your four-way lights. Turn around if you encounter deep or moving water. Driving through deep or moving water can be hazardous for a number of reasons, including that you could get stuck, stall out, damage the car or the electrical components, or be swept away. Moving water is too deep if you cannot see the ground. Don't proceed through deep water if it comes higher than the bottom of your door. If you encounter these types of road flooding, turn around and find another route. In a case where the only route is blocked, pull over and wait out the flooding. Be prepared to react if you hydroplane. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 35 miles (56 km) per hour, and when it happens your car may not react when you turn the steering wheel, and your back end may feel loose. In the event that your car does hydroplane: Stay calm Avoid turning the steering wheel Ease your foot off the accelerator Apply slow and gentle pressure to the brakes Know what to do if you start to skid. Skidding on a wet road can be particularly frightening, but like any emergency situation, the key is remaining calm. Then, look where you want to go, ease your foot off the accelerator, and gently steer in the direction you want to travel. Avoid braking, and never slam on the brakes. To prevent skidding, always brake before entering a turn or curve, then let your foot off the brake before the turn.
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Keep your windows clean and clear. Maintain your lights. Maintain your tires. Turn on your windshield wipers. Slow down. Stay focused. Turn your lights on. Drive with both hands on the wheel. Stay five seconds behind the car in front of you. Avoid slamming on the brakes. Take turns slowly. Don't use cruise control. Pull over if necessary. Turn around if you encounter deep or moving water. Be prepared to react if you hydroplane. Know what to do if you start to skid.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-Land-Value
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How to Determine Land Value
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If you want to estimate how much your land is worth, there are a few resources that are available to you. The easiest way to find out the value of your land is to hire a qualified appraiser. If you'd rather appraise the land on your own, try searching for similar lots on websites like Zillow or Redfin to see what those are going for. Make sure to look for lots in a close radius to your land, since the location can greatly affect land value. If your lot has any amenities, like easy road access, good soil, access to water, or level ground, these will add on value to the property. You should also consider zoning in determining your land's value since land that can be developed for commercial purposes usually sells for more than land that can only be used residentially.
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Find a qualified appraiser. Look online or in the phone book. You can also get a referral from a bank or real estate agent. Check to see if the appraiser has a credential from one of the recognized professional societies, e.g., the MAI designation. The appraiser should also have experience appraising property land and not simply homes. Appraising land is quite different from appraising a house. If you contact an appraiser and they can't do the job, ask them to refer you to someone. Briefly describe the land you want valued. Check the appraiser’s license. Confirm that the appraiser is licensed with your state by asking for their license number. You can then call your state's Department of Real Estate (or equivalent office) to check that the license is active. It is usually possible to check the status of their license online through your local licensing office. Ask about the price for an appraisal. Before hiring the appraiser, get a quote in writing for the appraisal. Don't be surprised if the cost is more than the cost for appraising a building. Appraisals of vacant lots require more extensive research and familiarity with land records. If you don't like the price quoted, shop around until you find a more affordable option. However, make sure the appraiser has sufficient experience. Schedule your appraisal. Try to schedule for a time when you will be available. You can answer any questions the appraiser has and possibly ask a few of your own. You also need to make sure the right plot of land is appraised. Often, confusion can crop up when an appraiser is looking at open land or a vacant lot. If they identify the wrong parcel, then your appraisal will be worthless. Gather helpful documents. You can make the appraiser's job easier by gathering information ahead of time and sharing it with the appraiser. Check if any of the following are available: The plot plan or survey, which you can get from the owner or hire a surveyor to create. The title report, which you can purchase from a title search company. The legal description of the property , which you can get from the County Recorder of Deeds or an equivalent office. The most recent tax bill, which you can get from the County Assessor's office. The current listing agreement, if applicable. Read the appraisal. The appraisal should be well-organized and have information about local land use regulations. It should also explain how the appraiser investigated the current market conditions. If you have any questions, follow up with the appraiser. Find other lots for sale. Search websites such as Zillow or Redfin and see what other lots are currently for sale or have sold in the past 6 months, or 1 year at the most. Remember to check the same geographic area as the property you are interested in appraising. You'll want to start within a close radius and only move out if you can't find equivalent properties in that radius. If you live in an urban area, limit your search to properties within a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) radius of your property. For suburban properties, use a 1 mile (1.6 km) radius. For rural properties, look within a 5 mile (8 km) radius. If you have to look beyond the typical radius for your property type, make sure the reasons are explained in the appraisal report. Look for comparable lots. You can estimate the value of the lot by finding what others have paid for comparable lots (called “comps”). However, the properties must be similar. After finding comps on Zillow, make sure to drive by the property so that you can see it for yourself. There are many factors involved in determining the value of a lot, so larger lots may not necessarily be worth more than smaller ones. Consider the following: Accessibility. Look for lots that have the same road access. Size and shape. Check the acreage. The shape also matters because it limits what can be built on the land, if anything. Check for lots with a size difference no greater than 30% from the property you are appraising. Topography. Lots that are on a steep slope or have poor soil are worth less since you can't build on them. Location. Is it near amenities such as grocery stores, schools, and hospitals? Also, is it near anything that might decrease its value, such as a pawn shop or public housing? Water availability. If you want to build a home on land, you need to know the nearest source of water. If a source of water is too far away, then the land will be much less valuable. Find out how much comparable land has sold for. You might need to go to the land assessor's office to find out the price that was paid for a comparable property. If none of your comps have sold, then at least look at the asking price, which should be listed on Zillow. In many areas, you can look up the most recent price for which a property was sold on the local assessor's office website. Create an estimate based on your comps. You are unlikely to find a property that has recently sold that matches yours exactly. Instead, they will differ in size, location, etc. Nevertheless, this is the best information you have about market conditions. If you can't find a comparable piece of land, then go further back in time to find something similar. Adjust your estimate based on the details of the land. For example, you might have found a lot that is a similar size in the same county. However, the lot you want is on a steep incline and doesn't have a great view. You should estimate that this lot will sell for much less than its comp. Consider how zoning will impact the value. Local zoning laws can have a huge impact on the value of a piece of land. Land is generally more valuable when you can develop it. However, zoning laws can restrict how the land can be developed. Stop into your local zoning office to check how the parcel has been zoned. For example, some land can be developed for commercial purposes or for residential purposes only. Others allow mixed development. If your comparable properties allow commercial development, then they might be more valuable. You'll need to lower your estimate if the land is only zoned for residential development. Adjust the value based on deed restrictions. You should go to the County Recorder's Office and find the deed for the land. You want to closely analyze the deed to see if there are any of the following, which can lower the value of the property: Liens. A lien is a legal right to payment. Someone might have placed a lien on the land if the owner hasn't paid a debt. In some situations, the lien will stay attached to the property even if you buy it. Easements. An easement is a legal right to use the property. For example, a neighbor might have a right-of-way over the property. This can decrease the value of the land. Deed restrictions. There may be restrictions placed on how the land can be developed, which are in addition to zoning restrictions. The deed might have a restriction which makes development impractical. Analyze how desirable the land is. Imagine you are creating your property listing on a website. Take pictures of the land and assess how beautiful it is. Is it simply a vacant lot in a rundown part of town? Or is it a gorgeous wheat field with a view of the river? The more desirable the land, the more likely you can get a higher price for it. This is a subjective assessment, but it nevertheless is important. If your land is more desirable than your comps, then raise your estimate. Check if the land is in a flood zone. Flood insurance costs a lot, so you'll need to include the costs of flood insurance to the value of the land. Land located in a flood zone is generally less desirable because people won't want to build on it. Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website to check whether the land is in a flood zone: https://msc.fema.gov/portal. Find two or three agents. You want to talk to people that you can trust. If you don't know anyone, then ask around. Talk to people who have bought undeveloped land and ask who their real estate agent was. Make sure the agents are familiar with the market for undeveloped land. Many agents only sell homes, so they might not have any idea what a vacant lot could be worth. You also need to talk to more than one agent. In fact, you should speak to as many as you can, since you will get a much broader perspective that way. Ask for their opinion. Don't be nervous. Real estate agents are approached regularly by sellers hoping to figure out how much they can ask for their property. Call up the agents and introduce yourself. Then ask how much you could get for the property if you put it on the market today. Say something like, “Let's say I list this property with you today. What's the most I can get if I need to sell it in the next 6 months?” The agent probably needs to look at the property, so meet them to show them around. Your agent should do their homework and look at prices on comparable properties. Don't go with a ballpark estimate they come up with on the spur of the moment. Hire the agent if you like them. The real estate agent might impress you with their knowledge and enthusiasm. If so, you should consider hiring them to help you buy or sell undeveloped land.
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Find a qualified appraiser. Check the appraiser’s license. Ask about the price for an appraisal. Schedule your appraisal. Gather helpful documents. Read the appraisal. Find other lots for sale. Look for comparable lots. Find out how much comparable land has sold for. Create an estimate based on your comps. Consider how zoning will impact the value. Adjust the value based on deed restrictions. Analyze how desirable the land is. Check if the land is in a flood zone. Find two or three agents. Ask for their opinion. Hire the agent if you like them.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Water-Dish-for-Your-Rabbit
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How to Choose a Water Dish for Your Rabbit
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To choose a water dish for your rabbit, avoid plastic bowls since they're easily scratched, which can leave crevices where bacteria can build up. Rather than plastic, go for a heavy ceramic bowl instead. Additionally, it's a good idea to give your rabbit a backup source of water in case it knocks over its bowl, so consider getting it a bottle too. You may want to buy a bottle with a sippy spout since it's quieter and easier to clean than a classic bottle with a ball at the end of the tube. No matter how you hydrate your rabbit, remember to clean its bowl and bottles daily with warm, soapy water.
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Avoid plastic bowls. Your rabbit's bowl should be made of ceramic or metal. Plastic bowls are easily scratched. Bacteria can then build up in the crevices and contaminate the water. Your rabbit may also pick up a plastic bowl and treat it as a toy. Heavy ceramic bowls are ideal for rabbits. Rabbit bowls typically hold about 550ml of water and about 5" across. Place away from bedding. While bowls are the most natural way for your rabbit to drink water, they are more likely to be contaminated with beddings, litter, and food. The bowl should be placed away from any food and loose bedding. You may need to change the water more than once a day to keep it from becoming contaminated. If your rabbit tends to knock over the bowl, purchase a bowl that clips to the side of the cage. Consider having a water bottle in the cage as a backup in case the water bowl gets knocked over. Clean the bowl daily. Wash the bowl with warm, soapy water, rinse, and refill with clean water. Your rabbit will not be interested in drinking stale or unclean water. Disinfect the bowl at least once a week. Mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 cup of water to disinfect the bowl. Rinse the bowl thoroughly with clean water to remove any traces of bleach. Choose between a classic or sippy spout. Classic water bottles have a metal tube with balls inside. The balls stay at the end of the tube until your rabbit licks the tube and causes the water to come down. These spouts are more likely to leak and your rabbit may be frustrated by the balls in the tube. A sippy spout has a wider spout and is quieter than a classic water bottle. If your rabbit will be staying in your room, a quieter sippy spout is best. Sippy spouts are more expensive but are easier to clean. Attach the bottle. Your rabbit's bottle will come with the tools necessary to attach the bottle to the cage. Keep in mind that your rabbit may chew on the bottles because it is hanging in the cage. If you do not like the attachment that comes with your bottle, you can use the water bottle holders that cyclists use. If your rabbit is hesitant about using the bottle, put some molasses or sweet jam on the end of the tube to entice him. Clean bottles daily. Clean the bottle with hot, soapy water each day. Use a bottle brush for a better cleaning. You can also use sterilizing tablets that are made for cleaning baby bottles. To prevent algae from growing, place an opaque cover around the bottle. Prevent freezing in the winter. Water bottles may freeze in the winter. Use an insulated bottle cover to prevent this. These covers only protect the bottle, but not the spout. Check the spout to make sure that water is still coming out. If you cannot afford a bottle cover, place bubble wrap around the bottle and then place the bottle in a wooly sock. You may need to purchase a larger holder if you are using an insulated bottle. Provide 24/7 access to fresh water. The amount of water your rabbit drinks depends on his size, diet, and climate. A medium sized rabbit will drink 50-300ml of water per day. If your rabbit eats a lot of fresh foods and grass, they will not drink as much water because they are getting a lot of water through their diet. Your rabbit will also drink more water in hot weather. Give your rabbit the same quality of water that you would drink. Add flavor to the water. If your rabbit is not drinking enough water, add a small amount of Pedialyte or unsweetened apple or carrot juice to the water. Do not give your rabbit any sugary drinks or Gatorade. If you add Pedialyte to the water, you will need to change the water more than once a day to prevent bacteria from developing. There is not a standard amount of flavor to add to the water. You may want to test the mixture yourself in a separate cup to see if you can taste a slight difference. Talk to your veterinarian before you add anything to your rabbit's water. These additions could have a negative effect on your rabbit's digestive system. Give a bottle and bowl. If your rabbit has only been drinking out of either a bowl or bottle, give your rabbit another option. Your rabbit may be intrigued by this new source of water. It is also good to have a backup source of water in case a bowl gets knocked over or a water bottle is clogged or leaks too much. Check the water bottle tube each day to make sure that it is working properly.
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Avoid plastic bowls. Place away from bedding. Clean the bowl daily. Choose between a classic or sippy spout. Attach the bottle. Clean bottles daily. Prevent freezing in the winter. Provide 24/7 access to fresh water. Add flavor to the water. Give a bottle and bowl.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Baby-a-Bath
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How to Give a Baby a Bath
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Before you give a baby a bath, gather all of your supplies, like a towel, a pitcher, soap, and a clean diaper. After your baby is in the bath, you will not be able to leave them unattended. Once you have your supplies, start running warm water and fill the tub to about 3 inches deep. Be sure to test the water with your elbow to make sure it isn't too hot. Gently place the baby in the tub and use the pitcher to pour water over their body. Wash them all over with a gentle soap and then rinse them using the pitcher. Once they are rinsed, pull them out of the tub, support their neck and bottom, and wrap them in a soft towel.
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Wear appropriate clothing. Roll up your long sleeves, remove your jewelry, and take off any other items, such as watches, that may get in your way. Know that bathing a baby can be a wet operation and be prepared to find a change of clothes afterward. You want to wear something you don't care about so you can properly bathe your baby. Get all of your supplies in order. Once the baby's in the bath, you won't be able to leave his side, not even for a second, so it's important to get all of the materials you need together. If you do forget something and are bathing your baby alone, then you'll have to take him with you to retrieve it. Here's what you'll need to bathe your baby: A soft towel with a hood Extra towels just in case Cotton wool balls, a washcloth or a sponge for washing your baby A pitcher for pouring water over your baby Baby soap Baby shampoo (if you choose to use it) A changing mat A change of clothes A clean diaper Baby powder Bath toys (optional) Bubble bath (optional) A tub for your baby if it's small or a newborn Fill the tub with about 2 inches (5 cm) of warm water. You don't want the tub to be filled any more than that, and even then, you should always watch your baby since they could still drown in less than 2 inches (5 cm) of water when left unattended. Before you put your baby in the water, you should test it on the underside of your wrist or dip your elbow in to make sure it's warm to lukewarm and that there's no way your baby can be burned by it. The ideal temperature should be around 90ºF (32ºC). Don't ever place your baby in the tub while the water's still running. This can lead the water to get too deep or too hot. If your baby is newborn or very small, you should use a baby holder or a plastic tub for your baby. You can even wash your baby in the sink, which will make the process easier if the sink is large enough. If you want to make bath time more fun, then you can add a few bath toys and bubble bath into the water before you place your baby in it. Just don't overdo it on the bubble bath or your baby may get overwhelmed. Consider closing the bathroom door when you give your baby a bath. You don't want him to feel chilly once you take him out of the tub. Consider getting some help. Though you are perfectly capable of bathing your baby on your own, you should consider getting some help, whether it's from the other parent, one of the child's grandparents, or a friend. Just having another person there to guide you can help you feel reassured if it's your first time and can make the process feel less overwhelming. But if you have to do it on your own, there's no need to worry and you'll do a great job no matter what. Undress your baby. Remove your baby's clothes as well as his diaper. This should be the last thing you do before you bathe your baby. You don't want to undress your baby first, or he may be getting cold as you prepare the tub. If you find that your baby cries through every bath, then you should start bathing your baby with its diaper on. This can give it an added sense of security until it gets more comfortable in the water. Of course, you should make sure your baby is ready for a bath before you begin bathing it. You should wait for the umbilical stump to completely fall off and heal before you bathe your baby. Before that, cleaning your baby carefully with a wet cloth will do. Remember that you should never leave your child unattended. This is absolutely the most important part of giving your baby a bath. Know that a child can drown in less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. There's absolutely nothing in the world that should make you leave your child in the tub by himself, not even for a second. If you've forgotten something necessary for bathing your child, then you'll have to either leave it or take your baby with you to retrieve it. Slowly ease your baby into the tub feet first. You should use one hand to support the baby's head and neck. Slowly ease the baby into the water, whether you're using the sink, a bathtub, or a small plastic tub for your baby. Make sure your baby is relaxed and comfortable. Prepare for some tears. Not all babies like the feeling of being lowered into water, especially not at first. Others, however, love the water right away! Gently pour cupfuls of water over your baby. Use a pitcher, or your hand, to carefully pour cupfuls of water onto your baby's body and over its head. Make sure to wet your child's skin and hair completely. Just don't get water in your baby's eyes or pour water all over its face quickly, or it will get upset. You want your baby to be completely wet before you start using soap. Just know that babies will be more slippery when they're wet. Prepare to handle your baby with extra care once you've lowered it into the water. Wash your baby with soap. Make sure you use a mild, tear-free baby soap that won't irritate your baby's skin. Though some people like to use baby shampoo for their baby's hair, it's perfectly fine to use regular soap on your baby's head; many people prefer this because it won't dry out your baby's scalp. Here's how you wash your baby: Use your hand or a gentle washcloth and wash your baby from top to bottom both on its front and back. Wash the baby's scalp with a soapy and wet cloth. If you'd like to use shampoo, you can do that, but it's really not necessary. To use shampoo, just pour a dime-sized amount of tear free shampoo onto your hands, lather the shampoo into your hands and then massage your baby's scalp with it. Gently clean your baby's eyes and face with a cloth that is free of soap. You don't want to get soap in your baby's eyes. Give your baby's genitals a regular washing. There's no need to be extra thorough. If any mucus is stuck around your baby's nose or eyes, dab at it a few times before wiping it off. Rinse your child. Once you've washed your baby with soap, you can wash your baby with the bathwater. Either pour clean water over your baby with your hands, or use a pitcher to pour water over your child to rinse all of the soap off. Make sure to do this slowly and gently so your baby doesn't get too startled or overwhelmed. If it's safely possible, tilt the child's head back to avoid the eyes and pour cupfuls of water over their hair until it is soap free. Take your child out of the tub. Take your child out of the tub and place it in a soft, warm towel. As you do this, place one hand under her neck and the other under her bottom. If the towel has a hood, then that's even better. Be careful with your baby when it's wet. Make sure that you've washed off all of the soap. The whole bath should only take about five minutes. You don't want your baby in there too long or the water will get cold. Plus, a short bath is perfect for babies who don't like the water. Pat your baby dry. Make sure to thoroughly pat your baby's body and hair dry as gently as you can. If your baby's skin is still peeling from birth, just use a bit of lotion on her if you want to, but know that this skin will come off anyway. Rub lotion, baby powder, or diaper cream onto your baby's body if that's what you normally do. Just make sure your baby is dry first. Dress your baby. Now that your baby is nice and clean, all you have to do is dress him. Place your diaper on your baby along with its clothes, and your baby should be nice and clean and ready for naptime—or for whatever the day may hold.
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Wear appropriate clothing. Get all of your supplies in order. Fill the tub with about 2 inches (5 cm) of warm water. Consider getting some help. Undress your baby. Remember that you should never leave your child unattended. Slowly ease your baby into the tub feet first. Gently pour cupfuls of water over your baby. Wash your baby with soap. Rinse your child. Take your child out of the tub. Pat your baby dry. Dress your baby.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Music-with-Google-Home
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How to Play Music with Google Home
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* "OK Google, play Odesza on Spotify." Plays music on a specific service.
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Open the Google Home app. It's the app with the icon that looks like a multicolored outline of a house. If you haven't already, download it and connect your Google Home device. You can download the Google Home app from the Google Play Store on Android or from the App Store on iOS for the iPhone or iPad. Tap ☰. It's the three-lined icon in the top-left corner of the screen. This opens the main menu on the left-side of the screen. Before moving on, make sure you're signed in to the correct Google Account, by looking at the top of this screen. You can change accounts by tapping the down arrow {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/8\/82\/Android7dropdown.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Android7dropdown.png\/30px-Android7dropdown.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Tap Account preferences. This has a gray icon of a person to its left. Tap Media accounts. This is the second selection from the top. On iPhone or iPad, tap Manage connected accounts at the bottom instead. Tap the music service you want to add. Tap the name of the music service you want to link to your Google Home. Music services that don't already have an account linked will have a plus sign "＋" on the right-side. Tap Link Account. It's in the bottom-right corner of the confirmation pop-up window. Log in to your account. Enter your username and password associated with the music service you want to link to your Google Home device. Tap Okay or Log In. This option will differ depending on which music service you are linking. Once your account has been successfully logged in, the service is now linked to your Google Home. A blue circle with a checkmark will be displayed to the right of the music service to show that an account is currently linked. You can now play music from this service on Google Home. Ask Google to play any song, album, artist, genre, or mood. You can also specify which music service you would like to play music from. If you are using a free service, you likely won't be able to play specific songs, but similar music or shuffled music by the requested artist will play. "OK Google, play Drake on Spotify." "OK Google, play 80s music on Pandora." "OK Google, play rap." "OK Google, play Dark Comedy by Open Mike Eagle." "OK Google, play happy music." Ask Google Home to play your playlists. You can ask Google Home to play your playlists by name and by music service. For instance, if you have a playlist entitled "Dinner Party" on Spotify, you could say, "Hey Google, play my 'Dinner Party' playlist on Spotify," to play it instantly. Use voice commands to control the music playback. Use voice commands to control all the usual functions. "OK Google, pause/resume." Pause or resume playback. "OK Google, next/skip." Play the next song. "OK Google, shuffle." Shuffles the current album or playlist. "OK Google, volume 8." Adjusts the volume level from 1-10. "OK Google, what's playing?" Tells you the name of the current song/artist/album.
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Open the Google Home app. Tap ☰. Tap Account preferences. Tap Media accounts. Tap the music service you want to add. Tap Link Account. Log in to your account. Tap Okay or Log In. Ask Google to play any song, album, artist, genre, or mood. Ask Google Home to play your playlists. Use voice commands to control the music playback.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Become-Better-when-You-Are-Sick
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How to Become Better when You Are Sick
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To become better when you are sick, stay home and sleep if you can, since that will help you maintain your energy to fight the sickness and get better faster. Additionally, no matter where you are, make sure you drink a glass of water every 2 hours to flush the infection from your system. At mealtimes, prioritize healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, as your body needs plenty of nutrients and vitamins to repair itself. Alternatively, if you're sick and struggling to fall asleep, try taking a hot shower, which will help clear any mucus from your sinuses and wash the germs from your skin. Or, if you have a sore throat, try soothing it by gargling warm water with a spoonful of salt.
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Stay home from work or school. Going out and having a normal day will usually make you sicker. It also exposes those around you to illness. Stay home and take care of yourself so that you can go out again soon. Keep in mind that you're usually at your most contagious at the beginning of an illness — for a cold, this means the first three days, possibly four or five. Sleep as much as you need. Sleeping can be one of the most vital steps in allowing your body to get better. When a sickness attacks your body, it needs as much energy as it can to fight it off. Sleep helps give you that energy. Refrain from high-impact exercise. Even if you do it every day and find it gives you increased energy, working out hard when you're sick doesn't give you that energy. It typically makes you even more drained than before and can exacerbate breathing or congestion issues. Wash your hands frequently. This will help prevent you from getting more germs and conceivably getting sicker. It's also going to help you get rid of the germs that have collected on your hands. Wash your hands with hot water, scrubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds. Determine if you have a cold or the flu. By knowing which one you have, you can take appropriate action. A cold is typically confined to your head — coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. The flu can take over your whole body. Flu symptoms include headaches and muscle aches, chills and fever, and vomiting, though often not all together. The flu tends to make you feel much sicker than a cold. Keep yourself hydrated. Sometimes just drinking lots of fluids can help flush out the infection in your system. Water is often the best choice, but drink whatever tastes the best to you. For water, try for a big glass every two hours or so. You also might want to try Pedialyte or another beverage that provides electrolytes, especially if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. Drink hot tea. Especially for a cold, tea can help ease congestion and soothe a sore throat. Tea also contains theophylline, which helps to clean out your lungs and decrease the mucus. Any kind of tea will be helpful, and honey often helps coat your throat and makes you more comfortable. Eat healthy foods. If you have an appetite, stick to whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Even though sweets or fast foods might sound good at the time, they are not going to help your body function well and fight off your illness. Your best choices for food partially depend on your symptoms. A sore throat would benefit from soothing foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or creamy soups. Body aches, on the other hand, might be helped by dark leafy greens, yogurt, and avocados — foods high in magnesium or calcium. Headaches benefit mostly from drinking water. Sometimes caffeine can help in small doses, particularly coffee or tea. But be sure to re-hydrate with water after the caffeine has dried you out. For congestion, try making "golden milk." Use two cups of coconut milk to simmer on the stove with a teaspoon each of ginger and turmeric, and a dash of black pepper. After a couple minutes of simmering, let it sit for 10 minutes before drinking. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, and this is a good way to get it into your system. Eat some chicken soup. Traditional wisdom was right — chicken soup can help you recover from a cold. It boosts your immune system, and based on the ingredients, can add electrolytes and an array of vitamins, as well as helping to thin out mucus. Take a hot shower. The hot steam can help dislodge the mucus. The water can also help energize your skin while washing away some of the germs that have gathered on your body as you've been sick. Gargle to help your sore throat. Use hot water and a spoonful of salt, with an optional spoonful of hydrogen peroxide. You could also use hydrogen peroxide alone, but be careful to use a small amount (two teaspoons) at room temperature. You can also water it down, but it is very effective at clearing mucus. Take an over-the-counter flu or cold medicine. Look for the medicine that can apply to your particular situation. For example, cough medicine for a cough or a painkiller/fever reducer (like aspirin or ibuprofen) for headache and fever. Coughs can benefit from dextromethorphan, an ingredient in some cough syrups and suppressants that can help pause coughing. Address your congestion with medicines that contain the ingredients guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. When in doubt, ask the pharmacist. Use a saline spray or nasal saline irrigation. Drugstores carry an array of products that help wash out the mucus and clean your nasal passages, from decongestant sprays to neti pots. The nasal irrigation products, including a neti pot, can feel weird (you have to pour a saline solution into one nasal passage and it comes out the other) but they can be extremely helpful. Be sure to use purified or filtered water (not tap water) in making your saline solution. Suck on cough drops. Sore throats will often feel much better with a cough drop, which also prevents you from coughing as much. The ingredients help coat your throat and make you more comfortable. Consult the package — you shouldn't suck them nonstop even though they might taste good. Call your medical provider's help line for more tips. Talking to a nurse or other medical professional can help tailor your recovery plan to you. A medical professional can also recommend a particular medicine or even call in a prescription to a pharmacy for you. Visit the doctor for extreme flu symptoms or if your cold doesn't improve. Do not hesitate to go if your symptoms include a high fever (over 101°F or 38.3°C), chills that make you shake, an inability to keep down food or drinks, and bloody phlegm or mucus. Any of these elements will require more help than you can give yourself at home. Take the steps your doctor or medical professional recommends. If she gives you a prescription, fill it and take it as long the doctor recommends. If she wants a follow-up visit, schedule it. Even if you think you are feeling a lot better and don't need that medication or other visit, trust that your medical professional is recommending it for a reason. Don't hijack your recovery.
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Stay home from work or school. Sleep as much as you need. Refrain from high-impact exercise. Wash your hands frequently. Determine if you have a cold or the flu. Keep yourself hydrated. Drink hot tea. Eat healthy foods. Take a hot shower. Gargle to help your sore throat. Take an over-the-counter flu or cold medicine. Use a saline spray or nasal saline irrigation. Suck on cough drops. Call your medical provider's help line for more tips. Visit the doctor for extreme flu symptoms or if your cold doesn't improve. Take the steps your doctor or medical professional recommends.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Waterpik
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How to Clean a Waterpik
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If you want to clean your Waterpik, start by combining 16 ounces of warm water with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Next, pour the solution into the reservoir and run the Waterpik until half of it goes out. Then, drain the remaining solution through the handle into the sink and run warm water through the tank to get rid of any vinegar. Once you've washed the tank, remove the reservoir, take out the valve, and wash the reservoir in the dish washer. Additionally, remember to wipe down your Waterpik regularly to keep it clean and change the tip every 3-6 months.
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Wipe down the unit regularly. Unplug the unit. Wipe down the reservoir with a soft cloth and a cleaner that is mild and non-abrasive. Then rinse the unit by running through full reservoir of pure warm water. Do this as often as weekly if you use your Waterpik often. For example, use a wet cloth with a drop of gentle liquid soap. Clean the reservoir in your dishwasher. Remove the reservoir from the unit. Separate the reservoir valve, if applicable, and set it aside. Put the reservoir with the open side facing down into the top dishwasher rack. Run the dishwasher. Allow the reservoir to air dry. If you're unsure how to remove the reservoir, navigate to https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/product-support/manuals/ and locate your product manual. Countertop models have a black reservoir valve. Don't wash the valve in the dishwasher. Remove it by pressing on the bottom of the valve. Perform such deep cleaning of the reservoir and valve every one to three months. Wash the valve, if applicable. Hold the valve under warm running water. Massage it continuously for 30 to 45 seconds. Set it aside to air dry. Reattach it to the reservoir dome side up, by pressing it into place with all four prongs visible underneath the reservoir. Both the valve and the reservoir should be completely clean and dry before reattaching the valve. Purge the flosser before and after use. Remove the reservoir. Run the flosser for at least ten seconds with the reservoir removed. Turn off the unit. Wipe down with a paper towel the cavity where the reservoir sits on the unit. Replace the reservoir sitting at an angle, so that the inner cavity and tubes can air dry. This will remove the extra air and water, to prevent bacteria and microorganisms. Run diluted vinegar through the flosser. Mix sixteen ounces of warm water with two to four tablespoons of white vinegar. Pour this solution into the reservoir. Run the Waterpik so that half of the solution goes out. Turn the unit off. Put the handle of the Waterpik in the sink and let the rest of the solution drain for twenty minutes through the handle. Disinfect your unit with this solution every one to three months. The vinegar solution removes mineral buildup from hard water. Vinegar's acid content kills bacteria and breaks down grease. Instead of diluted vinegar, you can use diluted mouthwash at a ratio of one part mouthwash to one part water. Rinse the flosser. Run out any of the vinegar solution that is left. Fill the reservoir with warm water. Run the tankful of warm water through the flosser into the sink. Leave the reservoir unattached. Place the disconnected reservoir on the counter. Alternately, place it on the unit at an angle, so that the internal cavity is exposed. Allow the parts to air dry. Leave the reservoir unattached until the next time you use your Waterpik. Clean the handle. Press the button to eject the flosser tip. Fill a container with white vinegar. Place the flosser handle in the container. Allow it to soak for five to seven minutes. Rinse off the handle with warm water. You'll soak the tip separately from the handle. Soak the flosser tip. Press the eject button to remove the tip. Fill a container with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Soak the tip in the container for five to seven minutes. Rinse the tip off with warm water. Replace the tip every three to six months. Over time, the tip will get clogged with mineral deposits. This will interfere with its effectiveness. You can order replacement tips directly from Waterpik. Regularly replacing the tip will help to keep your Waterpik operating effectively.
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Wipe down the unit regularly. Clean the reservoir in your dishwasher. Wash the valve, if applicable. Purge the flosser before and after use. Run diluted vinegar through the flosser. Rinse the flosser. Leave the reservoir unattached. Clean the handle. Soak the flosser tip. Replace the tip every three to six months.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Connect-Wood-to-Concrete
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How to Connect Wood to Concrete
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Connecting wood to concrete can seem intimidating, but you can easily do the job using hammer-set concrete fasteners. Start by aligning the wood block with the concrete and marking where you plan to drill to join the pieces together. Predrill a 1/4-inch hole in the concrete, then align the wood with the concrete and drill through it straight into the drilled concrete hole. Keeping the wood and concrete holes aligned, position the fastener into the hole and hammer it through. The concrete fastener will then expand at the back and wedge itself tightly into the concrete.
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Align the concrete with the wood block. Mark where you will drill in both with a permanent marker. The spots you mark are the areas you plan to concrete the concrete and wood with the hammer-set concrete fasteners. This will keep your drill holes precise so your fasteners will fit securely into the wood and concrete. You will need hammer-set concrete fasteners to connect the wood and concrete, which you can get online or from most home improvement stores. Predrill a hole in the concrete. Drill a hole into the concrete approximately ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) deeper than your concrete fastener. When you're finished drilling, blow any remaining concrete dust out of the hole with a small vacuum. Take all necessary safety precautions while using a drill, and put on safety goggles and professional-grade earmuffs beforehand. In a pinch, you can also use a syringe blower to remove the dust. Drill a hole through the wood. Using your screw markings as guides, align the wood with the concrete object and drill through the wood into the drilled concrete hole. This will help you make sure that the holes are aligned. Unlike the concrete, where you only have to drill ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) deeper than the fastener's length, you should drill completely through the wood. Drive the anchor through the wood and concrete. Keeping the wood and concrete holes aligned, position the fastener into the hole and hammer it through. After driving it through the hole, the concrete fastener should expand at the back and wedge itself tightly into the concrete. Select concrete screws based on the length of the intended hole. Your screw should be long enough to penetrate completely through the wood and at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the concrete. Measure the depth of your wood and concrete objects, and purchase screws that will fasten the wood securely. Although 1 inch (2.5 cm) of concrete penetration is the minimum, deeper penetration will result in a stronger hold. The longer your screws are, the tighter they will connect the wood and concrete. Concrete screws are the newest method of fastening wood to concrete and generally the most popular because they are easy to remove. Predrill holes into the concrete and wood. The holes should be approximately the same diameter as the screws that you're using. Drill completely through the wood and about ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) deeper than the screw's length into the concrete. Mark the holes in the concrete and wood using a permanent marker first to make sure your holes are precise. Blow the residual dust out of the concrete hole using a vacuum or syringe blower. Insert a piece of copper wire into the holes. Copper wire ensures that the concrete screws will fit tightly into the hole. Cut a piece of copper wire approximately the same length as the concrete and wood hole, and thread it through the holes before you drive the screw in. Drive the screw through the wood and concrete. Use a drill or screwdriver to drive the screw completely through the wood and concrete holes. If you are driving multiple screws, use the first screw you drive in as a test screw to make sure the hole is deep enough and you've used enough wire. You will know that you have used enough copper wire if the screw fits tightly into the hole and the connection between the wood and concrete is not loose or wobbly. Thread extra copper wire through the hole if it's too large for the screw. Use mortar nails on concrete blocks secured with mortar. Because these nails are not strong enough to hammer through concrete, try this option only if your concrete was secured using mortar. If your concrete object was not connected with mortar, you must use concrete screws or fasteners instead. Mortar nails are generally the cheapest attachment option for wood and concrete. Select nails that will penetrate at least 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) into the concrete. Your mortar nails should go through the wood entirely and penetrate the concrete by ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm), if possible. If you can find nails that will penetrate the concrete deeper than ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm), this can create an even more secure hold. Mark and align the holes in the wood and mortar. Indicate where you intend to put holes in the wood and concrete objects with a permanent marker. Using these markings as a guide, place the wood marking directly over your concrete marking. The wood should lie flat against the concrete object. Make sure the marked area you choose for the concrete object is in the mortar, not the concrete itself. Drive the nails into the wood and mortar with a hammer. Use sharp, powerful blows to work the fastener through to the bottom of the hole. Continue hammering until you drive the nail completely in and cannot hammer it further. Put on safety goggles before hammering the nail into the wood and mortar.
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Align the concrete with the wood block. Predrill a hole in the concrete. Drill a hole through the wood. Drive the anchor through the wood and concrete. Select concrete screws based on the length of the intended hole. Predrill holes into the concrete and wood. Insert a piece of copper wire into the holes. Drive the screw through the wood and concrete. Use mortar nails on concrete blocks secured with mortar. Select nails that will penetrate at least 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) into the concrete. Mark and align the holes in the wood and mortar. Drive the nails into the wood and mortar with a hammer.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-Your-Cat-Is-Blind
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How to Tell if Your Cat Is Blind
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To tell if your cat is blind, look for clumsiness such as bumping into walls or furniture or tripping on stairs or rugs. Moreover, note if your cat is walking crouched closer to the ground, has become more verbal, or is extra clingy, as these can all be signs that your cat has vision problems. Alternatively, you can look in your cat's pupils to see if they look milkier or cloudier than usual, which could indicate eye trouble. You can also test your cat's vision by moving your finger quickly towards its eye and seeing if it flinches or blinks, which means it can see.
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Look out for clumsiness. Watch to see how your cat gets around furniture or if it misjudges jumping onto furniture. Also note if your cat bumps into walls or furniture that it previously knew to walk around. Acting clumsy in spaces where it spends a lot of time can be a sign of failing sight or blindness. Another sign to watch for is if your cat is tripping on stairs or slipping when trying to jump up to its favorite place. Note if your cat is having problems with other familiar objects, like finding its food and water bowls. Watch your cat’s walk. Pay attention to your cat's walk. Note if it is crouching closer to the ground. It may be feeling its way with its nose and whiskers. Other signs to watch are if your cat is walking with its head down or is moving its head up and down to figure out distances. Another sign to look for is if your cat is wandering aimlessly. Listen to your cat. Do you hear your cat vocalizing more? When cats do not see well or are blind, they tend to be noisier to vocalize their distress. You may also notice that your cat is generally acting nervous, fearful, or upset as it adjusts to its lack of sight. You may also see that your cat is more easily startled. Notice if your cat is clingy. Look for signs that your cat is less confident than usual. For example, note if your cat clings to you more or spends more time by your side. Also pay attention to if your cat sleeps more or generally moves around less often than usual. Look at your cat’s pupils. If you suspect your cat is blind or going blind, look at its pupils. Note if the pupils stay the same in both bright and low light. Also check to see if the pupils are different sizes. Both of these are signs of blindness or incipient blindness. Also note if your cat is squinting or if it's indifferent to changes in lighting. Check out the color of your cat’s eyes. One of the changes you may see is a change of eye color. Additionally, look for more redness in your cat's eyes. Alternatively, you might see that your cat's eyes look milkier, cloudier, or appear more white. Look for excessive redness in the tissues around the eyes. Don't worry if this is lighter pink, which is normal. If the lenses of your cat's eyes are opaque, this might be a sign of cataracts. Test your cat’s menace reflex. Move a fingertip quickly towards your cat's eye without making contact with the cornea. A sighted cat will flinch or blink when you move your fingertip towards them, but a blind cat will remain unaware of your finger. Don't get too close to your cat's whiskers or create a breeze on its whiskers so it can't sense your finger approaching its face. Try dropping a ball of yarn in front of your cat. Notice if she watches or follows the descent of the ball. Most sighted cats will watch the ball drop. A blind cat will remain oblivious as the ball passes in front of it. Avoid getting too close to your cat's whiskers so it doesn't sense the ball. Pay attention to the eyes’ size to check for glaucoma. If one eye seems larger than another, take your cat to the vet. This may be a sign of glaucoma. While this does not necessarily mean that your cat is blind, glaucoma can cause blindness if left untreated. One or both eyes may also appear cloudy. Take your cat to the vet. Bring your cat to the vet if you suspect it is blind or may be going blind. Share your concerns with the vet, including a list of the symptoms that you've noticed. Take your cat to the vet as soon as you can because early treatment can be critical in preventing overall blindness or catching a dangerous condition that may have led to the symptoms you've observed. Blindness can be a symptom of other serious diseases, such as high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause strokes and seizures, so it is important to treat it early. Keep things consistent at home. Make as few changes as you can to your cat's environment. This will help it adjust to its lack of sight. Avoid moving food and water dishes and litter boxes so your cat can easily find them. You can also lower the furniture or provide ramps for it to more easily climb onto furniture. Keep your floors clutter-free to help your cat move around more easily. Supervise your cat outdoors. Escort your cat if you take it outdoors and make sure to keep it in an enclosed area. Otherwise, keep your cat inside to protect it. Keep windows and doors closed to keep it indoors. Similarly, board up any pet doors. Get your cat identification. Microchip your cat in case it leaves home. Also make sure your cat has a collar and tags. Add a tag that notes your cat is blind or has limited sight. Avoid startling your cat. Try not to make loud noises or startle your cat. Do your best to stay calm around it and to keep it calm. Also warn family members, especially children, and visitors not to make loud noises or do anything that can scare your cat.
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Look out for clumsiness. Watch your cat’s walk. Listen to your cat. Notice if your cat is clingy. Look at your cat’s pupils. Check out the color of your cat’s eyes. Test your cat’s menace reflex. Try dropping a ball of yarn in front of your cat. Pay attention to the eyes’ size to check for glaucoma. Take your cat to the vet. Keep things consistent at home. Supervise your cat outdoors. Get your cat identification. Avoid startling your cat.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Choking-Victim
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How to Help a Choking Victim
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To help a choking victim, stand behind them and lean them forward while keeping one hand on their chest. Then, administer up to 5 forceful blows between the person's shoulder blades using the heel of your hand, which is the area between your palm and wrist. If that doesn't work, put your arms around their waist and make a fist with your hand directly above their belly button. Then, put your other hand on top of your fist and thrust both hands backward into their stomach with a hard, upward movement, repeating 5 times if necessary.
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Assess the situation. Make sure the person is choking and determine whether it is a partial or total airway obstruction. If a person is experiencing mild choking, or partial airway obstruction, you are better off letting him cough to remove the obstruction himself. Signs of partial airway obstruction include the ability to speak, cry out, cough or respond to you. The person will also usually be able to breathe, though it may be slightly labored and the person may grow pale in the face. In contrast, someone experiencing a total obstruction of the airway will not be able to speak, cry, cough or breathe. In addition, you may notice the person making the "choking sign" (both hands clutched to the throat) and his lips and fingernails may turn blue due to lack of oxygen. Ask the person, "Are you choking? ". If the person can respond to you verbally, wait. Someone who is really choking will not be able to speak at all, but they may shake their head yes or no. It is important that you do not use back blows on a person who has partial airway obstruction because there is the risk of lodging the previously semi-loose object more deeply and potentially causing a total obstruction. If the person responds: Reassure the person. Let him know that you are there and ready to help if need be. Encourage the person to cough to try to clear the blockage. Do not use back blows. Keep monitoring the situation and be prepared to help in the case that the person's airway becomes fully blocked or the choking becomes severe. Administer first-aid. If the person is choking severely or suffering from a total airway obstruction and is conscious, communicate your intent to perform first aid. It's a good idea to make sure that someone who is conscious know what you plan to do; this will also give him an opportunity let you know if your assistance is welcomed. If you are the only person present who can help the person, perform the first aid described below before calling emergency services. If someone else is available, get him to call for assistance. Give back blows. Note that the following instructions apply to a person sitting or standing. Stand behind the person and slightly off to one side. If you're right-handed, stand to the left and if you're left-handed, stand to the right. Support the person's chest with one hand and lean the person forward so that the object blocking his airway will exit his mouth (as opposed to going further down the throat). Administer up to 5 forceful blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand (between your palm and wrist). Pause after each blow to see if the blockage has cleared. If not, give up to five abdominal thrusts (see below). Administer abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver). The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique that is only to be used on adults or children older than 1 year of age. Do not use the Heimlich maneuver on children under 1 year old. Stand behind the choking victim. Put your arms around his waist and lean him forward. Make a fist with your hand and place it directly above the person's navel (belly button) but below the breastbone. Put your other hand on top of your first, then thrust both hands backwards into their stomach with a hard, upward movement. Do this thrusting action up to five times. Check after each thrust to see if the blockage is gone. Stop if the victim loses consciousness. Modify the Heimlich maneuver for pregnant women and people who are obese. Place your hands higher than described above in the regular Heimlich maneuver technique. Your hands should be at the base of the breast bone, just above where the lowest ribs join. Press hard into the chest with quick thrusts as described above. However, you will not be able to make the same upward thrusts. Repeat until the person stops choking and the blockage is dislodged or he falls unconscious. Make sure the object is completely gone. Once the airway is cleared, parts of the object that caused the person to choke can remain behind. If the person is able, ask the victim to spit it out and breathe without difficulty. Look to see if there is something blocking the airway. If there is, you can also do a sweep through the person's mouth with your finger. Only sweep if you see an object, otherwise you could push it further back. Check to see if normal breathing has returned. Once the object is gone, most people will return to breathing normally. If normal breathing has not returned or if the person loses consciousness, move to the next step. Administer help if the person falls unconscious. If a choking person falls unconscious, lower him on his back onto the floor. Then, clear the airway if possible. If you can see the blockage, take your finger and sweep it out of the throat and out through the mouth. Don't do a finger sweep if you don't see an object. Be careful not to inadvertently push the obstruction deeper into the airway. If the object remains lodged and the person does not regain consciousness or respond, check whether the victim is breathing. Place your cheek close to the person's mouth. For 10 seconds: Look to see if the chest is rising and falling, listen for breathing, and feel for the person's breath against your cheek. If the person is not breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The chest compressions used in CPR may also dislodge the object. Send someone to dial emergency services or, if you are alone, call emergency services yourself and then return to help the person. Alternate between chest compressions, checking the airway, and performing rescue breathing while you wait for help to arrive. Give 2 breaths after every 30 chest compressions. Remember to recheck the mouth repeatedly while administering CPR. There may be some resistance to chest inflation until the object is dislodged. Consult a physician. If after choking, the person experiences a persistent cough, any difficulty breathing or a feeling that something is still stuck in his throat, he should see a medical professional immediately. Abdominal thrusts can also cause internal injuries and bruising. If you used this tactic or performed CPR on another person, he should be checked out by a physician afterwards. Call emergency services. If you're alone and choking, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Even if you can't speak, most emergency services still send someone to check out all calls. Perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. You may not be able to do this as forcefully as someone else, but you can still try to dislodge the item. Make a fist. Place it on your abdomen just above your navel. Hold that fist with your other hand. Bend over a chair, table, counter or other solid object. Drive your fist in and up as described above. Repeat until the object is removed or until assistance arrives. Make sure the object is completely gone. Try to spit out the object and any of its remnants. Consult a physician. If you experience a persistent cough, any difficulty breathing or a feeling that something is still stuck in your throat, see a medical professional immediately. Abdominal thrusts can also cause serious injuries. If you have used this tactic on yourself, you should be examined by a physician afterwards.
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Assess the situation. Ask the person, "Are you choking? Administer first-aid. Give back blows. Administer abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver). Modify the Heimlich maneuver for pregnant women and people who are obese. Make sure the object is completely gone. Check to see if normal breathing has returned. Administer help if the person falls unconscious. Consult a physician. Call emergency services. Perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. Consult a physician.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Root-a-Willow-Tree
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How to Root a Willow Tree
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To create a new willow tree from a cutting, select a branch that is 1 to 6 feet long and about 1 to 2 inches around at the place where you will cut. Choose a branch which has grown in the past year. Sterilize your knife or pruning shears and cut the branch at an angle. Remove any leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and place the branch in water until you can plant it.
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Take your cutting while the tree is in its dormant state. From about the middle of autumn through the end of winter, trees are in a dormant state. This means that they are not producing leaves or new growth. The best time to take a willow cutting is just after the leaves fall in autumn or right before the new buds start growing in the spring. To find the growing season for your particular area, check the Old Farmer's Almanac website at https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates/states. Select a branch that is 1–6 feet (0.30–1.83 m) long. Since willow branches are fairly sturdy, you can take a cutting that is several feet long. Keep in mind that about 2/3 of the length of the cutting will be underground. The cutting should be 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) in diameter at the point where you cut it. To ensure you get a healthy cutting, look for a shoot which has grown in the past year and doesn't show any signs of disease or pests. Sterilize your knife or pruning shears before cutting your shoot. To avoid contaminating your plant with any harmful plant bacteria or chemicals, you should sterilize your knife or pruning shears. Either wipe down the blade with rubbing alcohol or submerge your blade in a bucket of water mixed with a capful of bleach. Make your cut at an angle and apply wound paste to the tree. Cutting the branch at an angle will allow water to seep from the cutting. It will also expose more of the interior of the shoot, which will encourage root growth. Smear wound paste or pruning salve on the tree to speed the healing process. You can find wound paste and pruning salve at your local garden center and online. Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Although you'll be taking your cutting during the dormant season, some leaves may have remained on the tree. If this is the case, remove any leaves from the bottom half of the willow branch. Place the cutting in a bucket of water until you’re ready to plant it. From the time that you cut your plant you'll want to encourage growth. Placing the cut side of the branch in a bucket of water immediately after cutting it will help the branch start the healing process that will eventually lead to new roots. Plant the cutting in a pot if the outdoor conditions are not ideal. The willow cutting is going to remain dormant through the end of the winter, so normal conditions, including freezing temperatures, are likely fine for the plant. However, if you're concerned that the plant will be disturbed or you're not ready to plant the tree in its final home, you can place it in a pot with well-drained soil. Allow it to stay in this pot for a year to fully develop a new root system. Plant your willow 40 feet (12 m) away from your house. Willow trees have root systems that can extend past the width of their branches and which are often as deep as the tree is tall. The roots will seek out water and can infiltrate a pipe system, causing expensive damage. Make sure you plant your willow tree at least 40 feet (12 m) away from your house and plumbing system. Choose a spot with plenty of sun. Willow trees prefer full sun or partial shade. Plant the tree in an area where it will receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Plant the tree near a water source. Willow trees love water. If you have a pond or other water source on your property, this would be the perfect place for a willow tree. You can grow a willow tree in a drier climate, but you will have to water it during droughts to prevent the tree from losing its leaves. Check the soil conditions. The weeping willow can tolerate a variety of different soils, including rich earth, sandy soil, and clay. The pH balance for a willow tree should be between 6.0 and 8.0. You can test the pH balance of your soil with a kit purchased from a gardening center, or you can send it off to be professionally tested in a laboratory. Make sure the soil drains well. Although willow trees love water, their shallow roots require well-drained soil in order to thrive. To test the drainage of your soil, dig a hole about 12 inches (30 cm) deep. Fill the hole with water and watch to see how long it takes the water to drain out. If it takes more than an hour, you'll need to take steps to improve your soil drainage. Try adding rocks, sand, mulch, or compost to the area to improve the drainage. Fertilize the soil before you plant your tree. To help your willow cutting take root, spread fertilizer over the ground before you dig your hole. Choose a controlled-release fertilizer rich in nitrogen. Dig a hole 18 inches (46 cm) wide and as deep as the cutting is long. You'll want to make sure the cutting has plenty of stability. Use the length of the cutting as a guideline for how deep the hole should be. Place the cutting in the center of the hole and add soil to stabilize it. You'll want 2/3 of the cutting to be buried beneath the ground, so loosely fill the bottom of the hole with soil before adding the branch. Use the soil from the hole you dug to fill the area around the cutting. Make sure you place the cutting right-side-up, with the buds pointing upwards. Water your cutting and add additional soil as needed. The water might cause the soil to become more compact, so have a rich potting soil on hand in case you need to add some to the hole you dug. Add a layer of mulch 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) thick around the cutting. The mulch should form a circle about 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter around the cutting. This will serve to help feed the plant and will hold the soil in place. Monitor the soil and moisture level for the first year. The first year after you plant your cutting is the most important, since this is when the plant will be establishing new roots. Check the soil daily and water the willow tree if the earth seems dry.
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Take your cutting while the tree is in its dormant state. Select a branch that is 1–6 feet (0.30–1.83 m) long. Sterilize your knife or pruning shears before cutting your shoot. Make your cut at an angle and apply wound paste to the tree. Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Place the cutting in a bucket of water until you’re ready to plant it. Plant the cutting in a pot if the outdoor conditions are not ideal. Plant your willow 40 feet (12 m) away from your house. Choose a spot with plenty of sun. Plant the tree near a water source. Check the soil conditions. Make sure the soil drains well. Fertilize the soil before you plant your tree. Dig a hole 18 inches (46 cm) wide and as deep as the cutting is long. Place the cutting in the center of the hole and add soil to stabilize it. Water your cutting and add additional soil as needed. Add a layer of mulch 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) thick around the cutting. Monitor the soil and moisture level for the first year.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Cable-TV
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How to Fix Cable TV
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To fix cable TV, start by turning your cable device off and back on again. If your device is giving you a specific error code, review your user guide or the cable provider's website for more details on resolving the issue. Next, check the cables on your device to make sure none are loose and all are fed into the appropriate inputs and outputs. If all else fails, call your cable provider to inquire about possible outages or problems with your account.
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Turn off then turn on your device. It is possible that your DVR or cable box may have malfunctioned and requires a power cycle. On the device itself hold the power button for ten seconds to shut it off. It it continues to not turn off, you can unplug the power cord from the power outlet for 15 seconds then plug back in and wait 30 seconds. Press the power button to turn the device back on. Review the error code on your device. Your device may have a specific set of numbers or errors on its display indicating a problem. Review your user's guide or cable provider's website for further details on resolving the issue. You may have a different cable box such as a Motorola device or Scientific Atlanta cable box which depends on the region you are in which will require you to check for specific error codes based on the manufacturer. Check the cables on your device. Make sure the coaxial cable (cable antenna wire) is not loose between both the device and the television. Ensure the cable is fed into the appropriate inputs and outputs between the cable box and television displays. Try using a stronger RG (Radio Guide) coaxial cable type such as RG-6 which provides a stronger signal strength to ensure the highest quality picture possible. Check the signal integrity directly. You can check the cable signal is working by taking the plug from your cable box to your television directly. Be sure to remove any other connections that may cause interruptions or delays such as a VCR, DVD, game console, surge protector or other devices. Rule out other devices that are passed through. One of your devices may be producing a picture that is not compatible with your display. Check to ensure your television is able to receive a specific signal from your pass through device. Display the correct video input. Check where the video input is plugged in on your television and confirm with your television's “Input” settings. Check if the television is on channel 03 or channel 04 or if the input should be set to CATV, AV1, AV2, Video 1, HDMI or other similar video inputs. Review your activation limit. If you are trying to use your cable box after moving to a new location. This is designed within the set-top box itself and may need to reset the activation limit by calling your provider. Pay your bills on time. Make sure there are no overdue payments as this may deactivate your service until the payment is processed. Verify for any reported outages. Sometimes your cable provider will have downtime due to scheduled maintenance or severe weather conditions that interfere with the delivery of their service. They may give an estimated time when the services will resume either on their website or through their customer service line.
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Turn off then turn on your device. Review the error code on your device. Check the cables on your device. Check the signal integrity directly. Rule out other devices that are passed through. Display the correct video input. Review your activation limit. Pay your bills on time. Verify for any reported outages.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Full-Body-Massage
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How to Give a Full Body Massage
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The best way to give a full body massage is to begin with the feet and work your way up the body. Alternate between press-and-release methods, kneading, and circular motion as you work your way from the legs to the back. Ask your client to turn over so you can massage their hands, arms, and head.
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Play soothing music. Playing some soothing music can contribute to the calm and relaxing atmosphere of the massage. Gentle classical music, or sounds from nature are both good options. If possible, try to find out what type of music your partner/client enjoys. Remember that the massage is about them, not you, so you should try to cater to their tastes. Don't play the music too loud, it should be playing very softly in the background. It should add to the experience, not take away from it. Light some candles. There's something very relaxing about candles, so it's a good idea to light a couple around the room. If possible, turn the lights down low or off completely and work only by candlelight. You want the person receiving the massage to be so relaxed that they're almost asleep by the end, so the darker it is the better! Use candles with relaxing (but not overpowering) scents, such as lavender or sea breeze, to contribute to the overall experience. Use a massage oil. It is essential to use oil when giving a massage. It helps your hands to glide easily over the skin, so you don't cause pulling, pinching or any kind of pain to your partner/client. There are plenty of fancy (and expensive) store bought oils available, but any kind of natural oil will do just fine. For example, if you have sunflower or grape seed oil in your kitchen, you can use them for your massage. Jojoba and almond oils are also very effective and have a pleasant aroma. You can add a few drops of essential oil to your massage oil. You should use pure (natural and unadulterated) essential oils, not chemical perfume oils. Be aware that essential oils can penetrate the bloodstream, so choose wisely: opt for relatively gentle oils like lavender or orange. However, you should consult a medical professional first if your partner/client is pregnant or has any serious medical conditions. Try to warm the oil and your hands slightly before applying the oil to your partner/client's skin. Cold oil/hands are not conducive to a relaxing massage! Have plenty of towels on hand. Make sure you have plenty of fresh, clean towels on hand for use during the massage. First you will need to cover the surface you are working on with towels in order to protect them from the massage oil (which can stain). Secondly, you will need towels to cover the your partner/client's body as you work on them. Ideally they should be stripped down to their underwear to leave as much skin exposed as possible. Then you can cover them with a towel to protect their modesty and to keep them warm while you are working on each body part. Thirdly, you will need extra towels to wipe the excess oil off you hands during and after the massage. Make sure the room is comfortable. It is essential that the room is comfortable for conducting your massage. If your partner/client feels uncomfortable throughout the massage, they will not enjoy it as much! Make sure they have somewhere comfortable to lie down, such as a bed, a soft rug or a proper massage table. Cover the surface with soft towels to keep them clean and free of oil. Make sure the room is nice and warm. Remember that your partner/client will be partly undressed for the duration of the massage, so you don't want them to be cold. Use a space heater if necessary. Make sure the room you use for the massage is somewhere private where you will not be disturbed by any other people, children or animals. Start with the neck and shoulders. Place a hand on either shoulder in the classic massage position and knead the thumbs deep into the muscles of the shoulders. Use your fingers for grip, but don't press them into the collarbone, as this can be painful. When you've finished with the shoulders, use the press and release technique to massage along the neck, all the way to the hairline. Remember to keep your hands on either side of the spine. Now move around to stand in front of your client/partner's head, so their shoulders are facing you. Make a fist with each hand, then rub the knuckles gently but firmly across the tops of the shoulders, to release any tension, Next use your thumbs to press and release along the tops of the shoulders and up the back of the neck. Do the feet. Start massaging the soles of the feet by wrapping both hands around the foot and using your thumbs to apply pressure. Pay special attention to the arch of each foot, as this area tends to accumulate a lot of tension, but also massage the heel and the ball of the foot. When you get to the toes, grab each one individually and give it a gentle pull, this helps to release any tension. Be aware that not everyone likes having their feet touched, and some people are very ticklish, so ask your partner/client before you touch their feet! Work your way up the legs. When you're done with the feet, move onto the back of the legs. Give each leg a couple of long, relaxing strokes to begin with, all the way from the calf to the upper thigh. Apply light pressure with both hands, smoothly stretching the skin. This technique is known as effleurage, and is a good way to ease into the massage. Then, cover the leg you're not currently working on with a towel and focus on massaging the calf of one leg. Use a kneading technique (like kneading bread) to work the calf muscle. Move up towards the thigh and repeat the kneading technique here. Then press the heel of your hand into the skin and very slowly move it along the thigh. You should always move in the direction of the heart. Cover the leg you just finished working on with a towel (to keep in heat) and repeat the massage on the other leg. Move from the lower to the upper back. Use the effleurage technique described above to perform long, soft strokes, going from the top of the glutes to the base of the neck. Place the palm of each hand on either side of the spine and work your way up, keeping your hands parallel to one another. When you reach the top of the back, fan your hands outwards across the shoulders, as if outlining the top of a heart. Return to the lower back and use a kneading motion to work the large muscles on either side of the spine. These areas tend to build up a lot of tension, so make sure to spend some time here. Next, use a "press and release" technique to work your way up the back. This involves pressing your fingertips firmly into the flesh of the back before quickly releasing. When the pressure is released, your partner/client's brain will release a rush of pleasurable chemicals. When you get to the upper back, have your partner/client bend their elbows so their shoulder blades stick out. This will give you better access to the muscle around the edge of the shoulder blades, which tends to harbor a lot of tension and knots. To work on the knots, use a thumb or single finger to press and release repeatedly around the problem area. Massage the hands and arms. When you're done with the neck and shoulders, move onto the arms, working on one at a time. Hold your partner/client's wrist in your left hand, so their entire arm is lifted from the bed. Then use your right hand to sweep along the back of the forearm, along the tricep and over the shoulder, coming back on the opposite side. Now, switch to holding their wrist in your right hand, then sweep your left hand along their forearm and bicep, then over the shoulder and down the opposite side. Place your partner/client's arm back on the bed, the use your fingers and thumbs to gently knead the forearms and upper arms. To massage the hands, take their hand in yours and massage the palm with your thumbs, using small circular motions. Then, take each finger in turn and slowly slide from the knuckles to the nail. Pull each finger firmly, but not so hard that you cause it to crack! End with the head. Ask your client/partner to flip over so you can work on the head and face. Give them a moment if they need to rearrange their towel. Use your thumbs to gently massage the top of the scalp. For added pleasure, use your nails to scratch slightly. Next, massage the folds and lobe of each ear between your thumb and forefinger. Then use your fingertips to gently swipe along the contours of the cheekbones and not. Put your hands beneath your partner/client's head and lift it slightly from the bed. Use your fingers to find the small hollows when the neck meets the base of the skull. Apply firm pressure with your fingertips, then release. Repeat several times. Put your hands underneath the jaw and pull the head gently upwards, to stretch the neck muscles. Now, gently press the center of the forehead (between the eyebrows) with your fingertips and release. Repeat for 30 seconds. Next use your fingertips to gently massage the temples, moving in slow circular motions. The temples are an important acupressure point, so this helps to relieve tension. Work slowly. Never try to rush through the massage - it should be a luxurious, relaxing experience for your partner/client. Dedicate time to each individual body part, giving it your full care and attention, and keep your strokes long, smooth and slow. Keep your hands in contact with the skin at all times. Your hands should be in contact with your client/partner's skin for the full duration of the massage - this keeps the momentum flowing and never breaks the atmosphere of relaxation. Even if you have to grab a towel, a drink of water or more massage oil during the massage, try to keep one hand on the skin at all times. Communicate. Communication is key throughout a massage. What feels good to you mightn't feel good to the other person, so it's important to ask them how they're feeling and to really take on board their responses. Ask them how the pressure feels, where they would like you to work on and what they enjoy the most. However, try to speak in a low, soothing voice to maintain the calm atmosphere. Pay attention to knots. If the person you're working on has a lot of knots in their back, it's a good idea to work on them to try to release them. However, make sure to ask your partner or client first, as some people find this too painful and would rather not ruin their relaxing massage. The knots may feel like large, circular areas of tightness, or tiny bumps which almost feel like peas beneath the skin. Try to get directly on top of the knot, otherwise it can slip out from beneath your fingers. Apply increasing pressure to the knot, then rotate your thumb or finger to try to undo it. You may need to rotate in opposite directions in order to work it out fully. Try not to get too involved in any deep tissue work though - this is best left to qualified massage therapists. Stick to what feels good for you partner/client. Avoid the spine and any bones. Never apply pressure to the spine or any other bones. This will feel unpleasant and uncomfortable for your partner/client and has the potential to cause more harm than good. Besides, it is the muscles you really need to work on, as this is where the most tension collects. Stick to the muscles and you can't go wrong!
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Play soothing music. Light some candles. Use a massage oil. Have plenty of towels on hand. Make sure the room is comfortable. Start with the neck and shoulders. Do the feet. Work your way up the legs. Move from the lower to the upper back. Massage the hands and arms. End with the head. Work slowly. Keep your hands in contact with the skin at all times. Communicate. Pay attention to knots. Avoid the spine and any bones.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Meet-Other-Lesbians
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How to Meet Other Lesbians
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If you haven't had any luck finding the LGBT community in your area, you might want to try finding other lesbians online. Use online dating sites like Her, Chemistry.com, Compatible Partners, and Brenda to meet, befriend, or date other lesbians. If you're trying to figure out if someone is a lesbian in person, drop hints about finding female celebrities attractive and carefully gauge their response.
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Look for LGBT community events. Search online to see if there are any LGBT community center or pride events in your area. Even if there's nothing that official, you can use sites like meetup.com to search for LGBT-friendly events. lgbtcenters.org has a database of community centers in the United States. If you are not fully out, attend events in neighboring towns where you are less likely to run into someone you know. Talk to lesbians you already know. This doesn't need to be someone you know well, or that you're attracted to. A coworker, friend of a friend, former classmate — any local, out lesbian can introduce you to the LGBT community in your area, or recommend lesbian-friendly places to hang out. Show up at a lesbian bar. If you're lucky enough to live in a place where LGBT people can gather openly, take advantage of it. This is a nerve wracking step for many newly out or semi-closeted lesbians, but gather up your confidence and get out there. If your town doesn't have a lesbian-specific bar, visit the gay bar to see if it attracts a wider LGBT clientele. If you're not interested in a party or hookup scene, show up on a weekday evening. The atmosphere will be more relaxed and friendly conversation will be easier. Straight bars are rarely a good place to look for same-sex dates. Only about 11% of U.S. lesbians in a relationship met their partner in a bar or restaurant, which might be related to the small and shrinking number of lesbian bars. Attend concerts. Look for bands with a large lesbian fan base performing in your area. Note that this doesn't just mean bands with LGBT musicians (although it helps). If you think that lead singer is attractive, you're probably not alone. Spend more time socializing. You don't need to attend a rainbow-themed roller derby club to meet other lesbians. The more time you spend in social activities, the better the chance of meeting people who catch your interest. Whether it's attending classes at a community center or joining a sports team, picking up a hobby is a great way to meet like-minded people. Even just starting conversations at the gym or getting to know progressive coworkers can help you make friends, and potentially something more. Small towns may only have one or two locations where LGBT people are comfortable meeting openly. In that case, it may be easier to make your first connections with that community online or through LGBT events. Go out to places on your own sometimes instead of always going out with friends. You're more likely to be approached by someone if you're by yourself. Learn to drop the hint. Misconstrued signals are a perennial problem for lesbians trying to date in straight spaces, especially for people who fall more on the femme side of the spectrum. If you don't want to spend an evening becoming a straight girl's new friend, you'll have to muster up some confidence and make it obvious what you're there for. Make a casual reference to an ex-girlfriend or a comment about how you'd love to date that hot, female celebrity. If you don't want to risk a homophobic encounter, try something more subtle before you out yourself. Mention an LGBT event you attended, and see whether she reacts positively. Volunteer. Volunteering at activist meetings and charity events is a great way to become involved in the LGBT community. You get to work for organizations that represent your values, and meet other lesbians at the same time. In the United States, look into GLAAD, Gay for Good, Equality Federation, and the National Organization for Women. The international organizations ILGA, Out Right Action International, and IGLYO (for youth) can direct you to country-specific resources. Find your comfort level when dating from the closet. It is much more difficult to date another lesbian if your sexuality is a secret. Besides the scarcity of comfortable opportunities to signal your intent, many lesbians in LGBT-friendly areas are not interested in a closeted relationship. If you've been thinking of coming out already, maybe that should be your priority before jumping into the dating pool. If coming out would risk your safety or the health of important relationships in your life, or if you're just not ready, think carefully about the level of public disclosure you are willing to make. A few options include: Coming out to close friends who are unlikely to spread the word back to your family and coworkers. Traveling to neighboring towns where you can be open in public with a lower chance of seeing someone you know. Discreet online dating, as described below. This can be a great way to expand your comfort zone. Figure out what you're looking for. For many newly out or closeted lesbians, online dating is their first opportunity to feel accepted, flirt, and overcome introversion about their sexuality. Maybe that's all your looking for, maybe you're looking for casual sex, or maybe you're interested in long-term romantic relationships. Think about your comfort level and what your goals are before you enter the digital dating world. Choose a dating service. The LGBT online dating scene has grown tremendously in the past ten years. Here are a few of the more popular sites and apps: LGBT-specific: Her (lesbian-only dating and social networking), Chemistry.com, Compatible Partners (for serious relationships only), Brenda All-purpose dating: OK Cupid, Match.com, and eHarmony all have lesbian options. Hinge seems to tailor results for LGBT people better than other "swipe" apps. Protect your privacy. Online dating has its perils, so don't take chances. Keep your personal information private, use a free email without your real name, and meet up with strangers in public locations. In addition, if you are not out to everyone in your life, take extra steps to prevent nosy employers or family members from finding you. Most sites allow you to hide your profile until you've agreed to accept communications from someone, but this option makes it harder to make connections. Ok Cupid has an "I don't want to be seen by straight people" checkbox in the privacy settings. Chances are good that your straight friends won't be browsing an LGBT-only dating site. Just make sure the profile doesn't show up when you google your name. Be clear about what you're looking for. Unfortunately, there is a minor plague of straight women contacting lesbians for a threesome with their boyfriend. Forestall some of this — and make your intentions clear to other lesbians — with a clear, direct description in your bio. "Lesbian seeking same" is a simple example.
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Look for LGBT community events. Talk to lesbians you already know. Show up at a lesbian bar. Attend concerts. Spend more time socializing. Learn to drop the hint. Volunteer. Find your comfort level when dating from the closet. Figure out what you're looking for. Choose a dating service. Protect your privacy. Be clear about what you're looking for.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ring
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How to Make a Ring
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If you want to make a simple wire ring, start by cutting a 3-inch piece of wire from the spool with pliers. Next, you can use the pliers to create texture or bend the wire to look wavy. Then, thread a few sparkling beads onto the wire and bend in the wire on each side so that the beads stay in place. Finally, wrap the completed design around the top of a nail polish bottle to get a perfectly round shape and trim the excess wire off with your pliers!
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Use pliers to cut 3 inches (7.6 cm) of wire from the spool. This can be gold, copper, or silver wire. Measure the wire using a ruler, or do a rough estimate and cut roughly 3 inches (7.6 cm) without measuring. If in doubt, make the piece of wire longer as opposed to shorter—you can always trim off the ends if necessary. The thickness and exact color of the wire is entirely up to you, but thinner wire is best as it allows you to easily manipulate it. Look for artistic wire at a craft or hardware store that comes in a small spool, as these are most often used for making jewelry. Flatten out the wire after it's cut. Straightening it out will make the wire easier to work with. Use pliers to create indentations in the wire if you want a textured ring. How many dents you create is up to you—space them out evenly or make the dents super close together so the ring appears to have stripes, if desired. Hold the wire steady in one hand and use your dominant hand to create small dents with round nose pliers. This is a great way to add style and a unique quality to your ring. Bend the wire to create a wavy pattern for an artsy ring. Instead of using the pliers to make indentations in the wire, use them to bend the wire in different directions. As you hold the wire firmly in one hand, use the pliers to bend down on the wire. Continue by then bending the next section of wire upwards, switching back and forth between downwards and upwards motions to create a wave along the wire. If desired, you can make small indentations along the wire before creating a ripple effect as well. Add beads to the ring to add color or sparkle. Pick out a few beads that you'd like to use on your ring, making sure they have a hole in them so they can slide down the wire. Once you've added the beads to the wire, create bends in the wire on both sides of the beads so that the beads stay in place. For example, you might pick out one larger bead to be set in the middle of two smaller, identical beads. Pick out super tiny beads that can be strung along the entire wire if you want your ring to be completely beaded. Wrap the wire around the top of a nail polish bottle once the design is finished. After you've made your dents or ripples and added any beads, position the wire around a nail polish bottle handle. This will resemble your finger, letting you bend the ring into shape. If you don't have a nail polish bottle to use, look for a different perfectly round, ring-sized object to wrap the wire around. Using hard objects, as opposed to just your finger, is better for creating the ring shape as it ensures your ring is perfectly round. Mark where you need to cut off the ends of the ring. Place the wire around your finger once it's rounded, checking to see where it needs to be cut so that it fits your finger perfectly. Mark where the wire ends should be cut using a marker. Use pliers to cut the ring so it's the right size. Trim the wire right where you made your markings. If desired, wash the marker off of the wire using soap and water, or use acetone if you used a permanent marker. Sand the edges of the wire so they're smooth. Use a nail file to sand the edges of the wire so that they aren't sharp anymore, making your ring more comfortable and safe. Once the sharp edges of your ring have been filed down, the ring is ready to wear! You can also bend the very tips of the wire backwards using pliers so that they're not poking your finger, if desired. Find a coin you’re willing to make into a ring. While you can use any sort of coin, it's best to start with larger ones, such as a quarter, unless you're making a ring for smaller fingers. The coin doesn't need to be new—it can be spare change you already have around the house. Make sure the coin isn't valuable before deciding to turn it into a ring. Hold your coin on a flat, hard surface. Look for a flat piece of heavy metal, a concrete floor, or any other solid, hard surface. This will be your base for hammering, and you'll hold the coin on top of the hard surface. Choose a surface that won't be damaged by a hammer. A bench vise is another option for a flat, hard surface. Hammer the edges of the coin while rotating it slowly. Hold the coin using one hand so that it's sitting up straight with a sliver of an edge touching the hard surface. Use a hammer to gently hit the edges of the coin, rotating the coin slowly as you hammer so that all of the sides are hit evenly. Continue hammering until the coin reaches the thickness of a ring. Make sure your fingers aren't in the way of the hammer as it's hitting the top of the coin's edges. How thick you want your ring to be is entirely up to you—roughly 0.5 cm (0.20 in) wide is good. Thicker rings will take longer to hammer, so be patient during this step. Avoid hitting the coin with a lot of force, as this could turn it into an oval or damage the overall form. Place the coin flat on a piece of wood. Make sure the piece of wood is thick enough that the drill can go down into the wood without messing up the surface underneath. Place the coin in the center of the piece of wood, and either hold the coin with your fingers or use an adjustable wrench to keep the coin steady. If you're holding the coin, hold the very edges so that your fingers won't be in the way of the drill. Drill a large hole in the center of the coin. Hold the coin steady as you drill the hole. Start with a smaller gauge and drill all the way through the coin. Switch the drill bit to a larger size, then drill through the metal again. Once you've drilled the hole, the coin should be left with roughly 0.5 cm (0.20 in) of coin thickness around the entire edge. Grind out the middle of the coin using a sanding wheel. If you have a sanding wheel that attaches to your drill, this is great for sanding out the rest of the coin to create a smooth ring. Hold the coin steady using your fingers or some other sort of clamp as you sand the inside of the ring until it thins out. A dremel tool with an attachable sanding wheel is also a good option. Continue sanding until the coin is the thickness you want your ring to be. Polish the ring using a polishing wheel or cloth. Attach a polishing wheel to your drill or dremel, using a small amount of polishing compound to get the best shine. Run the polishing wheel along the inside and outside of the ring, smoothing out all of the edges so the ring is shiny and completed. To use polishing compound, dip a rag or polishing wheel into the container of polish, using a small amount to rub over the ring's surface. Cut a piece of paper to be 5 by 10 centimetres (2.0 by 3.9 in). This is a great ring size to work with, though the paper can be bigger if desired. Make sure the proportions stay the same—the paper should be twice as long as it is wide. Use a thick, colorful piece of paper for a sturdy, bright ring. Fold the piece of paper in half horizontally. Lay the piece of paper on a flat surface with the longest sides positioned horizontally. Bring the top of the piece of paper down to form a crease in the middle. Unfold the piece of paper once this is done. You're creating a hot-dog style fold in the piece of paper. Bring each long edge to the center fold, forming creases. With the paper unfolded and positioned horizontally again, bring the bottom long edge up to the middle fold. Flatten this section to form a crease, and then pull down the top long edge to the middle fold and form a crease here. All of the folds made so far should be parallel to one another. Pick up the paper and turn it over before folding it in half. Without unfolding any creases, pick up the paper and turn it over so that the side facing you is smooth. Position the paper vertically and pull down the top of the paper until it reaches the bottom of the paper, forming a middle fold. Press down firmly on all of your creases. Fold down the corners of the new folded edge. Bring each corner to the middle, creating two folded triangles that touch each other. Press down on the creases so that they're nice and flat. Only do this to the folded edge, not the opposite end where there isn't a fold. Open the folded triangles and tuck them inside the paper. After you've formed good creases, unfold the two small triangles. Unfold the vertical fold so that the piece of paper is long and skinny, and fold in both triangles that have creases in the middle of the paper so that they disappear. After this step is done, your piece of paper will be folded in half vertically again, resembling a short pencil with a pointed tip and a flat bottom edge. Lay the pencil-shaped paper horizontally on a flat surface. The tip of the 'pencil' should be pointing left. Pull up the bottom long edge of the paper to the center, forming a crease. Do the same thing with the top long edge, folding it over so it's touching the middle. Only fold the top layer of paper, not the bottom layer at this point. Flip the piece of paper over and fold in the other two long edges. Turn the paper over with the point still facing the left. Pull up the bottom long edge of the paper to the middle, creating a strong crease. Pull down the top long edge to the middle of the paper as well. Open the paper gently so the paper diamond is in the center. Only unfold the long vertical fold so that your paper 'diamond' is in the middle of a long, skinny paper band. To make your diamond look more square, stick the flat end of a pencil inside the diamond to flatten out its top. Fit the ring to your finger by connecting both ends. Position the ring on your finger with the diamond facing upwards. To ensure it fits well, slide the edge of one end of the paper into the other end of the paper, tightening it as necessary. Curling the ends of the paper around a pencil can help maintain its ring shape.
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Use pliers to cut 3 inches (7.6 cm) of wire from the spool. Use pliers to create indentations in the wire if you want a textured ring. Bend the wire to create a wavy pattern for an artsy ring. Add beads to the ring to add color or sparkle. Wrap the wire around the top of a nail polish bottle once the design is finished. Mark where you need to cut off the ends of the ring. Use pliers to cut the ring so it's the right size. Sand the edges of the wire so they're smooth. Find a coin you’re willing to make into a ring. Hold your coin on a flat, hard surface. Hammer the edges of the coin while rotating it slowly. Place the coin flat on a piece of wood. Drill a large hole in the center of the coin. Grind out the middle of the coin using a sanding wheel. Polish the ring using a polishing wheel or cloth. Cut a piece of paper to be 5 by 10 centimetres (2.0 by 3.9 in). Fold the piece of paper in half horizontally. Bring each long edge to the center fold, forming creases. Pick up the paper and turn it over before folding it in half. Fold down the corners of the new folded edge. Open the folded triangles and tuck them inside the paper. Lay the pencil-shaped paper horizontally on a flat surface. Flip the piece of paper over and fold in the other two long edges. Open the paper gently so the paper diamond is in the center. Fit the ring to your finger by connecting both ends.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Spinal-Injury-Victim
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How to Treat a Spinal Injury Victim
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To treat a spinal injury victim, do not move them unless they are in immediate danger, since movement can cause permanent injuries. If you must move them, pull their body by their clothing in a straight line while bracing their head with your forearms. You should also call 911 right away if the person isn't breathing, and follow their instructions while you wait for the paramedics. Alternatively, if they're conscious, steady their neck and head to prevent them from moving, and encourage them in a calming voice by saying that help is on the way.
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Treat anyone with a head injury as if they have a spinal injury. The best rule about assessing whether a victim has a spinal injury is to assume that they do. This is because the consequences of spinal injury are severe and usually permanent, and mistreating someone with a spinal injury – even if you have the best intentions – can seriously worsen the injury and outcome. Any victim with an injury to their head, neck or back should automatically be treated as if they have a spinal injury. Recognize that head wounds can come from many types of injuries, and you will not always see blood or an open wound when someone has hit their head. Diving into shallow water, for instance, may be an unsuspected source of spinal injury. Do NOT move the victim. Any movement of the injured person can cause worse damage to their spinal cord. The only time you should ever move a potential spinal injury victim is if they are in immediate danger, such as in a burning house or car. If you are both in a safe environment, leave them exactly where they are and allow medical professionals to move them. If the victim was wearing a helmet at the time of injury, such as during sports or in a motorcycle accident, do not remove the helmet. This should be done by professionals. Call for emergency services. Medical professionals will be better able to assess and manage potential spinal injuries, and will have backboards and special equipment for moving people with these injuries. Contacting emergency medical personnel should be done immediately, assuming you and the victim are in no immediate danger. When calling for medical aid, inform staff that you are dealing with a victim of a spinal injury. They will be able to give you more advice on how to take care of the victim. Give CPR if necessary. Observe whether the victim is breathing on their own, as spinal injury can sometimes affect ability to breathe spontaneously. Look to see if their chest is rising with breath, or feel under their nose for air. The only time you should move the victim's head – short of being in immediate peril – is if you have to provide the rescue breathing or chest compressions of CPR. This can be a life-saving measure until emergency medical care arrives. If the victim's heart is beating but they are not breathing, provide rescue breaths; if they have no pulse, focus on high-quality chest compressions. To give rescue breaths, do NOT lift the victim's chin to open an airway if you can avoid it. Instead perform what is called the Jaw Thrust maneuver: Kneel at the top of the victim's head, use both hands one on each side to hold the angles of their lower jaw, and lift upward with both hands. This technique may be slightly safer for spinal injury victims. Unfortunately, this requires a second person present to perform the rescue breathing while you hold the jaw upward. If they do not need CPR, you can then – without moving the victim – look them over to see if they have any other obvious severe injuries. Apply pressure to wounds that are heavily bleeding. Note the cause of the injury. The most common cause of spinal injury in persons under age 65 is vehicular accidents. Other common causes are falls, gunshot and knife wounds, playing sports without appropriate safety equipment (especially American football), and injury sustained while under the influence of alcohol. Be on high alert for potential spinal damage with any of these injuries, and treat the victim accordingly. It may also help medical staff if you can tell them what caused the injury. Recognize symptoms of spinal injury. If no healthcare professional is on site, you can evaluate the victim for signs and symptoms of spinal injury. First observe the victim – if they are unconscious or only somewhat conscious, their neck or back is at a strange angle, or they have lost control of their bladder or bowels and soiled themselves, assume spinal injury. Also treat them as if they have spinal injury if they won't or can't move their neck, seem to have trouble breathing, or they tell you they have intense pain in their neck, back or head. Another tell-tale sign of spinal injury is change in strength or sensation in their limbs. Spinal injury can cause weakness in any part of the body, as well as paralysis – the inability to move at all, or move part of the body. Depending on the location of the injury, the patient will be affected in all four limbs, only on one side of the body, or in some or only one limb. Limbs can experience a number of sensation including numbness, tingling, pain, or a strong stinging. Loss of sensation can involve inability to distinguish temperature or feel touch. Stabilize the victim until help arrives. Keep the victim totally still until professional help arrives. Hold their head and neck to prevent them from moving until emergency care arrives. Attempt to calm the victim by assuring them that help is on the way, and encourage them in a calming voice to stay completely still. Tell them gently but firmly, “You may be badly injured. I'm here and professional help is on the way, but I need you to stay nice and still right now.” Pull the victim by their clothing. In a situation that absolutely requires you to move the victim, do it in the least damaging way possible. Grab their shirt collar and use your forearms to support their head while pulling the body in a straight line. This is a preferred method as the victim's head is braced while moving. Pull the victim by their arms or legs. Alternately, hold the victim and pull them by both feet, both shoulders, or both arms pulled over their shoulders. Do NOT pull by one arm or leg, as this will twist the body. Keep their neck and torso straight and pull them in a straight line. Do not pull the body sideways! Emergency medical staff immobilize the spine with a rigid neck collar and a carrying board. If you must move the body, simulate this type of support by pulling the body only straight. The goal is to minimize movement in the neck and spine as much as possible. If injury occurs in the water, keep the victim afloat until someone can obtain a rigid board to slide under their head and torso as far down as their buttocks. If you can't get a board, get help from other people to get the victim out of the water by moving them as one unit. Support their head and body, as if on a stiff board, and don't let their neck bend or rotate. Use at least two people if you must roll the victim over. If you must roll a spinal injury victim over to prevent choking on blood or vomit, get a second person to help you. Coordinate your timing so that you roll the victim over in such a way that the neck, back, and torso move as one unit. Do not allow the body to twist. Monitor injured victims for late signs of spinal injury. Though many victims of head or neck trauma experience immediate symptoms of spinal injury, this is not always the case. Sometimes there are no immediate signs but as bleeding and swelling put pressure on the spinal cord, symptoms develop. Victims of potential injury should be monitored closely. It's best to go to the hospital right after injury, but if not then seek immediate medical care if the injured person develops late symptoms of: Changes in sensory perception, like numbness and paralysis, which may worsen gradually. Gradual inability to control bladder or bowel, such as “leaking” urine or becoming incontinent. New onset of erectile dysfunction or changes in genital sensitivity. Increased or new difficulty with walking, balance or coordination. Obtain diagnostic imaging. If you or a loved one are at risk of spinal injury after an accident, go to the emergency room or at least see your doctor for testing. Your family doctor can perform sensorineural testing, manually testing muscle strength and ability to feel light touch. More definitive tests are CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs. Participate in ongoing rehabilitation. The injury victim of spinal trauma will initially be stabilized in the hospital. After the hospital stay, however, long-term rehabilitation will begin. The rehabilitation team can involve physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers. This can be a physically and emotionally challenging time for the victim. Provide emotional support and help however you can, whether that's making frequent visits to play cards, walk the victim's dog, preparing meals, or just being available to talk about their struggles.
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Treat anyone with a head injury as if they have a spinal injury. Do NOT move the victim. Call for emergency services. Give CPR if necessary. Note the cause of the injury. Recognize symptoms of spinal injury. Stabilize the victim until help arrives. Pull the victim by their clothing. Pull the victim by their arms or legs. Keep their neck and torso straight and pull them in a straight line. Use at least two people if you must roll the victim over. Monitor injured victims for late signs of spinal injury. Obtain diagnostic imaging. Participate in ongoing rehabilitation.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Software-Engineer
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How to Become a Software Engineer
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If you want to become a software engineer, start teaching yourself a programming language like C++ or Java, even if you're still in grade school. To practice your programming skills, build your own software, starting with simple programs. While in college, pursue a degree in software engineering or a related field, and look for internship opportunities where you can get even more hands-on training. Once you have your degree, use job boards, networking, and your college's career services to find a job as a software engineer.
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Earn a degree in computer science or a related field. Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Majoring in computer science will provide the most useful background for designing and perfecting software. Most often, interviewers will ask questions focusing on data structures and algorithms, so the theoretical background provided by traditional computer science degrees best prepares you for this. However, you will likely need to spend considerable time outside of the classroom writing software to learn how the theoretical concepts you're taught can apply in the practice of writing real software. It is possible to get hired with an associate's degree or even with nothing but self-taught experience. Pursuing this route, you should have a strong collection of completed and functional projects demonstrating your skills on a website like Github. You can also pursue open source projects to contribute fixes and new features to in case you don't have a concept of your own. Open source means that the code (source) for a piece of software is publicly viewable (open). Often, this allows anyone to submit code to a project, pending approval of the project maintainers. Finding an open source project with a welcoming community of developers can greatly accelerate your skills after you've established a baseline skillset. Begin programming. Even if you're still in grade school, you can give yourself a huge head start by teaching yourself programming. Software engineering is not focused exclusively on coding, but you will need to know at least a couple languages, and a deeper understanding of how they function. There is no widespread agreement on which languages are most useful, but these are all popular choices: Python Ruby JavaScript C# Java C++ Be aware that some languages are better at solving some problems than others. No one language is better than another. No one language is objectively easier than another. Most languages were written with certain types of problems in mind and are better at solving them while weaker at solving others. Experiment and get a feel for your style. At first, only focus on getting the most basic of programs running in one language. Once you've gotten comfortable with one, start experimenting with a second. There is no need to learn all languages. Find your niche and become awesome at it! For youth, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) created the website and programming tool, Scratch. This tool teaches programming concepts using visual queues rather than intimidating text. It's also useful to adults who would feel more comfortable focusing on visual elements rather than abstract concepts and text. Study data structures and algorithms. "Algorithm" simply means a formula or process for solving a problem. Common examples are path-finding for finding the shortest distance between two points , searching for finding a specific item of data in a large set of data, and sorting for arranging data in some order. A "data structure" is a certain way of organizing data to make it easier to solve certain problems. Common examples are arrays that simply contain items of data one after another in some order and hash tables that store data by some "key" instead of a position in a list. Focus on developing and maintaining your skills in order to do your best once you've obtained a position as a software engineer. (Optional) Study math. Mathematics will be a part of any computer science major, and many algorithms and data structures knowledge stems from mathematics. While not absolutely necessary, having a strong background in math will give you stronger core skills for analyzing and designing new algorithms. If you're targeting companies that do cutting-edge research and development, math will be a must. If you want a cushy corporate job, you can likely skim through higher level math. Discrete mathematics is a particularly useful area of study, as is any math course that involves software. Supplement your studies. Educational systems are often outdated. Textbooks are revised slower than software is updated. Educational institutions provide theoretical concepts and ways of thinking that can be critical to your success, and therefore should not be discounted. However, what will get you paid is being able to apply the theory to real-world software. This is where supplementing your studies comes in. Browse through StackOverflow. StackOverflow is a question and answer website for developers. You can search by tag to identify the technology, problem space, or language you want to improve in. Seeing others' answers will give you insight into how engineers solve problems. Bookmarking clever solutions will also help you build your problem-solving toolkit. Use practice sites for coding. Sites like CodeWars and CodinGame offer thousands of problems for you to test your skills against. Find a real-world community to help keep you inspired, develop connections, and give you guidance on where to focus your learning. Sites like Meetup can be great places to find software engineers and learn more about the profession. If you have trouble finding general engineering meetups, try to focus on specific languages or technologies. Check out social media sites, as well. Build software. The best way to improve your skills is to use them. Whether professional projects or personal, designing and coding software will teach you a great deal. For many employers, hands-on achievements matter more than GPA or theoretical knowledge. Unless you plan on monetizing the software you build, put it online! Allowing potential employers to see the projects you've created and the code powering them allows them to assess your skills. It's also a great way to get feedback to help improve your skills. Seek an internship. Many software engineer students work as interns while they complete their studies. This can be an excellent way to gain hands-on training and network with potential employers. Look for internship opportunities through job posting websites and networking. Find job opportunities. Software engineering is a rapidly growing field. You have a good chance of immediate employment, although you may start as a programmer and work your way up to software development. Start searching before your degree is up: Colleges often help their alumni obtain a position. Talk to your professors, department staff, and the career services office about finding job opportunities. A large percentage of jobs happen through networking. Use your personal contacts, and meet people in the field through career meetups and conferences. Check job search websites regularly. Create a profile and post your resume to professional sites and use them for networking as well as job applications. Consider your career goals. The software industry is always changing. Keep up by improving your knowledge and practical skills, and you'll have many chances to shape the direction of your career. Here are a few ways to improve your job prospects: Join a professional organization for networking opportunities. Consider a Master's degree if you have long-term plans in the field. While not a requirement for most positions, a Master's greatly improves your chances to work for an industry leader, in a management position, or in embedded software. A Master's degree can also give you a considerable pay bump early in your career. Certification can be useful in some sub-fields and regions, but may decrease your desirability in others. Talk to other engineers in your area of expertise before you enroll in one of these programs. Often, traditional corporate environments favor certificates, but start-ups and highly progressive companies can find them as a waste of time. However, there are always exceptions. Some countries also view certificates differently, so try to connect with software engineers and understand how the industry in your area operates. Know your job prospects. The software development field has excellent job growth. Software engineering is a particularly desirable focus compared to basic programming. Median software developer income is roughly $80,000 – $100,000 a year in the United States. Learn programming. Practical software design and coding should be your first priorities. There are a variety of ways to earn this experience: Teach yourself programming through online tutorials or friends willing to teach you. Take a massive open online course (MOOC). If you already have some experience, collaborate with other programmers on GitHub. A coding bootcamp is one of the fastest ways to learn, if you're willing to invest money and free time. Just make sure to do your research, as some bootcamps have poor reputations in industry and may not be worth the money. Draw on your experience. Software may be a specialized subject, but your previous career doesn't have to involve computers to give you an edge. Software engineering can rely heavily on analytic skills, problem solving, and teamwork. In addition, familiarity with an industry may help you design software for that industry. Even hobbies and side interests can open up networking opportunities, or at least add passion to your job. Game apps, digital music suites, or business software are all examples If possible, automate portions of your job. Build tools to speed up tasks and make things easier. Software engineering at its core is problem solving. Writing software is just a software engineer's chosen method of solving problems. There are problems all around you already! There's no reason you can't start now. Enroll in a degree program (optional). It's very possible to land a programming job after a year or two of side experience, or even a few months with enough dedication. If you already have a bachelor's in any subject, along with some coding skills, consider going straight for a master's in software engineering. Be aware that this is an incredibly expensive option. However, if you have difficulty being self-motivated and joining a community or trying a hobby doesn't stick, this could be the most effective option. Network your way to a job. Almost every industry needs software developers, so your network from a previous career can be invaluable. Also consider joining a professional association, such as IAENG Society of Software Engineering, the IEEE Computer Society Technical Council on Software Engineering, or the Association for Computing Machinery. Also, look into local meetups or online communities. The software world can be surprisingly small, and finding the right connection can open up a myriad of opportunities.
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Earn a degree in computer science or a related field. Begin programming. Study data structures and algorithms. Supplement your studies. Build software. Seek an internship. Find job opportunities. Consider your career goals. Know your job prospects. Learn programming. Draw on your experience. Enroll in a degree program (optional). Network your way to a job.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Venison-(Deer-Meat)
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How to Cook Venison (Deer Meat)
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To cook venison steaks, trim away any visible fat and let the meat soak in your favorite marinade overnight. Next, take the steaks out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring them to room temperature and season both sides with salt and pepper. Then, place the steaks on the grill or in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook each side for 3-4 minutes. Remove the steaks from the heat, let them rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, and enjoy!
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Use only venison that has been field-dressed correctly. The longer the meat stays on the deer carcass after the animal was shot, the tougher it becomes. Choose only deer meat that was cut, skinned, wrapped and refrigerated promptly by a professional or an experienced deer butcher. Venison should also be aged for a period of 10-14 days after being dressed out. This allows the meat to dry out some, reducing the gaminess and making the meat more palatable. Trim away all visible fat. Unlike beef fat, which imbues the meat with flavor and helps to keep the meat moist, venison fat does not taste good, and will do nothing for the texture of the meat. Using a sharp knife, trim away the connective tissue and fat from your cuts of venison before attempting to cook it. You can discard deer fat, though it's also commonly rendered into tallow, and makes for excellent soaps , and suets for feeding birds. "Silverskin" is a thin membrane that you'll find on many recently-processed cuts of venison, which you'll want to remove if it hasn't been already. It can be somewhat tedious, but peeling it off the meat as much as possible will improve the flavor and also make it easier to cook. Marinate the meat overnight before cooking it. Venison has a strong, gamey flavor that you can highlight or mask, depending on the cut and what you hope to do with it. Learning a bit about how to match a cut to a marinade will help you tenderize the meat and add flavor. The best way to marinade venison is in a large gallon Ziplock bag in the refrigerator overnight. Use thinner cuts with marinade and brine larger cuts. At most, an overnight marinade will only penetrate about an 1/8th on an inch into the meat, making marinading a large roast kind of pointless. Use thin strips of flank or backstrap to marinade to get the most out of the process. For a simple marinade, use Italian salad dressing, or make your own with a half-cup each of vinegar and olive oil, a clove of minced garlic, and a teaspoon each of brown mustard and Italian seasoning (or oregano and basil). For a BBQ marinade, sautee half a finely-chopped yellow onion and 3-4 cloves of minced garlic in about 5 tablespoons of butter until translucent. To this, add two cups of tomato sauce (or a cup of ketchup), a half cup each of apple cider, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar, and two tablespoons of chili powder. If you're not a fan of the "gaminess" of venison, use a citrus-based marinade. Citrus tends to mask the strong flavor of venison, and can make it more palatable to children and less adventurous eaters. Try marinading a half-cup of lime juice mixed with a half-cup of olive oil, half a cup of chopped cilantro, a minced green chile, a teaspoon of ground cumin, and a shot of tequila. Substitute the removed deer fat with another fat source. Although the deer's own fat will affect the flavor of the venison adversely, venison lacks the "marbling" needed to keep it moist and tender, making it very easy to dry it out. Because of this, many experienced venison cooks will "bard" or "lard" the meat with another fat source, such as butter, margarine, oil, or bacon fat. Barding is done by adding fat to the outside of the meat. This method works best on the grill or in the skillet, because it involves essentially basting the meat with a fat source. After turning the meat over, you can brush some melted butter or olive oil onto the browned side of the meat to imbue flavor and moisture. Larding is done by inserting fat into the meat, through little cuts. This method works well for larger cuts and roasts that you cook in the oven, and works especially will with other meats like ham or bacon. Use the tip of a chef's knife to make incisions into the thick parts of your venison roast, then push small cuts of bacon, or fatty pork, into the slits. As it cooks, the fat will help to keep the meat moist. Match the cut to the cooking method. Different cuts are more appropriate for different cooking methods. Some are great cooked up as steaks, while others make better stew meats or candidates for venison sausage. Whether you have a specific dish in mind and want to get the right venison for the job, or you want to find the best vehicle for your cuts, you can point yourself in the right direction: Backstraps or tenderloin are the tenderest and usually the most desirable cut, and can be cooked whole, cut into individual steaks, or cut into smaller chunks for stews and stir-frys. Tenderloin can be served rare-medium. Roasts are best from the lower hams, which should be braised or stewed at a low temperature for a long period of time to ensure tenderness. Steaks are best from the top half of the hams, which are the most versatile section of venison. While it's initially a bit tough, after being properly-tenderized, this meat can be used for a variety of purposes. Stew meat should come form the lower ribs, the belly, and the neck. If you've got a meat grinder, this also makes excellent ground venison or venison sausage. Grill the steak or cook it in a skillet. The best ways to cook venison steaks are on a hot grill, or in a very hot skillet on the stove. Both methods afford the ability to sear the meat and cook it to the proper internal temperature, essential for a venison steak cooked properly. Both gas grills and charcoal grills are perfectly appropriate, if you want to imbue the meat with that smokey flavor associated with grilling. Heat the coals for 30 minutes before grilling, or turn the gas grill onto medium. A good cast-iron skillet is the perfect way to cook a venison steak on the stove. Heat the pan on medium-high heat, and add a tablespoon or two of olive oil before cooking. The pan needs to be hot before adding the meat, to get the right sear on the outside. Wait until the oil is just about to smoke to add the steak. Bring the steak up to room temperature before cooking. 20-30 minutes before cooking your venison steak, it's important to take it out of the refrigerator and out of any marinade that you've used to bring the meat up to room temperature, ensuring that the meat is at an even temperature throughout. If you add a steak to a hot pan or grill grate just out of the fridge, the outside will heat while the inside will remain cold, making it very difficult to cook to the proper internal temperature without burning the outside black. Cooking room-temperature meat is much easier and more efficient, yielding a better finished product. Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. Regardless of whether or not you've used a marinade, it's a good idea to sprinkle fresh-cracked pepper and salt on the outside of both sides of the steak, just before it goes on the heat. Salting the meat too early can draw some of the moisture out, making it tough, so it's better to wait until just before the meat goes onto the grill. Sear both sides. A steak is best cooked at medium-high heat, so add your steak to a skillet just as the oil smokes, or to the grill over the hottest part of the coals. You should hear a distinctive sizzle when adding the steak, and if you don't, you should remove the meat right away and wait until it gets hotter. The meat should be cooked 3-4 minutes on each side to get a proper crust on the outside, then moved to a cooler part of the grill, or the skillet should be turned down. If you're cooking your steak in a cast-iron skillet, remember that your skillet will hold the temperature for a long time and stay hot, so after giving it a sear, it's probably ok to turn the heat off completely to avoid scorching the outside of the steak. The length of the sear will depend on the thickness of your steak. Even steaks an more than an inch thick should only be in the pan for about 10-12 minutes at the most, though. Keep a close eye on the meat and check the underside to make sure it's not over-cooking. Venison is done at an internal temperature of 130 °F (54 °C). At 150, it will start to toughen up some. Steaks more than 2-inches thick will probably need a cooler part of the grill to cook for slightly longer, or will need to have the heat turned down on the skillet to cook to the proper temperature. Bard the meat with butter. If you've ever wondered why your steaks at home don't turn out quite so well as steaks ordered at a restaurant, the answer is butter. After turning the meat over once, it's a good idea to brush a little butter onto the top of the meat to help keep it moist. If you're cooking the steak in the skillet, add a pat (no more than a tablespoon or so) into the pan to melt, tilting the skillet so the butter runs toward the steak. Cook the steak to rare-medium. You won't have to fiddle with the steak much, turning it once and cooking it roughly 3-4 minutes on each side. Because overcooking venison is very easy and can happen very quickly, you should periodically feel the done-ness of the meat with your finger to recognize when it's ready to come off the heat and rest before eating. For a good short-hand to steak done-ness, touch your fingertip to your thumb, and with your other hand feel the fatty part of your thumb, where it meets your palm. Meat cooked rare should offer the same resistance. Meat cooked medium-rare should feel like your thumb meeting your middle finger, medium should feel like your ring finger, and well-done like your pinkie. Rest the steak for 5-7 minutes. Let the steak rest on a plate or a cutting board for at least five minutes before slicing into and serving. This will allow the muscle fibers to cool down some, so the meat will retain its juices, rather than spilling them out onto the plate. The meat will also continue cooking gently, if you cover it at this point. You can serve your steaks whole, or slice them against the grain into generous-sized slices. Lard the roast with aromatics and bacon. After cleaning up your roast by trimming it of fat, silverskin, and connective tissue, make several slits into the meat, about an inch wide and two inches deep. Make 10 or 12 cuts all over the surface of the meat. Stuffing the roast with aromatic vegetables and a fat source, like bacon, will help to inject flavor and moisture into the meat. For aromatics, use whole cloves of garlic, sprigs of rosemary, thyme, or sage. For adding fat, chopped bacon makes the best addition, but you could also use cold pats of butter. Coat the roast with dried herbs and refrigerate for several hours. Dry rubs are excellent for venison roasts. You can use a commercial dry rub or mix up your own in a variety of flavors. Use what tastes you like and experiment with different dry rubs–it's awfully hard to screw up. Simply take a handful of your dry rub spice mixture and rub it into the outside of the meat. For a basic dry rub, mix up equal portions of oregano, basil, parsley, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper. For a whole-seed dry rub, toast up a quarter-cup each of fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds in a dry skillet. When they become fragrant, remove them from the pan and crack them with the flat side of a kitchen knife. Mix in dried chili powder, paprika, and brown sugar. Alternatively, you can also brine roasts in a salt brine overnight, which many venison-enthusiasts swear by. Salt-brines can help soften the flavor of the meat and tenderize it. Either way, let the meat refrigerate overnight, or for several hours before baking. Bake the roast in baking pan on a bed of vegetables. Lining the bottom of your baking pan with vegetables will help to keep the meat off the bottom, resulting in a more even distribution of heat, as well as adding flavor and fragrance to the dish. The most-common vegetables for the job are onions, carrots, potatoes, and celery. After rinsing your vegetables, chop them into big pieces–doesn't need to be pretty. You won't need to season the vegetables, since the meat juices will season the vegetables as they cook. Because venison has such a tendency to dry out, it's also good to add a little water or water and chicken stock to the bottom of the pan. This will help to keep the interior of the oven moist, creating a kind of hot climate that will keep the meat from drying out. Cover and roast at 325 F for about 3 hours. Set the meat on the bed of vegetables and cover tightly with tin foil. Place into the oven and bake for around three hours, basting periodically with the juices from the bottom of the pan. If you're using a meat thermometer, you can remove the venison when it's reached an internal temperature between 130 F and 150 F, depending on how "done" you like your meat. Any higher and it'll start to toughen. Remove the roast from the pan, but let the meat rest covered for about 10 or 15 minutes before cutting into slices to serve. You can strain the pan drippings to make a nice gravy to serve with the venison. Brown your stew meat. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat some olive oil and brown your stew meat on all sides, over medium-high heat. You don't need to cook the venison all the way through, and in fact you should avoid cooking it through as much as possible. Rather, you want to create a good char on the outside of the meat to create a layer of flavor, and to build up good color on the bottom of your pan. If brownish stuff builds up, that's a good thing. A good stew can be made with about a pound of good stew meat taken from the ham, neck, or rib section of the venison. It should be cut into bite-sized chunks. To help brown the meat and also thicken the stew you make, it can be good to dust the stew meat with a little bit of white flour, as when starting a roux. You won't need to use much more than a teaspoon or two per pound of meat. Add vegetables and aromatics. After browning the meat, remove it from the pan and add in the vegetables you'd like to include in the stew, starting with the heartiest and moving to the lightest. You want to add the vegetables that will need the longest time cooking first, to make sure everything cooks at roughly the same time. So, you'd add root vegetables like potato, carrot, or turnips first, and add mushrooms, peas, and fresh basil last. For a basic stew, start by adding two potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces, two medium-sized chopped carrots, and a whole small white onion. Turn the heat down to medium and stir until he onion starts to become translucent. Add three or four cloves of minced garlic and continue cooking for a minute or two. When the vegetables start to brown up, it's time to legalize the pan. Deglaze the pan. The bottom of the pan should now be covered with good color and flavor, but you can only get it up by adding some liquid and stirring vigorously. To deglaze you can use two or three cups of dry red wine, dark beer, or chicken stock, which all pair nicely with venison. If you want, you can use a combination of liquids, or use half water and half of another liquid, to soften the flavor some. After pouring in the liquid, it should bubble up vigorously and then calm down some. Stir the bottom of the up to get up the flavor from the bottom, then season the stew to taste. Dried thyme, salt and pepper would all combine nicely. Return the meat to the pot and turn the temperature back up until the liquid just reaches a boil. Stir periodically to keep the broth moving. When the broth gets to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pot, removing it to stir periodically. Cover and cook at a low temperature for several hours. Keep the pot covered and cook it for at least an hour, and as many as three or four. Longer cooking time and lower temperature will ensure in very tender and tasty stew meat, making it important that you save enough time to cook it. The meat will technically be "done" after an hour, but it'll be even better after a few, when the proteins get a chance to break down more and the meat becomes fork-tender. If you want to add more vegetables, like mushrooms, or any kind of fresh green vegetables, wait until 10 or 15 minutes before you're ready to eat, or they'll cook down into mush. A sprinkling of fresh-chopped parsley finished a bowl of venison stew nicely. Serve with crusty French bread, or cornbread for a perfect meal. Use ground venison alongside other meats. Ground venison works well for burgers, meat loaves, and as a general alternative to any ground beef recipe, but it's perfectly-suited for chili. Whether you want to make straight-up venison chili, or combine venison with a small amount of stew beef or pork sausage, it's a great base for a hearty chili. A pound should make 8-12 servings. "Chili meat" refers to a specific coarseness of grind, usually somewhat finer than "ground" venison. If you want a finer grind, have your deer processor grind up some chili meat, or purchase your own meat grinder to grind up your own. If you like a more Texas-style chili, stew meat chunks would be more appropriate, and you'll probably want to cook it at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, though the ingredients and the technique will be basically the same. Brown up the ground venison and onions. Add one or two tablespoons of cooking oil to the bottom of a heavy-bottomed stew pot, and add your ground venison. Using a wooden spoon, stir the meat around as it browns up. Just before it turns dark all over, add one medium chopped yellow onion, a diced red pepper, and three or four cloves of minced garlic to the ground venison. Add beans and crushed tomatoes to the base. As the onions start to brown, it's time to add the beans and the tomatoes. Use a can of drained red kidney beans, or a mixture of red beans, navy beans, and garbanzo beans, if you like. About 12 ounces should be perfect. Use an 18 oz. can of crushed tomatoes, plus a tablespoon of tomato paste to provide the bass for the chili. If you want to use fresh tomatoes, start with about four ripe tomatoes, chopping them roughly and saving all the juices. Keep a close eye and add a little water if the chili needs more moisture added. If beans aren't your thing, follow the chili recipe you like to make. Venison is perfectly amenable to most green chili recipes, or other types of regional chili you might prefer. Use the flavors and seasonings that you like and see if you like it better with venison. Season with three or four tablespoons of chili powder. Season the chili to your taste. If you like it very strong, you can add more, or stronger chili powder, alongside a teaspoon of cumin, cayenne, and any other spices you like in your chili. If you don't like chili strong, add thyme, cumin, some coriander powder, and other aromatics. Add salt and pepper to taste. To get at that distinctive chili taste, you'll need at least a bit of chili powder. Add a teaspoon at a time. You can always add more later. Cover and simmer over low heat for at least an hour. Turn the heat to low, pop the lid on, and let the chili simmer gently for a couple hours. The meat should cook in about 30 minutes or so, but the flavors will really come together with at least an hour or two of slow cooking. Taste it after thirty minutes to adjust the seasoning and add more chili powder, if necessary. Serve with cornbread. If you prefer, you can also transfer the chili to a slow cooker and let it sit all day, or overnight to really let the flavors blend. In general, the longer it cooks, the better it'll be.
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Use only venison that has been field-dressed correctly. Trim away all visible fat. Marinate the meat overnight before cooking it. Substitute the removed deer fat with another fat source. Match the cut to the cooking method. Grill the steak or cook it in a skillet. Bring the steak up to room temperature before cooking. Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. Sear both sides. Bard the meat with butter. Cook the steak to rare-medium. Rest the steak for 5-7 minutes. Lard the roast with aromatics and bacon. Coat the roast with dried herbs and refrigerate for several hours. Bake the roast in baking pan on a bed of vegetables. Cover and roast at 325 F for about 3 hours. Brown your stew meat. Add vegetables and aromatics. Deglaze the pan. Cover and cook at a low temperature for several hours. Use ground venison alongside other meats. Brown up the ground venison and onions. Add beans and crushed tomatoes to the base. Season with three or four tablespoons of chili powder. Cover and simmer over low heat for at least an hour.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-Tree-Stumps
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How to Decorate Tree Stumps
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The best way to decorate a tree stump is to cut it level with a chainsaw and then cut a planter perimeter with a jigsaw. Use an axe to hollow out as much of the center as you can and move a drill in and out of the surface of the stump repeatedly to weaken the wood. Use a hammer and a chisel to chip away any remaining wood and drill drainage holes into the planter to prevent root rot. Then, fill the planter with well-draining potting mix and plant your plants.
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Use a chainsaw to level the top of the stump. The top of your stump may not be flat and smooth, but it will need to be in order for you to make your planter. Turn a chainsaw on and then cut off the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) as evenly as possible. The chainsaw should cut through the wood quickly and easily. If you don't already have a chainsaw and just want to use one for small projects like this one, choose an electric chainsaw over a gas chainsaw. The chainsaw that you use should have a guide bar that's 2 inches (5.1 cm) longer than the diameter of the stump. Make sure that you wear safety glasses, gloves, safety pants, cut-resistant safety boots, head protection, and hearing protection when you use your chainsaw. You can expect your chainsaw to cost about $50-$200 USD. Cut the perimeter of the planter with a jigsaw. After you've created a relatively smooth, flat surface, use a pencil to draw a circle onto it as big as you'd like the planter to be. Use a drill and a ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) drill bit to drill a hole along the drawn circle. Then, insert a jigsaw into the hole and follow the line as you saw. If you don't already have a jigsaw, get one with an average motor power of around 5 amps or 18V and a maximum speed of about 3,000 SPM. Go with a jigsaw that has advanced orbital capabilities so that you can make smooth curved cuts. To avoid injury, wear eye protection and be mindful of where you place your fingers while you're working. Make sure to take out the battery pack or unplug the cord before you change out blades or reposition the jigsaw. Jigsaws usually cost $50-$300 USD. Hollow out the center with an axe. Use an axe to break up the wood located inside of the outline you made. Try to chip away at the center of the stump as much you can with the axe, while being careful to keep your aim inside the outline. Ideally, the planter should be about 6 inches (15 cm) deep. Keep this in mind while you use the axe on the stump. If you don't already have an axe, consider getting either a small axe or a limbing axe for this project. These typically weigh 1.5-3 pounds (0.7-1.4 kg) and are 20–28 inches (51–71 cm) long. An axe should cost you about $20-$50 USD. To use your axe safely, get a good grip on it and only use it away from others when you have plenty of light to see what you're doing. Also, stone-sharpen the blade regularly and keep the blade in a sheath when it isn't being used. Weaken the wood with a drill. Once you've broken up and removed a lot of the wood, start using a drill to drill holes in different spots within the circle outline you created. Direct the drill up and down repeatedly until most of the wood within the circle is broken up into small pieces. Once you're done, put down the drill and scoop out any loose wood inside of the stump. If you don't already own a drill, go for a ⅜-inch (0.9 cm) cordless power drill for maximum mobility and versatility. Power drills typically cost about $50-$200 USD. Wear safety glasses, ear protection, and gloves while using your drill. Unplug the cord or remove the battery when you change out the bit and be careful with where you place your fingers while you work. Use a hammer and chisel to chip away at the weakened wood. Look around the inside of the stump for wood that still needs to be removed. Hold your chisel in your non-dominant hand, and rest the end of the chisel on one of those areas. Then, chip it away from the rest of the stump by tapping a hammer, held in your dominant hand, onto the other end of the chisel. Continue doing this until you've chipped off all of the wood you want removed. For this project, you'll need a nail hammer and a wood chisel. Hammers typically cost between $15-$50 USD and chisels are usually $10-$20 USD each. Wear safety glasses and focus on your aim while using a hammer and chisel to prevent injuries. Drill drainage holes into the sides of the stump. To prevent root rot in your plants and flowers, you'll need to drill some holes into the bottom of the planter. Hold your drill against the outside of the stump on the other side of the planter and drill all the way through to the bottom of the planter on the inside of the stump. Do this 2-3 more times, spaced evenly around the circumference of the stump. Fill the stump with soil and plant your flowers. Get a well-draining potting soil that's rich in compost and fill your planter with it. Then, plant whatever plants you wish to have in your stump planter. Attach a door and windows to the outside of the stump. To make a basic fairy house, you'll need a very small door and a few tiny windows. Purchase these online or paint them onto the stump as an easy option. As an artsy alternative option, make the doors and windows yourself out of popsicle sticks or other crafting supplies. Use a hot glue gun or a hammer and nails to attach the door and windows to the stump. If you want to make stained glass windows, hot glue pieces of sea glass to the stump on the inside of the window frame. Set a roof on top of the stump. Measure how wide the top of the stump is to determine how wide the angle of the roof should be. Use hot glue or wood glue to attach the edges of 2 small, thin pieces of plywood together to make a simple roof. Place the roof over the surface of the stump. Consider painting the plywood a color of your choice after you glue it together. Let the paint dry completely before you set the roof over the stump's surface. If you're familiar with woodworking, you can also cut small rectangles of wood and attach them to the surface of the plywood to make shingles. Decorate the outside with fairies and accessories. Collect small natural decorations for the outside of the fairy home, such as pebbles and twigs. Use these things to make cute additions to the outside of the home, such as a little walkway leading to the front door. Go online and purchase 1 or 2 fairies and several accessories, such as tiny wagons or benches, to set in front of the home. You can find fairies and fairy accessories on websites like fairyhomesandgardens.com. Sand and seal the surface of the stump. In order to make your mosaic, you must have a flat, smooth, waterproof surface to work on. Run a piece of sandpaper back and forth all over the surface of the stump to flatten any sharp edges. Then, coat the surface of the stump with a waterproof sealer to keep the stump from absorbing moisture and expanding and contracting as a result. You want to prevent this because it can cause your mosaic to crack. Draft your design in pencil. Use a pencil to draw the image that you're planning to create onto the surface of the stump. This can be anything from your initials to a picture of a sun and moon. Drafting the image beforehand may help to keep you from making a mistake as you make the mosaic. Crack your tiles into pieces. Hold a pair of wheeled tile nippers in your hand and pick up a tile. Place the tile between the 2 wheels with the grooved side facing up and then use both of your hands to squeeze the handle and break the tile. Continue doing this to all of the tiles that you plan to use in your mosaic. You can get mosaic tiles and wheeled tile nippers from your local arts and crafts supply store. Squirt wood glue onto the stump surface and push down a tile piece. Squirt a small dab of wood glue onto the surface of the stump and spread it thin with a spoon if necessary. Then, quickly place a couple pieces of broken tile onto the glue with the grooved side facing down. Press down for several seconds. Repeat this process while creating your entire mosaic. Use a spatula to apply grout to the surface of the mosaic. Once you've glued down all of your tiles, let the glue dry for 24 hours. Then, scoop some sand-less grout onto a flexible spatula and apply the grout to the entire surface of your mosaic. Wipe it smooth with the spatula so that the application is desirably even. Let the mosaic dry completely. Clean off the tiles with white vinegar. After about 24 hours, the grout should be dry. At this point, you'll need to clean the grout off of the tiles. Spray white vinegar onto your mosaic. Then, wipe the surface of the tiles clean with a cloth.
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Use a chainsaw to level the top of the stump. Cut the perimeter of the planter with a jigsaw. Hollow out the center with an axe. Weaken the wood with a drill. Use a hammer and chisel to chip away at the weakened wood. Drill drainage holes into the sides of the stump. Fill the stump with soil and plant your flowers. Attach a door and windows to the outside of the stump. Set a roof on top of the stump. Decorate the outside with fairies and accessories. Sand and seal the surface of the stump. Draft your design in pencil. Crack your tiles into pieces. Squirt wood glue onto the stump surface and push down a tile piece. Use a spatula to apply grout to the surface of the mosaic. Clean off the tiles with white vinegar.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-a-Dog-from-Defecating-in-its-Crate
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How to Prevent a Dog from Defecating in its Crate
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To prevent a dog from defecating in its crate, purchase a crate that's just big enough for it to stand up, turn around, and lie down in so it's not tempted to use the corner for a bathroom. If you have a puppy, choose a crate with its adult size in mind, but block part of it off with cardboard or styrofoam so the puppy can't comfortably go to the bathroom in the corner. Additionally, feed your dog in its crate to deter it from using it as a bathroom. If your dog does have an accident in its crate, clean it as soon as possible to get rid of the odor so your dog doesn't associate the crate with defecating.
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Make sure the crate is the right size. Oftentimes, dogs will defecate in their crate if it's too big. If the crate is large enough that your dog can comfortably poop in a corner he might choose to go in his crate rather than wait to be let out. Your dog's crate should be just big enough for him to stand up and turn around in and lie down with his legs straight. Anything bigger might make him tempted to use the crate as a bathroom. If you have a puppy, choose a crate with his adult size in mind. Crates can get expensive and you do not want to have to keep replacing a crate, but you can block off the excess crate space with cardboard paper, styrofoam, or other puppy safe materials. Feed your dog in his crate. Chances are, your dog would prefer not to defecate in the same space where he's fed. Feeding him in the crate can help. You do not need to close your dog in the crate at meal times, as the stress of being locked in may interfere with his ability to eat. Just set the food inside his crate and leave the door open. Your dog might be wary to enter the crate to eat at first, as he may suspect you're leaving and are trying to lure him in. If you leave the food out and go about your regular activities he should eventually eat. Alter the bedding in the crate. Changing the types of blankets you provide in the crate, or adding extra blankets, can potentially make your dog stop going in his crate. If you don't use bedding currently, adding a nice bed or some blankets to a crate may make your dog less likely to use the crate as a bathroom. Your dog will not want to defecate in an area if he enjoys cuddling and sleeping there. Conversely, if you do currently use bedding, and your dog buries his feces under it, remove the bedding. Your dog may be less likely to defecate in his crate if he feels he cannot easily cover it up. Paper padding should not be left in a crate, especially if your dog is paper trained. Clean up any accidents thoroughly. Each time your dog defecates in his crate, clean the area thoroughly. Use an enzymatic cleaner from a pet store or grocery store. Eliminating the odor caused by elimination may make your dog less likely to choose the same spot to poop again. Crate train your dog before leaving him alone in a crate. If you're just starting to leave your dog alone in his crate and he's eliminating in it, the problem is probably that he's not used to the crate. A dog should be introduced to his crate gradually before he can be left alone in the crate safely. Allow your dog a few days to get used to the crate. Encourage him to enter the crate, but do not lock it. Make the crate a pleasant experience by providing your dog with treats and praise for entering the crate. Once your dog is used to the crate, you can begin closing him in it for small periods at time. Start small, only leaving him in the crate for about 10 minutes at a time, and then gradually increase the duration. Once your dog is able to spend 30 minutes in his crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him for longer periods. Always be matter of fact when leaving. Dragging out a departure by saying a long goodbye to your canine can make his anxiety about being left alone worse. You can gradually increase the amount of time you leave your dog alone in the crate, eventually working up to leaving him in the crate overnight and while you're at work. Keep a consistent walk schedule. If your dog is having problems with eliminating in his crate, his walk schedule might not be consistent enough. Make sure you walk your dog at regular intervals so he does not have to resort to going in his crate. Simply leaving your dog outside will not necessarily teach him he's supposed to toilet outdoors. When potty training stay outside with him and praise him when he goes to the toilet spot. If you don't do this the risk is he may just regard outdoors as a playground, and not take the opportunity to relieve himself. Depending on your dog's age, he'll need more or less time outside. If he's under 12 weeks, he should be let out once an hour during the day and every 3 to 4 hours during the night. As he gets older, you can gradually increase the increments of time between walks. By the time he's 6 to 7 months old, you should be letting him out about every 4 hours during the day and every 8 hours at night. An adult dog should be let out at least three times a day, and preferably get at least one longer walk during that time. Consistency is key. Try to let your dog out around the same time each day. Your dog's body will adapt to a regular schedule and that should result in less accidents. Create a consistent daily feeding schedule. Feeding should be done on a schedule so that you can anticipate when you're dog will need to go to the bathroom throughout the day. Limiting treats and snacks between meals can lead to less bathroom issues. Eating stimulates the bowel about 20 minutes later. Don't give the dog a meal and immediately crate him as he may then get caught short. Instead, give him a chance to toilet outside, around 20 to 30 minutes after eating. How much food your dog needs depends on his breed, size, and any medical conditions he might have. You can talk to your vet about how much food is appropriate for your dog and then decide how to best divide up feeding times throughout the day. If you crate your dog overnight, do not give him food or water 3 hours before bed time. If you crate your dog during the day while you're at work, make sure to give him a longer walk in the morning so he has a chance to relieve himself after breakfast. Use positive and negative reinforcement. The use of positive and negative reinforcement can help your dog learn not to poop in his crate. When you take your dog outside, always praise him when he poops. You can use verbal praise, saying something like "Good boy!", and also carry small treats to provide a reward. If you see your dog getting ready to poop in his crate, clap your hands and say "No." Then, take him outside so he can do his business there. Remember, dogs live in the immediate. If you wake up in the morning and find he's gone in his crate, scolding him then is probably not helpful. He will not understand what he's being scolded over. You should also avoid overly aggressive or loud scolding, as this can lead to anxiety that could potentially make the problem worse. Never rub your dog's nose in his feces or urine, as this will only serve to upset and confuse your dog. Make an appointment with a veterinarian. You want to make sure you rule out any medical problems as a potential cause. Make an appointment with your veterinarian and have her perform a routine physical exam on your dog. If your dog is experiencing loose stools or diarrhea, he may have gastrointestinal problems that warrant medical treatment. Your vet may perform blood tests or x-rays to determine treatment. Older dogs often have age-related bowel control issues. If your dog is a senior, your vet may order tests to determine if he can still control his bowels. She may have some suggestions for treatment options if this is the case. Familiarize yourself with the signs of separation anxiety. Dogs often defecate in their crate due to separation anxiety. Know the signs of separation anxiety and what to do if your dog is suffering from it. If the defecation is combined with howling , barking, excessive pacing, and your dog has been escaping or attempting to escape from his crate he may have separation anxiety. If you've recently had a change in schedule, residence, or roommate/family situation, your dog can develop anxiety in response to this. Providing positive reinforcement, like treats and praise, during stressful situations can help combat your dog's anxiety. You can leave your dog toys or food when you leave the house, for example. Many pet stores sell puzzle toys, where your dog has to figure out how to open a contraption to get a treat or a toy as a reward. This can be a great distraction if your dog seems to develop anxiety in your absence. You can also ask your veterinarian about treatment options. She might recommend a medication or a training program that can help your dog cope. Be careful about changing your dog's diet. Any changes in a dog's diet can result in bowel control issues. If you've recently change food types or brands, your dog may be having trouble controlling his bowels. Always transition between food types gradually, starting off by mixing small amounts of the new type of food into the old type and gradually building your way up.
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Make sure the crate is the right size. Feed your dog in his crate. Alter the bedding in the crate. Clean up any accidents thoroughly. Crate train your dog before leaving him alone in a crate. Keep a consistent walk schedule. Create a consistent daily feeding schedule. Use positive and negative reinforcement. Make an appointment with a veterinarian. Familiarize yourself with the signs of separation anxiety. Be careful about changing your dog's diet.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Your-Hamster-to-Come-when-You-Call
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How to Train Your Hamster to Come when You Call
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One of the easiest ways to train your hamster to come when called is with treats. Put your hand in its cage and hold out a few treats while calling its name. Let your hamster eat the treats out of your hand and continue repeating its name in a calm voice. Over time, the hamster will start associating the sound of its name with getting rewards. Do this several times a day for a few weeks, then try calling its name without holding out a treat to see if it still comes to you. Gradually cut back on treats after your hamster starts responding consistently when you call it!
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Give your hamster a couple days to settle in if you just got it. Your hamster will probably be scared when you first bring it home. When it's scared, it will be too distracted to learn any new tricks. After a couple of days at home, your hamster should be calmed down enough to start training. Get some healthy treats to train your hamster with. Treats are what you'll use to motivate your hamster to come when called. You can use store-bought hamster treats or sunflower seeds. You can also use small pieces of fresh fruits or vegetables, like sweet potatoes, peaches, strawberries, and broccoli. If you use fruits or vegetables, make sure they're not toxic to hamsters. Foods that are toxic to hamsters include apple seeds and skins, grape seeds, fruit pits, peanuts, almonds, onions, eggplant, garlic, and chocolate. Hold a treat in your hand near the entrance of your hamster’s cage. Open your hamster's cage first so it can get to your hand. If your hamster lives in a glass enclosure, reach your hand in from the top and place it on the bottom of the tank. If your hamster is sleeping, you might want to wait until it's awake before training it. It might not wake up for the treat, and you shouldn't force it awake since you could scare it. Call your hamster’s name while you wait for it to come grab the treat. By calling your hamster's name while offering it a treat, you'll help it start to associate hearing its name with getting rewards. Try to keep your voice down when you talk to your hamster so you don't startle it. If you talk too loudly, your hamster might be too afraid to approach your hand. Let your hamster eat the treat out of your hand. Say its name again as it's eating the treat to reinforce the connection between rewards and the sound of its name. Don't grab your hamster while it's eating the treat or you could scare it, which will make training it more difficult. If your hamster doesn't seem interested in the treat, try again later, or give it some more time to settle into its new home and get used to you. Repeat the process several times a day until you don’t need treats anymore. Over time, with consistent training, your hamster will learn that it will get a treat if it comes to you when you call its name. The key is to be consistent and train your hamster every day. Once your hamster starts responding to its name, try gradually reducing how often you give it treats. For example, once your hamster starts consistently coming to your hand to grab the treat when you call its name, try calling its name without holding out a treat to see if it still comes to you. If it does, you can start cutting back on how often you reward it. It might take a few weeks for your hamster to come when called, so don't get discouraged if your hamster doesn't seem to be learning its name. Just keep practicing every day, and eventually it will learn! Let your hamster settle in for a couple days if you just got it. When you first bring your hamster home, it will probably be scared of its new environment. You'll have a hard time training your hamster during this time since it will be so distracted, so give it a couple of days to get used to its new surroundings first. Avoid holding your hamster or taking it out of its cage during this time. Let it relax in its cage and do its own thing. Get a clicker and some healthy treats for your training sessions. A clicker is a small, simple training device that makes a clicking sound when you press a button. When your hamster does something right (in this case, coming when called), you can use the clicker to make a sound before you give it a treat. Over time, your hamster will start to associate the sound with treats and the good behavior, making it easier to train. You can buy a clicker online or at your local pet store. You can use store-bought hamster treats, sunflower seeds, or fruits and vegetables. Just avoid apple seeds and skins, grape seeds, fruit pits, peanuts, almonds, onions, eggplant, garlic, and chocolate since they're toxic to hamsters. Place your hamster in an enclosed training area. You can use a cardboard box, a hamster pen, or even a bathtub. If you use a bathtub, make sure you plug the drain so your hamster can't get into it. You want the training area to be empty so your hamster doesn't get distracted. Avoid putting toys or any other distractions in there. Click and reward your hamster with a treat whenever it moves toward you. Don't worry about calling your hamster's name just yet. At first, you just want to teach your hamster that it will hear a clicking sound and get a treat whenever it moves in your direction. Keep doing this until your hamster starts coming toward you intentionally to get more treats. If you're not sure whether your hamster is coming toward you intentionally, try getting up and moving to a different side of the training area. If your hamster changes directions and starts coming toward you, you'll know the training is working. If your hamster doesn't seem to be moving toward you intentionally, keep clicking and rewarding it whenever it moves in your direction. Eventually, it should start coming toward you for more treats. Start saying your hamster’s name when you click and give it a treat. That way, your hamster will start to associate hearing its name with getting treats. Make sure your hamster is coming toward you before you click, say its name, and give it a treat. Otherwise, it won't associate the behavior with the rewards. Don't click and reward your hamster if it's moving away from you or standing still. If you do, you'll teach your hamster to associate running away and sitting with rewards, which will make your training harder. Repeat the process over the course of a few training sessions. During each session, continue to say your hamster's name, click, and give it a treat whenever it moves toward you. Do this about 50 times before moving on with your training so your hamster learns its name. Hamsters have short attention spans, so try to keep your training sessions to just a few minutes. Then, give your hamster a break between sessions, and wait until later that day or the next day to train some more. Try saying your hamster’s name before it starts moving toward you. Now that your hamster is familiar with its name (and it associates its name with getting delicious treats), it should come to you when you call. If it responds to its name and comes toward you, click and give it a treat. If it doesn't, continue training your hamster in short sessions until it gets the hang of it. It might take some hamsters longer than others to learn their name. Don't get discouraged if your hamster doesn't respond when you call. If you keep training your hamster, it will learn its name over time. Start gradually reducing how often you click and reward your hamster. Then, eventually, you won't have to use the clicker or treats at all. However, to prevent your hamster from forgetting its training, make sure you take away the clicker and treats gradually so it can adjust. For example, you could start by not using the clicker and treats every third time you call your hamster. Then, you could stop using them every other time. From there, you could start only using them once every three times you call your hamster, and so on until you're not using them at all.
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Give your hamster a couple days to settle in if you just got it. Get some healthy treats to train your hamster with. Hold a treat in your hand near the entrance of your hamster’s cage. Call your hamster’s name while you wait for it to come grab the treat. Let your hamster eat the treat out of your hand. Repeat the process several times a day until you don’t need treats anymore. Let your hamster settle in for a couple days if you just got it. Get a clicker and some healthy treats for your training sessions. Place your hamster in an enclosed training area. Click and reward your hamster with a treat whenever it moves toward you. Start saying your hamster’s name when you click and give it a treat. Repeat the process over the course of a few training sessions. Try saying your hamster’s name before it starts moving toward you. Start gradually reducing how often you click and reward your hamster.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Hold-Down-a-Canopy-Tent-on-Concrete
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How to Hold Down a Canopy Tent on Concrete
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The easiest way to hold down a canopy tent on concrete is to purchase tent-weight bags, which can be filled with sand and attached to the legs of the tent. Consider using cinder blocks or exercise weights as a potentially cheaper alternative to weight bags. However, these can be a tripping hazard, so ask your event coordinator before using these to hold down your tent. When using household items, make sure they add up to your event's weight requirement, or else your tent might not hold up. To make a bucket weight, purchase 4 to 8 buckets that hold 5 gallons and fill each ⅔ of the way with sand. If you want to use gravel, only fill the buckets halfway. For permanent bucket weights, mix dry cement with water and fill the buckets halfway with concrete. Let the mixture dry and you'll have tent weight whenever you need them.
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Buy tent weight bags for an easy option. There are tent weight bags manufactured and marketed specifically for canopy tents. Usually you have to fill them with sand and then attach them to the frame and legs of your tent. These can be more expensive than the homemade options, but they will save you time. Be sure that the weight of the full tent weight bags meet your event's weight requirement, if you are using your tent at a public event. Check the tent weight packaging to see how much the weights weigh when they're full, and be sure to follow all directions. Try cinder blocks as tent weights. A typical cinder block weighs about 28 pounds (13 kg), and can be useful as a tent weight. Tie a rope around the cinder block and knot the rope at the top corner of your tent frame. You can also tie the cinder block to the tent leg using rope or bungee cord, while still attaching rope to the top frame. Some public events do not allow cinder blocks to be used as tent weights, as they can be a tripping hazard, so check with your event coordinator before using them. Cinder blocks can be a convenient method of weighing down your tents at home. Consider covering them with old towels or sheets so people don't scrape themselves if they bump into them. Use exercise weights to cut costs. If you have exercise weights lying around at home, you can also use these as weights for your tent. Stack a few of your choice by your tent leg, lining up the holes. Thread rope through the holes, tie a knot around the weights, then another knot at the top of your tent frame to attach the weights to it. If you are using your tent at a public event, check with your event coordinator before using exercise weights as tent weights. Take 4-8 5 US gal (19 L) buckets to where you’re setting up your tent. The benefit of using bucket weights is that you can keep them empty until you need them. This is especially convenient if you know there will be water, sand, or gravel at your event location. Use buckets with handles for the convenience of having somewhere to easily tie rope for attaching the weights to your tent. Fill your buckets with the amount of filler needed. Public events with tents, such as arts festivals, often have a weight requirement for each tent leg. The highest requirement is usually around 40 pounds (18 kg) per leg. You'll need a different amount of filler depending on which filler you'd like to use. To use water as your filler, fill your buckets all the way full to get 40 pounds (18 kg) in each one. For sand, you'll need 3.2 gallons (12 L). Fill your buckets about 2/3 full of sand to get this. A full 5 US gal (19 L) bucket of gravel easily weighs 75 pounds (34 kg), so you'll only need a little over half a bucket full of gravel to use that option. Fill buckets with concrete for permanent weights. Some people prefer to make bucket weights with concrete. Mix dry cement with water according to the cement bag's package directions, and fill the buckets half full with concrete. These of course will not be able to be emptied when you're finished with them, but they can serve as permanently available weights for whenever you need them. Attach a bungee cord or rope to the handle of each bucket. Clip a bungee cord, or tie a sturdy knot with rope, to each of your bucket handles. If you're using rope, it will need to be long enough to reach the top frame of your canopy with a knot tied there. A bungee cord will need to be able to stretch that far as well. Connect the other end of cord or rope to your tent frame. Connect your rope or cord to the corner of your tent frame near the leg so that the bucket hangs close to, or on, the ground. If the bucket is hanging at all, use another piece of rope or bungee cord to attach it to the tent leg. This will prevent it from swinging and spilling, or becoming a tripping hazard to people walking by. Try putting a lid on the bucket if you have one for it. If you used water as your filler, keep the bucket on the ground while attaching it, or fill it at the spot of your tent, to avoid spilling too much of the water. Buy PVC pipe and other supplies at a hardware store. For this option you'll need 8 4 inches (10 cm) diameter PVC caps, a power drill, eye protection, gloves, 16 each of nuts, bolts and washers in ⁄ 8 inch (1.6 cm) size, and 4 eyebolts that are ⁄ 8 inch (1.6 cm) in size. You'll also need 4 pieces of 36 inches (91 cm) PVC pipe, some PVC primer and glue, at least 50 pounds (23 kg) of fast-drying cement, water, a container for mixing cement, and rope or bungee cord. When finished, these weights will weigh about 40 pounds (18 kg) each. You also have the option of making smaller weights, using shorter 2 feet (61 cm) pieces of 3 inches (7.6 cm) diameter pipe. Some people like to make 8 smaller weights of about 20 pounds (9.1 kg) each to make them easier to transport. Drill holes into 4 of your PVC pipe caps. Make a mark using permanent marker in the center of your pipe caps. Using a ⁄ 8 inch (1.6 cm) drill bit in your power drill, drill a hole into the center of 4 of the caps. Always use eye protection and gloves when operating power tools. Attach 5⁄8 inch (1.6 cm) eyebolts to the caps with nuts and bolts. Insert 1 eyebolt into each hole that you drilled. Twist a ⁄ 8 inch (1.6 cm) nut onto the eyebolt on either side of the cap to sandwich your eyebolt in, place a washer on the inside end, and then twist a bolt on that end to secure it. Glue the caps with eyebolts onto the PVC pipes. Most PVC glues have a brush inside the cannister, and require you to use a purple primer liquid, sold near the glue itself, before brushing on the glue. Follow all instructions on the PVC glue as you brush the glue on and attach caps to what will be the tops of each of your pipes. Allow your glue to dry for the length of time determined by the glue instructions. Mix some concrete and fill each pipe. Use a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket to mix your dry cement with water according to your cement package directions. Keep in mind that the cement starts to set quickly, so you'll need to work quickly. When each pipe is full, stand it against a wall on the eyebolt to let the concrete dry. This step can benefit from the help of a friend. When the concrete is mixed, 1 person can fill the pipes with a small trowel while the other person holds the pipe upright and occasionally taps it on the ground to make sure the concrete is moving toward the bottom. Consider mixing your cement in 2 separate batches, so that you aren't as rushed to use up all the cement at once before it starts setting. Drill a small hole in each of the bottom caps. The caps for the bottoms of your pipes will need a small hole in them to allow air to escape when gluing the caps on. Wearing eye protection and gloves, use a small drill bit to drill a hole into these plain caps. Allow the concrete to dry and glue a cap bottom on each end. Allow the concrete inside your pipes to dry completely for a few hours. Take the unattached cap bottoms and your PVC glue and primer, and glue these caps to the bottoms of your pipes. Allow them to dry according to the glue instructions. Your weights are now complete. Hang onto them until you need them for your assembled tent. Connect each weight to your tent frame with bungee cord or rope. To attach your weights to your assembled tent, clip a bungee cord or tie a rope around the eyebolts. Take the other end and clip or tie it to the tent frame at the top corner near the leg of your tent, giving enough length to the cord or rope so that the weight hangs near or on the ground. Do this to all 4 corners of your tent. Some people also like to tie the weights to the legs down near the ground with rope or Velcro strips, so that they don't swing around or become a tripping hazard.
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Buy tent weight bags for an easy option. Try cinder blocks as tent weights. Use exercise weights to cut costs. Take 4-8 5 US gal (19 L) buckets to where you’re setting up your tent. Fill your buckets with the amount of filler needed. Fill buckets with concrete for permanent weights. Attach a bungee cord or rope to the handle of each bucket. Connect the other end of cord or rope to your tent frame. Buy PVC pipe and other supplies at a hardware store. Drill holes into 4 of your PVC pipe caps. Attach 5⁄8 inch (1.6 cm) eyebolts to the caps with nuts and bolts. Glue the caps with eyebolts onto the PVC pipes. Mix some concrete and fill each pipe. Drill a small hole in each of the bottom caps. Allow the concrete to dry and glue a cap bottom on each end. Connect each weight to your tent frame with bungee cord or rope.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Inauguration-Tickets
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How to Get Inauguration Tickets
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To get tickets to the Presidential Inauguration, first determine which event you wish to attend. For the Swearing In Ceremony, request tickets from your member of Congress via their official website or office contact information. For the Inaugural Parade, purchase bleacher seats along the parade route or watch it for free from the street. For the Inaugural Ball, sign up for the Inaugural Ball Tickets newsletter and purchase tickets as soon as they are available.
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Find your representative to request tickets. You can only get tickets to the inauguration to your congressional representative or senator. You need to find what member of Congress represents your district or contact one of the senators in your state. How you contact your senator will vary by state. You can find a list online from the US government's website where you type in your zip code to find the representative of your district. You can also find one of the senators for your state to contact to get tickets. Once you have found the correct people to contact, try going to website to see how they prefer to be contacted. Some may have a phone number while others will prefer email. Figure out how to request tickets. Different senators and congressmen and women will have different ways to request tickets. You may simply call in or request or request them through a website. Some senators and congresspeople have outlets on their websites where you can request tickets. You usually have to prove you reside in their state or district while making the request. Make sure you know where to pick up your tickets. You may be able to pick them up at your senator or congressperson's local office. However, in some cases, you have to wait until you arrive in Washington D.C. to pick up your tickets. Do not trust places to offer to sell tickets. Tickets for the inauguration are free. The only want to get one is through a senator or congressperson. No one should be selling you tickets to the inauguration. In some cases, however, individuals who got tickets in advance and can't make the inauguration, or choose not to go, sell their tickets. If you can find an individual selling their tickets, ask them for specifics of how they obtained their tickets. You want to make sure the tickets were obtained legally so they will be valid when you attend the inauguration. Find a place to stay. Once you've obtained your tickets, make travel arrangements quickly. Unless you live in Washington D.C., you will have to find somewhere to stay in the city. Places will book up fast, so act quickly. While D.C. can be expensive, there are affordable hotels. You may have to stay somewhat far away from the White House, but D.C. has lots of public transportation. Just make sure to check transportation routes ahead of time when booking a hotel. Some metro and bus routes may be different during the inauguration. An AirBnB can be a great, affordable option for the inauguration. Many local residents of D.C. may want to escape the commotion of the inauguration and be willing to provide AirBnB services. See if you can stay outside D.C. If you can't find anything in your price range in the city, look outside the city. There are many affordable hotels found just outside the city. Metro and bus lines in D.C. can easily transport you to the city for the inauguration. Make sure to check that metro lines and bus routes are still running as usual around the inauguration before booking anything outside the city. Watch the inauguration for free if you can't get tickets. While getting tickets provides a better view, you can watch the inauguration through large television screens at the National Mall. While it's not the same as watching the inauguration in person, you can share the excitement with other Americans. Unfortunately, there are only so many tickets to the inauguration. Even if you act quickly, you may be unable to obtain a ticket. Pay for ticketed viewing. You can watch the parade for free. However, it tends to get very crowded. Ticketed viewing will allows you access to bleachers along the parade route. You can purchase these online through the Presidential Inauguration Committee. Prices vary by year, but in 2013 tickets cost $44 per person. You could order up to six tickets. Watch the parade for free. You do not need to buy tickets to watch the parade. If you don't mind standing and crowds, you can simply line up on the streets. Public entrance to the parade opens at 6:30 AM and it will close as the parade fills up. To make sure you get a seat, get to the parade early. Make sure to enter the parade through a security checkpoint. You cannot just enter the parade. There will be various security checkpoints along the parade route. You will need to go through security to see the parade. You can find checkpoints at the following locations: 2nd Street NW and C Street NW John Marshall Park at C Street NW Indiana Avenue NW between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW 7th Street NW and D Street NW 10th Street NW and E Street NW 12th Street NW and E Street NW 13th Street NW and E Street NW 14th Street NW and E Street NW 12th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW 10th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW 7th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW Constitution Avenue NW between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW Avoid standing around the White House during the parade. If you're attending the parade for free, avoid the White House. Most seating near the White House is bleacher seating, which you must pay for. Sign up for newsletter updates for inaugural tickets. Tickets to the inaugural ball go on sale different times each year. The only way to know when they're ready for purchase is to subscribe to the newsletter. You can do that by visiting the Inaugural Ball Tickets website. See if you can purchase tickets when prices are released. Pricing for tickets varies by year. There is no way of knowing how much tickets will cost until prices are released. At the last election, tickets were around $60. Wait until prices are released to see if you can afford tickets. Try attending an unofficial ball. If tickets are not in your price range, or if they sell out, there are many unofficial balls held around D.C. by various organizations. Look into attending a ball at a local establishment. You can dress up and celebrate the inauguration, even if you're not attending an official ball.
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Find your representative to request tickets. Figure out how to request tickets. Do not trust places to offer to sell tickets. Find a place to stay. See if you can stay outside D.C. Watch the inauguration for free if you can't get tickets. Pay for ticketed viewing. Watch the parade for free. Make sure to enter the parade through a security checkpoint. Avoid standing around the White House during the parade. Sign up for newsletter updates for inaugural tickets. See if you can purchase tickets when prices are released. Try attending an unofficial ball.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-if-a-Hair-Product-is-Curly-Girl-Approved
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How to Determine if a Hair Product is Curly Girl Approved
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To figure out if a hair product is approved under the Curly Girl method, the first thing you'll want to do is check out the ingredients list. Avoid products with sulfates in them, since they can strip natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry and damaged. If a product doesn't have sulfates, it should say "sulfate-free" right on the label. You should also watch out for silicone ingredients that aren't water soluble, since they build up in your hair over time. These ingredients usually end in "xane," "cone," "conol," or "col." Alcohol can dry out your hair too, so you'll want to avoid products that list it as an ingredient. However, some alcohols are actually hydrating, like cetyl alcohol and lauryl alcohol, so look up the type of alcohol listed online if you're not sure.
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Navigate to a webpage that features a Curly Girl ingredient analyzer. Many websites have a place where you can enter the product's ingredients to determine if they're Curly Girl approved. For instance, visit one of the websites at http://www.isitcg.com/ or https://www.curlsbot.com/. Type in the ingredients from the product. Look on the back of the product for the ingredient list. Add ingredients to the box on the website, making sure to separate each one with a comma or a comma and a space. Be sure to spell the ingredients correctly; if you misspell something, the website may sort it into the wrong category because it doesn't recognize it. Hit "Submit" and look at the results. Once you hit "Submit," you'll be redirected to a second page with your results. The website http://www.isitcg.com/ divides ingredients into "Not CG Approved" and "Probably OK," for instance. If any of the ingredients fall into "Not CG Approved," then you want to avoid that product if you're using CG Approved ones. "Probably OK" means that the ingredients didn't directly match ones on the "bad" list or they're on the CG Approved list. Skip products with sulfates in them. Surfactants dissolve in water and reduce the surface tension on your hair, which helps the product remove dirt from the area. That sounds good, but some surfactants, like sulfates, can also be damaging to your hair, as they strip it of its natural oils. When using the Curly Girl method, avoid products with these ingredients. Look for products that are labeled "sulfate-free" to help you choose the best option for your hair. In addition, read the ingredient list to look for sulfates. Even if a product is labeled "sulfate-free," it may still contain sulfate ingredients. That's because the manufacturer is typically referring to more damaging sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Go over the ingredient list carefully to find sulfate ingredients before deciding if a product is Curly Girl approved. Common sulfates include alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium or sodium xylenesulfonate, and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate. Look for words or endings like "sulfate," "sulfoacetate," "sulfonate," and "sulfouccinate." Avoid products with silicone ingredients that aren't water soluble. These products tend to build up on your hair over time because they coat your hair to give it shine. They keep moisture from getting into your hair, and to get them out, you need harsh products that contain sulfates. Therefore, it's best to avoid them. Read the ingredient list to find ones with endings like "-xane," "-cone," "-col," and "-conol" so that you can avoid products that contain them. Common ingredients that fall into this category include dimethiconol, cetyl dimethicone, dimethicone, cetearyl methicone, and stearyl dimethicone. Use the same rues when buying styling products. Don't use products with proteins if you're still having hair problems. Sometimes, proteins can make your hair dry and brittle. You're more susceptible to this issue if your hair is coarse, so if you're having this problem, check the ingredient list for proteins. Look for things like soy proteins, wheat proteins, amino acids, collagen, and keratin. Opt for better surfactants in place of sulfates. You still need surfactants sometimes, but you have better options available to you than sulfates. These include ingredients like coco betaine and lauroamphoacetate, just to name a few. Other options include sodium cocoyl isethionate, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium cocoamphodiacetate or cocoamphodipropionate or cocamphodipropionate, or ocoamphoacetate. Choose products with water-soluble silicones. These silicones are okay to use on curly hair, as they won't build up over time; you can use water to wash them out. Pick ones like hydrolyzed wheat protein hydroxypropyl polysiloxane, dimethicone copolyol, or lauryl methicone copolyol. Also look for silicone names that have "PPG" or "PEG" in front of them. That indicates they're water-soluble. Silicones are used to help detangle your hair, as well as to add shine. Look for other ingredients that replace silicones. If you want to avoid silicones altogether, other ingredients can help with lubrication, too. These ingredients aren't silicone-based. Certain types of chlorides can help, for instance. Try behentrimonium methosulfate, distearyldimonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, polyquaternium 55, cetrimonium bromide, or dicetyldimonium chloride. Opt for hydrating alcohols over drying ones. Most alcohols are drying, so if you see them on the ingredient list, you may want to avoid that product. Exceptions to this rule are hydrating alcohols, which include cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol. Hydrating oils will help you tame your curly hair.
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Navigate to a webpage that features a Curly Girl ingredient analyzer. Type in the ingredients from the product. Hit "Submit" and look at the results. Skip products with sulfates in them. Avoid products with silicone ingredients that aren't water soluble. Don't use products with proteins if you're still having hair problems. Opt for better surfactants in place of sulfates. Choose products with water-soluble silicones. Look for other ingredients that replace silicones. Opt for hydrating alcohols over drying ones.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Shaving-Cream
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How to Make Your Own Shaving Cream
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To make your own shaving cream, just mix together 1 cup of oil, like coconut oil or olive oil, and a 1/3 cup of moisturizer, like aloe vera gel or honey. If you want to make a sudsy shaving cream, start by melting shea butter and coconut oil in a saucepan. Then, pour the mixture into a blender with aloe vera, baking soda, and liquid castile soap and blend everything for several minutes. Finally, add 10 drops of essential oil and transfer the mixture to a container for storage.
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Gather your ingredients. This shaving cream is made from natural oils that blend to create a smooth, nourishing shaving cream. Your razor will glide easily across your skin if you use this rich formula. You'll need the following ingredients: 2/3 cup shea or cocoa butter 2/3 cup coconut oil 1/2 cup olive oil 10 drops essential oil of your choice 2 tablespoons baking soda Jar with a lid Melt the shea butter and coconut oil. Both shea butter and coconut oil are solid at room temperature, so it's necessary to melt them in order to blend them properly. Measure out 2/3 cup shea butter and 2/3 cup coconut oil. Place the ingredients in a small saucepan. Melt them over low heat, stirring occasionally until they liquify, then remove the pan from heat. If you're using coconut butter in place of shea butter, melt it with the coconut oil. Don't let the ingredients come to a boil; use just enough heat to help them liquify. Boiling the oils will change their texture. Stir in the olive oil. Use a spoon or whisk to incorporate the olive oil with the melted shea butter and coconut oil. Add ten drops of essential oil. Certain essential oils are good for the skin in addition to having fresh scent. Customize your shaving cream to create the perfect scent for you. You can combine essential oils to give the cream even more depth. For strongly scented essential oil, use up to 20 drops. Lavender, rose, grapefruit, fir, ginger, vetiver, and peppermint essential oils all make wonderful additions to shaving cream. If you're sensitive to strong smells, add just five drops of oil or leave it out altogether. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator. Pour it into a mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for an hour or two, until the mixture is thoroughly chilled. The oils will slightly solidify, and the mixture should look pale yellow and waxy at this stage. Mix in the baking soda. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator, take off the plastic wrap and pour in two tablespoons of baking soda. Using an electric mixer or a hand whisk, beat the mixture until it becomes light, fluffy and creamy. Spoon it into a storage container. A glass mason jar makes a great container for homemade shaving cream. You can use any container you'd like, as long as it has a lid. When you're ready to use it, just slather on a scoop of shaving cream wherever you need it. Store leftover cream in a dark cabinet out of direct sunlight and heat. Homemade shaving cream will keep for a month or two. If you want to preserve it for longer, try mixing in the contents of one vitamin E capsule; this acts as a natural preservative. Gather your ingredients. This blend contains castile soap, so the shaving cream has a nice foamy lather when you apply it to wet skin. If you like a sudsier cream to use on your face, legs or underarms, this homemade recipe is for you. Here's what you'll need: 1/4 cup coconut oil 2 tablespoons shea or cocoa butter 1/4 cup aloe vera gel 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 cup liquid castile soap 10 drops essential oil of your choice Empty liquid soap dispenser (preferably a foaming dispenser) Melt the shea butter and coconut oil. Both shea butter and coconut oil are solid at room temperature, so it's necessary to melt them in order to blend them properly. Measure out 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) shea butter (or cocoa butter) and 1/4 cup coconut oil. Place the ingredients in a small saucepan. Melt them over low heat, stirring occasionally until they liquify, then remove the pan from heat. Blend with the aloe vera, baking soda and liquid castile soap. Pour all the ingredients together into a blender. Blend on high for several minutes to fully mix the ingredients together; this will prevent the oil and soap from separating later. The resulting liquid should have the texture of thick liquid soap. Add ten drops of essential oil. Some castile soap comes with a scent, so you can skip this step if your shaving cream already has an aroma. If you want to add your own essential oils, stir in 10 drops of your favorite oil or blend. You can add up to 20 drops of essential oil if you like a stronger scent. Try one of these mixtures: rose and vetiver; sandalwood and orange; fir and mint. Pour the mixture into the liquid soap dispenser. Your shaving cream is now ready to use; just pump some out as you need it. It will foam as you apply it to your face. If the mixture separates in the container, shake well to recombine the oils and soap. Choose your ingredients. The point of using shaving cream is to provide a smooth surface that allows your razor to glide easily over your skin and cut through your hair without snagging. You can achieve these results without using a fancy cream; all you really need are oil and a moisturizer. Here's what to get: 1 cup oil, such as melted coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil 1/3 cup moisturizer, such as aloe vera gel, honey or rosewater Blend the ingredients in a blender. Pour the oil and moisturizer into a blender and blend on high for a few minutes to thoroughly mix your two-ingredient cream. The resulting mixture should be loose and creamy. Add extra ingredients if you'd like. While you might love the idea of using just two easy ingredients, it's fine to make a few additions if you want to customize your shaving cream. Try any or all of the following: Up to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil One tablespoon baking soda, if you like a thicker cream The contents of one vitamin E capsule, to help preserve the shaving cream Store your shaving cream in a squeeze bottle. This will keep it fresh and make it easy to dispense exactly as much as you need for each shave. This two-ingredient shaving cream should be stored in a cool, dark place so the oil doesn't spoil.
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Gather your ingredients. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil. Stir in the olive oil. Add ten drops of essential oil. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator. Mix in the baking soda. Spoon it into a storage container. Gather your ingredients. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil. Blend with the aloe vera, baking soda and liquid castile soap. Add ten drops of essential oil. Pour the mixture into the liquid soap dispenser. Choose your ingredients. Blend the ingredients in a blender. Add extra ingredients if you'd like. Store your shaving cream in a squeeze bottle.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Static-from-Polyester-Clothes
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How to Remove Static from Polyester Clothes
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There are a few ways you can remove static from your polyester clothes and spare yourself a shock. If you're washing your polyester clothes, put some fabric softener, a dryer sheet, or dryer balls in the machine with them to counteract any static. Otherwise, try spraying your clothes with a little hairspray. Or, rub them with a dryer sheet, a wire clothes hanger, or your damp hands to discharge the static. To protect yourself during the day, clip a safety pin to the hem of your clothes, which will act as a grounding device and neutralize the static energy.
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Pour fabric softener to the wash. Polyester clothes can typically be washed at home in warm water unless otherwise specified on the tag. Next time you are washing your polyester garments, add a capful of your favorite fabric softener to help reduce the build-up of static. The fabric softeners are positively charged, so they will bond with the negative charge found in the polyester clothes, which helps balance and neutralize static buildup. Use a dryer sheet. The friction created when garments rub together in a dry environment, like a tumble dryer, can cause electrical charges to cling to the fabric, which creates static electricity. To help minimize static, add a couple of dryer sheets to your tumble dryer. As the sheets heat up, they release and oil that then lightly coats the polyester clothing. This lubrication helps minimize the amount of friction, which reduces static cling. Be sure to dry polyester garments at a low temperature. Add a few dryer balls. When added to the dryer, wool dryer balls can help clothes dry more quickly and help reduce static cling by preventing the clothes from sticking together. As they move around, the balls help separate the clothing and expose them to the dry air. This separation also reduces friction, thereby minimizing static. Dryer balls aren't as effective if they are added to a large load of clothes. Make sure you only add them to small and medium loads so they have room to move around. Add three large dryer balls per load. If you don't have a dryer ball, add a tennis ball or two to your tumble dryer to get the same effect. Hang your clothes to dry. Skip the dryer all together and air dry your polyester clothes to prevent the buildup of static electricity. Allowing polyester clothing to air dry won't damage the garments, so clip the garments on a clothes line to dry in the sun, or drape the clothes over a drying rack indoors. Spray aerosol hairspray onto your garment. If your polyester garment is holding a static charge, turn the garment inside out. Grab a can of aerosol hairspray and hold it about eight inches away from the polyester garment. Spray the hairspray onto the garment to alleviate the static cling. This helps reintroduce moisture in the fabric, which can help break up static charge. Moisturize with lotion before wearing a polyester garment. Dry skin carries a positive charge and polyester carries a negative charge. As your skin rubs against the polyester garment, it creates static electricity. This is common in the winter when skin tends to be drier. Alleviate the charge by moisturizing before getting dressed. Rub a dryer sheet over your clothes. Dryer sheets are great for eliminating static in the tumble dryer, but they can also be used to remove static after the clothes have already dried. Grab a dryer sheet and glide it over the polyester garment to remove some of the static cling. Clip a safety pin along the hem of your polyester clothes. If you are at the office and your polyester garments are clinging to you, use a safety pin to remove the static buildup. Clip a safety pin inside the lining of your garment along the hem or a seam so you do not damage the clothing. The metal in the pin will act as a grounding device, which neutralizes the static charge in your clothes. Rub a wire hanger over your clothing. If you have a wire coat hanger, you can use that to remove static cling. Simply rub the wire hanger over the affected area to break the charge. Like the safety pin, the metal hanger neutralizes the buildup of electrical ions on your clothing, removing the static cling. If you notice your garment as a buildup of static before putting it on, run a wire hanger over it to remove the charge. Use water to remove static. Lightly dampen a washcloth or your hands with water. Glide the washcloth or your damp hands over the garment. The water will neutralize the static charge and remove the cling. Plus, because polyester dries quickly, you won't have damp clothes for too long. Touch grounded metal. If you are out and about and your polyester garment has a static cling, look for a metal pole, pipe, or lamppost that you can safely reach. Simply hold onto the metal pole. The metal will help remove the static charge from your clothing. Run a humidifier in your home. A humid environment can help reduce static cling and static shocks. A static charge can be dispelled more quickly when there are more water particles in the air to break it up. Buy a humidifier from your local pharmacy or department store to help eliminate static cling in your polyester garments.
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Pour fabric softener to the wash. Use a dryer sheet. Add a few dryer balls. Hang your clothes to dry. Spray aerosol hairspray onto your garment. Moisturize with lotion before wearing a polyester garment. Rub a dryer sheet over your clothes. Clip a safety pin along the hem of your polyester clothes. Rub a wire hanger over your clothing. Use water to remove static. Touch grounded metal. Run a humidifier in your home.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Guy-at-Work-to-Like-You
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How to Get a Guy at Work to Like You
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Getting a guy at work to like you can have negative consequences, like disapproval from your boss or coworkers, so make sure you're ready to deal with that kind of pressure. If you are, start by flirting with him in subtle ways, like holding his gaze for a few seconds and smiling. You should also compliment him, since everyone likes a bit of flattery. Try to focus on his personality or skills rather than his looks, which will make him feel valued as a person. If he seems receptive to your flirting, don't be afraid to be direct about your feelings. However, if saying something like “Want to get a drink with me?” seems too direct, try a softer approach with something like “I'd love to hang out sometime.”
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Make eye contact. Eye contact is fundamental to flirting and attraction. The eyes truly are the windows to the soul, so let him see yours. If you can't look him in the eye, he'll probably assume that you're not interested in getting to know him. Though some eye contact is good, don't hold his gaze for too long. There's a fine line between looking and staring. Generally, women show they're attracted by lifting their eyebrows, making eye contact, tilting their heads down and to one side, and then looking away. Smile. This is possibly the easiest way to let a guy know you like him. When you smile at a guy, you appear open and friendly. That lets him know you're approachable, and someone he can be himself with. The best smile is a genuine smile. People can read when a smile is fake, so just be natural! If you've got great teeth or cute dimples, smiling helps show them off. Touch him. This isn't always appropriate in the workplace, so be careful with this step. Some types of touch are commonplace in any environment, but some would feel uncomfortable in a workplace. There are three levels of flirtatious touch. A friendly touch happens in almost all working environments and can be a simple handshake or tap on the shoulder. "Plausible deniability touch" is more personal and includes putting an arm around someone's shoulder or giving them a hug. It could seem out of place in a fast-paced kitchen, but could come off as caring after a difficult office meeting. Touching someone's face is considered “going nuclear” in terms of touch. There are few work situations in which you'd likely touch a coworker's face. However, if he has an eyelash on his cheek, that could be a perfect opportunity to gently and flirtatiously remove it for him. Compliment him. Everyone likes a little flattery now an then. Point out something you like or appreciate about him. It's best not to only focus on his appearance, though. Think of things he did that you thought were cool, or an accomplishment he's proud of. Let him know you're always happy to see him. His personality makes the long days much more fun. Compliment something he did well, such as giving aa great presentation or paying attention to detail. This will show you've been noticing him. Be direct. Studies have shown that women are the most successful at flirting when they're direct. If you're not getting any response from your crush, it may be that he simply isn't getting the message, and you need to be more obvious. Being direct has its limits. If you feel you're sending all the right cues and not getting anything back, he may be trying to politely let you know he's not interested. If you fear this may be the case, just continue to be your usual charming self, and see if he is inspired to make a move himself. You can be direct without being demanding. Say, "I'd love to get together sometime," instead of, "Will you get a drink with me?" Flirt digitally. Flirting via phone or social media can be either more discreet or more public, depending on how you do it. If you send a flirty text here or there, chances are no one else will find out. But nosy coworkers will notice if you've liked every one of his Facebook pictures. Always be extra careful when flirting digitally. For example, did you click “reply” or “reply all”? Avoid anything that's inappropriate for work. It's okay to ask him out out for cocktails after a long work day. Sending suggestive pictures is not. Look your best. There's no one way to look great. Every woman has a different style, and every man has different tastes. Looking your best isn't just about what he'll think, it's about wearing something that makes you feel confident. When you feel good about yourself, you automatically look more attractive to people. If you have to wear business attire to work, choose outfits that you feel great in. Wear that skirt suit that you know shows off your best features. If your job requires that you wear a uniform, make sure it fits you well and is clean. And pay extra attention to the aspects of your appearance that you can personalize-- like your hair, nails, makeup, and jewelry. If your clothes get dirty due to your work environment, choose clothing and hairstyles that make you feel confident and good about yourself. Practice good grooming and hygiene. Good looks aren't always enough to get the guy. In fact, poor hygiene can be a major turn-off. Take at least one shower per day, and brush your teeth at least twice per day. Wear deodorant and clean clothes. For some guys, good hygiene is more important than looks. Take good care of yourself first; the good looks will come naturally after that. People who take good care of themselves are attractive, because it shows that they take pride in their appearance. Get enough sleep. A good night's rest will not only ensure that you're alert and functional, but it'll also help you look and feel your best. If you don't get enough rest, you'll be groggy and not on your A-game when it comes to flirting. How much sleep you need will mostly come down to your personal needs. Most people need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Signs of not getting enough rest include undereye shadows and undereye bags. If you get your rest though, these should go away! Smell good. Smell is the sense that is most closely tied to our memories. It's also linked to attraction. If your crush begins to associate you with a pleasant scent, you'll have that extra biological mechanism on your side. This doesn't mean that you should load up on the perfume. In fact, soap and deodorant can get you a long way. If you choose to wear perfume, pay attention to his reactions. If he leans in, it's good. If he leans back or wrinkles his nose, it's not good. Appear independent and confident. This is sometimes called playing "hard to get." What it really means is that you show him that you've got a lot going on and aren't dependent on a man to make you feel fulfilled. Show that you know how to led an interesting life. You could say, "Have you ever been kayaking before? I'm going this weekend and am wondering what to pack." Be comfortable eating lunch by yourself or with one or two friends. This shows that you value time alone and with people you care about. Show your fun side. If he only sees you at work, he may not know about the other sides of your personality. Make it clear that you're not strictly business-- in or out of the workplace. Do something fun or silly at work. Maybe organize workplace Secret Santas for the holidays, or bring in a goofy wall calendar for the break room. Invite your coworkers to do something fun after work. This will let him to see how you act around other people in a fun environment. Invite him to do something different. This shows that you know how to have a great time, and can provide him with excitement. It's easy to invite someone out for a drink or dinner, but the most memorable people are the ones who invite us to do something we've never done before. Don't get discouraged if he turns you down. You can simply say, "Well, if you'd ever like to go in the future, let me know. I'd really enjoy that." This keeps the door open and puts the ball in his court. Make it something you're excited about. If you're afraid of heights, don't invite him to go ziplining just because it sounds cool. Wear something you couldn’t wear to work. If you're having lunch or hanging out right after work, you won't be able to completely change your clothes. But you can make small, flirty changes. If you're getting together on a day off, be sure to let your personal style shine, since you don't have to dress for work. If you're going straight from work, consider letting your hair down after having it up all day. If you're taking your lunch together, you could leave the jacket of your skirt suit at the office to show a less formal side of yourself. It's okay to change your clothes between work and happy hour. If your clothes are dirty after a day of work, it makes sense to change before going out. Check in outside of work. If you've talked during the day, you can remind him of your connection by sending a short text or e-mail. Try to keep the conversation not focused on work, but instead on something you connected over. If he mentioned a band he likes, send a text that says, "Hey! I downloaded that album you mentioned. Thanks for the awesome recommendation." Keep it brief. Even if he likes you, he may not want to be reminded of his workplace once he's done for the day. Don't expect long texts or e-mails. Get the approval of his friends. Make efforts to be friendly with the people you know he hangs out with. They don't need to know your intentions, but if they like you, they're more likely to support a budding romance between you. If he's friends with some of your coworkers, this one can be easy. Remember, people tend to value their friends' opinions, especially when it comes to relationships. Keep it respectful and give him space. Let him decide if he wants to have lunch near you, rather than always rushing to eat near him. If he works in another department, don't spend too much time there or he might feel that you're being intrusive. You can send plenty of signals that you're interested without crossing his boundaries. Remember, no one wants to feel like they're being sexually harassed at work. If they feel harassed, this could land you in trouble! Know your company policy. Some workplaces actually prohibit employees from becoming romantically involved. Others have strict policies about the kind of communication that is allowable while on the clock. Don't do anything to jeopardize either of your jobs. If it has to wait until after work, let it. Check the employee handbook. If you didn't get a copy, there might be one in the breakroom or office. It could also be available digitally. Prepare for gossip. This can be the hardest part, but it's almost bound to happen. No matter how subtle you both are, people are sure to notice what's going on. Workplace gossip helps relieve the boredom of routine, so expect questions and rumors. Gossip can work in your favor. If your crush wasn't sure of your intentions, hearing a rumor might help him get the full picture. Decide whether you want to dismiss rumors or be honest about your feelings. This can help you or backfire, so choose wisely. Remember that the things you tell someone in confidence will likely make their way around the office eventually. Know that your motives might be questioned. It's very common for people to see workplace flirting as a way to get ahead in the company. First, you need to be honest with yourself that this is not what's going on. Then let anyone who asks know that you would never engage in flirting simply to advance your career. This may not happen every time, but it is more likely if the guy has a higher position than you. Stick to one guy at a time. With online dating apps, you can easily flirt with (and date) multiple guys at once, and no one has to know. At work, things are quite different. Even if your crush doesn't realize that you've also been flirting with the guy in the mailroom, someone else will. And you can be sure it'll get back to him. Seeing or hearing that you were flirting with another guy might make it seem like you aren't that serious or interested. Not all guys get motivated by jealousy or competition. If he sees you with another guy, he may move on, especially if he had feelings for you.
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Make eye contact. Smile. Touch him. Compliment him. Be direct. Flirt digitally. Look your best. Practice good grooming and hygiene. Get enough sleep. Smell good. Appear independent and confident. Show your fun side. Invite him to do something different. Wear something you couldn’t wear to work. Check in outside of work. Get the approval of his friends. Keep it respectful and give him space. Know your company policy. Prepare for gossip. Know that your motives might be questioned. Stick to one guy at a time.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Lash-Boost
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How to Apply Lash Boost
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To apply Lash Boost, start by washing and drying your eyes thoroughly before bed. Next, dip the wand into the tube of serum and wipe off any excess. Then, holding the wand parallel to your eye, draw the tip from the inner corner of your lashes all the way to the outside. Dip the wand again, wipe off the excess, and follow the same process to apply the serum to your other eye. Allow the Lash Boost serum to dry for at least 90 seconds before you go to bed or apply any other face products.
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Apply Lash Boost every night before bed. Applying Lash Boost at night will allow the product to soak into your lashes while you sleep. Keep in mind that it takes about 8 weeks for most people to achieve their desired results and you have to use it regularly. Once you see results, continue applying Lash Boost to maintain the appearance of your lashes. R+F doesn't recommend that you use Lash Boost in the morning. However, if you do choose to apply it early in the day, only apply a small amount of the product and let it dry completely before you put on any makeup or other beauty products. Wash and dry your eye area. Before you apply Lash Boost, take off all of your makeup and wash your face with your regular facial cleanser. When you're finished, use a soft towel to gently blot your eyelids and lashes until they're completely dry. Any water left on your eyes might cause the product to run. Wipe any excess product off of the wand. Remove the Lash Boost wand from the serum, then wipe both sides of the wand against the side of the container to make sure there's only a little Lash Boost liquid on the brush. Do not apply a thick layer of Lash Boost on your eyes. It's very important not to apply too much of the Lash Boost at once, as it could run into your eyes and tear ducts, causing irritation. This will also help you conserve the product. At around $150 USD a tube, you won't want to waste any of the Lash Boost serum. Draw the tip of the wand along your upper eyelid. Close your eye and hold the wand so it's parallel to your lash line. Place the wand against the top of your lash line in the inner corner of your eyelid, then slowly and gently slide the wand all the way to the outer corner of your eye. Do not apply the Lash Boost to your lower lashes, as it could cause irritation. It will transfer to them naturally when you blink. If you have very round eyes, consider applying the Lash Boost to just the outer third of your eyelashes to create a flattering effect. Dip the wand again and apply the serum to the other eye. To ensure you get an even application of product on each eye, dip the wand into the serum again. Then, wipe away the excess and apply Lash Boost to your second eye. Wait 90 seconds for the product to dry. If you're only using the recommended amount of Lash Boost, it should only take about 90 seconds to dry. Make sure you wait at least this long before you go to bed or apply any other products to your face, or you might accidentally wipe away the Lash Boost. Once you've applied Lash Boost, avoid applying eye cream or other products around your eyelids and eyelashes. Talk to your doctor before using if you're pregnant or have major health concerns. Although the ingredients in Lash Boost aren't known to be harmful, it's always best to talk to your doctor before you try a new product if you're expecting a baby. You also should consult your physician if you're currently in treatment for cancer, if you're being treated for an eye condition, or if you regularly get dry eyes or styes. Do a patch test before using Lash Boost, especially if you have sensitive skin. Apply a small amount of Lash Boost to an inconspicuous area, like behind your ear. Wait about an hour to see if your skin reacts to the product. If you notice any redness or irritation, you probably shouldn't apply Lash Boost to your eyes. It's always a good idea to test out a new product to make sure you won't have a reaction, especially if you're prone to skin irritation. Do not use too much product. When you find a product you're excited about, it can be tempting to want to use more of it to get faster results. However, if you apply too much Lash Boost to your upper lashes, the serum might seep down into your tear glands and eyes, causing irritation and sensitivity. Your eyelids should not feel wet when you apply the product. Rinse your eyes with cool water if the product gets in them. Lash Boost is made to go on your eyelids in a very thin layer, reducing the risk that the product will get into your eyes. If you do get Lash Boost directly into your eyes, flush them with cold or cool water for about 5 minutes. Don’t put Lash Boost on your lower lashes or the outer crease of your eye. If you look in the mirror and smile, you may notice a small crinkling near the outside corner of your eye. Avoid getting Lash Boost into this crease, as the serum could travel along the fine lines there, ending up in your eyes. Similarly, do not apply Lash Boost to your lower lashes, as it could easily get into your eyes when you blink. Some of the Lash Boost from your upper lashes will get onto your lower lashes, so you should notice a change in them over time, as well. Stop using Lash Boost if you experience eye irritation or other problems. Although it's uncommon, some people may experience pain, burning, swelling, or bumps or flaky patches forming on their eyelids after using Lash Boost. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using Lash Boost right away. Also, discontinue the product if your eyelashes start growing in unevenly, or if you notice your eyelids or iris darkening. If the symptoms are severe, call your doctor right away. Sometimes, irritation may occur if you're not applying the product correctly. If you'd like, you can try using less product to see if that makes a difference. However, if the symptoms persist, stop using Lash Boost.
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Apply Lash Boost every night before bed. Wash and dry your eye area. Wipe any excess product off of the wand. Draw the tip of the wand along your upper eyelid. Dip the wand again and apply the serum to the other eye. Wait 90 seconds for the product to dry. Talk to your doctor before using if you're pregnant or have major health concerns. Do a patch test before using Lash Boost, especially if you have sensitive skin. Do not use too much product. Rinse your eyes with cool water if the product gets in them. Don’t put Lash Boost on your lower lashes or the outer crease of your eye. Stop using Lash Boost if you experience eye irritation or other problems.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Steam-Carrots
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How to Steam Carrots
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Before you steam carrots, peel and slice them or cut them into rounds. Then, put them in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon of water and cover them with plastic wrap. Next, microwave them for 4-6 minutes, or until they're tender. Alternatively, you can steam them in a frying pan. Just put 1 inch of water into your pan, salt the water, and bring it to a boil. Then add the carrots, cover them, and turn the heat down. Simmer the carrots until the water evaporates and the carrots are cooked.
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. Boil water in a saucepan You don't need to fill the saucepan with water, an inch or two will be enough to create steam. Prepare the carrots. To serve four people, you will need about 1 1/2 lbs of carrots. Wash the carrots thoroughly in cold water to remove any remaining dirt or pesticides. Chop off the stems of the carrots with a small knife, then peel them using a vegetable peeler. You can then cut up the carrots any way you like: you can leave them whole, slice or dice them, or cut them into rounds. Place the carrots in a steamer basket. If you don't have a steamer basket, a colander that sits comfortably into the saucepan will also work. Put the basket over the boiling water. Make sure the water does not reach the bottom of the steamer basket. If the carrots are immersed in water they will be boiled, rather than steamed. Cover the saucepan. Use a lid to cover the saucepan, but don't cover it completely. Leave a small gap on one side to allow the steam to vent. Steam the carrots until they are tender. This should take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the chunks. You can check the carrots for doneness by sticking a fork into them. If it slides in easily, the carrots are done. Although this is the recommended cooking time, you can steam the carrots for as long or short a time as you want, depending on whether you like your carrots very soft or extremely crisp. Drain the carrots into a colander. Transfer them to a serving dish. Add any flavors or seasoning. While the carrots are still hot, you can mix in any flavors of your choice. They work very well drizzled with a teaspoon of melted butter, or quickly sauteed with a little olive oil, some garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. And don't forget the salt and pepper. Prepare the carrots. To serve four people, you will need about 1 1/2 lbs of carrots. Wash the carrots thoroughly in cold water to remove any remaining dirt or pesticides. Chop off the stems of the carrots with a small knife, then peel them using a vegetable peeler. You can then cut up the carrots any way you like: you can leave them whole, slice or dice them, or cut them into rounds. Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a tablespoon of water to the carrots and cover the bowl with microwave-safe cling wrap. Microwave the carrots on high. Cook them in the microwave until tender, this should take about 4 to 6 minutes. You can check the carrots with a fork to see if they're done. If they need a little more time, place them back in the microwave and cook in one-minute intervals until they are just right. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet1.jpg\/aid1806175-v4-728px-Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","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>"} Be careful when rolling back the plastic cling-wrap - it will be hot! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet2.jpg\/aid1806175-v4-728px-Steam-Carrots-Step-12Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","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 carrots. While the carrots are still in the microwave-safe bowl, add in the flavorings or seasoning of your choice. A teaspoon of melted butter and a little salt and pepper is always a good option. Transfer the carrots to a serving dish and serve immediately. Wash and peel the carrots, and remove the stems. Chop the carrots into rounds, cut them into slices, or dice them into bite-size chunks. Add one inch of water to a large frying pan. Salt the water and bring to the boil. Place the carrots in the frying pan. Cover the frying pan with a lid and leave to simmer until the water has evaporated and the carrots are cooked. You can add more water to the pan if necessary. Be aware that carrots cooked in this way are not steamed in the true sense of the word, as the vegetables are cooked in water. However this is a good alternative to steaming if you don't have a steamer basket or microwave, and produces a similar result. Drain any excess water from the pan. Then add any flavorings to the pan, such as butter, herbs (like parsley or nutmeg) and salt and pepper. Toss the carrots to coat, then transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately.
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. Prepare the carrots. Place the carrots in a steamer basket. Put the basket over the boiling water. Cover the saucepan. Steam the carrots until they are tender. Drain the carrots into a colander. Transfer them to a serving dish. Add any flavors or seasoning. Prepare the carrots. Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the carrots on high. Serve the carrots. Wash and peel the carrots, and remove the stems. Add one inch of water to a large frying pan. Place the carrots in the frying pan. Cover the frying pan with a lid and leave to simmer until the water has evaporated and the carrots are cooked. Drain any excess water from the pan. Then add any flavorings to the pan, such as butter, herbs (like parsley or nutmeg) and salt and pepper.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Bully-Breed-Dog
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How to Train a Bully Breed Dog
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To train your bully breed dog, start by teaching it to sit, since this command can easily calm your dog when it gets excited. To teach it to sit, hold a treat in front of and slightly above its head and then tell it to sit. When your dog obeys, give it the treat and praise it to reinforce the behavior. Try to give commands in as many locations as possible, like your back yard, the park, and your living room, so your dog learns that the command means the same thing everywhere. You should also keep your dog on a leash as much as possible when around other dogs to avoid fights. If your dog does get into a fight with another dog, try to break it up by making loud noises and stepping on its toes to distract it.
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Get the right collar and leash. The collar and leash you choose for your dog is often a matter of aesthetics, but with bully breeds you'll need to keep practical considerations in mind. Remember that because bully breed dogs tend to be stout and muscular, collars and leashes made of strong, unbreakable materials are the best way to control your pet. Try a head collar like those made by Gentle Leader. These redistribute pressure so that your dog is not injured by pulling on the leash. Many dog training experts advise against the use of choke, prong, or shock collars, as these may seriously injure your pet. Try clicker training. Clicker training is very successful with some dogs. The point of the clicker is to draw the dog's attention to the specific behavior it is engaging in that's being rewarded. It teaches dogs to expect a reward for good behavior until the dog eventually behaves on command without needing the reward. You can purchase a training clicker at many pet stores or through an online retailer. Use the clicker immediately after your dog displays good behavior and follows your command. The goal is to make your timing precise so the dog knows what's being rewarded. When you activate the clicker, you'll want to reward your dog almost simultaneously with a treat and verbal praise. The reward should come within three seconds of the position your dog holds on command. Start out with simple commands, like "watch me" or "sit," then progress to more advanced commands like "leave it." Eventually your dog will come to understand it's being rewarded for acting on your command and it will begin to follow your commands whether you have a treat in your hand or not. Teach the "sit" command. Verbal commands are a good starting point for training your dog. "Sit" is a basic command that can help break an excited dog from its distraction. You can teach this and other verbal commands at home, or have your dog learn commands from a trainer in an obedience class. Hold a treat in front of and slightly above your dog's head. Say your dog's name and the command "sit" while holding the treat above. When your dog sits, give it a reward and offer verbal praise. Instruct your dog to stay. Teaching the "stay" command is valuable for preventing undesirable behavior (say, to keep your dog from lunging at food that's fallen) as well as for protecting your dog (keeping it from running in the street or approaching an unfriendly dog, for example). Before your dog can learn to stay, it should already know and follow the "sit" command. Have your dog sit or lie down facing you. Hold up your hand with your palm open and say "stay" or "wait." Wait a few seconds, but don't expect your dog to hold its excitement for too long. Use a word or phrase that indicates your dog is released, such as "okay" or "good stay," then give your dog the treat. If your dog gets up before you've given the release, calmly return to where you were standing and go through the process with your dog again. As your dog learns, you can gradually increase the distance between you and your dog while it stays. Train your dog to come on command. Coming on command can be a lifesaver if your dog ever gets off leash or approaches another dog against your will. Start out just teaching your dog to recognize your command - either "come," "come here," or simply calling your dog by name. Squat down and open your arms wide while facing your dog. If your dog begins to approach you, give verbal praise and encourage your dog to keep coming to you. Use a happy and encouraging tone of voice as you call your dog. This will help reinforce that your dog is doing what you want by coming on command. If your dog doesn't come to you, attach its leash to its collar and lead your dog to the spot where you were calling from. Be sure to praise your dog while you guide your dog to that spot to reinforce that this was what you wanted. Once your dog gets good at coming on command you can add additional commands, like starting from a "sit" position. Teach your dog to heel. The "heel" command will help break your dog of undesirable behavior on walks, such as weaving around/between your legs or pulling at the end of its leash. You don't necessarily need to use the word "heel"; you can also say "let's go," "forward," or whatever command you prefer. The key is to choose one command and use it consistently so your dog always knows what you expect. Stand next to your dog with its leash in your left hand and a squeaky toy your dog likes in your right hand. Be sure your dog is on your left side and waiting in a seated position. Extend the squeaky toy across the front of your body so that it's hovering above and slightly in front of your dog's face. Try to get your dog's attention with the toy, then give your verbal command and step forward confidently. Try to hold your dog's attention with the toy. Any time your dog gets distracted, you'll squeeze the toy to regain your dog's attention and give it verbal praise when it re-focuses or looks up at you. After about 20 to 30 seconds of focus and well-behaved walking, praise your dog and give it the toy to play with. You can gradually increase the walk time as your dog progresses in its training. Train your dog the right way. Training and verbal commands are highly effective at breaking bad behavior, but like teaching anything else they require consistency and patience. Make sure you train your dog the right way from the start so that your pet understands what's expected and learns to follow your command no matter what else is happening in your environment. Don't just give commands while sitting or squatting. Try standing or getting into other positions so your dog learns to respond to all types of body language and posture. Make sure your hands are visible. If you put your hands in your pockets, your dog will anticipate a treat and will respond to the reward instead of the verbal cue. Relying too heavily on treats in general will affect your dog's training. If you constantly have a whole bag of treats in your hand, your dog will learn that you only need to be obeyed when the treats are out. Move your training to other rooms of the house and even outdoors. This will help teach your dog that you expect obedience in all places, not just in the living room. Enroll your dog in obedience classes. Obedience training will help your dog learn basic training and will also socialize your dog. Classes can even help you and your dog bond since you'll typically be involved in the in-class training. You can choose to start with a basic introductory class, or find something that better suits your dog's needs. Obedience classes can help address specific behavioral issues like aggression, antisocial behavior, and refusal to obey. Some dog trainers offer obedience classes specifically tailored towards bully breeds. These classes deal with basic training and address behavioral issues common to bully breeds. You can find obedience classes through local animal trainers. Search online to find a trainer near you or ask your veterinarian for recommendations on a good local trainer. Bond with your dog. It's a good idea to be well bonded with your dog before you introduce it to other people or animals outside the home. Once your dog has bonded with you, it will likely be much more calm and trusting around other people and dogs. Spend time every day playing with your dog one-on-one. You can play catch or simply take your dog for long walks. If your dog is receptive to it, you can try spending some cuddle time together. This may help your dog get comfortable with physical contact and intimacy. Start your dog young. Socialization is an important part of raising a well-behaved, well-adjusted dog, and bully breeds are no exception. Socialization can help your dog learn to play with other dogs without getting aggressive and get used to being around other people. Dogs should have some socialization with other dogs and people well before reaching 16 weeks of age. This can help acclimate your dog to being around other animals. Be sure to socialize your dog with a variety of other people so that it becomes used to different faces and body types. This includes men and women of varying ages and races, men with facial hair, and people wearing coats and scarves (if you live in a cold climate). Allow short, supervised playtime. Playtime is a great way for dogs to socialize with one another, but it's important to limit play time and supervise the dogs at all times. You can also use playtime as an opportunity to teach or reinforce training commands. Start out having your dog play with a mellow, well-behaved dog to make the socialization playtime go more smoothly. Choose a dog that is roughly equal in size and energy level. Break up play time with commands every few minutes. These command intermissions should last roughly 30 to 60 seconds before playtime resumes. Have four or five command intermissions four or five times during each playtime session, then separate the dogs at the end and reward them with treats. If possible, schedule play sessions every day (but not more than once each day) with the same dog. Do this for a few consecutive weeks, gradually increasing the command intermissions each time until you reach about 90 seconds of intermission time. Let your dog live indoors. Dogs that live indoors tend to be calmer and more well-adjusted than dogs forced to live outside. Living inside a home with you and your family will help your dog develop a healthy state of mind. It reinforces your dog's sense of family and its feelings of security. Recognize signs of aggression. If you're worried about your bully breed acting out towards another dog, you'll need to know what to look for. Though every dog is unique and behavior may vary slightly from one dog to another, there are some common signs of aggression to watch out for. These include, but are not limited to: staring at another dog ears turned forward tail rigid and erect over the dog's back barking/growling hair on neck and back standing up crouching or pouncing motions Feed your dog separately. Feeding time is when many dogs become aggressive or protective. If your dog sees food as a resource to be competed over, it may become aggressive if you feed your dog with another dog in the room or vice versa. Whether you have other dogs or are socializing your bully breed with other dogs, it's best to feed your dog separately from any other dogs. Even dogs that seem well-behaved may have problems sharing a food bowl or seeing another dog eating food. Discourage competition in all forms. Many dog owners encourage their dogs to romp and wrestle with other dogs. However, competition can quickly escalate, and bully breeds may be particularly susceptible to that risk. For this reason, it's best to avoid having your dog compete with any other dog for any reason. Toys and treats are two of the biggest things dogs will commonly compete over. These are both highly-desired resources for dogs, and even playful competition could get out of hand. If your dog starts play wrestling with another dog, supervise them closely. Even well-paired dogs may get out of hand if they feel the need to compete, and you may have to intervene quickly. Spay or neuter your dog. Though you may not think of altering your dog as a training component, experts generally agree that having your dog spayed or neutered will improve its behavior. That's because an unaltered dog, whether male or female, is more likely to roam away from home and exhibit hostile behavior than a dog that's been spayed or neutered. Most veterinarians are capable of performing a spaying or neutering procedure. Ask your vet about how altering your dog can improve its behavior and its overall demeanor. Prevent fights. Getting into a fight with another dog can leave a significant impression on your dog. This could result in fearful or aggressive behavior towards other dogs in the future. Close supervision and careful selection of dog playmates can help prevent fighting. Keep all dogs on their leashes until you know how they'll react towards one another. Be prepared to intervene anytime your dog does play with other dogs. If things look like they're about to get rough, you'll need to step in before the situation becomes hostile. Never, under any circumstances, should you ever reach in with your hands to break up a fight. You should also never grab a dog by its tail, as this will cause it to turn and bite you. Step on the aggressor's feet to distract it. Use a large push broom to break up the fight. Put the bristled end of the broom against the aggressor's chest and force it away from the other dog. Use an unpleasant sound, such as a loud whistle, to distract the dogs. You can also throw water on the dogs to distract them from their aggression towards one another.
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Get the right collar and leash. Try clicker training. Teach the "sit" command. Instruct your dog to stay. Train your dog to come on command. Teach your dog to heel. Train your dog the right way. Enroll your dog in obedience classes. Bond with your dog. Start your dog young. Allow short, supervised playtime. Let your dog live indoors. Recognize signs of aggression. Feed your dog separately. Discourage competition in all forms. Spay or neuter your dog. Prevent fights.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Smooth-and-Silky-Hair
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How to Have Smooth and Silky Hair
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If you want to make your hair silky and smooth, wash your hair 3-4 times per week instead of every day, and use cold water to rinse your hair. Be sure to use a sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner to ensure that your hair has plenty of healthy oils. After you get your hair wet, use a wide-tooth comb to get rid of knots and tangles. Every 1-2 weeks, apply a deep conditioning treatment to your hair, such as coconut oil, and let it sit on your hair for at least 1 hour before rinsing it out. When you style your hair, use products, like argan oil, to reduce frizz and increase shine.
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Do a coconut oil treatment to replenish moisture. Once a week, try this treatment to get soft, smooth, shiny hair. Take 1 tablespoon (15 mL) or so of melted (but not hot!) coconut oil and work it into your hair from the roots to the tips, making sure every strand is covered. Comb through your hair then cover it with a shower cap or a piece of plastic wrap and let the oil sit in your hair for an hour or even overnight. Shampoo your hair once or twice to rinse out all of the oil. When your hair dries, you'll be impressed with the results. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you may have to warm it up before applying. Use unrefined coconut oil, rather than refined coconut oil, since it is better suited to cosmetic use. Condition your with olive oil for an easy option. Comb 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of olive oil through your hair, then cover your hair with a shower cap or piece of plastic wrap. Let it soak into your hair for 1 hour, then remove the cap and shampoo your hair thoroughly to rinse out the oil. Dry your hair as usual. Make an egg white hair mask for a natural remedy. This makes a great stand-in for conditioner, and will instantly create a softer, shinier look. Separate 2 eggs and whisk the whites in a bowl. In the shower, wet your hair and apply the egg whites, making sure to comb it through from the roots to the tips. Let it sit while you do everything else you need to do in the shower, then shampoo your hair with cold water to rinse it out. If desired, add 2-3 drops of lemon oil to the egg whites for a clean, refreshing scent. Don't use hot water to rinse the egg whites out of your hair, or they may cook! Try a honey banana hair mask for bright, shiny locks. Honey brightens, smooths, and softens hair, and banana adds some moisture. Mash up a banana with 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of honey. In the shower, wet your hair and comb the honey banana mask through from the roots to the tips. Let it sit in your hair while you take your shower, then shampoo your hair to rinse it out. Get a professional deep conditioning treatment for best results. Many salons offer professional conditioning treatments. The treatments are composed of special oils and other ingredients that penetrate the hair and leave it silky for days to come. This is a great option if you have a special event coming up, like a wedding, graduation, or party. Apply a serum to tame frizz. Serum is an effective way to keep frizz at bay if your hair tends to be dry and coarse. Smooth some in after taking a shower, or apply it while your hair is dry if it frizzes up during the day. Use argan oil for added shine. This oil is made from a tree that grows in Morocco. It has been found to have restorative properties that help hair stay smooth, strong and healthy. It's so lightweight that you can apply it to your hair as a leave-in conditioner. Just smooth a little into your hair, focusing on the ends, while your hair is still damp after shampooing. There's no need to apply as much oil to the roots area, since this part of your hair will naturally get oily faster than the rest of your hair. Apply a heat-protectant product before using heat-styling tools. If you plan to blow dry, straighten, or curl your tresses, you should always use a heat-protectant product. This keeps the heat from burning your hair and making it damaged and dull. Simply spritz it on your locks and let it dry before using your heated tools. Blow out your hair to smooth it down. Applying heat to your hair can create a soft, silky effect. Use a round brush to brush out small sections of hair, starting at the roots and slowly brushing down to the tips. Angle the hair dryer at the section of hair as you brush it out. Repeat several times until the section is dry, then move on to the next one. Round brushes will help smooth and straighten fine and medium hair. For coarse hair, a slightly curved brush will help you get the look you want while still matching the natural contours of your head. Using a heat protectant product will help ensure your hair looks smooth and silky. Don't blow your hair out every single day, since it will eventually get dry and brittle. Save it for special occasions. Use a flat iron to straighten your hair. A flat iron smoothes the cuticles on the hair shaft, making them lie flat. Once your hair is dry, comb through it to ensure there are no tangles. Then, heat up a straightening iron and straighten your hair in 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) sections. Avoid going over a single section more than once, as this can damage your hair. Doing this too often is damaging to hair, so save it for when you want the smoothest hair possible. You may also want to consider getting your hair professionally straightened. Look into permanent treatments offered by salons in your area. Curl your hair with a curling iron or wand. If you prefer bouncy curls instead of stick-straight tresses, use a curling iron or wand. Wrap ⁄ 2 to 3 in (1.3 to 7.6 cm) sections of dry hair around the iron or wand away from your face. After 10-30 seconds, release the hair and move onto the next section. Continue until all your hair is curled. Opt for a small barrel, such as ⁄ 2 –1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) for tight curls and a larger barrel, like 2 inches (5.1 cm) for bigger curls. If your hair is naturally curly, you can define the curls and smooth your hair by curling your hair following its natural pattern. For a heat-free method of enhancing your curls, try using a curl-enhancing cream or gel. Apply a generous amount of your product to your hair. Then, wrap small sections of hair around your finger in the direction of your natural curls. a few times a week instead of every day. Wash your hair In order for your hair to stay soft and smooth, it needs the natural conditioning of sebum, the oil that your scalp produces to keep your hair strong. If you wash your hair every day, you rinse away this nourishing oil, leaving your strands feeling dry and coarse instead of smooth and silky. Find the washing routine that's right for you. Some people do it 2 or 3 times a week, while others wash every other day if their hair is especially oily. If your hair looks or feels greasy in between washed, apply dry shampoo to the roots. Massage it in to your scalp, then gently brush your hair to distribute the product. Use cold water when you wash and rinse your hair. It might be hard to wash your hair in ice-cold water, but if you want silky, smooth hair, make it as chilly as you can take. Cold water helps the hair shaft lie flat, so when it dries it has a smooth, shiny appearance. Hot water has the opposite effect, creating frizz and drying out your hair. Use sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are found in many cleansers, including dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, and more. Sulfates are effective and washing away oil and grease, but using this ingredient on your hair can be too harsh, causing frizz and damage to your hair. Look for sulfate-free shampoo that will cleanse your hair without stripping away its protective oils. Opt for a moisturizing conditioner. Conditioner helps hair stay smooth and silky by moisturizing it and keeping it tangle-free. Look for a conditioner that will keep your hair smooth without weighing it down. Silicone-free conditioner is best, since silicones build up in your hair and cause it to look dull after a while. Opt for a product that has glycerin in it, instead. Detangle wet hair with a wide-toothed comb. Gently combing your hair instead of brushing it while it's wet will prevent it from getting broken and damaged. Hair is fragile when it's wet, and using a wide-toothed comb allows you to detangle it without causing problems. Start near the tips and work your way up to the roots for best results. If your hair is very tangled, saturate with deep conditioner and let it sit for several minutes. Then, detangle your hair with your wide-tooth comb as you rinse out the conditioner. Use a boar-bristle brush when your hair is dry. This type of brush is made using natural bristles that are similar to the texture of human hair. It's used to pull sebum from the scalp down to the tips of the hair, so that the entire length of hair gets its nourishing benefits. Brushing your hair using a boar bristle brush is as effective as a deep conditioning treatment in helping your hair feel soft and silky. Don't brush your hair when it's wet, since this can cause it to break. Only use a boar-bristle brush, or another one designed specifically to distribute your natural oils. Plastic-bristle brushes don't work the same way, and they can damage your hair. Trim your tresses every 6-12 weeks. Trimming off the dry, coarse ends of your hair will keep it looking lighter, smoother, and softer. Aim to get regular trims to remove split or damaged ends. You don't need to hack a ton of hair off each time, simply trimming 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so should do the trick. Sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a silk scarf at night. Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and dull. Swap out your pillowcase for silk one, or wrap your tresses in a silk scarf before going to bed. Your hair will be smooth and silky in the morning.
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Do a coconut oil treatment to replenish moisture. Condition your with olive oil for an easy option. Make an egg white hair mask for a natural remedy. Try a honey banana hair mask for bright, shiny locks. Get a professional deep conditioning treatment for best results. Apply a serum to tame frizz. Use argan oil for added shine. Apply a heat-protectant product before using heat-styling tools. Blow out your hair to smooth it down. Use a flat iron to straighten your hair. Curl your hair with a curling iron or wand. a few times a week instead of every day. Use cold water when you wash and rinse your hair. Use sulfate-free shampoo. Opt for a moisturizing conditioner. Detangle wet hair with a wide-toothed comb. Use a boar-bristle brush when your hair is dry. Trim your tresses every 6-12 weeks. Sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a silk scarf at night.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Running-Away-from-Yourself
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How to Stop Running Away from Yourself
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If you feel the need to run away from yourself, you can try identifying and addressing the problems that are making you feel that way. Ask a friend or a family member to help you identify your negative behaviors so you can get some perspective. Then, try to find the root cause. For instance, if you're struggling to focus at school or work, it may be because you're unhappy in your relationship or you're depressed. Facing and addressing your problems as soon as you identify them can build a habit of being proactive, making it easier to face them. Try journaling your thoughts so you can keep an eye out for negative behavior and to track your progress as you work on yourself. And remember not to be so hard on yourself. Everybody struggles and makes mistakes. Recognizing your problems is the first step for you to move forward.
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Practice self-awareness. To be self-aware means to have the ability to see your true self without blinders. It involves accepting yourself as you are, and recognizing that you are all fallible. No one is perfect. Just as you provide others with empathy, patience, strength, humility, and love during stressful or challenging times, you need to show this for yourself too. Everyone makes mistakes, experiences stress, and has issues that arise throughout life, and the best way to get through all of this is through self-awareness and acceptance. Through self-awareness, you can learn what you need to do to make changes in life to resolve pending issues and in turn make you a better individual. Take time to think. If you're feeling helpless or overwhelmed, it's a sign that you need to take some time off and reflect. Identify the practical issues you're dealing with. Then ask yourself which internal issues are driving these problems. For instance, if your grades have been slipping lately, the root cause could be something like perfectionism or depression. If you have persistent negative thoughts about yourself, explore them. Try to identify the underlying fear or insecurity that's causing them. Get some perspective. Look at your own life from the perspective of a neutral stranger. See if you can identify any recurring patterns of problematic behaviors. Getting outside yourself can make it easier to be objective about the issues you're facing. If you're having a hard time viewing your life in an objective way, ask a trusted friend or family member to help you identify your negative behavior patterns. You might say, "Hey, I have trouble getting perspective about some of my issues. What are some negative patterns or habits you see me doing that limit my growth and well-being?" Stop trying to escape. Escapism can take many forms – playing video games, browsing the internet, or even working too much. Simplify your life and drop any unnecessary distractions to get a clearer sense of what your problems are. For instance, you could decide to cut out movies and stop working overtime while you're dealing with personal issues. A little escapism isn't always bad, but when you're trying to face your problems, it will only hinder your progress. Work up your courage. It takes great strength to deal with aspects of your personality that you don't like or don't understand. Take a deep breath and commit to working through your issues, no matter how uncomfortable the process is. Remind yourself how much happier and freer you will feel after acknowledging and dealing with your issues. A great way to build courage is to repeat positive mantras like "You can do this" or "Everyone was once a beginner." Then, focus on taking a least one positive step towards your objectives. Forgive yourself for making human mistakes. No one is perfect, so don't be too hard on yourself for the slip-ups you've had. Focus on improving yourself for the future, not berating yourself for the mistakes of the past. One good way to move on from the past is to write yourself an apology note. Mail the note to yourself. When it arrives, set aside some quiet time to read it and reflect. Don’t victimize yourself. Do your best to avoid self-victimization. When you are feeling victimized, you may be at higher risk of increased isolation and avoidance behaviors. You are not powerless, you have the choice to make changes in life, and to stand up and face all the challenges you are up against. You are going to face many obstacles in life that will cause issues and you are going to have to learn from them and try to resolve. Here are some victimizing thoughts you should avoid: Justifying the various ways in which you were wronged in a particular situation. Frequently complaining about how you were wronged, or how you now feel stuck and helpless in your issue, without trying to look at all the things you can do to change to fix things. Obsessing and only focused about how you feel sad, angry, guilt, shame, helpless, or hopeless. Don’t take yourself so seriously. See if you can find a way to laugh about your mistakes. A little levity can help you let go of the past and feel more optimistic about the future. For instance, if you tend to play an embarrassing memory on repeat, finding the humor in the situation can help you get over it. Reflect on the principles and values that are important to you. Ask yourself whether you're living according to your own moral compass, or whether you've adopted someone else's. If you feel like you're living with no sense of direction, think about how you can begin to chart a new course according to your own values. For instance, if integrity is important to you, but you're working for a company that uses unethical methods to make a profit, you might decide to quit your job and look for one that doesn't conflict with your values. If you don't have a good sense of what your values and principles are, explore different ideas by learning about the world. Read widely, talk to lots of different people, and keep up with current events. Knowledge will empower you to build a moral compass you believe in. Practice self-empowerment. Observe your current situation, and how you are currently responding. Are you self-aware, holding yourself accountable, and taking action to solve your concerns? Or are you self-victimizing and hiding from your concerns with negative emotions and isolative behaviors? Build a habit of self-empowerment in your life by doing the following: Letting go of all negative victimizing thoughts and behaviors. Taking personal responsibility and accountability for solving your problems, and owning up to your role to accomplish this task Recognizing that change requires action, and will only happen when you change your thinking and behaviors. Determine whether you need professional help. If your problems are too deep-seated or overwhelming to deal with alone, make an appointment with a therapist or counselor. A professional can help you identify your problem behaviors and come up with healthy ways to cope. Seeing a therapist isn't something to be ashamed of. It takes a lot of bravery to reach out for help. A therapist can help you identify ingrained beliefs you hold about yourself and others that may be holding you back. Plus, they offer an unbiased listening ear--unlike that of friends and family. Make a plan. Once you've acknowledged your problems, consider how you will go about solving them. Decide what you want your life to look like after resolving your issues, and think about the best way to get there. After that, come up with a series of action steps you can take to make it happen. For example, if your health is declining and you want to improve it, you could decide to start exercising. Some good action steps might include getting a pedometer, taking a walk after dinner every day, and researching gym memberships. Practice mindfulness. Living in the present moment will help you deal with problems as they arise, instead of running away from them. To develop the habit of mindfulness, practice focusing all your attention on everyday tasks as you do them. Notice the physical sensations you feel, as well as the thoughts that pass through your mind. For instance, when you walk out your front door in the morning, notice the colors outside, the way the air smells, and the sensation of your feet on the ground. Address problems right away. Dealing with challenges is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Stay alert for new issues that need your attention, and face them sooner rather than later. Once you're in the habit of being proactive, it's easier to face your problems. Keep a journal. A journal is a great way to preserve your thoughts and track your progress. Establish the habit of writing at a certain time every day. Don't worry about spelling or grammar – just get your thoughts down on paper. Writing in the evening lets you reflect on the events of the day. Consider making journaling part of your bedtime routine. Be true to yourself. Live in a way that feels authentic and comfortable for you. Don't pretend to be someone you aren't, even if you think that's what other people want. Putting on a fake persona will drain your energy and lead to emotional problems like anger or depression. If you feel like your personality changes depending on where you are and who you're with, you may not be staying true to yourself. You can be truer to yourself by adding a filter to your actions and decisions. Before commencing, ask yourself "Who am I doing this for?" If you frequently find that the answer is someone else, you need to prioritize your own wants and needs. Be patient. Don't expect to overcome all your issues overnight. Bigger problems may take months or even years to deal with completely. It's normal to fail at things and have to start over occasionally, so don't be too hard on yourself if your progress is slower than you'd like.
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Practice self-awareness. Take time to think. Get some perspective. Stop trying to escape. Work up your courage. Forgive yourself for making human mistakes. Don’t victimize yourself. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Reflect on the principles and values that are important to you. Practice self-empowerment. Determine whether you need professional help. Make a plan. Practice mindfulness. Address problems right away. Keep a journal. Be true to yourself. Be patient.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Act-Around-the-Girl-You-Like
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How to Act Around the Girl You Like
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When you're around the girl you like, you'll want to be friendly and outgoing so you can make a connection with her. It's natural to feel nervous around your crush, but there's no way she'll know this if you act confident and be yourself. If you meet her eye across the room, give her a quick smile before you look away. You should also try to speak to her so you can get to know her better. Complimenting her is a great way to start a conversation. Then, you can ask her some questions about herself to find things you have in common. You can also tell a few jokes and tease her a little bit to keep things lighthearted and make her laugh.
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Build your confidence. Confidence is one of the most attractive qualities a person can possess. You don't have to be super sexy or built like Chris Hemsworth, either. All confidence requires is a firm belief in your own self-worth. If you believe it, that girl you like? She's going to believe it, too. It takes time and a little effort to build your confidence, especially if you're starting from a low point. Even if you don't believe in yourself, pretend like you do. Faking confidence actually tricks your brain into believing that you are confident! Stand up straight when you're walking, like you matter. Take up space like crossing your ankle across your knee when you're sitting. Leaning nonchalantly against a nearby surface. Avoid crossing your arms across your chest, or not making eye contact when you talk to people. Both of these are defensive gestures. Be yourself. Part of being confident is being yourself and being okay with who that is. Trying to change yourself to be someone else isn't going to work with her. She's going to see that you're not comfortable with yourself and that you're lying about who you are and she won't be pleased. Show what makes you unique and why you're interesting. You don't have to walk around wearing a pocket protector (do people do that anymore?), but you don't have to hide that you're interested in computers. She will accept you and if she doesn't.. she's probably not worth your time! Don't try to be someone else, especially if you're trying to be the person you think she wants. If she isn't interested in the person you are, she's not the girl for you. Maintain good hygiene. It's hard to attract the girl that you like when you overwhelm her with your smell and your greasy hair. Try to shower at least a couple times a week and use soap. Wear clothes that have been recently laundered. Reusing jeans and trousers is fine, as long as they aren't super dirty, but change your shirt each day. Be careful about using aftershave or cologne. A little goes a long way! You don't want to approach the girl you like in a cloud of cologne. Keep it down to a little spritz if you have to do wear it. Make sure to smell the deodorants before you buy them so you know how strong they smell and what they smell like. Again, you don't want to overwhelm her with smell, but a little deodorant (especially if you've just played a game like soccer or basketball) will make you seem much more put together. Have your own life. As much as you want to spend time with her, it's important to pursue your own interests and passions as well. You've got more going on than just your potential romance. Pursue your own interests. If you're into soccer, join a team and play games. You could even (if you're feeling brave) invite her to come watch a game or to kick around a soccer ball with you. This will mean you have your own friends to hang out with, even if your groups overlap. Do things with your buddies rather than doing things only when you know that she'll be there, or doing things only with her. This doesn't mean that you ignore her completely. Of course not. When you see her around (either at school, or at mutual events), ask her what she's been up to and mention some of the things you've been doing (like teaching yourself a language, going rock climbing, kicking butt on Call of Duty). Be respectful. Most guys are taught that they don't need to be respectful to women and act accordingly. Don't be one of those guys. Being respectful does not mean being a doormat or being "whipped" but it does mean treating the girl you as if she's an actual human being (which she is!). One way of showing respect is to stop doing something when she tells you to stop. For example, if you two were having a tickle war and she says "Stop it!" you stop, even if you think she's kidding. If she is kidding, she'll let you know and you can continue. Showing that you respect her right to say "no" in minor instances, will show that you are willing to respect her boundaries in more important instances. Be respectful to other people when you're around her (and in general). Don't talk about your ex as "that weirdo" or use language like that. Don't degrade women, or call guys "pussies." You'll come across as disrespectful to women and you'll come across as immature. Read her body language. While a lot of guys say that women's body language is a mystery, it's really not that hard. Remember, you can tell when your sister is upset with you, or your female friend is trying to ignore you. The girl you like isn't going to be any different to understand. If she spends most of her time not making eye contact with you, or giving you short, one word answers, she either doesn't want to be around you, or she's upset with you. It's probably best to back off. A girl who wants you to stick around is going to be pretty obvious about it. She'll be turned towards you. She'll be making eye contact and smiling and laughing at the things you say (not derisively). She may even touch you (like on the arm when she's making a point). Make eye contact. It turns out that making eye contact is one of the biggest ways to flirt with someone that you're interested in. This is a good one that you can use in class, if you're sitting in the right spot, or even across the room if you're at a party. You can do this a couple different ways. A good way to do this is to make eye contact if she's across the room, catch her eye and hold it. Now, if the two of you are having a conversation, make sure to look deeply into her eyes. For some reason, that intense, long look can cause butterflies in the other person. Smile when you're looking at her, especially as you're making eye contact. A little smirk can be even better than a giant grin. Don't ignore her friends. A girl's friends are incredibly important to her. She will listen to their opinions, even if she won't always follow their advice. If they don't like you it will cast a nagging bit of doubt in her own mind about you. To keep that from happening, you need to make sure that her friends like you. Learn some of the things that they like and ask them questions about those interests. For example, if her friends are super into a t.v. show, ask them a little about it (what's their favorite thing about the show, favorite characters, favorite episodes, things that irritate them about the show or the fandom). If you're having a conversation with the girl you like and her friends are around, make sure to include them in the conversation. You can still give her the long, heart-felt, languishing looks while making sure that her friends don't feel like you're ignoring them completely. Don't flirt with her friends, however. You don't want to come across as a player who is out to get whichever girl responds to his attentions. The girl you like won't think you're interested in her if you're flirting with all her friends, too. Ask her questions. When you're talking to the girl you like, you want to make her feel special. People like it when others take an interest in them and the girl you like is no different. Showing that you care about her thoughts will make her more interested in you, as a result. Ask her opinion on things, even if it's something silly. For example: say you're wearing a shirt that your friend doesn't like, ask for her opinion on whether the shirt is silly or not. Tell her she's the final judge. It'll make her laugh and feel important. Pay attention to the things that she does and says, so you can ask questions about it. For example, if she mentions going rock climbing, ask her how she got started rock climbing and what she enjoys about it. People like talking about themselves, so before you jump in with stories of your own, ask her another question about what she thinks. Listen. In this day and age people have really lost the skill of listening (Really listening) to one another. Real listening is when you take the time to absorb what someone is saying rather than thinking about the next thing you're going to say or what you're going to have for dinner. For example: even if you're at a loud party, when you're having a conversation with her, maintain eye contact, ask questions and if your mind strays, ask for clarification (you can use the loud party as an excuse: "Sorry, it's really loud in here. Can you repeat what you just said?"). To this end, when you're having a conversation with her, don't fidget with stuff, or keep looking all around the room, or keep checking your phone. She'll feel that you don't really care what she has to say. Make her laugh. Laughter is a great way to bond with someone. This doesn't mean that you need to be the class clown (Actually, it will probably work best if you aren't). All this means is that you make her laugh and say a few entertaining things. Now, everyone has a different sense of humor and you know her best, but if you're not sure there are a few things to do that rarely fail. Gently poke fun at yourself. You don't have to do a big self-deprecating speech (in fact that will make you seem not confident), but a few jabs at yourself will get her laughing and show that you don't take yourself too seriously. For example: talk about how you got hit in the head with a soccer ball that day when you weren't paying attention, or that time you went to the wrong class because you forgot what day it was. Bring up something funny that you saw that day (or within the previous week). It should be something a little out of the ordinary and funny. For example: ask her if she's ever ended up entangled with a bunch of zombies and then tell her about the zombie walk you accidentally ended up in the middle of. Flirt with her. Flirting can be very hit or miss and is to be used with caution. Since everyone is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to flirting with someone. Humor and eye contact are the two big ones, but you can subtly flirt in other ways. Unless she's made it explicitly clear, flirting really obviously can be off-putting to some girls. Keep that in mind when you're hanging out with her. If you aren't a good flirt, eye contact and humor will probably be your best bets. Flirting over text, however, can be a great, non-threatening type of flirting. Of course, you want this to be only supplementary to your interactions in person. Keep texts short, sometimes a picture is worth more than a hundred words (especially a funny picture; do NOT send explicit pictures unless she has actually asked for them!). It's good to have a reason to text. You could say something like "saw this and thought of you" (and then send a picture). Giving her the right compliment can be a great way of expressing interest and flirting. Don't do something basic like "you're the most beautiful girl I've ever met" (it comes across as insincere). Instead, say something like "Did you realize your sweater matches your eyes? it's a beautiful color," or "of course you aced that test, you're super smart!" Tell her how you feel. In the end, the best way to act around the girl you like is to tell her how you feel. She might otherwise never know. It can seem super intimidating or scary to bare your feelings like that (and it is a very brave act!). But, otherwise you both will be in this uncomfortable holding pattern. Don't do it in front of everyone. Choose a time and place where you're both sober and in your right mind. Simply say "Hey, I really like you and I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date sometime." Don't do this over the phone or text or social media, because you will come across as a coward and most girl's don't find that a particularly attractive quality. Respect her decision, even if she says "no." It can hurt when someone says no, but remember that it isn't about you as a person, it's simply that your proposal didn't work for her (because she isn't interested, or because she already has a boyfriend, or she's into girls, etc.). You can ask why if you must, but if she simply says "Because I'm not interested" that's your answer and leave it at that. If she says "yes," then yay! Now you two can get to planning a super fun first date. The relationship might not work out, but you proved your bravery by asking her out and your worth by treating her with respect.
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Build your confidence. Be yourself. Maintain good hygiene. Have your own life. Be respectful. Read her body language. Make eye contact. Don't ignore her friends. Ask her questions. Listen. Make her laugh. Flirt with her. Tell her how you feel.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Poinsettias
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How to Care for Poinsettias
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To care for a poinsettia, first, choose a spot where your poinsettia can get 6 hours of indirect sunlight each day. For example, set it near a sunny window facing east or west. Try to keep the temperature around 70°F (21°C), and make sure it never gets colder than 50°F (10°C) since it's leaves could fall off if it gets too cold. Poinsettias don't need a lot of water, but you should water your plant when the soil feels dry. As you water the poinsettia, stop as soon as you see water leak through the holes at the bottom to the pot. This will prevent overwatering. Poinsettias only bloom from November to March, so most people prefer to buy a new one every year for the holidays. If you'd prefer to keep your poinsettia year round, fertilize it with an all-purpose fertilizer in early January.
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Choose a healthy-looking plant. Healthy poinsettias should have dark green foliage and brightly colored bracts (these are the modified red leaves which look like petals). There should be no signs of wilting or drooping and no fallen or yellowed leaves. Observe the display conditions. The plant should look full and attractive and should not be crowded between other plants, as this can cause premature bract loss. It should stand two and a half times as tall as the diameter of its pot. Check the leaves and soil. Check the soil for dampness: if it is very wet, but the plant looks wilted, this could be an indication of root rot. Then have a look at the underside of the leaves to check for insects such as aphids and whiteflies. Do not choose a plant whose leaves are spotted and yellow. Examine the true flowers. The true flowers of the poinsettia plant can be found at the base of the red colored leaves, or bracts. They should look like small, fresh buds with red or green tips. If there is a layer of yellow pollen covering the flowers, this means that the plant is more mature and will not last as long. Avoid buying poinsettias which are wrapped in paper or plastic. It is possible that the plant may have been displayed this way for some time. If this is the case, the leaves may turn yellow and fall off much sooner than expected. Be careful when bringing the plant home. It is important that you cover or sleeve the poinsettia before you take it home, if outside temperatures are lower than 50 °F (10 °C). If poinsettias are exposed to low outside temperatures for even a few minutes they can chill or even freeze, causing the leaves to droop and fall off. The gardening center or store where you purchase your poinsettia should be able to provide you with some form of protective covering for your trip home. Just make sure to remove the protective covering as soon as you get home, otherwise it could cause damage. Select a suitable location for the poinsettia. Place the poinsettia plant in a location where it receives at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Placing it near a sunny east or west facing window is ideal. Just don't let the leaves of the plant touch any cold window panes as this can cause them to freeze and fall off. Maintain the correct temperature. Ideal temperatures for poinsettias don't reach above 70 °F (21 °C) during daytime hours or dip below 65 degrees at night. This is important in order to maintain the bright red color of the bracts. You should also avoid exposing the poinsettia to cold drafts, or to dry heat from radiators, appliances or open fires. Be aware that temperatures below 50 degrees will chill the plant and cause severe damage, while exposure to frost will kill it. Water the poinsettia when necessary. Poinsettias like moist but not soggy soil, so you should water your poinsettia when the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. Water the plant until you see water begin to seep through the holes at the bottom of the pot. After 10 minutes, remove any excess water from the saucer beneath the pot. If the plant is left sitting in water, the soil will become too wet and will not contain enough air, leading to root rot and other diseases. If the plant is left too long without water, the leaves will begin to droop and wilt. To prevent this, make sure that you check the soil regularly. If the leaves do begin to wilt, water the plant at once, then water it a second time five minutes later. Fertilize your poinsettia after the holidays. Depending on when you purchased your poinsettia plant, it should not be necessary to fertilize it at any point before the holidays, while they are still blooming. You can usually wait until you've had the plant for about 6 to 8 weeks before it becomes necessary to fertilize. Of course, if you don't plan on keeping the poinsettia there will be no need to fertilize. Many people find that it's easier to just buy a new plant each year, rather than caring for the same one all year round. However if you do plan on keeping your poinsettia, you should use an all-purpose, water soluble houseplant fertilizer to fertilize the plant in early January. Use according to the manufacturer's instructions. The fertilizer will held to maintain the plant's green foliage and promote new growth. Commit to caring for your poinsettia. It is possible to hold on to your poinsettia plant and get it to bloom again the following year. However, this will require a yearlong schedule of care which must be strictly observed, otherwise the plant will fail to reflower. Maintain the same watering schedule til April. After the holidays, you can maintain the same watering schedule as before: watering the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. Continue to fertilize the poinsettia every 6 to 8 weeks using an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. Allow the plant to dry out. Once April comes, you should stop watering the poinsettia and allow it to gradually dry out. However, you should not allow it to get so dry that the stems begin to shrivel. During this time, store the plant somewhere cool and airy, at a temperature of about 60 °F (16 °C). Cut back the stems. At the end of spring, when the bracts turn a muddy green color, it is time to cut back the stems. Cut them to a length of about 6–8 inches (15.2–20.3 cm), though this will vary slightly with the size and shape of the plant. You can begin watering the plant again at this point, using the same procedures as before. Repot the plant if necessary. If the plant seems to be a bit cramped in its current pot, move it to a new one that's around 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 cm) bigger. Use a commercial potting soil with a high percentage of peat moss. Move the poinsettia outdoors. During the summer months, you can move the poinsettia outdoors (still in its pot). Place it in a lightly shaded area. Continue to regularly water and fertilize the plant. In August, prune the new shoots. Once August comes you can cut or pinch back the new shoots by about an inch, leaving three or four leaves on each. Fertilize again. Move the poinsettia back indoors. At the beginning of September (or well before the first frost) move the poinsettia back indoors. Place it near a window where it receives plenty of indirect natural light. Continue to water as before, and fertilize every two weeks. Follow the correct reflowering procedures. The poinsettia is a photoperiod plants, which means that its budding and flowering schedule is determined by the amount of daylight it receives. So in order to have the plant blooming at Christmas time, you will need to limit its exposure to light in the months running up to the holidays. From the 1st of October onwards, keep the poinsettia in complete, uninterrupted darkness for 14 hours a night, from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Move the plant to a dark room or cover the plant with a box. Be aware that even exposing the plant to artificial lighting can halt or delay the reflowering process. Remove the plant from the darkness during the day, as it will still need about 6 to 8 hours of daylight. Try to maintain the temperature between 60 and 70 degrees F and continue to water and fertilize the plant as normal. Follow these procedures for approximately ten weeks until the poinsettia reflowers and the bright red color begins to show on the bracts. Move the poinsettia back to a sunlit area and follow the care procedures described in the previous section!
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Choose a healthy-looking plant. Observe the display conditions. Check the leaves and soil. Examine the true flowers. Avoid buying poinsettias which are wrapped in paper or plastic. Be careful when bringing the plant home. Select a suitable location for the poinsettia. Maintain the correct temperature. Water the poinsettia when necessary. Fertilize your poinsettia after the holidays. Commit to caring for your poinsettia. Maintain the same watering schedule til April. Allow the plant to dry out. Cut back the stems. Repot the plant if necessary. Move the poinsettia outdoors. In August, prune the new shoots. Move the poinsettia back indoors. Follow the correct reflowering procedures.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Map
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How to Use a Map
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To use a map, look for a legend in one of the corners so you can get a sense of directions, like north and south. Additionally, look at the key to find the meanings of different colors and symbols. You should also take note of the map's scale to figure out the distance between two points. If you're lost, look for landmarks on the map that you can see physically to help you figure out the general area you're in.
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Learn the basic differences between maps. The varieties of maps are as diverse as the locations they feature. From specific park maps to complicated topographical feature maps, you can learn the distinctions and specifics of any variety of map you may come across, so you can understand to use them properly. Topographical maps are used to display the specific features of terrain, displaying precise elevation and geographical features to scale, as well as longitude and latitude markers. These are the most accurate types of maps, used by backcountry hikers, survivalists, and the military. These will mostly require the use of the compass to use in navigation. Road maps or atlases are detailed maps used to display highways, state roads, and other roads in a given area. Road maps are available for individual towns, or at larger scale for cross-country travel. Road trips are often made lots easier with a road map. Two-dimensional area and specific purpose maps are used at things like theme parks, trail guides, tours, and other types of events where the exact distance is not as important to understand. A sketched out map to a fishing spot would be an example of this kind of map. While these maps can be quite accurate, they're generally not drawn to scale. Use the legend to orient the map correctly. In one corner of the map, north and south should be clearly labeled, so you have some basic sense of direction in relation to the map, and you'll be able to orient the map properly. It's hard to know whether you need to make a right or left turn on a road map, for example, if you're reading it incorrectly. Learn the scale of the map. On detailed maps like road maps and topographical maps, the scale is indicated somewhere in the map key, so you can understand how the distance between points is represented on the map. For instance, 1 inch (2.54 cm) may equal a mile (1.6 km), or some other unit of distance. To understand how far apart two points are, you can measure on the map and then do the calculation to have a sense of how far it is and how long it'll take you to get there. Use the key to identify other important information. The meanings of color shading, symbols, and other types of images will be included on some maps, and should be identified in a corresponding answer key that matches the marking to the meaning. If, for instance a map is made up of some areas shaded red with a symbol of a wave in it, you might need to check the key to discover that it's the location of an area of beach with high-tide warnings. Each map will use different symbols in different ways, so it's important to always defer to a key. For example, on many trail maps, a dotted line means a trail is unpaved, while a dotted line on other types of maps might indicate a country border, or some other kind of marker. Always consult the key to interpret different symbols. Identify key features both on the map and in front of you. For most maps that you'll use, you only need to do a few things to travel. Locate your position on the map currently by identifying landmarks that you can see and landmarks on the map, and then anticipating your next movements based on those indicators. Using a map involves keeping your head up and looking around just as much as it does reading the lines on the page. For example, if you can see on a sign that you're 20 miles from Westville, locate Westville on your map and you'll have a rough idea of where you are. If you don't know what direction you're traveling, look at the cities on either side of Westville and pay attention to which one you pass first, so you'll know which direction you're coming from. If you're using a trail guide or a hiking map, use intersections to get a sense of where you are. If you come to a trailhead of "West Loop Trail" and "Smith Trail," find that intersection point on the map and then you'll know where you are. Orient yourself to the map by looking at the direction each trail heads out from your position and choosing your route according to where you want to go. You can also use a map to plot your route ahead of time and, if your plan is detailed enough, you can keep the map in the glove box. If you need to drive to the airport, you can plot your route and write it out, turn by turn, and keep it on the steering wheel for quick access. Learn to use a compass with topographical maps. More complicated maps generally require the use of a compass to orient yourself properly and understand how to position yourself in relation to the coordinates you find. If you're lost, or you're trying to find your way from one point on a map to another, you need to either find a landmark physically and orient yourself accordingly, use a compass, or use a GPS. If you've got a GPS , you can also use topographical maps to plot a general route based on your precise coordinates. Use the longitude and latitude markers on the map to try to figure out where you are, read the terrain, and then plot a course to get where you're going. Even if you have a GPS, it's still much easier to use a compass to quickly and effective gauge where you are in relation to the direction you're traveling. You can easily stay on course by using a compass. Transpose your direction of travel onto the map. If you know where you are and need to find out how to get where you want to go, lay your map out flat and place your compass on it, so the orienting arrow of the compass points to true north. Slide your compass so the edge of the edge passes through your current position, with the orienting arrow pointing due north. Draw a line along the compass edge, through your current position. If you maintain this bearing, your path from your current position will be along the line you just drew on your map. Learn to take bearings. If you're not sure which direction to travel and need to find out, start with the map flat and your compass on it. Draw a line between your current position and where you'd like to go, then rotate the degree dial so the orienting arrow points north. This should align the compass orienting lines with the map's north-south markers. To travel, hold the compass before you horizontally with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you. You'll use this arrow to guide your travel. Turn your body so the north end of the magnetic needle is aligned with the orienting needle, and you'll be pointed in the right direction. Learn to triangulate your position, when lost. If you don't know where you are and you're not sure where you need to go to get where you're going, you can figure the general area that you're in by learning to triangulate positioning. This is one of the most essential map skills in survival training. To triangulate your position, start by finding three landmarks on the map that you can see physically. Aim your direction of travel arrow at one of the landmarks, then orient the compass and the map according to the readings. Take your coordinates to transpose them onto your map, drawing three lines along the flat of the compass plate. This should create a triangle, in which should be your current position. It won't be perfect, but you'll be in the ballpark. Plan a trip with a road map. Many types of navigation maps exist, including hiking, biking and nature trail maps, highway maps, and lake and nautical maps. The most classic and old-fashioned way to plan a road trip or some other excursion is to map it out on a road map. Preview a day's hike or bike ride through a nature park by examining a map. You may be able to find out how difficult the trail is, the distance you'll be traveling and other sites of interest along the trail. Plan a trip by viewing highway maps. Major highways and county roads are often listed on maps and provide you with many options when traveling. Use an area map to coordinate with others. Maps can be used to provide key information about a detour or road construction. Departments of transportation use maps with detailed information about construction, detours or road closures so that travelers can be informed about the latest road conditions. Investigate spatial relationships with area maps. Maps are often used in zoning and in construction to determine how far things are from one another, and how far apart they should be. Planning and zoning committees regularly use maps to divide districts or plan infrastructure work, and for demonstrating ownership. Deeds and contracts include maps with legal descriptions. Some maps are used to predict crime activity. Criminal forensics teams use maps to pinpoint crime locations and predict future behavior of suspected criminals. Indicate political information with maps. Voters are often directed to their appropriate polling locations via precinct maps. Politicians represent constituents based on geographical location, easily represented by maps. Demonstrate locations of potential projects for the community, such as new parks, parking lots or community centers. Consult a meteorological map to examine weather forecasts. Meteorologists create maps to demonstrate incoming storms, cold and warm fronts, and temperature changes. Viewers can identify predictions for their areas by looking at the map.
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Learn the basic differences between maps. Use the legend to orient the map correctly. Learn the scale of the map. Use the key to identify other important information. Identify key features both on the map and in front of you. Learn to use a compass with topographical maps. Transpose your direction of travel onto the map. Learn to take bearings. Learn to triangulate your position, when lost. Plan a trip with a road map. Use an area map to coordinate with others. Investigate spatial relationships with area maps. Consult a meteorological map to examine weather forecasts.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Tension-in-Physics
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How to Calculate Tension in Physics
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To calculate the tension on a rope holding 1 object, multiply the mass and gravitational acceleration of the object. If the object is experiencing any other acceleration, multiply that acceleration by the mass and add it to your first total. To calculate the tension when a pulley is lifting 2 loads vertically, multiply gravity time 2, then multiply it by both masses. Divide that by the combined mass of both objects. When you're done, remember to write your answer in Newtons!
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Define the forces on either end of the strand. The tension in a given strand of string or rope is a result of the forces pulling on the rope from either end. As a reminder, force = mass × acceleration. Assuming the rope is stretched tightly, any change in acceleration or mass in objects the rope is supporting will cause a change in tension in the rope. Don't forget the constant acceleration due to gravity - even if a system is at rest, its components are subject to this force. We can think of a tension in a given rope as T = (m × g) + (m × a), where "g" is the acceleration due to gravity of any objects the rope is supporting and "a" is any other acceleration on any objects the rope is supporting. For the purposes of most physics problems, we assume ideal strings - in other words, that our rope, cable, etc. is thin, massless, and can't be stretched or broken. As an example, let's consider a system where a weight hangs from a wooden beam via a single rope (see picture). Neither the weight nor the rope are moving - the entire system is at rest. Because of this, we know that, for the weight to be held in equilibrium, the tension force must equal the force of gravity on the weight. In other words, Tension (F t ) = Force of gravity (F g ) = m × g. Assuming a 10 kg weight, then, the tension force is 10 kg × 9.8 m/s = 98 Newtons. Account for acceleration after defining the forces. Gravity isn't the only force that can affect the tension in a rope - so can any force related to acceleration of an object the rope is attached to. If, for instance, a suspended object is being accelerated by a force on the rope or cable, the acceleration force (mass × acceleration) is added to the tension caused by the weight of the object. Let's say that, in our example of the 10 kg weight suspended by a rope, that, instead of being fixed to a wooden beam, the rope is actually being used to pull the weight upwards at an acceleration of 1 m/s. In this case, we must account for the acceleration on the weight as well as the force of gravity by solving as follows: F t = F g + m × a F t = 98 + 10 kg × 1 m/s F t = 108 Newtons. Account for rotational acceleration. An object being rotated around a central point via a rope (like a pendulum) exerts strain on the rope caused by centripetal force. Centripetal force is the added tension force the rope exerts by "pulling" inward to keep an object moving in its arc and not in a straight line. The faster the object is moving, the greater the centripetal force. Centripetal force (F c ) is equal to m × v /r where "m" is mass, "v" is velocity, and "r" is the radius of the circle that contains the arc of the object's motion. Since the direction and magnitude of centripetal force changes as the object on the rope moves and changes speeds, so does the total tension in the rope, which always pulls parallel to the rope towards the central point. Remember also that the force of gravity is constantly acting on the object in a downward direction. So, if an object is being spun or swung vertically, total tension is greatest at the bottom of the arc (for a pendulum, this is called the equilibrium point) when the object is moving fastest and least at the top of the arc when it is moving slowest. Let's say in our example problem that our object is no longer accelerating upwards but instead is swinging like a pendulum. We'll say that our rope is 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) long and that our weight is moving at 2 m/s when it passes through the bottom of its swing. If we want to calculate tension at the bottom of the arc when it's highest, we would first recognize that the tension due to gravity at this point is the same as when the weight was held motionless - 98 Newtons.To find the additional centripetal force, we would solve as follows: F c = m × v /r F c = 10 × 2 /1.5 F c =10 × 2.67 = 26.7 Newtons. So, our the total tension would be 98 + 26.7 = 124.7 Newtons. Understand that tension due to gravity changes throughout a swinging object's arc. As noted above, both the direction and magnitude of centripetal force change as an object swings. However, though the force of gravity remains constant, the tension resulting from gravity also changes. When a swinging object isn't at the bottom of its arc (its equilibrium point), gravity is pulling directly downward, but tension is pulling up at an angle. Because of this, tension only has to counteract part of the force due to gravity, rather than its entirety. Breaking gravitational force up into two vectors can help you visualize this concept. At any given point in the arc of a vertically swinging object, the rope forms an angle "θ" with the line through the equilibrium point and the central point of rotation. As the pendulum swings, gravitational force (m × g) can be broken up into two vectors - mgsin(θ) acting tangent to the arc in the direction of the equilibrium point and mgcos(θ) acting parallel to the tension force in the opposite direction. Tension only has to counter mgcos(θ) - the force pulling against it - not the entire gravitational force (except at the equilibrium point, when these are equal). Let's say that when our pendulum forms an angle of 15 degrees with the vertical, it's moving 1.5 m/s. We would find tension by solving as follows: Tension due to gravity (T g ) = 98cos(15) = 98(0.96) = 94.08 Newtons Centripetal force (F c ) = 10 × 1.5 /1.5 = 10 × 1.5 = 15 Newtons Total tension = T g + F c = 94.08 + 15 = 109.08 Newtons. Account for friction. Any object being pulled by a rope that experiences a "drag" force from friction against another object (or fluid) transfers this force to the tension in the rope. Force from friction between two objects is calculated as it would be in any other situation - via the following equation: Force due to friction (usually written F r ) = (mu)N, where mu is the friction coefficient between the two objects and N is the normal force between the two objects, or the force with which they are pressing into each other. Note that static friction - the friction that results when trying to put a stationary object into motion - is different than kinetic friction - the friction that results when trying to keep a moving object in motion. Let's say that our 10 kg weight is no longer being swung but is now being dragged horizontally along the ground by our rope. Let's say that the ground has a kinetic friction coefficient of 0.5 and that our weight is moving at a constant velocity but that we want to accelerate it at 1 m/s. This new problem presents two important changes - first, we no longer have to calculate tension due to gravity because our rope isn't supporting the weight against its force. Second, we have to account for tension caused by friction, as well as that caused by accelerating the weight's mass. We would solve as follows: Normal force (N) = 10 kg × 9.8 (acceleration from gravity) = 98 N Force from kinetic friction (F r ) = 0.5 × 98 N = 49 Newtons Force from acceleration (F a ) = 10 kg × 1 m/s = 10 Newtons Total tension = F r + F a = 49 + 10 = 59 Newtons. Lift parallel vertical loads using a pulley. Pulleys are simple machines consisting of a suspended disk that allows the tension force in a rope to change direction. In a simple pulley configuration, the rope or cable runs from a suspended weight up to the pulley, then down to another, creating 2 lengths of rope or cable strands. However, the tension in both sections of rope is equal, even if both ends of the rope are being pulled by forces of different magnitudes. For a system of two masses hanging from a vertical pulley, tension equals 2g(m 1 )(m 2 )/(m 2 +m 1 ), where "g" is the acceleration of gravity, "m 1 " is the mass of object 1, and "m 2 " is the mass of object 2. Note that, usually, physics problems assume ideal pulleys - massless, frictionless pulleys that can't break, deform, or become separated from the ceiling, rope, etc. that supports them. Let's say we have two weights hanging vertically from a pulley in parallel strands. Weight 1 has a mass of 10 kg, while weight 2 has a mass of 5 kg. In this case, we would find tension as follows: T = 2g(m 1 )(m 2 )/(m 2 +m 1 ) T = 2(9.8)(10)(5)/(5 + 10) T = 19.6(50)/(15) T = 980/15 T = 65.33 Newtons. Note that, because one weight is heavier than the other, all other things being equal, this system will begin to accelerate, with the 10 kg moving downward and the 5 kg weight moving upward. Lift loads using a pulley with non-parallel vertical strands. Pulleys are often used to direct tension in a direction other than up or down. If, for instance, a weight is suspended vertically from one end of the rope while the other end is attached to a second weight on a diagonal slope, the non-parallel pulley system takes the shape of a triangle with points at the first weight, the second weight, and the pulley. In this case, the tension in the rope is affected both by the force of gravity on the weight and by the component of the pulling force that's parallel to the diagonal section of rope. Let's say we have a system with a 10 kg weight (m 1 ) hanging vertically connected by a pulley to a 5 kg weight (m 2 ) on a 60 degree ramp (assume the ramp is frictionless).To find the tension in the rope, it's easiest to find equations for the forces accelerating the weights first. Proceed as follows: The hanging weight is heavier and we're not dealing with friction, so we know it will accelerate downward. The tension in the rope is pulling up on it, though, so it's accelerating due to the net force F = m 1 (g) - T, or 10(9.8) - T = 98 - T. We know the weight on the ramp will accelerate up the ramp. Since the ramp is frictionless, we know that the tension is pulling it up the ramp and only its own weight is pulling it down. The component of the force pulling it down the ramp is given by sin(θ), so, in our case, we can say that it's accelerating up the ramp due to the net force F = T - m 2 (g)sin(60) = T - 5(9.8)(.87) = T - 42.63. Acceleration of the two weights are the same, thus we have (98 - T)/m 1 = (T - 42.63) /m 2. After a little trivial work to solve this equation, finally we have T = 60.96 Newton. Use multiple strands to support a hanging object. Finally, let's consider an object hanging from a "Y-shaped" system of ropes - two ropes are attached to the ceiling, which meet at a central point from which a weight hangs by a third rope. The tension in the third rope is obvious - it's simply tension resulting from the gravitational force, or m(g). The tensions in the other two ropes are different and must add up to equal the gravitational force in the upward vertical direction and to equal zero in either horizontal direction, assuming the system is at rest. The tension in the ropes is affected both by the mass of the hanging weight and by the angle at which each rope meets the ceiling. Let's say in our Y-shaped system that the bottom weight has a mass of 10 kg and that the two upper ropes meet the ceiling at 30 degrees and 60 degrees respectively. If we want to find the tension in each of the upper ropes, we'll need to consider each tension's vertical and horizontal components. Nonetheless, in this example, the two ropes happens to be perpendicular to each other, making it easy for us to calculate according to the definitions of trigonometric functions as follows: The ratio between T 1 or T 2 and T = m(g) is equal to the sine of the angle between each supporting rope and the ceiling. For T 1 , sin(30) = 0.5, while for T 2 , sin(60) = 0.87 Multiply the tension in the lower rope (T = mg) by the sine of each angle to find T 1 and T 2. T 1 =.5 × m(g) =.5 × 10(9.8) = 49 Newtons. T 2 =.87 × m(g) =.87 × 10(9.8) = 85.26 Newtons.
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Define the forces on either end of the strand. Account for acceleration after defining the forces. Account for rotational acceleration. Understand that tension due to gravity changes throughout a swinging object's arc. Account for friction. Lift parallel vertical loads using a pulley. Lift loads using a pulley with non-parallel vertical strands. Use multiple strands to support a hanging object.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Seasonal-Allergies-in-Cats
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How to Diagnose Seasonal Allergies in Cats
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To diagnose seasonal allergies in your cat, check if it has any exposed skin or open sores due to excessive licking because it's itchy. While looking at your cat's skin, also see if there are any hives or rashes on its body. Along with these skin problems, check your cat for other symptoms of allergies, such as watery eyes and sneezing. If you notice these signs, take your cat to the vet so they can administer an allergy test and help you come up with a plan to keep your cat healthy, such as giving it prescription medication.
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Look for licking or chewing. If your cat is licking or chewing its paws, abdomen, back, or legs, it could be simply engaging in regular cleaning and maintenance. However, if the licking produces excessive hairballs or exposes the skin, your cat is itchy. This itchiness could be due to seasonal allergies. As a result of its licking or chewing, you might see open sores or wounds on your cat. Keep an eye out for hives. Hives are a series of small red bumps that break out on the skin. Your cat's hives might be localized to a particular region or they might be all over the body, so check carefully when looking for hives. Facial swelling might also accompany hives. Hives are extremely itchy, so your cat might scratch its fur to the point that the skin is laid bare in affected areas. Examine your cat for redness and crusty rashes. Redness and crusty rashes (miliary dermatitis) commonly affect the neck, back, and head in cats with seasonal allergies. These rashes are extremely irritating and itchy, and can be detected by watching your cat's behavior, since in order to alleviate its itchiness, it will probably try to claw at the itchy areas or roll around on its back in an atypical way. If you see this behavior, part the cat's fur if necessary to check the condition of the skin. Determine if your cat has eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC). EGC is a condition which produces up to three distinct symptoms. The most common symptom is eosinophilic granuloma, a cluster of pinkish-yellow lesions. Manifestation of these lesions vary widely. For instance, your cat might have small bumps, or large tumor-like ulcers. A variation, eosinophilic plaque lesions, more closely resemble hives. Look for small red bumps on the skin, especially near your cat's stomach or thighs. A final symptom that may appear is an indolent ulcer, a pus-producing sore that often appears along your cat's upper lip. Look for watery eyes. If your cat is exposed to an allergen, their eyes might be irritated. This irritation might cause them to shed tears or have a glassy shine in their eyes that is not normally there. Additionally, you might see streaks or staining at the corners of your cat's eyes. Check for sneezing. Just like in people, cats might sneeze or snort due to seasonal allergies. If your cat is out of sight, listen for the sharp exhalation of breath that accompanies a sneeze. Keep an eye out for hair loss. In order to remedy its itching, your cat might lick certain spots of its coat clean off, exposing the skin. If the hair loss occurs in a hard-to-see spot like its abdomen, you might not notice it at first. Look for other signs that your cat is suffering from seasonal allergies by checking for hair in the stool or large clumps of hair strewn about the house. Check the pollen count in your area. Pollen – a microscopic powder discharged from flowering plants – is one of the most common causes of seasonal allergies. You can get the pollen count in your area by checking the pollen forecast. If the pollen count is high that day, keep your cat inside. Avoid tracking pollen inside. Remove your shoes at the door to prevent bringing pollen all over the house. If, for some reason, your cat does get outside, wipe its paws down gently with a cool, damp cloth when it comes in. This will remove pollen from its paws and prevent it from tracking pollen and spores about the house. If you suspect your cat has more extensive pollen coverage on its fur or elsewhere on its body, give your cat a proper bath instead of just a wipe-down on its paws. If your cat has a canine brother or sister, do the same when they come back inside. Keep your windows closed. If your windows are open, you're more likely to get irritating pollen and mold spores in your home, and trigger an allergic reaction in your cat. To prevent this from happening, keep the windows shut tight, especially during high-pollen periods. Clean regularly. Pollen can get tracked inside from the outside and get stuck in carpets, on clothes, and on bedding. Launder your bedding and clothes regularly, and vacuum your home at least once each week. Additionally, dust the tables and counters of your home to avoid dust buildup. Take your cat to the veterinarian. While some measures will help limit your cat's exposure to allergens, it is not possible to remove all of the environmental allergens from your cat's space. Taking your cat to the vet and sticking with a treatment plan is the best strategy for keeping your cat happy and healthy. Fleas are the most common cause of itchiness for cats, so getting your cat checked for fleas is important. The veterinarian can recommend a flea medication to help eliminate the fleas. Make sure to use cat flea medication and never give dog flea medication to a cat because it can be dangerous for your cat. Your cat's veterinarian can also check for demodex mites, which are also quite common in cats and may be causing their itchiness. The veterinarian may also perform a skin culture to check for ringworm and bacterial infections. If none of these is the culprit, then your veterinarian may also consider your cat's diet to check for food allergies. They may recommend a hypoallergenic diet to help reduce allergy symptoms. Get your cat tested. An allergy test administered by your vet will help identify the specific type of seasonal allergy your cat has. Your vet might draw your cat's blood and analyze it. Alternately, they might use an intradermal skin test, which involves injecting your cat with allergens and looking for a reaction in a controlled environment. Armed with more precise knowledge of your cat's allergies, you can identify the months when the allergens that impact your cat are at their peak and enact additional precautions to protect your kitty. Give your cat allergy shots. Hyposensitization therapy (allergy shots) reduce the potency of your cat's allergic reaction. These shots might not be appropriate for all cats and can take up to two years to become effective. Use prescribed medication. There are several medications available for cats suffering from seasonal allergies. Your vet might prescribe, for instance, an anti-inflammatory medication to reduce redness and swelling. Your cat might also benefit from medications that suppress the immune system reaction that causes allergic attacks. Steroids – especially corticosteroids – are also sometimes used to relieve itching and inflammation. These medications are typically ingested orally, though they might be injected, too. Always use medication as prescribed. Try a topical solution. Creams and salves have limited usefulness with cats, since they tend to just lick the lotion off. However, if your cat has itching or inflammation on the top of its head, the back of its neck, or in a nearby location that is inaccessible to your cat, topical solutions could prove useful. Do not use human allergy medicine. Medications meant to fight allergic symptoms in humans are not always appropriate for cats. You could harm your cat by feeding it human allergy medications. Contact your vet to obtain a medicine that you can use to relieve your cat's allergies.
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Look for licking or chewing. Keep an eye out for hives. Examine your cat for redness and crusty rashes. Determine if your cat has eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC). Look for watery eyes. Check for sneezing. Keep an eye out for hair loss. Check the pollen count in your area. Avoid tracking pollen inside. Keep your windows closed. Clean regularly. Take your cat to the veterinarian. Get your cat tested. Give your cat allergy shots. Use prescribed medication. Try a topical solution. Do not use human allergy medicine.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Your-Dog-Basic-Commands
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How to Teach Your Dog Basic Commands
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To teach your dog basic commands, start with "sit," which is probably the easiest to learn. Stand in front of your dog, look it in the eye, and say "sit" while holding a treat above the its nose. The dog lift its head up to see the treat, which will make its bum go down. As soon as your dog sits, say "Yes!" and give it the treat to reinforce the behavior. Continue training until your dog responds to the command correctly every time before moving on to another basic command like "stay" or "lay down."
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Begin training by teaching your dog how to sit on command. Sitting is the dog form of politeness. It is a natural action. It shows that a dog is not aggressive and that she or he is willing to wait. As you enforce the 'sit' command, the dog will learn that when it wants something, or you are busy, sitting and waiting is the right thing to do. The goal is for the dog to learn that when you give the 'sit' command, it is time to pay attention or calm down. Stand up right in front of your dog. You want to exude calm but assertive energy. Get your dog's attention, looking it right in the eye. As you say "[Dog's name], sit," hold a treat above the dog's nose. In order to see the treat, the dog will need its head up, which will make its bum go down. If it dosent go down try (GENTLY) pushing your dogs tush down and then say "sit" Give positive praise when your dog sits. As soon as she or he sits, say "Yes!" and deliver the treat. The goal is for the dog to connect the action, phrase, or word with the treat and the praise. Replace the treat with hand signals. As your dog learns the verbal command, stop assisting the action and begin to use an accompanying hand signal. A common one begins by placing your flat hand over and in front of the dog's head. While saying "Sit", pull your hand up into a loose fist, or lift it in a J motion to end with your palm facing up. Repeat until your dog responds to your command every time. This can take some time, especially if you are training an adult dog or a stubborn dog. However, don't give up! It is important to the relationship between you and your dog that it follows your lead. This will help you live together and will actually keep your dog safer. Teach your dog to "stay. " There are some commands that can literally save your dog's life and the "stay" command is one of them. Keeping your dog out of dangerous situations, in addition to simply keeping it out of trouble, can be achieved more easily when you can train your dog to stay put. A pup has an instinctive understanding of how to stay when being threatened and the mother uses a very distinct "stay" command as well. This instinctive and early training should help you to train your dog to follow your command to stay. Start your training with your dog in the "sit" position. When your dog is sitting, stand so that he or she is on your left side facing the same direction. Later this will be referred to as the 'place' position. Hold the dog's collar and say "[dog's name], stay! " You should do this while placing your open hand in front of, but not touching, your dog's face. The tips of your fingers should be pointing up and your palm should be facing your dog. Wait two seconds. If the dog stays in place, say "Yes!" and give a reward. If she gets up, say "Oops!" and start again but if your dog thinks that is a punishment give it a treat and try again. Begin with "sit" and proceed again to "stay". Repeat this until your dog stays in place for at least ten seconds and then praise it. This means you may need to repeat this whole sequence several times. Gradually increase the amount of time you have your dog stay. When your dog learns this command well, you can start to increase the length of time while gradually moving away during the stay. If your dog gets up, go all the way back to sitting and repeat the sequence, until you can move around freely during the stay. You should also have a certain command to release your dog from the stay such as "okay!" or "come" or simply say your dogs name. This way, your dog knows when it can move. Teach your dog to lay down. "Down" is usually combined with "stay," and is meant to be a stronger command. Down actually stops whatever action was happening before the command, so it is useful in controlling behavior. Start again with your dog in a 'sit' position. As you say "[dog's name], down!," hold your left hand above your dog's head, palm toward the floor. With a treat in your right hand, lower your hand towards the floor slowly and relatively close to the dog's body if your dog does not complete the task gently pull out his front legs until hes on the floor then give a treat. Give your dog positive reinforcement for completing the command. Once both bum and elbows are on the floor, say "Yes!" and deliver the treat. This will make an association in the dog's mind between the action and a reward. Repeat this sequence several times. Repetition is key to your dog learning, and following, the command. The goal is for your dog to follow your command no matter what it is doing when you give it. That way, if your dog is doing something naughty, you can stop the behavior quickly and effectively. Like training other commands, if the dog does not follow the command or does something different, start again from the beginning. Put the dog in sitting position once again and start from the beginning. Teach your dog to come when you call it. The "come" command is also known as "recall." Like training for other basic commands, begin with your dog in "sit" position. Gently pull the dog towards you while saying "[dog's name], come! " You should do this in a more encouraging voice than you use for other commands, as you want the dog to want to come to you. Accompany the command with a gesture to show the dog what you want. Lure your dog to come with a treat. Once you have shown your dog how to come and what command you will give, place a piece of dry dog food at your feet and point to it. After a very short time, the gesture of pointing at the floor in front of you should be enough. Later only the command or the gesture will be needed. Reinforce the action with praise. When your dog reaches you, praise it using the phrase "Good come!" Give him or her a nice pet on the head, showing the dog that you are appreciative of what it just did for you. Practice the command at a variety of times and in a variety of locations. When interacting with your pet, take opportunities to call it from across the room by using its name and saying "Come!" and praising it when it gets there. This will make your dog familiar with the command. Teach your dog to "heel. " This command is often the most complicated one to teach. However, most dogs can learn it if you are consistent with your training. Teaching your canine companion to heel will save your back, your shoulders, your dog's neck, and dignity for both of you (although, dignity may be low on the priority list for your dog). Your dog will probably naturally want to jog at a canter and sniff and veer off in many directions. You need to show him or her that there is a time for exploring and a time not to. Put your dog in sitting position. Using the regular walking lead, put your dog in a "sit" position beside your left leg, facing the same direction as you. This is known as the "place" position. Always use the left side to avoid confusing the dog. Tell your dog to "heel. " Say "[dog's name], heel!" while stepping forward with your left foot. Starting with the left foot will become a signal that it is time to move forward. Your dog may either resist or hurry past you. In either case give a gentle pull and repeat the command "heel." Instruct the dog to stay by your side. If he or she strays too far off to the side, pat your leg and say "Keep with me!" or "Over here!" or another short phrase. Always say the same phrase to mean that particular thing. Correct wrong behavior. If the dog moves out ahead, say "No, [dog's name], heel" in a calm voice. If necessary, tug on the lead. When you stop, always stop on the left foot and say "[dog's name], sit." If your dog moves ahead again, gently pull or physically place him or her beside your left leg using the "sit" command. If things get a little to out of control, stop and place the dog in a sit position at your side once again, praise him or her, and start over. You should always adjust the dog to your position, not adjust your position to his. (if you adjust your position to his, he will eventually have his human well trained to obey him) You should get your dog used to not feeling any tension on the lead unless you are making a correction, or the dog will get into the habit of pulling constantly. Make your corrections by voice and gesture and only use the lead if it isn't listening. Give praise when the dog heels. You may gently praise your dog while he or she is heeling well, but keep it toned down so as not to distract it. Once it is obeying the spoken commands consistently, remain silent and only use the spoken commands for correction. The length of time to learn is individual so don't be in a hurry to move things along. Teach the dog to sit when you stop. When you are ready to stop, you should stop on your left foot and say "[dog's name],sit." After a few repetitions you should no longer need to use the sit command. Your dog will come to know that stopping on the left foot is the signal for him or her to stop and sit. Practice the command solely through body language. When your dog is consistently obeying the "heel" command properly, start unexpectedly starting of with the left foot and stopping without verbal commands or hand signals. Also, when your dog is in the "place" position, occasionally step off with the right. Your dog will want to start with you, so you use the "stay" command and walk around him back to the "place" position. Alternate stepping off with the left and using the heel command and then stepping off with the right and using the stay command. After a while you can advance to randomly stepping of with either foot and reinforcing the appropriate "heel" or "stay" behavior. When you and your dog has learned this well, you will be able to function smoothly as a team no matter where you are.
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Begin training by teaching your dog how to sit on command. Give positive praise when your dog sits. Replace the treat with hand signals. Repeat until your dog responds to your command every time. Teach your dog to "stay. Start your training with your dog in the "sit" position. Hold the dog's collar and say "[dog's name], stay! Gradually increase the amount of time you have your dog stay. Teach your dog to lay down. Start again with your dog in a 'sit' position. Give your dog positive reinforcement for completing the command. Repeat this sequence several times. Teach your dog to come when you call it. Gently pull the dog towards you while saying "[dog's name], come! Lure your dog to come with a treat. Reinforce the action with praise. Practice the command at a variety of times and in a variety of locations. Teach your dog to "heel. Put your dog in sitting position. Tell your dog to "heel. Instruct the dog to stay by your side. Correct wrong behavior. Give praise when the dog heels. Teach the dog to sit when you stop. Practice the command solely through body language.
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https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Ants-from-Potted-Plants
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How to Remove Ants from Potted Plants
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Ants usually aren't harmful to potted plants, but you can still remove them by placing bait traps on the floor around your plants. Replace the bait traps every few days until you don't see ants anymore. Another solution is to cover the topsoil of your plants with a thin layer of diatomaceous earth, which is an organic insecticide. This will kill any ants on your houseplants, and it's completely plant-safe. To make an ant repellent, squeeze some citrus juice over your plants. Ants don't like the smell of citrus, so the citrus juice will help keep them away. Cinnamon, cloves, chili powder, or coffee grounds sprinkled around the base of your plants will also deter ants. You can also place your plants on a ledge or in hanging pots so they're more difficult for ants to reach.
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Apply the insecticide permethrin to the soil. When ants eat or come into contact with permethrin, their nervous system is paralyzed and the pests die. Permethrin comes in several forms: concentrated liquid, dust, powder, and aerosol. Before applying permethrin to any potted plant, read the product instructions carefully. If administered improperly, this insecticide can cause harm to humans. Use the concentrated liquid form on your potted plants. Follow the product instructions to make an effective permethrin solution and apply as instructed. If you, a family member, or pet are sprayed with and ingest permethrin, call a doctor or vet immediately. Use a bait to destroy the entire ant colony. Ants are drawn to the bait, which contains slow-acting insecticides, by sugars, oils, and proteins. Worker ants bring the poisonous food back to the colony and pass the harmful item directly to the mouths of other worker ants, larvae, and queens. As the poisonous bait is passed from ant to ant or ant to larvae, the colony slowly dwindles. You can purchase ant bait in stick form and insert it directly into the infested potted plant. You may also use a reusable bait station. Since this trap is refillable, this method is ideal to eradicate a substantial infestation. Fill the reusable bait station with the insecticide of your choice. Close the station and set it near the base of the plant. Check the bait station frequently so that you can empty and or refill it as needed. Baits are considered the safest form of insecticide. Before using ant baits, however, always read the label to ensure that it is safe to use around children and pets. Purchase baits that include one of the following active ingredients: hydramethylnon, fipronil, boric acid, or avermectin B. Do not purchase baits that contain cyfluthrin or permethrin. These fast-attacking insecticides will kill the worker ant before it can reach the colony. Cover the topsoil with Diatomaceous Earth (DE). DE is an organic, mineral-based insecticide. Using an applicator bulb is the safest way to apply diatomaceous earth. Use an applicator bulb to distribute this chalk-like substance around the base and on the soil of the infested potted plant. Within approximately 30 minutes of coming into contact with DE, the ants on the plant will die. This product is less effective when wet. Reapply this product after watering, rain, or heavy dew. Do not inhale this product. Store the remaining product inside a sealed bag to limit your exposure to the product. Mix 1 tablespoon peppermint soap with 2 cups of water. Spray this solution on the plant's foliage. Remove ants from your plant's foliage by spraying it with water from a hose. Prepare the solution. If your potted plant is totally infested with tiny pests, flooding the soil with a water-insecticide solution will cause the ants to flee their nest. The ants that come into contact with the insecticide mixture will die or drown. To prepare the solution: Grab a clean bucket. Fill the bucket with 1 gallon of water. (If your potted plant is large, double or triple the amount of water). Stir in 1 cup of insecticidal soap or dish soap or detergent per 1 gallon of water. Some dish soaps and detergents are a milder, less expensive, but less reliable alternatives to insecticidal soap. Branded dish soaps and detergents include: Dawn, Palmolive, Dove, Ivory, and Joy. Divide the solution. First, set aside approximately half of the solution to submerge the pot in. Find a bucket or tub that is large enough for the pot to fit inside and fill it with half the mixture. Second, fill a small spray bottle with the solution—you will use this to spray any ants that might escape from the soil. Lastly, you will pour all of the remaining solution to through the infested plant's soil. Pour approximately half of the mixture through the soil. Move the plant to a shady spot in your yard. Slowly pour half of the insecticide mixture through the soil of the potted plant. Spray any ants that escape the potted plant with the insecticide mixture. Let the planted pot sit for 1 hour. Insecticidal soap is mild and safe to use in organic gardens. These soaps contain specially formatted potassium fatty acids that kill insects on contact but are not harmful to humans or animals. Since these soaps have a low mammalian toxicity, they are considered safe to use around children and pets and are approved for use on organic farms. While it should not ruin your yard or garden, you may wish to work on a concrete patio or driveway to reduce any possible risk of damage. Submerge the entire pot in the insecticide solution. After pouring the solution through the soil, and catching the runoff in a container, pick up the pot and submerge it in the insecticide solution. Let it sit in the solution for 15 minutes. Spray any ants that escape the potted plant with the insecticide mixture. Remove the potted plant from the solution and set it on the ground. Rinse the plant and pot with fresh water. Use a hose to drench the entire potted plant with clean water. The fresh water will flush out any remaining insecticide solution. Allow the plant and soil to dry completely before moving it to a sunny location or watering it again. Rinse the plant's roots. In order to eradicate the ant colony, you need to remove and replace the infested soil. Use a gardening trowel to carefully remove the plant from the pot. Throw away any soil remaining in the pot. Gently spray the roots with a hose to dislodge any ants or infested soil. This is a messy job—work in a spot that can get dirty and wet. Clean the pot. After removing the infected soil from the pot, you need to sanitize the container. Thoroughly cleaning the pot will ensure that all traces of the infected soil are removed. Use a cloth or sponge to scrub the inside and outside of the pot with a 1:10 bleach to water solution. Replant the pot. Fill your pot with fresh, uninfected soil. Insert the plant into the clean soil and fill in any gaps with more dirt. When you have finished, water your plant thoroughly. If the plant's roots are getting too big for the pot, replant it in a larger pot. Spread coffee grounds on the soil. Ants detest coffee grounds and will avoid them if they are able. Sprinkle some of the grounds on the plant's soil. Spread a small circle of coffee grounds around the base of the plant. Surround your plants with household products that are toxic or deterrents to ants. If you are uncomfortable using insecticides, especially if they have pets or children, there are several items in your kitchen cupboards that can kill or deter ants. These items include baking soda, pepper, cinnamon, chili powder, and peppermint. Encircle the base of your potted plant with a narrow ring of one of these products. Create a non-toxic ant trap. If you prefer not to use chemicals to kill the ants, you may set up a non-toxic sticky trap. Surround your plant with contact paper instead of ant bait. As the ants try to cross the contact paper, they will get stuck. Cut out a ring of contact paper that fits tightly around the base of your potted plant. Separate the two layers and place the non-sticky side of the contact paper on the ground. Set your plant directly in the center of the contact paper ring (on top of the sticky side). Replace as needed.
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Apply the insecticide permethrin to the soil. Use a bait to destroy the entire ant colony. Cover the topsoil with Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Mix 1 tablespoon peppermint soap with 2 cups of water. Prepare the solution. Divide the solution. Pour approximately half of the mixture through the soil. Submerge the entire pot in the insecticide solution. Rinse the plant and pot with fresh water. Rinse the plant's roots. Clean the pot. Replant the pot. Spread coffee grounds on the soil. Surround your plants with household products that are toxic or deterrents to ants. Create a non-toxic ant trap.
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