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https://www.wikihow.com/Knit-Buttonholes	How to Knit Buttonholes	Start your buttonhole by taking two stitches and slipping them onto the opposite needle, then looping the first stitch over the second stitch. Continue binding off in this manner, slipping another stitch over to the opposite needle, then slipping the first stitch over the second stitch. When you've reached a good length for your buttons, turn your work so the opposite side is facing you, then cast on as many stitches as you bound off in the direction of the buttonhole. Finish by knitting a stitch to connect the cast on stitches to the opposite side.	Slip two stitches and bind off. To start your buttonhole, take two stitches and slip them onto the opposite needle. Then, loop the first stitch you slipped onto the needle over the second stitch you slipped onto the needle. Slip another stitch and bind off again. To continue binding off, you will need to slip another stitch over to the opposite needle. Then bind off the stitch by slipping the first stitch over the second stitch. Continue slipping off stitches and binding off if you are making a larger buttonhole. For small buttonholes, you may only need to bind off a couple of stitches. But for larger button holes, you will need to bind off more stitches. Keep going until the button hole is the length that you need it to be. Turn your work and cast on two or more stitches. When you finish binding off the stitches, you will need to turn your work around. Turn the work so that the opposite side is facing you. Then, begin to cast on stitches in the direction of the buttonhole. Cast on as many stitches as you bound off. For example, if you bound off four stitches, then cast on four stitches. Knit as usual. After you finish casting on, knit one stitch to connect the cast on stitches to the opposite side of the buttonhole. Then, turn the work around again and knit as usual. If you only needed one buttonhole, then knit to the end of the row. If you need more than one buttonhole, then knit until you reach the next space for placing a buttonhole and repeat the process again. Knit two and pull the first stitch over the second. For the first row, you will be binding off the stitches to create one side of the buttonhole. Begin by knitting two and then pull the first stitch you knit over the second one to bind off the first stitch. Continue binding off by knitting one and pulling the first stitch over the second stitch. Continue to bind off as many stitches as you need to create your buttonhole. Resume knitting as before. When you finish binding off your required stitches for the buttonhole, resume knitting. Finish knitting to the end of the row or until you need to make another buttonhole. Bind off enough stitches to make the length of the buttonhole. When you come back around to the space where you started the buttonhole, you will need to cast on additional stitches to cover the length of the buttonhole. For example, if you bound off three stitches, then you will need to cast on three stitches. Continue knitting. After you cast on enough stitches to cover the area of the buttonhole, resume knitting as usual. On your next round, knit across the stitches you cast on in the same manner as the other stitches. Check the size of your buttons first. Don't make the buttonholes too large or too small for your buttons. Measure the buttons and try to make the buttonholes slightly smaller than the buttons. Try holding up the buttons against the buttonholes as you create them. This will help to ensure that you do not make them too large or too small. Identify where the buttonhole will be placed. It is important to know where you want each buttonhole to be. Measure the area and place stitch markers so you will know where to place each buttonhole as you go. You can also mark the placement spots with a small safety pin or paper clip. Maintain good tension to ensure tight buttonholes. As you bind off, cast on, and knit over the areas with buttonholes, it is important to keep good tension. This will help to ensure that your buttonholes will be secure. Hold the yarn taut as you create the buttonholes to ensure that your buttonholes will be tight. Reinforce or adjust the buttonholes if needed. If you do end up with buttonholes that are loose or too small, then you can use a knitting needle and some extra yarn to reinforce the buttonhole. Using a "yarn needle" and the same yarn that you are using to knit your item, stitch around the edges of the buttonhole, using the same "buttonhole stitch" that is used when sewing on fabric. This will reinforce the buttonhole. Or if your buttonhole is too long, stitch across one or both of the ends to make the buttonhole shorter.	Slip two stitches and bind off. Slip another stitch and bind off again. Turn your work and cast on two or more stitches. Knit as usual. Knit two and pull the first stitch over the second. Resume knitting as before. Bind off enough stitches to make the length of the buttonhole. Continue knitting. Check the size of your buttons first. Identify where the buttonhole will be placed. Maintain good tension to ensure tight buttonholes. Reinforce or adjust the buttonholes if needed.
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Cushing%27s-Disease-in-Horses	How to Diagnose Cushing's Disease in Horses	To diagnose Cushing's disease in your horse, start by looking for symptoms, like a long, wavy coat or a coat that doesn't shed regularly in the spring. Since horses with Cushing's suffer from more frequent infections, you'll also want to note if your horse has a lot of illnesses, heals slowly from wounds, or has frequent bouts with pinworms. If you have a mare, check for reproductive anomalies, like infertility, producing milk when it's not supposed to, or failing to produce milk when it has a foal. In order to confirm a diagnosis of Cushing's, take your horse to the vet, where they'll perform blood work and a urinalysis.	Look for irregularities with your horse’s coat. Most horses have short, fine hair. A long, wavy coat, by contrast, could indicate Cushing's disease. Additionally, a coat that doesn't shed regularly in the spring is a good indication that your horse has Cushing's. Irregularities of the coat is one of the most obvious symptoms that your horse has Cushing's, and occurs in 85% of all cases. Monitor for immune system deficiencies. Horses with Cushing's suffer increased rates of infection. They also tend to heal slowly from wounds. If your horse is frequently diagnosed with parasites like pinworms (which are quite rare in adult horses), you should be suspicious as to why. These symptoms could indicate your horse has Cushing's disease. Check for reproductive anomalies. Infertility during middle age is not uncommon even in otherwise healthy horses, but in a horse younger than 15-20 years old, it might be a sign your horse has Cushing's disease. Additionally, a mare that produces milk when it is not supposed to - or fails to produce milk when it has a foal – could have Cushing's. Look for an abnormal distribution of fat. If your horse has Cushing's disease, fat will build up in certain parts of the body. Noticeable fat deposits on the crest of the neck, the sheath of the penis (the prepuce, or covering beneath the penis), the tail head (the part of the tail closest to the horse's body), and above the eyes. Look for other physical changes. If your horse's muscles begin to deteriorate, especially above the topline (the neck, back, and rump), you should consult your vet. Likewise, a horse that sweats in excess may have Cushing's disease. Finally, look for a change in your horse's normal stance. Your horse may appear potbellied, with a swollen or puffed-out belly. Alternately, your horse might become swaybacked -- that is, it's spine might curve inward at an unusual slope. Get a medical examination. There are several tests your vet can perform in order to figure out if your horse has Cushing's. Most of the tests evaluate the levels of different compounds in the blood. Before having your horse tested, keep them as calm as possible, and keep your normal routine. Stress can alter the results of tests. One useful diagnostic test is the CBC (complete blood count). Your vet will draw a few vials of blood from your horse and measure the blood sugar levels, since horses with Cushing's disease often have elevated blood sugar levels. Another blood analysis test is the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). In this test, the vet will inject dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory agent that mimics cortisol. The next day, your vet will examine your horse's cortisol levels with another blood test. An elevated level of cortisol indicates that your horse has Cushing's. Your vet might also perform a urinalysis test. In this test, your horse's urine is examined for exceptionally high levels of glucose (a sugar) and ketones (molecules produced when the body turns fat into energy). Your vet can diagnose Cushing's by looking at your horse's physical confirmation. This will save money on testing. They'll be able to tell if it's Cushing's or Insulin Resistance. IR can be reversed with exercise and cutting back on food. Look for weird fluctuations in diet and weight. Horses with Cushing's might experience one of several strange and counterintuitive weight-related scenarios. They might lose weight if they continue to eat the same amount of food they always have. Alternately, your horse might start eating significantly more than it used to, but fail to gain weight. Finally, a horse with Cushing's might gain weight, but eat even less than it did before. Keep an eye out for changes in your horse's weight and the way your horse eats in order to get a diagnosis before your horse gets worse. Check for chronic laminitis. Laminitis (also known as founder) is the inflammation of the tissue within the hoof wall. The condition is very painful and will cause the horse to be unwilling to walk or move. Your horse might lie down and be reluctant to rise. When it does walk, it will do so extremely carefully and may place the heel of its hoof down first (rather than its toes) in an attempt to spare itself from pain. Monitor for lower energy levels. Your horse might be depressed and lethargic if it has Cushing's disease. You might notice that it only wants to sit in one spot all day, and acts less playful than it used to. These behavioral changes might just be a sign of old age, but they could also indicate that your horse has Cushing's. See if your horse is drinking an excessive amount of water. A consequence and related symptom of this high water consumption is that your horse will urinate frequently and in high volumes. Horses with Cushing's disease drink and urinate in slightly different amounts, but if you notice your horse begin to drink anywhere from two to five times the amount of water it normally drinks, you should definitely suspect it has Cushing's. Most horses drink about 20 to 30 liters (5 to 8 US gal) of water each day. Horses with Cushing's might drink up to 80 liters (21.1 US gal) each day. Instead of letting your horse drink out of a trough, hang buckets of water in their stall. Keep track of how often you have to refill the buckets each day so that you can accurately measure how much they drink. Get medication for your horse. After you notice several of the symptoms for Cushing's disease, have your vet take a look at your horse. If your vet verifies that your horse does in fact have Cushing's, they might give you a prescription appropriate for your horse's age and condition. Horses with relatively mild symptoms respond best to medication. Medications for Cushing's include: Cyproheptadine, pergolide, and other medications that reduce the amount of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), two biological compounds that affect that the operation of the endocrine system. Trilostane and other medications that suppress cortisol synthesis in the adrenal glands might also be useful. Some medications – bromocriptine mesylate, for instance -- can reduce both cortisol levels and ACTH levels. Your vet will determine which medication would be best for your horse. Let your vet know if one medication isn't working for your horse so they can recommend a new dosage or prescribe an alternative medication. The medications will probably be orally administered, but they might be injectable. Always use medications as directed. Stopping the medication suddenly can cause problems for your horse. Try nutritional supplements. There are a number of nutritional supplements that could be beneficial to managing your horse's condition. Magnesium, for instance, is one of the more commonly accepted nutritional supplements that might improve symptoms of Cushing's disease. Chromium (or chromium picolinate) is another. These supplements are best obtained online but may be available at pet stores or stores that specialize in horse health. After obtaining these supplements, use as directed. Directions for use vary based on your horse's age and weight. Talk to your doctor about administering additional nutritional supplements to your horse. Avoid sweet foods. Horses with Cushing's tend to be insulin resistant, meaning they have high blood sugar levels. Therefore, don't give your horse anything with high levels of sugar, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), or starch. Mints, sweet feeds, and other candies could push your horse's blood sugar levels over the edge. Avoid feeds with added sugar or molasses, such as extruded feeds you might provide for older horses. Even some pasture grasses can have high NSC levels. Avoid or restrict pasture feeding, especially during spring and fall when NSC content in pasture grass tends to be highest. You can also use a grazing muzzle while they are in the field. These will help limit how much grass they eat. Engage in regular maintenance. A horse with Cushing's needs all the things a regular horse does, but because of its precarious health, it is important not to miss a single veterinary appointment or tooth-brushing session. Pay particular attention to your horse's nutrition, ensuring it eats and drinks enough for its age and weight. Get your horse dewormed regularly and provide vaccinations as needed. If your horse has laminitis, consult a farrier and a veterinarian to ensure it gets special hoof care. Special hoof care includes Corrective Hoof Trimming and Realigning Trimming. These trimmings will reverse laminitis. Your Cushingoid horse might have trouble regulating its body temperature. Provide blankets in the winter and clip its excess hair in the summer.	Look for irregularities with your horse’s coat. Monitor for immune system deficiencies. Check for reproductive anomalies. Look for an abnormal distribution of fat. Look for other physical changes. Get a medical examination. Look for weird fluctuations in diet and weight. Check for chronic laminitis. Monitor for lower energy levels. See if your horse is drinking an excessive amount of water. Get medication for your horse. Try nutritional supplements. Avoid sweet foods. Engage in regular maintenance.
https://www.wikihow.com/Toast-Coconut	How to Toast Coconut	To toast coconut, start by spreading it in a thin layer on a baking sheet lined with foil. Then, toast the coconut for about 20 minutes in a 325° oven, stirring it every few minutes to keep it from getting too dark. Make sure to adjust the toasting time based on what kind of coconut you're using, since sweetened or finely grated coconut toasts quickly, while fresh coconut takes more time. If you're looking for a shortcut, spread the coconut in a glass dish and microwave it for 1-3 minutes, making sure to check every minute to see if it's done.	Preheat the oven. Turn on the oven and preheat it to 350°F/176°C or 325°F/163ºC. There can be some slight variation in the temperature of the oven, depending on how quickly or slowly you wish to toast the coconut. Since coconut browns rather quickly, a slower cooking process with a lower temperature (325°F/163ºC or 300°F/149ºC) is suggested. But, if you are toasting freshly grated coconut, preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C. Because the coconut will be damp since it's fresh, it may need to toast a bit longer to completely dry out all the pieces. Alternatively, you can also toast coconut in a toaster oven. Simply preheat the toaster oven to 325°F or 163ºC. Prepare the baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread out a thin layer of about ½ a cup of shredded, flaked, or powdered coconut. Keep that in mind that sweetened coconut will toast faster than unsweetened coconut. The finer the pieces of coconut, the faster they will toast. If you're toasting your coconut in a toaster oven, line the baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out a thin layer of about ½ a cup of shredded, flaked, or powdered coconut. Toast the coconut. Put the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 5-10 minutes at 350°F/180ºC. If you have the oven set at a lower temperature, it could take approximately 20 minutes to toast all of the coconut. If you are toasting fresh coconut, it could take approximately 12-18 minutes to completely toast. Keep your eye on the coconut as it toasts. After about five minutes, stir the coconut and look for any pieces that are golden brown. Remove any golden brown pieces of coconut and continue to toast the rest for a few more minutes. If you're toasting your coconut in a toaster oven, at 325°F or 163ºC, it should take approximately 4-7 for finely shredded, unsweetened coconut to toast, approximately 7-12 minutes for large flaked unsweetened coconut to toast, and approximately 7-10 minutes for normally shredded, sweetened coconut to toast. Continue to check on the coconut and stir it every couple of minutes. Do not let the coconut become too dark. A light, golden brown coloring indicates that the coconut is adequately toasted. Store the toasted coconut. Remove the coconut from the oven and pour it onto some parchment paper or into a bowl. You can either use the toasted coconut right away after it cools, or store it in an airtight container for up to four days until you're ready to use it. Set the heat for the burner. Place a large pan on a stove burner and heat the pan under medium flame. Add in the coconut. Once the pan has had a couple of minutes to warm up, add the shredded, flaked, or powdered coconut to the pan. Toast about ½ a cup (a large handful) of coconut at a time. This will make the toasting process quicker and easier. Stir the coconut. Use a wooden spoon to stir the coconut for about 2-5 minutes. Continue stirring the coconut until it starts to turn a light golden brown. Remember, if the coconut is sweetened, it will brown faster than unsweetened coconut. Store the toasted coconut. Once the coconut has reached a light golden brown and it's toasted to your satisfaction, turn off the flame to the stove, and slide the coconut onto parchment paper or onto a plate to cool. Place the cooled coconut in airtight container for storage. Spread the coconut in a container. Spread about 1/2 cup of coconut evenly in a microwaveable, glass dish. Make sure that the coconut is spread out evenly in the bottom of the glass dish. Microwave the coconut. Put the dish in the microwave and cook the coconut for one minute. After one minute, stir the coconut and check to see if it is toasted to your satisfaction. If the coconut isn't toasted enough, put it back in the microwave and cook it for another minute. Continue to microwave the coconut in one-minute intervals, stirring the coconut between each interval, until it turns a golden brown. It should take about 2-3 minutes to brown. Sweetened coconut will brown (and perhaps burn) faster than unsweetened coconut. Keep this in mind as you microwave the coconut. Be very careful to keep an eye on the coconut. The coconut in the center of the dish can easily brown and burn in a microwave. That's why stirring the coconut around is so important. Store the coconut. After you have reached a satisfactory toasting of the coconut, pour the coconut onto a plate to cool and use, or into an airtight container to store for later. Consume quickly, as it won't retain a nice flavor for long after being toasted.	Preheat the oven. Prepare the baking sheet. Toast the coconut. Store the toasted coconut. Set the heat for the burner. Add in the coconut. Stir the coconut. Store the toasted coconut. Spread the coconut in a container. Microwave the coconut. Store the coconut.
https://www.wikihow.life/Get-a-Toned-Butt	How to Get a Toned Butt	To get a toned butt, try doing some body weight exercises, like squats, lunges, and bridges. You can also do weight exercises, like deadlifts, weighted step ups, and weighted bridges. In addition to exercise, eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins to help your muscles repair after exercise.	Do squats to strengthen your legs and glutes. Squats are the classic butt exercise. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart with the toes slightly pointing out. Bend your legs to lower your body until your thighs are parallel with the ground. Your knees should be directly above your toes. Slowly rise back up to the starting position. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps each. for a firm butt and legs. Do lunges Lunges will help you feel the burn in your legs and butt. To lunge, step forward with 1 leg. Lower your hips toward the floor as you lunge, and bend your knees at a 90-degree angle. Move back into a standing position. Repeat 10-15 times using the same leg, then do 10-15 reps with the other leg. When you lunge, the knee of your front leg should line up over the ankle of that foot. The back knee, however, should just hover over the floor. Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps on each side. for your glutes and core. Do a bridge exercise Bridges are one of the best glute exercises. Lie down on your back with your knees bent. Slowly raise your hips while keeping your shoulders and upper back on the ground. There should be a straight line from your knees to your chest. Hold this for a second before slowly lowering yourself. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps. For a slightly more advanced move, you can rest your feet up on an exercise ball or a chair. Extend your legs while doing a bridge to strengthen your glutes. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Roll your hips up off the floor. Once you are steady, extend 1 leg up off the floor so that there is a straight line between your foot and shoulders. Hold this for a second before lowering the leg. Repeat with the other leg. Clench your butt muscles to help you get the most out of this move. Do 1 set with 5 reps on each leg. As you get better at this move, you can start doing 8-10 reps. Do 1-leg kickbacks to help your hamstrings and glutes. On a yoga mat, hold yourself up on your hands and knees. Keep your back flat and straight, and engage your core muscles. Lift 1 leg up towards the ceiling while keeping it bent. Lower it back down and repeat 8-12 times before switching sides. Do 1 set of 8-12 reps for each leg. Your core refers to the muscles in your stomach, bottom, and back. To engage these muscles, tuck in your lower abdominal muscles by pulling your belly in towards your spine. Step up on to a platform while holding weights. Step-ups are a simple exercise that are great for your butt. Take a dumbbell in each hand. Stand in front of a platform, bench, or step. Step up onto the platform with your right foot, then follow with the left foot. Step back with your right foot first before following with your left foot. Do 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps each. to work your butt and thighs. Do deadlifts Deadlifts are a fantastic exercise that can work multiple muscles. Take a dumbbell in each hand. Plant your feet hip-width apart, and hold your arms straight down in front of your body. Slightly bend your legs and hinge forward from the hips, lowering the weights down in front of your body. Slowly rise back to a standing position. Keep your abs tight and your back straight. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps. Do a sumo squat to strengthen your butt and inner thighs. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, with your arms down in front of your body. Spread your feet about 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) apart. Keep your toes pointed out. Lower yourself into the squat, keeping your arms straight down and your knees lined up over your ankles as you do so. Rise back up to the starting position. Aim to do 2-3 sets. Repeat 8-12 times in each set. Try a weighted bridge exercise. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Hold a dumbbell on your hips with both hands. Lift your hips so that your body forms a straight line between your chest and your knees. Wait a second before lowering yourself back down. Complete 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps each. You can try this move without the weight at first. Rest your arms on the ground beside you. Bridges are a great move in general to help shape the glutes, but adding weights will increase the resistance and build more muscle. Take a barre class. Inspired by ballerinas, barre classes incorporate classic dance technique with modern exercise forms. In a barre class, you will learn how to plie, pulse, and twirl your way to a fitter butt. Barre classes may be held at dance studios and gyms. Try Pilates to strengthen your core and glutes. Pilates uses body weight exercises to strengthen your core, legs, and glutes. A Pilates class can guide you through these movements in quick succession. You might do clam shells, bridges, and other great moves. Pilates may be offered at gyms or yoga studios. Find a yoga class for a gentler exercise. Yoga focuses on poses and stretching to open up many parts of your body. While yoga is not as intensive as other types of workouts, it may help you start building strength in your core and glutes. You can take a yoga class or do an online video class. Good poses for your glutes include wheel pose, cobra pose, and happy baby pose. Go to a Crossfit class for a more intensive workout. Crossfit combines many different types of exercises to get your heart racing while building muscle. These classes will work your entire body, helping you reach your butt goals even faster. Crossfit is generally offered in special Crossfit studios. Visit a spinning class. Spin classes use exercise bikes for intensive cardio. Try riding the bike standing slightly. As you do so, engage your core and glutes to help boost your booty. This can help you tone your butt. These classes may be offered at a gym or at a standalone spin studio. To engage your core, brace your abdominal muscles in your lower stomach. Do cardio 2-3 times a week to burn fat. If you don't cut fat around your bum, your muscles may just grow under your fat, meaning that you won't have the toned appearance you may desire. Cardio can help you burn calories and lose fat. Aim for a vigorous session between 30-60 minutes long. A vigorous session will elevate your heart rate and make you start breathing hard. You can: Run on a treadmill or outside. Use an elliptical machine. Take a dance exercise class. Do kickboxing. Eat a healthy, well-rounded diet. Choosing the right foods can help give you a more toned appearance overall, not just around your butt. Aim for a diet high in fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean meats. Avoid saturated fats (like fried and processed foods) and simple sugars (including soda, baked goods, and candy). Instead, choose foods that contain: Protein, like eggs, fish, lean meat, beans, lentils, peas, dairy, and cottage cheese. Healthy unsaturated fats, like avocado, nuts, fish, and olive oil. Complex carbohydrates, like brown rice, legumes, whole grain bread, oatmeal, and starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes. Get the right vitamins and minerals to build muscle tone. These nutrients help deliver oxygen to your muscles and repair them after exercise. You can take these as supplements or eat foods high in these nutrients. Good vitamins and minerals include: Vitamin C: Aim for around 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women a day. You can get it from peppers, citrus, and dark leafy vegetables. Do not take more than 2,000 mg a day. Vitamin D: You need about 600 international units (IU) of Vitamin D a day, but don't take more than 4,000 IU. You can get this from sunlight or from fortified milk, fatty fish, and liver. Calcium: In general, you need about 1,000 mg a day. You can get it from milk, broccoli, and almonds. Talk to a dietitian to help you reach your goals. In some cases, you may need to lose some weight to attain that toned appearance. A registered dietitian can help you determine a healthy weight for you and a diet that works for your needs. They can also help formulate a diet that will help you build muscle tone. You can also hire a personal trainer to guide you through the right exercises and moves, even if you're not looking to lose weight.	Do squats to strengthen your legs and glutes. for a firm butt and legs. for your glutes and core. Extend your legs while doing a bridge to strengthen your glutes. Do 1-leg kickbacks to help your hamstrings and glutes. Step up on to a platform while holding weights. to work your butt and thighs. Do a sumo squat to strengthen your butt and inner thighs. Try a weighted bridge exercise. Try Pilates to strengthen your core and glutes. Find a yoga class for a gentler exercise. Go to a Crossfit class for a more intensive workout. Visit a spinning class. Do cardio 2-3 times a week to burn fat. Eat a healthy, well-rounded diet. Get the right vitamins and minerals to build muscle tone. Talk to a dietitian to help you reach your goals.
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Less	How to Eat Less	If you want to eat less, try drinking water or unsweetened tea before mealtimes to make you feel full. You could also try chewing gum or sipping on peppermint tea, since a minty taste in your mouth makes you feel less hungry. Alternatively, distract yourself from the thought of food by showering or going for a walk. When you do eat, choose foods that are high in protein and fibers, like a grilled salmon salad or Greek yogurt with nuts, because your body takes longer to digest these types of food.	Measure every portion size. One simple way to eat less is to begin measuring portion sizes. Sticking to a limited portion can help you eat less. Consider buying a food scale or measuring cups. Use these daily to measure all meals and snacks or to use during food prep. Typical portion sizes for the five food groups are: 3 – 4 ounces of protein, 1/2 cup of chopped fruit, 1 cup of vegetables, 2 cups of leafy greens, 1/2 cup of grains, and 1 cup of milk and yogurt or 2 oz of cheese. Serve yourself one portion of protein, 1 – 2 fruits or vegetables and 1 serving of grains at most meals. Use smaller plates. When you're measuring your portions, it might seem like there is a lot less food on your plate. This might make you feel deprived when you first move to measuring portions. Using a smaller plate can help you trick your brain into thinking there is a larger volume of food. The same portion will take up more space on a smaller plate. Use salad plates, appetizer plates or even saucers to help cut down on the available space on your plate. Consider purchasing blue plates. Studies have shown that people are more likely to leave food on their plates if their plates were a blue color. Buy smaller tupperware or take-away containers to pack meals. If you typically pack a meal, make sure to use smaller tupperware as well. Remove temptations at meals. When you're eating, try to remove extra temptations from the table. This can help you focus on your meal only and decrease the chance you'll eat more than you should. Don't bring bowls or platters of food to the table when you're able. This may tempt you to serve yourself seconds. Try to put all the food in the appropriate containers after serving yourself one portion. Package up leftovers and store in the refrigerator for leftovers. It may also be helpful to only leave out healthier, low-calorie items if you feel you need more food. Keep out vegetables or fruit for a possible second serving. Leave food on your plate. Try to leave some food on your plate, no matter how small, every time you have a meal. Many of us are brought up not to waste food and habitually finish a meal even when full. Forcing yourself to leave something on your plate every meal breaks us out of that habit. Start with leaving just a bite or two. It may be difficult to leave more initially. Clear your plate immediately after you've decided you're done eating and leaving the extra food on your plate. If you do not want to throw away or waste food, package leftovers and bring for lunch the next day or save for another dinner time meal. Order small portions at restaurants. Restaurants are notorious for serving portions that are way too large. Take care when eating out to make sure you stay on track with portions. It's hard to determine how much food you should eat when you're out (especially if you don't have a handy food scale around). Guesstimate as best you can. For example: 1 cup is about the size of a woman's fist, 3 – 4 oz is about the size of a deck of cards and 1/2 cup is about the size of a computer mouse. Try ordering a side dish or appetizer for a smaller portion of food. Try to visualize how much you should eat and push away the extra food. Ask for a box to take home the leftovers. Like at home, always leave food on your plate when you go out to eat. You can also have the server box half of your meal up before it arrives. Fill up on liquids before meals. To help decrease your hunger, studies have shown that filling up on low or no calorie fluids can help you tame your hunger and eat less. If you are very hungry before a meal, drink a glass of water or have a bowl of broth or vegetable soup. Your stomach will feel physically full and the flavor can trick your brain into thinking it had more to eat. Other beverages to try include: unsweetened coffee or tea, flavored water or a glass of skim milk. Also be sure to drink enough clear fluids throughout the day. If you don't replace all the fluids that you lose, you could get seriously ill. Eat filling and satisfying foods. Eating the right types of foods can also help you manage your hunger throughout the day. Include lean protein at each meal. Lean protein is great for managing hunger. It takes your body a longer time to digest it and sends signals to your brain that you are satisfied. Be sure to include 1 – 2 servings of lean protein at each meal and snack. Focus on fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains. In addition to protein, fiber helps keep your body feeling fuller. It provides bulk and "roughage" to your meals and makes you feel satisfied with less and helps you stay satisfied longer. Examples of meals that are high protein and high fiber include: a grilled salmon salad, chicken or tofu stir-fry with brown rice, or a greek yogurt with fruit and nuts. Go for minty flavors. Many studies have shown that having a minty flavor in your mouth can help decrease hunger throughout the day. Brush your teeth after meals! When your mouth feels clean, you will not want to eat and ruin that minty clean feeling. Try bringing a toothbrush with you at work to help prevent snacking during the afternoon. Chew a stick of gum ! A lot of people just want to have something to chew on. Chewing gum can help keep your mind off of eating and help trick your brain that you're eating. Also try sipping on peppermint tea or sucking on sugar-free peppermint candies. Again, the minty flavor may help decrease your overall hunger. Distract yourself. Many times feelings of hunger or food cravings hit us all of a sudden. In that moment it can feel like an intense craving that needs to be satisfied instantly. Distracting yourself can help you manage these feelings. Whether it's your sweet tooth or you're feeling a little bored in the afternoon, use some distraction techniques to get your mind off of food. Many times cravings only last for 10 minutes or so. Give yourself at least 10 – 20 minutes of a distracting activity before addressing your craving (if you even need to). Try: cleaning out a junk drawer, folding laundry, going for a short walk, taking a shower, reading a book, answering a few emails or surfing the internet. Take 20 – 30 minutes to eat your meal. Many health professionals recommend taking at least 20 minutes to eat your meal. This gives your body enough time to feel satisfied which may help you pass up on additional servings. The 20 minute rule comes from the fact that it takes about 20 – 30 minutes for food to travel from your stomach to your intestine. It's here that your intestines send a variety of chemical signals to your brain that it's satisfied and had enough food. If you eat faster than that 20 minutes, you're more likely to eat more than you need and eat until the point you're feeling too full. Try setting a timer or watching the clock to help you meet that 20 minute guideline. Drink a few sips of water between bites, put down your fork or talk to friends and family members to help slow you down. Take your time chewing your food. Chewing your food thoroughly and taking your time with each bite is an important part of mindful eating and can help you feel more satisfied with a smaller portion. Take your time with each bite. As you chew think about the flavors, the textures and the smells of the food. Use as many senses as you can to analyze each little bite of your meal. The concentration on your food and each bite can increase your satisfaction and let your brain enjoy the meal. When you take big bites and don't chew well, your brain doesn't get any signals of enjoyment or satisfaction which can cause you to eat more. Do not restrict your meals or foods. Many people will try to restrict foods or strictly limit treats for a diet or to aim for better health. However, overly restricting your diet can backfire. Remember, the body can not and will not naturally lose (or gain) weight quickly. Changing your diet drastically, eating very few calories or limiting many foods isn't a healthy way of eating. Never allowing yourself a treat or special indulgence can lead to overeating of that food or binge like behavior down the road. Schedule in a special treat or indulgence every now and again. It can be once a week, twice a week or every Friday night. Find a schedule that works for you and that can keep you at the healthy weight you desire.	Measure every portion size. Use smaller plates. Remove temptations at meals. Leave food on your plate. Order small portions at restaurants. Fill up on liquids before meals. Eat filling and satisfying foods. Go for minty flavors. Distract yourself. Take 20 – 30 minutes to eat your meal. Take your time chewing your food. Do not restrict your meals or foods.
https://www.wikihow.com/Harvest-Black-Walnuts	How to Harvest Black Walnuts	To harvest black walnuts, start by collecting fallen black walnuts off the ground. Then, remove the green hulls on the walnuts using a jackknife or by cracking them under your foot. Next, dispose of the hulls and dry the brown hard shells on some newspaper for several days. Finally, once they're dry, use a hammer or vise to crack open the brown hard shells and get to the edible nut meat inside.	Wear gloves to protect your hands from stains. The hulls of black walnuts contain an inky substance that will easily stain your skin and clothing. Before harvesting or working with the nuts, put on some heavy duty gardening gloves to protect your hands. You may also wish to wear a helmet to protect your head from falling nuts. Harvest black walnuts in late September or early October. Black walnuts start to become ripe in early fall. Be on the lookout for ripe nuts at the end of September or the first few weeks of October. Once the nuts are in season, they'll begin falling off the trees. Collect the nuts while they are still green. Mature black walnuts have an outer hull that is green and slightly softened. Gather the nuts when they're green to ensure that the nutmeat is still fresh and not too bitter or rancid-tasting. The nuts will have a yellowish-green color when they're mature. Don't wait until they turn brown or become mottled. Do a “dent test” to see if the hull has softened. If the walnut is mature, it will feel slightly soft to the touch. Grab a walnut and push on the hull with your thumb. If you're able to leave a dent in the hull, the nut is ready for harvest. Gather the nuts directly from the tree if possible. Black walnuts are usually best when you harvest them straight from the tree, before they have a chance to fall to the ground. However, it's often easiest to gather nuts that have already fallen. Make sure to gather fallen nuts quickly, before they have a chance to develop mold or be eaten by animals. You can also gather mature nuts from the tree by shaking the tree or knocking the nuts down with a pole. Remove the hulls immediately after harvest if possible. The longer the walnuts stay in their hulls, the more bitter the nutmeats will become. For the best possible flavor and quality, remove the hulls no more than 2 weeks after you harvest the nuts. Nuts that are allowed to remain in the hulls too long will turn black and develop a rancid taste. Take off individual hulls with the plywood method. The hulls of black walnuts are difficult to remove. If you only need to hull a few nuts at a time, try using a hammer to force the nuts through a hole in a piece of heavy plywood. Drill a hole that is 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) in diameter in the board. Hit the nuts hard with the hammer to drive them through, leaving the hull behind. You can also try rolling the nut under a heavy board or boot to get the hull off. Drive over the nuts on a gravel driveway to remove multiple hulls. If you're hulling multiple walnuts, pile them up in the middle of a driveway. Drive over them several times in a car or truck so that the hulls loosen and slip off. This method should cause the hulls to come off but leave the hard, inner shells intact. Find a local hulling station if you have a large harvest of walnuts. If you have a major harvest of walnuts and don't want to deal with hulling them all yourself, some states have hulling stations where you can bring your haul. The operators of these hulling stations will process the walnuts for you in a mechanical hulling machine. To find a hulling station near you, try doing a search with terms like “black walnut hulling stations in Missouri.” Most hulling stations are owned by a parent company that will purchase nuts from local harvesters. Harvesting nuts and selling them to hulling stations is a good way to earn a side income if there are lots of black walnut trees in your area. Wash the hulled nuts in a bucket of water. After you remove the hulls, place the nuts, still in their shells, in a bucket of water. This will help rinse away juices, residue, and loose fibers from the hull. Discard any nuts that float to the surface. The good nuts should sink in water. Dry the nuts in a mesh bag for 5 weeks. Once you've rinsed the nuts, place them in a loosely woven bag, such as an onion bag, to allow airflow. Hang them up in a well-ventilated outdoor area, out of direct sunlight and sheltered from rain. The nuts should be dry in about 5 weeks. Alternatively, you can spread the nuts out in a thin layer on the ground to dry. However, you'll need to keep them someplace where they'll be protected from animals and the elements, such as a screened-in porch. You can tell when the nuts are dry enough by shaking the shells. You should hear the nutmeat rattling inside. Crack the shells with a heavy-duty cracker. Black walnut shells are very difficult to crack. Once the nuts are dry, you can open them using a heavy-duty pressure cracker, which is a type of nutcracker that works similarly to a vise. You may also be able to crack the nuts with a hammer, a heavy board, or a vise grip. After you crack the nut, pick out the meat with a nutpick. You probably won't be able to crack black walnuts with a regular hand-held nutcracker. To crack multiple nuts at once, place up to 100 of them in a burlap bag and hit the bag with a mallet several times to crack the shells. You'll need to separate the nut fragments from the cracked shells by hand. If you don't want to crack the nuts right away, put them in a bag and store them at 32–40 °F (0–4 °C). Discard any damaged or rotten nuts. As you crack the nuts, examine the shells and nutmeat carefully. Throw away any nuts with shells that are already cracked or damaged, since they may be infected with mold or microorganisms. Discard any nutmeat that is black, bright yellow, or streaked with blue, since these are signs of infection. Healthy black walnut kernels should range from light to dark brown on the outside, and off-white or cream colored on the inside. Store the nutmeat in your fridge or freezer. After you get the nuts out of the shells, let the meat dry for 1-2 days, then place it in an airtight container. The nuts will stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to a year, and will keep for 2 years or longer in your freezer. If you store the nuts in your freezer, place them in jars or freezer bags labeled with the date. You can also use the nuts immediately after you crack them, if you prefer.	Wear gloves to protect your hands from stains. Harvest black walnuts in late September or early October. Collect the nuts while they are still green. Do a “dent test” to see if the hull has softened. Gather the nuts directly from the tree if possible. Remove the hulls immediately after harvest if possible. Take off individual hulls with the plywood method. Drive over the nuts on a gravel driveway to remove multiple hulls. Find a local hulling station if you have a large harvest of walnuts. Wash the hulled nuts in a bucket of water. Dry the nuts in a mesh bag for 5 weeks. Crack the shells with a heavy-duty cracker. Discard any damaged or rotten nuts. Store the nutmeat in your fridge or freezer.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-over-a-Guy-Who-Is-Using-You-for-Sex	How to Get over a Guy Who Is Using You for Sex	To get over a guy who's using you for sex, stop contacting him and unfollow him on social media, so you are not reminded of him. If he sends you late-night texts, ignore them or respond firmly with something like, "I don't want this kind of relationship anymore. Please stop texting me." After ceasing contact with the guy, let yourself experience the emotions that come up, so you can start to heal. When it's difficult to process how you feel, try journaling or talking to a trusted friend. Furthermore, remind yourself to be realistic about what the relationship was and recognize that it isn't your fault it ended, because there are plenty of reasons why someone may not feel for another person romantically.	Stop contacting him. If someone is clearly only using you for sex, you should not keep reaching out to them. If more of a relationship was going to develop, it would have by now. Once you realize you're not getting what you want from a situation, stop contacting the person in question. Do not see the person at social events, text him, or call him. If you feel the temptation to reach out to him, do something for yourself or hang out with another friend. You might make an agreement with another friend that whenever you feel tempted to contact him, you contact your friend instead. In some cases, it's not possible to completely cut someone off. If you work or go to school with the guy, for example, you may need to see him. If this is the case, keep interactions short and to the point. Do not engage in small talk. Ignore late night texts and phone calls. If a guy is using you for sex, he may text or call late at night. You may get a text message at 1 AM, for example, asking if you're still awake. This is a sign the guy wants to come over for sex. Do not answer these texts. It will only prolong the situation, resulting in you getting hurt more. Start simply ignoring this kind of contact. If the guy keeps sending these types of texts after you've ignored them for a while, text him something like, "I don't want this kind of relationship anymore. Please stop texting me." When someone is used to a certain behavior and getting a certain reward and this suddenly stops working, they will often try harder for a time before giving up. Stand firm. They will eventually move on. Cut off social media contact. The social media connection can be difficult to sever. Oftentimes, we hang on to past lovers via things like Facebook and Twitter; however, research indicates checking up on someone online will only prolong your anguish. Block or delete him on social media profiles, or at least unfollow him. Sometimes, it's very tempting to check an ex's social media; however, doing so will not result in you feeling better, so do your best to not indulge in the practice. Each time you are tempted to click on his profile, remind yourself it will only result in you feeling bad and set you back in your efforts to get over him. You will probably slip up a few times in regards to checking your ex's profile. If this happens, do not beat yourself up. Remember that no one is perfect. Consider taking a break from social media altogether until you are feeling stronger. This can help you focus on other activities and practice good self-care. Another option is to just delete these apps from your phone, leaving only the less convenient option of using your computer. Allow yourself to experience your feelings. No one likes to feel bad after being rejected; however, it's impossible to bounce back from being hurt without experiencing some negativity. In the wake of ceasing contact with the guy, allow yourself to feel your feelings instead or denying or trying to bury them. Remember that being sad sometimes is a normal part of life. People may tell you to cheer up or go get over it long before you are ready. It's okay to be sad for a little while. Try turning off the television and eliminating other distractions. Take a few minutes each day to simply experience your feelings, good and bad. This will allow you to heal. Try journaling or talking to a trusted friend to help you process these emotions. It is important to honor your feelings — this will help you heal. Be realistic about what the relationship was. You won't be able to get over a guy unless you accept what your relationship was. If you're still indulging the notion that he was maybe interested in more than sex, you're only prolonging the grieving period. Own up to the fact you were used, even if it's painful, and this is not someone who will ever offer you a relationship. In the wake of rejection, people often have unrealistic thoughts about the importance of a relationship. You may find yourself thinking everything would be easier if he had not rejected you. Remind yourself there's no such thing as perfect. What would have happened if you had gotten together in a more romantic sense? There would still have been difficulties and fights, and you may very well have broken up. The fact is, the guy was not interested in more than sex and, even if he were, he may not have made a very good partner. Recognize it isn't your fault. In the wake of rejection, it's easy to spend time ruminating over what you did "wrong." You may think things like, "Why doesn't he want to be with me? What's wrong with me?" Try to ignore these types of thoughts. The fact is, there are many reasons someone may not feel for another person romantically. It likely has little to do with you. There are many reasons, most of which are not personal, that a guy may have not had romantic interest in you. Maybe he liked you and was attracted to you, but felt like you were on different paths in life. Maybe he's not in a place where he can handle a romantic relationship. Maybe he simply prefers a different type of woman for romances than he does for casual encounters. Whatever the reason, it probably has nothing to do with you as a person. You might have rejected people before and it likely wasn't because there was something wrong with them. They simply were not your type. It can be helpful to think of this as one experience in the journey of life — not as something absolute. It is easier to deal with feelings of regret if you feel that they serve a purpose. Take note of his bad qualities. Sometimes, it can be helpful to remember the things you disliked about someone when trying to get over a romantic rejection. Even embracing small flaws can remind you the relationship, and the guy, were not perfect. Think about everything about him that bothered you. Maybe he talked about himself too much. Maybe he returned texts using brief, one word answers. Maybe you didn't like the same books or movies. You can also focus on petty things. Maybe you hated his haircut or he never clipped his toenails. Write these down and review them regularly. You may even post them on your mirror or somewhere you will see them frequently. This will help keep you from idealizing the relationship. Reword your feelings in neutral terms. When you start to feel angry or bitter, take note of your feelings. You don't want to harbor feelings of resentment. While it's okay to think about things that bothered you, do not let these feelings translate into bitter, mean thoughts. Such thoughts should be translated to neutral assessments of the situation. For example, you think something like, "He's such a jerk. I was way too good for him." Rephrase that in neutral terms for a more realistic evaluation of the situation. For example, "We clearly wanted different things and were on different paths." Write out your feelings. If you want to keep busy, it may be easier to do so once you get negative feelings out of your head. Get a pen and paper and jot down what you're feeling for a little bit each day. Then, once your feelings are out, you can focus your energy elsewhere. Make a list of everything he did to disappoint you. For example, write things like, "He never held my hand in public" and "He didn't want to call me his girlfriend." Once you're done, set the list aside and try to focus your energy somewhere else. Give yourself something to do. In the wake of a breakup, you may find yourself constantly thinking about what went wrong and why. It can be helpful to have new goals. This will help you stay busy and avoid thinking about him. It is important to strike a balance between activity/distraction and rest/reflection. Thinking about it too much can result in depression, but running away from it can keep you from healing. Think about something you always wanted to do. For example, did you always want to take up running? Try developing a workout routine that will teach you to run. People often become obsessive over past lovers. Sometimes, the easiest way to beat one obsession is to replace it with another. Keep your mind in the present. Try to stay present instead of lingering over what happened in the past. At any given moment, keep your mind on what you're feeling and experiencing right now. Try to enjoy the small day to day things. Even something as simple as eating a great lunch should be savored. If you find yourself thinking about your ex, stop and think something like, "That was then. I'm going to focus on what I'm doing and how I'm feeling right now." You can use grounding techniques to get off the hamster wheel of thinking about him and bring you into the present. Look around and name five things you see. Five colors. Five textures. Close your eyes and identify what you hear or smell. Take care of yourself. Self care is important, especially after someone hurt you. Do not neglect the normal rituals of eating right, exercising, and caring for yourself overall. Keep up with personal hygiene. Even if you feel like lingering in bed all day, get up, shower, and brush your teeth. Stay on track with your exercise routine as best as you can. If you're feeling really down, reduce your routine. For example, go for a brisk walk instead of a jog. Eat right. Binging on junk food may be tempting when you're feeling down, but it's unlikely to make you feel better.	Stop contacting him. Ignore late night texts and phone calls. Cut off social media contact. Allow yourself to experience your feelings. Be realistic about what the relationship was. Recognize it isn't your fault. Take note of his bad qualities. Reword your feelings in neutral terms. Write out your feelings. Give yourself something to do. Keep your mind in the present. Take care of yourself.
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-on-Canvas	How to Paint on Canvas	To paint on canvas using acrylic or oil paint, prime the canvas with 3-4 layers of gesso, letting the layers dry between applications. Next, paint in a background color if your subject calls for it, followed by the darkest and lightest colors of your subject. Then, build up the middle ground shades on top of the high and lowlights, blending them as you go. Don't forget to clean your brush each time you switch to a new color!	Know the types. To start painting on canvas, first thing you need is an easel. When you are buying an easel, you need to decide what the main function of your easel will be. Also think about where you will do most of your painting. If you paint on the go, you need a small travel easel. If you paint in a small space, you need a compact, medium sized easel. If you have a large studio space, you can invest in a larger, more stable easel. Buy a travel easel. If you are looking for a travel easel, the most important thing to consider is weight and collapsing features. There are many different types. You can buy a lightweight aluminum one with collapsible tripod legs. You can also get one that folds up and fits into a travel case. Try models such as The Jullian Plein Air Easel PA1 or the Daler Rowney St Paul's Easel. Use a compact easel. If you have very little space, try a table easel. Use these on desks or tables of any size or height. Instead of long legs, they have a sturdy base that sits on any flat surface and don't take up room on the floor. They come in wood or metal and can be either H framed or collapsible. They can hold canvases as large as 35 inches. Most have a notched stand on the back that can shift to fit any angle needs. Try Reeve's Art & Craft Work Station or Windsor & Newton's Eden model. If you have a little floor space to devote to your easel but not a large studio, there are some compact freestanding easels. They give great stability for small to medium sized canvases and can fold up smaller for easy, out of the way storage. They come in metal and wood. Look for models such as Windsor & Newton's Shannon or Mabefs Inclinable. Try a large easel. Large studio easels are made for long term use. They are heavy duty and have the capability to hold large canvases. You can also get ones with masts big enough for you to work on the bottom of the canvas at eye level on any size canvas. Try the Best University or Santa Fe II models. Decide on your paints. There are two major types of paint used on canvas, oil and acrylic. They both have their pros and cons. The one you choose depends on what you want to paint and the way in which you want to paint it. You should weigh the pros and cons of each and decide which is best for your project. Acrylic paints dry fast. This can help if you want to do many layers or apply crisp lines. It can be difficult when you are mixing paint and painting on large surfaces. You can get a defined edge, but color blending is hard. They don't change color over time, but they appear darker when they dry on the canvas. You can use super thin or thick layers because the paint will dry all the way through. They are also non toxic and have no smell. Acrylics also come off brushes with water. Oil paints allow longer working times because they take longer to dry. The extra drying time makes it harder to make crisp lines. They blend well and make easy transitions between colors. The oil can degrade the linen or cotton fabric of the canvas. The color of the paint remains the same when it dries. It will yellow over time as the oil oxidizes. Oils are toxic and have a smell, due to the use of turpentine to thin the colors. Although it isn't as popular, you can also use watercolors on canvas. These appear lighter and less crisp, but can give a great atmospheric quality. Pick the brushes. To do any type of painting, you will need to have brushes. The type of brushes that you need will depend on the medium that you plan to paint with. There are eight different kinds of brushes. They come in many different sizes and are made with natural and synthetic fibers. If you plan on using acrylics, you should buy synthetic brushes. The materials in natural hair brushes degrade over time because of the components in acrylic paint. For oil painting, natural fiber brushes are better. The bristles are harder and make more distinct marks on the canvas. If you buy synthetic brushes for oil painting, make sure they are made for oil paints. Otherwise, they can break down and build up residue. The four most common brushes are the round, flat, bright, and filbert kinds. If you want to do detail work, you can use the pointed round, angular flat, fan, and detailed round brushes. Gather other materials. There are a few other things you need to paint. You need a palette or paint tray to mix your colors. You can also get a palette cover to keep your paints from drying out. You need a color chart to help you mix different colors. You might also need palette knives for mixing colors and painting large areas of canvas. You can also use an apron to keep your clothes clean. Choose your canvas. There are many things that go into choosing a canvas. You need to choose what size canvas you need and what proportions you need for your project. You also have to choose a material for your canvas. There are all kinds of sizes and shapes you can buy from art supply and craft stores. Canvases come as small as a few inch square and as large as a full sized wall. The most popular sizes of canvas range between 11 x 14 to 48 x 72 inches. The two types of canvas are linen and cotton. They both hold oil and acrylic paint well. Cotton is cheaper, but it takes more work before you can paint on it. Linen is nicer, but it costs more. If you want to go one step further in making your own canvas, you can buy the fabric and wooden frame and stretch your own canvas. However, most people buy their canvases pre-stretched. Pick your size. You size your canvas by painting a type of glue to the surface of the canvas. This helps fill in the holes in the fabric of the canvas. This is so the paints aren't absorbed and misshapen when you start. The type of size you will need depends on the kind of paint you are working with. If you are working with acrylics or watercolors, you don't have to size your canvas. Many painters do to make the canvas stable for painting. If you are working with oil, you need to size to avoid color fading. The most traditional way to size a canvas is using rabbit skin glue. The most popular size for oil is poly vinyl acetate, or PVA size. You can use either one. If you use rabbit skin glue, you will have to mix it with water before you use it on the canvas. Apply the first coat. Pour a generous amount of your size onto the surface of the canvas. Using a large brush, paint the size across the canvas until all the sizing is spread evenly. Allow to dry for 30 minutes. Make sure you do this in even, straight strokes. You don't want your size to be uneven. Remember to apply the size to every side of the sides of the canvas as well. This will prevent degradation over time. Apply a second coat. Pour more size onto the canvas and paint it on with the same brush. Make sure you rub this layer into the canvas to fill in any holes in the canvas that haven't been filled. As you finish this second layer, take your brush and move along the surface in even strokes to make the surface smooth. Let it dry. If your size looks a little thin, you may need a third layer. This depends on the quality of the size you choose to use. Understand the technique. You prime your canvas to finish getting it ready for painting. You use a paint like material called gesso. The gesso creates a surface for the paint adhere to once it's applied. Once your second layer of size has dried, you need to prime your canvas. The primer you use will depend on the medium that you intend to paint with. They come in white or translucent colors that provide natural lighting for your painting. Oil, acrylic, and watercolors all have different types of gesso associated with them. However, acrylic gesso is now used most for both acrylic and oil painting. It is also used underneath the ground needed to paint watercolors on a canvas. Start priming the canvas. Pour the gesso, such as Opus acrylic gesso, on your canvas. Paint it on the canvas in even strokes with a large brush. Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour for the gesso to dry. Apply more layers. Turn your canvas 90 degrees. Apply another coat of gesso in the same manner you applied the first. Let dry and repeat until you have enough layers. You need three layers of gesso for acrylic paint. You need four layers of gesso for oil paint. If you don't want to bother with sizing or priming, you can buy pre-primed canvases that don't need the size or gesso applied to them. Create a smooth surface. Some painters prefer a smooth surface for painting. If you do, add one layer of gesso to your sized canvas. After the gesso dries, rub a piece of coarse sandpaper across your canvas. Apply as many coats of gesso as you need on top of the first. Sand between each one and after the last. Prime the canvas for watercolors. If you want to use watercolors on the canvas, you need something extra on the canvas. Apply two coats of gesso in the same manner you applied it for acrylics and oils. On top of that, apply an absorbent ground such as Golden's Absorbent Ground. Using a brush or roller, paint the ground on the surface in a thin layer across the canvas. Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour between coats to let it dry, then apply another layer. You should apply 5-6 layers of the ground to the surface of the canvas. Let the ground dry for 24 hours before you start to paint. Paint a background. Some paintings require a background color. This will be different depending on your subject matter. If you need one, you have to start off with this. Using a large brush, paint your background color across the canvas. Make sure this is before you start to apply your other paints or sketch out your image. Start your work. Now that you primed your canvas , you have your brushes, and you have chosen your paints, you can start work on your canvas. You should already have an idea of what you want to paint since you have chosen the colors that you need. At this point, you can sketch the outline of what you want to paint across the surface of your canvas before you start to paint. If you are working on a more abstract, free slowing work, you can just begin painting on the canvas. Apply the high and low lights. If you are working on a subject, you need to start with the low and highlights. Apply the darkest and lightest colors that you are going to use onto the sketch you made. From here, you can build up the middle ground shades on top of them, blending them as you go. If you are using oil paints, make sure you clean your brushes with turpentine between uses. If not, you will get paint build up and it will ruin your brushes. If you are using acrylics or watercolors, rinsing them out in water is fine.	Know the types. Buy a travel easel. Use a compact easel. Try a large easel. Decide on your paints. Pick the brushes. Gather other materials. Choose your canvas. Pick your size. Apply the first coat. Apply a second coat. Understand the technique. Start priming the canvas. Apply more layers. Create a smooth surface. Prime the canvas for watercolors. Paint a background. Start your work. Apply the high and low lights.
https://www.wikihow.fitness/Work-Your-Back-Muscles-at-Home	How to Work Your Back Muscles at Home	To work your back muscles at home, do body-weight exercises like reverse snow angels, hip hinges, wall slides, and pull-ups. You can also try doing standing push-ups and thrusters using a broomstick if you don't have a weight bar at home. Even just doing chores around the house can help build your back muscles, like working in your garden, bending down to pick up items off the floor when you're cleaning, and cleaning out your gutters.	Make reverse snow angels. This exercise involves reaching your arms out wide, just like when you were a kid in the snow. The arms can move through the full range of the "angel wings," from overhead to beside the hips for a full trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid and spinal erector exercise. Hold a soup can to increase resistance once you have mastered keeping the torso and arms slightly lifted off the floor, shoulders pulled back. Lie facedown on the ground, or a mat. Put your hands to your side with palms facing down. Slowly bring your arms forward at the shoulder until you reach past your head and your thumbs touch. Slowly bring your arms back to the starting position. Make sure your arms are straight and elbows are locked for the entire movement. Do three sets of five reps. Make sure to rest for about 30 – 60 seconds between sets. If you are a beginner, and not comfortable bringing your arms all the way around, you can work to get them even with your shoulders. Eventually you should be able to build up the strength to reach over the head. Do hip hinges. Also called “Good Mornings,” these are simple exercises that involve bending forward at the hips. You'll be able to work your spinal erectors (as well as your glutes, hamstrings, and hips) as you perform a very simple maneuver, one that doesn't require any equipment. Stand up straight with your feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart. Put your hands on your hips. Pull your shoulders back slightly to tighten your back muscles. Slowly bend forward at the waist. Make sure your shoulders keep in line with your hips as you go forward. Bend forward until you are parallel to the ground, then slowly pull back up. Keep the movement slow and keep the abdominal muscles contracted. Start with one set to be sure this exercise agrees with your back. Gradually increase up to three sets of 10 – 15 reps. Give yourself 30 – 60 seconds of rest between sets. You can also do these exercises while sitting. Sit up straight in a chair with your feet planted on the ground directly below your knees. Put your hands on your hips. Pull your shoulders back slightly to contract the muscles, then bend forward to a 45 degree angle. When you do this, be careful not to bend your back. This will not only prevent you from really working your back muscles, but there is also a chance you will hurt your spine. . Do the Superman This is a great exercise for your spinal erector muscles, glutes, and trapezius. It doesn't require any equipment, just enough room to lay out on the ground. By emulating Superman as he flies, you'll be able to isolate your core muscles to give them a good workout. Lie facedown with your arms and legs extended out straight. Your palms and the tops of your feet should face downward. Lift your arms and legs off the ground. Make sure they stay straight while keeping your core in place. Think of Superman, stretched out as he flies. Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds, then slowly lower your arms and legs back to the ground. Do three reps with this hold, then rest 30 to 60 seconds before doing another set. To work the deeper lower back muscles, you can try what is called the Aquaman, where you raise and lower the opposite arm and leg (for example, your left arm and right leg), and hold for 15 to 13 seconds. Repeat with the other arm and leg. If you are a beginner, try holding the Superman for five seconds, working your way up to 15 to 30 second holds. . Try the cobra yoga position This is a beginner yoga position that works the mid to lower back and increases flexibility. Lie facedown on the floor. Stretch your legs straight out behind you with the tops of your feet on the floor. Bring your arms into your body, elbows bent and hands under your shoulders. Contract the muscles in your back to lift body upward, using your hands to assist with the positioning. Press your feet, legs, and thighs against the ground. Inhale as you lift upward. Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds, breathing normally. Slowly lower yourself back to the ground, exhaling as you do. Do around 10 reps. Like any exercise, try to push yourself to hold for a few more seconds each time you do it. You don't need to do this every day, but it is one you can do several times a week. Do some wall slides. These are simple exercises that you can do using only a wall. They are also really good for preventing or relieving back pain you may experience while working. Stand with your back against a wall, feet shoulder distance apart and heels one stride length away from the wall. Slide down into a crouch, getting so that your knees are at a 90-degree angle. Hold that position for five seconds. Slowly slide back up the wall until you are straight again, then repeat five times. Do pull-ups. Also called chin-ups, this is a common exercise that involves pulling yourself upward using a fixed bar. It is one of the simplest and best exercises out there for working your lats. It does require a pull-up bar, which you can permanently install in a doorway, or buy a door-hanging bar that you can easily hang and remove when you're done. Keep in mind that this is an advanced move — you can use a resistance band to start if you are a beginner. Wrap your hands over the top of the bar, slightly more than shoulder-width apart. Hang for a moment with your arms straight. Arch your back and pull yourself up so that your chin clears the bar. Pause at the top of chin-ups to sustain muscle contraction. Return to the start position and repeat. You can change your grip to work different muscle groups. If you spread your hands further apart on the bar, it will be more difficult to pull up, but you focus more energy on your lats. A reverse grip, wrapping your hands around the back of the bar, will put more emphasis on your biceps. Don't swing during this exercise. The temptation is to help yourself up using momentum, but this lessens the effect of the exercise on your lats. You will wind up pulling the bar towards your chest, which engages other muscles that you aren't trying to work out. To do a beginner modification with a resistance band, wrap the band around your pull-up bar and hold on to the two ends of the band, backing up so that you feel some tension in the band. Keep your arms shoulder-width apart and pull your elbows down toward your sides, bringing your shoulder blades together. Do two to three sets of 10 reps. Pull-ups can be difficult to start, as you need some good bicep strength already before really attempting them. The key is to push through the early frustration so you can build the muscles necessary to do more and more. Make sure the chin-up bar at your home is positioned above shoulder height and firmly in place. You'll suffer a pretty nasty fall if it comes off during the exercise. Do a reverse fly while bent-over. By effectively lifting your arms while leaving them fully extended, you can work the full range of your upper back's muscles. You'll need a bit of space for spreading out your arms, but won't need any equipment other than your dumbbells. Bend at the waist with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent, back straight, abs pulled in, butt out. Hold dumbbells with your palms facing in and your elbows slightly bent. Your arms should be hanging toward the ground, but not dangling loosely. Slowly elevate your arms out to the side. They should end parallel to the ground. Make sure to keep your elbows slightly bent, and use your upper back to carry the weights up. Slowly lower your arms back to their original position. Your arm muscles should be focused on staying straight. Let your back do the work. Repeat the exercise, slowly elevating and returning your arms for about 30 seconds. Keep your spine straight during this exercise, and make sure that your arms don't swing. Moving slowly will help make sure your back is doing the work. Do arm dumbbell rows. You can work your upper back by pulling weight upward, a similar motion to rowing a boat. This will help develop your shoulders and upper back, building muscle to help your arms when lifting things. You'll want access to a weight bench, or at least a low, sturdy chair with which you can support yourself. Put one knee and hand on a weight bench or sturdy chair for support, and hold a dumbbell in the other hand. Keep that arm extended toward the floor. Pull the weight upward by bringing your elbow toward your body. Make sure to tighten your back muscles for each rep. At the height of your rowing, hold the position for a second to maximize the contraction. Slowly lower your arm. Make sure your movements are slow and deliberate to make sure you are properly working the muscles in your back. You shouldn't be jerking your arms up and down, but slowly moving them between the positions. Do this for 30 seconds with one arm, then switch sides to work both shoulders. One set involves working both arms. If you don't have a bench or a sturdy chair, bend your knees and hips to lean forward towards the floor. You want to be pulling upwards to use gravity for additional resistance. If you are leaning forward, you can also use two dumbbells at once since you won't need the other hand for support. If you don't have dumbbells, look for something that weighs about 3 to 5 pounds, and you can hold easily in your hand. The weight is there to provide resistance, so as long as you can grip it easily in one hand, it will help. A can of food from your pantry is a good replacement. Do a Romanian deadlift. Adding dumbbells to this exercise provides some additional resistance to give your back the workout. Deadlifts will also really engage the backs of your legs. Rounding your back during this exercise can cause serious injury — make sure you keep it straight. When done correctly, however, reaching downward can help stretch out the muscles in your middle and lower back. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, and make sure your knees are slightly bent. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight, until your back is almost parallel to the floor; the dumbbells should be at about shin-height. Make sure your arms stay straight in order to make sure it is your back doing the work lowering you down. Keep your abs pulled in to protect the lower back from rounding and becoming injured. After a brief pause at that position, slowly raise your upper body back until you are fully upright. Do a twisting bend to the opposite foot. This exercise will use the dumbbells to provide resistance as you bend over. In addition, the twisting you make moving between feet with help strengthen your lower back and core. Keep your abs tight throughout, back straight. Stand up straight with your feet spread further than shoulder-width apart. Have a weight in each hand. If you only have one dumbbell, grab it with both hands. Inhale and reach your hands down to one foot, twisting your body toward that foot. Make sure your knees are slightly bent and that your arms stay straight. Keep the forward reach well within comfortable range of motion. Slowly stand up straight, then lower your upper body towards your other foot. Continue alternating sides. This exercise should not be performed by anyone with any lower back pain, or sciatica, since this move may aggravate that condition. Do some pulling straps. With a resistance band and enough space to lie down, you can give your shoulders and upper back a quick workout. Lie facedown with the elastic band under your torso. Make sure to hold one end of the band in each of your hands. Hold your hands underneath your shoulders with your elbows drawn into your sides. Lift your chest off the ground and reach both arms straight out from your shoulders. When you are fully extended, pull on the band by drawing your shoulder blades together. You won't hold this position for very long, maybe a few seconds. Relax your shoulders to bring your hands back to the original position. Slowly lower your chest to the ground. Repeat eight times. Do sitting rows. You can use the elastic band to mimic a rowing machine. The band provides resistance to your shoulders and upper back as you pull back. Sit on the ground with your legs extended in front of you. Wrap your elastic band around the bottom of your feet, or a fixed object near your feet. You should keep your arms extended so that the band is as loose as possible, with one end in each hand. Pull your arms toward your body, tightening your shoulder blades to get the effect on your back. Return your arms to the original position. Make sure your feet stay planted as you pull and return the elastic. Do back extensions. By anchoring your elastic band to the floor, you can extend your back muscles by leaning backwards. The band gives some resistance while you keep your back straight. Make sure the elastic band is anchored to something stable below your knees. It can be under your feet, or be held down by a really heavy object. Sit upright on a stool, or some other object without a back so you can lean back. Hold the other end of the band up against your chest so it is taut. Slowly lean backwards until you are at about 30 degrees. Make sure your pelvis doesn't move and your back stays straight. Hold that position for several seconds, then slowly return upright. Repeat 10 times. Do trunk rotation exercises. Using the elastic band as resistance, you can rotate your upper body to work the back muscles while seated. You'll need a door knob or some other point you can use to anchor the elastic band. Rotation, especially under resistance, can injure backs, so do this exercise with caution and remember to keep your abs engaged. Anchor the band to the knob of a closed door or some other location at your seated chest height. Make sure the door or whatever else you have anchored the band to won't move. Sit next to the door so that it is off to your right side. Hold the other end of the band against your chest with one hand. Make sure the band is taut. Slowly rotate your upper body to the left, away from the door. Make sure your pelvis and knees stay in place so your back muscles are doing the work. Hold the position for a few seconds, then slowly rotate back. Repeat 10 times, then turn around and rotate to the right to work the muscles on your other side. Use a broomstick for thrusters. With a broomstick in place of a weight bar or other equipment, you'll be able to work out your back as well as a variety of other muscles. It can be a nice break while sweeping up in your house. For your back, this exercises your upper back and shoulder muscles. Stand with your legs apart, slightly wider than your hips. Hold a broomstick in front of you, arms shoulder-width or a little wider. Hold the broom parallel to the ground, at chest-height. Squat down, and push the broomstick straight up. Make sure you are tightening your upper-back muscles as you push the broom stick upwards. Lower the broom and stand back up again. Try some standing push-ups. Similar to regular push-ups, you can use the edge of a household appliance like the washing machine to help work your back and arms. This is a great exercise if you have a few minutes to kill while the washing ends. Stand a few feet away from the washer. Place your hands on the machine about shoulder-width apart. Keep your feet together. Slowly lower your chest toward the washer by bending your arms. Don't keep your feet flat on the ground, but lean forward on your toes. Push back out until your arms are fully extended again. Repeat 20 times. Leave your laundry basket on the floor. This is good when you are moving clothes to and from the washing machine, dryer, ironing board, or drawers. By leaving the basket on the floor, you will constantly be bending over to pull things out. Make sure to stretch out your back each time you bend over. Remember to keep your abs tight and back straight as you bend forward. It can also be helpful to take out items one at a time. This will force you to repeat the motion over and over again. Clean out gutters. Reaching up and clearing leaves and debris out of your gutters will give your whole body a workout, including your back. You'll be stretching and reaching from the ladder over the gutter to get your hands in there, and your core will be engaged to keep balance on the ladder. Remember to keep moving your ladder as you go along the gutter. Reaching too far can cause you to fall over, plus the constant up and down is good exercise for your legs. Do some gardening. Planting, watering, and weeding outdoors are all good ways to get in some stretching and exercise without going to a gym. You'll be bent down near the ground. Just be sure to bend at the knees and avoid arching your back to avoid strain. Mulching is another good gardening task for working your back. You'll need to carry around heavy bags of mulch, and then shovel it around your yard or garden. Just remember to lift correctly when carrying the mulch to avoid straining your back.	Make reverse snow angels. Do hip hinges. . . Do some wall slides. Do pull-ups. Do a reverse fly while bent-over. Do arm dumbbell rows. Do a Romanian deadlift. Do a twisting bend to the opposite foot. Do some pulling straps. Do sitting rows. Do back extensions. Do trunk rotation exercises. Use a broomstick for thrusters. Try some standing push-ups. Leave your laundry basket on the floor. Clean out gutters. Do some gardening.
https://www.wikihow.com/Babysit	How to Babysit	When you babysit, join the children in their activities by being a student if they play school or playing board games with them. You can also come up with fun art projects to do together or make a batch of cookies with the children. While you're babysitting, try to stick to the schedule set by the children's parents, and make sure the children have their meals and go to bed when they're supposed to. Finally, be sure to follow basic rules to keep the children safe, including never leaving them alone and not answering the door unless you know who's there.	Attend a childcare or babysitting class. In some areas, it is necessary to be licensed or certified before babysitting. Either way, it is helpful to know basic child-care responsibilities and techniques. Look for childcare, CPR , and first-aid classes in your area so that you are well-prepared and qualified for your first babysitting job. These can often be found at Red Cross, YMCA, and other community centers. Try reading books about babysitting. These will answer many common questions about the care of infants and children in day-to-day and emergency situations. Be a mother's helper. Being in a home while a parent is there will give you a chance to practice childcare skills and gain some valuable experience which will improve your chances of getting babysitting work. Helping out with your own younger siblings is excellent practice, too. If you don't have younger siblings try doing this with a little cousin or close friend's kids. Carefully observe the parents as they perform tasks you haven't done before or are uncomfortable with. Ask for help learning skills you feel uneasy about, such as bathing a baby. Also, note your strengths, such as helping children with homework. These things can be included in your resume which will be explained in fuller detail later. Set up a schedule. As a babysitter, you are likely working for yourself, unless you're a registered childminder, an au pair or a nanny. If you expect to be babysitting a lot, you'll have to make and maintain your own schedule. It may seem old-fashioned but filling out a calendar with all your free days and times, so that when a parent calls to schedule you for babysitting you'll know exactly when you are available is crucial. Creating a color-coding system may be helpful in organizing your 'busy' days on the calendar. Update your schedule frequently so that you don't accidentally double-book yourself. Having a standard schedule with all of your other activities, sports, etc. can also be helpful for parents. Decide upon a rate of pay. Although some parents have a specific rate in mind when they hire a babysitter, many rely on the sitter to provide their hourly wage. There are two options for selecting a rate: being paid a flat rate per hour, or being paid per child. The former is better for small families while the latter is best if you plan on watching more than two children at once. You may want to charge more for weekends or for babysitting after midnight. Flat rate hourly wages typically range from $9-$15 per hour, but can be significantly more or less depending on the household and the area in which you or the family lives. Per child wages range from $7-$10 per child, per hour. However, to get a better idea of the competition and to see what is suitable for the conditions, get an overview of what others in your area are charging for a family the size of the family you are sitting for. Create a list of health/safety information. You will also need personalized information for each child (such as allergy information), but you should have one generalized list of "worst-case-scenario" phone numbers. Keep all the information in a small notebook, a note-taking app, a binder, etc. so you have it with you at all times. You may want to include: Poison control Police station Fire department Nurse hotline A trusted person who has children (like an aunt or parent) to contact in case of a minor case of confusion Any other relevant numbers Forms for the parents to fill out. Market yourself. If you're new to babysitting, you'll need to let people know you're available. Word of mouth is often the easiest way to land a job. Talk to your neighbors, people from your church, or families at your school who have young kids. Ask friends who are babysitters if they know of any openings. If you have an older sibling who is moving on to another job, contact their clients. It's always best to babysit for someone you know or someone you've heard about from a friend. If you're new to babysitting, you may choose to only babysit for those you know. If word of mouth doesn't work, consider advertising in your neighborhood. You can use flyers delivered to homes in your area or send out an email if your neighborhood provides a list of residents. If you decide to advertise, check with your parents first. They need to know when you put out personal information. Put a flyer on any community notice boards. Put together a résumé outlining any specific skills, experience, and training you have. If you are old enough, register yourself on babysitting websites. Keep in mind that some of these won't accept you unless you are a certain age. Be prepared to be interviewed. It's hard enough to find parents who are looking for babysitters. The next step, and perhaps the hardest, is to make yourself seem worthy of the job. Set up interviews so you can get to know the parents and their children. Just as you'll be finding out if the job sounds good, the parents will be looking to learn as much as possible about you. Tell them about yourself, your family, your school, and why you want to babysit. Be prepared with a list of questions so you know what's expected of you. Write them down so you don't forget to ask anything. The answers you get to questions like these will help you decide if it's the right job for you. If you've interviewed the family and met the kids but still want to learn more, suggest another visit so you can spend more time with the kids. Most parents will be happy that you want to find out as much as you can. Know your comfort zone and its limits. Before you go, know what you're comfortable with and what you're not. You need to feel in control. If you're unsure about a job, it's better to wait for the next one. Your safety is as important as the safety of the kids you'll be watching. If this is a first babysitting job, make sure you feel comfortable about the family. Trust your instincts, and don't feel like you have to accept the job on the spot. Tell the family you need to talk it over with your parents before committing to the job. When you know what you want and what to expect, babysitting is a better experience for both you and the kids. If you don't feel like you have the skills to look after a newborn, don't take the job. If you're allergic to certain animals, you may need to turn down a job if the family has pets. Get to know the children beforehand to know if you are ready to babysit them. This also might help them see you as an authority, and prevent the tears when the parents leave. Ask yourself these questions before you decide to take the leap: Do you enjoy spending time with children? Are you prepared to take care of kids? Do you have an awareness of young children's needs? Have you taken a babysitting course? Do you have experience taking care of younger siblings or relatives? What can you offer to the kids and their families? Do you want to babysit occasionally or find a regular babysitting position? If income is a concern, will the hours and payment meet your needs? How many kids will you be taking care of? What are their ages? The amount of care needed differs with age. Do the kids have any special needs? Special diets? Does the family have pets? A pool? What are the hours you're expected to work? What are you allowed to do in the home (e.g., use their computer, help yourself to food and snacks or bring your own)? If you have your license, are you expected to drive the kids? Get the parents’ and child's information. When you arrive on site for the job, start by getting all the information about the parents' whereabouts for when they leave. Write down their full names and phone numbers, the address(es) of their destination(s), and their estimated time of arrival back at the house, and an emergency contact. Also take down any information on the child, such as allergies (or other health information). This list will need to be longer and more detailed for longer time periods. Have the parents show you the location of first aid supplies and medications. Get a list of medications that each child may need to take, or is able to take in case of injury or illness (such as Tylenol for growing pains or a headache). Write down the child/children's schedule. Most families have a general (or sometimes more specific) timetable of events in a child's day. This typically includes meal times, the times for certain chores/homework periods, and bedtime. Getting this written down in advance will mean that the child (if they're older) won't be able to pull the wool over your eyes once their parents are gone. Find out what activities are allowed. Each household you work in will be slightly different, and it is important to find out what activities are allowed in each. Ask about television/video game/computer time, when/where the child may be allowed to play outside, if their friends are allowed over, and any areas of the house that may be off-limits. These rules may vary from child to child in the same household depending on age, so be sure to specify. Assume you are not allowed to take photos or video or the children. Ask if you are allowed to take and/or post pictures of videos of the children if you have a valid reason for doing this. Find out what you are allowed to do when the children are sleeping, if applicable. For instance, you may want to ask if you can use social media, watch TV, or, on rare occasions have friends over. Set up a menu for your time there. It is always good to have a plan. Depending on how long you'll be babysitting, you may have to feed the child/children a meal or two. Ask the parents about what foods they prefer you prepare and serve, and what foods are appropriate for snack time. Clarify about any foods that aren't allowed; these are typically candy and dessert-related goodies that the kids might ask for when their parents aren't supervising. Kids, especially toddlers, may not want to play the activities you have planned. Be sure to come with backups and don't worry about staying too close to the activities part of the plan, as long as they don't use electronic devices too often. Find out what consequences are used when the child misbehaves. It is fairly likely that at some point in time, a child you are watching will misbehave. Rather than guessing and either punishing them too little or too much, ask the parents what they typically do for small misbehaviors. Many times this includes having privileges revoked or being put in time-out. A parent could also say that you are not to punish them, and instead should report all misbehaviors to them. Spend time getting to know the kids. Babysitting is as much a job as it is an opportunity to enjoy the company of children. The kids will be more receptive to you and your rules if they like you, and they'll grow to like you faster if you try to develop a relationship with them. Talk with them, ask them questions, and joke around in order to develop a good relationship. Younger kids might not want to talk for too long, so try to incorporate during play or activities. Join in with their play time activities. Although your job is to watch over the children, you should be interacting with them as much as possible by playing with them. Play will vary based on their ages; if you're watching an infant you may be doing nothing more than making faces and holding up toys. Get creative with the things you come up with for the children to do to keep them interested and out of trouble. Make-believe games are great fun. You could even make up a simple handshake with the children. Be an entertainer. Parents love babysitters who help kids have fun and learn while still reinforcing rules and keeping discipline. Ask kids to show you their favorite toys. Find out from parents and other babysitters what games kids of different ages like to play. Get the kids outdoors if you can. Playing with toys, board games, and activity-based games are all good options for older children. Ask what their favorite thing to do is. You can also bring a few of your favorite games and toys from when you were their age, like Monopoly, Life, Candyland, Uno, or other card games. Stay off screens. Parents are paying you to watch the kid, not put them in front of a television all day. Tell stories. Kids like stories, and they'll be impressed by even the worst storytellers. Come equipped with obscure fairy tales they probably haven't heard, like "The Shoemaker and the Elves" or "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." You can even use stories as rewards. Come up with fun projects. If you're spending a long time watching the children, you can do projects together that are enjoyable for everyone. Consider doing an arts and crafts project or cooking/baking a new recipe (or an old favorite) together. Boxed mixes of brownies, cookies, and cakes taste delicious. Making something will feel productive, pass the time, and give the kids something to be proud of. Take them to a playground if the parents say it's okay. Simple games like tag and hide and seek get kids active and help them stay fit. Dancing with them is great exercise, too! If you can't leave the property, play outside in the yard, if possible. Check in often. Kids aren't as good at regulating their time as adults are, and often forget to perform basic bodily necessities. Check once every hour or so to see if they need to go to the bathroom, need water to drink, are tired, or are hungry. Most of the time they won't think to tell you these things on their own, so always be sure to ask. Follow the schedule. Assuming the parents gave you a basic outline of daily activities, you should be sure you are keeping up with it. Make sure you are feeding the kid(s) at proper meal times, giving them naps, having them do their homework on schedule, etc. Watch a movie if allowed. If there is time watch a movie with the kids, you can do so towards the end to settle the children down before their parents arrive. If you are babysitting for less than 3 hours, this probably isn't a good idea, as the parents may get mad at you for putting their kid(s) in front of television for half the time. Consider movies such as: Tarzan Finding Nemo Tangled Wreck-It Ralph Do not leave the children in your care alone. No matter what the circumstances are, your job as a babysitter is to watch the children in their home and you shouldn't leave them. Make sure you never leave the children alone in the house. Being in a different room is fine unless you're caring for a baby but running up to the store for ingredients or taking a walk without them is out of the question. This applies even for older children, unless the parents gave you explicit directions stating that they could be home alone for a small period of time. Don’t bring people over to the house. Unless the children you are caring for have friends who were pre-planned on coming over, no one should enter the home at any point during your stay. You should not have people—friends or family—coming over to spend time hanging out while you should be working unless you've agreed this in advance with the parent/s. It can be tempting to invite a friend over late at night while the kids are asleep, but even this is off limits unless the parents have approved. Don’t abuse electronics use. With cell phones, tablets, and laptops more prevalent now than ever, it can be easy to get caught up texting friends or scrolling through Facebook. Just like many jobs, your electronics should be turned off or used only in case of emergency. You are being paid to babysit, not to talk to friends. Don’t play movies/TV on repeat. Children will often ask to just watch movies or TV, and while these may be appropriate in short allotments, several hours of them becomes laziness. If the parents haven't set an electronics maximum, try to keep it at two hours or less. The children will enjoy having someone to play with, and the parents won't think that you're lazy or slacking on the job. Do not answer the door unless you are expecting someone. If you are expecting someone, only answer the door after you make sure that it is that person. Peek out of the peephole or window (do not open the door) first before answering the door. The person at the door may be a stranger. Ask the parents if they are expecting anyone before they leave. Clean up before the parents get home. Although it is sometimes forgotten, a major part of babysitting is cleaning up after the children. You may not have much of a mess to deal with, but if you cooked or did a project, be sure to put everything back in its place. The parents will appreciate coming home to a clean house and will be more likely to rehire you again in the future. Always clean up after yourself. If you and the children make a mess, pick up before the parents arrive. Play cleaning games with the kid. Say whoever picks up the most wins or makeup a silly game that includes cleaning. Usually there is a mess when you get there, pick it up. Everyone appreciates it when they come home to a house cleaner then when they left it. Don't let the children "get away" with things. It's tempting to be the "cool" babysitter who lets kids get away with things parents never allow. Remember, you're not their parents, so you don't really have much say in how the house rules go. You can't be a child's friend all the time. Know when to say no and when it's OK to let something small go like letting children stay up 5 minutes past bedtime on occasion. Children will challenge you. Pushing boundaries to see how much they can get away with is a normal way kids (even toddlers) learn and figure out where they stand. Check in with parents to find out what the rules are, then follow them, even if you don't agree with them! The best babysitters think of the job as a responsibility first, with having fun, or earning money, second. Few things are as rewarding as knowing you've earned a child's trust and affection. Always feel free to call the parents if you feel you need to. It is better to be safe than sorry, and most likely the parents will appreciate your concern. Make sure that you know procedures for emergencies. Before the parents leave, find out who to call, what to do, and where to go in case of an emergency. Your priority is keeping the children safe. Get all relevant information regarding emergencies before the parents/guardians leave. This could be emergency numbers, where the main "Home" phone is kept, where a spare door key is, etc. Try not to come off as nosy, and the adult(s) will realize that you are just attempting to help. In this way you can be sure of what to do in an emergency and get the children out. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, drop everything and get the child or children and yourself out of the house. Do not reenter the house, do not let go of the children and call emergency services as soon as possible. Learn how to change a diaper. If the children you are watching are under 3 years old, chances are they're still in diapers. If you've never changed a child's diaper before, ask the parents to show you how they do it. Know how to feed children. You should know how to bottle-feed, spoon feed, and keep children safe in the kitchen. Feed the children healthy food. It is not good babysitting to just allow the children to eat whatever. Tell them before they get crackers they have to eat a piece of fruit. These things include apples, carrots, grapes, and oranges. Be sure the child doesn't have something they are not allowed to have (such as a cookie or ice cream) too often. Find out the bedtime routine. Give a warning before sending kids to bed. You may want to let them stay up 10-15 minutes past what their parents allow—just be sure they know it's a special treat. Other than that, be firm with when it's time to go to sleep. Be prepared for some whining. For older kids, you need to know the difference between real problems and stall tactics. For babies, you have to be sure the sleep environment is safe. End-of-day routines help kids wind down and signal their bodies that it's time for sleep. Ask parents what they usually do before bedtime. Maybe they have rules like no TV or computer time for an hour before bedtime. If they typically read, talk quietly, or listen to music before bed, follow the same routine. Go through the basics. Take a child to the bathroom (or put on a nighttime diaper). Help the child brush their teeth. Find out from parents what else is necessary before the kid hops under the covers. Always put babies (and children) to bed in their designated sleep space (be it a bed, crib, bassinet, etc.) This is especially important for babies, who can be injured if their sleep space isn't how it should be. Remove padding, pillows, stuffed animals, and other items from the crib, if these items are present. Be sure to lay babies on their back when putting them to sleep. It helps reduce the risk of suffocation. Give the child any comfort items, such as pacifiers, stuffed animals, or blankets, that they usually sleep with. Do not give stuffed animals and similar to babies. If a child calls you/wakes up, wait a minute before going in. They may fall back asleep on their own. If a baby can't go back to sleep, stroke them gently on the arms or belly. If the baby uses a pacifier, that can also help. Find out what calming tactics the parents use.	Attend a childcare or babysitting class. Be a mother's helper. Set up a schedule. Decide upon a rate of pay. Create a list of health/safety information. Market yourself. Be prepared to be interviewed. Know your comfort zone and its limits. Ask yourself these questions before you decide to take the leap: Get the parents’ and child's information. Find out what activities are allowed. Set up a menu for your time there. Find out what consequences are used when the child misbehaves. Spend time getting to know the kids. Join in with their play time activities. Tell stories. Come up with fun projects. Take them to a playground if the parents say it's okay. Check in often. Follow the schedule. Watch a movie if allowed. Do not leave the children in your care alone. Don’t bring people over to the house. Don’t abuse electronics use. Don’t play movies/TV on repeat. Do not answer the door unless you are expecting someone. Clean up before the parents get home. Don't let the children "get away" with things. Make sure that you know procedures for emergencies. Learn how to change a diaper. Know how to feed children. Find out the bedtime routine.
https://www.wikihow.com/Recover-From-Pneumonia	How to Recover From Pneumonia	To recover from pneumonia, first visit your doctor to get a diagnosis and receive a treatment plan, which may include resting and taking antibiotics. As you rest, try to eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables to strengthen your immune system, and drink plenty of water to break up the mucus in your lungs. Since you have a weakened immune system, you may want to avoid going to work, school, or anywhere with a lot of people until you're fully recovered.	Recognize the warning signs. For healthy individuals, pneumonia can start like the flu or a bad cold. The major difference is that the feeling of being sick will last much longer when you are suffering from pneumonia. If you are experiencing prolonged sickness, you may have pneumonia, so it is important to know the symptoms to look out for. Specific symptoms will vary from person to person, but they generally include some or all the following. Fever, sweating and shaking chills Cough, which may produce phlegm Chest pain when you breathe or cough Shortness of breath Tiredness Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Confusion Headache Seek out your doctor. If you are experiencing the above symptoms, and have a fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher, you should notify your healthcare professional. He will be able to advise you on the best course of action. This is especially true for vulnerable groups, which include children under two, adults over 65 and people with a weakened immune system. Plan the road to recovery. Once at your doctor's office, she will perform a number of tests to determine if you do indeed have pneumonia. If you do, the doctor will be able to either recommend treatment or, in some cases, suggest hospitalization. When you visit the doctor, you can expect her to begin with a physical exam and to possibly move on to a number of other tests. The doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope, listening specifically for crackling, bubbling, and rumbling sounds when you inhale, and for areas of your lungs where the sound of breathing cannot be heard as normal. The doctor may order a chest X-ray. Note that viral-based pneumonia does not have a known treatment. Your doctor will inform you what to do in this case. For hospitalized cases, you will receive antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and possibly oxygen therapy to treat pneumonia. Follow your doctor's orders exactly once at home. Pneumonia is treated primarily with antibiotics, usually azithromycin, clarithromycin, or doxycycline. Your doctor will chose which specific antibiotic you should take based upon your age and medical history. Once your doctor provides you with a prescription, have it filled immediately by bringing it to your local pharmacy. It is very important that you finish the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor and follow any instructions written on the bottle, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Even if you feel better, stopping antibiotics early can create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Take it slow and easy. For otherwise healthy individuals, the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor will typically begin to make you feel better in approximately one to three days. During these first days of recovery, it is vital that you get plenty of rest and that you drink plenty of fluids. Even after you begin to feel better you should not overexert yourself, as your immune system is still recovering. This is important because overexertion may lead to a reoccurrence of pneumonia. Drinking fluids (particularly water) will help break up mucus in your lungs. Again, finish the entire course of medication prescribed by your doctor. Eat a healthy diet. Eating the right food cannot cure pneumonia, however, a good diet can assist in a normal recovery. Colorful fruits and vegetables should be eaten regularly. They contain antioxidants, which help your body resist and recover from disease. Whole grains are important as well. They are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that will boost your immune system and boost energy. Finally add protein-rich foods to your diet. Protein provides the body with anti-inflammatory fats. Always check with your doctor if you plan on making significant changes to your diet. Try eating oats and brown rice to add whole grains to your diet. Try eating beans, lentils, skinless chicken, and fish to add protein to your diet. Avoid fatty meats, such as red meat or processed meat. Again, drink plenty of fluids to hydrate and help thin out any mucus in your lungs. Some studies have suggested that vitamin D helps with recovery from pneumonia, though this is unproven. Chicken soup is a good source of fluids, electrolytes, protein, and vegetables! Revisit your doctor if necessary. Some (but not all) doctors will schedule a follow up visit. This will typically take place one week after your initial visit, and the doctor will want to make sure the prescribed antibiotics are working. If you do not feel any improvement over the course of this first week, you should call your doctor immediately to schedule a follow up appointment. Normal recovery time from pneumonia is one to three weeks, though you should begin to feel better after several days of antibiotics. If symptoms persist for a week after you have begun taking antibiotics, this may be a sign you are not recovering, and you should contact your doctor immediately. If the infection persists with antibiotic treatment, patients may still require hospital-level care. Resume your usual routine gradually, and with your doctor's permission. Keep in mind that you will be easily exhausted and you may want to start slow. Try to be out of bed and be active without becoming too tired. You can gradually work your way up to one or two daily activities in order to give your body a chance to fully recuperate. You can begin with simple breathing exercises in bed. Inhale deeply and hold for three seconds, then release with lips partially closed. Work your way up to short walks around your home or apartment. Once this is not exhausting, begin to walk longer distances. Protect yourself and your immune system. Remember that while recovering from pneumonia, your immune system is in a weakened state. It is a good idea to protect your weakened immune system by avoiding individuals who are ill and by avoiding highly populated areas such as shopping malls or markets. Take care about returning to school or work. Given the risk of infection, you should not return to school or work until your temperature returns to normal and you are no longer coughing up mucus. Again, doing too much can risk a reoccurrence of pneumonia.	Recognize the warning signs. Seek out your doctor. Plan the road to recovery. Follow your doctor's orders exactly once at home. Take it slow and easy. Eat a healthy diet. Revisit your doctor if necessary. Resume your usual routine gradually, and with your doctor's permission. Protect yourself and your immune system. Take care about returning to school or work.
https://www.wikihow.life/Stop-Breakouts	How to Stop Breakouts	To stop breakouts, get a facial cleanser that's designed for your skin type, and wash your face with it twice a day to remove oil and dirt that cause breakouts. Also, apply a toner after you wash your face, which will take care of any leftover oil and dirt that the cleanser missed. You can also use over-the-counter acne creams, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, to stop acne from forming. If you do break out, avoid touching your face and popping zits since it will make the breakout worse.	Figure out your skin type. Your skin will likely fall into one of five categories: normal, oily, dry, sensitive, or combination (i.e. dry in some spots, oily in others). Normal skin has little to no imperfections, no major sensitivities, tiny pores, and a healthy glow. (Normal skin sounds more perfect than normal, doesn't it?) Oily skin has blemishes such as blackheads, pimples etc. It has enlarged pores and the complexion may be dull or shiny. Dry skin has barely visible pores, rough/dry patches, redness, and a dull complexion. Sensitive skin will often be red, itchy, dry, or irritated in some way. Combination skin is dry or normal in some areas, and often oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). Buy a facial cleanser that is right for your skin. Most companies make this easy by putting the skin type that the wash is designed for right on the label. You may even consider buying a facial cleanser that is specifically designed for acne. Ingredients to look for in acne-targeting cleansers include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycol acid, or lactic acid, but be careful as these can dry your skin. If you prefer natural treatments, you may consider using a face wash with tea tree oil or witch hazel. If you have a lot of breakouts, gentle cleansers that won't spread the infection or further irritate your skin are best. Wash your face twice a day. There are differing opinions as to whether or not you should wash more than this, with some experts advising to wash twice a day plus after sweating (i.e. more than twice a day), and other experts arguing that to wash more than twice a day could irritate your skin. If you have dry skin, you may choose to only wash it once each night before bed, and then use only cool water on your face in the morning so as not to dry out your skin. If you have oily skin, don't give in to the temptation to wash it more often. Still use a gentle cleanser and wash twice a day (and after sweating, if you find that it helps). Sensitive skin can be easily irritated by ingredients in your bath products, or even just too hot of a shower. It may help to buy products that are unscented and that have as few ingredients as possible. It's largely trial and error, but choosing products that are specifically designed for sensitive skin (it will say so on the label) is your best bet. Avoid using abrasive cleansers or skin brushes. Contrary to popular belief, harshly scrubbing the skin can actually make acne worse. Experts recommend exfoliating once or twice a week at most, and only if your skin is free of zits. If you have whiteheads, you may very well end up popping them and then spreading the infection as you use an exfoliating scrub on your face. Exfoliating is meant to remove dead skin cells, so if your skin is flakey, it would be appropriate to use an exfoliator. The flakiness may be a sign of dryness though, so be careful not to exfoliate more than twice a week as it will only dry out your skin further. Apply a toner to your face. After washing your face, wet a cotton ball or cotton pad with a facial toner, and gently apply it to your face. This can help remove oils and cells not caught by the cleanser. It can also help balance your skin's pH levels. Avoid toners that contain alcohol, even if you have oily skin. pH stands for “potential hydrogen”, which refers to your skin's acid-alkaline ratio. Moisturize your skin. Again, most moisturizers will be labelled by skin type. Seek a moisturizer that won't clog your pores. Choose one that is noncomedogenic, which means it shouldn't cause acne. Use a topical anti-acne cream. You can buy these at your local drugstore or, if you desire something stronger, you can get something prescribed. When buying over-the-counter formulations, look for products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycol acid, or lactic acid. Start small to ensure that the product doesn't irritate your skin. Avoid friction against your skin. This includes exfoliating face washes, but also popping zits, wearing a bike helmet, plucking your eyebrows — really anything that may cause some stress to your skin. Friction of any kind will increase your chances of breaking out. For men who shave their faces, shaving and shaving products can also cause breakouts. Ideal shaving gels are lubricating gels or prescription ones containing benzoyl peroxide or a topical antibiotic. Shave downward, in the direction of hair growth, with a sharp razor. Do not pop or pick zits. This only prolongs healing and could spread the infection, creating a cluster of zits around the original one. It can also cause acne scars. Avoid touching your face. Touching your face can cause flareups for a number of reasons. Your hands may be oily or have dirt on them, and the friction of your fingers on your face could irritate your skin. Wash your hair regularly. Oily hair can make for an oily face and, if your hair is longer, it may cause breakouts on your neck or back, too. In addition, pay attention to your hair products, being careful to avoid fragrances, oils, pomades, or gels, which can transfer from your hair to your skin and clog your pores. Wear as little makeup as possible. Whether your acne is mild or severe, it's always tempting to cover it up; doing so will likely only make your acne worse. If you must wear makeup, choose formulas that are non-greasy, non-comedogenic (or non-acnegenic), hypoallergenic, non-irritation, and oil free. Choose products whose first ingredient is water. Mineral-based cosmetics are often good choices for acne-prone skin. If you can't avoid wearing makeup, try to at least not wear it when you are at home. Wash it off as soon as you're home from school or work. On the weekends, try to go without. Wear sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and offers both UVA and UVB protection. Look for light, non-pore-clogging sunscreens that are either water-based, light liquid-based gels, or spray-on. Burnt skin is weaker skin, more prone to blemishes and lines. Avoid chemicals such as PABA and benzophenone, which are irritants. Ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are okay. See your doctor. If you are struggling with moderate to severe acne, you may want to see a doctor. A doctor can refer you to a dermatologist, and can also prescribe you medications if he or she sees fit. Medications include antibiotics, isotretinoin, and for women, certain birth control pills and other pills that target hormones. Dermatological procedures include laser and other light therapies, chemical peels, and drainage and extraction.	Figure out your skin type. Buy a facial cleanser that is right for your skin. Wash your face twice a day. Avoid using abrasive cleansers or skin brushes. Apply a toner to your face. Moisturize your skin. Use a topical anti-acne cream. Avoid friction against your skin. Do not pop or pick zits. Avoid touching your face. Wash your hair regularly. Wear as little makeup as possible. Wear sunscreen. See your doctor.
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Contact-Paper	How to Remove Contact Paper	To remove contact paper from wood or metal, use a hairdryer to help you peel it off. Turn your hairdryer to the highest setting and move it slowly back and forth over the paper to melt the glue. Then, peel the paper off from one corner. If you reach any tough spots, just apply more heat with your hairdryer. To remove contact paper from glass, avoid using heat, since this could damage the glass. Instead, peel off as much as you can with your fingers. Then, use a single-edged razor blade to gently scrape off any remaining paper. Regardless of the surface material, get rid of any sticky residue left by the contact paper by scrubbing it with a sponge and adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol. Just make sure you wear gloves to protect your hands.	Get a hairdryer and turn it on to the highest setting. Your ordinary hairdryer isn't just a styling tool! Plug your hairdryer into a power outlet, switch it on, and adjust the temperature. Make sure that the cord is long enough for you to reach all of the contact paper with the hairdryer. Adding heat is the easiest way to remove contact paper, as it melts the strong adhesive that holds the paper to the surface. Use an extension cord if the hairdryer can't reach all of the contact paper easily. Move the hairdryer over the contact paper to warm the adhesive. Begin in a corner that's easy to reach and hold the hairdryer around 3 in (7.6 cm) away from the contact paper. Slowly move the hairdryer back and forth over the area, paying special attention to the corner or an edge that you will be able to peel the paper up from. Continue adding heat until you can see part of the contact paper beginning to lift up. It should only take a few minutes for the paper to start lifting up. Peel off the contact paper from an edge or a corner. Look for where the contact paper has lifted the most. Use your fingernails to firmly grasp the contact paper and start slowly tugging it upwards to remove it. If you reach a tough part or if the paper breaks, simply apply more heat to break down the adhesive. Aim to remove as much contact paper as you can. In very stubborn cases, it can be helpful to use the hairdryer at the same time as peeling the contact paper away. Use a plastic scraper to remove any remaining contact paper. Although heat is a very effective tool, there may be some particularly stubborn areas of contact paper. Continue using the hairdryer and use a plastic scraper to help lift up any difficult bits of paper. Once you have an edge starting to lift, you should be able to peel the contact paper up. Apply adhesive remover with a sponge to lift any sticky residue. Pull on protective gloves and wet a sponge with adhesive remover. Use the sponge to scrub away at any adhesive residue that couldn't be removed with heat. You can find a variety of adhesive removers at craft and home improvement stores. Read the label carefully before you begin to ensure that the product is safe for your surface. Alternatively, you can use rubbing alcohol instead of adhesive remover. Clean the surface with warm, soapy water and then let it dry. Once all of the residue is gone, it's time to get rid of any remaining adhesive remover! Fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of mild soap, such as dish detergent. Dip a cleaning cloth into the bucket and then wring out as much water as possible. Wipe down all of the areas where there was contact paper and then go over it again with a dry cloth to remove any excess water. Let the surface air-dry completely before you use it again. Peel off as much contact paper with your fingernails as possible. Look around the edges and corners of the contact paper for any parts that may have lifted up slightly. Grasp the edge or corner and slowly tug the contact paper upward to start peeling it from the glass. Don't worry if the contact paper breaks or if it's stuck in some areas and just focus on getting rid of what you can. It's best not to use heat to remove contact paper from windows and other glass surfaces. This is because if there is a large temperature difference, the glass could break. Use a single-edge razor blade to remove the rest of the contact paper. Attach a single-edge razor blade to a scraper and gently scrape around the edges of the remaining contact paper. When there is enough of the contact paper lifted to hold, use your fingernails to peel the contact paper away from the glass. You can find single-edge razor blades at home improvement and paint stores. Use adhesive remover to remove the residue from the glass. Wear gloves and pour some adhesive remover onto a cleaning sponge. Rub the adhesive remover over the sticky residue and wait for 2-3 minutes to let it start working. Then use a clean cloth or the scraper again to easily wipe or scrape away the sticky residue. Choose an adhesive remover that's designed for non-absorbent surfaces like glass. Clean the glass with a damp microfiber cloth to make it clear and shiny. It's likely that the glass won't be looking its best after the contact paper! Get a microfiber cloth and dampen it very lightly with warm water. Wipe the glass with the cloth and then use a dry cloth to remove any excess water. Alternatively, you can use paper towels.	Get a hairdryer and turn it on to the highest setting. Move the hairdryer over the contact paper to warm the adhesive. Peel off the contact paper from an edge or a corner. Use a plastic scraper to remove any remaining contact paper. Apply adhesive remover with a sponge to lift any sticky residue. Clean the surface with warm, soapy water and then let it dry. Peel off as much contact paper with your fingernails as possible. Use a single-edge razor blade to remove the rest of the contact paper. Use adhesive remover to remove the residue from the glass. Clean the glass with a damp microfiber cloth to make it clear and shiny.
https://www.wikihow.com/Drink-Creatine	How to Drink Creatine	To drink creatine, start by mixing 5 grams, or 1 heaping teaspoon, of creatine powder with 4 cups of water. Then, drink the mixture immediately since creatine starts to degrade quickly once it's mixed with water. Repeat 4 times a day for the first 5 days of taking creatine. Then, after 5 days, reduce your intake to 2-3 doses.	Choose a creatine powder. Creatine powder usually comes in a large plastic container with a scoop inside for measuring out the correct dosage. Go to a nutrition store or health food store and select a powder to use. Some creatine comes in pure form, and other powders are mixed with sugar so you can create a sweet energy drink. Avoid liquid creatine. Creatine begins degrading the moment it is mixed with water, so packaged liquid creatine is actually creatine waste. Manufacturers of such products are pulling a fast one on consumers. Creatine has been tested in multiple studies and is considered safe to use, but since it is a supplement, it has not been formally approved by the FDA. Check with your doctor if you're taking medication or have a condition that might be affected by taking a supplement. Decide whether to "load" or base your dosage on your body weight. Creatine manufacturers recommend starting out with a high dosage of creatine and gradually waning to a "maintenance" dose to maintain creatine levels in your body. It is also common to forego the loading period and base your dosage on body weight. Loading is said to be safe for the body and help the consumer see results - bigger, stronger muscles - in just a few days. Creatine may affect insulin levels, so if you have a condition related to high or low blood sugar, use caution when taking high doses. You may want to consider the more moderate body weight-based method. Take creatine at the same time every day. It doesn't matter when you take your creatine; whether you consume it in the morning or at night, it will have the same effect on your body. However, for best results, consume it at the same time each day so that your body has time to process one dose before you consume the next one. Some people like to take creatine right before a workout, but its effects aren't instant, so it doesn't actually provide an immediate energy boost for weight-lifting and other exercises. If you want to take creatine on the go, bring a separate water bottle and store the creatine dry. If you premix it, the creatine will degrade. Measure out 5 grams of creatine powder. When you're loading creatine, 5 grams is the recommended dosage to start with; unless a doctor has recommended otherwise, 5 grams is a safe bet. Use the plastic measuring cup that came with the powder to measure it out. If your can of powder didn't come with a measuring tool, measure one heaping teaspoon, which is roughly equivalent to 5 grams. Mix the powder with one quart of water. Pour the powder directly into the water and use a spoon to quickly stir it. If you're using a bottle with a cap, you can close the cap and shake it. If you don't have a container that is exactly quart-sized, measure four cups of water into a large container and mix in the powder. You may find it convenient to buy a quart-sized water bottle with a lid, which you can carry with you for times when you want to take a dose of creatine outside the house. You can also mix creatine with juice or an electrolyte-containing energy drink. Drink the creatine immediately. As mentioned above, creatine beings to degrade when it is mixed with water, so you must consume it right away to get the maximum benefit from the supplement. Chase the creatine with more water. It's important to stay well hydrated while you take creatine, so follow it up with another cup or two. Eat and drink as normal. There are no dietary contraindications for creatine, so you may eat a normal meal before or after consuming it. Take 4 doses a day for the first 5 days. When you're loading creatine, you need a total of 20 grams a day for the first five days. Space out the doses so you have one at breakfast, one at lunch, one at dinner and one before bed. Taper off to 2 or 3 doses a day. After the initial 5-day load, taper off to a comfortable maintenance routine. You can safely take up to 4 doses a day, but taking 2 or 3 has the same effect once you're in maintenance mode. Since creatine isn't cheap, you might want to cut back the dosage. Calculate your dosage for the first week. During the initial stage, your dose should be.35 g of creatine per kg of body weight. Divide the total number per day into easily consumable amounts. For example, if you weigh 68 kg (150 pounds), multiply that by.35 to find that your daily dosage should be 23.8 g. That means you should take just under 6 grams of creatine per dose, 4 times per day. Calculate your dosage for the second week. During the second week, taper off to a dosage of.15 g of creatine per kg of body weight. This time, divide the total dose into 2 or 3 easily consumable amounts. If you weigh 68 kg (150 pounds), multiply that by.15 to find that your your daily dosage should be 10.2 grams of creatine per day. You can divide that into two doses of 5.1 grams, or divide it into three doses of 3.4 grams. Choose the option that's most convenient for your lifestyle.	Choose a creatine powder. Decide whether to "load" or base your dosage on your body weight. Take creatine at the same time every day. Measure out 5 grams of creatine powder. Mix the powder with one quart of water. Drink the creatine immediately. Take 4 doses a day for the first 5 days. Taper off to 2 or 3 doses a day. Calculate your dosage for the first week. Calculate your dosage for the second week.
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Ferret-from-Digging-in-Houseplants	How to Stop a Ferret from Digging in Houseplants	To stop your ferret from digging in houseplants, try placing rocks or decorative stones over the soil so your ferret can't get into it. Or, you can do the same thing with pieces of fine wire mesh. If you don't want to cover up the soil that your houseplants are buried in, try moving the plants to a high shelf or hanging them from the ceiling. You can also move the plants to their own separate, sunny room and keep the door closed so your ferret can't get to them. Alternatively, if you don't want to move your houseplants, you can confine your ferret to rooms that don't have any plants in them using gates.	Hang up your houseplants. One way to keep ferrets out of your plants is to simply hang them from the ceiling or doorway. Though ferrets are mischievous, they won't be able to get to the houseplant to dig at it. Make sure you don't hang it close to anything a ferret can climb up. Place them on a high shelf. Another option is to just place them on a shelf that the ferrets can't reach. Keep in mind, though, that ferrets do like to climb, so try to make it a shelf that's not easily accessible by climbing. A mounted wall shelf is best, as your ferret may be able to climb up a bookcase. Make a plant-free ferret room. If you love having plants around, then try creating a room just for your ferrets that is free from plants. That way, you won't have dug-up plants, and your ferrets won't be exposed to plants that are toxic to them. Keep your plants in their own room. You can also do the opposite and give your plants a single room. Close the room off so your ferrets have no access to it. If they can't get to the plants, they can't dig in the soil. Try picking a room with plenty of sunlight. It can even help the plants. When they're grouped together, they can feed on the humidity put out by the other plants. You can treat the room as a mini-greenhouse by opening blinds and curtains to let in the sun. Place rocks on the soil for a natural solution. To keep ferrets from digging, you just need to keep them out of the soil. Decorative rocks on top of the soil can serve this purpose. Just make sure to completely cover the soil so your ferret can't get to it. Rocks can also be used to weigh down the plant. This will prevent a ferret from tipping the plant over and digging in the dirt underneath it. Use a wire mesh for an effective cover. Another option to keep your ferrets from digging in the plants is to place a fine wire mesh on top of the dirt. The mesh will keep the ferret from getting in the dirt, which means your plant will stay intact. Try using diamond mesh, which you can buy at your local hardware store. You'll need to cut it to fit the interior diameter of your pot. Make sure the mesh is tight-fitting so that your ferret can't chew at the edge. To prevent the ferret from pulling it out, you can glue it in or push it deep down the sides of the plant. Make an economical cover with cardboard. An economical way to keep your ferrets out of your plants is cut out a piece of cardboard to fit over the soil. Of course, you'll need to move the cardboard to water the plant, but it will keep the ferret from digging. You'll likely need to replace this cover from time to time. Your ferret may chew at the cardboard, which is one reason it may need to be replaced from time to time. However, you can make it as tight-fighting as possible to deter your ferret. You can also try putting a rock on part of the cardboard to weigh it down. Skip toxic houseplants. Some plants are toxic to ferrets. If they chew on them, they can get ill or even die. Houseplants toxic to ferrets include poinsettias, aloe vera, milkweed, morning glory, carnations, yew, rhododendrons, tomato plants, baby's breath, chrysanthemums, and daffodils. If you have these plants in your home, keep them in a separate room or take them outside. Also, check flower arrangements for toxic plants, as many flowers can be detrimental to a ferret's health. You can throw out the arrangement or place it far out of reach of your ferret. Keep in mind, though, that falling leaves and flowers can be eaten by your ferret. Talk with your family and friends, as well, so they don't give you these plants or bring them in your house. Talk to veterinary poison control. If your ferret has eaten a plant and you're not sure if it's toxic, call veterinary poison control for advice. Though it costs a little bit, they can recommend what to do for your ferret. One option is the National Animal Poison Control Center at the University of Illinois. The numbers are 1-800-548-2423 (for a flat $30 USD fee) or 1-900-680-0000 ($20.00 USD for 5 minutes, $2.95 USD/minute after that). You can also try the ASPCA's poison hotline at (888) 426-4435, which also charges a fee ($65 USD). Make an emergency visit to the vet. If you know or suspect your ferret has ingested a toxic plant, it's time to head to the vet. If it's during the day, your regular vet may be able to help, but you should call first. If it's at night, you'll need to visit an emergency vet. Any sign of gastrointestinal distress can indicate your ferret has been poisoned, including vomiting and diarrhea, as well as the presence of blood in either the vomit or the feces. Also, if you see chewed leaves or dug-up dirt, you should call the vet. Tell the vet that you think your ferret has eaten something toxic and describe the plant.	Hang up your houseplants. Place them on a high shelf. Make a plant-free ferret room. Keep your plants in their own room. Place rocks on the soil for a natural solution. Use a wire mesh for an effective cover. Make an economical cover with cardboard. Skip toxic houseplants. Talk to veterinary poison control. Make an emergency visit to the vet.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Reference-Page	How to Make a Reference Page	To make a reference page, start by listing your name, address, phone number, and e-mail at the top of the page and format it so it looks the same as your resumé. Next, make a list of your references, starting with the most impressive contact and working your way down to the least applicable. For each person, list their name, their company and contact information, and a few sentences about how you know them. Additionally, make sure to ask for each person's permission before you list them as a reference.	Make a list of potential professional and personal references. Most interviewers will be looking for a list of 3-5 references for an entry- to mid-level job. For a more advanced position, you'll need to include 5-7 references. Think of managers, coworkers, human resource representatives, mentors, former clients, and even teammates who know you well and are familiar with your work. References shouldn't be family members or close friends. If you happen to work for your family, make sure to indicate on your reference page your relationship to the individual. If you are looking for your first or second job, you may not have a lot of professional references yet. Think about professors, community leaders, coaches, advisors, and mentors that would be able to speak to your work ethic and personality. Contact each reference to get their permission before you list them. Also check with them regarding what contact information they prefer to use. They may have a professional email or phone number that they'd like to use rather than giving out their cell phone number. For each reference, you will need: First and last name Position or title Company name or organization Phone number Email address 2-3 sentences describing your relationship to the reference Keep a document that lists references’ names and personal information. Call this your “Master Reference File” and keep it on your computer so that you're always ready to go when you need to create a reference page. Because you will tailor your reference page to whatever job you're applying for, it's helpful to have 10-15 names you can pull from at any given time. Keep the names and information in the same order and font so that it'll be easy to copy and paste when the times comes. So for example, if you list the email address before the phone number, follow that organization for each reference you add to the list. Update your list annually so it’s always ready to go. Set a reminder on your calendar to review your reference list once a year and make any applicable changes. Perhaps you have new references you can add, or you might need to update someone's job title or phone number. This is also a great time to update your resume and add any new jobs or skills you've accumulated over the past year. Continue to cultivate relationships with managers and coworkers. Regardless of whether or not you're planning on searching for a new job soon, it's important to maintain good relationships with coworkers, bosses, and managers. It'll make your day-to-day work life better, and it'll also increase the chances that you'll be able to use those individuals as references later down the road. It's not a bad idea to keep in touch with all of your references, too, even if it's just casually through text or email. This way you won't feel like you can't use a reference because you haven't spoken to them in several years. Create a separate page for references that comes after your resume. Use the same formatting and style that you used on your resume, but make the reference page an individual document, because a lot of times you won't be turning in a reference page until after you've had your first interview. If a job application does ask for both your resume and reference page, include the reference page after your resume on its own separately titled page. You can design your own resume and reference page, or download a template to follow. If you're going to make your own, look up examples online for different ways you can format the page to make it look impressive. When making your own reference page, list your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the page, centered. Space down 2-3 lines, and then type your references, giving each subject a separate line (name, title, company, phone number, email, relationship/how you know them). Tailor your references to the job description to get better results. For example, if you're applying for a work-from-home position, it won't increase your odds to include your coach who would speak about your ability to work well on a team. Likewise, if you're applying for a technical position, like accounting, it might not matter so much if you include a reference from when you worked at a bakery. Look at the skills listed on the job application, and then look at your resume to see which experiences best match those skills. Then include individuals from that period of your life who would be able to speak about those characteristics. Include 3-4 references at a minimum and specify how you know them. Out of these references, make the majority of them professional and limit your personal references to just 1 or 2 slots. When writing your “relationship” line, write something short and succinct, like “Mr. Adams was my supervisor for 3 years at my previous position with ABC Electronics. We had weekly meetings and he was directly responsible for reporting on my productivity.” Include how long you've know the individual for and in what capacity (coworker, manager, supervisor, boss, friend, mentor, community leader, etc.). List your best reference first so that they’re the most likely to get called. Generally, HR managers will work your reference list from the top down, and sometimes they won't call everyone on the list. So always put your most impressive contact first, and then list the rest in descending order of importance. List your personal reference last, unless that person can directly speak to the kind of position you're applying for. For example, if you were an English major and had a good relationship with your advisor, and you're applying for an advising position, that might be a great reference to list first. Contact your references once you’ve been called for an interview. When you begin submitting job applications and get called for an interview, give your references a head up. Call or email them to let them know they may be receiving a call, and also tell them what position you're interviewing for so they can tailor their comments to highlight your aptitude for that job. If you are just submitting applications but haven't been called for an interview yet, there's no need to contact your references. Wait until an interviewer asks you for that information before reaching out to your contacts. Bring your reference page to an interview or email it if requested. Because you generally don't include a reference page with your resume, you will need to bring 2-3 copies to your interview with you. Put them in a file or folder so they don't get crumpled. If the interviewer asks that you email them instead of providing a hard copy, verify the email address you need to use. If your interviewer doesn't ask for your reference page, ask them at the end of the interview if they would like a copy. This shows that you're prepared.	Make a list of potential professional and personal references. Contact each reference to get their permission before you list them. Keep a document that lists references’ names and personal information. Update your list annually so it’s always ready to go. Continue to cultivate relationships with managers and coworkers. Create a separate page for references that comes after your resume. Tailor your references to the job description to get better results. Include 3-4 references at a minimum and specify how you know them. List your best reference first so that they’re the most likely to get called. Contact your references once you’ve been called for an interview. Bring your reference page to an interview or email it if requested.
https://www.wikihow.com/Relax	How to Relax	If you need to relax in the moment, start by inhaling for 5 seconds, holding your breath for 5 seconds, and then exhaling for 5 seconds. Repeat this practice for a whole minute, since focusing on your breathing will often help you feel more calm. However, if breathing isn't working, try lying down in a quiet, dark place and closing your eyes. Then, listen to your favorite music or put on some light background music. Take this time to think about something other that what's stressing you out, since getting some space from the problem is often the best way to relax. If none of this is helping, try going for a walk outside without bringing any technology, since your phone or computer can be stressing you out even if you don't realize it!	Recognize the mental symptoms of stress. Some stress can be positive. In small doses, it can make you motivated and energized. But if the level of stress in your life causes you to put up with things that are harming or distressing you constantly, you risk sliding into being too stressed. You could be too stressed if: You can't stop thinking about work. It might be your own business, a career, a salaried position, a stay-at-home mom or dad position, or anything else that is soaking up your time and life one hundred percent, and this over-concentration is leaving you passionless, disappointed, unhappy, and unfulfilled. You're often irritable, short-tempered, and perhaps unable to focus on completing tasks. You feel as if you have too much going on and that you can't hop off the merry-go-round. You can't remember the last time you had a good laugh and your sense of humor is sadly lacking. Notice if stress is affecting your body. Stress doesn't just manifest itself in your head. It can also cause a lot of physical issues. You might be too stressed if you: : Experience frequent body tension, including headaches, neck aches, backaches, and general soreness. Try lying down or sitting in a comfortable spot with your eyes closed and scanning your body from head to toe to recognize any tension or discomfort. Have a hard time sleeping or find that you're sleeping too much. Experience changes in your appetite. Set aside time to relax. Once you have accepted that there are negative stressors impacting your life, it's important to make room for relaxation amid all of the other things in your life. Find a method of scheduling relaxation that works for you. Block out times in your day to relax. Think of it as an appointment with your most important client that you absolutely cannot skip or break. Write it on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone. You could write “Take a yoga class, 2-3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.” Schedule time to relax in the same way you would schedule meeting up with a friend or going to the doctor. Let go of guilt you might feel for taking time off. With the advent of smart technology that keeps us hyper-wired 24/7, you might feel like you have to be "on-the-go" constantly. This can end up wearing you down. Give yourself permission to relax. You might even write this down. A post-it note on your mirror that says, "You deserve a bubble bath after work!" is a great way to remind yourself that it is okay to relax. Practice positive thinking. Positive thinking can do wonders for your mental health. Try changing the way you talk to yourself. Avoid criticizing yourself and work on changing negative thoughts into positive ones.. For example, instead of thinking, "Why am I so stressed? I should be able to handle all this!", switch to "Wow, I've been working really hard. I deserve to relax a little." If you make a mistake, don't chastise yourself. Instead, acknowledge what went wrong and give yourself a pep talk about doing better next time. Use visualization techniques. While you might not feel calm and relaxed, imagining a calm and relaxed scene in your mind can do wonders to improve your outlook. Picture beaches, lying down resting, going for a hike, etc., to help you stay relaxed. Use affirmations to change your outlook on life. Affirmations are a great way to stop yourself from jumping to negative conclusions. Affirmations are short, powerful statements that build you up and increase your confidence, helping you to expect positive outcomes. A good affirmation might be, "I am strong and I can face these challenges because I have a positive attitude." Learn to prioritize. Make a list of tasks for the day. Organize the list by importance, and be proactive. Take care of things before they become a big problem. Time spent more productively means more free time to relax. Make sure your work is done. Although this may sound counteractive to your goal of relaxing, procrastination never feels as good as having nothing to do. Get your tasks done now, and then you can truly relax. Practice deep breathing when you're stressed. Slow down your breathing and actively concentrate on it. Breathe in through your nose while counting slowly to 4 or 5 and then exhale out your mouth while doing the same count. Doing this will relax your muscles and nerves. As you breathe out, visualize the stress and tension leaving your body through your breath. Eat a healthy diet to feel your best. Eating well can help your body feel balanced and healthy. This can you less susceptible to spikes in blood sugar and feelings of anxiety. It will also help you to have more energy! Eat fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains each meal. For example, you could have a veggie omelet, some berries, and whole grain toast for breakfast. Eat plenty of healthy proteins, such as chicken, fish, whole grains, legumes, dark leafy vegetables or low-fat dairy. Try tofu for a vegetarian option. Avoid sugary foods like granola bars, pastries or sodas. Avoid excessive caffeine. Too much caffeine can make you jumpy and irritable. Try not to drink caffeine after 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Try an herbal tea instead of coffee Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Exercise every day. This is a great way to reduce stress. As a bonus, it's great for your physical health, too! You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to overcome stress if you exercise regularly. Try doing some of the following: Aim for at least thirty minutes per day of moderate activity. Walk in the park, in the woods, or on a treadmill. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park a little further away from the entrance of a store. Ride a bike. Go swimming. Try your local pool, a nearby lake or a friend or relative's home. You do not have to be an excellent swimmer; just the idea of being in water could be relaxing enough. Stretch. Lower your shoulders to help relax. Be more consciously aware of the tension that is quick to accumulate in your shoulders and neck region. Try a massage to soothe tense muscles. Go to your local spa for a great massage. Undoing the body knots is a good pathway to undoing the mind knots. Ask a friend or family member to recommend a good massage therapist. If that's not in your budget, ask your partner or a friend to give you a shoulder rub. Or go get a pedicure so that you get a foot rub! Make good sleep a priority. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. This will help you feel refreshed and ready to face the day. Get into a routine of going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each day. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bed so that your mind has time to wind down. Create a soothing nighttime routine, such as reading a chapter of a book or taking a warm shower. Draw a warm bath. Warm water can be incredibly soothing. Fill up the tub and then create an atmosphere that relaxes you. You could light candles around the tub, dim the lights, or add bubbles. Lavender is a relaxing scent, so you could add some lavender oil to the tub, too. You could read a magazine in the bath, listen to music, or just close your eyes and chill. Read a good book. Reading is a great way to escape from reality. Find a comfy spot and settle in. You could curl up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of chamomile tea, for example. If you're feeling anxious, avoid reading a scary thriller. That won't help you feel calm. Practice meditation. Remove all thoughts and emotions from your mind by concentrating on your breathing. Meditation takes you into focusing on your whole being as a form of relaxation. It can take a while to master, but it is well worth the effort. Begin with a sitting posture for a minimum of 15 minutes per session and build up to 45–60 minutes per session. Try to meditate regularly. Even 5 minutes a day is great! Find a respected mentor if you are having difficulty learning meditation by yourself. Avoid being intense, competitive, or frustrated about meditating – all of these emotions defeat the purpose! Consider self-hypnosis. Focus on something, take a few deep breaths and let yourself become hypnotized. If you have trouble with self-hypnosis, go to a licensed hypnotherapist. Do not allow an amateur to try to hypnotize you, as that might end up being stressful. Do an activity you truly enjoy to relax. The most important part of relaxing is to choose the method that's right for you. Think about the things in life that you truly enjoy and make time to do them. For example, you could: Go fishing , sew, sing, paint or take photographs. Try singing a song using numbers instead of words. Singing can help to distract you from stress to suddenly relax. Use music as relaxation therapy. Play it as loudly or as softly as you like, whichever calms you the most. Make yourself a relaxing drink, like herbal tea or a warm cup of milk with honey or maple syrup. Try doing some yoga. Shavasana, or corpse pose, is a particularly relaxing pose. Lie on your back with your legs spread and your arms at your side. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Spend time with your pet. Cuddle or play with your pets. They'll love it and so will you. Talk to your pet about all the stress and anxiety you've been going through and you'll feel a lot better. Pet therapy is a genuine means for relaxing. If you don't have a pet, ask a friend if you can spend time with theirs. Many cities also now have cat cafes where you can go and hang out with cats for a small fee. Smile and laugh. Laughter is the best medicine. Rent, buy or see a hilarious movie. Smiling and laughing releases endorphins, which fights stress, helps to relax and reminds you that life is more than just work. Even if it feels strange at first, make it a point to smile more often. You could also go to a comedy show or make a date to hang out with your funniest friend. Create space between yourself and highly stressed people. Being around people who are too stressed can rub off on you. If you need to be around them, try imagining an invisible boundary (like a wall) exists between you. This is really a visualization technique, in which you imagine that you are cocooned against the negative vibes of overly stressed people around you. See their behavior and attitudes for what they are, recognize what their stress is doing to them but refuse to let this penetrate your shield. Separating yourself from other people's stress can be hard at first, especially if you are empathic by nature, but keep practicing until not giving in to their negativity becomes second nature. Disconnect from toxic people. Put the phone back down, shut the email folder, walk away. Whenever you feel like making an instantaneous reply in anger to someone who has raised your ire, don't act on it. When we feel angry and stressed, we are more likely to read sinister interpretations into our interactions and if we act on them, our self-righteous anger can be self-fulfilling when the person responds negatively. Sleep on your angry missive and practice some relaxation techniques. Write a draft of your response and let it sit for a day. If everything in it is just as true and valid to you 24 hours later, consider sending it. If not, you'll be grateful you held off. Walk away and decompress. Instead of acting in anger, remove yourself from the situation until your calm has returned. Avoid toxic personalities. Spend less time with people who try to guilt you into doing things or tell you that you're not good enough. Yes, even if they're family. Steer clear of people who are constantly complaining. Stress can be contagious, so avoid transmitters. It's great to be supportive of others. But if they don't seem to want your help, or seem to just want to drag you down, it might be time for some space. Know when to cut ties. It can be challenging to realize that there are people who are just too toxic or too needy to keep in your inner circle. They might sap your energy and stress you out. Sometimes it's best to let go, provided you do so after thinking it through carefully. Avoid being judgmental, hurtful, or blunt; just move on as you need to. Take some time to evaluate the people in your life and take action if they are: Manipulative or controlling A toxic friend A toxic partner Give hugs. Go on the positive offensive and reach through to people who seem down and negative. Caring touch reduces stress and promotes relaxation. Say hello and goodbye to your friends and family members with a hug, and don't be afraid to comfort someone with a hug, or ask for a hug when you're feeling overwhelmed.	Recognize the mental symptoms of stress. Notice if stress is affecting your body. Set aside time to relax. Let go of guilt you might feel for taking time off. Practice positive thinking. Use affirmations to change your outlook on life. Learn to prioritize. Practice deep breathing when you're stressed. Eat a healthy diet to feel your best. Exercise every day. Try a massage to soothe tense muscles. Make good sleep a priority. Draw a warm bath. Read a good book. Practice meditation. Consider self-hypnosis. Do an activity you truly enjoy to relax. Spend time with your pet. Smile and laugh. Create space between yourself and highly stressed people. Disconnect from toxic people. Know when to cut ties. Give hugs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Dominate-a-Capuchin-Monkey	How to Dominate a Capuchin Monkey	To dominate a Capuchin monkey, start by acting calmly and confidently no matter what your monkey is doing, since showing fear can make it more aggressive and agitated. Then, use loud, stern commands, like “No” or “Stop,” to tell your monkey when you don't like its behavior. If your Capuchin doesn't respond to verbal commands, try putting it in its cage for a “time out” to let it calm down and to reinforce the message that you won't tolerate its bad behavior.	Learn your Capuchin's body language. Although Capuchins do make some vocalizations, they communicate largely through their body language. Learning their body language can be a great way to understand what your monkey is saying, allowing you to work with them to meet their needs. Looking for signs of distress can help avoid any serious issues such as an attack or aggression. Smiling is not a sign of happiness. Monkeys smile or show their teeth when they are scared. Jumping up and down or banging objects together can be a show of strength and intimidation. Your monkey will likely have its own methods of expressing itself using body language. You will need to pay careful attention and learn what your monkey is trying to tell you. Learn what your Capuchin's vocalizations mean. While body language is the main method that your Capuchin will use to communicate, your monkey will also use vocalizations. Learning what these vocalizations mean can help you to understand and work with your monkey to keep them happy and manage their behavior. Loud screams can indicate a bad mood. A kind of purring is used when Capuchins meet and are comfortable with each other. Your monkey may seek to make contact with you if you are out of sight with a “ik” or “fueh” sound. If your monkey feels alarmed they may make an "ik-a" or "i-tsch-g-k" sound. A sharp whistling can also indicate your monkey feels threatened. Your monkey may make sounds that are unique. You will need to pay careful attention to what your monkey might be trying to say when making noises. Discover what upsets your Capuchin. Although Capuchins are highly intelligent they lack impulse control and can also become upset or scared easily. Learning the common causes of inappropriate behavior in your Capuchin can help you and your monkey avoid these situations and improve your relationship. Review some of the most common triggers for poor or dangerous behavior when working with a Capuchin monkey: Social status. Your monkey may feel insecure in their social standing or try to challenge your rank as “alpha”. Territory. Capuchin's may claim items or spaces as their own and will defend them. Fear. Monkeys can easily become frightened by loud noises or fast movements. Unfulfilled life. Monkeys need a large amount of space and lots of social interaction to be happy. Understand that your monkey may never “behave”. Although you may offer your monkey a good home, excellent care, and training they may still never behave as you want them to. Each monkey will have its own personality and it is impossible to predict or fully control the behavior of your monkey. You may need to build a permanent large shelter or cage for a monkey that is unsafe to be around. As monkeys age their behavior will also change. This is most obvious during puberty. While you can provide a great environment and care for your monkey, this is no guarantee that they will be safe to be around. Don't show fear. If you monkey is acting aggressive or fearful you should not demonstrate any fear yourself. If you show fear to your monkey it may cause them to get even more aggressive and agitated. Remain calm and resist any feelings of fear or discomfort that can result from your Capuchin's behavior. Always move slowly and confidently. If bitten or scratched, try to remain calm. Never react with quick or jerky movements even if your monkey is acting aggressively towards you. Issue stern commands. If your monkey is behaving in a way that is dangerous or unacceptable you must work quickly to let them know that you don't approve of that behavior. The best way to let your monkey know that you are in charge is to issue a stern command that they stop any aggressive behavior. Issuing a simple command such as “No” or “Stop” is enough. Say your command quickly and clearly, speaking loudly without screaming the command. Give your monkey time out. If you monkey is unable to calm down or is not responding to your verbal commands it's time to put them in a time out. Placing them in their cage will keep both of you safe and can also help send a message that their behavior was unacceptable. Give your monkey a time out to manage poor or dangerous behavior. Place your monkey back in their cage if they are misbehaving. A time out will allow your monkey time to calm down or escape whatever was making them nervous or aggressive. A cage for your monkey should be around 7'x7'x4' to provide plenty of space for them. Do not hit your monkey. Hitting or violently handling your Capuchin in an effort to get them to stop aggressive behavior will only destroy trust between you both. Your monkey will come to view you as a threat instead of a friend and may still continue to act in a dangerous fashion regardless. Use only verbal commands or temporary separation to train your monkey and maintain trust. Other options such as surgically removing the finger tips or canine teeth will not calm your monkey down or build trust. Hitting your monkey will only cause it to become more aggressive or fearful. Shock collars, confinement in a small cage, or other restraint won't help with behavioral issues. Prepare for a commitment. With proper care and a good home your Capuchin monkey can live for up to 45 years. During this time your monkey will require constant care and attention. While a Capuchin monkey can be a great pet and companion you will need to be fully committed to caring for it over the course of its long life. Many Capuchin monkeys live for around thirty years. Your monkey will require a great deal of care and attention. Getting a Capuchin monkey as a pet will be a long term commitment. Provide plenty of attention. Capuchin monkeys are social and intelligent animals. In the wild they normally live with a group of other monkeys and enjoy a complex social life. You will need to provide as much social interaction as possible for your monkey in order to give them a happy and fulfilling life in your care. Young monkeys will need almost constant contact with you. As monkeys age they will require less contact. However, you will still not be able to leave them alone for more than eight hours a day. Feed your Capuchin a proper diet. It was once thought that pet monkeys needed to be given a simple "pellet" based diet. Today it is understood that monkey's diets should be as varied and nutritious as our own. Try to feed you monkey a balanced and nutritious diet to keep them happy and healthy. Fruits such as mangos, pineapples, apples, pears, and grapes can be great parts of your monkey's diet. Carrots, cucumbers, and sweet corn are examples of some vegetables you can include in your monkey's diet. Boiled poultry and fish can be good sources of protein for your monkey. Trying to recreate the natural act of food scavenging can be a good way to make your monkey feel at home and get some activity. Hide some treats or put them in simple puzzles for your Capuchin to solve.	Learn your Capuchin's body language. Learn what your Capuchin's vocalizations mean. Discover what upsets your Capuchin. Understand that your monkey may never “behave”. Don't show fear. Issue stern commands. Give your monkey time out. Do not hit your monkey. Prepare for a commitment. Provide plenty of attention. Feed your Capuchin a proper diet.
https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-GGT-Levels	How to Lower GGT Levels	To lower your GGT levels, eat more eggs and poultry, which have an antioxidant that breaks down GGT, and reduce your intake of red meat. Additionally, aim to eat 10 to 11 servings of vegetables and 5 to 6 servings of fruit each week, as they both contain fiber and Vitamin C. Also, do at least 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise daily, and avoid drinking more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per day.	Eat more eggs and poultry. These contain an antioxidant called glutathione which reduces high levels of GGT in your bloodstream. Healthy proteins like eggs and chicken will break down GGT and protect the health of your liver. Try having 2 or 3 fried or scrambled eggs in the morning for breakfast, or eating a chicken sandwich or grilled chicken for lunch. Certain legumes and nuts, including Brazil nuts, also contain glutathione. Decrease the amount of red meats that you eat. Unlike white meat and eggs, red meats like beef and pork do not contain glutathione. While red meats don't necessarily raise your GGT levels, they don't do anything to lower them. So, skip the steak for dinner, and opt to have a roast chicken instead. Eat 10 or 11 servings of vegetables each week. Veggies that are high in fiber and high in vitamin C can help to lower your GGT levels. Aim to eat 2 servings of veggies every day. For example, you could have a side salad with your lunch, and a plate of steamed broccoli or grilled asparagus with dinner. Vegetables that are naturally high in fiber and vitamin C include romaine lettuce, carrots, spinach, and tomatoes. Consume 5–6 servings of fruit weekly. Like vegetables, fruits have been found to lower your GGT levels, especially when they're high in vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folate. This includes fruits like oranges and lemons, tomatoes, apricots, and pumpkins. Try to eat 1 serving of fruit every day. For example, you could have an orange with breakfast or slice a tomato on top of a salad with dinner. If you want extra fruit in your diet, you can also lower your GGT by drinking fruit juices. Be sure to drink natural fruit juices that have a high juice percentage, and are not just sugary flavored water. Perform 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise per day. Regular exercise improves biomarker levels, including GGT. However, it's best to stick to light to moderate exercise, as heavy exercise can stress your body and temporarily increase your GGT levels. Talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program. Here are some great options to get your exercise: Go for a walk. Jog around your neighborhood. Do low-impact aerobics. Take a dance class. Follow a workout video. Take a magnesium supplement to support healthy GGT levels. Your body needs magnesium for healthy liver function and to help maintain healthy levels of GGT. You may not be getting enough magnesium through your diet, but a supplement can help. Take your supplement for at least 6 weeks before you evaluate its effect on you, as it takes time to work. Talk to your doctor before you take any supplements, including vitamins. Follow the instructions on the label. Take a milk thistle supplement to support your liver function. Milk thistle has long been used to help with liver function. It can support healthy liver function, as well as lower levels of GGT. It doesn't work in all cases, but it can be a good option for improving liver function in some people. As with other supplements, talk to your doctor before taking milk thistle, especially if you're on other medications. Take your milk thistle as directed on the label. Take a curcumin supplement. Curcumin is often used as a spice in Indian dishes, such as curry. However, it's also sold as an herbal supplement. In addition to offering anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin can reduce the affects of elevated levels of GGT, even if you're experiencing health conditions as a result of it. Ask your doctor before taking any supplements. Always take your supplements as directed on the label. Add fish oil supplements to your diet. Choose a high-dose fish oil supplement, and take 4 grams (0.14 oz) per day for at least 3 months. Fish oil may lower GGT levels related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Talk to your doctor before adding this supplement to your diet, and follow the directions on the bottle. Try glutathione supplements alongside other changes. Glutathione may reduce levels of GGT in some people. In many cases, higher levels of glutathione in your body will result in lower GGT levels. However, it doesn't work for everyone. Talk to your doctor before adding glutathione to your regimen, and always follow the directions on the label. Stay away from environmental toxins, such as lead. Environmental toxins stress your body and can affect your liver function. They can cause you to gain weight by affecting your endocrine system, which can increase your risk of high GGT. Additionally, toxins can build up in your system and elevate your GGT levels. Minimizing your exposure can keep your GGT levels in check. Here are environmental toxins you should avoid, especially if you already have high GGT levels: Lead Cadmium Dioxide Pesticides, especially those containing organochlorine Avoid drinking more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per day. High levels of GGT in the blood can also stem from frequent alcohol consumption, even if the liver is in fine condition. When a person drinks alcohol excessively, it activates a metabolic pathway which releases GGT to help breakdown the alcohol. So, to lower your GGT, work on drinking less alcohol. The guidelines for moderate drinking suggest that women under 65 have up to 1 drink a day, and that men under 65 have up to 2 drinks a day. Increase your daily coffee consumption. Coffee, in general, protects the liver from substances that would otherwise harm it, including GGT. Have 2 or 3 cups in the morning, and another cup or 2 later in the day. In individuals with high levels of GGT—whether from a liver condition or from alcohol use—frequent coffee drinking can lower the amount of GGT in your blood. Excessive coffee consumption can carry health risks. Adults should avoid drinking more than about 4 mugs of coffee each day. Ask your doctor for a GGT test if you drink excessively. Excessive drinking is defined as consuming, on average, 4-6 alcoholic drinks per day. If you're a heavy drinker and consume more than 80 grams (2.8 oz) of alcohol a day, you may be raising your GGT to unhealthy levels. Visit your doctor, and ask them to administer bloodwork to measure your GGT levels. Your doctor will draw blood from a vein in your arm, and send it to a lab for testing. Your doctor will likely instruct you to avoid eating, drinking, or taking medications for 10-12 hours prior to your bloodwork, as food, drinks, and medicines can affect your liver function tests. Talk to your doctor about all of the medicines and supplements you're taking, including those available over-the-counter. Expect your lab results to take at least a few hours but possibly a few days to be ready.	Eat more eggs and poultry. Decrease the amount of red meats that you eat. Eat 10 or 11 servings of vegetables each week. Consume 5–6 servings of fruit weekly. Perform 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise per day. Take a magnesium supplement to support healthy GGT levels. Take a milk thistle supplement to support your liver function. Take a curcumin supplement. Add fish oil supplements to your diet. Try glutathione supplements alongside other changes. Stay away from environmental toxins, such as lead. Avoid drinking more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per day. Increase your daily coffee consumption. Ask your doctor for a GGT test if you drink excessively.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Buffalo-Wings	How to Make Buffalo Wings	To make buffalo wings, start by seasoning the wings with your desired seasonings. Then, cook the seasoned chicken in hot oil using a large skillet or a deep fryer. Once they're golden brown and crispy, use tongs to remove the wings and place them on a napkin to absorb the excess oil. Next, heat 1 cup of hot sauce and a half a stick of butter in a skillet. When it starts to boil, add the wings to the skillet, cover with a lid, and cook them over low heat for 15 minutes.	Let the chicken wings defrost. Try not to use warm water to defrost frozen chicken as it tends to start the cooking process raising the meat to a dangerous temperature level in which bacteria can grow. While waiting on the chicken to defrost, pour oil in skillet or fry daddy and turn heat on high. Drain excess water, and put them in a large bowl. Season the chicken wings with desired seasonings. Take the seasoned chicken and place it in the hot grease to begin the frying. When the chicken has become golden brown, take it out and put it on a napkin to drain the grease. Pour a cup of hot sauce and a half stick of butter, in the medium skillet, until it comes to a boil. Note:You may increase the amount of hot sauce and butter depending on the amount of chicken you are preparing Place the chicken into the combined mixture and reduce the heat so that the temperature goes down. Place the top on the skillet, let the chicken simmer on a low fire for about 15 to 25 min stirring occasionally. The wings are done when they are sauced completely and the sauce has thickened. Served. Buy a bag of frozen, pre cut wings. The tips are already gone. After they are thawed, drain the wings and spread them out on a cookie sheet that you have sprayed with Pam. Bake the wings at 350 for about half an hour. Take the baked wings outside and put them on a hot grill to crisp them up and give them that grilled taste. When they are good and crunchy, bring them inside and put some hot sauce on them. This method will result in boneless chunks (not so much wings)if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-a34f659de0')); Take a boneless chicken breast, and cut it into slices, make them fairly thick. Turn the breast around and cut perpendicular to the other cuts (making approximate 1" cubes)if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-21d3d12f6d')); Dip the cubes into a bowl of eggs (mixed) then roll in a mixture of flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and anything else dry you wish to add. Drop the chunks into a 350 degree deep fryer for 4 minutes (or more, depending on how crispy you would like the breading to be. ) Drop into a bowl and put on any sauce on that tickles your taste buds (that you like. )	Let the chicken wings defrost. Drain excess water, and put them in a large bowl. Season the chicken wings with desired seasonings. Take the seasoned chicken and place it in the hot grease to begin the frying. Pour a cup of hot sauce and a half stick of butter, in the medium skillet, until it comes to a boil. Place the chicken into the combined mixture and reduce the heat so that the temperature goes down. Place the top on the skillet, let the chicken simmer on a low fire for about 15 to 25 min stirring occasionally. Served. Buy a bag of frozen, pre cut wings. After they are thawed, drain the wings and spread them out on a cookie sheet that you have sprayed with Pam. Bake the wings at 350 for about half an hour. Take the baked wings outside and put them on a hot grill to crisp them up and give them that grilled taste. When they are good and crunchy, bring them inside and put some hot sauce on them. This method will result in boneless chunks (not so much wings)if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-a34f659de0')); Take a boneless chicken breast, and cut it into slices, make them fairly thick. Turn the breast around and cut perpendicular to the other cuts (making approximate 1" cubes)if (WH.video)WH.video.add(document.getElementById('mvid-21d3d12f6d')); Dip the cubes into a bowl of eggs (mixed) then roll in a mixture of flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and anything else dry you wish to add. Drop the chunks into a 350 degree deep fryer for 4 minutes (or more, depending on how crispy you would like the breading to be. Drop into a bowl and put on any sauce on that tickles your taste buds (that you like.
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-a-Ferret-Cage	How to Set Up a Ferret Cage	To set up a ferret cage, put the cage in a well-ventilated, temperature-regulated area of your home that's out of direct sunlight. Next, add a sturdy food dish, multiple water bottles, and a small litter box inside the cage. Then, provide soft bedding or a hammock for the ferret to sleep on. Finally, add plenty of hard plastic toys to keep the ferret occupied and stimulated.	Select a cage that’s at least 3 × 2 × 2 ft (91 × 61 × 61 cm) for 1 ferret. Ferrets are active animals that require a lot of room for play and exercise, not to mention eating and sleeping. For each additional ferret you plan to keep, add at least 6 in (15 cm) to each dimension. For instance, 2 ferrets should have a cage that's at least 42 in (110 cm) long, 26 in (66 cm) wide, and 26 in (66 cm) tall. Keep in mind that this is the minimum cage size and bigger is better. If your ferret won't be able to spend 4 hours per day outside the cage (as is highly recommended), go for as big of a cage as possible. Make sure the cage's bar spacing is designed for ferrets. For the health and safety of your pet, buy a cage that is designed specifically for ferrets. First and foremost, the cage must have bars that are spaced 1 in (2.5 cm) or less apart. If the bars are any wider, your ferret may be able to squeeze through them and escape. Choose a cage with a strong door latch, and always use it. The cage door should have a sturdy latching mechanism that you can easily secure. If the door doesn't have a strong latch, the ferret may be able to push or pull the door open and escape. Remember that even the sturdiest latch is useless if you don't actually secure it in place! Make sure you latch the door every time you close it. Some people stick a binder clip over the door and frame wires to add an additional latching mechanism. Pick out a cage with a solid, comfortable floor. Avoid cages with wire floors, since these are uncomfortable for ferrets to walk on and may permit their feet to get caught between the wires. Look for a cage with a solid pan or sturdy carpeting covering the floor. Many ferret cages have removable floor pans, which can make cleanup much easier. Choose a cage with at least 2-3 vertical levels for your ferret to use. Each level should have one or more ramps leading up to it so that your ferret can easily run from level to level. Running around keeps ferrets occupied and gives them needed exercise. If you have 2 or more ferrets, look for a cage with at least 4 levels. The elevated platforms should have solid flooring as well. Put the cage in a semi-active location in your house. Ferrets like attention when they're awake, so don't tuck the cage away in a back room where nobody goes. However, they also sleep a lot, so don't place it in a very loud or hectic area. A den or home office might make a good spot, for instance. Ensure lots of fresh air ventilation in the cage spot. Most indoor locations with a functioning air conditioning or heating system should suffice. Depending on the outside weather, you can also crack open a nearby window. The more fresh air ventilation the location gets, the better. Don't stick the cage in a small room with the door closed. Make sure the location remains between 50 and 75 °F (10 and 24 °C). Ferrets are sensitive to temperatures that are too hot or cold, so maintain a consistent temperature range in the cage location. Most spots in an average home should suffice, but provide supplemental cooling or heat if necessary. Do not, for instance, keep the ferret cage in a basement or garage where the temperature might go above or below the recommended range. The ferret could become ill or even die. Keep the cage out of direct sunlight, especially in warm weather. Ferrets are very sensitive to temperatures above 75 °F (24 °C), and a sunny indoor location can easily rise above that level. Place the cage near a window if you're using it for ventilation, but make sure the sun doesn't shine directly into the cage. If your ferret has been in the sun and seems lethargic or ill, it may be suffering from heat stroke. Call your vet right away. Choose a spot in the cage for a sturdy food dish. Identify a spot on any of the levels to serve as the feeding area. Ferrets like to push and lift their food dishes (which leads to spills), so choose a heavy ceramic dish or, even better, a food dish that latches to the cage bars. Check pet retailers for latching food dishes designed specifically for ferrets. Attach multiple water bottles to the cage bars. A ferret requires a constant supply of fresh water, and they can drink quite a lot when they're running around. By using 2 bottles, you'll reduce the chances of them running out of water. Buy bottles that are designed for ferrets and that latch securely to the cage bars. Place the bottles in different spots on different levels—one near the food dish, for instance, and the other on a separate level. Plan to check the bottles regularly and refill them as needed. Provide bedding or a hammock for your ferret to sleep in. Buy a ferret bed or create a bed out of an old T-shirt during warmer weather. If it gets chilly where you live, switch out the T-shirt for fleece blanket or sweatshirt scraps during winter. You can also find ferret hammocks at pet stores and online, and many ferrets really enjoy these. However, not every ferret is a fan of hammocks. You might want to set up both a hammock and a bed to see which one your ferret prefers—or just keep them both set up. Give your ferret a hide or shelter so it can burrow when it feels anxious or frightened. Provide at least as many bedding spots as there are ferrets in the cage. Add a latch-secured litter pan for each ferret in the cage. Buy a ferret litter pan that latches to the cage so your ferret doesn't overturn it. Fill the pan with 1 in (2.5 cm) of a wood- or paper-based litter. Don't use cat litter or other clumping or scented litters—these can cause breathing problems or be a choking hazard. Ferrets can be territorial about their litter boxes, so keep it in the same spot and provide a pan for each ferret in the cage. If you have 2 ferrets, for instance, give each a litter pan in opposite corners. Plan to clean the litter pan daily. Add lots of hard plastic toys to keep the ferret occupied. Buy hard plastic balls, tubes, and other sturdy toys designed for ferrets. Avoid toys that are made of fabric or thin plastic, since a ferret can easily chew these apart and create a potential choking hazard. Even if you buy sturdy plastic toys, check them regularly and replace them if they are damaged. It may be a good idea to replace toys from time to time anyway, in order to keep your ferret interested. Try using a shoebox with a ferret-sized hole for a cheap alternative to plastic tunnels. Stocking the cage with toys is not a replacement for spending time with your ferret. You should spend 2 hours, at minimum, of every day being actively engaged with your ferret. Do a quick cleanup of the cage and accessories every day. Ferrets require a clean environment for their health and safety. Take a few minutes every day to do some basic cleaning of their habitat. Wash the food dish with mild soap and clean water, and scrub out the water bottles with a bottle brush. Scoop out any deposits in the litter, and change the litter if it's smelly or getting low. Wipe down the flooring (on all levels) with mild disinfecting wipes. Also wipe up any spills or urine/feces outside the cage. Clean the cage more thoroughly once a week. Some ferrets are messier than others, so you may have to move to a twice weekly cleaning schedule. Basically, if the cage looks or smells like it needs to be cleaned, clean it—but clean it at least once a week regardless. Place your ferret in the ferret-proof room you've set up, or put it in a carrier cage designed for ferrets. Remove everything from the cage, discard litter, food scraps, and other trash, and wash bowls, toys, etc. with mild soap and clean water. Wash down the cage floor and bars with a mild detergent, then use a pet-safe disinfectant spray or wipes. Wipe away any excess disinfectant. Clean any fabric items in your washing machine, using a mild detergent. Do a deep-cleaning of the cage at least once a month. You'll need to house the ferret somewhere else for at least 24 hours during this deep-cleaning. Keep them in a ferret-proof room as much as possible, and put them in a ferret-approved carrier or alternate cage otherwise. Empty out the cage and do a typical weekly cleaning for removable items. Disassemble the cage so you can get into every crevice. Scrub down every surface of the cage with a bleach-based cleanser, or mix your own solution of 1 part bleach to 32 parts water. Take the cage parts outside, if possible, and spray them down with a hose or, better yet, a power washer. If this isn't possible, rinse them very thoroughly in your tub. Let the cage dry for 24 hours before reassembling it.	Select a cage that’s at least 3 × 2 × 2 ft (91 × 61 × 61 cm) for 1 ferret. Make sure the cage's bar spacing is designed for ferrets. Choose a cage with a strong door latch, and always use it. Pick out a cage with a solid, comfortable floor. Choose a cage with at least 2-3 vertical levels for your ferret to use. Put the cage in a semi-active location in your house. Ensure lots of fresh air ventilation in the cage spot. Make sure the location remains between 50 and 75 °F (10 and 24 °C). Keep the cage out of direct sunlight, especially in warm weather. Choose a spot in the cage for a sturdy food dish. Attach multiple water bottles to the cage bars. Provide bedding or a hammock for your ferret to sleep in. Add a latch-secured litter pan for each ferret in the cage. Add lots of hard plastic toys to keep the ferret occupied. Do a quick cleanup of the cage and accessories every day. Clean the cage more thoroughly once a week. Do a deep-cleaning of the cage at least once a month.
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Kitchen-Cabinets	How to Measure Kitchen Cabinets	When measuring a kitchen for cabinets, first make a sketch of the room that includes any existing features. To see how much space you have, find the distance between the highest points on your installation floors and the ceiling. Then, measure your walls from corner to corner. Make sure to get the measurements of any objects connected to the wall, as well as the distance between them and both the floor and ceiling. To avoid infrastructure issues, note the placement of any important lines and fixtures.	Make a general sketch of the kitchen. When it comes time to install your cabinets, you'll need to have a clear, accurate blueprint of your kitchen and everything in it. On a blank sheet of printer or graph paper, sketch out the shape of your kitchen and make marks indicating where your windows and existing appliances are. You don't need to nail the exact placement of everything since you'll be making separate notes indicating distance. Find the height of your kitchen. Place a plank of wood on a segment of floor you plan to install cabinets over. Using a level, check whether or not the plank is completely flat. If it isn't, add small shims to either side until it is. Mark the area of the floor that needed the fewest shims, then remove the plank and measure from that spot to the ceiling. Note the measurement on your blueprint, then repeat the process for each section of installation floor. Measure the width of each wall. To see how much horizontal space your cabinets can take up, measure the width of each wall from corner to corner and record the numbers on your blueprint. Take your measurements from 36 in (91 cm) up, or the height most cabinet countertops sit at. Make sure to note any gaps in your walls created by things like doorways and arches. Get measurements for any objects connected to the wall. Even in stripped down, bare-bones kitchens, you'll typically find a sink, an oven, windows, and other major accessories fixed to the wall. To see how much space they take up, grab a tape measure and find their length, width and, if necessary, depth. Remember to record the measurements on your blueprint. Find the distance between objects on the wall and both your floor and ceiling. This will help you make sure there are no obstacles in the way of your cabinet installation. If something located over an installation spot, such as a window or sink, sits lower than the top of a base cabinet or higher than the bottom of a wall cabinet, look into moving your cabinet or purchasing a custom cabinet designed to accommodate the object. Make note of any existing lines, jacks, outlets, and other fixtures. Like all parts of your house, your kitchen can only function properly if it has access to water, electricity, and other utilities. To avoid damaging your kitchen's infrastructure, make notes on your blueprint indicating the location of all important lines and fixtures, including: Water lines Drains Power outlets Range outlets Light switches Light fixtures Ventilation shafts Phone jacks Find the total height and depth of each cabinet. Using a tape measure, determine the height of each cabinet from base to tip and the depth of each cabinet from front to rear. For accuracy, figure out the depth by measuring from the outside of each cabinet, not the inside. Make sure to include any toe kicks, countertops, frameless doors, or other appendages in these measurements. Standard size base cabinets have a height of 36 in (91 cm) and a depth of 24 in (61 cm). Standard size wall cabinets have a depth of 12 in (30 cm) but feature variable heights. Measure the width of each cabinet. Just like when finding the height and depth, determine the width of each cabinet using a tape measure. Keep in mind that even if a cabinet looks like a single unit, it may be made of multiple cabinets that each have their own width. Unlike with the previous measurements, kitchen cabinets do not have standard widths. Find each cabinet's interior measurements. The inside of a cabinet will be slightly, if not significantly, smaller than the outside. Because of this, you'll need to find each cabinet's interior height, width, and depth separately from the exterior measurements. This is especially important if you plan on altering the inside of a cabinet with things like shelves or mirrors. Check the measurements of any cabinet appendages. Depending on a cabinet's specific design, it may come with additional elements like a toe kick, oversized countertop, or frameless door. Though your initial measurements already included these appendages, finding their height, width, and depth separately will give you a more accurate picture of how large each cabinet is. Find the distance between your kitchen cabinets and other fixtures if necessary. If you plan on adding, removing, replacing, or extending a kitchen cabinet, you'll need to know the distance between it and any surrounding fixtures. To do so, run a tape measure from your cabinet to adjacent or nearby objects like windows, sinks, ovens, dishwashers, and other cabinets.	Make a general sketch of the kitchen. Find the height of your kitchen. Measure the width of each wall. Get measurements for any objects connected to the wall. Find the distance between objects on the wall and both your floor and ceiling. Make note of any existing lines, jacks, outlets, and other fixtures. Find the total height and depth of each cabinet. Measure the width of each cabinet. Find each cabinet's interior measurements. Check the measurements of any cabinet appendages. Find the distance between your kitchen cabinets and other fixtures if necessary.
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Ruler	How to Read a Ruler	To read a metric ruler to measure centimeters, look at the long lines on the ruler that are numbered 1-30, which are the centimeter marks. The distance between them is equal to 1 centimeter. There are smaller lines between the larger centimeter lines, which represent millimeters. Alternatively, to read an English ruler, start by looking for the inch lines, which are the longest lines on the ruler that are numbered 1-12. The distance between those lines is 1 inch, and then the smaller lines between them are 1/2, 1/4, 1/6 and 1/8 inches!	Get an inch ruler. You'll know it's an inch ruler because it will have 12 lines that denote inches on the ruler. 12 inches equals 1 foot (0.305 m). Each foot is broken down into inches. Each inch is broken down into 15 smaller marks, equaling 16 marks in total for each inch on the ruler. The longer the line on the surface of the ruler, the bigger the measurement is. Ranging from 1 inch to 1/16 of an inch, the lines decrease in size as the unit of measurement does. Make sure you read the ruler from left to right. If you are measuring something, align it with the left side of the zero mark on the ruler. The left side of the line where the object ends will be its measurement in inches. Learn the inch marks. A ruler is made up of 12 inch marks. These are typically the numbered marks on the ruler and are denoted by the longest lines on the ruler. For example, if you need to measure a nail, place one end directly on the left side of the ruler. If it ends directly above the long line next to the large number 5, then the nail is 5 inches long. Some rulers will also denote 1/2 inches with numbers, so make sure you are using the largest numbers with the longest lines as your inch markers. Learn the 1/2 inch marks. The 1/2 inch marks will be the second longest lines on the ruler, half as long as the inch marks. Each 1/2 inch mark will come midway between each inch number because it is half of an inch. This means that marks directly between the 0 and 1 inch, 1 and 2 inches, 2 and 3 inches, and so on across the ruler, are the 1/2 inch marks. In total, there are 24 of these marks on a 12 inch ruler. For example, place the ruler against a pencil with the eraser at the far left of the ruler. Mark where the tip of the pencil lead ends on the ruler. If the pencil point ends at the shorter line halfway between the 4 and 5 inches marks, then your pencil is 4 and 1/2 inches long. Learn the 1/4 of an inch marks. Halfway in between each 1/2 inch line, there will be a smaller line that denotes a 1/4 of an inch. In the first inch, these marks will mark 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch. Although the 1/2 inch and 1 inch marks have their own lines, they are still part of the 1/4 of an inch measurements because 2/4 of an inch equals half an inch and 4/4 of an inch equals 1 inch. There are a total of 48 of these marks on a 12 inch ruler. For example, if you measure a carrot and the tip falls on the line halfway between the 6 1/2 and 7 inch lines, the carrot is 6 and 3/4 inches long. Learn the 1/8 of an inch marks. The 1/8 of an inch marks are the smaller marks found directly in between the 1/4 of an inch marks on the ruler. Between 0 and 1 inch, there are marks that denote 1/8, 1/4 (or 2/8), 3/8, 1/2 (or 4/8), 5/8, 6/8 (or 3/4), 7/8, and 1 (or 8/8) of an inch. In total, there are 96 of these marks on a 12 inch ruler. For example, you measure a piece of fabric and the edge falls on the 6th line after the 4 inch mark, which is directly in between the 1/4 of an inch mark and the 1/2 inch mark. This means that your fabric is 4 and 3/8 inches long. Learn the 1/16 of an inch marks. The small lines halfway between each 1/8 of an inch denote 1/16 of an inch. These are also the smallest lines on the ruler. The very first line on the left hand side of the ruler is the 1/16 of an inch mark. Between 0 and 1 inch, there are marks that denote 1/16, 2/16 (or 1/8), 3/16, 4/16 (or 1/4), 5/16, 6/16 (or 3/8), 7/16, 8/16 (or 1/2), 9/16, 10/16 (or 5/8), 11/16, 12/16 (3/4), 13/16, 14/16 (or 7/8), 15/16, 16/16 (or 1) of an inch. There are a total of 192 of these lines on the ruler. For example, you measure a flower stem and the end of the stem falls on the 11th line after the 5 inch mark. The flower stem is 5 and 11/16 inches long. Not every ruler will have the 1/16 inch mark. If you plan on measuring things that are small or you need to be extremely accurate, make sure the ruler you use has these marks. Get a metric ruler. A metric ruler is based on the International System of Units (SI), sometimes called the metric system, and is divded into either millimeters or centimeters instead of inches. Rulers are often 30 centimeters long, which are designated by large numbers on the ruler. Between each centimeter (cm) mark, there should be 10 smaller marks called millimeters (mm). Make sure you read the ruler from left to right. If you are measuring an object, align it with the left side of the zero mark on the ruler. The left side of the line where the object ends will be its measurement in centimeters. This way the line thickness will not affect the measurement. Unlike with the English ruler, the measurements for the metric ruler are written in decimals instead of fractions. For example, 1/2 a centimeter is written as 0.5 cm. Learn the centimeter marks. The large numbers next to the longest lines on the ruler denote the centimeter marks. A metric ruler has 30 of these marks. For example, place the bottom of a crayon on the far left side of the ruler to measure it. Note where the tip falls. If the crayon ends directly on the long line next to the large number 14, your crayon is exactly 14cm long. Learn the 1/2 of a centimeter marks. Halfway between each centimeter, there is a slightly shorter line that denotes 1/2 of a centimeter, or 0.5cm. There are a total of 60 of these marks on a 30 cm ruler. For example, you measure a button and the edge ends on the fifth line right between the 1 and 2 centimeter marks. Your button is 1.5cm long. For example, to measure 0.6 cm, count one thick line (5 mm) and one thin line (1 mm). Learn the millimeter marks. Between each 0.5cm line, there are four additional lines that denote the millimeter marks. There are a total of 10 lines per centimeter, with the 0.5cm line acting as the 5 millimeter mark, making each centimeter 10mm long. There are 300 millimeter marks on a 30 cm ruler. For example, if you measure a piece of paper and it ends on the 7th mark between the 24 and 25 centimeter mark, it means your object is 247mm, or 24.7cm, long.	Get an inch ruler. Learn the inch marks. Learn the 1/2 inch marks. Learn the 1/4 of an inch marks. Learn the 1/8 of an inch marks. Learn the 1/16 of an inch marks. Get a metric ruler. Learn the centimeter marks. Learn the 1/2 of a centimeter marks. Learn the millimeter marks.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Involved-in-Your-Community	How to Get Involved in Your Community	To get involved in your community, start by contacting volunteer organizations in your area to find out how you can help. You can also contact local schools about working with neighborhood children and their families, or spend some time volunteering at a nearby soup kitchen, food bank, or other charity. Another great way to get involved and make a difference in your community is by joining your neighborhood council, school board, or city council committee!	Introduce yourself. If you're new to a community, take the time to call on nearby houses to introduce yourself. Tell your new neighbors what led you to the area, where you live, and say a little about your life. Walk up to the door and knock or ring the bell. If or when someone answers, smile, greet them, and say you're new to the community. Say something like, “Hi, my name is Mabel. I just moved in across the street to start a new job in the area and wanted to introduce myself.” If the neighbor seems friendly, try to engage in a bit of small talk. “How long have you lived on this street? What's the community like? Is it close-knit?” On the other hand, go out of your way to meet and greet new members of the community. Take a welcome basket to them and introduce yourself. Smile and say hello. At first, this may seem strange. You might be from a big city or other place where people don't interact on the sidewalk. However, there are lots of places where it's polite or even expected to acknowledge, smile, and say hello to others in public. Do this enough in your neighborhood and chances are you'll start to recognize others, and be recognized. Make eye contact when you pass someone on the sidewalk. A visual acknowledgement goes a long way. If the other person returns your eye contact, smile or nod your head. You can also add a greeting, like “Hello,” “Good afternoon,” or “How are you?” “Nice weather today” is another good one. Keep in mind that this is really only for one-on-one situations, like when you pass one or two people on the sidewalk or walk past a neighbor's yard. It doesn't work well on busy streets. Start a neighborhood watch. Neighborhood watches are groups that work together to prevent crime in local communities. The purpose is a serious undertaking and takes lots of cooperation and planning. It's a great venue to get to know your neighbors better. First of all, try to recruit interested neighbors to form a planning committee. Advertise and hold an initial meeting to canvass your other neighbors' interest. You should also contact your local police department or sheriff's office and invite a representative to attend. Establish the aim of the program. For instance, determine what sort of concerns your community has on crime. Ideally, the watch will look out for each other's families and property and contact police in case of any suspicious activity. If the response is positive, elect block captains who can mediate between the community and police. Work with local authorities so that members get proper training on home security, crime prevention, and crime reporting. Post signs around the area and establish a means of communication, like a phone tree or a regular newsletter. Organize a garage sale or block party. The key thing in getting to know your neighbors is to communicate with them. Try holding a big sale or block party, for example, or anything that will lead to interaction, socialization, and cooperation. Try a block-wide garage sale. Canvas the community to see who might be interested in contributing items or volunteering to work the sale. Make sure to advertise! Or, ask around to see whether your neighbors would like to hold a block party. Block parties are great for socializing and don't require that much work. You can make it a potluck or BYOF affair. If you're ambitious, ask the local police about temporarily closing your street for the sale or party. That way, you'll have much more room to mingle and chat. Try a volunteer clearinghouse. Get in touch with a volunteer clearinghouse like volunteer.gov or the Army Corps of Engineers Clearinghouse to get out and volunteer in the community. These organizations match people with volunteer jobs, after first taking stock of their skills and preferences. Usually, a service like this will interview you. Be prepared to answer questions like, “What are your interests?” “What are your skills,” and “Why do you want to volunteer?” Oftentimes, you'll have a second interview once you are matched with a specific job. You may also have to undergo a background and criminal record check. Contact your local school. Community schools are a great place to be involved. You can work with neighborhood children, interact with families from the area, and know that you're making a difference by contributing to kids' education. Call the school first and ask about possible volunteer opportunities. You might get to work as a recess monitor, shelve books in the school library, or help organize fundraisers. Be aware that to work at a school you'll have to have an extensive criminal background check. Often, this involves being fingerprinted. Keep in mind that in some places convicted felons – no matter the crime – are not allowed to work in schools. If you have children in school, you might also consider joining the PTA or the local school board. Go to meetings, voice your opinion, and volunteer for activities, committees, and functions. Ask at soup kitchens, food banks, and charities. Many communities have charities that serve the poor or underprivileged, especially in big cities. Soup kitchens but also food banks, shelters, and clothing banks are non-profit organizations that rely on volunteers. Usually, they're glad for help. If you're a people person, see whether you can do something that involves interaction. This might be working the soup line, making food deliveries, or working as a cashier at a charity thrift store. Introverts can help, too. You might contribute by stocking the food bank shelves or putting together orders, for example. Try churches, synagogues, or other places of worship. Many religious organizations also do charity work. If you feel comfortable, think of looking up a churches, synagogues, temples, or mosques to find opportunities to be involved in the community. Religious organizations might do things like house temporary shelters for homeless families, such as Interfaith Hospitality Network. They also might run food and clothing banks, soup kitchens, or clothing drives. Many religious organizations also organize mission activities to volunteer in under-served communities abroad. Enroll in one of these trips, if you have the inclination. Keep in mind that while many of these charities are openly religious, some do not allow evangelizing. Join your neighborhood council or school board. Does your city have councils and school boards? Some do, and joining is a great way to get politically active in your local community. Neighborhood councils usually meet regularly and may get funds for things like crime prevention, roads, streets, sidewalks, and the creation of safe play spaces. School boards manage the local school system. Talk to people in your area to see if you are served by a neighborhood council. If you don't know, call the city offices and ask about such bodies, how they operate, and how you can join one. Consider putting your name up for a school board position. Often representatives are chosen in local elections for a number of years. Start a petition. Another way to get politically active in your community is to petition the government. Start a petition drive on an issue that speaks to you. Do you think that the community needs a park? Maybe you are sick of dangerous speeding on your street and want speed bumps installed? Petitions are a way to bring your concerns forward. Pick an issue that you care about. Then, start putting together a formal petition. Usually, a petition will start with words like, “We the undersigned...” You can find many templates online. For example, a petition on speed bumps could start, “We the undersigned are very concerned with unregulated speeding on X Avenue and advocate speed-bumps to protect pedestrians.” Take your petition around the neighborhood and knock on doors to collect signatures. Even if some neighbors don't sign, you will have the chance to inform them on the issue. If your issue is of wider importance, you can also put the petition online on a site like Change.org and reach a larger, regional audience. Speak out in the community. There are other ways you can advocate on issues in your community besides petitions. Do you have a special interest in a topic like traffic control, community schools, or parks? Think about writing an opinion-editorial piece for a local website or newspaper, or even giving a talk at a community meeting. Take your issue to the local paper. Call the editorial office and say that you would be interested in writing a short op-ed piece on X issue, which is important to the community. Do you have expert knowledge on a community topic? You might be able to get an audience to listen. Ask to speak at a city council meeting, at the school board, the PTA, or at a community center. Stand for local election. Some people who get politically active in the community take the next step: they make involvement a part-time or full-time career and stand for local office. You could run for positions like school board representative, city council member, roads commissioner, or perhaps even mayor. To get these jobs, you'll usually have to run in an election and win. Pick a job that you find important. If education is your passion, start with the school board. If you are sick and tired of poor roads, perhaps the roads commission is for you. Prepare yourself. Standing for election requires a lot of work, so read up on the requirements. You will probably have to file an affidavit of candidacy by a specific date to run, and there may be filing fees and other paper work. Run a campaign. Local elections are generally small affairs. You likely won't have a “campaign team,” but still consider doing some publicity. Canvass door-to-door to get your name out, invest in yard signs, or try, again, to write an op-ed in the local paper.	Introduce yourself. Smile and say hello. Start a neighborhood watch. Organize a garage sale or block party. Try a volunteer clearinghouse. Contact your local school. Ask at soup kitchens, food banks, and charities. Try churches, synagogues, or other places of worship. Join your neighborhood council or school board. Start a petition. Speak out in the community. Stand for local election.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Balloon-Animals	How to Make Balloon Animals	If you want to make a balloon dog, inflate a #260 balloon and leave a 3 inch tail. Tie off the balloon, then make 3 twists in the balloon so that the last segment is the longest, the first segment is slightly shorter, and the middle 2 sections are the same size. Twist the second and third sections together 3 times to create the head. Add another twist for the neck a few inches below the head, then add 2 more twists below the neck for the front legs. Twist the front legs together, then repeat that process to make the back legs and the tail.	Make a basic twist. Inflate a balloon and tie it off at the end. Grasp it near the tie in your non-dominant hand. Use your dominant hand to twist the balloon a few times so that you create a separate balloon segment. In order to keep the balloon from untwisting, hold the two segments with one hand. Use #260 balloons, which are long balloons designed for the purpose of being made into balloon animals. These are available at party stores and costume stores. Water balloons and party balloons can't be twisted into animal shapes. You can inflate the balloons using your lungs, but it's far easier to use a small hand pump. These are available at toy stores and party stores that sell balloon supplies. You should be able to grasp the balloon firmly without it popping. Keep your fingernails and jewelry away from the surface of the balloon so they don't catch on the rubber and pop it. If the balloon seems to pop at the slightest touch, try using a higher-quality brand. Less expensive balloon brands use less rubber in their balloons, and the thinner surface area is much easier to pop. Make a lock twist. Inflate a balloon, tie it off and make two basic twists close together, so that the balloon has a total of four segments. Hold all four segments in the same hand to keep them from coming untwisted. Use your other hand to grasp the two middle segments and gently hold them apart from the two end segments. Twist the two middle segments together three times, then hold up the balloon. The segments are now locked in place. The lock twist is used to hold the balloon sculpture together, since without it the balloon comes untwisted. The lock twist is also used to make small balloon animal ears and other animal features. Make a fold twist. Inflate a balloon, tie it off and make one basic twist near the end. Holding the twist in place with one hand, use your other hand to fold the top of the balloon down. Grasp the twist and the top of the balloon and twist them together three times so that you form a loop. The balloon now has three segments: two end segments and one loop segment. The fold twist functions like a lock twist, in that it prevents the balloon from becoming untwisted. The fold twist is often used to create ears, noses, and other animal features. Inflate the balloon and leave a 3-inch tail. Just keep blowing until the air has inflated the balloon to about three inches from the end, then stop blowing and tie off the balloon. Make three basic twists. Starting at the knotted end of the balloon, make three basic twists to create a total of four balloon segments. The first segment, which includes the balloon's knot, will form the dog's snout. It is slightly longer than the second two segments, which will form the dog's ears. The last segment, which will be twisted into the dog's body, is the longest. Hold all of the segments in one hand to prevent them from becoming untwisted, since they have not yet been locked. Experiment with different segment lengths for the snout and ear segments. You can also make an extra-long snout and call your balloon animal an anteater. Twist the ear segments together. Use your free hand to grasp the second and third segments, the ear segments, and twist them together three times. This lock twist will keep them from coming untwisted. Do you see the dog's head? Make three more basic twists. Make the first twist a few inches below the head to form a neck segment. Make two more twists below the neck to create two segments that are equal in length; these will be the front legs. Hold all the new segments in the same hand to prevent them from coming untwisted. Would you rather have a giraffe than a dog? Make the neck segment extra long; the rest of the body is exactly the same. You can make the leg segments long or short, but they should be the same length. Twist the leg segments together. Fold the balloon at the twist between the two leg segments. Grasp the leg segments with your free hand and twist them together three times at the base of the neck. The legs and neck are now locked in place. Make three more basic twists. This time divide the remaining length of the balloon into four equal segments. The first segment is the dog's body, the second two segments will become the back legs of the dog, and the final segment is the tail. Hold them all in one hand to prevent them from becoming untwisted. Twist the back legs together. Fold the balloon at the twist between the two back leg segments. Grasp the segments and twist them three times at the base of the body segment. Take a look at your finished sculpture: it has a knotted nose, short ears, front legs and back legs and a tail that sticks straight up. Your work is complete. Inflate the balloon and leave a 6-inch tail. Leaving a shorter tail might result in the balloon popping halfway through the sculpting process, so make sure you have plenty of uninflated balloon at the end. Tie off the balloon with a knot. Make a basic twist. Twist the balloon a few inches from the knot to create a small segment that will be the monkey's face. Hold both segments in one hand to prevent them from untwisting. Make a short fold twist. Start by making a second basic twist close to the first one so that you have a small segment in between the twists. Fold the segment so that the two twists line up. Use your free hand to grasp the folded segment and twist it three times to lock it in place. You've just made the monkey's first ear. Make another basic twist. A couple of inches from the first ear, make another basic twist to create a short segment. Hold it in one hand so that it doesn't untwist. This new short segment will be the monkey's forehead. Make another short fold twist. Start by making a second basic twist close to the first one so that you have a new small segment between the twists. Fold this segment so that the two twists line up. Use you free hand to grasp the folded segment and twist it three times to lock it in place. This is the monkey's second ear. Twist the ears together. Carefully grasp the two ears by the twists at their bases. The forehead segment will be sticking out between them. Twist the ears together three times to lock them in place. The monkey's head is now complete: it has a nose, a forehead, and two ears. Make three more basic twists. Make the first twist a few inches below the head to form the neck segment. Make two more twists lower down to form two segments that are equal in length. These will become the monkey's arms. Hold all of the segments in one hand to prevent them from untwisting. Twist the arms together. Fold the balloon at the twist between the two arm segments. Grasp the segments and twist them three times at the base of the neck segment to lock the arms and neck in place. The balloon should now resemble a monkey with a head, neck and arms. Make three more basic twists. Make the first twist a few inches below the arms to form the body segment. Make two more twists lower down to form two segments that are equal in length. These will become the monkey's legs. Hold all of the segments in one hand to prevent them from untwisting. Leave plenty of room at the end of the balloon for the tail, which should be the longest segment of all. Twist the legs together. Fold the balloon at the twist between the two leg segments. Grasp the segments and twist them together three times at the base of the body. The body and legs are now locked in place, and the tail is hanging down from the body. Make a coconut tree trunk. Choose a balloon in a contrasting color and inflate it completely, then tie it off. There's no need to leave a tail at the end. Slide it between the monkey's arms and legs so that the monkey appears to be climbing it. Inflate a balloon and leave a 4-inch tail. White or black balloons both make striking swan sculptures. Fold the balloon. Create a paperclip shape with the balloon; the knotted end should be at the center of the paperclip, and the tail end should jut out from the end of the paperclip. Another way to approach this shape is to create a circle with overlapping ends, then flatten it. Make a basic twist. Grasp the folded balloon in the middle so that you're holding three parts: the top of the paperclip, the bottom of the paperclip and the knot in the center. Twist the three parts together, making sure you catch the knot in the twist. Hold the twist to make sure it doesn't come undone. You now have two loops with a long neck jutting out from the center twist. Tuck one loop into the other. Use your free hand to close one of the loops and push it up through the other one. This creates the body of the swan, with the tucked-in loop resembling folded wings and the outer loop resembling the swan's underside. Tucking in the loop also keeps the structure from coming undone. Make the head. Grasp the neck a few inches from the tail and use your hand to move some of the air into the uninflated tail part. This will cause the top of the neck to curve into the shape of the head. The remaining uninflated tail forms the swan's beak.	Make a basic twist. Make a lock twist. Make a fold twist. Inflate the balloon and leave a 3-inch tail. Make three basic twists. Twist the ear segments together. Make three more basic twists. Twist the leg segments together. Make three more basic twists. Twist the back legs together. Inflate the balloon and leave a 6-inch tail. Make a basic twist. Make a short fold twist. Make another basic twist. Make another short fold twist. Twist the ears together. Make three more basic twists. Twist the arms together. Make three more basic twists. Twist the legs together. Make a coconut tree trunk. Inflate a balloon and leave a 4-inch tail. Fold the balloon. Make a basic twist. Tuck one loop into the other. Make the head.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Car-Cake	How to Make a Car Cake	To make a car cake, start by baking a rectangular cake and cutting off the ends at an angle to make the windshields. Next, carve out a window at the front of the cake as well as smaller ones on the sides. Then, spread colored icing or frosting over the entire car, except the windows. After this layer of frosting is on, freeze the cake for an hour, then spread white frosting over the window areas. Finally, add details to finish the car, like orange Smarties for headlights and chocolate cookies for wheels.	Gather the ingredients. You will need: 1 rectangular vanilla or chocolate cake (bought or homemade) (around 30cm/1" in length) 5 x round cookies (biscuits), chocolate coated Smarties or similar candy-coated round candies Butter icing/frosting (red and white) Length of black licorice/liquorice (soft round lengths that are easily bent) Place the cake onto a flat surface. The cake is the body of the car and you only need to shape it at the ends. Cut a sloped triangle from one end of the cake. This becomes the back end of the car. Start the slope about 5cm/2.5 inches from the end. Cut a sloped wedge from the front (other) end. This should be cut as a slope to halfway of the middle of the cake, then cut straight across (horizontally) to the end of the cake. Cut in about 5cm/2.5 inches from the end. Mark window shapes on the cake. Use the tip of a sharp knife to carve out a window at the front of the cake (an oval is ideal) and small round or square circles, two each per side of the car. Leave the back windowless, as there's a cheat for this one. Spread the red icing or frosting over all of the cake except for the window spaces just carved out. Pop the whole cake into the freezer. This will freeze the red icing in place. Repeat with the white icing or frosting. This time, spread it only in the window spaces. Once again, place in the freezer for a few minutes to harden. Do not mix the white and red together or you'll cause the red to bleed into the white. The gaps between the two will be taken care of by the licorice. Line the areas around the windows with the licorice lengths. To attach, add dots of icing to the back parts first and press in place. Cut two small lengths and attach at even spaces just under the top line of licorice on the front window. These serve as the visors of the car. Cut two small lengths. Place diagonally across the front window, upwards, to look like windshield or windscreen wipers in use. Outline other areas of the car with licorice lengths. These portions make the car look realistic, so work with care. If you cannot use licorice, use any other sort of bendable candy length. If you can't find candy, use a dark colored icing or frosting, and pipe in place. Run a length each side of the car from the front the very back of the car. This should be at the edge of the cake on each side and provides the top of the car doors, as well as defining the car. Add a small length down the middle of each side window. This makes the doors. Run a length across the front end of the cake. This marks the end of the hood or bonnet. Run a length around the entire base of the car. This just neatens it up and gives definition. Add lights. Use yellow or orange Smarties (or similar) to make lights at the front of the car. Use Lifesavers or similar hard round candy with a center hole, to form lower lights under the Smartie lights. Add the wheels. Use the icing or frosting to glue on the chocolate coated cookies as wheels. Place two at the front end on the side and two at the back end on the side. Add the last one on the back slope. Instead of a window, this car has a tire (tyre) on the back. Finish the wheels with a red Smartie frosted to the exact center of each wheel. This gives it the look of a fancy wheel with hub caps. Place on a cake board for serving on the table. The cake is now ready to go on display. Make a square, round or rectangular cake. It can be any flavor but be sure to choose what the party person likes best. The cake should be large enough to handle a decent amount of decorating on top, as well as providing enough slices for the guests you'll have at the party. Choose a cake topper decoration. There are a few ways you can decorate this car cake: Frosting the shape and design of a car across the top of the cake. Use differently colored frosting to denote the car, its features and the background. Features can also be made using candies, etc. Use royal icing to cover the cake. Make a road of black royal icing; have it curving across the cake. Add a model car on the road; either made from sugar paste or similar edible modeling food, or chocolate, or a clean plastic model car, which is removed once the cake is cut. Frost the whole cake. Make a border of clean plastic toy cars or foil-wrapped chocolate cars around the cake. When the cake is cut, each guest also gets to keep the car that came with his or her piece of cake. Add car-related items. For example, add Smarties in traffic light formation and colors; add road signs and barriers (use clean model toys); and even add some plastic people to the top. Frost the cake. Make a giant number for the child's age and use this as the road. Add cars to the number road, either edible or plastic ones. Include racing flags for a finish line.	Gather the ingredients. Place the cake onto a flat surface. Cut a sloped triangle from one end of the cake. Cut a sloped wedge from the front (other) end. Cut in about 5cm/2.5 inches from the end. Mark window shapes on the cake. Spread the red icing or frosting over all of the cake except for the window spaces just carved out. Repeat with the white icing or frosting. Line the areas around the windows with the licorice lengths. Outline other areas of the car with licorice lengths. Add lights. Add the wheels. Finish the wheels with a red Smartie frosted to the exact center of each wheel. Place on a cake board for serving on the table. Make a square, round or rectangular cake. Choose a cake topper decoration. Add car-related items.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Mites-on-Rabbits	How to Get Rid of Mites on Rabbits	To get rid of mites on your rabbit, apply petroleum jelly or baby oil to the infected areas to smother the mites. However, avoid applying the oil or jelly in large amounts to its ear as this can damage the ear drum. Then, take your rabbit to the vet for a prescription medication. Once you bring your pet home, apply the anti-parasitic cream to the infected areas for several weeks. Additionally, throw out any bedding and toys that the rabbit has been in contact with to prevent it from getting reinfected.	Isolate the rabbit. Mites that infect the bodies and ears of rabbits are very contagious, so you need to move an infected rabbit away from other rabbits. Give it its own cage where it can recover from its infection alone. Since treatment for this infection can take several weeks, be sure to place your infected rabbit somewhere where it can be comfortably housed for a long period of time. For example, put the rabbit in an extra cage in an area away from other rabbits. Throw out your rabbit's bedding. When your rabbit has a mite infection, its bedding will also be infested with mites that can then reinfect the rabbit after treatment. Because of this, it's a good idea to dispose of anything that you can that the rabbit has come into contact with, including toys that could be contaminated. Put your rabbit on new bedding when it is recovering in isolation. Then, when treatment is complete, put it on yet another round of new bedding. This will ensure that it does not get reinfected. If your rabbit sleeps on disposable bedding, such as wood shavings or shredded paper, change it out every day during treatment. Change this type of bedding at least once a week when your rabbit is not infected. If your rabbit sleeps on a cloth bed, replace it with a new one. Vacuum the new bed and treat it with a rabbit-safe pesticide as often as recommended by your vet during treatment, then dispose of it and replace it again once treatment is over. Clean the rabbit's surroundings thoroughly. If you have a rabbit in your home that has gotten a mite infection, then you need to clean all of the surfaces that it typically comes into contact with. Vacuum all soft surfaces and then use an anti-parasitic dust on them. These dusts, available at most large pet stores, are usually sprinkled on the surface and then vacuumed up after a specific amount of time. Make sure that the treatment that you buy is safe for rabbits. It should state this on the package. Do not shampoo or steam-clean your carpets to try and get rid of mites. This does not necessarily eliminate the mites and actually creates an ideal environment for them. Do not remove scabs. The scabs that are created by ear mites can be very painful and sensitive for rabbits. Removing them is typically very painful and does not aid in the treatment of the infection. With proper treatment, the scabs will gradually disappear after the mites have been eliminated. Waiting for them to release on their own allows the skin to heal and does not create open wounds that could become infected further. Put oil or petroleum jelly on infected ears. The mites that infect a rabbit's ears can be temporarily controlled by suffocating them with petroleum jelly or an oil, such as mineral or baby oil. Cover the entire inner surface of the ear with oil or petroleum jelly twice a day, making sure to avoid getting it into the animal's ear drum. This is not a replacement for veterinary care. It just will keep the infection at bay while you are waiting for the rabbit to be seen by a veterinarian. To treat the ears, you will need to get ahold of the rabbit. Try wrapping it tight in a towel or blanket to keep it still. It is easier to have 2 people to do this because the rabbit will try to run. Always support your rabbit's hind legs while you are holding it to prevent it from kicking. Violent kicking can severely injure your rabbit's back. If you are using petroleum jelly, it's a good idea to wear gloves while you apply it. This will allow you to keep your fingers clean and you will not come into contact with the scabs. Be careful not to damage the rabbit's eardrum. Apply the oil or jelly in small amounts. Apply enough so that you can rub it on the rabbit's ear, but be careful not to get it close to the eardrum, as this can really hurt your pet. Don't shove you finger down the rabbit's ear. Be careful and apply gently away from tender areas of the ear. Seek veterinary treatment. It is most effective and efficient to have skin mites treated by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to test your animal for the presence of mites and give you a specific diagnosis. If your rabbit tests positive for mites, the veterinarian will then be able to prescribe a medication that will be safe and effective for the animal's specific infection. In general, mite infections are easy to treat. However, it's best to seek out veterinary treatment as soon as possible so that the infection can be eliminated quickly and the animal experiences as little discomfort as possible. In many cases, the veterinarian will be able to identify the mites by simply looking closely at the infected area. If there is any question about what the infection is after a visual examination, your veterinarian will take a skin scraping in the infected area and will look at it under a microscope for confirmation. Give your rabbit an anti-parasitic medication. If your rabbit is diagnosed with mites, your veterinarian will prescribe a medication to eliminate the infection. In most cases, your vet will prescribe ivermectin, Revolution, or Stronghold for your rabbit. All of these are safe and popular types of medicine to use. These medications can be applied topically to rabbits. Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment. Repeat the treatment as directed until the mites are gone. While your vet will likely give your rabbit its first treatment, it will be your responsibility to continue treatment for several weeks. This will entail applying the anti-parasitic that your veterinarian has prescribed and watching the infection for signs that it is dissipating. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's directions for how often and how long to apply the anti-parasitic medication. The treatment should be designed so that you will eliminate not only the currently active mites but also mites that could hatch in the coming days. Consider alternate treatments if mites are not eliminated. If applying a common anti-parasitic does not work on your rabbit, consult with your veterinarian once again. They may be able to suggest another type of treatment that could work for your rabbit. If a topical treatment doesn't work for your rabbit, then your veterinarian may suggest a lime sulfur dip or an injection of ivermectin directly into the skin. Ivermectin needs to be injected twice to be effective, so this treatment will likely require 2 visits to the veterinarian. While anti-parasitic dips or baths are an option, these treatments are extremely stressful for rabbits. Only consider dips and baths as a last resort. Look for signs that the rabbit's skin is irritated. Itching is a way that the rabbit deals with the irritation caused by mites on its skin or in its ears. So, if your rabbit is scratching itself incessantly, that is a sign that it may have mites. Itching can also be a symptom of other health problems, such as a flea infection. If your rabbit is scratching excessively, have it looked at by a veterinarian. Look for scratching on the hindquarters, neck, and along the back, as these are the locations where mite infections tend to occur. Inspect the rabbit's coat for flaking or irritated skin. Look at the surface of the rabbit's skin if you have noticed it has been scratching a lot or if you are doing a general health assessment. Pull areas of the rabbit's fur apart gently so you can see the skin. Look for flaking, irritation, or thickening of the skin, as these can be signs that the animal has a mite infection. The mites tend to infect the rear ends of rabbits, so look for irritation there. Look for dandruff on the surface of the fur. If the mite infection is advanced, it can cause the skin to flake off excessively. Once it flakes off it will move to the surface of the fur and look like dandruff. Identify areas of fur loss. In cases of severe mite infections, your rabbit may lose areas of its fur. These areas of fur loss are typically located in the most common areas of infection: the hindquarters, neck, and the back. Look for scabs in the ears. Ear mites can take hold in your rabbit's ear canal. If they are allowed to reproduce there, they will eventually create scabbing of the inner surface of the ear. To look for this scabbing, hold your rabbit still and pull the ear back gently so you can look down the ear canal. The scabs associated with ear mites tend to be reddish-brown and crusty.	Isolate the rabbit. Throw out your rabbit's bedding. Clean the rabbit's surroundings thoroughly. Do not remove scabs. Put oil or petroleum jelly on infected ears. Be careful not to damage the rabbit's eardrum. Seek veterinary treatment. Give your rabbit an anti-parasitic medication. Repeat the treatment as directed until the mites are gone. Consider alternate treatments if mites are not eliminated. Look for signs that the rabbit's skin is irritated. Inspect the rabbit's coat for flaking or irritated skin. Look for dandruff on the surface of the fur. Identify areas of fur loss. Look for scabs in the ears.
https://www.wikihow.com/Immigrate-to-New-Zealand	How to Immigrate to New Zealand	There are several ways you can immigrate to New Zealand, but they all require you to go through the New Zealand Immigration Service. One way you may be able to immigrate is by showing that you have a particular job skill the country needs. Alternatively, you can try to line up a job with a specific employer in New Zealand before you apply for a visa, which can make it easier to get approval to immigrate. Other ways you may qualify for immigration are by having your own business or being willing to invest a significant amount of money in the country.	Submit an expression of interest to the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS). The NZIS will then decide whether or not to accept you. If accepted, you will be given either a permanent residence visa or a visa that allows you to live in New Zealand while looking for work. Obtain a Work to Residence (WTR) visa. The three ways to get these are to apply for a WTR1 Talent Visa (accredited employer), WTR2 Talent Visa (arts, culture, sports), and WTR3 Visa (long term skill shortage). To obtain a WTR1 or WTR2 Talent Visa, you must be aged 55 or younger, meet health and character requirements, and have found an employer (for WR1) or nationally known organization (for WR2) that wants to make use of your talents. To obtain a WR3 Visa, you must be under age 53 when you apply for the visa and under age 56 when you are eligible for residence. Your skill must be on New Zealand's Long Term Skill Shortage List. Obtain a general work visa. Do this if the WTR visas do not work for you. You must have a job offer in New Zealand to get a general work visa. Invest at least NZ$10,000,000 in the country to obtain residence in New Zealand under the Investor 1 category. You must have spent at least 73 days in 2 of the last 3 years in New Zealand before you are granted residence. Invest at least NZ$1,500,000 in the country to obtain residence the Investor 2 category. Do this if the Investor 1 category is not in your best interest. You must be age 65 or younger, meet minimum English language standards, and have been in New Zealand for at least 146 days in each of the last 3 years. Apply under the Entrepreneur category if you have established a business in New Zealand, have been self-employed for at least 2 years, and can demonstrate that your business has benefited the country. Apply under the Entrepreneur Plus Category if you have successfully established a business in New Zealand, are self-employed, have invested at least NZ$0.5 million, and have created at least 3 full-time jobs for citizens or residents of New Zealand. Check with the NZIS to see if you qualify if either of the following apply: You have any family at all in New Zealand or your partner is a native or permanent resident of New Zealand. You have more family in New Zealand than your current country. Apply for a visitor visa under the Temporary Retirement Category. Note that there is a NZ$2,600 fee to do so. You must be at least 66 years old. Invest at least NZ$750,000 for at least 2 years in New Zealand in an approved investment once you are accepted. Demonstrate that you have at least NZ$500,000 in maintenance funds and an annual income of at least NZ$60,000. Maintain travel and/or health insurance for the duration of your stay. Successfully operate a franchise in your current country. Demonstrate to the NZIS that you would be able to operate a franchise successfully in their country. This option is only recommended for those who are desperate to immigrate, as it does not guarantee residence in New Zealand. Find a home in New Zealand after you have been accepted. Check www.realestate.co.nz for rentals or houses or search on the Internet for other sites. Contact anyone you know in New Zealand for recommendations. Find an international mover. A simple search on an Internet search engine will help you choose the best international mover. Contact anyone you know who has moved internationally for recommendations. Move to New Zealand. Make sure you close all bank accounts in your current country and transfer them to accounts in New Zealand as soon as possible. Pay off any debts or other liabilities before you leave. Take care of any other problems that you may have difficulty solving when in a different country. Board a plane and head to New Zealand.	Submit an expression of interest to the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS). Obtain a Work to Residence (WTR) visa. Obtain a general work visa. Invest at least NZ$10,000,000 in the country to obtain residence in New Zealand under the Investor 1 category. Invest at least NZ$1,500,000 in the country to obtain residence the Investor 2 category. Apply under the Entrepreneur category if you have established a business in New Zealand, have been self-employed for at least 2 years, and can demonstrate that your business has benefited the country. Apply under the Entrepreneur Plus Category if you have successfully established a business in New Zealand, are self-employed, have invested at least NZ$0.5 million, and have created at least 3 full-time jobs for citizens or residents of New Zealand. Check with the NZIS to see if you qualify if either of the following apply: Apply for a visitor visa under the Temporary Retirement Category. Invest at least NZ$750,000 for at least 2 years in New Zealand in an approved investment once you are accepted. Demonstrate that you have at least NZ$500,000 in maintenance funds and an annual income of at least NZ$60,000. Maintain travel and/or health insurance for the duration of your stay. Successfully operate a franchise in your current country. Demonstrate to the NZIS that you would be able to operate a franchise successfully in their country. Find a home in New Zealand after you have been accepted. Find an international mover. Move to New Zealand.
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-For-a-Leather-Jacket	How to Care For a Leather Jacket	To care for a leather jacket, apply a waterproofing spray every few months to protect it from water damage. Also, apply a leather conditioner whenever your jacket starts to feel stiff or dry, which will prevent it from cracking. If your leather jacket gets dirty, clean it with a damp cloth if the leather is finished or a dry cloth if it's unfinished. If you're not sure, test a small area with a drop of water. If the water absorbs into the leather, it's unfinished.	Make your leather water resistant. There are many "leather protector" or "leather waterproofing" products, but read the label carefully before buying. A silicone polymer spray, or an acrylic copolymer spray, should preserve your leather's appearance and shine. Grease-based or wax-based products are more protective, but not recommended for jackets due to their potential effect on color, longevity, shine, and smell. Check the label on your product to find out how long the water resistance lasts. Typically, the product needs to be re-applied once every several weeks or months. While this treatment will make the leather jacket resistant to water damage, it will not be fully waterproof, even if the treatment claims otherwise. Never immerse a leather jacket in water or place it in a washing machine. Apply leather conditioner occasionally. Rubbing in leather conditioner restores oil to the leather, preventing excessive dryness and cracking, but too much oil can clog the pores and affect the jacket's color or longevity. Only apply leather conditioner when the jacket starts to feel dry or stiff. Here are some tips for choosing a product: Check the label to make sure it is suitable for your type of leather. (This is mostly important for suede or nubuck jackets.) Ideally, use pure mink oil, neatsfoot oil, or other natural animal oils, but be aware that this may darken the leather. Products that contain wax or silicone can dry out the leather, but may be a cheaper option that causes less of a color change. Use sparingly. Never use products that contain mineral oil or petroleum, which can cause significant damage. Also avoid "saddle soap," at least on unfinished leather without a protective water-resistant coating. Polish smooth leather jackets on rare occasions. Leather polish will bring a shine to your jacket, but has the potential to discolor, dry out, or clog the leather surface. Use this for special occasions, and test on a hidden area first before using a new product. Buff with a cloth until a glossy surface is created. Do not polish suede or other leather with a soft, fuzzy texture. It is not possible to make suede glossy without permanently removing this texture. Don't use shoe polish, even if it is intended for leather shoes. Remove salt deposits with a damp cloth. In damp, winter conditions, white salt deposits can form on leather. Wipe the salt off with a damp cloth promptly, to avoid dry spots and cracks. Let the leather air dry, then apply conditioner to the affected area. Let wet leather air dry. If your jacket gets wet, hang it evenly on a hanger to dry at room temperature. Remove objects from the pockets to avoid stretching the wet leather, and keep it away from direct heat sources, such as radiators or airing cupboards. Apply conditioner after drying, if the leather had become thoroughly soaked. Learn how to remove wrinkles. Storing the jacket on a clothes hanger should prevent and remove minor wrinkles. If you are bothered by major wrinkles, taking the jacket to a professional leather cleaner is recommended. Alternatively, set a clothes iron to the lowest setting (often labeled "rayon"), place the leather under a cloth, and iron the cloth quickly and briefly. See the section on storage for more detailed information. Read the tag for specific instructions. Almost all leather jackets sold in stores include a tag describing how to clean the jacket. Because there are many varieties of leather, not all of them distinguishable to the naked eye, follow the specific instructions on the label whenever possible. The steps below are generally safe if followed thoroughly, but no method is guaranteed to work safely on all leather. Dust the jacket with a gentle brush or cloth. If your leather jacket has been left in the closet for a while, it may need dusting. To avoid scuffing or damaging the leather, use a dry cotton cloth, nubuck cloth, or camel hair brush. Clean finished leather with a damp cloth. Test your jacket first by dropping a single drop of water onto it. If the water stays on the surface, it is safe to wipe dirt from the leather using a slightly damp cloth. If the water is absorbed and darkens the leather, do not apply water. Clean suede with a specialized brush or a dry sponge. "Suede brushes" can remove light grime from suede, but may scratch other leather materials. You can try using a dry sponge as a cheaper option. Do not use this method on non-suede leather, or on unidentified leather. This may work best if you first hang the suede in a steamy bathroom. Do not apply steam directly to the suede with an iron or kettle, as heat can cause damage. Rub an art gum eraser over grime. This method works well on suede, but test other leathers in a hidden area before use. Rub the art gum eraser over the grimy or dirty area to detach the dirt or fresh ink stains from a suede jacket. If the eraser residue clings to the jacket, remove it with a gentle vacuum cleaner or compressed air. This type of eraser is sometimes sold as "artist's eraser," and is available at crafts stores. It is a putty-like substance which crumbles apart when used. Don't confuse it with "kneaded erasers," which look similar but does not crumble. Select leather cleaning products cautiously. Only use a leather cleaning product that matches your type of leather, ideally one manufactured by the same company that made your jacket. Always test any cleaning product on a hidden area of the leather to test for discoloration or damage, leaving the product on for at least five minutes, then wiping it off with a clean cloth. If no harm has occurred, treat the affected part of the jacket according to the product's instructions. Suede or nubuck should be treated only by products specifically made for those types. Leather labeled as aniline, semi-aniline, or pigmented leather might be cleaned by a general purpose leather cleaner, but always test on a hidden area first. You can purchase ink stain remover for leather, but this is not usually 100% effective if the ink has dried. Remove mold with rubbing alcohol or mild soap. If a leather jacket is covered in mold, which usually appears as a white or grey fuzz, mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. Gently wipe off the mold using a cotton cloth dampened with this solution. If that is unsuccessful, try a mild, germicidal soap mixed with water instead. Wipe off excess liquid with a dry cotton cloth once you're done. Take the jacket to a dry cleaner specializing in leather. If the above methods do not remove a stain from your jacket, take it to a dry cleaner that specifically advertises leather-cleaning services. Always ask whether the dry cleaner knows how to treat the type of leather and stain before handing your jacket over. Never wash a leather garment in a washing machine or washtub. Hang on a padded clothes hanger. A wide, padded clothes hanger is the best option for minimizing wrinkles and stretch. Avoid using clothes pegs, which cause a great deal of stress to a small area. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat. Direct sunlight can fade the leather's color or cause spotty discoloration. Heat can cause dryness and cracking, so store the jacket in a cool location away from heating vents and other heat sources. Make sure the leather can "breathe. " Leather will last longer if exposed to dry air, especially a light draft. Never store leather inside a plastic bag or underneath plastic sheeting. When storing leather in a bag temporarily, open the bag whenever convenient to expose it to the air. Storing your jacket inside a closet is fine, unless the closet is unusually hot or damp. Keep leather away from pesticides. Leather can absorb insecticides. If this occurs, it may not be possible to remove the smell, or even the toxin, from the jacket. In addition, mothballs and similar home pesticides are most effective in small containers, which are not ideal homes for leather. Dry clean the jacket before moving it to storage. If storing leather long-term, dry clean it first to remove any pests and odors. This reduces the chance of pests attacking your jacket, but check your storage regularly for pests if possible.	Make your leather water resistant. Apply leather conditioner occasionally. Polish smooth leather jackets on rare occasions. Remove salt deposits with a damp cloth. Let wet leather air dry. Learn how to remove wrinkles. Read the tag for specific instructions. Dust the jacket with a gentle brush or cloth. Clean finished leather with a damp cloth. Clean suede with a specialized brush or a dry sponge. Rub an art gum eraser over grime. Select leather cleaning products cautiously. Remove mold with rubbing alcohol or mild soap. Take the jacket to a dry cleaner specializing in leather. Hang on a padded clothes hanger. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat. Make sure the leather can "breathe. Keep leather away from pesticides. Dry clean the jacket before moving it to storage.
https://www.wikihow.com/Mix-Colors	How to Mix Colors	The best way to mix colors depends on what color you're trying to make. If you want to make secondary colors, like violet, green, or orange, mix red, blue, and yellow in various ratios. For example, to make violet, mix red and blue, and to make green, mix blue and yellow. To make the color lighter, add a drop of white to make a "tint." To make a color darker, add a small amount of black to make a "shade." Experiment by mixing primary and secondary colors to produce even more pigments!	Mix primary pigment colors to make secondary colors. There are 3 primary pigment colors: red, blue, and yellow. These colors can't be “made” by mixing other paint colors. However, they can be mixed together to form the 3 secondary pigment colors: red and blue make violet, blue and yellow make green, and red and yellow make orange. Note that when you mix the primary colors of paint together, the secondary colors they produce aren't very bright or vibrant. That's because these newly combined pigments subtract more and reflect less light from the color spectrum, giving you secondary colors that are dark and muddy rather than vibrant and bright. Make intermediate paint colors by mixing primary and secondary pigments. There are 6 intermediate paint colors that can be created through the various possible combinations of primary and secondary pigments. These are yellow-orange (yellow mixed with orange), red-orange (red mixed with orange), violet-red (red mixed with violet), blue-violet (blue mixed with violet), green-blue (blue mixed with green), and yellow-green (green mixed with yellow). These intermediate colors are located between the primary and secondary colors on the color paint wheel. Combine secondary pigments together to make tertiary paint colors. In addition to primary, secondary, and intermediate pigments, there are also 3 tertiary paint colors that are produced when 2 secondary paint colors are mixed together. These are brown (green mixed with orange), brick (orange mixed with violet), and slate (violet mixed with green). These colors are not usually included on paint color wheels, but they are still viable colors that can be produced by mixing other colors together. Refrain from trying to mix paints to create white pigment. Paint colors are subtractive, which means that the pigment absorbs some parts of the light spectrum and reflects others, resulting in the color that we perceive in paint pigment. This means that adding different pigments together tends to make your paint darker, because it's absorbing more and more light. It's thus impossible to mix paint pigments together to make white paint. If you want to use white paint for your painting project, you'll have to purchase it instead of mixing it. Combine all of the primary colors to make brown paint. Brown paint can be made by mixing equal portions of all 3 of the primary colors together. It can also be made by combining any 2 complements. If the brown you are making is leaning too much toward a particular color, neutralize it by adding a little of the color opposite it. Mix brown paint with blue paint to make black paint. The simplest way to make black paint is to mix the brown paint you just made with blue paint until it produces the tone of black you're going for. You can also make black by mixing the 3 primary colors together but simultaneously adding a greater proportion of blue into the mix. Make sure you don't add any white or any color that has white in it, like opaque yellow or opaque yellow-green, as this will make your black more like a shade of gray. Add white to different pigments to make tints. Tints are are simply lighter versions of a color's original hue. To make a color lighter and create a tint, add white paint to it. The more white paint you add to a pigment, the lighter the tint will be. For example, adding white paint to red paint creates pink, which is a lighter version of red. If you add too much white paint to a pigment and create a tint that is too light, you can add more of the original hue to the mix to darken the pigment again. Make shades of colors by adding black to them. Darker versions of a color's original hue are called shades. These are created by adding black paint to a pigment. How dark the shade is depends on how much black paint you add to the original hue; the more black paint you add, the darker the shade. Some artists prefer to add the color's complement, which is its opposite color on an accurate CMY/RGB color wheel. For example, green can be used to darken magenta, and magenta to darken green, because they are across from each other on the color wheel. Add black paint, or a complement, a little at a time so you don't overdo it. If your shade comes out too dark, you can lighten it by adding a little of the original paint color to the mix. Mix a color with both black and white paint to produce dull, muted tones. Tones are produced by adding both black and white to a color and will appear less intense and less saturated than the original hue. By varying the relative amounts of black and white that you add to your mix, you can obtain whatever lightness and saturation you are looking for. For example, add both white and black to yellow to make light olive green. The black will darken yellow, turning it into olive green, and the white will lighten that olive green. Different light olive greens can be mixed by controlling how much of each is added. For an unsaturated color like brown (dark orange), you can adjust the hue the same way as you would for bright orange: by adding small amounts of nearby colors on the color wheel, such as magenta, yellow, red, or orange. These will brighten your brown as well as change the hue. Place dollops of the paint you want to mix on your palette. Add the amount of paint you expect to use for your mixing or slightly less. The dollops should be roughly equal in size if you plan to use equal proportions of each color and should have plenty of space in between them. If you plan to mix a greater proportion of one color with smaller proportions of other colors, the sizes of the dollops should reflect these proportions. For example, if you wanted to mix brown paint, you would want to have equally sized portions of blue, yellow, and red paint. However, if you wanted to mix black paint, you'd want to have a larger dollop of blue paint on the palette. It's probably better to have too little paint on your palette than too much, since you can always add more. Use a palette knife to place part of 1 color on a blank part of the palette. With your palette knife, scoop up a small portion of 1 paint color and place it in the center of the palette or another blank area. Gently tap the knife against the palette if the paint doesn't come off easily. Palette knives are ideal tools for mixing paints together on a palette. Not only do they do a much more thorough job of mixing your colors, but they also extend the lifespan of your normal painting brush, since you're not using it for the task of paint mixing. Clean the palette knife with a cloth. This will prevent colors from mixing with your original dollops as you scoop them with the palette knife. Use any old rag or cloth that you don't mind getting paint on to remove the first dollop's paint from the knife. Scoop up a second color and add it to the paint in the palette center. Use the clean palette knife to scoop up a small piece of a second paint color and gently place it right next to or on top of the paint in the center of the palette. The sizes of the small scoops will depend on what proportions of each color you plan to mix. For example, if you plan to mix equal portions of the two colors, the amount of paint that you scoop up from each dollop should be the same. Repeat this process to add a third or more paint colors to the mix. If you plan to mix more than 2 colors together, repeat the process of cleaning the palette knife and scooping paint to the center of the palette until you've added all your additional colors to the mix. Use the palette knife to mix the paints together. Once you've finished assembling your paint colors together, it's time to mix them. Move the palette knife in a circular motion to stir the paint together, making sure to bring the various scoops of paint into contact with each other. Add a small amount of pressure as necessary by pressing down on the knife. Once the colors have blended into a new color, they've been mixed! If the color didn't quite come out they way you wanted it to, simply clean your palette knife and add more paint to the mix until you're satisfied with the color of the mixture.	Mix primary pigment colors to make secondary colors. Make intermediate paint colors by mixing primary and secondary pigments. Combine secondary pigments together to make tertiary paint colors. Refrain from trying to mix paints to create white pigment. Combine all of the primary colors to make brown paint. Mix brown paint with blue paint to make black paint. Add white to different pigments to make tints. Make shades of colors by adding black to them. Mix a color with both black and white paint to produce dull, muted tones. Place dollops of the paint you want to mix on your palette. Use a palette knife to place part of 1 color on a blank part of the palette. Clean the palette knife with a cloth. Scoop up a second color and add it to the paint in the palette center. Repeat this process to add a third or more paint colors to the mix. Use the palette knife to mix the paints together.
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Tea-Tree-Oil	How to Use Tea Tree Oil	To use tea tree oil for acne, start by dabbing a Q-tip or cotton ball with the oil and applying it directly to the affected area before bedtime. Then, rinse it off in the morning when you wash your face. If you want to soothe a rash, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage it onto your skin several times a day. Additionally, treat dandruff and head lice by using 1 drop of tea tree oil for every 1 ounce of shampoo. You can also soothe aches and sores by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to a warm bath.	Consider performing a skin patch test before using tea tree oil for the first time. Some people may be allergic to tea tree oil. Doing a skin patch test will help you determine whether or not you are allergic to tea tree oil. If you are planning on using tea tree oil as an air freshener, room spray, or cleaner, then you don't have to do a skin patch test. Combine three drops of tea tree oil with ½ to 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil. This carrier oil can be any food grade oil, such as: almond, coconut, olive, sunflower, or sweet almond. You can also use jojoba or Argan oil as a carrier oil. Place a few drops of the diluted oil onto the inside of your elbow and cover the area with a band aide. The band aide will help keep the area moist and prevent the oils from evaporating. Leave the band aide on for 24 to 48 hours. Do not allow the band aide to get wet during this time. If you start feeling pain, burning, itchiness, or discomfort at any point during this time, remove the band aide immediately. Wash the area with warm soap and water. You are likely allergic to tea tree oil and should not use it on your skin. Remove the band aide after 24 to 48 hours. If you don't notice any irritation, you probably are not allergic to tea tree oil and can use it on your skin. Use tea tree oil to treat acne. Dab a Q-tip or cotton ball with tea tree oil and apply directly to the affected areas before bedtime. Rinse off the tea tree before washing your face in the morning. Sooth eczema and rashes with coconut oil and tea tree oil. Combine one to two drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Massage the mixture onto the affected area. Repeat this several times a day. Banish warts with tea tree oil. Apply a drop of tea tree oil directly onto the wart a few times a day. Keep in mind, however, that warts are difficult to remove. This method may not always work for everyone. Use tea tree oil to sooth cold sores. Combine one to two drops of tea tree oil with one teaspoon of olive oil. Use a Q-tip or cotton ball to apply the mixture onto the sore. Repeat this several times a day. Apply tea tree oil to treat toenail fungus. Use a Q-tip to rub some tea tree oil directly onto the affected toenail. Try to get the oil underneath the tip of the nail as well. If you need to use more oil, use a fresh Q-tip. Do not double-dip Q-tips into the oil. Repeat this once to twice a day for about six months. Some people find that tea tree oil is alone is not enough to treat the fungus, and that some dietary changes are also necessary. You can also create a tea tree oil foot soak. Fill a small tub with warm water. Add some Epsom salts, one drop of tea tree oil, and one drop of lavender oil. Let your toes soak in the water for a few minutes. Use tea tree oil to treat Athlete's foot. Combine five to six drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Wash your feet, then massage the oil onto your feet. Repeat this twice daily for about one month. You may also use this on other skin infections as well, but avoid using it in sensitive areas, such as the genitals. Treat ear infections with tea tree oil. Rub one to two drops of tea tree oil all around the base of the infected ear. Repeat this every two to three hours. Mix tea tree oil with shampoo to treat dandruff and head lice. Use one drop of tea tree oil for every ounce (30 mL) of shampoo. Add the oil directly into the bottle, close the bottle, and shake it to mix. Do not apply undiluted tea tree oil directly onto your scalp. Bathe in tea tree oil to soothe sore muscles. Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water. Step into the tub and relax for no more than 20 minutes. The tea tree oil will help soothe tight muscles. Mix tea tree oil and water to treat a sore throat or chest congestion. Pour water into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil to the water. Drape a towel over your head, similar to a tent, and lean over the pot. Be careful not to get too close to the steam to prevent burns. Inhale the steam for about 5 to 10 minutes every night before bed. Repeat this process until symptoms are gone. If symptoms persist for 5 days or more, consult your doctor. Relieve a congested nose with a tea tree oil scented pillow. Place a few drops of tea tree oil inside your pillow case before you go to bed. The oil will help unblock your stuffy nose while you sleep. Use tea tree oil as a mouthwash with extreme caution. Tea tree oil is great at soothing sores and easing pain, but it is also very toxic if swallowed. If you are careful, you can use it as a mouthwash. Make a gargle solution to treat laryngitis and canker sores. Combine 1 cup (240 milliliters) of warm water with 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil. Gargle the solution twice a day. After gargling, spit out the solution and rinse your mouth with fresh, clean water. Do not swallow the tea tree water. to sooth toothaches, use ½ cup (120 milliliters) of warm water and 1 drop of tea tree oil instead. Use tea tree oil as a deodorizer. Combine ¼ teaspoon of tea tree oil with ½ cup (90 grams) of baking soda in a mason jar with a two-part lid. Mix everything with a fork until there are no clumps left. Shake this mixture into a trash can to absorb bad odors. You can also use this on carpets. Shake the powder onto the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up. Tea tree oil is not safe for pets, especially cats. If you own pets, you might not want to use this powder in an area that your pets frequent. Make a tea tree oil air freshener. Combine 1 ounce (29.57 milliliters) of vodka, 6 ounces (177.44 milliliters) of distilled water, and about 20 drops of tea tree oil in a glass spray bottle. Shake the bottle well each time before you use it; the oil and water will naturally separate overtime. Make a tea tree oil bug spray. Combine 4 ounces (118.29 milliliters) of distilled water, 3 ounces (88.7206 milliliters) of witch hazel, and 30 drops of tea tree oil in a glass spray bottle. Shake the bottle before using the spray. You can add ½ teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to help the ingredients mix better. Get rid of mildew with tea tree oil and vinegar. Pour 1 cup (240 milliliters) of white vinegar into a spray bottle. Add 25 drops of tea tree oil and shake. Spray the solution onto mold or mildew, wait 10 minutes, then wipe the residue away with a sponge. Use tea tree oil as a laundry booster. Add 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil into your washing machine when cleaning heavily-soiled garments. Make an all-purpose cleaner with tea tree oil. Combine 1 quart (950 milliliters) of warm water with 15 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. If you want your spray to be stronger and more antiseptic, increase the tea tree oil to 2 teaspoons. Tea tree oil is considered to be dangerous to pets, especially cats. If you own pets, you might not want to use tea tree oil.	Consider performing a skin patch test before using tea tree oil for the first time. Combine three drops of tea tree oil with ½ to 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil. Place a few drops of the diluted oil onto the inside of your elbow and cover the area with a band aide. Leave the band aide on for 24 to 48 hours. Remove the band aide after 24 to 48 hours. Use tea tree oil to treat acne. Sooth eczema and rashes with coconut oil and tea tree oil. Banish warts with tea tree oil. Use tea tree oil to sooth cold sores. Apply tea tree oil to treat toenail fungus. Use tea tree oil to treat Athlete's foot. Treat ear infections with tea tree oil. Mix tea tree oil with shampoo to treat dandruff and head lice. Bathe in tea tree oil to soothe sore muscles. Mix tea tree oil and water to treat a sore throat or chest congestion. Relieve a congested nose with a tea tree oil scented pillow. Use tea tree oil as a mouthwash with extreme caution. Use tea tree oil as a deodorizer. Make a tea tree oil air freshener. Make a tea tree oil bug spray. Get rid of mildew with tea tree oil and vinegar. Use tea tree oil as a laundry booster. Make an all-purpose cleaner with tea tree oil.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Pug%27s-Facial-Wrinkles	How to Clean a Pug's Facial Wrinkles	Before you clean your pug's facial wrinkles, make sure they're free from rashes or sores, since cleaning them could make them worse. If you do notice signs of infection, like browning skin, hair less, and a pungent smell, you should take your pug to a doctor for a diagnosis. If its skin is healthy, use canine or hypoallergenic baby wipes to wipe one side of your pug's face at a time. You should lift the skin up to get to the area between its folds and gently run the wipe across. When you've cleaned both sides of your pug's face, dry its skin with a clean cloth to avoid irritation from trapped moisture. Try to clean its wrinkles every day to reduce the chance of skin rashes and infections.	Select a cleaning product. You can clean your pug's facial folds using a variety of different products. You may have some of these products around your home already, which can save you a trip to the pet store. Canine facial wipes are the best option. You can get them at a pet store, vet's office, or order them online. If you don't have canine facial wipes, hypoallergenic and sanitary baby wipes can work in a pinch. Gather other supplies. If you're not using wipes, you will need something to apply your cleaner. You can use a thin, clean rag, cotton swabs, or gauze. You will also need a dry rag to dry off the fur between the folds when you finish cleaning your pug. Inspect the folds prior to cleaning. Do not start cleaning the folds until you make sure they are free of rashes and sores. You do not want to clean a pug's folds if they're irritated, as this can make the issue worse. Gently lift up the folds and examine the skin in between. If the skin is red, do not clean the folds. You should also refrain from cleaning the folds if there's a strong odor or if you notice any sores or a musty smell. Add the solution, if necessary. If you're not using wipes, you will have to add your cleaning solution to a cotton swab, towel, or gauze. Dab the cloth, swab, or gauze in your cleaning solution. You only need a light amount of the solution to clean your pug's facial wrinkles. Clean one side of the dog's face. Gently lift up the skin to get to the area between the facial folds. Run the cloth or wipe across the length of the folds. Continue wiping the folds until the cloth is clean after wiping. Make sure to be gentle. Wiping too hard can cause irritation to your pug's skin. Use one sweeping motion when wiping the folds. You do not want to rub the skin. Be sure to wipe the entire length of the facial fold. Clean both sides of the dog's face. Once you've finished cleaning one side of your dog's face, repeat the process on the other side. Use the same process as before. Remember to be gentle and not to rub your dog's skin. Dry your dog's skin completely completely. Leaving the skin between folds wet can cause complications. This greatly increases your dog's risk for skin irritation, rashes, and infections. After you finish cleaning the skin between the folds, use a clean cloth to wipe the skin dry. Again, use a single sweeping motion. Make sure not to rub the skin. Keep swiping until the wrinkle is completely dry to the touch. Reward your pug after grooming. You want your dog to leave a grooming session feeling positive. If your dog dislikes cleaning, it may become resistant to the process. Always make sure to reward your dog after cleaning its facial folds. Give your dog a treat and praise after you finish the cleaning process. You should also talk to your dog throughout the process. Praise it for sitting still and allowing you to clean it. Clean the wrinkles daily. You should clean your dog's facial wrinkles each day. Pugs are very prone to skin rashes and infections due to their facial folds. Daily cleaning is necessary to your dog's health and comfort. Watch for signs of infection. You want to address a potential infection right away. Your dog will need veterinary intervention to address the issue. You may notice browning of the skin between the folds in the case of an infection. You may also notice hair loss and redness. In the event of an infection, there may be a strong, musty smell coming from your dog's face. Any unusual smells should be evaluated by a vet. Seek treatment from a veterinarian. If you suspect an infection, make an appointment with your vet. Your vet can help you think of a safe treatment plan for your dog. You will have to clean the infected area more frequently. You may also have to apply topical medications to the area. In rare cases, the infected skin folds may have to be removed surgically. Take steps to prevent an infection. Daily cleaning is the best means to prevent an infection. However, obese pugs may be more prone to skin infections. If your dog is overweight, talk to your vet about how to address the issue. You may have to cut back on your dog's food or increase its daily physical exercise.	Select a cleaning product. Gather other supplies. Inspect the folds prior to cleaning. Add the solution, if necessary. Clean one side of the dog's face. Clean both sides of the dog's face. Dry your dog's skin completely completely. Reward your pug after grooming. Clean the wrinkles daily. Watch for signs of infection. Seek treatment from a veterinarian. Take steps to prevent an infection.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-a-Budget	How to Prepare a Budget	To prepare a budget, identify your financial goals, which should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time framed. If you aren't sure exactly how you're spending your money, use a spreadsheet to track your expenses for 1 month. Separate your expenses into 3 categories: fixed needs, variable needs, and wants. At the end of the month, look at the wants category and see if there's anything you can cut back on to better achieve your financial goals.	Identify your financial goals. Part of managing your money is not only covering your current expenses, but also paying off debt and saving for the future. If you don't learn self-control and how to manage your money, then you will have to rely on others to manage it for you. Commission-hungry financial planners or well-meaning family members may not always have your best interest in mind or offer the best advice. Instead of relying on others, take the first step in planning a budget by setting realistic, specific goals. Every financial goal you establish should be SMART. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time Framed. Separate your financial goals into short-term (less than a year), medium-term (one to five years), and long-term (over five years) goals. For example, suppose you have a medium-term goal of saving a $4,500 down payment for a car you want to purchase when you graduate from college in three years. This gives you 36 months to save for the down payment. Therefore, you must save $125 per month ($4,500 / 36 months = $125 per month). This goal is specific: You are saving for the car. This goal is measurable: You know you want to save $4,500. This goal is achievable: You know you need $125 per month. This goal is relevant: You are going to need a car. This goal is time-framed: You have 36 months to save. Save for a house. If plan to own a house sometime in your future, you must start saving up. The bank will not lend you money without a down payment. You can't borrow a down payment. You have to have it in savings. You will need at least five percent of the value of the house as a down payment. In addition, it would be smart to save an additional five percent to cover additional expenses when purchasing a home, such as closing costs and renovation expenses. This means saving a total of 10 percent of the value of the home you wish to be able to purchase. For example, if you wish to be able to purchase a $200,000 home, you would need to save $20,000 ($200,000 x.10 = $20,000). Buy a car. In order to get a car loan at a reasonable interest rate, you need to save up a down payment for the car. Remember that any funds you borrow for purchases need to be paid back with interest. So those car ads that promise to waive your down payment aren't doing you any favors. You will still pay that amount, plus interest, and you will likely have a higher interest rate than if you had saved up the down payment in the first place. Save up as large of a down payment on a car as possible, and consider buying a quality used car instead. Build rainy-day fund. Although it sounds counter-intuitive, before you start paying down your credit cards, save up an emergency fund. Most people have at least one unexpected expense every year. If you have to keep using your credit cards to cover emergencies, then you will never pay them off. Begin by saving up at least $1,000 in your emergency fund. Later, when larger, high-interest debts are out of the way, you can begin building a larger emergency fund. Get out of debt. One of your financial goals should be to aggressively pay off your credit cards. Once you have established your emergency fund, make a plan to pay off high-interest loans. Plan to pay more than the minimum monthly payment. Even an extra $50 per month would help. Also, plan to reduce your spending. Figure out the difference between what you need and what you want, and reduce spending until you get out of debt. Pay for living expenses. Plan to cover all of your annual living expenses with cash. It can be tempting to refinance your house or get a line of credit to pay off high-interest debts or to fund a vacation. But it is smarter to avoid an endless cycle of debt. Save for these expenses in advance so that you do not have to increase your debt. Living expenses include your mortgage or rent, utilities, food, transportation, taxes, vehicle maintenance, home repairs, gifts and vacations. Get insured. Disability insurance can replace a portion of your paycheck if you become injured or ill and cannot work. Life insurance will help your loved ones to cover expenses in the event of your death. It will offer them long-term security in the face of the loss of your income. Nobody likes to think about the possibility of these unpleasant events. However, responsible financial planning involves preparing for the unexpected. Give back. Whether or not you have deep pockets, consider including charitable giving in your list of financial goals. Typically, people aspire to donate anywhere from three to 10 percent of their income to churches and other charities. Sometimes the recipient of charitable donations is influenced by the giver's religious affiliations. However much you intend to donate, giving to charity requires planning. First, determine your monthly expenses and how much you want to put aside for savings. After your other finances are in order, you can determine how much you want to give to charity. You can make a monthly or annual pledge to the charity of your choice. If you need help determining an amount to give, try the Charity Navigator tool. It analyzes your income and tax bracket to calculate a reasonable amount to give. List all of your sources of income. Employment is one source of income. People can have also have many other sources of income. When preparing a budget, it is necessary to consider all income in order to accurately budget expenses. Other sources of income include gifts and inheritances, child support payments, retirement plans, life insurance proceeds, compensatory damages, public assistance, scholarships, student loan disbursements and interest on savings bonds. Calculate your monthly income from your hourly salary. For budgeting purposes, you need to know your net income, which is the amount you bring home after taxes have been deducted from your pay. You can use an online salary calculator such as the Salary Calculator. This will take your hourly salary, calculate your taxes and determine your net income. You can do the calculation yourself by looking at your pay stub. Suppose each week you earn $250 after taxes and you work the same number of hours each week. Multiply this amount by the number of weeks in a month to get your monthly income ($250 x 4 = $1,000). If you work a different number of hours every week and your net income is different every week, calculate your average monthly salary. For example, suppose over a three month period, you earned $850, $800 and $900. Add up the total ($850 + $800 + $900 = $2,550). Divide by 3 to get the average monthly amount ($2,750 / 3 = $850). For budgeting purposes, use $850 per month. Calculate your monthly student loan disbursement. If you are living off of student loans that come in one disbursement per semester, calculate the monthly amount to work it into your monthly budget. For example, suppose the semester is 5 months long and you receive $10,000 per semester in student loans. First, subtract non-recurring fees such as books, tuition and fees. Then divide the remaining amount by 5 to get the monthly amount you can live off of. So if after one-time expense you have $5,000 remaining, you will have $1,000 per month for living expense ($5,000 / 5 = $1,000). Budget with an irregular income. If you are a freelancer or do seasonal work and have a very irregular income, you may have to set up your budget differently. Begin by determining your baseline expenses, such as groceries, housing, transportation and medical. Use an online tax calculator to calculate your taxes. Add this amount to your expenses. Now you know the minimum amount you need to make each month to cover your expenses. Continue to plan for your "wants" once you've determined your "needs." Even on an irregular income, budgeting doesn't end once you've figured out how to cover your baseline expenses. When you find you have a surplus amount of money, decide how you want to spend it. Do you want to save a portion and divide up the rest between dining out and seeing a movie? Careful planning can help prevent you from blowing any additional earnings. Categorize your expenses. Use a spreadsheet to track your expenses for one month. Separate your expenses into three categories: fixed needs, variable needs and wants. Fixed needs are necessary expenses that remain the same month after month. These include rent or your phone bill. Variable needs are necessary expenses that may fluctuate from month to month. These include gas for your car and food. Wants are nonessential expenses. These are things you could do without if you had to. These include take out coffee, cable and entertainment. Save an emergency fund. Unexpected expenses happen to everyone. You don't want to have to go into debt to cover repairs on your car or a medical bill. Save a little every month into a rainy day fun. Pay this fund before you purchase nonessential items. For example, if it's a choice between saving in your emergency fund or going to the movies, opt to save until you have enough put aside. Use tools to track spending. Get in the habit of recording your expenses each day. This will help you to build self-control. It will also reduce stress because you won't be surprised by your checking account balance at the end of the month. Record all of your expenses in a notebook. Or, use an envelope system. Keep your budgeted amount for each category in a separate envelope. If you know how to use Excel and you have it installed on your computer, use one of their free budgeting templates. Compare your income and expenses. In a spreadsheet or on a piece of paper, list all of your income for the month and total it up. Then list all of your expenses and total them up. Subtract how much you plan to spend from how much you will earn to calculate the balance. Use this information to create a monthly budget. If you have a surplus, which is money left over at the end of the month, then you have some options about how to use that money—that's what's called discretionary spending. If you have a deficit, which means your expenses are greater than your income, then you have some difficult decisions to make. The wisest thing to do would be to reduce expenses in this case to avoid going into debt. For example, suppose in a given month you will earn $2,000 from working and receive $250 in child support payments. Your total income for the month will be $2,250 ($2,000 + $250 = $2,250). Total up all of your expenses for the month. First list your fixed expenses. Suppose your rent is $850 and your phone is $250. Then total up your variable needs. Say you estimate $500 for groceries and $310 for gas and $200 for household utilities (such as electricity and water). Then list your expenses in your "wants" category. Suppose you'd like to get take-out coffee every morning for $3.00 per day, for a total of $90 ($3.00 x 30 days = $90), and you want to go out with friends twice per month for $75 per evening, for a total of $150 ($75 x 2 = $150). Total everything up for a grand total of $2350. Compare your income and expenses. In this case, your income of $2,250 is $100 less than your projected expenses of $2,350. You are going to have to identify ways to cut expenses to stay within budget. Reduce expenses if necessary. It will be easiest to stick to a budget if you build it around how you actually spend money. However, if you need to make some changes, look at your spending to determine what could be cut. Categorizing your expenses makes it easier to determine what can be trimmed if you need to. The first place you would cut expenses would be from the “wants” categories. While you might miss them, you can still meet your needs without them. Review your expenses out of your “wants” category to find any unusually high numbers. These may be the things in which you are overindulging. For each of these items, set a reasonable monthly limit to help you stay within your budget. For example, suppose you realize that $90 per month is just too much to spend on coffee. Try setting a monthly limit on the amount you will spend on take-out coffee. So, allow yourself to buy that latte twice per week, reducing your monthly expense to $24 per month ($3.00 x 2 days x 4 weeks = $24). This will save you $66 per month ($90 - $24 = $66). Then, plan to go out with friends once instead of twice, and then just have them over for an inexpensive potluck dinner one night instead of going out. Now your entertainment expense is only $75 instead of $150, for a savings of $75 ($150 - $75 = $75). By managing these "wants," you reduce your monthly expenses by $141 ($66 + $75 = $141). This will reduce your total monthly expenses to $2,209 ($2,350 - $141 = $2,209). This is more than enough to keep your expenses within budget. If reducing your wants weren't enough, you would then look into reducing your variable needs, such as walking instead of driving to save on gas or clipping coupons to reduce grocery expenses. If you still needed to reduce expenses after that, you would look into how you can reduce your fixed expenses in the long term. For example, you may need to find less expensive housing. Apply surplus money towards your financial goals. in the above example, you reduced your monthly expenses so much that you will have $41 left over at the end of the month ($2,250 - $2,209 = $41). Put some of that extra money towards your financial goals. For example, put some in savings towards a down payment on a home or car. Stash some of it away in your rainy day fund. Pay down some of your credit cards with any extra cash. If you have some money left over at the end of the month, consider how you could make it grow. Index funds, certificates of deposits (CD's) and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's) are simple investment strategies for beginning investors. Use tools to monitor your budget. Choose from a variety of free online tools to help you balance your budget. Mint is available online and as an app. It allows you to create a budget and track your expenses. You can also sign up for alerts for unusual account charges. It gives advice for reducing expenses and saving money. You also get access to your credit score and tips for how to improve it. Budget Tracker is an online tool that allows you to keep track of all of your transactions and bank accounts from your computer. Track all of your accounts from one screen. Sync your transactions by importing them or inputting them manually. Keep track of your paychecks and other sources of income.	Identify your financial goals. Every financial goal you establish should be SMART. Save for a house. Buy a car. Build rainy-day fund. Get out of debt. Pay for living expenses. Get insured. Give back. List all of your sources of income. Calculate your monthly income from your hourly salary. Calculate your monthly student loan disbursement. Budget with an irregular income. Categorize your expenses. Save an emergency fund. Use tools to track spending. Compare your income and expenses. Reduce expenses if necessary. Apply surplus money towards your financial goals. Use tools to monitor your budget.
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Good-Skateboard	How to Choose a Good Skateboard	If you want to choose a good skateboard, consider getting a board with customized parts. For the deck, opt for a width of 7.5 to 8.0 if you want to ride on the streets and wider if you plan on riding vert. While the price range for decks is wide, you can save some money by buying a blank deck rather than one designed by a pro skateboarder. When choosing trucks for your board, look for a length that is no more than 10 inches and a width that matches the size of your deck. To get your skateboard rolling smoothly, pick out wheels that match your style. For longboards, go with big and soft wheels and for street boards, pick wheels that are small and hard. When picking out bearings, anything above a 3 on the ABEC scale will work best.	Decide what you're going to purchase. If you want a good board for less money, you're going to want a complete. If you want a much better board for more money, you're going to want to custom make yours. Keep in mind that choosing custom parts can actually save you money. If you're buying on a budget, get a Mini Logo or blank deck, cheap all-around wheels like Bones 100s, cheap bearings like Spitfire Cheap shots or Bones Reds, and any trucks that you can afford. Decide whether you want a longboard, a classic or a street/vert board. Longboards can cost from $60-$500. They're good for bombing hills and riding smoothly, but very hard and limiting for tricks. They are great for beginners wanting to learn to skate. Classics can cost from $60-$400. A classic, cruiser, or mini cruiser is good for cruising. Street/verts can cost from $70-$200. They're the typical "skateboard", mostly made for tricks but good for a little bit of everything depending on the wheels. Be sure to purchase from a reputable source. Buying online might save you a few dollars, but try your local skate shop first. The few extra dollars you spend support the shop and your local skate community. Developing a good relationship with a local skate shop often saves you money in the long run. The completes are not as good as custom made, but you can get them for a lot less money and upgrade any bad components later. A complete can cost anywhere from $50-$200 (USD). A custom made can cost anywhere from $90-$500 (USD). Completes (from left to right) Price in USD Brand Mini-Logo Red $99.00 Mini-Logo Classic $149.00 Surf One Twisted Dragon $59.00 Powell Golden Dragon Sunrise Wave $149.00 Surf One Kickflip Red $59.00 Angelboy Andy Mac Fist $59.95 Andy Mac Consider how much money you have to spend on a skateboard deck. Blank decks, decks with no graphics on the bottom, usually run a lot cheaper than pro decks and ride just as well. But if you fancy having your favorite pro skateboarder's deck and you have enough money, go right ahead. Buy a quality deck. Decks available at your local department store are usually of low quality and have pictures of cartoon characters on the bottom. If you want an entire board, but don't know exactly what you want, buy a complete skateboard from a company or go to a skate shop and ask the employee about the products. If you want to ride on the streets, get a 7.5 to 8.0 deck, if you want to ride vert, 8.0 and up is probably best. However, it's all personal preference. People street skate all the time with decks over 8.0. Keep in mind how tall you are when choosing a board width. Also consider the kind of style you wish to skate. Most technical skaters (the ones who incorporate advanced flip tricks... like Rodney Mullen) tend to favor boards between 7.5 and 7.75 regardless of how tall or small they happen to be. The upper hand of having a thin board allows for quick rotation. The other side of the spectrum is the "go big" skaters (Jamie Thomas is a classic example of a "go big" guy). Most "go big" guys favor size 8.0 and up. The advantage of a wide heavy board feels more stable under your feet while in mid air and while landing (especially those who have big feet). If your a kid you might want to just stick with a 7.66 or smaller. Decks (from left to right) Price in USD Brand SuperLight $37.50 Mini-Logo Silver $49.95 Powell No Ka Oi Longboard $75.00 Surf-One Hill BullDog $62.00 Powell Peralta Street Issue $58.00 Powell Classic Quicktail $100.00 Powell Peralta The trucks are the second most important part of a skateboard. When purchasing a truck, you want to look for these characteristics. A length that is no more 10 inches (25.4 cm). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid26322-v4-728px-Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-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>"} A width that fits the deck, so 7.5 trucks on a 7.5 deck. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid26322-v4-728px-Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} A design that you like. Lightweight. Grinds well. Durable material - You don't want them to snap in half. Pick out a truck that has no design or paint if you are on a tight budget. Design isn't everything - it might look cool, but that doesn't mean it's good quality. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-7.jpg\/aid26322-v4-728px-Choose-a-Good-Skateboard-Step-7.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>"} Trucks (from left to right) Price Brand Unit Phantom II Truck (White) $17.99 Phantom Grind King The Low Truck (Silver) $16.99 Grind King Thunder Creepy Crawl Truck $16.99 Thunder Randal 180 $24.00 Randal Tracker 184 $24.95 Tracker Trucks Tracker 129 $14.99 Tracker Trucks Pick out wheels for the kind of skateboard that you have and what you mostly want to be doing. Long boards use big and soft wheels. Street boards use small and hard wheels. It doesn't matter what brands your other parts are. Get the best brand for each individual part depending on what you're doing. Wheel (left to right) Price (USD) Brand Diameter S-3 Black $16.80 Mini-Logo 50mm Strobe Gold $32.00 Powell 53mm Wave Black $33.00 Surf-One 65mm Mini Cubic $35.95 Powell Peralta 64mm Ripper $32.00 Powell Classic 56mm G-Bones Blue $32.00 Powell Peralta 64mm Bearings are very important if you want to keep rolling without pushing constantly, especially while street skating. They're typically rated with the ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineering Committee) scale. The ABEC scale only measures the precision of the bearing, not how well it rolls or how long it lasts. It's a common misconception that the ABEC scale refers to how fast the bearing rolls. Anything above 1 is precision and will perform fine for skateboarding, but it's recommended to go above a 3. The ABEC ratings for skateboard bearings are 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. If you keep your bearings clean and well lubricated , they'll last for much longer. If you have the money for them, bearings with ceramic balls instead of steel ones will last longer and won't need to be lubricated as often. Ceramic balls also won't absorb as much heat as steel balls, which helps performance when they get hot from friction at high speeds. Bearings Price in USD Brand Bones Red Bearings $6.99 - $18.00 Bones Bearings Bones Ceramic Bearings $48.99 - $140.00 Bones Bearings Bones Swiss Labyrinth $37.99 Bones Bearings Bones Original Swiss Bearings $34.99 - $55.00 Bones Bearings Bones Super Swiss Bearings $39.99 - $58.00 Bones Bearings Mini-Logo Bearings $8.99 Mini-Logo	Decide what you're going to purchase. Decide whether you want a longboard, a classic or a street/vert board. Be sure to purchase from a reputable source. Consider how much money you have to spend on a skateboard deck. Buy a quality deck. The trucks are the second most important part of a skateboard. Pick out wheels for the kind of skateboard that you have and what you mostly want to be doing. Bearings are very important if you want to keep rolling without pushing constantly, especially while street skating.
https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-an-Eczema-Flare-Up	How to Handle an Eczema Flare Up	To handle an eczema flare up, take a short, lukewarm bath to soothe your skin. After your bath, gently dry off and immediately apply a fragrance-free lotion to your skin to lock in moisture, since having dry skin can make your eczema worse. If your eczema doesn't improve, you can try applying a hydrocortisone cream or taking an antihistamine medicine to stop the itching. As you wait for the flare up to subside, try your best not to scratch your skin, which can lead to an infection.	Identify triggers for atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is essentially a chronic allergic reaction. It is most common in children and babies. However, an adult can have this type of eczema as well. Flare-ups of this type of eczema can be caused by irritants, allergens, stress, fabrics, and dry skin, to name just a few. If you have food allergies, you may be more likely to experience eczema flare-ups. Atopic dermatitis is often passed down from one generation to the next, and people who are prone to this type of eczema are also likely to develop hay fever or asthma. This type of eczema in infants often starts on the child's head area, either the cheeks or the scalp, though it can spread to other areas. It can exhibit as small, red bumps that itch or as a scaly rash. When it spreads, it often shows up in the bend of the elbow or knee, though it can be all over the body, especially in babies. It is not contagious. Watch for triggers of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is also an allergic reaction, but it's not chronic like atopic dermatitis. Contact dermatitis only occurs when your skin comes into contact with a particular irritant. The most common irritants are certain types of metals, poison ivy, soaps, and even perfumes or make-up. This rash is not contagious, either. Contact dermatitis also shows up as small, red bumps that itch. They may also leak fluid, and turn into scaly, scabbed skin. Learn your risk for dyshidrotic eczema. This type of eczema is less common than atopic dermatitis. It usually only shows up on your hands and feet. Flare-ups for this type of eczema can be caused or exacerbated by stress, allergies, too much time in water, dry skin, and contact with certain metals, such as nickel. This type of eczema begins as a scattering of tiny blisters that itch. Once they burst, the skin takes on a scaly look. Women are twice as likely to develop dyshidrotic eczema than men. Apply a corticosteroid cream. This type of cream can significantly reduce flare-ups, though it may take up to 3 weeks. Your doctor can prescribe a stronger cream than you can get over the counter so you're able to manage your atopic dermatitis long term. The best time to apply the cream is right after you shower. Rub the cream on the affected areas. Make sure you only use the corticosteroid cream as your doctor directs you, as they can have serious side effects if you use them too long on any particular area. Take a cool bath. A lukewarm bath can help relieve the symptoms of eczema, taking the sting out of warm skin. Bath your child with eczema once daily, but not for more than 10 minutes at a time. Add a dash or two of bath oil to the water. Some people find colloidal oatmeal effective. You can find colloidal oatmeal at a drug store. Add it to a warm bath, and sit in the bath 10-15 minutes. When skin is infected, use bath time to soften scabs. Gently rub off the scabs after the bath, as creams should be applied directly to skin. Do not add bubble bath or other such additives to your bath. These will irritate your skin. Pat your skin dry and moisturize after your bath. When you get out of the tub, gently pat away most of the excess water with a towel, because rubbing it can irritate it more. However, do leave a little of the water on your skin. Then, apply a layer of a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer to help lock moisture into your skin barrier. If your doctor prescribed a topical cortisone medication to use on your eczema, apply it after you pat your skin dry, but before you moisturize. Always moisturize immediately after a bath—if you have eczema, your skin won't retain water the way it should. Ask your dermatologist about a bleach bath. A bleach bath sounds harsh, but it can actually be helpful to kill the bacteria on your skin that cause eczema flare-ups. If your doctor approves it, fill your tub with about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) of water. Then, add ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of household bleach to a lukewarm bath. You or your child can take a bleach bath once a day. Don't soak in the bleach bath for longer than 5-10 minutes. Only use plain bleach, which should be a 5-6% sodium hypochlorite solution. Don't use concentrated bleach, and don't use bleach that's scented or that has fabric protectors or detergents in it. For an infant or toddler bleach bath, add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of bleach per 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Do not apply bleach directly to the skin. This could cause irritation. Identify and isolate irritants to prevent flare-ups. While it can be difficult to isolate what irritants or allergens cause a flare-up, it can be important for dealing with atopic dermatitis. For irritants, everything from bar soap to laundry soap and to perfume and cigarette smoke can cause flare-ups. To isolate what irritants affect the person with atopic dermatitis, try switching out items one at time. For instance, you can start by trying a more natural laundry detergent. If that's not it, you can try switching out the soap used in the bath or shower for another one. Find and avoid any allergens that affect your skin. If you have atopic dermatitis, you may also be more sensitive to certain allergies, including food and airborne allergens. They may cause normal reactions, as well as causing your eczema to flare up. Try to determine what causes allergic reactions for you by keeping a food journal, so you can track allergic reactions against what you eat. For food allergies, foods such as peanuts, wheat, soy, milk, and eggs can cause allergic reactions, including an eczema flare-up, in children and adults with atopic dermatitis. Some airborne allergens you may be more susceptible to include pet dander, pollen, and dust mites. Ask your doctor about allergy testing if you cannot determine what you or your child may be allergic to. Some food allergies, especially peanuts, can cause life-threatening reactions. If you believe you or your child is having an allergic reaction to a food, seek medical care immediately. Avoid certain fabrics. Fabrics that scratch the skin, such as wool and even some man-made fibers, can also cause flare-ups. Choose fabrics that don't scratch, and make sure clothing fits properly so it doesn't rub. Natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and bamboo are good choices, but avoid wool. Also, remove tags from clothes or by ones without, as they can rub, as well. Always wash new clothes before wearing them, as they can still have irritating dyes and chemicals in them. Use a moisturizing cream or lotion twice a day. Keep your skin moisturized, as it can help keep eczema flare-ups to a minimum. In addition, it can help soften your skin, easing the pain of eczema. Pick a cream that is thick and fragrance-free. Fragrances can irritate skin if you have eczema. In fact, something simple such as petroleum jelly can be effective. Try wet wrap therapy. Wet therapy is the process of apply wet bandages at night to help soothe eczema. They reduce heat on the skin, block you from scratching, and help moisturize the skin. First apply a corticosteroid cream to the irritated areas of the skin. Use a moisturizer all over the body after the corticosteroid cream. Remember the corticosteroid cream should only be applied to the areas where your eczema is flaring up. Soak cloth towels, clean bandages, or paper towels in water with a small squirt of unscented bath oil. Wrap the wet towels around the skin. Apply them to the areas that are most severe. You may need to completely cover your arms and legs if the eczema is really bad. Try a wet shirt if your chest is irritated. Remove them in the morning. You can also apply them during the day. If you do so, take them off when they are dry. Hold cool, wet towels against the face, but don't wrap them around. Keep them on for 5 minutes. Avoid scratching your skin. Scratching makes the rash worse. In fact, scratching the rash can cause the skin to thicken in areas and lead to infection. If you have trouble not scratching, cut your nails short or wrap band-aids around your fingertips. Take oral antihistamines. Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can be helpful to reduce the itching associated with flare-ups. Because they can cause drowsiness, take them before bed. Ask your doctor about other options. If your atopic dermatitis doesn't respond to at-home treatments, she may recommend other topical or oral treatments. She may also recommend a referral to a dermatologist (skin specialist), who can prescribe other medications. If your skin becomes infected, or you develop open sores from scratching, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe oral or injected corticosteroids. These suppress inflammation by mimicking the natural effects of your body's hormones in greater doses. They have the possibility of serious side effects and are not recommended for mild cases or long-term use. Another option is skin-repairing creams. A certain class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) alter your immune system when applied to the skin and help reduce atopic dermatitis flare-ups. They can cause serious side effects, so they are usually reserved only for severe cases. Wash off the irritant. If you notice a rash developing in response to something you've put on your skin, wash your skin off with warm soap and water. You may notice red skin, small, itchy bumps, tiny blisters, and/or warm skin. Also wash anything else that came in contact with the irritant that you use regularly, such as your clothing. Avoid scratching. Though scratching is tempting, you should avoid it as much as possible. Scratching damages your skin, can make the rash worse, and possibly introduce infection. Take oral antihistamines to treat your symptoms. Because contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction, you can take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine pill, such as loratadine or cetirizine. Take these pills once a day to help manage symptoms. Isolate irritants and allergens. Just like atopic dermatitis, allergens and irritants can cause flare-ups, even if you inhale them or eat them. Try changing out your soaps and detergents to figure out what bothers you, and keep a food journal so you can make connections between what you eat and flare-ups. Remember that sometimes more than one factor may be causing your dermatitis. You may be affected by both your make-up and your sunscreen. In addition, sometimes the sun plays a factor, causing dermatitis in combination with another irritant. Ask about patch testing. One way to help determine the source of your contact dermatitis is to do a patch test. Your doctor will apply patches of certain allergens and irritants to your skin, which you wear for 48 hours. When you go back to the doctor, she'll determine which ones you've reacted to, which can help you avoid allergens in the future. Avoid allergens and irritants. Once you figure out what causes your contact dermatitis, you will need to avoid that irritant in the future. For instance, if a particular detergent or soap causes your eczema, you will need to switch to other brands, preferably ones that are natural and fragrance-free. Use moisturizers frequently. Moisturized skin is less likely to develop a flare-up. Additionally, moisturizers can help relieve the pain of flare-ups by softening cracked skin. Apply a thick moisturizer several times a day to your body to keep your skin barrier protected, which will reduce the severity of active flare-ups and help prevent future ones. Try wet dressings. Like atopic dermatitis, bad flare-ups of contact dermatitis can be treated with wet wrappings. Apply wet bandages or cloth towels over moisturizers at nighttime to help soothe the area. Wet dressings can relieve your symptoms enough to help you get to sleep. Use a steroid cream. Just like with atopic dermatitis, a steroid cream can help relieve the symptoms of contact dermatitis. Apply this cream to the affected area after you bathe or at nighttime. Ask about corticosteroid pills. If your reaction is particularly severe, ask your doctor about corticosteroid pills. These pills can help relieve inflammation on your body. You may also need a round of antibiotics if your rash becomes infected. Use a moisturizing cream or ointment. This is especially helpful for dyshidrotic eczema, which tends to occur on the hands and feet. Choose a moisturizing cream formulated for hands or feet. Petroleum jelly can also help keep your skin moisturized. You may also be able to find a barrier cream, such as Tetrix, that can help reduce your exposure to skin irritants. This can be helpful if you handle irritating substances, such as water, cement, or nickel, during your work. Use a corticosteroid cream. Corticosteroid creams are effective for pretty much any kind of eczema. Your doctor can prescribe you one that will help treat your flare-up. Use the cream after bathing, or try putting it on before you go to sleep. In fact, you can apply it at night and then put on cotton gloves, which will keep the cream on your hands. Don't scratch. Scratching makes the rash worse. In addition, bursting the blisters also makes the rash worse. If you can let them heal instead of bursting them, your skin will likely heal faster. Avoid water. Unlike other types of eczema, water can irritate this rash, especially on your hands. Try to keep your hands out of water as much as possible. Sweating can also contribute to flare-ups. If you sweat a lot, your doctor may prescribe a treatment for this to help your eczema. Additionally, make sure to dry your hands thoroughly when you do get them wet. Avoid certain types of metals and other irritants. Metals such as nickel, chromium, and cobalt may also cause flare ups. You may be exposed to these metals if you work with concrete. Other chemicals from work or environmental exposure may also cause a flare-up. To keep your hands from this irritant, try wearing gloves. Use calamine lotion. Calamine lotion can help soothe your rash. It can also calm the itching. You can also apply this lotion after washing your hands or bathing. Try a witch hazel soak. You can find witch hazel at the drug store, usually near the rubbing alcohol. Witch hazel is an astringent. Soaking your hands in a bath of witch hazel can reduce skin inflammation and provide you with some relief during the healing process. Try techniques to help you relax. This type of eczema can flare up when you're stressed out. Try to keep your stress levels down by incorporating calming routines into your life, such as a daily meditation regiment. Identify what causes you stress. Whether it's your job or even the evening news, identifying what makes you stressed out is the first step in dealing with it. Avoid or change what you can, such as skipping the news, and try to change your attitude about the rest. Try meditation. One simple way to meditate is pick a mantra. A mantra can be any simple phrase that calms you, such as "Life is good," or even just "om." Close your eyes, and repeat the phrase, letting your mind fill up with it. Continue until you feel calmer. Talk to your doctor about immune-suppressing creams or pills. Because this type of eczema is an immune response, immune-suppressing creams or pills can be effective. Some drugs in this class are tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. Your doctor will decide whether creams or oral treatment will be more effective for you. Ask about phototherapy. This type of light treatment can help decrease the severity of a flare-up, especially when used in combination with medications to help you absorb the ultraviolet light used. Usually, this treatment is only used when others do not work.	Identify triggers for atopic dermatitis. Watch for triggers of contact dermatitis. Learn your risk for dyshidrotic eczema. Apply a corticosteroid cream. Take a cool bath. Ask your dermatologist about a bleach bath. Identify and isolate irritants to prevent flare-ups. Find and avoid any allergens that affect your skin. Avoid certain fabrics. Use a moisturizing cream or lotion twice a day. Try wet wrap therapy. Avoid scratching your skin. Take oral antihistamines. Ask your doctor about other options. Wash off the irritant. Avoid scratching. Take oral antihistamines to treat your symptoms. Isolate irritants and allergens. Ask about patch testing. Avoid allergens and irritants. Use moisturizers frequently. Try wet dressings. Use a steroid cream. Ask about corticosteroid pills. Use a moisturizing cream or ointment. Use a corticosteroid cream. Don't scratch. Avoid water. Avoid certain types of metals and other irritants. Use calamine lotion. Try a witch hazel soak. Try techniques to help you relax. Talk to your doctor about immune-suppressing creams or pills. Ask about phototherapy.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Jury-Excuse-Letter	How to Write a Jury Excuse Letter	To write a jury excuse letter, start by checking with your court to see if they'd prefer you to fill out a specific form. If no form is available, you can type your letter using traditional business letter format. Write the date at the top and address the letter to the name indicated on your jury summons. Then, provide your full legal name and any identifying information included on your jury notice, like a jury number or reference number. After that, give a brief explanation of why you want to be excused from jury duty, sticking to the facts of your situation. Close your letter by telling the court if you want to be permanently excused or simply have the duty deferred or postponed to another time. Finally, print out the letter and sign your full name at the bottom in blue or black ink.	Read your jury notice. Your jury notice or summons will contain information about when you've been called to jury duty as well as the steps to take to seek an exemption. Some exemptions typically considered acceptable may be listed on the summons, as well as what documentation the court requires to prove the exemption applies to you. Carefully note any dates on your summons, including the dates you've been called to jury duty. You will have to include these dates in your jury excuse letter and may need to provide them to anyone else who you need to write a letter on your behalf as documentation. For example, if you cannot appear for work-related reasons, you may need a letter from your boss that tells the court the reason you cannot be spared at work on those days. Check the court's rules for exemptions. There may be some general rules in state and federal law, but each court also has its own rules regarding types of people who are generally exempt from jury duty. In addition to any exemptions listed on your notice or summons, there may be other exemptions that particular courts or judges often accept. These exemptions may be listed on the court website, or you may be able to learn them by calling the clerk's office. For example, the federal court exempts people from jury duty if they are public officials, employed as police officers or firemen, or serving active duty in the armed forces. Many states have additional exemptions for people over the age of 70 or 80, or people with medical or work-related issues. Write down the rule number or statute number of any exemptions that fit your situation so you can reference them in your letter. Some excuses allow you to be excused from jury duty, while others only allow you to have your service deferred for a specific time. Make sure you know whether you're eligible for a complete excuse or a deferral so you ask for the right thing. Many states have pending or fully enacted "family friendly jury duty" laws. These laws provide exemptions from or deferrals of jury duty service if you are a breastfeeding mother or have active care and custody of young children, elderly, or disabled family members. Many states such as Massachusetts have strict legal requirements regarding disqualification from jury duty for medical reasons. If you plan on claiming you should be excused from jury duty for a medical reason, you should read these requirements carefully and talk to your doctor before writing your letter. Make note of any deadlines. Your jury notice may include a date by which you must respond if you want to request an exemption. Keep in mind that if you don't meet this deadline, you typically won't be excused from jury duty unless you have an emergency situation that requires your presence elsewhere. For example, the state of Texas allows you to postpone jury service at least once, but you must send a letter with your reasons for being excused at least two weeks before the date you're scheduled to serve. Gather information. You may have to provide documentation of the reason you want to be excused from jury duty. For example, if you have a medical condition, you may need a note from your doctor in addition to your letter. You must plan in advance to get the documentation you'll need. If you are asking to be excused from jury duty because it would present financial hardship, you will need to gather documents that prove the state of your finances or the fact that your income is necessary to care for dependents. If you're claiming a work-related reason you should be excused from jury duty, you should talk to your supervisor or manager about writing a letter for you to include with your own letter describing the need for you to be at work on the dates you've been summoned. Search for forms. Some courts have a form they prefer you to use rather than simply writing a letter. If the court to which you've been summoned to jury duty has a particular exemption form, it typically will be included in the envelope with your summons. You also may be able to call the clerk's office and find out if there is a particular form that needs to be used. For example, if you are summoned to serve on a jury in New Jersey, the court includes a questionnaire that you must complete and return. On that questionnaire, you have the ability to indicate if you are not qualified to serve on a jury or if you want your service dates to be postponed. In some jurisdictions, these forms must be completed and sent within a certain period of time after you receive your summons, regardless of whether you are asking to be excused from service. Format your letter. If no form is available, type your letter using business-letter format. Date your letter with the date you intend to mail it, and include both your mailing address and the mailing address of the court. If you want, you may include other contact information such as your phone number or email address. Address the letter to the name indicated on your jury summons, whether the clerk of court or a specific judge. This name or title also should be included in your salutation. You may also address it to the Judge c/o the Clerk of Court. For a Judge, the proper salutation should be: Dear Honorable Judge (then the full name of the judge, for example. Honorable Judge Katherine Smith). Use the full name as provided for the Clerk. Do not abbreviate titles, nor change the person's name. Introduce yourself. Begin your letter by providing your full legal name and any identifying information included on your jury notice. If your summons includes a jury number or other reference number, include that in your introduction as well as the subject line of your letter. Explain the reason for your request. Provide a brief explanation of why you believe you should be excused from jury duty, sticking to the facts of your situation. Using what you've learned about the kinds of excuses the court typically accepts, explain your situation and relate it to one of those acceptable excuses. If the court states it accepts some work-related excuses, you need to explain the necessity for you to be at work or explain the hardship that would occur if you were you to miss work. For example, you may work at a small business that would have to close for the day if you weren't there to run the shop. If you're requesting to be excused from jury duty because you must care for a child, you should also consider including reasons you are unable to find appropriate child care under the circumstances. Keep in mind that in some jurisdictions you are limited to one reason for your excuse. For example, in California your excuse is denied if you indicate more than one reason why you are disqualified from jury service. For this reason, rather than piling on multiple reasons you should pick the one for which you have the strongest documentation. Ask to be excused from jury duty. Close your letter by telling the court what you want because of your reason. Define whether you want to be permanently excused or simply have the duty deferred or postponed to another future time. Your request may have a greater chance of being approved if you are willing to serve at a different time. However, if this isn't possible, you should state so clearly. For example, many courts will excuse breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. In that case, you may be willing to serve if your duty is postponed until a date in the future when your child is no longer breastfeeding. Indicate your preferred method of response. Unless the court specifically listed the way in which you would be notified of its decision, you typically have the ability to let the court know how you would prefer to be notified. For example, if you prefer to be called rather than wait for a written response, you should mention this at the closing of your letter and provide the phone number at which you wish to be contacted. Proofread your letter. Make sure you proofread your letter carefully before you print it to ensure there are no typographical or grammatical errors. Type your name under space for your signature. You also may include your address and phone number or other contact information if you want.= Print and sign your letter. After you've finished writing your letter, print it and sign it with cursive writing, in blue or black ink. Review your jury notice for instructions. There should be an address listed on your jury notice for sending a jury excuse letter. Make sure you're sending your letter to the correct court address or office so it is received and considered before the date you were summoned for jury duty. Gather any supporting documentation. If you have any documents that provide proof for your excuse, you should attach these to your letter. For example, if you will be out of town on the date you were summoned for jury duty, and you've already made reservations or purchased plane tickets, copies of your reservations or plane tickets would provide proof of your excuse. State law or court rules may require you to include a note from a doctor (for medical-related hardships) or your employer (for work-related hardships). Mail your letter. You might consider using certified mail, return receipt requested, so you have notification when the court has received your letter. You also should double-check the deadline before you mail your letter. The summons or notice may state that your letter must be mailed by that day, or it may say the court must receive it by that day. If you're unsure whether the court will receive your letter by the deadline if you use regular mail, you may need to use priority two-day or next-day mailing services. Make copies of everything you send to the court before you mail it, so you have copies for your records. Wait for a response. The court will consider your request and let you know in writing, usually within a couple of weeks, whether you are excused from jury duty. Keep in mind that courts typically consider each request on a case-by-case basis, and have the discretion to grant or deny your request. Just because someone else has been excused from jury duty for the same reason you've provided, that doesn't mean your request to be excused will be granted.	Read your jury notice. Check the court's rules for exemptions. Make note of any deadlines. Gather information. Search for forms. Format your letter. Introduce yourself. Explain the reason for your request. Ask to be excused from jury duty. Indicate your preferred method of response. Proofread your letter. Type your name under space for your signature. Print and sign your letter. Review your jury notice for instructions. Gather any supporting documentation. Mail your letter. Wait for a response.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Good-Song	How to Write a Good Song	To write a good song, start by coming up with a theme or subject, like friendship, growing up, or the changing of seasons. Next, try writing a chorus line that makes the topic obvious. Alternatively, start with a powerful image or detail that you can build off of. While working on your song, try to keep your lyrics specific to give your listener something to visualize or relate to. Additionally, use as few words as possible, and keep them simple so they don't get garbled.	Learn to play other songs first. If you want to write a book, you've got to read a lot of books first. Listening to music and learning to play it is the first step in learning to write a song, especially a good song. Learn to appreciate the wit and structure of a well-written song. If you want to be a good songwriter, be a good listener. Check out some of the masters: Classic pop: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Irving Berlin, Yip Harburg Pop-Rock: Randy Newman, Paul McCartney, Carole King, Brian Wilson Contemporary Pop and R&B: Michael Jackson, Max Martin, Linda Perry, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams Country and folk: Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams, Kacey Musgraves, Hank Williams Pick an instrument to compose on. Unless you're Mozart, it's tough to write a good song in your head, or just on paper. Most songwriters have a specific instrument they like to compose on, to hear the music as it is played. Most pop songs are written on piano and guitar, while other types of music are commonly composed on other stringed instruments or horns. You can write a song on any instrument. If you can't play an instrument, check out other articles to learn more about picking an instrument and learning to play. Play around with chords until you find something you like. Choose a key signature , and find the related chords in that key. Then, play around with the order of the chords to find something you like. Stick to a major key if you want to write a memorable song. Of the ten most popular songs of all time, only one is in a minor key. Lots of songs are written with the I-IV-V chords, which means the chord based on the first, fourth, and fifth note in the scale. So, in the key of C, the chords C, F, and G all sound good together. This is true of any key. Learning the basic scales for the major keys in your instrument is really helpful in learning to write songs. Learning to read music can help you be a better songwriter, but it's not absolutely necessary. Simple pop songs are often written by untrained performers. Explore other notes in the scale to find a melody. Melodies won't be an exact copy of the chords in the scales, but will be based on those chords. Pick around the notes of each chord as you play to find a good melody, and explore the notes outside the chords but in the scale, as well. To find a melody, lots of people like to hum along to the chords, or sing nonsense syllables or words to go along with the melody. Hum or whistle while you play, before there are lyrics. Make it as simple as possible, but with a twist. Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," and "Gotta Give it Up" by Marvin Gaye are all made of four chords or less. Most good songs are relatively simple, with a little quirk added to make it memorable. If you want to write a great song, it doesn't need to have five key signatures and fifteen time signatures thrown into the mix. Keep it as simple as possible. Listen to John Lee Hooker play "Boogie Chillun'" and try to work out the chords. Give up? There's only one. The song is iconic because of the weird timing and rhythm, not the complexity of the melody or chords. Listen to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" and compare it to a simple 12-bar blues song. See how the switch up to the IV and V chords is delayed a few bars? That's the kind of twist we're talking about. Borrow a basic chord progression and change it. When you're first starting out, learn lots of different songs and borrow the basic chord structures, but play them at a different rhythm, different tempo, and with different timing. Write different melodies to the basic chords. This isn't plagiarism, it's songwriting. Learn a chord progression and then play it backwards and write a new melody. "Whole Lotta Love" backwards could be your new opus. Take all the chords from your favorite song and just play them in a different order until you find something you like. Lots of songs sound like other songs. It's not a bad thing. As long as you're not doing a straight-up copy of the rhythm and timing and melody all together, you're still writing a new song. Find a subject that matches the melody. When you've got a basic melody that you like, keep playing it to yourself and letting your mind wander. What kind of mood does the melody have? What does the song remind you of? Start brainstorming possible lyric topics. If you've written a whimsical or melancholy song, start thinking of images. What does the song remind you of? Who does it remind you of? What do you picture when you think of the song? Just start brainstorming on paper. Think of stories, think of characters, think of places, think of moods. Start writing little fragments and lines that illustrate those ideas. Alternatively, find a subject that complements the melody in a strange or interesting way. Warren Zevon's "Excitable Boy" sounds like an upbeat piano ballad, even though the lyrics are about a deranged serial killer. Write a few lines. Once you've got your theme or subject in mind, write out a few lines that you think are good to start building around. You can start with a chorus line that makes the theme or subject obvious, or just start writing the verses and find the chorus later. Think of a powerful image or detail to start with: "Pistol shots rang out" starts Bob Dylan's "Hurricane," about a man falsely accused of murder." Or the iconic start to "Long Black Veil": "Ten years ago on a cold dark night / Someone was killed beneath the town hall light." It's also fine to just start sketching and free associating words. Because you'll eventually pair this with a melody, good lyrics don't have to make a whole lot of sense: "Wounded lover, got no time on hand / One last cycle, thrill freak Uncle Sam" as the Rolling Stones put it. Find a chorus to repeat. There are lots of different ways to approach the chorus and make it fit the song, but usually you want the chorus to be the part where the theme or the subject is summed up in a tidy little phrase or sentence that sounds good to the ear. You might try writing for a while around a couple verses, then pick one that stands out to you as being the best to repeat, or try to write a chorus separately. Here are some good ones: "A few good federales say they could have had him any day / They only let him slip away out of kindness, I suppose" from "Pancho and Lefty" by Townes Van Zandt "How does it feel to be on your own / With no direction home / Like a complete unknown / Like a rolling stone" from "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan "Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be / Whisper words of wisdom, let it be" from "Let it Be" by the Beatles "Go, Johnny go! Go, Johnny go! Go, Johnny, go, go, go / Johnny B. Goode" from "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry Use a variety of rhymes. The hardest part about writing a good song is finding the right lyrics to match up with it. Most song lyrics include rhyming end words, but all songs don't have to rhyme. Learn a little about how to rhyme properly to get your song lyrics to match up with the music. Most lyrics aren't formally structured into a rhyme scheme, but it depends on the song. An ABAB rhyme-scheme might be perfect for the song you wrote. Avoid cliches. Just because words rhyme doesn't make them good for your song. If the rhymes seem obvious ("I love my baby / I don't mean maybe") it's best to look for something else. Make lyrics specific. Many beginner lyricists write lyrics full of abstract ideas and not specific images. Give us something to see, don't tell us things. Avoid big concepts like "time" or "love" or "depression" in your lyrics, as well as mixed metaphors. If you're writing, "The bleak rage of my depression / Time is like a lesson" then try to make your lyrics more specific. If you tend to write in abstractions, write out your big abstracts and describe what specifically they make you think of. What does the "bleak rage of your depression" look like? Sitting alone at three am, drinking coffee? Stabbing out a cigarette into an ashtray already overfull? That's better. Keep it simple. Use as few words as possible in your lyrics. Make them count. Unlike a poem, you don't have to fill your lines to the brim, because you'll have the addition of music. Use as simple a structure as possible in your lyric-writing. Look at the lyrics to a song you really like. Without the song, they probably won't look that great, but they'll probably be simple and specific. Do the same with your song. Keep revising words away from your lines as you try to sing them. If something gets stuck in the mouth, figure out a way to sing the song without it. Consider writing with a partner. Lots of songs are written in pairs. Jagger-Richards. Lennon-McCartney. Leiber-Stoller. If you've got a handle on the music-end of things, consider enlisting a lyric-writing partner to help give you a new perspective. If you're a better lyricist, hook up with someone who's a whiz with melodies. Lots of performers, from Elton John to Elvis, didn't actually write most of their own material on their own. Writing with a partner is a long-proven effective technique. Structure the verses and the choruses. Songs can be structured in lots of different ways. A basic song-structure, though, will consist primarily of alternating verses and choruses. The verses will usually change, while the chorus generally remains constant in most songs. Choruses are usually the "hook" of the song. What's the part of the song that gets stuck in your head? What's memorable? That's the chorus. Repeat it at least three times to make the song memorable. A verse will usually, but not always, start the song. This allows you to build up to the chorus, which is usually the most catchy or memorable part of the song. Some songs have no chorus at all. Lots of rap songs, for example, are just flow. Some songs, like Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row" are just long verses, which all end on the same phrase, though there's not a typical chorus. Consider including a bridge or a breakdown. Bridges are a one-time variation of the chorus structure in the song, which happens about three-fourths of the way through the song, between a chorus and a verse, or between two choruses. It's just a way of shaking up the song. In some kinds of music, like metal songs and high-energy dance songs, a breakdown is more appropriate than a bridge. This usually involves cutting everything but the drums and some vocals for a few bars, to get people moving. Often, bridges involve a switch into the minor key for a few bars. Sing the song to work out the phrasing. Just because you've got a melody and rhyming words doesn't mean you've got a song yet. Learning to fine-tune the song by working out the phrasing is essential to writing a good song. Keep working on your song, singing it to yourself repeatedly, to learn how the melody can be adjusted in the voice, and how the lyrics can be tweaked. Even if you're not a great singer, it's important to sing the song as the songwriter. Find a place where nobody will hear you, if you're sheepish about your voice. Belt it like Beyonce. Perform the song for an audience. Songs are meant to be heard. It can be very helpful for aspiring songwriters to get feedback on their material, especially from other songwriters or musicians who appreciate music. Playing a song for your family or close friends who aren't music listeners will usually not be that helpful. They'll usually just say, "I love it! Great job!" That can be good to hear, but if you want to write a great song, seek out songwriters for feedback. Record it and listen back to it yourself, if you're too embarrassed to play your song for someone yet. Listen to how it sounds. What could be better? Keep revising the song. Bob Dylan claims to have written "Blowin' in the Wind" in fifteen minutes, while Leonard Cohen claims to have never been fully satisfied with "Famous Blue Raincoat," even though the song is 40 years old. Don't stop working on a song. Keep hammering out the little details until it comes into shape. If you want a song to be good, it's not enough to be able to sing it.	Learn to play other songs first. Pick an instrument to compose on. Play around with chords until you find something you like. Explore other notes in the scale to find a melody. Make it as simple as possible, but with a twist. Borrow a basic chord progression and change it. Find a subject that matches the melody. Write a few lines. Find a chorus to repeat. Use a variety of rhymes. Make lyrics specific. Keep it simple. Consider writing with a partner. Structure the verses and the choruses. Consider including a bridge or a breakdown. Sing the song to work out the phrasing. Perform the song for an audience. Keep revising the song.
https://www.wikihow.com/Claim-a-Child-Tax-Credit	How to Claim a Child Tax Credit	To claim a child tax credit, you'll need to have children that are 16 or younger who live in your home for at least half of the year. You'll also need to provide at least half of their support, like food and clothing. If you're a single taxpayer, you must make less than $200,000 annually to qualify, and if you're a married couple filing jointly, you must make less than $400,000 annually. To claim the credit if you qualify, complete Publication 972 when you're filing your taxes.	Include children under the age of 17. To be eligible for the child tax credit, your child or children must be 16 or younger at the end of the tax year. Ensure your child has a social security number or ITIN. Under the new 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it is required that your children have social security numbers to qualify for the child tax credit. If your child or children do not have social security numbers, you can also use their ITIN to get the “Credit for Other Dependents.” The social security numbers must be assigned before your taxes are due and have to be issued by the Social Security Administration. Provide 50% or more of the support needed to take care of the child. The child or children must live in your home at least half of the year or more. You must provide 50% of their support, such as housing, food, clothing, and other necessities. Meet the income requirements. If you are a single taxpayer, you must make less than $200,000 modified adjusted gross income. For married couples filing jointly, you must make less than $400,000 modified adjusted gross income. These amounts differ greatly from the income limits prior to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which were $75,000 and $110,000, respectively. Note that the “Additional Child Tax Credit” may be refundable. If you're filing the “Additional Child Tax Credit,” it may be refundable. This may mean that you can get a refund even if you don't owe money. For example, if subtracting the child tax credit from your tax bill results in a number lower than $0, you can receive up to $1,400 as a refund. Use the Credit for Other Dependents if you take care of people other than your children. If you have dependents that are not children, you may be eligible for a $500 tax credit. This credit is nonrefundable, so you won't get money back if this lowers your tax bill to less than $0. Note that you cannot claim a Credit for Other Dependents if the dependent qualifies for the Child Tax Credit. Use the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit if you pay someone to take care of a dependent. If you have an elderly parent, disabled relative, or another dependent that someone else takes care of while you work, you may be able to claim a credit for up to 35% of the expenses relating to their care. The percentage you can claim will depend on your income, though there is a maximum of $3,000 for a single dependent and $6,000 for multiple dependents. This credit is non-refundable, meaning that if the credit lowers your tax bill below $0, you will not get money back. Fill out form 2441 for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit instead of Publication 972. You can access this form here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2441.pdf Access Publication 972 from the IRS. In order to determine what your Child Tax Credit and/or Credit for Other Dependents will be, you must fill out Publication 972. You can access Publication 972 here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p972.pdf Enter the number of qualifying children multiplied by $2,000 in box 1. Your child must meet age, relationship, support, dependent status, and citizenship tests to qualify. They must also have a social security number. Write the number of children that meet these requirements on line 1, then multiply that number by $2,000 and write the sum in box 1. If you have 3 children that meet the requirements, multiply 3 by $2,000 to get $6,000 and enter this number in box 1. Multiply the number of other dependents by $500 and enter this number in box 2. This is where you'll use the Credit for Other Dependents, if applicable to your situation. Write the number of qualifying dependents on line 2, multiply this number by $500, then write the sum in box 2. If you have 1 dependent that meets the qualifications, multiply $500 by 1 to get $500 and enter this in box 2. Put the sum of boxes 1 and 2 in box 3. Add the number in box 1 with the number in box 2 and note the total in box 3. If you put $6,000 in box 1 and $500 in box 2, add these numbers together to get $6,500. Write this number in box 3. Write your adjusted gross income in box 4. You can find your adjusted gross income on line 7 in Form 1040 or line 35 in Form 1040NR. Fill in information from your 1040 in box 5. If you filled out a 1040NR, write "0" (zero) in box 4. If you filled out a 1040, enter the total of any income earned in Puerto Rico plus the amounts from Form 2555 lines 45 and 50, Form 2555-EZ line 18, and FORM 4563 line 15. Add boxes 4 and 5 and write the total in box 6. Combine your adjusted gross income with the number you put in box 5 to find the total amount you need to record in box 6. If you entered $58,000 in box 4 and recorded $0 in box 5, the total you'd put in box 6 is $58,000. Write the amount that corresponds to your filing status in box 7. Write "$200,000" if you are a single filer or $400,000 if you are married filing jointly. Fill in boxes 8 and 9 according to the calculations. Determine if the amount in box 6 is more than the amount in box 7. If it is not, leave box 8 blank and write "0" (zero) in box 9. If the amount is more, subtract box 7 from box 6. If the answer is not a multiple of $1,000, round up to the nearest thousand and enter this number in box 8. If you wrote $258,000 in box 6 and $200,000 in box 7, subtract $200,000 from $258,000 to get $58,000. Since this is a multiple of $1,000, write the whole number in box 8. If subtracting box 7 from box 6 results in $9,025, round up to $10,000. If subtracting box 7 from box results in $100,998, round up to $101,000. Multiply the amount in box 8 by 0.05 to find the number for box 9. Remember that if the amount in box 6 is less than the amount in box 7, write "0" (zero) in box 9. Otherwise, multiply the number in box 8 by 5% and put the answer in box 9. If you wrote $58,000 in box 8, multiply this by 0.05 to get $2,900. Write this in box 9. Determine if the amount on line 3 is more than the amount on line 9. If it is not, you do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit or Other Dependent Credit. If it is, subtract line 9 from line 3 and enter the answer in box 10. Then continue to Part 2 of Publication 972. If you put $2,900 in box 9 and $6,500 in box 3, subtract $2,900 from $6,500 to get $3,600 and write this in box 10. Enter the relevant information from Form 1040 in box 11. If you used Form 1040NR, write the number from line 45 in box 11. If you used Form 1040, write the number from line 11 in box 11. Find the sum of the required information from Form 1040 to fill in box 12. If you used Form 1040NR, add together the numbers from lines 46, 47, and 48 and put the sum in box 12. If you used Form 1040, add the numbers from Schedule 3 lines 48, 49, 50, and 51, Form 5695 line 30, Form 8910 line 15, Form 8936 line 23, and Schedule R line 22. Put the sum of these numbers in box 12. Subtract box 12 from box 11 and put the answer in box 13. Simply take away the number in box 12 from the number in box 11 to find the answer. Indicate the amount of other credits you are claiming in box 14. If you are not claiming any other credits or are filing Form 2555 or 2555-EZ, put "0" (zero) in box 14. Otherwise, complete the line 14 worksheet, included in Publication 972, to find out the total amount of mortgage interest credit from Form 8396, adoption credit from Form 8839, residential energy efficiency property credit from Form 5695 Part 1, and District of Columbia first-time homebuyer credit from Form 8859. Take away box 14 from box 13 and note the answer in box 15. Simply subtract the number in box 14 from the answer in box 13. Put the total in box 15. Determine if box 10 is more than box 15. If the amount in box 10 is more than the amount in box 15, enter the amount from box 15 in box 16. If the amount in box 10 is less than the amount in box 15, write the number from box 10 in box 16.	Include children under the age of 17. Ensure your child has a social security number or ITIN. Provide 50% or more of the support needed to take care of the child. Meet the income requirements. Note that the “Additional Child Tax Credit” may be refundable. Use the Credit for Other Dependents if you take care of people other than your children. Use the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit if you pay someone to take care of a dependent. Access Publication 972 from the IRS. Enter the number of qualifying children multiplied by $2,000 in box 1. Multiply the number of other dependents by $500 and enter this number in box 2. Put the sum of boxes 1 and 2 in box 3. Write your adjusted gross income in box 4. Fill in information from your 1040 in box 5. Add boxes 4 and 5 and write the total in box 6. Write the amount that corresponds to your filing status in box 7. Fill in boxes 8 and 9 according to the calculations. Multiply the amount in box 8 by 0.05 to find the number for box 9. Determine if the amount on line 3 is more than the amount on line 9. Enter the relevant information from Form 1040 in box 11. Find the sum of the required information from Form 1040 to fill in box 12. Subtract box 12 from box 11 and put the answer in box 13. Indicate the amount of other credits you are claiming in box 14. Take away box 14 from box 13 and note the answer in box 15. Determine if box 10 is more than box 15.
https://www.wikihow.com/Save-Your-Home-from-Foreclosure	How to Save Your Home from Foreclosure	To save your home from foreclosure, prioritize paying your mortgage payments over unsecured debts, like credit cards, medical bills, student loans, and IRS debts. You should also check with your local and federal government to see if you qualify for any loan modification programs that will make your mortgage payments more affordable. If your financial difficulties are temporary, ask your lender for a forbearance so that your payments are reduced or suspended for a short period. As a last resort, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy to save your home.	Make your mortgage payment your top priority. Lenders can typically start the foreclosure process after three to five months of missed payments. That means you should make your monthly mortgage payment in full before you pay down unsecured debts like credit cards, hospital bills, medical bills, IRS debts, and student loan payments. If you do fall behind on other bills, you may start getting phone calls from debt collectors. Falling behind on these debts can cause you to accumulate fees and can damage your credit, but the consequences are simply not as serious as falling behind on your mortgage. Adjust your standard of living. Evaluate your monthly spending and look for areas where you can cut back. Cut back on elective purchases, like eating out, clothing, electronics, hobbies, and entertainment. Consider bringing in a roommate to offset your monthly mortgage payment. If your significant other has a vehicle or you have access to good public transportation, consider selling your car. Get help managing your finances. You may benefit from a credit counseling or debt management program that includes housing counseling. A counselor can help you better understand what debt assistance options are available, help you manage your obligations, and develop a personalized plan to get through rough financial times. Contact your lender and ask if they have a credit counseling program. The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of approved credit counselors by state that you can contact for help. Ask your local housing authority, credit union, nonprofit organization, or extension service if they offer debt counseling. Learn your rights. Check with an attorney to learn what your rights are when facing a foreclosure. There are two types of foreclosure. If you have a deed of trust then the foreclosure process will follow a particular pattern that is guided by the federal and state laws. If you have a mortgage instead of a deed of trust, the foreclosure must be a judicial foreclosure. In this case, the lender will be required to go to court to get the property back. In a judicial foreclosure, you will have one year to redeem your debt. This means you will have to pay back the money owed on the house plus additional fees. If it is not a judicial foreclosure, you will not have this right. Many foreclosure laws might vary by state, and some may expire. Always consult with a lawyer to understand the laws regarding your specific situation. Get help with your mortgage payments. Check to see if your state housing finance agency maintains funds under the Hardest Hit Fund which is specifically earmarked for foreclosure prevention. If your mortgage is secured by or funded by government programs such as HUD, FHA, or the Veterans Administration, you may have other options to save your home. For example, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac administer the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to make loans more affordable. You can find these and other types of loan modification programs at https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/pages/default.aspx. Ask your lender for a forbearance. In a forbearance, your lender agrees to temporarily reduce or suspend your mortgage payments for a short period. You're more likely to be able to get a forbearance if you can show that your financial difficulties are temporary or that you're expecting a large sum (for example, a tax refund) that will enable you to bring your account current soon. Lenders generally don't want to foreclose on properties, and they'll generally be willing to work with you if you make a good-faith effort to make payments and if your inability to do so is temporary. You will most likely need to provide the lender with bank statements and other financial documents so that they can review your financial situation. They may agree to extend your grace period for late payments or to allow you to skip anywhere from 1-6 payments over a 1-2 year period (a forbearance). They might also accept reduced payments for up to 18 months. Restructure your loan. If your financial situation has permanently changed, temporary measures probably won't do you much good. In this case, try to negotiate to restructure the mortgage. Ask your lender if you qualify for any mortgage restructuring programs. Restructuring can take many forms, but generally involves extending the term of the loan so you have longer to pay (and thus make lower monthly payments), spreading delinquent payment of several years, and/or lowering the interest rate on the loan. Consider if you will be able to follow through with your end of the agreement. If you still won't be able to afford to make the payments, the agreement won't do you any good. Fannie Mae administers the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), which helps modify home loans to make them more affordable for struggling buyers. You can find this and other types of loan modification programs at https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/pages/default.aspx. Get the terms of any offers in writing. If you're able to negotiate an arrangement with your creditors on the phone, ask them to send you a new contract with updated terms. You may need to write them a letter asking for confirmation. Refinance your mortgage. If you can reduce your interest rate or take on a different type of mortgage you may be able to lower your payments to a manageable level. Keep in mind that refinancing can be expensive. You may need to pay closing costs, points, and other fees. If you can't afford the fees, you'll end up facing foreclosure again, with even less money this time. Consider bankruptcy. Bankruptcy shouldn't be taken lightly. Your credit score will be damaged when you file for bankruptcy, and it can stay on your record for up to ten years. If you file for bankruptcy, however, your lender can't foreclose while your bankruptcy is pending. This can buy you some time to get current on your mortgage payments. The damage to your credit score only occurs when you file for bankruptcy. While it can stay on your record for several years, credit scores typically improve after the bankruptcy because the debtor has been provided relief from the debt burden. If your credit score has risen enough, you may be able to get a home loan after two years of a bankruptcy. If you file bankruptcy and want to keep your home then you can reaffirm your loan with the lender. Reaffirmation is an agreement with the mortgage lender that states you will continue your monthly payments during and after bankruptcy. You must reaffirm the mortgage before the bankruptcy is discharged. Once you reaffirm, you will be expected to bring the mortgage current unless there are other provisions in place, such as forbearance or refinance, or loan re-modification. Sell your house. Contact a Realtor experienced with short sales before foreclosure begins. Find out how much you can get for your home. A Realtor may be able to inform you of all of your options based on your current situation. If the amount for which you can sell your house isn't enough to cover the balance of your loan, the lender may agree to accept a reduced amount in a "short payoff" or "pre-foreclosure sale." A short sale allows for full discharge of debt and will affect your credit for two years. You may also be able to receive some of the money to help with your moving costs or to pay off other lien holders. If you are already struggling with payments and foreclosure has already begun, it still may not be too late to take action. Your lender may delay the auction for a short time to see if you can sell the house. A buyer may be able to assume your loan (take over your payments) in order to buy your house. It may be an option even if your mortgage contract says it is non-assumable. Contact a housing counselor, real estate agent, or attorney to see if this situation might work for you. If you have a second mortgage on the home, you may still owe money on the balance unless you also obtain a forgiveness of loan on this lien as well. If you have substantial equity in the home, you may be able to come out of the deal with some money. After selling your home, you can then buy or rent a different home that is within your budget. Give the lender the home. If no other remedy is available, consider offering the lender a "deed in lieu of foreclosure." You essentially just sign the home over to the lender. While you do lose your home, this is not as damaging to your credit as a foreclosure. In most cases, a seller will not get any money from a short sale. If you give the deed to the lender, however, you may be able to negotiate moving costs with them to help you move out.	Make your mortgage payment your top priority. Adjust your standard of living. Get help managing your finances. Learn your rights. Get help with your mortgage payments. Ask your lender for a forbearance. Restructure your loan. Get the terms of any offers in writing. Refinance your mortgage. Consider bankruptcy. Sell your house. Give the lender the home.
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Retaining-Wall	How to Build a Retaining Wall	To build a retaining wall, begin by planning and marking out where you want your wall to be. Dig a trench, then tamp down the soil and lay a base layer of rock dust. Lay the foundation on this base and use a rubber mallet to level the blocks. To avoid mistakes, lay out a staggered pattern of blocks ahead of time, then assemble them again using adhesive when you're sure you have it right. When you're done, you can add topper stones or include plantings behind your retaining wall.	Plan and layout the site. Plan where your retaining wall is going to be using stakes and string, leveling off to ensure an even height and using a tape measure to ensure an even length. Contact your local utilities office to confirm that there are no pipes or cables in your digging zone. Your local utilities office should perform this free of charge. If you live in the USA, you must make an 811 “Digline” call and set up a time to have your property inspected to determine the location of underground utility pipes and cables before starting any digging project. This is required by law. Make the call at least a few days before you plan to start your project. If you want more of a random outline, lay out a line for your wall using a garden hose. Simply drape the garden hose out in the general area of the proposed wall utilizing its curves. Check to see that the shape is buildable and aesthetically pleasing, and then use landscaping paint or flour to mark the ground where the garden hose was. Excavate the site. Using a shovel, dig a trench along the line you have laid out. It should be slightly wider than the blocks you will use for your wall. Check that the trench is as level as possible. If you live in the USA, you must wait until the Digline locate process is complete before you begin excavating. Enough space should be made to bury the bottom row of blocks at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) for every 8 inches (20.32 cm) of wall height. Factor into this equation a level of paver base that will rest on the bottom of the trench. Tamp the soil level and lay down a paver base. Using a soil tamper — you can easily rent one for less than $20 — tamp (pack) down the bottom of the trench. Then, add 4 to 6 inches (10.16-15.24 cm) of patio paver base or rock dust to the bottom of the trench. Patio paver base is ideal because it is specially made gravel that compacts well and is sturdy. Rake the paver base once it's been applied, getting as much uniform coverage as possible. Go over the paver base one more time with a level, making sure that the trench area is a uniform height. If there's uneven distribution add a little more or take away some paver base by raking. Tamp the bottom of the trench again, compacting the base a final time. Begin by laying the foundation. These are the most critical blocks in your wall. If they aren't level or adequately support the top half of your retaining wall, the whole project is going to look less than professional. Make sure that the foundational blocks are leveled off, sturdy, and tightly packed together. Start at the most visible edge of the wall. Add gravel or crushed rock to level the stone, if necessary. Add the first block to the trench, using a cornerstone. Make sure it is level from front to back and side to side. Alternately, if there's no edge to the wall that is more visible than another, start at the edge that will be closest to another structure (usually a house). If you're building a straight or rectangular retaining wall, make sure that the backs of the blocks line up with one another perfectly; if you're building a curved retaining wall, make sure that the fronts of the blocks line up with one another perfectly. Cut off the top tongue of the base stones, if necessary. Some contractors prefer cutting off the top tongue or groove from the base stones before laying them down. Check for sturdiness yourself and knock the tongue off the block with a hammer and chisel, if necessary. Understand that curved retaining walls with tongues may not benefit from the interlocking grooves. These grooves will need to be cut off with a hammer and chisel if the layout of the pattern does not fit the direction of the grooves. Use coarse sand and a rubber mallet to level off the first layer of blocks. This will complete the entire foundation. If you took the time to level off the bed, laying the first row should be easy. Use coarse sand where necessary to get a level finish on your foundation. Hammer the blocks down with your rubber mallet. Cut individual blocks to complete the first layer, if necessary. Simply mark them at the appropriate length and cut with a mason's saw. Always use proper protection when cutting. Use crushed stone or gravel for backfill on your first layer of blocks. This will provide excellent support, keeping your bottom layer from slipping back with time and erosion. Place a filter fabric over the backfill. This will prevent frost heave and keeps the soil from mixing with the backfill. Depending on how tall your retaining wall is, you may want to drape the filler along the back side of the trench or house, fill the trench with backfill until it's anchored the filter fabric down, and then drape the fabric flat out, on top of the backfill. Sweep the first layer with a broom. This will free up any dirt or dust. Start your second layer with a staggered pattern. This is so that the top layer seams are offset with the bottom layer. You want each layer of blocks to be different from the one below it. For example, if the wall has straight edges on the ends, the next layer should start with a block that has been cut in half. Place the blocks onto the foundation before applying the adhesive. See how they look; ask yourself whether you need to make any significant cuts before gluing. Lay out one whole row before moving on to the next step. If you're working with blocks that have flanged tongues, simply line up the female groove of the top block with the male groove of the bottom block. Apply the recommended adhesive to the bottom blocks, once a layer has been provisionally laid out. Next, fit the top block overhead. Press down to make sure that each layer is secured tightly against the layer beneath it. Continue until retaining wall is its preferred height. If your wall is over 3 ft (.91 m) in height, you should offset each new row slightly back from the row below it, like very shallow stair steps. This will make your wall more stable and help create a better hold with the soil once you backfill. Add drainage pipes to your retaining wall, if the wall is 2 feet (60 cm) or taller. Look for a perforated pipe and lay it down the length of the retaining wall, covering it up with breathable backfill. Make sure water can drain out of your pipe, either at the ends or through an outlet in the middle of the wall. Add topper stones, if desired. Topper stones usually come in rectangular shapes, making them more difficult to install in curved retaining walls. If you need to cut topper stones to fit the curve in your retaining wall, follow this trick: Lay stones #1 and #3 out in their pattern. Lay stone #2 on top of #1 and #3, drawing lines on #1 and #3 where stone #2 overlaps them. Cut stones #1 and #3 along those lines. Line up #1 and #3 into place, snugging #2 in between. Repeat, placing stone #4 on top of stones #3 and #5. Place topsoil in the basin created by the retaining wall. Add plants, vines, or flowers as necessary. Your retaining wall is ready to be enjoyed.	Plan and layout the site. Excavate the site. Tamp the soil level and lay down a paver base. Begin by laying the foundation. Start at the most visible edge of the wall. Cut off the top tongue of the base stones, if necessary. Use coarse sand and a rubber mallet to level off the first layer of blocks. Cut individual blocks to complete the first layer, if necessary. Use crushed stone or gravel for backfill on your first layer of blocks. Place a filter fabric over the backfill. Sweep the first layer with a broom. Start your second layer with a staggered pattern. Apply the recommended adhesive to the bottom blocks, once a layer has been provisionally laid out. Add drainage pipes to your retaining wall, if the wall is 2 feet (60 cm) or taller. Add topper stones, if desired. Place topsoil in the basin created by the retaining wall.