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How to Use Veet on Your Bikini Area | A hairy bikini line can be really annoying, especially if it’s ruining your look! Fortunately, it’s easy to clean up your bikini line using Veet depilatory cream or wax strips. Before you remove your pubic hair, trim it down to .25 in (0.64 cm) and exfoliate the area. Then, apply your depilatory cream or remove the hair with wax strips.
1. **Trim your pubic hair** Depilatory creams and wax are easiest to use on trimmed hair. Sit in a comfortable position and use a hand mirror to see your pubic hair. Then, use a pair of nail or mustache scissors to cut your pubic hair. Trim your hair until it’s about .25 in (0.64 cm) long, but no shorter.
You might want to sit on layered paper towels or a bath towel to catch the excess hair.
Wax strips won’t grasp hair that’s shorter than .25 in (0.64 cm) long.
Don't use regular-sized scissors to trim your pubic hair. It's safest to use small scissors, such as nail or mustache scissors. Additionally, be very careful when trimming your pubic hair. It's easy to slip and cut yourself.
2. **Exfoliate your bikini area 24 hours before you remove your hair.** Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and reduces your risk of ingrown hairs. Before you exfoliate, wet your bikini area with warm water. Then, apply a sugar scrub to your bikini area and rub it into your skin. Finally, rinse your skin clean with warm water.
To make a simple sugar scrub, combine 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of olive oil, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey, and .5 cup (115 g) of sugar. Stir them until the scrub is consistent.
You can purchase a commercial sugar scrub at your local drugstore, beauty supply store, or online.
3. **Do a patch test on a small area 24 hours before you use the Veet.** Both depilatory cream and wax can irritate your skin or trigger an allergic reaction. To make sure it’s okay to use on your skin, apply a small amount of depilatory cream or a wax strip to a small area 24 hours before you plan to remove your hair. Pick a spot that’s on the edge of your bikini line. Then, watch the area for a reaction over the next 24 hours.
If you’re using wax strips, you may want to trim the strips to make it easier to test it on your skin. Use scissors to cut off a piece of a wax strip. Then apply it to your test area.
Test the product after you exfoliate your skin.
4. **Make sure you get Veet that's labeled for use on your bikini area.** Veet has different types of depilatory cream for different parts of your body. Since the skin around your bikini area is typically very sensitive, it’s important to get the right type of Veet. Read the product label to verify that it says it’s safe to use on your bikini area.
The correct cream will likely say “Bikini” on the front and may have a picture of a bikini area.
5. **Apply the cream to your bikini area using the applicator or your hand.** Your bikini area includes the skin on the outside of your panty line. If your cream came with an applicator, put a small amount of cream onto the applicator tip, then smooth it onto your bikini area. If it doesn’t have an applicator, squeeze a small amount of Veet into your palm. Then, slather the cream onto your bikini area. Be careful to avoid your genital area.
Check that your entire bikini area is covered with cream.
Depending on the type of panties or bathing suit that you wear, you may want to remove hair that's typically within your panty lines, as well. If so, apply the Veet to the entire area you want to be free of hair.
6. **Wipe away a small area after 3 minutes to test it.** Wait at least 3 minutes for the cream to work. Then, use a washcloth to wipe off a small spot. Check to see if the hair comes off easily. When the hair comes off with the Veet, it’s time to wipe off the cream. If the hair isn’t coming off, let the cream sit for another minute, then check it again.
Check the cream every minute until you reach the maximum amount of time that you can leave it on your skin.
7. **Leave Veet for normal skin on your bikini area for up to 6 minutes.** The amount of time that the cream will take to work varies. Use a timer to make sure that you don’t leave the cream on longer than 6 minutes, even if your hair isn’t coming off. If you leave the cream on for too long, it can burn or irritate your skin.
Check the label on the product you bought to verify how long you’re supposed to let the cream set.
8. **Use a washcloth to wipe the Veet and your pubic hair off your skin.** Place a dry washcloth over your palm. Then, position your hand at the lower end of your bikini line and slowly wipe up toward your pelvis. Make several swipes to remove all of the Veet, which should take your pubic hair with it.
If you’re in the shower, you might rinse off the washcloth between swipes. If you trimmed your pubic hair, this shouldn’t clog up your drain.
If you don’t want to rinse your washcloth in the shower, get a new washcloth if the first one is covered with Veet and hair.
9. **Wash off the residue of the cream using warm water.** Splash warm water over your bikini area to wet the area. Then, use your hands or a clean wash cloth to gently clean the area with warm water. Make sure you remove all of the Veet.
Don’t scrub your skin right after you use Veet because it might cause irritation.
10. **Use tweezers to remove any stray hairs that remain.** You may have a few stray hairs left on your bikini area. If this happens, pluck them out with a pair of tweezers to get your bikini area totally smooth.
Wash your tweezers after you use them on your bikini area.
If you have a lot of stray hairs, it might be best to try a different hair removal method. For instance, try shaving the remaining hairs.
11. **Lay out a towel for you to sit on while you wax.** Drape a clean bath or beach towel over your bed or the floor. Then, sit in the center of the towel while you do your waxing. This will protect the surface of your bed or the floor.
Choose a towel that you don’t mind damaging. While it’ll probably wash clean, it’s best to avoid getting wax on a towel that you really like.
12. **Sit in a comfortable position with your legs spread open.** Sit down and lean slightly back. Then, spread your legs open so that you can see your bikini area. Adjust your body so that you can easily access your bikini area without being uncomfortable.
Use a hand mirror to help you see your bikini area more easily.
You may need to change positions while you work so that you don’t get uncomfortable and your legs don’t go to sleep.
13. **Rub a Veet wax strip between your hands to warm it up.** Place a wax strip between your palms. Then, rub your hands together for 5-10 seconds to warm up the wax. This makes it easier to pull the strips apart and activates the wax.
It’s okay to rub the wax strip for a little longer if it still feels cold.
The wax should feel about room temperature or slightly warm. It won’t be hot.
14. **Peel the strips apart and set them on the towel wax-side up.** Grasp the ends of the wax strips with 1 side in each hand. Then, slowly pull on the strip tabs to separate them. After they’re separate, lay the strips on your towel with the wax facing up.
Each of the wax strips in the package is actually 2 wax strips that are stuck together. You will need to apply each of the strips 1 at a time.
15. **Apply 1 of the strips to your skin.** Grasp the end of 1 of the wax strips to pick it up. Then, place the wax strip over the outer edge of your bikini line. Make sure the strip is straight, then press it down onto your skin and hair stubble.
If you prefer to start on the inside of your bikini line, you can do that if you prefer.
16. **Rub the strip 3-4 times in the direction of your hair growth.** Once the wax strip is on your skin, press down on the strip with your palm. Then, make 3-4 passes over the strip in the direction of your hair growth. This will help the wax stick to your hair.
The strip should feel securely attached to your skin after you rub it.
17. **Hold your skin taut so that it’s easy to pull off the strip.** The strip won’t come off as easily if your skin is loose. Additionally, it might be more painful to remove the strip if your skin isn’t tight. Use your non-dominant hand to pull the skin near your bikini area taut before you remove the strip.
18. **Grasp the end of the wax strip and rip it off.** Use your dominant hand to grab the end of the wax strip. Then, quickly remove the strip in the opposite direction of your hair growth. Pull the strip backwards rather than upwards to remove your hair without damaging your skin.
The strip needs to come off in 1 quick motion to effectively remove your hair.
19. **Continue applying wax strips until your entire bikini area is hair-free.** After you remove the first wax strip, move to the area next to it and apply a new strip. Rip off that strip, then move to the next hairy spot. Work your way around your bikini area to remove all of the hair.
Some people reuse the same wax strip 2-3 times. This works best if the strip isn't full of hair.
It's okay to put a wax strip over an area that you've already waxed. In some cases, you might even want to wax an area twice if some hair remains. However, don't apply another wax strip to an area that's red or irritated.
20. **Wipe off the excess wax using the cloths provided in the box.** Veet waxing products typically come with wet wipes that remove excess wax. After you’re finished waxing, use the cloths to remove any wax that remains on your skin. Then, rinse the area clean with warm water.
If you run out of wax removing cloths, use olive oil to remove any wax that remains. Soak a cotton swab in olive oil, then wipe the area that still has wax. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Veet-on-Your-Bikini-Area", "language": "en"} |
How to Maintain a Jellyfish Tank | Jellyfish can make great pets. To keep them healthy and happy, you will need to maintain their tank. Ensure their water is clean, deionized, and at an appropriate temperature and salinity. Change the water and clean the tank regularly. Give new jellyfish time to acclimate to their tank by slowly mixing the water in their bag with water in the tank.. Jellyfish are fascinating but delicate creatures, so always be gentle when moving them.
1. **Buy a jellyfish tank.** Several companies offer ready-made jellyfish and jellyfish tanks. The benefit of buying a premade jellyfish tank is that all the parts and pieces you need will be easily assembled, saving you the stress of figuring out what kind of filter, pump, and tank you need for your jellyfish.
After you get the tank assembled, the manufacturer will send you jellyfish in the mail.
Your tank should be a Kreisel or pseudokreisel design. A standard boxy fish tank will not do. This is because jellyfish need slowly circulating water. A kreisel or pseudokreisel design accomplishes this by creating a current that runs in a circle around the top, bottom, and sides of the tank.
You should have at least two gallons of water per jellyfish. In other words, if you have three jellyfish, your tank should be no smaller than six gallons.
Consult a pet shop proprietor or marine life expert if you are unsure of what kind of tank you need.
2. **Ensure the right temperature.** Jellyfish should be in water that is approximately room temperature, between 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Slightly higher temperatures (up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) may improve the growth rate of your jellyfish. Water temperatures can dip to around 60 degrees Fahrenheit without adversely affecting your jellyfish.
Some species of moon jellyfish can tolerate temperatures up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Always consult your vet or a marine expert to ensure you keep your particular jellyfish species at an appropriate temperature.
Put a waterproof thermometer in your jellyfish tank. Monitor the temperature regularly. If your tank is too cold, you could place a heat lamp near the outside of the tank to raise the temperature, or try simply raising the temperature of your home thermostat.
If your jellyfish habitat is too hot, consider moving the tank to a cooler location like a basement, or invest in an aquarium cooler.
3. **Add nitrifying bacteria.** Nitrifying bacteria are an important part of your jellyfish tank. In their natural environment, jellyfish would be surrounded by nitrifying bacteria (microorganisms that consume ammonia and turn it into nitrite and nitrate).
There are many kinds of nitrifying bacteria available. Jellyfish tanks should be given nitrifying bacteria appropriate for saltwater.
Nitrifying bacteria are common in many aquarium setups, and can be purchased from your local pet store.
4. **Monitor the water’s salinity.** Jellyfish should be kept in water with a salinity of at least 28-30 parts per thousand and a maximum level or around 32-34 parts per thousand. Use a hydrometer to measure the water’s salinity, and ensure that when you change the water, it is at an appropriate salinity level.
Hydrometers are readily available at pet stores and online.
Introduce your jellyfish to a tank with a salinity level that is slightly higher than normal. This way, they have a better chance at floating. You can gradually reduce the salinity over time. Water with a salinity level that is too low will make them sink.
If you need to adjust the salinity, remove your jellyfish from the tank and place them in a smaller quarantine tank. Dump the main tank out and mix a new batch of water at the correct salinity. Connect your pump to ensure the water mixes well for about 24 hours. Check the water in your hydrometer. Repeat as needed.
Do not use tap water to create saltwater for your tank. Buy deionized or reverse osmosis water from your grocery store, and add Jelly Salt (a salt specifically designed for jellyfish habitats) in an appropriate amount.
5. **Feed your jellyfish.** Jellyfish should be fed twice each day. They can be fed a mix of dry, frozen, and live foods. Live rotifers, for instance, are a good jellyfish snack. Jellyfish also enjoy eating baby brine shrimp. Commercially available jellyfish foods might be available at your local pet store or online.
One half to one full scoop of commercial jellyfish food is usually enough. Check manufacturer directions for specific use directions.
When feeding your jellyfish shrimp or other live food, add a small amount (one tablespoon’s worth) at first, then add more gradually over time. If you notice a surplus of shrimp in the tank after feeding, reduce the amount of live food you’re feeding your jellyfish. It should get only as much food as it can eat in an hour.
Do not pour water from baby brine shrimp tanks into your jellyfish tank.
6. **Remove your jellyfish.** Scoop your jellyfish into a plastic bag filled with tank water. Place the bag in a smaller, separate quarantine tank and pull it down and away from your jellyfish. The quarantine tank should have water of the same temperature, pH, and salinity as that of your main tank. Removing your jellyfish will allow you to change the water and clean the tank without disrupting or hurting them.
Always be gentle with your jellyfish. Since jellyfish are 90% water, they can be hurt very easily.
7. **Remove 20% of your tank’s water.** Water changes are important because they remove excess nitrates -- toxic ingredients that can harm your jellyfish if they build up over time. For instance, if your tank holds ten gallons, you should remove two gallons. Use a measuring cup or siphoning hose to add and remove the water.
8. **Clean your tank once each week.** After removing 20% of your water during your weekly cleaning, use an algae cleaner magnet to scrub the walls of your tank clean. You should also use this time to remove and scum or debris that might be at the bottom of the tank or floating on top. Attach a specialized aquarium cleaning cloth to a short pole (often packaged with the cleaning cloth) ti help you scrub the inside of the tank. Use a filter sock and protein skimmer to remove yucky bits from the tank that you may scrape off.
9. **Add new water to the tank.** Add new water equal in amount to that which you removed to the tank. For instance, if you removed two gallons, add two gallons back into the tank. Ensure the water is of a ph, salinity, and temperature equal to that of the rest of the tank.
Place your jellyfish back into their tank, using the same plastic bag method that you used to move them to the quarantine tank.
Keep your jellyfish submerged at all times.
Once each month, perform the same cleaning process but empty and replace 50% of the water, rather than just 20%.
10. **Keep the pH levels normal.** Jellyfish require a pH level of between 8 and 8.4. Buy a hand-held pH meter and check the pH at least once a week. If your water is deionized and at the appropriate salinity, and your pumps are working properly, you shouldn’t have any trouble with pH levels.
You should also add a chemical filtration to maintain pH levels. Chemical filtration is an additive you can use to remove phosphates and other organic compounds that can discolor your aquarium water, produce unpleasant odors, and encourage algae to grow. Activated carbon and resins are the most common types of chemical filtration media. You can obtain these at local pet stores or online.
If you continue to have trouble with you tank’s pH levels, change the water and check your pumps. Consult a veterinarian if you continue to have problems with your jellyfish habitat’s pH levels.
11. **Allow jellyfish to adjust.** When moving jellyfish from a store-bought bag to its own tank, place the jellyfish -- still sealed in its bag -- in the water. This will allow the water in the bag to warm or cool to the temperature of the water in the tank. Do not remove the jellyfish from its bag.
Wait about ten minutes for the jellyfish to acclimate.
12. **Remove about half the water from the jellyfish bag.** You could use a measuring cup or ladle to remove the water. Whatever you do, don’t dump the water out of the bag, since you’ll run the risk of dumping your jellyfish out along with it.
If moving jellyfish from one tank to another, place it in a plastic bag of an appropriate size. The jellyfish must have room to move. A small jellyfish can be placed in a big plastic bag, and a larger jellyfish can be placed in a very large plastic bag.
13. **Fill the bag halfway with tank water.** With half the water from the bag poured out, you’ll need to fill it back up with tank water. You might be able to add water to the bag by holding the top edge of the bag just above the level of the water in the tank, then dipping one corner of the bag down slightly below the level of the water, allowing water to fill it.
Alternately, you could try filling the bag with tank water using a ladle or measuring cup.
Keep the jellyfish sealed in its bag, and keep the bag in the water for another ten minutes.
When the ten minutes are up, remove the jellyfish from the bag. Open it at the top and carefully pull it down the length of the jellyfish, then move it away and out of the water. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-a-Jellyfish-Tank", "language": "en"} |
How to Put a Nail in a Concrete Wall | The toughness and durability of concrete makes it a popular building material for walls. Concrete walls can also add a modern, industrial aesthetic to a room. However, their strength and durability can make it difficult to drive nails into them. Fortunately, there are specialized tools and materials you can use to make the job easier. To minimize the risk of cracking the concrete, you’ll want to use a hammer-set anchor nail. You could also drive masonry nails into the wall for an easy and convenient option.
1. **Choose hammer-set anchor nails for concrete walls.** Hammer-set anchor nails are what’s known as mechanical drive anchors. They consist of a wider section at the bottom that’s designed to expand and a thinner top section that looks like a standard nail. They’re tough enough to be hammered into concrete, but you first need to drill a guide hole into the wall. Look for hammer-set anchor nails at your local hardware or home improvement store.
You can also order hammer-set anchor nails online.
2. **Put on a pair of safety glasses and a face mask.** Drilling into concrete creates dust that can irritate your eyes if it gets into them and your sinuses if you breathe it in. Before you begin working, put on a pair of well-fitting safety glasses and cover you nose and mouth with a facemask.
You could also tie a scarf or bandana around your mouth and nose to avoid breathing in the concrete dust.
You can find safety glasses and face masks at hardware stores, department stores, and by ordering them online.
3. **Fit a carbide-tipped masonry bit into a hammer drill.** A hammer drill, also known as a percussion or impact drill, is a specialized power tool that’s used to drill into hard surfaces, such as concrete. Insert a carbide-tipped masonry bit into the end of your drill and tighten it so it’s held securely in the jaws.
Look for hammer drills and carbide-tipped masonry bits at your local home improvement or hardware store. You can also order them online.
Carbide-tipped masonry bits are strong enough to drill into concrete without cracking.
4. **Hold the drill against the wall with both hands.** Take a wide stance and plant your feet firmly on the ground so you’re strong and stable. Press the drill bit against the wall where you want to put your nail, hold the drill with both hands, and apply pressure using your body weight so the drill won’t slip or move out of place when you use it.
5. **Drill a hole into the wall deep enough to fit your hammer-set anchor.** With your drill pressed against the wall, start drilling slowly and bring it up to full speed to create a pilot hole in the wall. Make the hole as deep as the wider bottom section of your hammer-set anchor.
If concrete dust builds up in the hole as you’re drilling, remove the drill and blow out the dust before you continue.
6. **Drive the anchor nail into the hole you drilled with a hammer.** Hold the wider bottom section of the hammer-set anchor nail against the hole you drilled and start tapping it into place with a standard hammer. As you drive the anchor into the concrete, the bottom section will expand and hold the nail in place. Continue hammering until the wide section is completely in the wall.
7. **Mark the wall where you want to put a nail with a pencil.** Pinpoint the exact spot where you want to put your nail by using a pencil or marker to make a small point on the wall. If you plan to install multiple nails into your wall to hang or install something, check to make sure they’re measured evenly with a ruler or tape measure.
8. **Hold a masonry nail against the concrete wall with your fingers.** A masonry nail, also known as a concrete nail, is made of tough steel and designed with fluted shafts that help them drive into concrete without breaking. Place the tip of the masonry nail against the marking you made and hold it steady with your fingers.
Look for masonry nails at hardware stores, home improvement stores, department stores, or by ordering them online.
9. **Tap the nail with a 2 lb (0.91 kg) mash hammer to hold it in place.** A mash hammer, also known as a masonry hammer, as a double-sided hammer that’s much heavier than standard hammers, making it the best choice to drive nails into concrete. With your nail held in place against the wall, tap the end of it with your hammer to drive the nail just enough so it’s held in place in the wall and you don’t need to hold it with your fingers.
A standard hammer won’t be heavy or solid enough to drive the nail into the concrete wall.
Look for mash hammers at hardware stores and home improvement stores, or by ordering one online.
10. **Drive the masonry nail into the concrete wall with the hammer.** Use carefully aimed hammer strikes to drive the nail into the concrete wall so you don’t miss and bend the nail or strike the wall and damage it. Continue striking the hammer until the nail is driven in to where you want it.
If you’re fastening something to the concrete wall, drive the nail all the way in. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Put-a-Nail-in-a-Concrete-Wall", "language": "en"} |
How to Write an Appeal Letter for Short Term Disability | Short-term disability insurance provides coverage for certain qualifying disabilities, including pregnancy. It is meant to replace a portion of your paycheck until you recover from the disability and can return to work. If you are denied coverage, then you will probably appeal by submitting an appeal letter along with supporting documentation. Your appeal letter can be simple. It generally should explain why you qualify as disabled under your plan’s definition.
1. **Read your denial letter.** Your insurer should send you a letter explaining why you were denied short-term disability benefits. Read this letter closely and identify the reasons.
Sometimes you might be rejected because you provided insufficient information.
Alternately, you could be rejected because the policy doesn’t cover your disability.
2. **Identify how to appeal.** The denial letter should also tell you how to appeal and provide any deadlines that you must meet. Highlight this information and write down deadlines on your calendar so that you don’t forget.
If the information is not in the letter, then call up the insurance company immediately.
3. **Request a copy of your claim file and other documents.** If you get short-term disability through an employer, then you have a right to request a copy of your claim file, summary plan description, and your policy. The plan administrator must provide you with these documents within 30 days.
Send a note requesting these documents to the plan administrator, who may be either your employer or the insurance company.
Mail the letter certified mail, return receipt requested and hold onto the receipt.
4. **Gather supporting documentation.** If you were rejected because you provided insufficient information, then you need to gather that supporting documentation. You will want to provide this supporting documentation along with your appeal letter. For example, you might want to get the following:
medical records from your doctor
an opinion from your doctor or from a second doctor
written observations by coworkers or your boss about how the injury has affected you
other records, such as police records if you were injured in an accident
5. **Consider a lawyer’s help.** You might not know how to begin appealing. If so, you could think about meeting with a lawyer. However, you need to be aware that lawyers don’t work for free, so the expense could outweigh the amount of short-term disability benefits you are seeking. However, try to find low-cost legal help in the following places:
If you are low income, then you might qualify for legal aid. Legal aid provides low cost or free legal help to people with incomes less than 125% of the federal poverty level. You can find legal aid by visiting http://www.lsc.gov.
Your employee assistance program might offer free consultations with lawyers. Check the details of your plan.
You also could meet with a lawyer for a half-hour of advice. You could show the lawyer your letter and ask for tips on improving it. A lawyer might charge $400 an hour but charge $200 for a half-hour of advice. You can get a referral to a lawyer by contacting your local or state bar association.
6. **Format the letter.** You should set up the letter like a standard business letter. Double space the document and set the font to something readable. Usually, Times New Roman 12 point is acceptable.
7. **Provide necessary information.** The insurer should be able to identify who you are and why you are appealing from reading your letter. Accordingly, make sure to provide the following information
your name
your policy number or identification number
reason the insurer denied your claim
brief description of your disability
8. **Explain why the insurer should grant you benefits.** You also should explicitly ask the insurer to change its mind. Be sure to mention your supporting documentation and argue that these documents show you qualify for benefits.
For example, you could write, “As my enclosed medical records show, I broke my arm on August 15, 2016. Because my job requires that I shelve books and boxes above my head, I have been unable to complete a shift since August 16. My enclosed letters from two coworkers explain the details of our job and how I had to leave early two times because I could not complete tasks. I have been out of work since. For these reasons, I am asking that you approve my request for short-term disability benefits.”
9. **Include your supporting documentation.** Make copies of whatever documents you are including—medical records, notes from coworkers, etc. Don’t send originals. You can also include a copy of your application and the original denial letter.
10. **Submit the appeal letter.** Make a copy of the letter for your own records, and then send it certified mail, return receipt requested to the address provided by the insurance company.Hold onto the receipt.
11. **Wait for a response.** The insurance company should review your appeal letter and supporting documentation. You should receive a response in writing.
You should also consider other appeals. The letter might tell you that you can bring an additional appeal and how. If your short-term disability insurance is sponsored by your employer, then you can continue to appeal. First, you would appeal to an administrative judge and then you might file a lawsuit in federal court. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Appeal-Letter-for-Short-Term-Disability", "language": "en"} |
How to Stain Veneer | Veneer is very thin sheets of hardwood sliced from logs for use mainly in the furniture industry. Veneer allows a craftsman to finish a woodworking project with a beautiful exotic wood that might not otherwise be affordable or attainable. Since veneer is real wood, it is stained in much the same manner as a solid piece of wood, but there are differences in technique between the 2 that should be noted.
1. **Choose your stain for the project.** You have a choice of oil based, water based and gel stains. Each one has slightly different qualities that make it ideal for one wood but not another.
An example of this is that some trees, such as teak and rosewood, have more natural oil in them than other woods such as oak or hickory. The oily wood will not take a water based stain as well as one of the less oily woods, so this has to be considered when choosing stains.
The basic steps for staining veneer are the same but setting and waiting times are different for each of the stains, gel, oil and water.
2. **Check the veneer carefully to see that it is smooth.** Most mill sawn veneer and backed veneer will not need sanding. Mill sawn veneer is very thin, 1/42 inch (0.60 mm) and will not stand up to heavy sanding.
3. **Sand carefully if necessary, starting with a 180 grit sandpaper and being sure to follow the direction of the wood grain.** Stop and check frequently to avoid damaging the veneer.
4. **Clean veneer thoroughly.**
5. **Stir stain vigorously before use and every 30 minutes while working.** Test for correct color on a piece of scrap veneer or in an inconspicuous spot.
6. **Brush on a wood conditioning product if your veneer is a soft or porous wood such as pine.** Allow the conditioner to stand for 5 to 15 minutes, and wipe off with a clean rag. Do not wait more than 2 hours before applying gel stain.
7. **Apply stain to veneer with a rag, soft bristle paint brush or a foam brush, following the wood grain.** Allow it to set for 3 minutes and wipe off stain with a clean rag, again following the grain of the wood.
8. **Allow to dry for 8 to 10 hours.** If the color is not deep enough, apply additional coats in the same manner as the first until you have the desired look.
9. **Allow to set up for 24 hours before applying a sealer if desired.**
10. **Apply oil stain with a cloth or soft bristle brush, following the grain of the wood.** Wait 5 to 15 minutes to allow stain to penetrate the veneer, and then wipe off excess stain with a clean cloth, again following the grain of the wood.
11. **Apply second coat of stain, if needed, once the 1st coat has set up, usually 4 to 6 hours.**
12. **Allow to dry for 8 hours before applying a sealer if desired.**
13. **Apply a pre-stain conditioner and let it set up for 1 to 5 minutes.** Conditioner is usually necessary when using a water based stain. Wipe off excess with a clean cloth.
14. **Apply water stain with a cloth, synthetic bristle brush, paint pad or foam brush, following the grain of the wood.** Allow stain to penetrate for no more than 3 minutes before wiping off excess with clean cloth that is slightly dampened with the stain, again following the grain of the wood.
15. **Apply second coat of stain, if needed, once the 1st coat has set up, usually 2 hours.**
16. **Wait at least 3 hours before applying a sealer coat if desired.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Stain-Veneer", "language": "en"} |
How to Set Up a Gerbil Cage | Gerbils are busy animals that love to chew, dig, and burrow. Setting up a cage that allows your gerbil to do these things is one of the most exciting parts of owning a gerbil. Use your imagination to create underground tunnels, platforms, and ramps. If you want to be really creative, try setting up an obstacle course out of plain cardboard.
1. **Choose a 10-gallon (38-liter) aquarium for the best option.** A 10-gallon aquarium cage is suitable for two gerbils but should be bigger. Aquarium cages are ideal because they are spacious, great for digging, and easy to clean. Additionally, you can pile a large amount of bedding in the cage without it falling out and making a mess.
The aquarium cage you choose should have a wire lid for ventilation and clamps to secure it on the cage.
If you have three to four gerbils, then use a 15 to 20-gallon (57 to 76-liter) cage.
2. **Try a wire cage for ventilation.** Because wire cages are well ventilated, you may want to choose one if you live in a hot climate. A wire cage that is 10x20 inches (25.4x50.8 centimeters) is ideal for one to two gerbils. If you choose a wire cage, make sure the space between the bars is small to prevent your gerbil from escaping, about .2 to .4 inches (.5 to 1 cm) max.
While a multi-level cage may seem ideal for your gerbils, it can be a hazard for baby gerbils. Baby gerbils are prone to fall and injure themselves in cages with multiple levels. Instead, go for a wire cage with a lot of tubes and tunnels.
3. **Avoid plastic cages.** Plastic cages or habitats have poor ventilation, which means you will need to clean them more often. Additionally, gerbils tend to chew holes into plastic cages. This makes plastic cages easy to escape from.
Although plastic cages are popular, they are not gerbil-proof.
4. **Avoid placing the cage near windows.** Direct sunlight from windows can cause your gerbil’s cage to overheat, especially aquarium cages. Overheating can cause heatstroke in your gerbils. Instead, place your gerbil’s cage in a cool part of the house.
A spot that receives indirect sunlight is ideal.
5. **Avoid placing the cage in front of or underneath air vents.** Additionally, do not place the cage in front of an air conditioning unit. Cold air that is constantly blowing on your gerbil’s cage can cause it to develop a cold.
6. **Place the cage on a table or shelf.** This way the cage will be off of the ground. Placing your gerbil’s cage on top of a structure will protect it from other pets like cats and dogs. Make sure the structure that you place the cage on is sturdy. If you are unsure about its sturdiness, then use a different structure.
A cage that is placed on the ground is also prone to drafts.
7. **Put your gerbil's cage in a quiet room.** Gerbils have an excellent sense of hearing and smell. Ideal spots for your gerbil's cage are quiet bedrooms, reading rooms, and studies. Avoid placing its cage in children's bedrooms, family rooms, kitchens, and hallways.
8. **Avoid placing its cage in areas of the house where chemicals are stored.** Do not place your gerbil's cage in laundry rooms or bathrooms. It is also not a good idea to put your gerbil's cage in the garage.
9. **Fill the cage with 4 inches of bedding.** Because gerbils like to dig and burrow, a cage that is filled with at least 4 inches of bedding is ideal. In some areas, you may want to fill half of the cage with bedding, if not more. A large amount of bedding will also allow your gerbil to bury its food.
Use absorbent bedding such as recycled paper bedding or dust-free Aspen shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings since the fumes are harmful to gerbils.
You can also use plain, shredded paper that does not have any newsprint on it.
Once you put your gerbil in its cage, scoop out any soiled bedding as soon as you notice it, as the ammonia from urine can make your gerbil develop respiratory issues.
10. **Position tunnels throughout the cage.** Use toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, empty oatmeal containers, shoeboxes, and tissue boxes as tunnels. Bury the tunnels in the bedding throughout the cage. You can either bury them fully, or bury them halfway in the bedding.
You can also purchase attachable tunnels for the cage.
Avoid using wax-coated cardboard since the wax can be harmful to gerbils.
11. **Use a thick, wooden box for a nest.** Gerbils enjoy nesting boxes to sleep and hide in. Place bedding or shredded paper towels in the nest. Avoid fluffy material since this can wrap around your gerbil's feet and cause an injury.
You can find wooden nesting boxes at your local pet supply store.
Since gerbils can chew through plastic, avoid using a plastic nesting box.
12. **Place wooden platforms in the cage.** Because gerbils like to climb and explore, wooden platforms are a great way to keep your gerbil entertained. Make sure to place a wooden ramp next to the platform so your gerbil can reach it.
Additionally, place flat stones or rocks in the cage. Gerbils like to climb on these and use them as lookouts.
13. **Scatter its food throughout the cage.** Place your gerbil's food in different spots throughout the cage. Scattering its food will encourage foraging, a natural behavior in gerbils. You can also place its food in a ceramic dish instead of scattering it.
If you choose to use a ceramic dish, make sure the dish is heavy so your gerbil cannot tip it over.
14. **Attach a water bottle to the side of the cage.** Make sure the water bottle’s tip is not near or touching the bedding. If it is, this may cause the water to drain out onto the bedding. You will need to change out the bedding if this happens.
Refill your gerbil's water bottle with cool water daily. This way your gerbil will have access to fresh, clean water every day.
15. **Provide multiple toys.** Place wooden chew toys throughout the cage. Plain cardboard, wicker baskets, or branches from apple, cherry, and oak trees also make great chew toys. If you want to provide an exercise wheel, avoid using open-wire wheels. Your gerbil's tail can get caught in an open-wire wheel. Instead, use a wheel with a solid wooden, metal, or plastic running track.
Make sure the wicker basket has not been treated with chemicals, dyes, or glue.
You should also ensure that the branches are natural and have not been treated with herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals. Pick fresh branches rather than dead ones off the ground. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-a-Gerbil-Cage", "language": "en"} |
How to Care for Bleached Blonde Hair | Unfortunately, bleaching is one of the most damaging things you can do to your hair. While you can't reverse the damage, there are a lot of things you can do to combat it. There are ways to add moisture to your dry, bleached hair to help it appear healthy and shiny. You must have patience and be willing to put time into your hair care if you choose to go on this hair-changing adventure.
1. **Shampoo less frequently.** Shampoos are designed to remove dirt and oil from the hair, but they can also strip your hair’s natural cuticle. Bleach does the same thing, so shampooing every day just layers damage.
Wash your hair every three to four days, especially in the first few weeks.
Buy a gentle dry shampoo to spray on your roots to stretch the time you can go between washes.
2. **Do a hair mask once a week.** Once a week, apply a hair mask to the entire head and comb through to distribute evenly. Leave on as directed.
All masks differ. Look for a mask for color-treated, damaged or dry hair and follow the directions for use.
You can also use a deep conditioning treatment.
You can make hair masks at home to save money. From avocados to tea, there are lots of things around your house that double as hair moisturizers. Learn how to Make a Hair Mask.
3. **Get a microfiber towel.** Microfiber towels absorb a lot more moisture than standard cotton towels. This means you’ll be subjecting your hair to far less heat through blow drying.
These towels also prevent frizziness, which is a big problem with bleach-damaged hair.
4. **Dry your hair gently.** When you're drying your hair, don’t rub your hair with your towel. The friction will cause frizz. Instead, pat and squeeze the hair gently.
5. **Comb your hair gently.** When your hair is brittle from bleaching, it’s important to think about how rough you can be with your hair even with simple things like combing.
Using a wide-tooth comb, start combing at your ends and work your way up to the roots.
6. **Use a leave-in conditioner.** Conditioning bleached hair is the most important thing you can do to restore softness. A leave-in conditioner is an important addition to your routine.
Look for products that contain ceramides. Ceramides are an important, natural lipid that are stripped from the hair during the bleaching process. Color-treated hair absorbs and retains these oils better than natural hair, because it’s replenishing what your hair is missing.
7. **Avoid hot hair styling tools.** Straighteners and curling irons are hard on healthy hair. Do not use on bleached hair if possible.
8. **Use heat-protecting hair products.** If you must use hot styling tools, use hair products that protect against damage caused by high temperatures.
There are heat protecting sprays, mists, creams, and gels. Find what works best for you based on how you style your hair and what’s in your price range.
9. **Avoid too much sun exposure.** The sun not only dries your hair out, but it can also strip your hair of its color. Wear a hat when you’ll be in direct sunlight for longs periods of time to avoid damage from sun rays.
10. **Use hair oil.** Hair oil replaces the oils in your hair that bleaching has stripped away.
Use oil in your hair before showering to fill in the “gaps” in your hair created by missing oils. This protects against the damage of shampooing.
Use oil in your hair after showering to do the same thing. It makes the hair appear soft and shiny.
After the shower, use oil sparingly. Part your hair into a top and bottom section. For fine hair, use one drop of oil per section, for thicker hair add a drop as needed. Coarse hair can need up to five drops.
11. **Use daily damage protectants.** Hair damage isn’t all self-inflicted. Every day, we deal with things that damage hair, and they are unfortunately unavoidable. Things like pollution, UVA/UVB rays and even your A/C and heater.
Most hair protectants are for heat. Look for products that protect against heat, sun, and weather. Since your hair is already rough, look for a product that also repairs damage.
12. **Trim your ends.** Split ends are almost guaranteed when bleaching your hair. If left unattended, a split end can split all the way up the hair shaft, making your hair look and feel straw-like. The best way to avoid further damage created by split ends is to have your hair trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks.
To save yourself money between salon visits, you can learn to Cut Your Own Hair.
This is a good option for small trims between salon visits. Continue to consult a professional at least every six months.
13. **Get a salon treatment.** If you can afford it, hair salons offer deep moisture or gloss treatments to keep hair soft and frizz to a minimum.
14. **Go sulfate-free.** Sulfate-free hair systems are especially important for blondes. Blonde color has the tendency to turn brassy, and choosing a sulfate-free shampoo & conditioner is the easiest step toward avoiding that.
15. **Get purple products.** An important aspect of maintaining your ideal blonde color is having purple shampoo and conditioner on hand.
These products act as a toner by depositing purple color into your hair to neutralize any hair turned brassy and give your blonde a more natural look.
These products can also dry out your hair, so limit use to once or twice a week.
16. **Touch up your roots often.** Because your head emits heat, it changes the way bleach develops on the hair closest to your scalp. Regular touch-ups also ensure an even color throughout your hair.
When your darker hair starts growing in, don’t re-bleach your whole head of hair. Every time you bleach your hair, you are adding to the damage. Minimize this by only bleaching your newly grown, healthy roots. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Bleached-Blonde-Hair", "language": "en"} |
How to Feed a Corn Snake | While feeding your pet corn snake might seem strange and complicated, it is actually fairly simple. Corn snakes are predators and meat-eaters, so you should consider how comfortable you are with feeding animals to your snake before taking one on as a pet. In general, thawed frozen rodents are the best food source and the easiest way of feeding your snake. Further, they are the most convenient source to buy and, unlike live rodents, they don't threaten your snake with injury or disease. If your snake isn’t eating, it could be due to feeding technique, temperature, other stressors in its environment, or it might simply be shedding.
1. **Choose between frozen and live rodents.** While some people think that using live prey seems more natural, most captive bred snakes have never had live or wild-caught prey. Live prey is more expensive and less convenient to purchase and store. More importantly, live rodents can injure, or even kill, your pet by biting or scratching, and can spread diseases or parasites.
If you caught your pet snake in the wild, it might reject thawed rodents and only want to eat live prey.
Check with your pet store to make sure your store-bought corn snake was raised on thawed rodents. Whether a snake has been raised on live prey is typically listed on its description, or a store employee can let you know.
If you need to feed your corn snake live prey, don’t leave the room. You’ll need to make sure the live rodent doesn’t injure your snake.
If an hour or two has passed and the snake has not eaten, remove the prey, place it in another cage with a food and water source, and try again the next day.
2. **Choose the right sized rodent.** In general, do not feed your corn snake anything larger than 1.5 times the size of its midsection. If your corn snake is a hatchling, feed it thawed pinkies, or mice that have not yet grown fur. Feed your hatchling one to two pinkies per week. As it grows, switch to fuzzies, which are mice that have just started to grow fur. Start with one per week, and eventually progress to two as your snake matures.
Check the size of your baby snake’s midsection to determine the size of their prey. If it’s a very small hatchling, pinky parts are also available.
Casually observe your snake on a regular basis so you can get to know its behavior. Look for when it moves around its cage as if it were hunting, and begin to structure your feeding time by gauging when your snake looks hungry.
3. **Feed your snake about once per week.** When your corn snake is a baby, you will need to feed it once every five to seven days. When it’s an adult, you will need to feed it every seven to 10 days.
4. **Make sure you get your feed from a good source.** Big name pet stores tend to carry frozen rodents from good sources. Buying in bulk from a pet chain or an only reptile or snake society can save you money. You can see if your area has a local herpetologist, or reptile expert, or herpetology society. Consider consulting with them, or alternatively a local veterinarian, about local bulk frozen rodent buying options.
5. **Handle your snake’s prey with forceps, tweezers, or tongs.** Forceps and similar tools reduce the risk of snakebites by keeping your hands a safe distance from they prey and your snake's mouth. If you do touch your snake’s prey, or if you have a pet rodent, wash your hands before feeding your snake or putting your hands in its habitat. Otherwise, you’ll smell like prey and run the risk of getting bit.
6. **Put a frozen mouse into a plastic baggie.** If it’s not already individually bagged, put a frozen mouse into a bag. Heat up about 2 cups of water on the stove or in the microwave. Place the mouse in the bag into the water and let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes, or until thawed..
Ensure that the water is not boiling, or you might melt the plastic baggie.
Don’t thaw a mouse using a microwave or stove. If it cooks, your snake might reject it or get sick from eating it.
To check if it's ready, poke the mouse's abdomen in a few places. If there are no hard spots, the mouse is ready for feeding.
The time it takes for the mouse to thaw depends on its size. Smaller mice will thaw sooner than large mice.
7. **Decide whether to feed your snake in its vivarium or in a feeding tub.** Some snake owners prefer to feed their snakes in a special feeding tub. This will condition your snake not to expect food when you put your hands into its habitat, thus reducing the risk of bites. The feeding tub should be a container that can comfortably enclose your snake and fit into the vivarium.
If you use a feeding tub, place your snake into the tub before feeding, feed it, then once it has swallowed the mouse place the snake and feeding tub into the vivarium.
Let it slither out of the tub back into the vivarium on its own time instead of lifting the snake out of the feeding tub to put it back into its habitat.
8. **Dangle the mouse into your snake’s vivarium or feeding tub.** Whether you opt to feed your snake when it’s in its vivarium or using a feeding tub, the process is basically the same. Use your forceps or tongs to dangle the mouse by the tail about 5 inches (12.7 cm) from your snake's head. Give it a few shakes, as snakes prefer moving targets.
The snake should strike within a minute or so. Once the snake grabs the mouse, let it go immediately.
9. **Give your snake some privacy.** Corn snakes prefer to eat in the dark and, especially with new owners, are most comfortable eating alone. Once your snake has grabbed the mouse, close the vivarium or cover the feeding tub (making sure there’s still air flow) and leave the room, closing the door behind you. After a few feeds, the snake may be comfortable eating in front of you, but make sure to leave him/her alone for the first few feeds or if it is a hatchling.
Think about when a snake is eating in the wild: it can’t really defend itself or quickly escape danger while it’s swallowing prey.
Because eating is such a vulnerable time, some snakes, especially hatchlings, need to get used to you and decide that you’re not a threat before they’ll eat in front of you.
10. **Don’t handle your snake after feeding it.** Give your snake time to digest its food. Handling it while it’s digesting can cause regurgitation and other problems. Make sure to wait two days after feeding time before handling your snake.
In addition, avoid handling your snake the day that you feed it. Handling it too much just before feeding time can also stress your snake out, which will reduce its appetite.
11. **Maintain warm and cool temperature zones.** Snake habitats need to have a temperature gradient, which means one end needs to be warm and the other cool. This helps them maintain their body temperature, and is particularly important during digestion. Temperature imbalance can result in your snake refusing to eat or regurgitating.
Use heat lamps and an accurate thermometer to maintain temperatures of 80 to 86 degrees on the warm side and no less than 65 degrees on the cool side.
Make sure there are plenty of hiding places in both temperature zones. Your snake might harm itself if there’s only one hiding place and it doesn’t leave that zone to regulate its temperature.
12. **Consider if your snake is shedding if it doesn’t eat.** If your snake doesn’t want to eat, but doesn’t appear to be stressed and the temperature is right, it might be because it’s about to shed. Check to see if its skin is dull, eyeballs are bluish. If so, your snake is preparing to shed and will not eat during the shedding process. It will resume eating normally as soon as it’s completely shed its skin.
If your snake refuses food but is not shedding, stressed, and the temperature is correct, consult a veterinarian. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-a-Corn-Snake", "language": "en"} |
How to Win a Student Council Election | Being on student council is an awesome opportunity to meet new friends, make an impact at your school, and impress college admissions officers, but first you have to launch a campaign and win the election. Don’t worry—we’ve put together the ultimate guide to winning a student council election that will walk you through everything you need to know to be successful. Follow the steps below and let your personality shine, and you’ll have a strong chance of winning that election spot!
1. **Get noticed with a campaign slogan.** Depending on the size of your school, you may be lost in a sea of names. It may even be harder if you’re running against students who are constantly in front of the entire school like athletes or frequent award winners. Think about what makes you unique and how you want the students to remember you and develop a campaign slogan around that.
Don't: use a crude or vulgar slogan. It turns some people off, and could get you kicked out of the race.Do: consider funny acronyms (MIA: Mike Is Awesome), puns (Drop the Mike into Student Council) or plays on famous slogans (Just do it. Vote for Mike.)
2. **Put yourself out there.** Talk to fellow students and get engaged. Put a face and personality to that catchy campaign slogan. Meet as many students as you can by attending as many different school functions as you can. Even if you aren’t the most popular person running, there’s no reason you can't change that.
Remember to talk to and be kind to all types of students, not just people who have power or are popular.
Passion is infectious. Showing everyone how badly you want to win and how hard you’re willing to work for it can help your cause.
Don't: act "fake" or pushy.Do: greet people and explain your positions as though you were talking to an acquaintance.
3. **Find out what people actually want.** Take a quick poll to find out what the majority of your fellow students are looking for in the upcoming new year. Whether you ask your circle of friends, stand up at the end of a few of your classes, or walk around the cafeteria during lunch, you will soon get a clear picture of what’s important to most of your classmates.
It’s often difficult for students to express themselves especially in front of an audience. Asking your peers one-on-one might be an easier way to get authentic answers rather than sarcasm or silence.
Ask yourself what you’re looking for and see if this aligns with the answers people are giving you. Better yet, give some examples to help ease conversation. You can ask whether people want an extra school dance, another vending machine, or an extra pep rally. Just remember to be realistic as the power of your position is surely limited.
4. **Speak to school officials.** Speak to your principal, vice principal, and teachers to understand the election process and how much power each elected position holds. You may learn that the position you want has too many responsibilities based on your already full calendar of extracurricular activities.
Ask questions like: what is the election format? When is the election? What responsibilities does each position have? Create a checklist so that you make sure you’ve done everything required to get a nomination.
5. **Get nominated.** Each school is different but you may need a combination of students and school officials to vouch for you to make your nomination official. Make sure that you know the minimum number of people needed to make your nomination official.
6. **Create posters.** The most important thing is to get your name out there so don’t get caught up in elaborate designs. Make sure your name is clear and visible, and build from there.
Don't: make the design too elaborate or complicated.Do: make sure the poster catches the eye and that your name is clearly readable from a distance.
Make a budget for your posters. Posters can be costly depending on how large your school is and how involved you plan to make the poster, so make sure you calculate how much you want to spend on poster material like paint, poster board, and tape.
Posters are visual but should not just show but also tell. Don’t try to fit in too much text on your posters because people will tune it out. Additionally, don’t just have a cool image without your name, what you’re running for, and why you should be elected.
Check for spelling and grammar errors. Make sure people can read your posters from a distance and that the fonts you choose aren’t cluttered or illegible.
7. **Place your posters around your school.** Make sure to place these posters in high traffic areas like the cafeteria, school gym, or outside of the bathrooms. Make sure to ask school officials where you are allowed to place your posters because you don’t want to cover important school displays or safety markings.
Step outside of the box. It doesn’t hurt to wait a day or two to see what your competition is doing. You want to stand out, not blend into all the noise. Try changing the shape or message of your poster to stand out from the rest.
Don’t place your poster over anyone else’s as it will look petty and could get you kicked out of the race.
8. **Create campaign material.** Whether you create buttons, pamphlets, or t-shirts, ask school officials what is acceptable and then devise a strategy on what will be the most effective. For example, some schools may only allowed posters of a certain size whereas others may allow free t-shirt giveaways.
Make a budget. Depending on what you plan to make, costs can quickly add up. For example, creating 100 flyers will be a lot cheaper than creating 100 t-shirts.
Everyone loves free stuff so sometimes it’s worth it to have a few giveaways but make sure that voters will have a positive association. There’s no use in spending money on something nobody wants or worse, spending money and not getting their vote. Be cautious if attempting to win votes this way.
Effective giveaways are things that will have the dual purpose of advertising your name by being visible while being in use like t-shirts, stickers, mugs, or balloons.
9. **Build your campaign team.** Whether you recruit your friends or your basketball team, campaigning is always easier when you have help. Choose people that have your best interests in mind.
Be mindful of everyone’s time. Don’t take advantage of those who are willing to help you.
10. **Create a campaign schedule.** Whether you are campaigning alone or together with a team, manage your resources by creating a calendar.
Make sure everyone has access to the calendar. Either make copies, send an email, or use a shared app. You don’t want someone to miss an important deadline because they simply forgot.
Color code key dates so you can prioritize and follow up with your team as each date draws near.
11. **Optimize social media.** Start a campaign event or page and invite as many people as you can. Different social media sites have different restrictions so be sure to choose the right social media site to spread your message effectively.
Don't: treat your social media page as a text chat. This is your public face, so avoid mean comments and off-topic posts.Do: show that you know what goes on at the school, making school-wide inside jokes or congratulating a school sports team after a victory.
Don’t bombard people with unwanted messages. You can lose votes if your campaigning is seen as annoying.
Get creative. Social media is meant to engage people so don’t just make this a one-way conversation. Get people talking by asking questions on sites like Facebook or Twitter. Social media sites may have special apps to help you create creative campaigns that will have your peers talking. For example, hold a Candy Crush tournament and giveaway prizes so people associate your name with very addictive apps.
12. **Speak to people.** Make yourself visible and speak to as many people as you can throughout the school. Get people familiar with you so that they trust you enough to give you their vote. Don’t act like someone who you aren’t because people will see through that and will ultimately vote for someone else.
Speaking to strangers can be a scary proposition, especially if you are shy or an introvert so take it at your own pace.
When you speak to people, ask for clarity and empathize with their concerns. "Do you mean you want an extra school dance or to change the homecoming schedule? I completely agree that November seems a bit scattered."
Bring someone with you for support. Ask open-ended questions to break the ice like “where are you from?” Level the conversation because no one wants to be talked down to so be authentic. For example, say something like “Hi, I’m trying to run for the student election but I’m a bit shy. Thanks for chatting with me and giving me the chance to get to know as much about my peers as I can...” You can also talk about topics that have nothing to do with the election to break the ice like what’s happening in pop culture.
Avoid targeting a specific group but tailor your message for your audience. While you can ask your teacher if you can speak to her class or approach different clubs or teams, don’t focus all your energy on a single group. For example, you don’t want to alienate the chess club by concentrating your message on the football team.
13. **Know your audience.** Ask school officials what the parameters of the speech will be because you may have to say several speeches to different groups or a single speech to the entire school. You may also have the opportunity to choose when and where you deliver the speech so be prepared.
Often schools will give a time limit for speeches, so be aware of the format.
Strike the right tone. Some of us are naturally funny, serious or somewhere in between. Knowing your audience will help you strike the right chord when you are writing your speech.
14. **Write your speech** Be prepared and write down what you say. It may be tempting to speak from the heart but you may be squandering a perfect opportunity to capture votes with a perfectly crafted message.
Don't: write an essay. Avoid long sentences and complex arguments.Do: keep it clear, direct, and above all short.
It’s easy to lose your train of thought when in front of the audience so having something prepared will keep your focus.
It’s easy to get bored when someone begins to ramble so put yourself in your audience’s shoes and eliminate any chances of delivering a boring speech. Audiences expect a path and a destination from your speech so make sure you have both by creating an outline.
Focus on keeping it simple and keep revising to reduce any contradictions, confusing language, or boring exposition. You want to get your core message across in the most memorable way possible.
15. **Don’t waste the opening.** People quickly form their first impressions within a few seconds so prepare to capture the attention of your audience immediately. Engage your audience as soon as you start and build from there.
Don't: open with a joke that not everyone will get, or that your funniest friend vetoes.Do: start with a slogan, anecdote, or anything with a little pizazz.
Be careful not to offend just for the sake of garnering attention.
16. **Use transitions and repeat yourself.** Depending on how long you have, it’s easy for people to drift in and out of a conversation, so make sure to emphasize your core points by repeating them throughout your speech. More importantly, make sure your message is coherent by using transitions between topics.
Don’t be afraid to use pauses for emphasis. Silence can provide a dramatic spotlight to an important point.
Use phrases like “What does this mean” and “Here’s the most important thing” to help drive home your points.
17. **Memorize your speech.** It’s easy to use notes as a safety net but maintaining eye contact is important. While some of us are better public speakers than others, reading your speech can be the kiss of death if your delivery is boring and bland.
Enlist the help of teachers, members of the debate team, or anybody comfortable with public speaking to give you tips specific to your personality. While you may not be shy, there are often subtle tricks to improving your body language and delivery. For example, standing with a straight posture and smiling portrays confidence and a friendly personality.
Rehearse as much as possible in front of as many people as possible. The more practice you have and the more feedback you can get gives you the opportunity to improve and gain confidence.
Don’t be afraid to use theatrics. For example, dress up like a famous tv character or use a visual metaphor like sparklers for how the school will change if you’re elected. Keep the props, storyline, and lesson simple but don’t play it safe. If you’re going to commit to this you have to commit all the way or you may come across negatively.
18. **Deliver your speech.** Once you’re happy with what you’ve written and practiced how you want to deliver it, stand up in front of your audience and confidently give your speech.
Vary the tone of your voice to emphasize keywords.
Finish strong. Whether you want to end with a bit of funny theatrics or on a serious note, make sure your ending has your audience talking well after the speech because it will be the last thing that they remember.
Keep it short. The attention of your audience will wane quickly. This is especially true as the size of the audience grows.
19. **Be prepared to answer questions after your speech.** Depending on your school, you might be subjected to a Q & A from your peers or teachers. Make sure you know all the facts about your campaign and important school policies.
20. **Make sure people come to school the day of the vote.** Talk to as many students as you can so you can leave a lasting impression right before they vote.
Make sure you understand the voting procedures and impart that to the voters.
21. **Vote.** Lead by example and place your vote. Stay by the polls in case anyone needs your advice or help.
Staying by the polls will give that final impression to potential voters so make sure to be friendly. Being overly eager will give off an air of desperation, to keep things cordial and only answer questions if asked. Keep the atmosphere light and fun.
22. **Wait patiently for the results.** Stay positive. If you have done everything in your power then you should be proud of your effort.
No matter what you do, you can’t get into the minds of your voters so don’t dwell on a loss. Be cordial in defeat and learn from your experience. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Win-a-Student-Council-Election", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Instant Noodles | Instant noodles are enjoyed all over the world as a cheap, quick comfort food. Prepare a cup of noodles by peeling back the lid and adding boiling water. Once the noodles are cooked, stir and enjoy them. A package of noodles can be prepared on the stove. Once the noodles have been cooked, remove them from the heat and serve them immediately. Take your noodles to the next level by adding peanut butter, curry pastes, vegetables, or American cheese.
1. **Boil some water.** Add two or three cups (.5-.7 liters) of water to a kettle or saucepan. Place the kettle or saucepan over your stove on medium-high heat. Let the water heat for five to ten minutes until the water comes to an active boil.
Water is boiling when large bubbles of water are rising to the surface. An active boil has many large bubbles rising.
Some kettles have a “whistling” feature. When the kettle whistles, your water is done boiling.
You can also boil water in the microwave if necessary. However, the water can become superheated and explode out of the cup, causing severe burns.
2. **Prepare your ramen.** First, pull the lid of the ramen cup back halfway. Remove any seasoning packets. Next, open the packet and add the seasoning to the noodles. If you’re worried about lumps in the seasoning, shake the cup from side to side to help spread the seasoning around.
Some packages of instant noodles come with an extra spice pack. If you don’t like spicy food, don’t add this package.
3. **Pour in boiling water.** Once the water has boiled and your noodle cup has been prepared, pour the water into the cup. Add enough water to reach the “fill” line on the inside of the cup.
Most instant noodle cups have a “fill” line. If yours doesn’t, fill the cup about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) from the top.
4. **Let it sit and cook.** Once the water has been added, press the lid back into place. Usually, the noodles should sit undisturbed for three minutes. However, some brands of instant noodles require a longer or shorter cooking time. Check the back of the package for these cooking times.
To secure the lid into place, fold the foil tab around the lip of the cup. If this doesn’t work, place a saucer or other small dish over the lid to hold it down.
5. **Stir and enjoy.** After the three minutes are up, peel off the lid of the noodle cup. Use chopsticks or a fork to stir the noodles and break them apart. If the noodles are steaming, let the cup sit open for a minute or two. This will help the noodles cool down enough to be eaten.
You can eat the noodles with chopsticks or a fork.
Season additionally to taste, if desired.
6. **Boil some water in a saucepan.** Choose a saucepan that holds 2-3 quarts (1.9-2.8 liters) of water. Next, add 2 ½ cups (600 mililiters) of water to the saucepan. Place it on your stove over medium-high heat and allow it to come to a boil.
The pan should be large enough that it can easily hold the water but small enough so that the noodles can be submerged.
7. **Pour in the seasoning.** Carefully open the noodle package and remove the seasoning packet. Open the seasoning packet and add it to the boiling water. Stir it with long chopsticks or a spoon to completely incorporate it into the water.
Be careful not to splash yourself with boiling water while stirring.
8. **Add the instant noodles.** Carefully place the noodles into the boiling water. Once the noodles are in the water, use a pair of long chopsticks to push them further into the water a few times. This will help cook the noodles that are sticking out of the water.
For long noodles, place the whole brick of dried noodles into the water.
For medium-sized noodles, break the brick into a few chunks before adding the pieces to the boiling water.
For hundreds of tiny noodles, crush the brick of noodles in the package before pouring it into the boiling water.
9. **Cook the noodles.** Let the noodles boil for three to four minutes. Once the noodles soften, begin stirring them slowly with long chopsticks or a large spoon. When the noodles start to break apart, begin looking for the signs of a cooked noodle:
The noodles will change from a chalky white color to a semi-translucent yellow color.
The noodles will easily separate from one another and spread across the pan.
When you lift a noodle out of the pan, it will be springy and curly.
10. **Serve the noodles.** Once the noodles are cooked, turn off the stove. Carefully pour the noodles and the noodle broth into a large soup bowl. If the noodles are steaming, let them cool for a minute or two before eating them.
Eat the noodles with chopsticks or a fork.
11. **Add an egg to your soup.** This addition only works if you’re cooking a package of instant noodles on the stove. Once the noodles are almost done cooking, crack a raw egg into the middle of the saucepan.
For egg-drop soup, slowly stir the raw egg into the noodles. The egg will cook into tiny pieces and incorporate into the noodles.
If you like whole eggs, don’t stir the noodles. Instead, cover the saucepan with a lid and let the egg cook for about thirty seconds to a minute.
12. **Add condiments to enhance the flavor.** There are a variety of condiments that can be added to instant noodles to improve the flavor. These condiments can be added before or after cooking the ramen. Use these condiments in addition to the seasoning packet or as a replacement for the seasoning packet. For example:
Add a tablespoon of miso paste to your ramen to give it a smooth, meaty broth.
To make a spicy Asian-inspired noodle soup, stir in 1 teaspoon of Korean chili seasoning, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, and ½ teaspoon honey.
Add half a tablespoon of peanut butter to your ramen and stir it vigorously to create a Thai-inspired noodle dish.
13. **Add healthy vegetables.** There are many vegetables that can be added to your noodles. Vegetables that cook quickly can be added just before serving the noodles. Other vegetables that cook more slowly will need to blanched in advance.
Vegetables that cook quickly include baby spinach, thinly-sliced cabbage, and baby bok choy
Slow-cooking vegetables include broccoli, carrots, and peas.
Any frozen vegetables need to be thawed in advance.
14. **Add a slice of American cheese.** Once the ramen is ready to serve, place a square of American cheese onto the surface of the soup. The cheese will melt into the broth and create a smooth, cheesy sauce. If you want a thick, mac-and-cheese broth for your noodles, add two to three slices of American cheese.
After the cheese melts, stir it well to incorporate it into the broth.
15. **Replace the seasoning packet with broth.** The seasoning packets in instant noodle dishes are usually a combination of powdered bouillon, sodium, and freeze-dried herbs. If you’re concerned about the levels of sodium in your ramen or if you prefer the taste of homemade broth, you can replace the seasoning packet with vegetable or meat broth.
Instead of boiling 2 ½ cups (600 mililiters) of water, boil the same amount of broth to cook the noodles.
You can make your own vegetable, beef, or chicken broth at home or buy some from your grocery store. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Instant-Noodles", "language": "en"} |
How to Interpret Dreams from a Biblical Perspective | Dreams play an important role in religion, as many figures in the Bible are said to have been visited by God during their sleep. Examining your dreams through a biblical lens can help you understand what God might be saying to you, and gain comfort and wisdom through His message.
1. **Journal the dream.** Write down all the details. This may be difficult at first, but the more you practice remembering your dreams, the easier it will be to recall details. Any aspect that you remember about the place, people, or objects around might be important. If a particular detail is of importance, God will make it very noticeable to you.
Symbols such as numbers, direction, colors, and animals, may all be of importance. The symbols in a dream can be negative or positive.
You have to depend on the Holy spirit to reveal what the symbols reveal in your dream (negative or positive).
2. **Evaluate the emotions you felt.** A dream may have been alarming, sad, or exciting, but usually there is an overall emotional response that you feel towards a remembered dream. Write down these emotional responses where they occurred in the sequence of the dream.
Write down your feeling towards objects and people. If a certain object made you afraid or if you felt drawn to a figure, make sure to mention it in your recounting of the dream.
3. **Ask yourself when the dream occurs.** Dreams can consist of memories, current life events, or things that are yet to come. If you are younger and surrounded with people you used to know, the dream is probably in the past. If you are unsure where you are or who is around you, you may be dreaming about a time in the future.
God may give you a dream about an incident that happened in the past that’s hidden in your heart and that creates pain in your life so that you can then pray for healing.
4. **Determine if the dream is about you or somebody else.** Pay attention to your perspective and interactions in the dream. If you did not speak or interact with those around you, maybe you were just observing or witnessing the events, and they do not directly involve you. It may be more of a vision to warn you of some possible occurrence. If you feel yourself as the central figure in the dream, then it is most likely the dream is meant to influence you or your life.
5. **Note the colors of objects in your dreams.** Different colors represent different characteristics of symbols. Colors are commonly associated with their religious significance. For example, blue is the color associated with the Virgin Mary, as she is often depicted in a blue dress. It symbolizes grace and good health.
6. **Pay attention to animals.** Animal symbols can sometimes be tricky, as they can have positive and negative significance in the bible.
For example, the Lion of Judah can symbolize Jesus. However, the devil is depicted as prowling like a roaring lion in the bible as well.
Cats can symbolize evil spirits, or they can be seen as comforting.
Dogs can also have positive or negative meanings. They can be man's best friend, or symbolic of unbelievers.
7. **Look for significant numbers.** The numbers may appear in a written form, but very likely the numbers will appear as a particular number of objects. For example, the bible recounts the dream had by Pharaoh, which was interpreted by Joseph. In the dream, Pharaoh sees seven skinny cows eating seven large cows. Joseph interprets the dream as predicting seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine.
Try to understand the context. For example, if you see five golden rings it can be seen as 5 days, weeks, months or years if you see it in a context of time. Five can also be a representation of the five evil kings of Israel. If you have lost five family members that are close to you, it might be a symbol that they are in heaven. You have to look at the number in the context of the rest of the dream to uncover the true meaning.
8. **Focus on objects of religious importance.** There are many items that may seem ordinary but can hold significance when interpreting your dreams. Most obvious among these might be objects like a cross, bread and wine, or a burning bush.
Other objects may be less obvious symbolic but still significant. Some examples could be as ordinary as an apple, coins, or candles. If you notice an ordinary object that seems important in the dream, it may be a symbol.
9. **Don't use a standard dream symbol dictionary.** To analyze the importance of objects or symbols in your dreams, you should look how they relate to the scripture. For example, standard dream dictionaries may also interpret a goat as symbolic of prosperity, while from a religious perspective a goat is most often associated with oppressors and unrepentant sinners.
10. **Evaluate each symbol.** Consider possible meanings of each symbol, particularly how they may relate to your situation in life. If you have a religious dream, it is likely that God has made the dream so that it will speak to you. If you examine the symbols enough you will likely find the hidden meaning that feels right and significant to you.
11. **Decide if the dream is literal or symbolic.** If you dream that somebody is going to die, it may be a literal meaning, or it could be symbolic. If someone has died in a dream it could be symbolic of cutting ties with that person or situation.
Many common religious symbols have recurred in dreams for different people. Serpents or snakes representing an evil. Nakedness representing closeness with God. Houses and their state of disrepair or beauty can symbolize the state of your spirit. These symbols are all common among dreams with religious implications.
12. **Ask yourself what emotions you have experienced or issues you were processing the day before the dream.** Consider if there are any aspects of your life in which you feel the same emotions that you experienced in the dream.
If you are under a lot of stress or extremely busy, your dream may just be your mind's way of processing the day while you sleep. Sometimes you may even have a dream that seems religious, but doesn't feel like a divine message. If it doesn't seem significant or important, it may not be worth stressing out over the interpretation.
13. **Pray about the dream.** If the dream seems like a very important message or warning, then look deeper and ask God what he is trying to teach you. Sometimes a religious dream may be a challenge from God to make you seek some important truth. Don't ignore a dream just because it seems difficult to understand. Seek out the answer from God and in the bible.
Ask yourself if this is an answer to a question that you have asked God. God can give you answers through a dream. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Interpret-Dreams-from-a-Biblical-Perspective", "language": "en"} |
How to Uninstall Dropbox from a Mac | Finished with Dropbox on your Mac? Want to uninstall it? Follow the steps of this article to make sure it all gets removed.
1. **Find Dropbox on your Mac menu bar.** Click on the Dropbox icon.
2. **Quit Dropbox.** Click on the Cog icon and then click Quit Dropbox.
3. **Locate Dropbox in your Applications folder.** Delete it by either right-clicking and selecting Move to Trash, or dragging it to your Trash Can.
4. **Locate your Dropbox folder to delete it too, if desired.** Either right-click on the folder and select Move to Trash, or drag it to your Trash Can.
Note that deleting the folder will also delete the contents. If these files are not saved in the cloud in your Dropbox account, you may want to copy them to another safe folder before deleting the Dropbox folder.
5. **Remove Dropbox from your Sidebar, if necessary.** If you'd like to do this, right-click on the Dropbox name and select Remove from Sidebar.
6. **Open your Finder.** Click on Go and then Go to Folder, or hold ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+G.
7. **Type in /Library and press Go.**
8. **Delete the DropboxHelperTools file by moving it to the Trash.** This will uninstall the Dropbox, the contextual menu from your system (if you have it installed).
9. **Open your Finder.** Click on Go and then Go to Folder, or hold ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+G.
10. **Enter the Dropbox location.** Type in ~/.dropbox and press Go.
11. **Select all the contents of the /.dropbox folder and move them to the Trash.** This will remove your application settings for Dropbox.
12. **Open your Finder.** Click on View and then Customize Toolbar.
13. **Locate the Dropbox icon in your current Toolbar set.**
14. **Click and hold the Dropbox icon.** Drag it down into the customization area and release so it disappears. Click Done. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Uninstall-Dropbox-from-a-Mac", "language": "en"} |
Are a Capricorn Man and an Aries Woman Compatible? Expert Analysis | At first glance, an Aries woman and a Capricorn man don't seem to have a lot in common, but as the saying goes, opposites attract! While that certainly applies to the lady ram and her dashing sea-goat partner, they do have a few challenges to overcome if they want to go the distance. Read on to find out how in tune these two are astrologically and whether they have what it takes to stand the test of time.
1. **A Capricorn man and an Aries woman are a case of opposites attract.** An Aries woman loves the thrill of the chase, which makes a Capricorn guy perfect for her. He's naturally introverted and takes some time to warm up to new people, but she doesn't mind keeping after him. And they both have a strong sense of loyalty. Once they get together, it's hard to tear these two lovebirds apart.
The sea-goat and the ram do face some challenges, mainly because they don't have a lot in common. Their interests are so different that they can have a hard time landing on the same page.
2. **An Aries woman and a Capricorn man have lots of chemistry in the bedroom.** They're both cardinal signs, which means they're born initiators—but Capricorn is unlikely to make the first move when it comes to sex. This is just fine for Aries, though, as she won't hesitate to make the relationship physical. Both have intense, passionate sex drives and love to please each other.
Capricorn, learn to let go with your Aries lady. Throw caution to the wind and you'll be rewarded with a dynamic and active sex life.
Aries, turn on your sensuality to really get your Capricorn guy going. Focus on making an intimate mental and emotional connection in bed.
3. **Capricorn and Aries click because they share the same approach to romance.** Emotionally, things can work out well for these two. Capricorn isn't a particularly mushy guy—he'd rather fix your toilet than serve a candlelit dinner. He'll express his love in practical ways, not by writing you a song or sending you flowers. This suits an Aries lady just fine, since she's not particularly romantic either.
Capricorn, surprise your Aries lady with a little bit of a show from time to time. She secretly enjoys the occasional rom-com-worthy grand gesture of affection.
Aries, recognize that when your Capricorn guy asks you practical questions, like whether you're adequately prepared for the next big storm, he's really showing you how much he cares.
4. **Sea-goats are more reserved while rams wear their hearts on their sleeves.** The Aries lady can get frustrated here because it's hard to get a Capricorn guy to express his emotions. It's not that he doesn't have them, he just doesn't think they're all that important in the grand scheme of things. As a practical earth sign, he tends to look at things more logically, while the dynamic fire sign Aries tends to burn with passion.
Capricorn, take the time to think about how you feel and talk to your Aries woman about your feelings from time to time. She'll appreciate it when you open up.
Aries, have patience with your Capricorn man. Let him know that you're interested in how he feels and show gratitude when he does open up. If he sees that it's something you value, he'll make an effort to do it more.
5. **A Capricorn man and an Aries woman have great communication.** When it comes to communication, Capricorn guys want you to cut to the chase and say what's on your mind. This works out great for an Aries woman because she's always very direct and to the point.
Capricorn, try not to take offense if your Aries woman says something critical. She's just being honest and thinks you deserve to know the truth.
Aries, sometimes you can be honest to a fault. While your Capricorn guy does admire your honesty, it's also important to find kind ways to phrase things so you don't inadvertently hurt him.
6. **Capricorn and Aries are both cardinal signs driven toward success.** These two are born initiators and they're so driven they'll usually accomplish whatever they set out to do. Capricorn's ruling planet, Saturn, gives him plenty of perseverance to stick it through to the end. For the Aries lady, her ruling planet, Mars, gives her the passion and energy it takes to go that extra mile.
Capricorn, let Aries take the lead when it comes to joint goals. She'll hit the ground running and clear any obstacles standing in your way while you make your plans in the background.
Aries, listen to your Capricorn guy when he warns you about possible pitfalls. Yes, he can be a little overly cautious at times, but he wants you to succeed as much as you do.
7. **Capricorn and Aries can be as different as night and day.** The biggest challenge for this couple is really that they don't have a lot in common. For this reason, it's rare for them to hook up—and even rarer for them to go the distance. That doesn't mean they'll necessarily butt heads, though (even if the sea-goat and the ram both have horns).
Capricorn, your Aries lady's impulsive nature will be the hardest thing for you to get past. You're so used to carefully planning everything, you need to be willing to step back and just let her go every once in a while.
Aries, your Capricorn guy's serious, methodical nature is probably the thing that will get to you the most. It's best to just have patience with him and recognize that he's not likely to jump headfirst into anything without thinking it through. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Capricorn-Man-Aries-Woman", "language": "en"} |
What Are the Signs of Condescending Behavior? | It’s never a fun feeling to be talked down to or treated like you don’t know anything. That’s exactly what condescending people do: whether they mean to or not, they often make us feel like we aren’t as smart as them or we don’t deserve to be talking to them. Fortunately, there are some ways you can confront condescending people and put an end to their patronizing behavior. And, on the flip side, if you’ve been told that you can be condescending, there are some ways you can actively work on it to foster better relationships with your coworkers, partners, and friends.
1. **They explain things you already know.** Picture this: you’re chatting with a coworker, and they start explaining something to you that you learned on your first day of the job. You’re taken aback—this coworker has only worked here for a few months, whereas you’ve been at your job for years now. This condescending behavior can make you feel like the person doesn’t take you seriously or assumes you’re not as smart as they are.
If you ever call them out on it, condescending people will probably say something like, “Chill out,” or, “Relax.” This is a way of belittling your feelings, and it’s very patronizing.
2. **They interrupt you or talk over you.** Condescending people often cut others off or speak loudly to command the room. Chatting with a condescending person is almost impossible, and you might feel like you can’t ever get a word in. This can really rub you the wrong way—you might feel like you’re not actually having a conversation, but you’re just listening to the other person ramble on.
Sometimes, condescending people will interrupt you to correct you about a fact or your pronunciation (and they probably won’t be very polite about it, either).
3. **They dismiss you during a conversation.** Maybe you said something they don’t agree with, and that made them upset. A condescending person will probably roll their eyes or scoff at you. They might even turn their back or walk away from you quickly, too. This condescending body language can make you feel pretty terrible, and it might make you feel like they don’t respect you.
Condescending people might also pat you on the head to belittle you (kind of like how you’d pat a child or a dog) or look down their nose at you. It might be subtle to them, but you’ll definitely notice it.
4. **They might be trying to control you or the situation.** Sometimes, condescending people are talking down to us because they want us to agree with them. They usually do that by making us think that our opinions are wrong or silly, which they’ll do by being condescending.
For instance, maybe you and a coworker disagree about how to start a work project. A condescending person might say something like, “Well, I would agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong.”
5. **They may be trying to prove how smart they are.** Oftentimes, people act condescending because they’re secretly insecure. If you notice that someone is always talking about how smart they are, it’s probably because deep down, they feel like they aren’t smart at all. This is another instance you’ll see a lot in the workplace, especially in new people who might be trying to prove that they deserve to be there.
6. **Start by asking them to clarify what they meant.** Sometimes, people don’t realize they’re being condescending. If someone you know just did something that came off as condescending, pause the conversation and ask them to explain why they just did what they did. If they didn’t mean to be rude, they might just apologize and move on.
Say something like, “Hey, what did you mean when you said that I probably wouldn’t understand that joke?”
7. **Repeat what they said or did to you.** It can be helpful for condescending people to hear their words in someone else’s mouth. If they just said something condescending, repeat exactly what they said to you, and keep asking them what they meant by that. Hopefully, they’ll backtrack and say they’re sorry.
Try something like, “You said ‘I’d tell you this joke, but I don’t think you’d understand it.’ Do you think that I’m not smart enough to get your jokes?”
8. **Call out their behavior.** Let the person know that what they just did was super condescending. If you don’t feel comfortable calling them out to their face, you can also walk away from the conversation and approach them privately later. This is a good tactic to use for the workplace, since calling someone out in front of a group can make them feel embarrassed (which can cause them to lash out in anger).
You might say something like, “What you said was pretty condescending. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t joke around like that again.”
If you’re dealing with a condescending coworker, it might also be a good idea to talk with your boss about it. That way, they can have a conversation with your coworker and help foster communication between you two.
9. **Yes, being condescending can really rub people the wrong way.** When you talk down to someone, you’re basically telling them that you think you are superior to them. Being condescended to can make you feel small, and it might even make you question your own talents or abilities. In general, most people find condescending behavior insulting, and it can really alienate you from others.
10. **Let other people finish speaking before you jump in.** When you feel strongly about something, it can be easy to talk over people to make your voice heard. However, this can make the people around you feel like you aren’t actually listening to them, which can be frustrating. When you chat with people, make sure they’re able to finish their sentences fully, and wait for a pause in the conversation before you start talking.
11. **Don’t explain things that people already know.** You won’t always be able to tell what someone knows and what they don’t, but usually, you can take a pretty good guess. For instance, someone with a PhD in bio-engineering probably doesn’t need you to explain basic biology concepts to them. If you’re ever unsure, just ask!
For example, you could say, “You probably know all about this, right?” or, “Are you familiar with this concept?”
Here’s the important part: if someone says they are familiar with something, don’t explain it to them. Condescending people will sometimes keep going with their explanation, even when they’ve been told they don’t need to.
12. **Use a neutral, even tone when you talk to people.** A lot of times, people pick up on condescending behavior through your tone of voice. Usually, a condescending tone sounds like you’re talking down to someone or speaking to a little kid. Try to talk to everyone like they’re your equal—it will make them feel like you two are on even ground.
13. **You might be trying to help, but it comes off as condescending.** Maybe you offer to give your partner directions, but they’ve driven to this spot multiple times before. Even though you were just trying to help, it comes off as condescending, because it can feel like you were assuming your partner didn’t know the way. If you ever aren’t sure whether your partner needs help or not, try asking them before you jump in. That way, your help can be helpful instead of coming across as an insult.
For instance, in this scenario you might say, “I know you’ve driven here a couple of times before. Do you need directions or are you good to go?”
14. **You may be letting your anger out passively.** Sometimes, passive-aggressive behavior can come across as condescending. Maybe you’re trying to let your partner know that you’re angry, so you talk down to them to tell them that something is wrong. Although this can feel good in the moment, it’s not the best way to foster communication, and it can lead to more problems in the long run.
Communication is key here, especially if you’re upset about something. Instead of letting your anger out passively, sit down with your partner and explain why you’re upset. Then, you two can talk it out and come up with a solution together. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/What-Is-Condescending-Behavior", "language": "en"} |
How to Throw a Pool Party | A pool party is the perfect summer bash for all ages. You can play water games, eat plenty of snacks, and hang out with friends and family. Have a pool party for a birthday or holiday, or simply celebrate the season.
1. **Choose a date.** The main factor in deciding when to hold your pool party will be the weather, unless you plan on having your party at a climate-controlled indoor pool.
Choose a day with little to no chance of rain and high temperatures. However, if possible, avoid the hottest days of summer. Extreme temperature increase your risk of heat exhaustion.
Plan your party on a weekend. This will allow for those that work during the week to be able to attend the party, and you can host the party during the day.
If you’d rather have an evening pool party when it’s not as hot outside, any day of the week could work.
If you live in an area where rain is frequent, consider setting an alternate “rain date” for your party. This way, guests will know what to expect if it rains on the party day, and you can still have your party later.
If you're hosting a big party, just pick a date that works for you—you won't be able to find a perfect date for everyone.
2. **Find a pool for your party.** If you have a pool at your house, you can host your party at home. Otherwise, you’ll want to look into local neighborhood pools and exercise facilities.
Inquire about parties well in advance of when you’d like to have your party.
Different pools require reservations and party fees. Depending on the facility, you may be able to rent the entire pool or just host your party during normal pool hours.
3. **Send out invitations.** You can either send your invitations electronically or as paper invitations. Make sure to send them out at least a week in advance.
Use cute water-themed phrases in your invitations. Say something like: “Dive in for a night of fun with us at our summer pool party!”
If you can hand-deliver your invitations, consider giving out a “message in a bottle.” Roll up your invitations, and place them in clear plastic bottles. You can even add a bit of sand or seashells to the bottom of the bottles for extra beach flair.
If you’re inviting a lot of kids to the party, make sure to include their parents, as well. At a pool party, you want to have as much supervision as possible for maximum safety.
Ask your guests to RSVP a month before the party date so you have time to make adjustments.
4. **Create a theme for your pool party.** Having a pool party theme will help you to decorate and decide on food for your party. Possible themes include:
“Luau”: Give all of your guests flower leis, and encourage everyone to dress up Hawaiian style. Decorate with tiki torches, and play Hawaiian music.
“Patriotic Party”: If you live in the U.S., and it’s close to July 4, you might want to make your pool party a patriotic one. Decorate with flags and red, white, and blue.
“Surf’s Up”: Throw a classic beach bash. Decorate with surfboard images, and play music like the Beach Boys. Place seashells around your tables for an added nautical touch.
5. **Stock up on party supplies.** When you’re planning a pool party, make sure to have plenty of pool supplies that guests can use and enjoy.
Practically, have extra sunblock on hand, and some extra sunglass, since it will most likely be bright outside. Also, have a few extra towels, in case someone forgets to bring one.
Even if you plan on having other drinks, make sure to have cold water available to party guests who get overheated.
You can also have an array of pool noodles and rafts for guests to float around on. Encourage guests to bring their own, as well.
Try to set a budget for your party beforehand so you don't overspend.
6. **Choose a classic pool game like Marco Polo, or Sharks and Minnows.** These are games that anyone can play in the water without any additional toys.
To play Marco Polo, one person starts out as “it.” This person counts to 10, and everyone else scatters around the pool. The person who is “it” plays with their eyes closed. Every time they shout, “Marco!” everyone else must answer back, “Polo!” The person who is “it” tries to catch someone who says “Polo!” Whoever gets tagged then becomes the next person who is “it.”
In the game of Sharks and Minnows, one player begins as the shark, and the rest of the players are minnows. The shark starts on the opposite side of the pool as the minnows. To begin the game, the shark says, “Sharks and minnows, one two three, fishies, fishies swim to me!” The minnows try to swim to the other side of the pool. If the shark tags them before they touch the opposite side of the pool, then they become another shark in the next round. This continues until there is only one minnow left.
7. **Have a water fight.** For a more freeform and fun game, have an ongoing water fight with all of your pool party guests.
Before the party, fill up water balloons, and set them out in large buckets.
If you have them, set out water squirters, and encourage guests to bring their own to the party.
To make it more fun for everyone, have plastic bracelets or necklaces in varying colors. Have one color, such as red, for people to wear if they absolutely do not want to be a part of the water fight. This way, those who want to avoid being splashed can do so.
8. **Play volleyball.** Volleyball is a great game for pool parties because you can play in the water or out of the water.
If you don’t have a net, you can simply volley the ball back-and-forth. If you’re ambitious, you can even make your own pool volleyball net set up.
Either use a volleyball meant for the water or an inflatable beach ball.
9. **Serve refreshing snack foods.** When you’re planning a party poolside, you want to have plenty of light snacks for guests to munch on throughout the party.
Set out a plate of fresh fruit like watermelon, pineapple, and berries.
Have plenty of tortilla chips with fresh salsa or guacamole.
Serve cut vegetables with dips.
Have cucumber sandwiches for another bite-sized treat. You can even cut them into the shape of fish.
If you hold the party in the late afternoon, you can serve a light spread instead of a big lunch.
10. **Have a cook out.** Grilling outside is a great way to include cooking in your outdoor pool party and feed all your guests a meal.
Cook burgers, hot dogs, or vegetarian burgers.
You can also grill seasonal vegetables like corn on the cob.
Prepare sides like pasta salad ahead of the party.
11. **Have sweet treats on hand.** Since it’s hot, it’s a great idea to have cold treats at your party. If you don’t have a freezer nearby, have coolers stocked with ice to keep them cool.
Serve individual containers of ice cream and popsicles.
For a healthier option, you can also freeze fruit, such as grapes.
12. **Mix up summery drinks.** For the adults, you can serve summer cocktails like strawberry daiquiris, pina coladas, mojitos, and hurricanes.
For kids and adults who don’t want alcohol, you can serve lemonade, iced tea, and fruit punch.
Provide a permanent marker so guests can write their names on their cups. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-a-Pool-Party", "language": "en"} |
How to Decide Between the Peloton Bike and Peloton Bike+ (Price, Size, and Features Compared) | If you’re considering buying from Peloton, you’ve already landed on one of the best brands for at-home fitness. Once you have settled on a Peloton subscription, all you need is your own equipment! Peloton’s bikes are top of the class, but with new releases and classic bikes, which one is right for you? There are a few important aspects you’ll want to consider: size, price, and versatility, to name a few. Read on for an in-depth review of the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+.
1. **The original Peloton bike has a smaller frame and a smaller sticker price than its successor, but fewer add-ons.** The Peloton bike boasts the ability to partake in the Peloton series spin classes with its touch screen and magnetic resistance knob.
The Peloton Bike is Peloton’s cheapest bike ever. As of September 2021, the Peloton Bike starts at $1,495, or a monthly payment of $39.
2. **Size.** This bike has a 4’ by 2’ footprint, making it easy to store in any corner of your home. The bike also comes with a 21.5’’ HD touch screen, though it does not rotate like the Bike+. The screen may make it a little harder to do off-bike classes (like strength training), but not impossible.
3. **Features.** With a Peloton All-Access subscription ($39/month), you receive access to live classes, individual profiles for household members, live mid-workout fitness metrics, leaderboards to compete against other Peloton members, and special event programming.
4. **Final thoughts.** The Peloton Bike is best for people purchasing their first at-home cycling bike or people who don’t want to spend too much on an at-home workout system.
5. **The Peloton Bike + is the newest high-end Peloton, adding features to the original for cyclers seeking more variety and control in their at-home workouts.** Though this Peloton offering is the most expensive bike, you pay for a large rotating screen, high-quality cardio equipment, and a great sound system.
This model is a bit pricier than the original, starting at $2,495 with a $64-month membership fee for classes and workouts.
6. **Size.** The Bike+ has the same 4’ by 2’ footprint as the original Peloton Bike, but it is six inches taller. The 23.8” HD touch screen rotates 180 degrees for classes where you may need to get off your bike so the Bike+ will require a little more space. The Bike+ also weighs 140 pounds, five pounds more than the Bike.
7. **Features.** With a Peloton All-Access subscription ($39/month), you receive access to live classes, individual profiles for household members, live mid-workout fitness metrics, leaderboards to compete against other Peloton members, and special event programming.
Apple Gym Kit Integration. With this feature, you can pair your Apple Watch with the Bike+ to sync your performance metrics between the two devices including heart rate, energy output, and more. This makes keeping track of your fitness metrics easier and more efficient than ever.
Resistance Knob Auto Follow. Although the Peloton Bike comes with a resistance knob, some classes will ask you to adjust your resistance during class to make cycling easier or harder. The Peloton Bike+ will automatically adjust to the instructor's recommended resistance, so you can stay on track without having to pause your workout.
8. **Final thoughts.** The Peloton Bike+ is best for serious at-home bikers who are ok with spending more to access the special features that come with it.
9. **Besides price and the additional features like Auto Follow and Apple GymKit on the Bike+, there are a few other notable differences between the two bikes.** . The Bike+ has 4-channel audio with 2x3 watt tweeters and 2x10 watt woofers, while the Bike has a 2x10 watt sound system. If those technical terms don’t mean much to you, know that the Bike+ has a more intense, richer sound system than the Bike. Both bikes are compatible with Bluetooth.
The Bike+ comes with a USB-C charging port while the Bike comes with a USB port. If you want to charge your other devices while riding, you might consider which ports best serve you.
10. **It's a win-win.** In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with either of these Peloton models, but hopefully these quick metrics have given you a better idea on which one will be your ideal bike. Happy cycling! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Decide-Between-the-Peloton-Bike-and-Bike-Plus", "language": "en"} |
How to Fold Long Sleeve Shirts | A long sleeve shirt can be one of the trickiest clothing items to fold. Use the KonMari method to fold all of your long sleeve clothing items, like long sleeve T-shirts, dress shirts, and sweaters. This technique will save space, reduce wrinkles, and help keep your long-sleeved shirts in good shape!
1. **Lay out the T-shirt facedown in front of you and smooth it out.** Straighten up the body and sleeves, brushing out any wrinkles or folds. You can use any clean, flat surface for folding, such as a table, bed, or the floor.
2. **Fold the shirt in half so the sleeves line up perfectly.** Bring 1 side over to meet up with the other, so the 2 sides mirror each other. You can fold either from the left or right—just go with whatever side is more instinctive.
3. **Fold both sleeves together to create a triangle shape.** Keep the sleeves pressed together as you fold them once backwards. Make a second fold above the elbows going the opposite direction to create a triangle shape. Make sure both sleeves fit on top of the body of the long sleeve t-shirt to create 1 long rectangle shape.
4. **Tuck the rectangle into halves or thirds to fit in your drawers or shelves.** Start at the bottom of the shirt and fold it up into a smaller rectangle. If you want to store your shirts standing up in your drawers for easier access, use the thirds technique. If you stack your shirts on a shelf, use the halves technique.
Be careful about stacking too many shirts on a shelf since it will make it harder to pull out the shirts on the bottom of the stack. Try to stack no more than 3-4 shirts on a shelf.
5. **Button up and smooth out the dress shirt.** Button up the majority of the buttons so the shirt will hold its shape and stay together while you fold it. Run your hands over the fabric to straighten out any wrinkles or creases, then adjust the collar until it lays flat and neat.
6. **Lay the shirt out facedown on a flat surface.** Use a clean, flat surface such as a table, dresser, or bed as your workspace for folding. Lay the shirt facedown carefully, smoothing it out and adjusting the collar if it has folded or collapsed.
7. **Fold the left sleeve in toward the center of the shirt.** Start the fold at the shoulder and bring the left arm across the back of the shirt. This will make the left side of the shirt one long line. The goal is to turn the shirt into a long rectangle shape, so make sure that the cuff on the left arm doesn’t extend past the right side of the shirt!
If the arms are extra long and extend past the edge of the shirt, fold the cuff backwards so it stays within the rectangle.
8. **Bring the right sleeve across the left sleeve to complete the rectangle shape.** Now that you’ve mastered the left sleeve, do the same move with the right sleeve! Fold the right arm in at the shoulder and bring it across the left arm so they cross in the center of the shirt. Once again, make sure the right sleeve doesn’t extend past the edge of the shirt.
You can always fold the cuffs back in if they extend past the sides of the shirt.
9. **Start at the bottom and fold the shirt up in thirds.** Fold the bottom third of the shirt up, then fold the next third up so it meets the shoulders of the shirt. This creates the perfect size for placing the shirt in a suitcase, drawer, or shelf.
10. **Flip the shirt back over and adjust the collar.** Straighten out any wrinkles and make sure the collar is neat before packing or storing your shirt. This technique will help protect the collar from being crushed and the fabric from wrinkling too much.
Although this technique protects your shirt from excessive wrinkling, you may still notice a little wrinkling from the folds. Just keep in mind that the next time you wear your shirt, you may have to do a bit of steaming first!
11. **Lay the sweater out in front of you, faceup, with the sleeves spread out.** Choose a flat surface, such as a table, bed, or floor, and lay the sweater out with the front facing up. Smooth out the surface of the sweater and spread the sleeves out to the sides.
12. **Fold the right side of the sweater over with the sleeve straight out.** This first fold brings the outer right edge of the sweater to the middle of the sweater. Keep the right sleeve extended straight out and lay it across the left arm so it's almost perpendicular.
13. **Fold the right sleeve back and down so it lines up with the first fold.** Fold the sleeve back inwardly just above the elbow, forming a triangle shape. Line the cuff up at the bottom of the sweater with the initial right-side fold.
14. **Repeat the process on the left side to form a rectangle.** Fold in the left side and the left arm just like you did with the right, forming another triangle with the sleeve and a straight line along the left side. Once you’re finished, the whole sweater will look like 1 long rectangle.
15. **Bring the bottom to the top to fold the sweater in half, then in half again.** This creates a thick rectangle shape that can stand up on its own. Using this method will help keep your long-sleeved sweaters neat and perfectly folded.
Once you're finished, store your folded sweaters in drawers standing up. Line them up in a row so you can easily see each piece of clothing.
16. **Lay out your shirt so it’s facing down on a flat surface.** Smooth out any bumps and wrinkles in the fabric. Spread the arms straight out before you start folding.
17. **Fold the shirt in half lengthwise so the sleeves line up.** Bring the right sleeve over to match up with the left. Fold along the center of the shirt so the 2 sides mirror each other. Smooth out the shirt to get a clean fold and line up the sleeves as perfectly as you can.
18. **Fold both sleeves inward so they lay along the center of the folded shirt.** Fold the shoulder inwards, creating a slanted line. The cuffs of the sleeves will probably hang past the hem a little bit. Run your hands over the shirt, smoothing out any creases, wrinkles, or bunched-up fabric.
19. **Tuck the cuffs upward so they line up with the hem of the shirt.** Keeping the sleeves together, fold in the cuffs so the bottom of the shirt and the cuffs are aligned. This will keep your cuffs from being crinkled when you fold the shirt in increments.
20. **Fold in 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) sections until you reach the top.** Instead of rolling your shirt, fold it flat in small sections, starting at the bottom, until the whole shirt is folded up. Try to match the folds up so the collar lines up with an edge. However, if the collar hangs out a little past the rest of the folded shirt, that’s okay.
21. **Lay the folded shirt in your suitcase.** Pack your shirts, especially long-sleeve dress shirts, at the top of your suitcase. This technique will probably require some extra ironing or steaming when you unpack, but the section-by-section folding will save you lots of space in your suitcase! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Fold-Long-Sleeve-Shirts", "language": "en"} |
How to Store Fine China | If you have a set of fine china, chances are you don’t use it on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. More often than not, china dishes are something you might get out for special occasions once or twice a year. It’s up to you whether to display your fancy dishes or pack them away out of sight when they’re not in use. Either way, follow some general guidelines to keep your china in tip-top shape for years to come.
1. **Store your china collection in a glass display cabinet to show it off year-round.** Display cabinets with glass fronts keep your precious china safe from accidents and dust and let you showcase your favorite pieces. Arrange your best china inside the cabinet in a visually appealing way and keep pieces from touching one another.
For example, place the smallest, most delicate items like cups and stemware on the top shelves of the cabinet. Put larger items like plates, bowls, and pitchers on the lower shelves and arrange some teacups or other interesting pieces in front of them to make the display look nice.
If you have an extensive china set, put the pieces that you use the most or that you like the best in the display cabinet, then pack the rest away in storage containers to take out on the special occasions when you need more dishes.
2. **Put plates in a plate rack when you store them on a shelf or in a cabinet.** Store displayed plates vertically whenever possible to save space and avoid stacking them. The edges of plates are actually the strongest parts and plates are less likely to get damaged if they’re stored vertically.
Make sure that the rack you use keeps the plates separate, so they don’t bump into one another.
3. **Display bowls, cups, and mugs rim-side-up to prevent damage.** Place these types of dishes right-side-up individually and avoid stacking them whenever possible. This prevents chipping on the most fragile parts of your valuable china pieces.
Don’t store china cups by hanging them from the handle. It might seem like a great space saving idea, but the handles are delicate and prone to breakage if you store them this way.
4. **Place a piece of tissue paper or foam between any stacked pieces.** Fold up a piece of acid-free tissue paper, so that it’s a few layers thick, or use a square of polyethylene foam. Put a piece in between each stacked piece of china, such as between every plate, to prevent them from touching and potentially chipping or cracking.
In a pinch, use a napkin, a paper towel, or a paper plate between stacked dishes. Anything soft that keeps the dishes from touching is better than nothing!
Avoid using newspapers because the ink rubs off and makes a mess on your china.
5. **Dust off your collection every 6-12 months.** Use a soft brush, like a sable paint brush, to gently dust off all your displayed china pieces once or twice a year. This prevents dust from getting embedded in any unglazed surfaces or hairline cracks and keeps your pieces looking clean and beautiful.
If the brush you use has any metal bits on it, be careful not to scratch the china. Only let the bristles of the brush touch your dishes.
6. **Pack un-displayed pieces into small plastic containers to store them safely.** China is heavy, so opt for small containers to avoid overpacking them. Use sealable plastic containers to provide long-lasting protection that also keeps moisture out.
Avoid using cardboard boxes to store your precious china. They get squished easily and are prone to water damage.
7. **Wrap each piece of china separately in bubble wrap or butcher’s paper.** Either wrapping material is sufficient for home storage, but opt for bubble wrap if you’re planning to move your china. Wrap each plate, bowl, cup, saucer, lid, and any other pieces of china you have in its own piece of butcher’s paper or bubble wrap.
Don’t use newspapers because the ink rubs off on dishes, meaning more unnecessary washing for you to do whenever you want to use the china.
8. **Turn plates and bowls sideways to avoid stacking them.** Slide plates vertically into the storage bins. Do the same for bowls, but pack some extra butcher’s paper or bubble wrap around them to keep them steady on their sides in the bins.
Stacking items puts a lot of weight on them and makes them more prone to damage if the bin gets accidentally dropped. Any weakened or damaged items are also prone to breakage if they’re stacked.
9. **Place cardboard dividers between delicate items to keep them separate.** Fold and bend pieces of cardboard into squares or circles to fit around things like stemware, tea cups, and mugs inside the storage bins. Put the cardboard dividers in between all the delicate pieces to prevent them from getting jostled and bumping into one another.
There are also grid-shaped cardboard dividers available to purchase from packing material supply shops. Just make sure they’re big enough to fit your wrapped china if you choose to use these types of premade dividers.
10. **Label containers with their contents to keep track of what’s inside.** Write inventory lists for each bin that include the types of dishes that are inside and how many of them there are. Tape the lists to the outsides of the bins.
That way you know exactly where everything is when you go to dig out certain dishes once or twice a year or when you’re moving.
11. **Store your bins of china at room temperature in a climate-controlled space.** Pick an area to keep the bins where you have control over the temperature year round. Keep china out of extreme heat and cold, which can damage painted details and cause cracking.
Avoid stacking the plastic bins, so there’s no excessive weight on your boxes of precious china. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Fine-China", "language": "en"} |
How to Remove Urine Stains from a Mattress | Accidents happen with children and pets, and at some point, you may need to remove urine from a mattress. Although it can seem like a difficult task, don’t worry! All it takes for the mattress to look as good as new is a few simple household ingredients. To remove wet stains, blot the excess liquid, add baking soda, and use a vinegar solution to neutralize the smell. For old, dry stains, create a hydrogen peroxide solution to help lift the stain.
1. **Blot up the excess urine with a cloth.** Get an old, dry cloth and dab the stain to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Keep blotting until the mattress only feels damp. If there is a lot of liquid, use an old towel instead.
Alternatively, you can use paper towels.
Change the cloth, towel, or paper towel once it gets saturated.
2. **Sprinkle baking soda over the stain to soak up the remaining urine.** Get a spoon and pour spoonfuls of baking soda over the whole stain. Don’t worry about using too much, as it won't damage the mattress. Make sure that all parts of the stain are covered by baking soda.
3. **Combine 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle.** Pour the water and white vinegar directly into the spray bottle. Use the largest spray bottle that you can find, as you may need a lot of the solution depending on the size of the stain.
To make the solution stronger, reduce or eliminate the added water. It's okay to spray pure white vinegar onto the mattress. Although it has a strong smell, the scent will dissipate.
The white vinegar neutralizes the odor and helps to lift the stain.
4. **Spray the solution generously over the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes.** Aim to add enough moisture so that the mattress is wet, but not so much so that it's completely saturated. You may need to make more white vinegar solution if there isn't enough to cover the whole stain.
If you have some white vinegar solution leftover, you can leave it in the spray bottle to use another time.
5. **Use an old cloth to blot the excess moisture.** Dab the stain to remove as much of the solution as possible. Don’t worry if some of the baking soda comes away, as you will add more later. Try to get the mattress as close to being dry as you can.
6. **Sprinkle baking soda over the entire top of the mattress.** Liberally add more baking soda to the mattress and try to cover as much as possible. This also helps to remove any other odors from the mattress too.
7. **Let the mattress dry for approximately 18 hours before vacuuming it.** Open all of the windows and doors, and keep a fan on in the room if possible. Check that the mattress is fully dry after 18 hours and once it is, vacuum up the baking soda. Run the vacuum cleaner over all of the crevices in different directions to make sure that all of the baking soda has been removed.
The mattress can’t be used while it’s drying and the baking soda is at work.
The mattress may take slightly longer or shorter to dry depending on the temperature and humidity.
8. **Make a hydrogen peroxide solution to remove the stain.** It’s still possible to remove old urine stains! Combine 8 fl oz (240 ml) of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 3 US tbsp (43.2 g) of baking soda, and 2 drops of liquid dish detergent in a small bowl. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients together thoroughly.
It’s best to only use hydrogen peroxide on white mattresses, as it can bleach colored fabrics. If you are concerned about discoloration, simply use white vinegar instead to target the stain.
This solution is also effective for blood stains.
You need to use the solution immediately as hydrogen peroxide breaks down fast. If you have a solution that's older than 1-2 hours, discard it and prepare a new one.
9. **Dab the stain with the hydrogen peroxide solution.** Lightly wet a white cleaning cloth with the solution. Dab the stain thoroughly to lift it away and wait until the mattress is completely dry before using it again.
While you should use the solution generously, try not to saturate the mattress as it will take longer to dry.
10. **Use a dry foam to remove the stain if it persists.** Mix together 3 US tbsp (50 g) of dry laundry powder with 1 US tbsp (15 ml) of water in a small bowl. Use a spoon to spread the paste over the whole stain on the mattress.
You may need to make more dry foam if the stain is large.
Don’t use a laundry powder that contains oxygenated bleach, as this can damage the mattress.
11. **Let the dry foam sit for 30 minutes and then scrape it off the mattress.** After 30 minutes, the dry foam should have lifted the stain away. Use a spoon to gently scrape the dry foam off the mattress. Be careful not to dig too deeply, as you could damage the mattress.
12. **Vacuum the mattress to remove any remaining baking soda or dry foam.** Vacuum the entire mattress from several directions to ensure that all of the baking soda or dry foam has been removed. You may want to remove the vacuum cleaner floor head and just use the nozzle to get into all of the crevices.
If there are any stubborn pieces of dry foam left, dip a white cloth into hydrogen peroxide and dab at it gently until it lifts away. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Urine-Stains-from-a-Mattress", "language": "en"} |
How to Push Back Your Cuticles | Perfectly manicured hands can make you look more put-together and refined, but you don't have to spend a lot of money at the salon to have great nails! If you're giving yourself a manicure, take a few minutes to push back your cuticles, or the thin skin growing at the base of your nails. Your nail beds will look longer, giving your nails a more elegant appearance. However, you should never cut your cuticles, as this can leave you exposed to dangerous and painful infections.
1. **Remove any existing nail polish** You can find a selection of nail polish remover on Amazon here. Apply a small amount of acetone-free nail polish remover to a cotton ball and gently smooth it over your nail until all traces of your old nail polish are gone. It's best to do this first, because after you push back your cuticles they may be a little tender, and nail polish remover might sting.
In addition, if you leave old polish on your nails, small chips could get pushed into your nail beds as you're working on your cuticles, potentially leading to an infection.
Unless you have acrylic nails or a particular manicure that requires it, you should avoid using nail polish remover with acetone, which can dry out your nails and cuticles.
2. **Soak your nails in warm water for 5-10 minutes.** The warm water will soften your cuticles, so you'll be able to push them back easily and with less discomfort. If you like, you can heat up jojoba or coconut oil and add it to the water for even more moisturized cuticles.
A long shower might also soften your cuticles enough to push them back.
Alternatively, you can put avocado oil or cuticle oil on your cuticles and leave for 2-3 minutes. Be sure to rub on in a circular motion and then soak your hands in a nail dish with warm soapy water. Make sure the cream or oil is still on your cuticles and continue to soak for 5-10 minutes. You can find cuticle oil on Amazon here.
3. **Dry off your hands with a clean towel.** After you've finished soaking your nails, shake off any excess water, then use a clean, soft towel to pat your hands dry. This will ensure the moisturizer will be able to bond to your nails.
Using a clean towel will help prevent the spread of bacteria to your hands, which could leave you more susceptible to infection once you have pushed back your cuticles.
4. **Apply a small amount of oil to your cuticles let it soak in for 3-5 minutes.** Your cuticles will already be softened from soaking them, but you can add extra moisture by applying lotion, oil, or cuticle remover to your nails and letting it soak in. If you're using oil, like coconut oil or a special cuticle oil, you can leave it on for as long as you like.
If you decide to use chemical cuticle remover like these, be sure to read the packaging so you know exactly how long you should leave it on. Otherwise, you risk damaging the nail beneath the cuticle.
You can purchase cuticle oil or remover at any beauty supply store.
5. **Choose a cuticle pusher made of wood to avoid damaging your cuticles.** Orange sticks (also called orangewood sticks) are small round pieces of wood with a round, slanted edge at both ends, and they're a great option for gently pushing back the delicate skin around your nails. You can find orange sticks at any drug store or online here.
If you have especially sensitive skin, wrap the tip of the orange stick in cotton before you use it. You can pull apart a cotton ball or use cotton gauze if you have some on hand.
You can also push back your cuticles with a soft cloth, a cotton swab, or even just your fingers, but you'll get a cleaner look by using the orange stick.
6. **Rest your hand on a flat sturdy surface to steady yourself.** If you're trying to push back your cuticles while your hands are in the air, it will be harder to control the pressure you're applying with the orange stick. By resting your hand on a sturdy table or countertop, you'll be less likely to scrape or tear your cuticle.
7. **Use the stick to gently push back the skin along the bottom of your nail.** Holding the stick at an angle, carefully push the cuticle all the way into the corner, and gently work your way up the sides of your nail. This will help loosen any dirt and prevent ingrown nails. It may help you have more control over the stick if you use circular motions as you move across the nail.
Don't push too hard or scrape your nails with the orange stick.
8. **Rub your cuticles gently with a warm, damp washcloth.** You may notice small pieces of excess skin at the base of your nail where you pushed back your cuticles. Do not cut or tear these, as it's easy to cut too deep and leave your nail bed exposed to the danger of infection. Instead, gently exfoliate the area with a clean washcloth dipped in warm water.
When you're finished, your cuticles should make a smooth, thin line at the base of your nail.
If you have more stubborn hangnails or pieces of skin, use a cuticle nipper to remove any final pieces. These tools are specifically designed to minimize cuticle damage. Be careful to only trim the translucent, dead skin, though. Don't cut the skin along the bottom of your nail.
9. **Use a pair of nippers to trim any hangnails you might have.** Nippers are often used to trim cuticles, but their long pointed blades are perfect for trimming hangnails as well. Angle the trimmers to get as close as possible to the base of the torn skin, then snip the hangnail away in one smooth cut.
If you don't already have a pair of nippers, this pair are highly rated on Amazon.
Hangnails are pieces of skin or cuticle which have torn or split, and they are often found in the crease beside your nail or below the cuticle.
If you don't trim your hangnails, they can tear more, leading to more pain and an increased risk of infection.
10. **Wash your hands** You may have residue from the cuticle oil left on your hands, or there may be small pieces of skin left from the exfoliation process. However, these should come off easily when you wash your hands.
Before you paint your nails, dry them thoroughly and make sure all traces of oil are gone. It may be helpful to wipe each nail with a cotton ball dipped in a non-acetone polish remover to help dry them out.
11. **Moisturize your cuticles daily.** To keep your cuticles healthy, you should moisturize them every day. You can use moisturizing lotion, petroleum jelly, or your favorite oil, depending on what you prefer. Apply the moisturizer, then rub it so that your cuticles can absorb the moisture.
There are a variety of nail-specific oils and moisturizers available online. Check out these ones on Amazon.
Dry cuticles are more susceptible to peeling or splitting. If this happens, it can be very painful and can lead to infection, and it can also cause your cuticles to grow back thicker than before.
12. **Push your cuticles back once a week.** Over time, your cuticles won't need to be pushed back as much, but it's still a good idea to keep them touched up. Keep an orange stick near your hand cream and take a few minutes to moisturize and push back your cuticles about once a week after you take a shower.
13. **Don't bite your nails or the skin around your nails.** Biting your nails can irreparably damage your nail bed, and chewing on your cuticles, hangnails, or the skin around your nails can lead to dangerous infection. In addition, damaging your cuticles can cause them to grow back thicker, making them harder to push back.
Instead of biting your nails, use a nail file to smooth them out if they chip or split.
14. **Use a new orange stick each time you push back your cuticles.** Wooden orange sticks are porous, meaning it's difficult to completely sanitize them. It's best to just toss out the stick after you're finished using it so you don't have to worry about spreading bacteria the next time you give yourself a manicure.
Wooden orange sticks are meant to be disposable, which is why they're inexpensive and often come in packs of 10 or more. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Push-Back-Your-Cuticles", "language": "en"} |
How to Sell a House Online | When selling a home, as with most anything else, the more “eyeballs” you can get on the product, the better your odds of making a deal. Therefore, advertising your home on the internet is a no-brainer. However, actually selling your house online takes some smart planning, some shrewd decision-making, and some time-tested strategizing to draw prospective buyers to your home.
1. **Pay for the best exposure.** Selling your home online without a real estate agent can save you thousands of dollars in commission fees, but don’t expect to make a sale without spending some money in the process. One wise investment in most instances is to list your house with a paid “for sale by owner” (FSBO) site. There are many FSBO sites to choose from, so research sites carefully to make sure they have the following characteristics:
High search engine rating. The best way for you to determine a website's search engine return strength is to do several searches using terms you, as a buyer, might use to find FSBO sites. The websites that show up at the top of your search engine results are the best rated sites, and the ones you should choose from.
At present, some 70% of U.S. residential real estate web traffic passes through the sites Zillow and Trulia.
Easy navigation. The FSBO site you choose should be easy to use, and should provide a site-search by price and area. Remember that potential buyers will need to use the site to find your house, and if the pages aren't user-friendly, visitors are likely to leave the site in favor of another.
Quality listings. Selling a house online is unique from in-person sales in that buyers must rely on photos and descriptions for a first impression. Make sure the FSBO site you choose includes many high-quality pictures of their listings, as well as clear descriptive sections that effectively illustrate a home's characteristics.
High-speed uploads. This also pertains to user-friendliness. Internet users are accustomed to instant web gratification. Slow uploads are likely to cause site visitors to search elsewhere.
Extra services and sales tools. Some, though not all, online FSBO companies offer their customers yard signs, forms, marketing materials, lock boxes, guidance and/or sales support to help with the process.
2. **Make time for free FSBO sites as well, if possible.** Unlike paid FSBO sites, free sites generally offer nothing more than space for advertising. That means you have to upload your own photos, write your own descriptions and maintain your listing to keep it up to date.
If you are confident in your ability (and have the time) to create an eye-catching listing that will draw in legitimate potential buyers, you can rely primarily on free FSBO sites.
If you are unsure, it is probably best to prioritize one or more paid FSBO sites. You can always create more rudimentary free FSBO listings as well. After all, you never know which “lure” is going to work on the house-buying “fish” you seek.
Consider linking to your FSBO postings with ads in online classifieds sites. Internet classifieds allow you to write your own descriptions and upload photos, or you may simply opt to link to a web-page (such as your FSBO site listing) that advertises your home for sale.
3. **Advertise your home for sale on social networking sites.** If you use social networking sites and have a large number of contacts, marketing your house on these sites is a great way to spread word of mouth for free.
Many neighborhoods maintain a social site for residents. Posting on the website may result in a resident recommending your home to another friend.
While it’s always possible that you’ll sell your house with only a Facebook posting or a well-timed Tweet, it is probably best to use social media to direct prospective buyers to your FSBO listing. It’s good to have at least one online hub to which prospective buyers can go to find a detailed listing on your home. Think of it as the difference between yard signs and a sales brochure.
4. **Tell local Realtors.** You might want to consider working with a Realtor. You can offer them a commission if they find you a buyer that closes on the house. Since you are listing the house yourself online, you will not need to pay a listing commission, just a commission for finding the buyer.
If you want representation for this sale, remember that the Realtor will be representing the buyer, not you. You will need your own real estate attorney.
5. **Consider your market.** When you start actually selling your house, you need to consider how the climate of the market will impact your chances of selling. If it's a seller's market, for example, where there is little inventory and houses sell in a few days, a couple cell phone pictures might be enough. Otherwise, you may need professional help creating a better listing.
6. **Get professional help.** Utilizing professionals to take care of some of the services usually covered by real estate agents can ease the process for you.
While studying comparable homes in your area (“comps”) can help quite a bit, you may want to hire a professional appraiser to help you set the right listing price for your home. After all, what’s the point of saving $15,000 on a real estate agent if you undervalue your home by $20,000?
When it comes time to actually conduct a transaction, the amount of paperwork required is hard to fathom. Some paid FSBO sites will provide help for this process. Otherwise (and perhaps in addition), you may want to hire a real estate attorney to help you navigate the sea of forms, documents, and so on.
Also note that, as many FSBO sites are updated by homeowners, those sites tend not to be up-to-date.
7. **Conduct an auction or a direct cash sale.** If time is of the essence, and you are confident in your ability to set the right price for your home and go through the transaction process quickly, you can try to unload your house quickly. For most people, such sales are not likely to be a first option.
Auction websites like eBay are a viable option for selling your house online. Set up an account on the site, create your listing and upload your photos. If you’re lucky, you’ll make a quick sale for a decent price. If you’re unlucky, you’ll simply be delaying the process of making a sale.
Auction laws vary from state to state, including whether you will need an auctioneer license. If possible, you will want to establish a minimum bid or reserve that must be met for the sale to go forward.
If you must sell your house quickly, you can search the Internet for an investor who will purchase your home at a discounted price, on a fast-close, all cash basis. Popular sites like Craigslist may be good options for this type of sale. Don’t expect to secure top dollar for your home this way, however.
8. **Make your photos “pop.”** Unless you are very lucky, a few grainy digital photos are not going to get the job done in selling your house. One look at FSBO and other real estate websites will tell you that numerous high-quality, even professional-grade photographs of listed homes are now the standard.
Here, again, may be another investment worth making. You might want to consider hiring a professional to take pictures of your home. Barring that, you may want to at least contact that amateur photographer cousin of yours who is always in demand at family weddings.
If you are taking the photos yourself, take the time to ensure proper lighting, clarity, and scale for your pictures. Stage each room so it looks lived-in but not cluttered. You want to inspire the viewer’s imagination, not command or limit it.
9. **Add to the “wow factor.”** Great photos are critical to most online home sales, but often other types of visual appeal are helpful as well. You want the person looking at the listing to be able to visualize him/herself living in the house while sitting on his/her couch or desk chair.
Good options for enhancing your online advertisement include: professional-grade videos of the home, or perhaps even a 3-D video tour; area maps, perhaps including drone photos; detailed, and possibly 3-D, floor plans; online access to schedules, checklists, and documents once a potential transaction begins; and virtual staging, which allows potential buyers to visualize a room with various furniture and accessory set-ups.
Access to such features should be a part of your package with a paid FSBO site. Browse the listings of different sites and decide which provides the best combination of extras that will enhance your home’s sales appeal.
10. **Price it right.** As mentioned elsewhere in this article, hiring an appraiser to help determine the right sale price for your home can add thousands to your pocket, or prevent you from overvaluing your home and delaying any sale.
The appraiser will offer his/her professional opinion on the home’s value, but it is of course up to you to set the initial price and determine the minimum you will accept.
Even if you aren’t the most shrewd negotiator, it makes sense to ask for a bit more than your target price (perhaps $10-$20,000 more, depending upon total price). This sets things up so that the inevitable counter-offer will bring you in line with your target. Keep in mind that this may cause some buyers to overlook your house when searching online.
The more pressure you are under to sell, the more flexible you’ll have to be with the price you’ll accept. But try to stick to a hard price floor, especially if you are conducting an auction or direct cash sale, or you may eventually regret selling too low.
11. **Be available and capable.** If you’re going to serve as your own real estate agent when selling online, that means you need to be regularly available to show the house and knowledgeable and engaging when showing it. You do have the advantage of knowing the house better than any agent could, but you need to combine it with preparation, poise, and punctuality.
Some may say that you should be ready to show the house at any time, just in case a legitimate buyer happens to drop by. There is something to be said, however, for setting specific viewing hours and/or only showing by appointment. This way, you can always be fully prepared (and have the house tidied up) when someone comes to take a look.
Of course, if you do take appointments, always keep them. Also, however you choose to show the house, always be friendly and courteous. Even if the person taking a look doesn’t turn out to be a serious buyer, they may know someone who is.
While being friendly and courteous, however, do weed out unqualified buyers so that you don’t waste time and possibly miss out on a legitimate buyer.
12. **Take proper safety precautions while showing your house.** Though it is unlikely that anyone coming to view your house is anything but an interested buyer, you should still protect yourself against someone who might bring you, your family, or your property harm. This includes:
Taking down the full name and phone number of anyone interested in viewing your house, then calling that number later to verify the person's identity.
Removing any loose valuables such as jewelry, credit cards or wallets, car keys, cash, or other small valuables.
Using a sign-in sheet during an open house.
Not putting yourself alone in a room with a potential buyer (stand in the hallway).
Keeping the potential buyer within sight at all times.
Hiring security personnel to circulate during an open house if you have many valuables.
Requesting a picture identification when potential buyers show up to your house. This may be off-putting at first, but if you explain that you need to know who is being granted to detailed information about your home, they should understand. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Sell-a-House-Online", "language": "en"} |
How to Start a New Day | Every day can be a fresh, new beginning - this is critically important if you had a difficult day before. By starting off with a positive attitude, you can face the challenges of the day in a good frame of mind. Try some of the following tips to start your day off right.
1. **Give yourself time to start the day.** Feeling time-pressured creates an atmosphere in which it is more difficult to feel calm, focused, and positive. Instead, wake up with enough time to feel relaxed. This may not be the same as a leisurely morning, but having even 10 more minutes to do what you need to do can be a real improvement on your mood.
Wake up slowly with a gentle alarm. Instead of a shocking, loud alarm, opt for a gentler wake up and allow yourself some time to lay in bed and wake up. Set your alarm about 10 to 15 minutes before you actually need to get up so you will not need to rush out of bed.
Give yourself time to truly do what you have to do in the morning--not what you can do under pressure. Yes, you can get to the bus stop 20 minutes after getting up, but that should be an emergency plan. Instead, give yourself time to do what you need to do with focus and calmness.
Start the day by giving yourself a moment to breathe and collect yourself for what the day will hold.
One very simple mindfulness exercise is upon awakening, take 10 deep breaths. This simple act gives you time to transition to awakening not with panic, anxiety, or frantic behavior, but simply being where you are now for a moment.
2. **Visualize a positive day.** Decide each morning to approach the world with optimism and hope. Visualize your day going well. Envision yourself doing well on the math test, asking out that cute co-worker on a date, or finishing your taxes.
Optimism does not mean you refuse to acknowledge things do not always go as planned. If you worry about negative outcomes, counteract these thoughts by envisioning yourself overcoming these problems, getting over disappointment, or simply trying again.
Instead of saying "I can't," start the day off by saying, "I can."
You cannot fully control what happens to you. Sometimes bad things will happen. But you can control how you prepare yourself for what life gives you. Starting the day off with a positive mindset can help you deal with things in a healthy way.
3. **Meditate.** Before you start your day and focus on responsibilities, take a few moments to meditate. Start by taking deep breaths. Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Hold each breath for a count of 5.
Focusing on your breath and clearing your mind of any outside thoughts can help you start the day feeling balanced and peaceful.
If you believe in a higher power, pray. Even if you do not believe in a higher power, focusing on a wish or desire can be powerful.
4. **Be thankful.** Before you get out of bed, or while you are in the shower or fixing breakfast, take a few moments to focus on what you are thankful for. Starting your day by thinking of the positive things in your life can help get you into the right frame of mind for the rest of the day.
Set a "low bar" for happiness. This means that the little things will make you happy, and you will try to stop taking things for granted. Spend the morning focusing on the good things in your life instead of what you lack or what you have to do before the day is over.
5. **Read an affirmation.** Before you start your day, read some kind of affirmation. This can be a positive quote, a religious verse, or a short story. When you do this, get in touch with your inner strength. Tackle the day by being assured and strong instead of weak and passive.
Write down your favorite quote or verse on a slip of paper and keep it by your bedside table. That way you can see it as soon as you wake.
Read an entry from a blog, newspaper, or website that is uplifting instead of negative.
6. **Anticipate the day.** Instead of dreading the day, anticipate your day. Find things to look forward to, even if it's lunch time or seeing a coworker. This helps you get going on a positive note instead of dragging your feet because you dread what's to come.
Before you go to bed, make a list or mental list of what you are looking forward to the next day, this week, this month, or in life.
7. **Ignore technology.** Many people set alarms on their cell phone, and as soon as they turn it off, they check texts, e-mails, and social media. This can make you feel like you're starting your day hectic and chaotic. E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and other interactive sources bombard our minds with people's electronic voices, photos, news updates, ideas, and opinions. By exposing yourself to this first thing in the morning, you are cluttering up your mind before you have a chance to fully wake and come out of sleep.
As soon as you turn off your alarm, back away from the cell phone. Going straight to your cell phone tends to overwhelm you with chatter, rather than useful and pertinent information. This removes focus from what is the here and now. Wait at least 30-60 minutes before checking anything. If you have to check work e-mail, if possible, wait 30 minutes, check your work e-mail, but leave the other stuff for later. Give yourself time to spend with yourself before interacting with the ceaseless stream of internet chatter.
It is especially important to avoid the news in the morning, since it tends to skew negative. Shut off news alerts on your phone if you get them.
8. **Start each day new.** Don't dwell on what you did or didn't do yesterday. Instead, start each day fresh. Get organized for the tasks you have to complete today, and face the day as something new without the weight of the past.
If you had a bad day the day before, leave that behind you. Focus on a new day instead. How can you make today better? How can you fix any mistakes or avoid situations that made the previous day bad?
We all have things from the previous day we have to continue working on or finish. When you pick up the project from the day before, treat it fresh because today is a new day.
9. **Wake up early.** Make sure to wake up early enough that you give yourself enough time to get ready. You need time to focus your morning and mentally prepare for the day. More than that, you need time to get all your morning tasks done. Rushing around causes stress and makes you forget things and perhaps be unprepared for the day.
Waking up early can help you leave for work on time, which can help you get to work on time and avoid a speeding ticket.
10. **Go slow.** Instead of rushing through the morning, go slow and take your time. Rushing around trying to get your day started can cause unneeded stress.
Going slow helps you stay in the moment. Take the time to focus on the water from your shower, taste the flavors of your breakfast, or look at the morning sunshine. This can help you focus on your surroundings instead of getting wrapped up in your head.
11. **Eat a Healthy Breakfast.** Eating healthy in the morning can help your brain and body work at optimal levels throughout the day. Eat a high fiber diet that includes fruits, whole grains, and low-fat protein food in your breakfast.
Avoid bagels and muffins, along with foods with high sugar content. This will slow you down.
Eggs are a great protein-rich breakfast food. Scramble them with some low-fat cheese or make a spinach and avocado omelet. Use egg whites if you are concerned about cholesterol.
Berries are great to eat with your breakfast. They are high in antioxidants, low in calories, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Add a cup of fresh or unsweetened frozen strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries.
Eat a nutritious cereal. Many kinds of cereal are full of fiber, whole grains, and protein. Stay away from cereals with high sugar contents and that are full of artificial ingredients. Look for at least 3 grams (0.11 oz) of fiber and less than 6 grams (0.21 oz) of sugar. Also, try oatmeal. Make sure to eat plain oats and not the packets, which are full of sugar and other additives. Add nuts, fresh fruit, spices like cinnamon, or a few dark chocolate morsels to add flavor.
Try dairy, such as cottage cheese or yogurt. Just make sure not to get the fruit yogurts with extra added sugar. Add honey to them, mix in fresh fruit like pineapple or strawberries, or place them in a smoothie.
12. **Rehydrate.** After sleeping for 7-8 hours, your body is dehydrated. It is especially important to drink a lot of water in the morning to replenish the hydration in your body. After waking up, drink 1-2 cups of water to start your body off properly hydrated.
13. **Drink lemon water.** Instead of starting your day with coffee, drink lemon water. Pour yourself a cup of lukewarm water and squeeze a fresh lemon into it. This helps boost your metabolism for the day, boost your energy, and cleanse your mouth and throat.
Wait 30 minutes after drinking the water before you brush your teeth, drink another beverage, or eat breakfast.
14. **Replace coffee with tea.** Tea has numerous health benefits. Starting your day with tea instead of a coffee can be a positive change to make your day better. Try green tea, which includes catechins, powerful antioxidants and disease fighters. Yerba mate is another tea with tons of antioxidants and healthy benefits.
Tea contains caffeine, but in lower doses. An average cup of coffee contains 150-200 mg of caffeine, while black tea contains 60-90 mg and green tea contains 35-70 mg. Green tea, white tea, oolong tea, mate, and black tea all contain caffeine, so you can get your morning caffeine fix, but at a lower dosage.
The caffeine in tea gently enters your blood stream, which doesn't give you a jittery feeling.
15. **Exercise.** Exercising is one of the best methods to start off your day for your mind as well as the body. It keeps you fit as well as freshens up your mind from its state of sleep. Exercising increases brain function, which can help you get a jump-start on the day. Exercise also reduces stress and boosts your metabolism.
Go for walk, go for a bike ride, go to the gym, or walk on the treadmill.
Do yoga. Yoga is a great way to start off the day by not only getting active but by allowing yourself some time for reflection and meditation.
Stretch. Gently wake up your body and mind by stretching your muscles. Elongate your spine and stretch out your arms and legs one at a time. Lift your arms over your head and bend from side to side. Twist your torso. Bend down and touch the floor. Slowly ease your body into the day as you loosen up the muscles for the day.
16. **Organize yourself.** Write down the tasks for the day. Make a to-do list and make an effort to follow it. It will keep you organized and make your day easier.
Make sure your to-do list is manageable. There are only so many things you can do in a day. Prioritize what has to be done on this particular day and put that in the "Things To Do Today" column. Make a separate column for "Things To Do If I Have Time." The tasks in this column should be able to be done at a later date if you run out of time.
Get organized the night before. Make your to-do list before you go to bed. Pack your work or gym bag. Prepare your lunch. Lay out your work clothes. These small tasks won't take long before bed and can help make your morning run smoothly.
17. **Smile.** Smiling can help you to feel relaxed because it causes your body to release positive neurotransmitters. Starting your day by acting the way you want to feel can help you be more positive. If you feel grumpy or tired, do something physical to make yourself feel happy. The easiest thing to do is smile. Just smile because you are alive and you can. Watch or listen to something humorous so you can laugh. It makes you feel positive and really beautiful about yourself and the world that surrounds you.
Try other actions to get yourself to feel happier. Jump up and down. Listen to peppy music. Dance. You may feel stupid, but it can help lift the mood for the day.
18. **Start your day with flowers and sunshine.** Put flowers in your eye line so they are one of the first things you see when you wake up. If you don't want flowers, try placing a bright, colorful painting instead. Seeing something bright and vibrant instead of dull walls can help you start your day off right. Bright colors are supposed to help stimulate the brain and get you moving.
After getting out of bed, open up the curtains or blinds to let the sunlight in. This can help you feel energized and more positive about the day. If you don't want to let outside light in, or it's raining, trying soothing light instead.
19. **Wake up with essential oils.** Essential oils are aromatic compounds found in parts of plants, such as the seeds, bark, stems, roots, and flowers. They are used in foods, beauty treatments, and some health care practices. Essential oils can be especially helpful in waking you up in the morning, helping to reduce anxiety, and increasing concentration. When choosing essential oils, do research into what you're getting; there are a lot of bold claims out there, and while some people swear by the use of only therapeutic oils, others say the use of that term is only a marketing tactic, and any essential oils will be suitable.
Many companies that sell essential oils offer wake up or morning blends that are supposed to help you get your day started.
Try mixing Peppermint oil and Wild Orange oil to help wake you up and chase away drowsiness. Mix two drops of Peppermint oil with two drops of Wild Orange oil. You can place it in a diffuser while you are eating breakfast, or dab it on the back of your neck or wrists after waking.
Lemon oil is known for its ability to help with focus and concentration. You can also put this oil in the diffuser or on your neck and wrist in the morning while you're getting ready.
Open up your sinuses and prepare your body for deep, cleansing breaths by using Eucalyptus oil or a Breathing blend. Dab a small drop on the inside of your nose and then take a shower. Take some deep breaths as you wake up.
Try patchouli oil for grounding and stability. Lavender oil is good for calming. Frankincense helps with mental clarity and peaceful feelings.
20. **Keep important items in the same place.** To make mornings less hectic, start a habit where you keep your important items in one easily accessible place. Put your keys, wallet, purse, public transit card, and other important items there. This way, you're never looking for that lost item when you're running behind. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-New-Day", "language": "en"} |
How to Apply a Popsocket | A popsocket grip is an attachment that can be added to the back of your phone. It will allow you to hold your phone comfortably, especially when taking selfies. You can also use it to do things like store your headphones and prop up your phone. Popsocket mounts can be applied to surfaces such as your car dashboard to hold your phone firmly while a popsocket grip is attached to it.
1. **Purchase a popsocket from the brand's official website.** You can choose from a range of color and designs. You can also design your own custom popsocket by uploading a unique image while making your order.
To order a popsocket, visit https://www.popsockets.com/.
2. **Decide where to attach your popsocket.** Decide beforehand where you want it positioned based on how you intend to use it. Place the popsocket on the back of the phone without removing the adhesive covering to see how it will line up. If you want to attach 2 popsockets to the back of your phone, test out their positioning together and make sure they line up evenly.
For instance, if you want to prop up a small phone vertically, position the popsocket in the bottom of your phone.
You might attach two popsockets to prop up a larger phone, or to store your headphones.
Decide if you want to attach the popsocket directly to your phone, or to a phone case.
3. **Peel off the sticker on the adhesive surface.** When you are ready to attach the popsocket, carefully peel off the sticker on the back. Pull the sticker gently to avoid ripping it, starting at one corner and gently lifting it up. Do not remove the adhesive covering before you are ready to apply the popsocket to your phone.
4. **Stick the popsocket to your phone.** Once the adhesive surface is exposed, press it onto the spot where you want the popsocket to be. Press down firmly for 10-15 seconds to make sure it sticks to the phone.
5. **Flatten the popsocket before removing it.** Press down your popsocket to flatten it against the back of your phone. It will be easier to remove it in this compressed form. Do not try to remove the popsocket while it is extended, which may result in it popping out of its base.
6. **Gently peel up the popsocket from one corner.** Choose one corner of the popsocket and gently start peeling it up. Gently continue pulling in a circular direction, pulling up the outer surface. Once the entire radius of the circle is unstuck, pull up the popsocket to remove it.
7. **Use dental floss to remove the popsocket if you can't pull it off.** If the adhesive is too strong to remove the popsocket by hand, slide dental floss under it to unglue it. Wrap the ends of a long piece of dental floss around your index fingers and position it at one edge of the popsocket. Gently but firmly pull the floss between the popsocket and phone, breaking the seal.
8. **Rinse and dry your popsocket if the adhesive part is dirty.** Make sure that the adhesive part of your popsocket is clean so that it will re-stick properly. Gently rinse it under cold water and let it sit for 10 minutes to dry. Be sure to attach it to another surface within 15 minutes or the adhesive will dry out.
9. **Stick the popsocket to a new surface area.** Choose a new spot for your popsocket, on the same phone or on a new one. Press the popsocket down firmly to let he adhesive part stick to the phone. Continue putting pressure on it for 10-15 seconds to ensure that it adheres properly.
10. **Buy a popsocket mount from the company's website.** Mounts can be found in the "accessories" section. Popsocket mounts can be applied to surfaces such as your car dashboard or bedroom mirror.
Purchase a popsocket mount at https://www.popsockets.com/.
You can also purchase a popsocket mount designed to attach to your car's air vent.
11. **Wipe down the adhesion surface with rubbing alcohol.** Ensure that the popsocket mount has a clean surface to adhere to so that it sticks properly. Apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball or use a sanitizing alcohol wipe to clean the area you will be attaching the mount. The surface should be dry after a few seconds.
12. **Peel back the covering over the adhesive on the back of the mount.** Gently remove the protective sheet covering the adhesive on your popsocket mount. Be sure to avoid touching the adhesive. The 3M VHB pad is designed for a strong hold and will be very difficult to remove from your skin if contact occurs.
13. **Press the mount to the adhesion surface and let it bond for 8 hours.** Press the adhesive part of the mount down onto the surface you are sticking it to. Press firmly on the mount for 10-15 seconds. Let the mount bond to the surface for 8 hours before you use it to ensure that it is attached firmly.
A popsocket mount can only be applied once, so be careful about positioning it properly before attaching it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-a-Popsocket", "language": "en"} |
How to Keep a Bored Indoor Cat Entertained While You're Not at Home | While you're out, your cat will feel alone and will need something to keep him entertained. A bored cat is a destructive cat. Creating a stimulating environment or providing interactive toys can give a cat plenty to keep it entertained while you're away. Remember, your cat needs to act on its natural instincts, and providing your cat the means to do that will make it happier when it's alone.
1. **Make your own toy.** You can make it simple by simply wadding up some paper for the cat to bat around. There are many ideas for making basic cat toys. However, you can also get some tools and build a toy that involves all the bells and whistles of a store-bought toy.
2. **Choose a toy that involves movement.** Some toys allow a cat to bat around balls in tubes or on towers. There are even some toys that play the laser game with the cat. Cats love to follow movement, and these kinds of toys will help keep them from getting bored. There also toys that mimic the movements of cat's natural play that will help keep the cat entertained.
3. **Avoid toys that have pieces a cat could swallow while you’re gone.** You don’t want to come home to a vet emergency because your cat has swallowed something that will make it sick. Providing safe toys will help dissuade cats from going for more dangerous items, but the best bet is to secure unsafe items away from the cat’s reach. Your best bet is to check any warnings on the packaging to see if they recommend against unsupervised play.
4. **Find a toy that a cat can hit with their paws.** In addition to allowing for movement, this allows the cat to control the motion, unlike with a laser toy or a toy that constricts the movement to a specific space. The cat can bat toy mice or little balls across the room and then chase them. It also helps if some of the toys are ones that cat can carry. This will help the cat live out its natural prey drive, and keep it entertained when it's home alone.
5. **Choose an interactive toy with treats.** Some toys are designed to challenge a cat before dispensing a treat. This will give the cat something to work out while you're gone, and give it a nice treat, too. This helps the cat work its mind and body.
6. **Buy or build spaces for the cat to climb.** An enriching environment will invite the cat to do more while you're gone. Just make sure that the cat can easily get down from any of these spaces. There are all kinds of cat trees and cat climbing spaces available out there. If you’re worried about design, there are also design-friendly cat climbing fixtures.
You can buy a lot of different structures from your local pet store or online.
You can build a cat castle by taping or stapling cardboard boxes together and cutting out holes for the cat to climb through. Cats love boxes.
You can even put up cat shelves for the cats to explore.
7. **Arrange the structures so that the cat can easily jump or climb from space to space.** You don’t want your cat to break something trying to get to a high spot, so make it easy for them to climb to it. You also don’t want the cat to injure themselves or damage furniture in trying to make the jump or climb, so it’s best to make sure high places aren’t too far apart. Test out the distances with your cat when you’re home.
8. **Remove any dangerous or breakable items from the area.** If you have breakable items that you value, you may want to have a closed-in curio to display them, so that your cat won’t knock them over. Also remove dangerous houseplants, cotton balls, and anything else the cat might be interested in chewing up and swallowing.
9. **Leave cat toys around the house.** Cats like to discover their toys and it can be a great way to keep them entertained. The more toys the better. You can leave them in high places and even some hidden places (under the couch, for instance). That way the cat has "prey" all around the house.
10. **Leave the blinds open so that the cat can look outside while you're gone.** Cats like motion, so they will enjoy seeing birds and squirrels go by. It will help keep them entertained in a non-predictable way, and is very cost effective as well. You need not open all the blinds or curtains, just a few that are near the couch or the cat's favorite perch.
11. **Get a scratching post or three.** This is a great way to keep a cat busy. Cats need to scratch, and scratching posts are essential if you don’t want your furniture and carpet completely scratched up. Scratching posts may not completely resolve that problem, but it will mostly likely help. There are all kinds of scratching posts out there in many different designs and to fit many different budgets.
Try out different designs to see which the cat likes best. This will help keep your cat away from the furniture.
12. **Keep the television on.** The volume shouldn't be turned up too high, but at normal speaking level. Human voices will make your cat less lonely, and the TV can be set for colorful children's programs or nature programs featuring birds and fish. This will help keep a cat entertained with the movement on the screen.
13. **Put on some music or sounds that your cat likes.** Classical is often a nice genre, but if you know your cat likes a particular kind of music, play that. Leave it on repeat so that the cat has music all day long. The music should help relax an anxious cat.
14. **Leave out a couple of small, light boxes for your cat to jump around in.** Cats love strange hiding places. Boxes are a cost effective way to keep your cat entertained. They are also easy to modify for cat toy projects.
15. **Choose a space for the catio.** You’ll want a space where the cat can at least see outside. If you have a sunroom or a closed-in porch, that can function as the perfect catio. The cat will be able to see birds and squirrels, which will keep them entertained for hours. A window can be a great fit for a catio.
16. **Get any necessary permits or permissions.** If you rent, you may not be able to add a catio without the permission of your landlord. If it is an easily removable catio, this might not be a problem, but if you are building onto the house, it will likely need permission. Permits may also be required by the city or home owners’ association. Contact your local permit office to get more information.
17. **Order or build a catio.** If you don’t have a sunroom or closed-in porch, you may have to build or buy a catio. Many places have design plans you can buy, as well as pre-designed catios that you simple have to install. If you’re making your own, you’ll need a screen that a cat can’t claw through, wood for structural support, and a hard piece of material for the base. You can always make the base cushy, once you have the basic support.
Make sure you measure your window before ordering a pre-made catio.
18. **Install the catio.** When you have your catio, install it in the window. If you’ve measured correctly, this should be as easy as installing a window air conditioning unit. You’ll want to make sure that there is no space around the catio for the cat to escape. If the catio doesn’t fit perfectly, place some kind of firm barrier that the cat can’t move in the space.
19. **Check to make sure the catio is secure.** Make sure there are no cat-sized spaces for the cat to escape. Also make sure the catio has enough structural support. You might want to place something that weighs the same as your cat or cats in the catio to see if it remains stable. Shake the catio to make sure it's firmly in place. The last thing you will want is to come home and find your cat has escaped.
Don’t forget to make sure that other animals, especially predators, can’t get into or dislodge the catio.
20. **Let your cat go for a test run.** This is important for a couple of reasons. Letting the cat go for a test run while you’re home will allow you to see if there are any problems that could arise while you’re gone. It will also let you see if your cat even likes the catio and how your cat interacts with it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Bored-Indoor-Cat-Entertained-While-You%27re-Not-at-Home", "language": "en"} |
How to Place a Bridge on a Violin | A bridge is a small wooden device that supports the strings on a violin. It's not uncommon for the bridge to shift itself over time and you may have to periodically replace a bridge due to wear and tear. Rarely, a bridge might even fall off. Placing a bridge on a violin is a fairly simple process. With some patience, you can easily put a violin bridge in place on your own.
1. **Identify the e-string and g-string side.** A violin bridge is a small piece of wood. The bottom of the bridge is usually a straight line, while the top is arched slightly. When you're examining your bridge, you'll notice one side of the arch is slightly higher than the other. The lower side is the e-string side, and the taller side is the g-string side. When you put the bridge in place, make sure the e-string comes over the e-string side, and the g-string comes over the g-string side.
If you don't know which strings are which, when the violin's head is facing your body, the g-string will be the string farthest to the left. The e-string will be the string farthest to the right.
2. **Loosen the strings slightly.** To avoid snapping a string while placing the bridge, loosen the strings slightly. You loosen violin strings by turning the tuning knobs on the end of the violin. Strings should be loose enough that you can easily pull them up and down, allowing them to be lifted up enough to slip the bridge under the strings.
3. **Place the bridge between the F-holes.** The F-holes are two f-shaped holes found near the end of the violin's head. When you slide the bridge under the strings, make sure it's between the two F-holes. The bridge should be placed at roughly the midway point of the f-holes. Imagine you're drawing a line from one f-hole to the next, starting at the small horizontal line running through one f-hole and stretching out to meet the small horizontal line running through the other f-hole. This imaginary line should run through the violin bridge.
4. **Put the violin strings in the knobs of the bridge.** The violin bridge has four small knobs running across the top. The four violin strings fit into these knobs, keeping the bridge and the strings in place. Gently feed one violin string at a time into the knobs on the bridge.
5. **Tighten the strings.** Now you can retighten your strings to keep the knob in place. Gently turn each knob on the bottom of the violin. It's a good idea to use one hand to hold the bridge in place while tightening the strings, to prevent it from falling over. Tighten the strings until they are secure enough to keep the bridge in place while still having a very slight amount of slack.
6. **Make sure the bridge is standing at a 90-degree angle.** Once you've placed your bridge, you'll want to check to make sure its placement is correct. Lay your violin down on a flat surface. Get down to the violin's level. The side of the bridge facing the violin's tailpiece should stand at a roughly 90 degree. The other side of the bridge should be sloped forward slightly.
If the bridge is not forming a 90-degree angle, you may have put it in place backwards. You'll have to remove the bridge and start over.
7. **Check to make sure the bridge is in the center of the violin.** Your bridge should be in the center of the violin. It should not be too far to the left or right. If your bridge is leaning to the right or the left, gently push it until it's in the center of the violin.
You can simply eyeball to see if the bridge is in the center by glancing at the violin from a bird's eye angle. If you want to be extra sure the bridge is positioned correctly, however, you can use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the length of each end of the bridge to the end of the violin. The measurements should be roughly equal.
8. **Make sure the bridge falls roughly in the middle of the f-holes.** The bridge should be between the f-holes, roughly falling between the middle of each hole. The bridge may have slipped slightly while you were tightening the strings, so once again check. Make sure you can draw an imaginary line through the center of each f-hole that runs through the bridge. If the bridge has moved, gently slide it up or down until it's in the right place.
9. **Hold the bridge when tuning.** Bridges often fall out of place during tuning. To prevent this from happening, make sure you hold your bridge in place with one hand when tuning.
10. **Replace strings individually.** On occasion, you will need to replace the strings of your violin as they break and wear down over time. In this case, make sure to replace strings individually. Removing more than one string at once can cause the bridge to fall out of place.
11. **Have a professional (or your instructor) place your bridge.** Take your violin to an instrument shop, preferably the one where you bought your violin. A professional there will also sand it, if necessary, and make sure it's the right size for your violin. Your instructor might also be able to do the same. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Place-a-Bridge-on-a-Violin", "language": "en"} |
How to Speed Up USB Modem Connection | Most DSL Providers don't provide DSL on rural areas, that's why people prefer USB modem, your Internet connection depends on your signal. Here are some steps to make your Modem go faster!.
1. **Surf in an open space.** Be sure that it is away from walls and metals, which tend to repel signal. Turn off appliances which uses radio waves like televisions and radios. Move the computer near a window or door to get a stronger signal. If you are in an enclosed area, you may receive a weaker signal as compared to when you are in an open area.
2. **Try moving near your nearer Cell Site.** You are lucky if you are near.
3. **Go to Start -> Network -> Network and Sharing Center, and then click on Manage Network Connections
**
4. **Right-click on that icon and select Properties
** You’ll find both IPv6 and IPv4 enabled.
5. **Uncheck the box for IPv6 and click OK
**
6. **Reboot your computer, but afterwards if the protocol incompatibility was your problem, you’ll find that your computer can now communicate fine with the router.** There is one other complication. Microsoft introduced into Vista just to encourage you that much more to upgrade your router – it’s something called “autotuning,” and it’s also the next Vista tweak.
7. **Allow programs to access the Windows firewall, it ensures you to browse quickly.**
8. **If your Broadband stick consistently receives 3G signals, then adjust the default network setting to get better speeds and stability.** Adjust the Default Network Setting from "WCDMA Preferred" to "WCDMA Only." When the Default Network Setting is in "WCDMA Only," the dongle will only shift between 3G and HSDPA signals thus giving you better broadband speeds and signal stability.
9. **Update your firmware and Modem or buy new one, new and latest modems have better speeds than the older one, while old computer tend to have a really slow connection.**
10. **Check for viruses and malwares, it causes to slow down the computer's speed, download a anti-virus software for your computer's safety.**
11. **Restart your computer and Modem, so your network will be refreshed.**
12. **Try deleting cache and history, it can slow down your connection.**
13. **Make sure you have enough space memory.**
14. **Try opening a tabs one at a time, download also one at a time, bigger downloads tends to slow down the connection, Data Traffic can also affect the Usage, heavy traffic mostly occurs on weekends, try surfing weekdays.**
15. **Put a Clip Antenna connector to your modem, to increase signal bandwidth, it makes your internet go faster, it also helps you to connect distant networks.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Speed-Up-USB-Modem-Connection", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Emergency Kitten Food | A kitten can’t live on its own since it usually relies on its mother for food and warmth. If you find a kitten that’s been separated from the litter or abandoned, you can feed it with homemade formula. While a kitten can’t survive solely on a homemade formula, you may use it in a pinch until you’re able to buy a kitten milk replacement (KMR). If you want to make a quick and easy formula, you can use evaporated milk and an egg yolk. For something more nutritious, you can use a mixture of goat milk, yogurt, and gelatin. After mixing the emergency food, give it to the kitten with a bottle or syringe to keep it healthy!
1. **Combine evaporated milk, egg yolk, and corn syrup for a simple formula.** Beat 1 egg yolk in a large mixing bowl with a wire whisk until it has a runny consistency. Pour in 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) of evaporated milk into the bowl with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of light corn syrup and continue mixing it into the formula. Stir the mixture until it’s thoroughly combined.
Don’t use sweetened condensed milk since it will be too sweet for the kittens.
2. **Mix goat milk, yogurt, egg yolk, gelatin, and corn syrup for a nutritious alternative.** Pour 1 US quart (0.95 L) of whole goat’s milk into a saucepan and turn it onto medium-low heat. Add 4 ounces (110 g) of unflavored gelatin powder to the milk and stir it continuously with a whisk until it dissolves. Remove the pan from heat before mixing in 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of corn syrup, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of plain yogurt.
If the kitten is 2 or 3 weeks old, use 8–12 ounces (230–340 g) of gelatin instead.
Use yogurt made with goat’s milk if possible to add more nutrients.
3. **Add a drop of vegetable oil to the formula if the kitten has constipation.** Kittens can get constipated if they’re over- or under-fed, which can be dangerous for their health. Place 1 drop of vegetable oil into the formula and thoroughly combine it with the formula. Continue adding vegetable oil to the formula until the kitten's constipation goes away.
Avoid using more than 1 drop of vegetable oil per day since it can give the kitten diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.
4. **Store the formula in an airtight jar in the fridge.** Pour the formula into a jar or bottle and seal it tightly. Label the container with the date and time you made the formula so you don’t forget when you made it. Place the formula in the fridge until you're ready to feed the kitten.
The simple formula keeps for up to 24 hours.
Formula made with goat's milk can last up to 1 week in the fridge.
Never leave formula at room temperature after mixing it.
5. **Switch to store-bought milk replacement as soon as possible.** A homemade emergency formula does not contain the full nutritional requirements for a kitten, so only use it for 1–2 days. Search for a kitten milk replacement at a local pet store or veterinary office as soon as you’re able. You can get powdered milk replacement that you mix with water or buy a liquid replacement instead.
Call your local veterinary office if you need recommendations on which milk replacements to use.
6. **Try feeding the kitten every 2–3 hours.** A young kitten needs to eat about 8 times per day, so write down what time you feed it. Plan on checking the kitten every few hours so you can try giving it the formula. Listen to the kitten to see if it’s making any noises or whining since it may be hungry.
Keep the kitten in the same room with you while you’re sleeping so you can hear it if it starts whining. If it isn’t making any noise, then check on it again 2 hours later.
7. **Wrap the kitten in a blanket before feeding it if it feels cold.** Feel the kitten’s mouth with your finger to see if it feels cold to the touch. If it does, wrap the kitten’s body in a blanket and keep it close to your body so it warms up. Slowly rub the kitten’s body with your hands for about 20 minutes until its mouth and bottoms of its paws feel warm.
Don’t feed a kitten while it’s cold since it won’t be able to digest the formula properly.
Hold the kitten near your armpit since it’s one of the warmest spots on your body.
8. **Heat a bottle of formula in hot water until it’s about 100 °F (38 °C).** Fill a glass or mug with the warmest water from your sink. Put the emergency formula in a kitten nursing bottle and submerge the bottom of the bottle in the glass. Leave the formula in the water for about 5 minutes so it can warm up. Check the temperature of the formula with a thermometer to make sure it’s 100 °F (38 °C).
You can buy kitten nursing bottles from a veterinary office or pet store.
You may also use a feeding syringe instead of a bottle.
Don’t use a microwave to heat the formula since it can heat unevenly.
If you don’t have a thermometer, put a drop of formula on the back of your hand to feel the temperature. If you can leave it comfortably on your hand for 20 seconds, then it’s a perfect temperature for the kitten. If it feels too warm, let it cool down for 5 minutes before checking it again.
9. **Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle while feeding the kitten.** Keep the kitten on its stomach while you’re feeding it, or else the formula can enter its lungs. Place the end of the nipple against the kitten’s mouth to encourage it to start drinking. Keep the bottle tilted up to reduce the amount of air the kitten swallows so it doesn’t get too much gas. Keep feeding the kitten until you see bubbles forming around its mouth.
If the kitten has trouble drinking from the bottle, try cutting a larger hole in the nipple with a pair of scissors or using a syringe instead.
Put your finger in the kitten’s mouth if it doesn’t open up for the bottle.
10. **Massage the kitten’s back to burp it.** Put a towel underneath the kitten and slowly rub up and down its back. Apply light pressure as you massage the kitten so it can cough up any excess formula it swallowed. Once the kitten spits up on the towel, you can stop massaging its back.
Try patting the kitten’s back if massaging it doesn’t work.
11. **Stimulate the kitten’s genital area so it eliminates after feeding.** Hold the kitten above a litter box or piece of paper towel and gently rub its genital area with a baby wipe. Apply light pressure until the kitten urinates or eliminates the litter. Make sure the kitten goes to the bathroom, or else it could develop constipation, which could harm the kitten.
Kittens can’t eliminate on their own, so be sure to stimulate them after each feeding to avoid any complications.
If the kitten has loose or runny stool for 24 hours, take the kitten to a vet since there may be an underlying condition causing it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Emergency-Kitten-Food", "language": "en"} |
How to Read Piano Chords | If you understand how to read piano chords, you can sit down and play nearly any song with a basic chord chart – you don't even have to learn a lot of music theory or know how to read sheet music. Chord notations can be intimidating, but they'll make more sense once you learn your scales and understand a little about piano chord theory.
1. **Find the chord chart.** Normal sheet music would have the exact notes of the chord symbolized on the staff. With a chord chart, you just have a series of letters and numbers that represents each chord.
The name of the chord tells you how to build the chord on the piano. It gives you information about which keys to put your fingers on to play that chord.
2. **Identify the root note of a chord.** On a chord chart, the root note is the first capital letter for the name of the chord. The root note is the first note you play, and the note upon which the rest of the chord is built.
All the other notes in a chord are typically named in relation to the root note. For example, a seventh chord is named because the last note in the chord is the seventh note away from the root note.
3. **Hear the difference between major and minor chords.** Major and minor chords are some of the most basic chords and make up the vast majority of songs you would play on piano. A minor chord is, essentially, a major chord turned upside down.
Major chords and minor chords are both three-note chords. Major chords typically are notated simply by the capital letter of the root note. However, seventh chords are the exception to this rule. If you see "C7" on a chord chart, that refers to a C Seventh chord, which is different from a C Major Seventh chord. For seventh chords, you'll see "major" abbreviated either with a "M" or "maj" after the root note.
For minor chords, there will be a lower-case "m" after the capital letter. When you play a minor chord, the middle note is lowered by half a step relative to the major chord, but the other two notes remain the same. This gives a minor chord a sadder, more serious tone.
4. **Find sharps and flats.** Many keys have sharps or flats in their names, usually represented in the chord name as a "#" for a sharp or a "b" for a flat. These correspond to the black keys on your piano.
The black key to the right of, or above, a white key is that key's sharp. For example, the black key immediately to the right of C is C sharp. The black key immediately to the left of, or below, a white key, on the other hand, is that key's flat.
Black keys are both to the right and to the left of different white keys. So the same black key that could be considered C sharp could also be considered D flat. Keep this in mind when you're trying to find notes on the piano keyboard.
5. **Start with simple chords.** There are 6 basic chords that can be played on piano using only the white keys – 3 major chords and 3 minor chords. You can play songs using these chords without having to worry about sharps and flats.
The three major chords are C, G, and F. The three minor chords are A minor, D minor, and E minor. These chords are a good place to start if you're new to piano.
6. **Read the next part of the notation to build the chord.** Following the root note and whether the chord is major or minor, the name of the chord will list other information you'll need to play the chord on the piano.
Different types of chords are built in different ways. To understand this from the name of the chord, you'll need to learn a little vocabulary. For example, if you see "Caug" on a chord chart, you need to play an augmented C chord. When you augment a chord, you take the major chord and raise the last note a half step. Since a C Major chord would be C-E-G, and a "Caug" chord would be C-E-G sharp.
A diminished chord is created in nearly the opposite way, by lowering the middle and last notes a half step. For example, if you saw the name "Cdim" on a chord chart, you would play C-E flat-G flat. You can also think of Cdim as a minor C chord with the fifth lowered by half a step.
7. **Memorize common chords.** Check the chord charts for some of your favorite songs to see what chords show up the most often. Write them down and memorize the notes that you play. Whenever you see that notation, you'll know what chord to play without having to get bogged down in music theory.
Search online for fingering charts that will show you where to place your fingers for certain chords. You can identify "chord shapes" that will remain the same no matter what the root note. You must place your first finger on the key that corresponds to the root note.
8. **Identify whole and half steps.** If you look at the keyboard on a piano, you'll see white keys with black keys between them. Black keys are grouped in pairs and in groups of 3 with a space between. The pattern repeats up and down the entire keyboard.
The distance between a white key and the black key right next to it is a half step. The distance between 2 white keys that have a black key between them is a whole step.
Practice making whole and half steps up and down the keyboard to get a hands-on understanding of how they work and how the notes relate to one another.
9. **Play the scale for different keys.** The scale for a key starts at the root note for that key. All scales follow the "whole-whole-half whole-whole-whole-half" pattern. Once you find the root note, you can play the entire scale by following that pattern.
You can find the scales on your own without worrying about any sheet music. Start with C and play each white key until you get to the next C on the keyboard. You've just played the C Major scale, which uses only white keys.
Move over to the D and follow the same "whole-whole-half whole-whole-whole-half" step pattern to find the D Major scale. By following the same pattern one key over, you now have to use 2 black keys – F sharp and C sharp.
You can follow this pattern from any key on the piano to get the scale for that note. Once your fingers get used to playing the pattern, you may find that you can play a scale without even looking at the keys.
10. **Look for chords within the scale.** Once you know the scale, you can find all the major chords by stacking notes in relation to the root note. Form a chord by playing 3 or 4 notes of the scale, starting with the root note.
The major chord is the main chord formed by the first, third, and fifth notes in the root note's scale. For example, since the first 5 notes of the C scale are C-D-E-F-G, the C Major chord is C-E-G.
To make a minor chord, the third note is lowered by a half-step. For example, C minor would be C-E flat-G. If you play the major chord followed by the minor chord for the same root note, you can hear the difference between the 2 types of chords.
11. **Compare chord names to notes of the scale.** Once you know the scale, you can figure out how to play the chord by looking at the name of the chord. The chord name tells you how that particular chord differs from the major chord.
For example, with a seventh chord, you play 4 notes instead of 3; the fourth being the seventh note in the scale lowered a half-step. So if you see "C7," you know to play C-E-G-B flat.
12. **Find the key signature.** The symbols at the beginning of the staff lines on a piece of sheet music show you how to play the song. Following the clef symbol to identify the treble or bass clef, you'll see the key signature and time signature.
The key signature indicates the key in which the song is played. If it's a key signature other than C major, it will contain sharps or flats somewhere. Those sharps or flats are noted at the beginning of the piece of music.
The key signature means that every time you play that note throughout the piece, you'll play the sharp or flat indicated rather than the non-accidental note. For example, the G Major scale includes an F sharp, so for the G Major key signature you'd see a sharp sign (#) over the staff line that represents the F note.
13. **Build a major chord.** A major chord is the simplest type of chord you can play. It's a 3-note chord made up of the first, third, and fifth notes on the scale of the root note. Other chords involve making a change to the major chord.
You can start with a C major chord, since it's perhaps the easiest. Find the C key on your piano, then skip a white key and place another finger on the third key. Skip another white key and place a third finger on the fifth key. Play these 3 notes at the same time and you have a C Major chord.
Applying the same theory, keep your hand in the same position but slide over one key to the D key on the piano. Notice where your fingers now fall. They should be positioned over the D, the F sharp, and the A. If you play these 3 notes together, you're playing a D Major chord.
14. **Build a minor chord.** A minor chord is played the same as a major chord, except that instead of playing the middle note, or third note of the scale, you play the key to its immediate left, or one half-step lower. All minor chords are built the same way.
For example, for a C Major chord, you would play C, E, G, but for C minor you would play C, E-flat, G.
You can follow this theory to form all the minor chords the same way you formed all the major chords.
15. **Apply chord theory to seventh chords.** Seventh chords get their name from the fact that you're playing 4 notes in the chord, with the fourth note being the seventh note in the root note's scale.
For the major seventh chord, you simply play the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of the major scale. For C Major Seventh, for example, notated as "CM7" or "Cmaj7," you would play C-E-G-B.
For any seventh chord that isn't a major seventh, you want to lower the seventh note a half-step. For example, C7 would be C-E-G-B flat. C minor 7, abbreviated "Cm7," is a C-minor chord plus the lowered seventh note: C-E flat-G-B flat.
16. **Move on to suspended chords.** A suspended chord has an unfinished sound, because you replace the third note of the major scale with the fourth note. To remember this, think of suspending your finger over the third note and dropping it further over on the fourth.
Ultimately, you're playing a regular major chord, except instead of playing the first, third, and fifth notes of the scale, you're playing the first, fourth, and fifth notes.
Suspended chords may be represented on chord charts with the abbreviation "sus" (short for "suspended") or with the number 4 following the root note (to indicate you play the major chord with the fourth note instead of the third).
17. **Use chord theory to make sense of more complex chords.** Once you understand the theory behind the different chords and how they relate to the major chords, you can combine different variations to create more complex chords.
For example, you can create a suspended seventh chord by combining a suspended chord with a seventh chord. Play the fourth note of the major scale instead of the third, and then play the lowered seventh note. All 4 notes played together will be a suspended seventh chord.
While these complex chords are used rarely in popular music, if you understand chord theory you'll have no problem playing them when you see them on chord charts or in sheet music. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Piano-Chords", "language": "en"} |
How to Start a Blog | Blogging is a very popular passive income stream. You may see many people call themselves bloggers. If you want to become one of them and put forth your views onto the internet and spread knowledge, this wikiHow is perfect for you. This WikiHow teaches you how to create and begin using a blog, both in general and by using specific platforms such as WordPress and Blogger.
1. **Come up with a list of interests.** Before you define your blog's intention, you should have a general idea of what you want to write about. These interests/categories which you are going to write about is known as your blog's niche. The sky is the limit when it comes to your blog's niche, but common topics include the following:
Gaming
Style
Politics/Social Justice/Activism
Cooking/Food
Travel
Business/Company
2. **Know what not to blog about.** Things like private information—both yours and other people's—and personal details that you don't want to share with people close to you shouldn't be topics for your blog. Also, controversial articles or posts may get you some temporary popularity but it also comes with cons like less safety and targeting.
If you have a job that required you to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), you should avoid discussing activities or topics outlined in the NDA.
Blogging about other people is fine as long as you don't harass or discriminate against them, but be aware that they may see your content and retaliate.
3. **Consider your blog's intention.** While having in mind a blog topic is a good start, your blog needs a specific direction in order to get off the ground. Common reasons for blogging include one (or a combination) of the following, though you can certainly find your own inspiration:
Teach something — Best-suited to instructional blogs (e.g., DIY projects).
Document your experience — Good for travel blogs, fitness challenges, and so on.
Entertain — Well-suited to a variety of mediums such as comedy writing, fan-fiction, and so on.
Call to action — Commonly used for your business or company blog.
Inspire others — This is a category that can stand on its own, but may best fit any of the other intentions in this section.
"Spread Awareness" - Useful for news blogs.
4. **Check out other blogs in your category.** Once you've established your blog's topic and goal, research other blogs that use the same topic and/or your preferred style of writing to see how they engage their audiences.
You shouldn't outright copy a blog you admire, but you can take inspiration from the tone, layout, or language used for the blog content itself. Seeing really popular and awesome blogs in your niche can pull you towards plagiarizing the writing style or even the content, but be sure to take inspiration from it, you will be discovered someday or another if you plagiarize.
5. **Brainstorm blog specifics.** The last two things you should know before you actually make your blog are the blog's name and how you want the blog to look:
Blog name — Come up with a name that you feel comfortable sharing with others. This may be a combination of your interests, your blog's content, and/or a nickname; just make sure that your blog's title is both unique and easy to remember.
Blog design — You probably won't be able to design your blog's layout exactly the way you want to, but having a general idea of the color scheme and font type before you go to create your blog will make it easier to find a template you like.
6. **Create your blog using a reputable platform.** Common blog platforms include WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr, but you can choose any commonly used service you like. Once you've selected a service, your blog creation process will usually look something like this:
Open the service's website on your computer.
Create an account (preferably a free one to start).
Enter your desired blog name, then pick a URL.
Select a blog layout and any other requested details.
7. **Promote your blog on social media.** Once you've created your blog and made a few posts, you can increase your blog traffic by posting a link to your blog on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
You might even consider using the blog's address in your bio or as your "Company Website" on social media.
8. **Research keywords for your posts.** "Keywords" are words which both pertain to your blog's topic and have a high search engine rating. Using keywords in your blog posts will make it easier for people who look up those words to find your content.
Keyword generator sites such as http://ubersuggest.io/ or https://keywordtool.io/ will come up with a list of words that relate to your blog's topic.
Re-check the keywords you use every time you create a blog post.
If you fit the keywords into your posts in a natural way, search engines will be more likely to pick up on your blog than if you just scatter them throughout the posts.
9. **Get your blog indexed by Google** Ensuring that your blog is indexed by Google will increase your search engine ranking, making it easier for people to find your blog when they look up related keywords.
10. **Use images in your posts.** One thing that search engines tend to prioritize over all else is image use, so make sure your posts have high-quality images attached to them.
You may get bonus points for original photos.
Users tend to appreciate visual input alongside text, so adding images to your blog is a good idea even if you aren't worried about search engine optimization.
11. **Keep posting content.** Little will cause your blog to stop drawing in traffic faster than not posting for a long period of time (or posting erratically). Develop a posting schedule that allows you to post at least once per week and stick to it.
Missing a post by a day or two once in a while is fine, though you should consider making a note on social media that your post will be late.
Fresh content will also help keep your blog near the top of search engine results.
12. **Open WordPress.** Go to https://wordpress.com/ in your computer's web browser.
13. **Click Get Started.** It's a link in the upper-right corner of the page.
14. **Fill out the blog creation form.** Enter your information into the following fields:
What would you like to name your site? — Enter your blog's name here.
What will your site be about? — Type in a one-word category, then click a category that fits your blog in the resulting drop-down menu.
What's the primary goal you have for your site? — Type in a one-word category, then click a category that fits your blog in the resulting drop-down menu.
How comfortable are you with creating a website? — Click one of the numbers at the bottom of the page.
15. **Click Continue.** It's at the very bottom of the page.
16. **Enter your preferred address for your blog.** In the top text box, type in whatever you want your blog's URL name to be.
Don't include the "www" or ".com" part of the URL here.
17. **Click Select next to the "Free" option.** This option will appear below the text box. Doing so selected the free address for your blog.
18. **Click Start with Free.** It's on the left side of the page. Doing so will take you to the account creation page.
19. **Enter an email address.** Type the email address you want to use to create your account into the "Your email address" text box.
20. **Enter a password.** Type a password for your account into the "Choose a password" text box.
21. **Click Continue.** It's a blue button at the bottom of the page.
22. **Confirm your email address.** While you're waiting for WordPress to finalize your account details, do the following:
Open your WordPress email inbox in a new tab.
Click the "Activate [blog name]" email from "WordPress".
Click in the email body.
Close the tab once it finishes loading.
23. **Click Continue.** It's in the middle of the original tab on which you created your WordPress account.
24. **Add a theme to your blog.** The "theme" dictates how your blog looks. Scroll down to the "Customize" heading, click , and select the theme you want to use for your blog. You can then click at the top of the page.
You might want to click in the upper-right side of the page to see results for free themes only.
25. **Start writing.** You can start your first blog post by clicking in the upper-right side of the window to bring up the post window; at this point, you're free to begin creating content for your blog.
26. **Open Blogger.** Go to https://www.blogger.com/ in your computer's web browser.
27. **Click SIGN IN.** It's in the top-right corner of the page.
28. **Sign in using your Google Account.** Enter your email address, click , and then type in your password and click .
If you don't have a Google Account, create one before proceeding.
29. **Click Create a Google+ profile.** It's a blue button on the left side of the page.
30. **Enter your name.** Type your first and last name into the text boxes at the top of the page.
31. **Select a gender.** Click the gender drop-down box, then click the gender you want to use for your blog.
32. **Click CREATE PROFILE.** It's at the bottom of the page.
33. **Add a photo.** Click your current photo, click when prompted, and then find and double-click a photo on your computer. You can then click to proceed.
You can also click below this section to add a photo later.
34. **Click Continue to Blogger.** You'll find this option near the bottom of the page.
35. **Click CREATE NEW BLOG.** It's in the middle of the page.
36. **Enter a blog title.** Type your blog's title into the "Title" text box.
37. **Select a blog address.** Type the address you want to use into the "Address" text box, then click the address that appears below it in a drop-down menu.
If Google indicates that the address is already taken, you'll need to choose a different address.
38. **Select a theme for your blog.** Click a theme in the "Theme" list.
The theme determines how your blog will appear.
39. **Click Create blog!.** It's at the bottom of the window.
40. **Click No thanks when prompted.** Doing so takes you to the blog's dashboard.
41. **Start writing.** Click at the top of the page to open the blog post window; at this point, you're free to begin creating content for your blog. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Blog", "language": "en"} |
How to Kill Poison Oak | Poison oak looks innocuous, but the rash it causes can lead to severe itching, water blisters, and even skin poisoning. It thrives on abandoned land, along hiking trails, in wood lots and on Christmas tree farms. If you have poison oak plant near your home or business, you can get rid of it by hand, using herbicide, or trying natural methods.
1. **Identify poison oak plants.** Poison oak has green, shiny leaves that turn red in the fall and die off in the winter. The leaves are thick and have a rumpled surface. They have a similar shape to oak leaves and grow in groups of 3 (hence the "leaves of 3, let it be" adage). In open sun, poison oak grows in the form of bushy shrubs. In areas with partial shade, it can grow as a vine, climbing up trees and stumps.
Look for poison oak along trails, near the edges of woods, and in abandoned lots.
Left to grow, poison oak plants can become quite large, but you'll also see baby plants sprouting from the ground. Look for the classic leaves for positive identification.
Even when a poison oak plant has lost its leaves, the dry sticks left behind are still poisonous, so don't dismiss a plant just because it doesn't have leaves.
2. **Cover yourself from head to toe.** Manual removal requires actually touching the plants, so you need to make sure you're completely covered to protect your skin from urushiol, the toxic oil they produce. Put on thick gloves, several layers of long shirts, long pants, socks, and heavy boots. Since some people get affected by simply breathing the air near poison oak, you should cover your face as well.
This is the most effective removal strategy, but it's also the most dangerous.
This method is not recommended for people who are severely allergic to poison oak. Either find someone who's immune (15% of the population can touch poison oak without getting a rash) or try another method.
Be aware that if you only had a mild rash in the past, it's possible that another exposure could have a worse effect.
Be very careful when you remove your clothes after the job is done. The oils from the poison oak plants will be on your gloves, shoes and other clothing. It should all be promptly washed using the hot cycle in your washing machine.
3. **Dig out the plants by the roots.** Smaller plants may be pulled out by hand, but you might need a shovel to dig out larger ones. It's very important to get the entire plant, including the roots. Otherwise the plant will grow right back.
It's easiest to manually remove plants in the spring, when they're green and the ground is relatively soft. Waiting until the ground gets dry or cold will make it difficult to get all the roots, since the plants will tend to break off at the stems.
After removing the plants, disinfect all your gardening tools.
4. **Discard the plants.** Once you've collected all of the plants and their roots, either stack them in an out-of-the-way area or put them in garbage bags to be thrown away. Dead poison oak plants are still poisonous, so don't leave them in a place where other people will come into contact with them.
Don't use the plants as mulch or compost. Again, it's just too risky, since they're still full of the oils that can cause an extreme rash.
Don't burn the plants. Breathing the smoke from burning poison oak plants is extremely dangerous.
5. **Consider getting a professional involved.** If you don't want to go near the poison oak, it might be best to hire someone else to do it. A licensed professional will apply a high-powered pesticide such as Imazapyr to wipe out the poison oak. It's best to do this in spring or early fall.
6. **Use an early-season spray if treating poison oak in the spring.** Choose an herbicide made with . This chemical is most effective early in the growing season, and you can it from spring to mid-summer when plants are growing rapidly and flowering.
Don't spray on a windy day. The chemicals will kill nearby plants in addition to the poison oak, or they may blow back in your face.
Don't spray trees.
Spray when it's dry, not when it's rainy out. The herbicide will need at least 24 hours to work effectively.
7. **Use a late-season spray if treating poison oak in the fall.** Use an herbicide made with late in poison oak's life cycle. You can use glyphosate after the poison oak has flowered, but while its leaves are still green. Apply a 2 percent solution of glyphosate to the poison oak, spraying it directly on the poison oak plant's leaves. Glyphosate will damage or kill other nearby vegetation, so be careful where you spray it.
The WHO considers glyphosate to be a probable human carcinogen. Its use is prohibited in some states and countries. Please check with your local laws and use caution if handling this chemical.
Don't spray on a windy day. The chemicals will kill nearby plants in addition to the poison oak, or they may blow back in your face.
Don't spray trees.
Spray when it's dry, not when it's rainy out. The herbicide will need at least 24 hours to work effectively.
8. **Apply a chemical treatment to poison oak stumps.** You can use glyphosate, triclopyr, or a combination of both chemicals to kill the poison oak plants. The plant will drink in the chemical down to the roots. Before doing this, be sure to cover yourself from head to toe to protect against the toxic oils in the plant.
Use long-handled loppers to cut down the poison oak plant so that the stems are just 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) above ground.
Immediately after cutting the stems, apply the chemicals with a 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide paintbrush or a squeeze bottle.
Thoroughly cover each stump with the chemical. You will have to re-treat any new growth that shoots out of the stump.
9. **Wait for the roots to die, then dig out the plants.** When the stems turn brown a few days later, use a shovel to dig out the dead roots. Don't mulch or burn the dead material; throw it away, since it could still cause a rash.
10. **Cover the plants with plastic to kill them.** Use plastic sheeting to cover poison oak plants that are in a contained area. This works best if you first cut the plant down to a few inches above the ground. The dead roots must be removed and discarded properly, or they'll come back.
11. **Pour boiling water over the roots to get rid of small plants.** Heat up your tea kettle until the water has come to a rolling boil. Take it outside and pour it near the roots of the poison oak plant. The boiling water should kill the plant, but you'll need to get rid of the roots. This method is better for small plants. Large shrubs probably won't be affected.
If you use this method, be very careful not to breathe in any steam that rises from the boiled plant.
12. **Employ a goat to do the job, if possible.** Goats love to eat poison oak (they aren't affected by the oils) and since they're always hungry, they can clear out an area riddled with the stuff in no time at all. This is a great natural way to get rid of poison oak plants. Check around to see if there's a goat farm in your area. It's becoming increasingly popular for goat owners to hire out their goats for natural landscape management.
If you go this route, you'll need to get the roots in order to make sure the plants grow back. However, you could instead hire goats every spring to keep them maintained.
Interestingly, goats that eat poison oak produce milk that's free of the toxic oils.
13. **Try a vinegar spray for a simple method.** This method might be worth a try, especially for smaller plants. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar and spray the leaves and stems of the poison oak plants in your area. In a few days, the plants should die. Remove the roots if you don't want them to grow back.
14. **Spray bleach on the plants as an alternative.** Fill a spray bottle half full with warm water. Add 1/2 cup (136.5 g) of salt, ⁄2 cup (120 ml) of hydrogen peroxide, and 2 cups (470 ml) of bleach to the bottle. Put the sprayer on the bottle and shake it to mix the ingredients. Then, spray the poison oak plants liberally with the mixture.
15. **Plant your yard with healthy ground cover to discourage poison oak.** Since poison oak tends to thrive in "disturbed" areas with bare soil, you can prevent it from invading by planting other plants to take up that open space. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Poison-Oak", "language": "en"} |
How to Fill Concrete Holes | If your home has concrete, you may notice holes forming due to strong weather or rodents. Most holes can be fixed with a quality mortar mix, although you should use one with a crushed stone aggregate to fill holes over 1 in (2.5 cm) deep. Treat holes as soon as you find them so you can prevent water and rodents from further damaging the concrete and getting into your home. Before attempting to fill a hole, clear out loose concrete and other debris. Then, mix the mortar, fill in the hole, and level it to blend it in with the surrounding structure. Concrete takes time to cure, so keep the patch moist for several days for a stronger fix. Patching concrete holes is a simple weekend project and it can help protect your home for decades.
1. **Wear a dust mask and safety glasses before cleaning the concrete.** It is a dusty job, so always put on protective gear before working on the damaged area. Concrete releases plenty of dust when you chip it. That also means small fragments could come back toward your face while you work. Have rubber gloves available as well, although you won’t need them until you begin mixing new concrete.
If you’re working indoors, ventilate the area as much as possible to deal with the dust. Open nearby doors and windows. Turn on any available ventilation fans and vacuum up dust when you’re done.
Since concrete can produce a lot of dust, consider protecting nearby areas with a plastic tarp.
2. **Use a hammer and chisel to remove loose concrete from the hole.** Knock away the cracked and crumbling concrete around the hole. Also, try to flatten out the bottom of the hole to create a stable, level surface for the new patching material. Since a thicker patch is more likely to last a long time, try to make the hole up to 1 in (2.5 cm) deep if it isn’t already deeper than that.
If the hole is already greater than 1 in (2.5 cm) deep, don’t try to make it deeper. Instead, clean it out and choose an appropriate patching compound.
If possible, make the bottom part of the hole slightly wider than the top part. You can do this by holding the chisel diagonally to chip away at the bottom edges of the hole. Making the bottom part a little bigger helps lock the patch into the existing concrete.
You could also use a circular saw with a masonry bit to cut out damaged concrete.
3. **Brush or vacuum loose debris out of the hole.** For a simple way to clear out loose debris, scrub the concrete with a wire brush. If you have a shop vacuum, use it for a faster way to collect the debris. Make sure the hole is completely clear of debris before attempting to patch it.
Eliminate all debris so it doesn’t get in the way of the patching material. Anything left in the hole will weaken the patch!
4. **Wash the concrete with a cleaner if you need to flush out loose debris.** Buy a commercial concrete cleaner and pour it in the hole. Scrub it with a wire brush to help work the cleaner into the remaining concrete. Check for any loose concrete kicked up by the brush and remove it.
Commercial concrete cleaners are very useful for preparing concrete. They eliminate tough stains, dirt, or debris that can weaken the new patch. Debris affects the concrete’s consistency, so the patching material may not bond properly or be as strong as it should be.
If the concrete hole looks clean, you can just spray it with water.
5. **Rinse the concrete with clean water and let it dry.** Spray it with water from a hose or pour water over it. Make sure all of the debris is gone. Then, soak up the excess moisture with clean rags or paper towels. Wait for any standing water to completely evaporate before attempting to patch the hole. This may take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the weather and how much water is left.
Any water left over will weaken the concrete patch as much as loose debris would. Give it plenty of time to dry!
6. **Spray the hole with water if it’s more than 1 in (2.5 cm) deep.** Removing the debris from a large hole is often a little challenging. In most cases, you can use a brush or vacuum to get most of the debris. If that isn’t an option, fill the hole with water. Spray it down with a hose or pour water into it until it overflows, flushing out the debris.
Remember to widen the hole by removing loose concrete first. Most of the time, this will allow you to brush or vacuum out the debris.
Keep washing out the hole until you’re sure it looks clean. Watch for the water to stay clear without any debris in it. Then, soak up as much water as possible and let the hole air dry.
7. **Fill holes with a mortar mix instead of regular concrete.** When you shop for store-bought concrete, you will see a variety of different options. New concrete can’t bond properly with the old concrete, so you will have to get something specifically meant for repairs. Select a mortar mix with sand for a hole less than 1 in (2.5 cm) deep and a mix with gravel for a hole deeper than that. The mortar mix often comes in 60 lb (27 kg) bags, which make about ⁄3 cu ft (0.0094 m) of concrete.
A 60 lb (27 kg) bag fills a hole about 1 ft (0.30 m) long, 3 ft (0.91 m) wide, and 2 in (5.1 cm) deep. Unless you’re doing many repairs, a single bag will most likely be enough.
If you’re attempting to make your own mortar, combine 1 part Portland cement, 3 parts masonry sand or gravel, and water.
8. **Brush a bonding agent onto the concrete.** A bonding agent is a liquid that helps join new and old concrete. Put on work gloves if you haven't already. Dip a paintbrush in and spread it throughout the hole. Coat the bottom and sides of the hole with an even, consistent layer.
Note that the bonding agent can often be added after you have poured the concrete into the hole. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for more information.
You may also be able to mix the bonding agent in with the concrete. This is usually done by replacing 50% to 80% of the water with the bonding agent.
If you don’t apply the bonding agent now, lightly dampen the concrete with a moist sponge. Make sure there isn’t any standing water in the hole.
9. **Pour the mortar mix into a bucket filled with water.** Add the water to the mixing bucket first to reduce the amount of dust released when you drop in the mortar. Generally, use about 10 fl oz (300 mL) of lukewarm water for every 5 lb (2.3 kg) of mortar mix you plan on using. If you use too much water, the mortar will be too soupy and won’t set properly.
Err on the side of caution when mixing the mortar. You can always add more water, but you can’t remove it. The only way to deal with a runny mix is to add more mortar.
Remember to check the manufacturer’s recommendations on how much water to add. Factor in the liquid bonding agent if you plan on adding any to the mix.
Make sure you're wearing safety glasses, a ventilated mask, long jeans, and gloves when mixing mortar.
10. **Mix the mortar for 3 to 5 minutes until it forms a thick putty.** Stir the mortar around in the bucket with a hoe or another tool. You can also use a paddle attachment, which is a metal mixing rod that plugs into the end of a power drill. Continue mixing the mortar while checking its consistency. It is ready for use once it reaches the consistency of a thick, spreadable peanut butter.
Make adjustments to get the mortar to the proper consistency. Add water gradually to thin it out, mixing it for a minute after each addition to check its consistency again.
11. **Layer mortar in the hole with a trowel.** You can use a putty knife to spread the mixture over a small hole. Work the mixture into the hole with the tip of the tool. Cover the sides of the hole first, then begin filling the center of the hole. Try spreading the mortar about ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick each time. If you wait for each layer to dry before adding the next one, you can create a stronger patch.
Layering mortar is only really useful if you’re working with a deep hole, such as one more than 1 in (2.5 cm) deep. If you’re fixing a shallow hole, you might as well finish it in one go.
Keep the patching material roughly level with the surrounding concrete. Adding more than you need is okay. You will have a chance to eliminate the excess before it dries.
Patching a vertical surface, such as a wall, is pretty much the same as patching a hole on the ground. Push the mortar deep into the hole at first, then add more layer by layer. It will stay in place.
12. **Drag a board over the hole to remove excess mortar.** Select a board that is at least 1 ft (0.30 m) longer than the hole. Lay it across the hole on one side. Then, drag it over the hole. While dragging it, move it back and forth in a sawing motion to flatten the patch.
The board will collect excess mortar so you can smooth out the patch and keep it level with the surrounding concrete.
For vertical surfaces, try dragging a board down over the hole and then going back over the patch with a trowel. If you can’t use a board, just use a trowel or float instead.
13. **Smooth out the remaining mortar with a trowel or float.** If you have a float, which is a flat-bottomed tool designed for smoothing concrete, try using it on the mortar. Move the tool back and forth across the mortar a few times. After a few passes, the mortar patch will look flat and blend in well with the surrounding concrete.
Make sure the patch is level with the concrete around it. Use a wood board to remove any excess before smoothing the mortar out and letting it harden.
14. **Cover the patch with a plastic sheet to protect it from damage.** The patch will be pretty vulnerable until it has had a chance to cure. Purchase a concrete insulation barrier, spread it out across the patch, and pin it in place. Weight it down with heavy objects like bricks. If you’re fixing a wall, use a waterproof tape to keep the sheet flat against the concrete.
Keep other people away from the concrete until it has had a chance to cure. Don’t let anyone walk or drive over it, for instance.
15. **Wait at least 6 hours, then mist the patch with lukewarm water.** Quick-drying patching material usually takes about 4 to 6 hours to solidify. After it has become hard to the touch, lift up the plastic sheet. Use a spray bottle or a hose to lightly dampen the concrete with lukewarm water. Adding the water causes the concrete to continue curing, making the patch even stronger.
The drying time can vary depending on the weather and product used, so check the manufacturer’s recommendations before misting.
16. **Continue misting the concrete twice a day for at least 7 days while it dries.** Many quick-drying compounds may cure at a faster rate, so consult the manufacturer’s instructions for more information. Set aside a certain time each morning and evening so you won’t forget to mist the patching material as it sets. Spray it each time with a light amount of lukewarm water. The patch continues to grow stronger as it cures.
Some products may require you to keep the patch covered for up to 28 days while misting each day. Even though this may seem like a long time, it is worth doing if the manufacturer recommends it.
Once the concrete has finished curing, remove the plastic sheet and test it out. It should be level with the surrounding concrete and feel hard to the touch. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Fill-Concrete-Holes", "language": "en"} |
How to Treat Avian Pox in Canaries | Avian pox--also called canary pox virus or CNPV--is a viral disease that can be contracted by canaries. Avian pox shows up in two forms: the dry form (which is most common and quite treatable) and the wet form (which is rare but often fatal). Work with a veterinary professional to diagnose avian pox in your canary. Unfortunately, no medication to directly treat the avian pox virus currently exists, but you and vet can help your bird recover by providing medical treatment and offering supportive care. Additionally, you can take some steps to prevent the transmission of this disease.
1. **Treat lesions and crusts.** Lesions and crusts that result from avian pox will need to be treated. Your vet will clean these wounds, and if any infection is present, they may apply an antibiotic solution or ointment.
Treatment will help your bird’s lesions to heal effectively, and help them to feel more comfortable.
If your bird is comfortable with being handled, you can clean the crusts yourself. Use a mild disinfectant provided by your vet.
If crusts or scabs fall off of the bird, dispose of them to prevent the pox from spreading to other canaries or birds.
2. **Treat any secondary infections.** It is possible for your bird to contract avian pox, in part, due to a weakened immune system. Additionally, it is possible for your bird’s avian pox lesions to become infected. If your vet has detected any type of secondary infection, it will need to be treated. Often, treatment will involve the use of antibiotics.
Your vet can administer antibiotics by way of injection.
3. **Administer antibiotics at home.** You may need to continue providing antibiotics to your bird after you return home. There are typically two options for antibiotics. Liquid antibiotics are added to the bird's water, but this might discourage the bird from drinking. Topical antibiotic ointments can be applied to lesions on the skin. Talk to your vet about the best option for your canary.
Always follow all instructions provided by your vet, and continue providing antibiotics for as long as your vet has advised.
Wear disposable gloves when handling your sick bird, particularly when touching wounds or lesions.
4. **Keep the cage very clean.** Unfortunately, no cure for the avian pox virus currently exists. Instead, you and your vet can offer your bird supportive care while the virus runs its course. One way to help your bird heal is to keep their cage very clean.
Remove cage liners and wipe the bottom of the cage daily.
Wash food and water dishes daily.
Perform a deeper cleaning of the cage every 1-2 weeks.
5. **Keep the room warm.** Canaries can get cold easily when they are sick. Try to keep the room temperature at around 90 °F (32 °C). If the bird is sitting in their cage with their feathers fluffed up, they are cold. You should increase the temperature.
6. **Make physical accommodations.** While your bird is recovering from avian pox, they may be quite weak. In order to help them recover safely, ensure that everything they need is close by and low to the ground.
Lower any perches.
Make sure food and water dishes are accessible.
7. **Isolate the bird.** If you have other birds in your home, you will need to quarantine you canary while they are experiencing avian pox. Ideally, you should keep your sick bird and healthy birds in completely separate residences (such as with a friend). If this is not possible, place your sick bird in a closed room and cover all vents to prevent transmission of the disease.
Continue to quarantine your sick canary until your vet says it is OK to reintroduce them.
8. **Ensure adequate rest.** Under normal circumstance, your canary needs 8-10 hours of rest. In order for your bird to recover from avian pox, you should offer closer to 12. Cover your bird's cage and try to keep your home quiet during these times.
9. **Provide plenty of water.** Keep the water as close as possible to your canary so that they don't have to move far to reach it. If the canary won't drink, add a little bit of honey to the water. Change the honey water twice a day.
10. **Watch for symptoms.** Avian pox manifests in two distinct forms: the dry or skin form, and the wet or throat form (also called “diphtheric”). Of these, the wet form is far more serious (though rare) and often results in the death of the bird. The dry form, on the other hand, is far more common and treatable.
General symptoms include: lethargy, weight loss, refusal to eat, ruffled feathers, fast breathing, and/or difficulty breathing.
In the wet form, birds will form a thick mucus or plaque in and around the mouth, throat, and sinuses.
In the dry form, your bird’s non-feathered areas may turn white or yellow and become encrusted. Ultimately, you will notice wart-like lesions around the face, eyes, beak, legs, and feet.
11. **Visit your vet immediately.** Although avian pox (especially in its dry form) is visibly recognizable, it can only be diagnosed and treated by a vet. If you notice any symptoms in your bird, make an appointment to see your vet immediately.
If possible, seek out a vet that specializes in birds.
It is a good idea to find a vet before your bird becomes sick.
Always discuss the cost of testing and treatment with your vet before you proceed.
12. **Run a series of tests.** Your vet will probably recognize avian pox in your bird based on visible lesions and physical symptoms. However, they are likely to run a series of diagnostic tests, both to confirm the presence of the avian pox virus, and to determine whether or not there are underlying conditions present. You vet is likely to perform:
A physical examination
Microscopic examination of tissues
Blood or serum tests
Fecal tests
13. **Keep your canary indoors.** Avian pox is most commonly transmitted by mosquitoes. You can significantly reduce the chances of your canary becoming infected by keeping them indoors, particularly during the summer months.
Mosquitoes can carry the disease for up to one month after biting an infected bird.
If you must keep your bird outdoors, take steps to control the mosquito population around your home.
14. **Keep canaries in separate cages.** Avian pox may also be spread directly from bird to bird (although this type of transmission is not as common). As such, it is important to keep infected birds separate from healthy ones. Even when they are healthy, canaries prefer to be solitary birds, and will be most comfortable housed in individual cages.
Canaries enjoy flying from side to side, so they need a wide cage (rather than tall). Each cage should be at least 16 inches (40.6 cm) tall by 30 inches (76.2 cm) wide.
15. **Clean your bird’s cage.** To promote good health, keep your canary cages clean. Each day, remove food bowls and wash them with hot soapy water. Also each day, remove soiled cage liners and replace them. Under normal circumstances, entire cages should be sanitized once a month. If your bird is ill, you should do this every 1-2 weeks. In order to sanitize the entire cage, you can follow this procedure:
Place the bird in a safe place.
Remove all food/water bowls and toys, and discard cage liners.
Wipe down the entire inside of the cage using paper towels and a disinfectant product that is safe for birds (such as diluted white vinegar). Rinse the cage by wiping down with a damp paper towel.
Wash food/water bowls and toys in hot soapy water. Rinse toys and food bowls in warm water.
Return all items to the cage, and return your bird to the cage.
16. **Vaccinate your bird.** The Poximune C Canary Pox Vaccine has been proven effective at preventing the transmission of the canary pox virus. Typically, this vaccine is offered to birds living in flock environments, as opposed to individually kept pet canaries. Speak to your vet to find out of the vaccine is right for your bird. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Avian-Pox-in-Canaries", "language": "en"} |
How to Detect an Aneurysm | An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel in an artery bulges or swells due to an injury or a weakened vessel wall. Aneurysms can occur anywhere, but they most commonly occur in the aorta (the major artery from the heart) and the brain.The size of an aneurysm may vary, depending upon the different contributing factors, such as trauma, medical, genetic, or congenital conditions. As the aneurysm gets bigger, there is a higher chance for it to burst and cause severe hemorrhage. Most aneurysms cause no symptoms and have a high death rate (between 65%-80%), so it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
1. **Don't overlook a sudden and severe headache.** If an artery bursts in your brain due to an aneurysm, it will cause a severe headache that comes on suddenly. This headache is the key symptom of a ruptured brain aneurysm.
Usually this headache will feel much worse than any headache you have ever experienced.
The headache is usually fairly localized, confined to whichever side of the head where the artery burst.
For example, if the artery near your eye bursts, it will cause severe pain that radiates into your eye.
The headache may also be associated with nausea, disorientation, and/or vomiting.
2. **Note any disturbances to your vision.** Double vision, reduced vision, blurred vision, or blindness are all indicators of a cerebral aneurysm. Vision disturbances occur because of pressure on the arterial wall near the eyes that cuts off blood flow to eyes.
The optic nerve can also be pinched by the accumulating blood, causing blurry or double vision.
Blindness in this situation is caused by ischemia of the retina, where the blood flow to the retinal tissues is insufficient.
3. **Check for dilated pupils in the mirror.** Dilated pupils are a common sign of cerebral aneurysm, due to the blockage of an artery near the eyes. Usually, one of your pupils will be significantly more dilated than the other. It will also be sluggish and unresponsive to light.
The enlarged pupil is caused by the pressure of blood accumulating within the brain.
Dilated pupils may indicate that an aneurysm just happened, shown by artery damage located near the eyes.
4. **Pay attention to eye pain.** Your eyes may throb or feel intense pain during an aneurysm.
This happens when the affected artery is near the eyes.
The eye pain will usually be one-sided pain, because it is local to the part of the brain that had an aneurysm.
5. **Notice if your neck is stiff.** A stiff neck can occur to due to an aneurysm if a nerve in the neck is affected by the ruptured artery.
The ruptured artery does not necessarily have to be nearby the exact place in the neck where the pain is felt.
This is because the nerves in the neck extend a decent distance up and down the neck and head area. Pain will project itself past the site of the aneurysm.
6. **Assess if half of your body feels weak.** Half-sided body weakness is a common sign of aneurysm, depending on which part of the brain is affected.
If the right hemisphere is affected it will cause left-sided body paralysis.
On the other hand, if the left hemisphere is affected, it will cause right-sided body paralysis.
7. **Seek medical attention immediately.** Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in around 40% of people, and about 66% of survivors suffer some type of brain damage. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, call your emergency services (like 911 in the US or 999 in the UK) immediately.
Experts do not recommend that you drive yourself or have a family member drive you to the hospital.Aneurysms can cause severe debilitation in a short period of time, making it dangerous to be behind the wheel.
Call an ambulance for your safety and that of others. Paramedics can get you to the hospital more quickly and perform life-saving procedures on you during transit.
8. **Be aware that aortic aneurysms can be either abdominal aortic aneurysms or thoracic aortic aneurysms.** The aorta is the primary artery that delivers blood to your heart and to all your other extremities, and an aneurysm affecting the aorta can be classified into two sub-types:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An aneurysm that happens in the abdominal (stomach) area is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is the most common type of aneurysm and is fatal in 80% of cases.
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). This type of aneurysm is located in the chest area and occurs above the diaphragm. During a TAA, a section near the heart enlarges and affects the valve between the heart and aorta. When this happens, a backflow of blood occurs in heart, causing damage to the cardiac muscles.
9. **Take note of severe abdominal or back pain.** Unusually severe and sudden stomach or back pain can be a symptom of abdominal aortic aneurysm or thoracic aortic aneurysm.
The pain is caused by your bulging artery putting pressure on neighboring organs and muscles.
The pain usually does not resolve by itself, nor will changing position alleviate it..
10. **Note nausea and vomiting.** If you experience nausea and vomiting along with severe abdominal or back pain, you may be experiencing a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Constipation and difficulty urinating may also occur. Abdominal rigidity can also occur with sudden onset.
11. **Check if you are dizzy.** Dizziness is caused by massive blood loss that often accompanies a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Dizziness may also cause fainting. If you feel dizzy along with these other symptoms, try to sit down or rest on the floor, lowering yourself as carefully as you can
12. **Check your heart rate.** A suddenly increased heart rate is a reaction to the internal blood loss and anemia caused by a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
13. **Feel your skin to see if it's clammy.** Clammy skin can be a tell-tale symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
This is due to an embolus (moving blood clot) that is formed by the abdominal aneurysm and affects the surface temperature of the skin.
14. **Keep an eye on any sudden chest pain and high-pitched breath.** Since a thoracic aortic aneurysm happens in the chest area, the increased size of the aorta can push up against the chest area, causing pain and a high-pitched sound during breathing.
This chest pain feels intense and stabbing.
Dull chest pain is probably not a symptom of an aneurysm.
15. **Swallow and see if it seems difficult.** Difficulty swallowing can indicate the occurrence of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
A problem swallowing can be due to the enlarged aorta, which puts pressure on the esophagus and makes it hard to swallow.
16. **Speak and listen for any hoarseness in your voice.** An enlarged artery can press the laryngeal nerve, including the vocal chords, which leads to a hoarse voice.
This hoarseness will come about suddenly, not over time as with a cold or flu.
17. **Get an ultrasound to obtain a preliminary diagnosis.** An ultrasound is a painless procedure that uses sound waves to visualize and create pictures of certain parts of the body.
This test can only be used to diagnose aortic aneurysms.
18. **Try a computed tomography scan (CT-Scan).** This procedure uses X-rays to take pictures of the structures in the body. A CT scan is painless and provides more detailed pictures than an ultrasound. It's a good choice if the doctor suspects aneurysm or wants to rule out other possible diseases.
During the procedure, a doctor will inject a dye into your vein that makes the aorta and other arteries visible on the CT-scan.
This can be used to perform a diagnosis all types of aneurysms.
You can have a CT scan done as part of your routine check-up even if you don't suspect an aneurysm. This is a great way to identify aneurysm as early as possible.
19. **Look into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.** This procedure uses magnets and radio waves to visualize organs and other structures in your body. It is also painless, and is useful for detecting, locating, and measuring aneurysms.
Instead of just 2D, it can create 3D cross-sliced images of the blood vessels in your brain.
An MRI can be used to diagnose any type of aneurysm.
In some cases, MRI and cerebral angiography may be performed together to support each other.
With the use of computer-generated radio waves and magnetic fields, an MRI can produce more detailed images of the brain's blood vessels compared to a CT scan.
The procedure is safe and painless.
Unlike an X-ray, an MRI does not involve any radiation and is safe to be used by people who need to avoid radiation, such as pregnant women.
20. **Try getting angiography done to examine the interior of the artery.** This procedure uses X-rays and special dyes to visualize the interior of your affected artery.
This will show the extent and severity of artery damage – plaque build-up and artery blockage are easily seen with the help of this procedure.
Cerebral angiography is only used to detect cerebral aneurysm. This procedure is invasive because it uses a small catheter inserted into the leg and guided through the circulatory system.
This procedure will indicate the exact location of the ruptured artery in the brain.
After the dye is injected, a series of MRI or X-ray images will then follow to create a detailed image of the blood vessels of the brain.
21. **Understand the cause of a cerebral aneurysm.** A cerebral aneurysm happens when an artery in the brain weakens and forms into a balloon before rupturing. They often form at forks or branches in arteries, the weakest sections of blood vessels.
When the balloon ruptures, continuous bleeding in the brain will occur.
Blood is toxic to the brain, and when bleeding happens, it is often called hemorrhagic syndrome.
Most brain aneurysms take place in the subarachnoid space, which is the area between the brain and the skull bone.
22. **Know your risk factors.** Cerebral and aortic aneurysms share several risk factors. Some of them cannot be controlled, such as inherited genetic conditions, but others can be reduced by smart lifestyle choices. Here are common risk factors for cerebral and aortic aneurysms:
Smoking elevates your risk of both types of aneurysms.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, damages blood vessels and the lining of the aorta.
Aging increases your risk of cerebral aneurysms after age 50. The aorta becomes stiffer with age, and the prevalence of aneurysms increases as you get older.
Inflammation can cause damage that leads to aneurysms. Conditions like vasculitis (an inflammation of the blood vessels) can damage and scar the aorta.
Trauma, such as falls or motor vehicle accidents, can damage the aorta.
Infections such as syphilis (an STI) can damage the lining of the aorta. Bacterial or fungal infections of the brain can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of aneurysm.
Substance use or abuse, especially cocaine use and heavy alcohol consumption, cause hypertension that can lead to brain aneurysms.
Gender plays a role in your risk for aneurysms. Men develop aortic aneurysms at a higher rate than women do, but women are at higher risk for developing brain aneurysms.
Certain inherited conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome (both connective tissue disorders), can cause weakening of cerebral blood vessels and the aorta.
23. **Stop smoking.** Smoking is believed to contribute to the formation and rupture of brain aneurysms. Smoking is also the most significant risk factor for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). 90% of individuals with aortic aneurysms have a history of smoking.
The sooner you quit, the sooner you can begin to lower your risk.
24. **Watch your blood pressure** Hypertension, or high blood pressure, causes damage to cerebral blood vessels and the lining of the aorta, which can lead to the development of aneurysms.
Losing weight if you are overweight or obese can reduce your blood pressure. Even losing 10 pounds (4.5 kg) makes a difference.
Get regular exercise. Getting 30 minutes a day of moderate physical exercise can help lower your blood pressure.
Limit alcohol. Do not drink more than 1-2 drinks per day (1 for most women, 2 for most men).
25. **Manage your diet.** Keeping your blood vessels healthy can help prevent an aortic aneurysm. A healthy diet can also help lower the risk of rupturing an existing aneurysm. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein will help prevent aneurysms from forming.
Reduce your dietary sodium. Limiting sodium to less than 2,300mg a day (1,500mg a day for people with active high blood pressure diagnoses) will help control blood pressure.
Reduce your cholesterol. Eating foods high in soluble fiber, especially oatmeal and oat bran, will help reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Apples, pears, kidney beans, barley, and prunes also contain soluble fiber. Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish like sardines, tuna, salmon, or halibut will also help reduce your risk.
Eat healthy fats. Be sure to avoid saturated fats and trans fats. Fats from fish, vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil), nuts, and seeds are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can lower your risk. Avocado is another good source of “good” fat and can help lower your cholesterol. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Detect-an-Aneurysm", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Sage Green Paint | Sage is a beautiful, calming gray-green color, but it doesn’t show up in many painting palettes on its own. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to mix your own custom shade of sage to complete the perfect painting or living room wall. We’ve put together a guide to making sage green paint from scratch, from the primary colors, and from other shades of green. If you’re ready to get painting, read on!
1. **Mix 2 parts yellow paint to 1 part blue to make a basic green.** These are two colors that every artist should have on hand. Artist Kelly Medford suggests using a "primary palette when you paint, meaning a warm and cool selection of each primary color plus white. This gives you [the ability to mix] more colors than you can imagine." In a bowl or on a plate, use a paintbrush or palette knife to combine your colors. Stir them until there are no streaks left in your paint. The result is a vibrant, classic green.
True green is equal parts yellow and blue. To make sage, more yellow is preferred.
2. **Add 3 parts yellow paint to the basic green to make it a bright grass green.** The amount of yellow you use should equal the amount of green you made earlier. Mix thoroughly with your brush or knife, making circular motions until the colors are evenly blended.
Try using a measure, such as 1 tablespoon (15 mL), to ensure the parts of paint are equal in size.
3. **Mix a separate blob of 3 parts white to 1 part black to create gray.** The size of the parts here should be about the same as the parts you used to make your grass green. The result is a neutral, medium-light gray color. Mix with a clean brush or knife that doesn’t have any green, blue, or yellow paint on it.
Make your gray darker for a more subdued sage. Try a 1:1 ratio of white to black to start.
Adding white will lighten your gray, while adding black will darken it. It only takes a small amount of black to darken, but it takes lots of white to lighten.
To ensure the parts of paint are equal in size, use the same measure (1 tablespoon (15 mL)) you used to create your grass green paint.
4. **Stir the grass green and gray together to create sage green paint.** Use the full amount of gray and green you made to get a standard shade of sage, or try mixing in small amounts of gray at a time until you find the shade you’re looking for. Remember, you can always add more paint, but you can’t take it out!
If your sage starts looking too dark, add more of your grass green to balance out the gray (and vice versa if it’s looking too bright).
5. **Adjust the sage with small amounts of white, black, or gray (if desired).** If you like the shade of sage you have but want it lighter, add white paint. If you want to make the shade darker, add a tiny amount of black. Add more gray to make a more subdued and somber sage, or add more grass green to make it livelier.
6. **Combine 2 parts yellow paint with 1 part blue to make a basic green.** Mix the paint with a palette knife or paintbrush in a bowl or on a plate. Stir smoothly and thoroughly to evenly distribute the colors.If you don’t have a way to precisely measure paint, err on the side of adding too much yellow rather than too much blue. In fact, according to Artist Kelly Medford, "[to] mix a light green that has more yellow than blue, start with yellow and then slowly add blue until [you] get to the right value and hue."
7. **Add red paint one drop at a time to create sage.** Red is the opposite of green on the color wheel. As you add red, the green will begin to turn more green-brown or green-gray. Slowly add your red and mix after each added drop until you find the shade of sage you like.
When you’re using only these primary colors, think of sage green as a recipe: 2 parts yellow, 1 part blue, and just a dash of red for flavor.
Red will overpower green quickly, so take your time adding it in.
8. **Adjust the sage with small amounts of red, green, white, or black.** If your new sage is looking too brown or red, balance it out by adding more of your green into the mix (and vice versa). Once you find the shade you like, lighten it with white paint or darken it with black paint.
Black will overpower the sage quickly, so only add 1 drop at a time when you’re darkening. White is weaker and you’ll need to add more of it to lighten.
9. **Select the green paint you have that’s closest to sage.** Imagine the shade of sage you want to end up with and take a look at your greens. A color like mint, camo green, or olive gives you a good starting point, although you can alter any shade of green to make sage.
10. **Add one drop of red paint at a time to turn the green into sage.** Since red is the complementary color to green, it pushes the color toward the middle of the color spectrum (the gray-brown area) regardless of the shade of green you started with. Add small amounts of red at a time to avoid overpowering the green and mix thoroughly after each drop until you hit sage.
If the shade is too brown, add more green to balance it out.
If your starting green was more on the blue side, add a “hotter” red that has some orange in it.
If your green was more on the yellow side, add a “cool” red-purple or magenta color.
The general rule is that cool reds will dull your greens and keep them cool, while hot reds will add warmth to the green.
11. **Adjust the brightness of your sage with black or white paint.** Add white to lighten the color or black paint to darken it. If the whitened sage seems to lose its saturation or fullness (like a pastel green), you may need to incorporate more green or green-yellow to liven it up. As you are mixing, keep in mind Artist Kelly Medford's advice that "color is relative to what it is next to," so what looks good on your palate may not be quite right in context on your painting."
Remember, black is a very strong color. You only need a drop to darken your sage paint.
12. **Experiment!** There are many different shades and hues of sage you can get depending on the exact colors and proportions you're mixing together. Artist Kelly Medford suggests you "experiment with your colors and their ratios" so that you have a clear sense of what you like best. Once you get familiar with how the colors interact with each other, play around with different combinations and see all the new variations you can come up with. After all, painting is about creativity!
For inspiration about color combinations, use the color wheel (a circular chart that illustrates the relationships between all colors). | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Sage-Green-Paint", "language": "en"} |
How to Apply Bronzer | Applying bronzer is a great way to add an attractive, natural-looking glow to your face, especially on those days when your skin appears a little dull. Applying bronzer incorrectly, however, can make your face look dirty or orange. Start by creating an even base using foundation and concealer. Then apply, blend, and set your bronzer to make your face glow with a warm radiance.
1. **Wash your face** Get a cleanser that works best for your skin type, create a lather with warm water, and massage it into your face by using your fingertips in a circular motion. Rinse your face off and then pat it dry with a clean washcloth.
Use a cream-based cleanser if you have dry skin.
Use an oil-based pH-balanced gentle cleanser if you have normal skin.
Use a foaming cleanser if you have oily skin.
2. **Apply a good moisturizer with sunscreen.** After you’ve washed your face, it’s time to hydrate and protect your skin. Massage in a quality moisturizer with an SPF and apply eye cream.
To make sure your face is being protected by the sun, get a moisturizer that protects against UVA rays.
3. **Apply concealer** It’s crucial that you create an even base before applying your bronzer, and that starts with concealer. Choose a concealer that blends in well with your complexion. Apply it above foundation to the areas that need extra coverage.
4. **Create an even canvas with liquid foundation.** Once you’ve put on concealer, apply an even coat of liquid foundation over the entirety of your face. This will smooth out your complexion and create a blank canvas for your contouring. You can put your foundation on with a makeup sponge, a makeup brush, or by using your fingertips.
Be sure to blend the foundation down your neck slightly for a more natural look.
If you want a more subtle, natural, or softer look, consider a tinted moisturizer. Apply it the same way as a liquid foundation.
If you decide to use blush, don’t apply it until after you apply your bronzer.
5. **Select a bronzer 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone.** Since the purpose of a bronzer is to darken the complexion subtly, the one you choose will depend on the color of your skin. Generally, it should only be 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Test a little on your wrist to make sure it "warms" your skin tone without making it look fake.
If you have fair skin, look for a honey-colored bronzer.
For a medium complexion, choose a rose-bronze or gold flecked bronzer.
Dark skin is best enhanced with a tawny or amber bronzer.
6. **Use a wide, fluffy powder brush with a rounded top.** If your brush is too small or stiff, it may cause blotches and streaks to form when you apply the bronzer. There are specialized bronzer brushes available on the market, although any large blush or foundation brush will work equally as well.
For a softer, more natural look, use a fan brush instead.
7. **Swirl the brush evenly in the bronzer.** It is best to apply your bronzer in light, even coats to build up color rather than adding a single dark layer at once. Therefore, just lightly coat the end of your brush in the powder and tap off the excess onto the lid of the container.
8. **Apply the bronzer to your forehead.** Your bronzer should be applied in the shape of a “3” from the top to the bottom of your face on both sides, starting with your forehead. Lightly sweep the brush along the outer sides of your upper forehead and along your hairline.
9. **Apply the bronzer to your cheekbones.** Next, make a fish face and apply your bronzer to your cheekbones. You can also do this by smiling, starting at the apples of your cheeks, and sweeping slightly up toward your hairline.
10. **Apply the bronzer to your jawline.** Finally, complete the “3” shape by sweeping your bronzer along your jawline. This will add definition to your face.
11. **Brush lightly over your chin, nose and neck.** As you’re applying bronzer, you’ll want to focus on covering the areas of your face that sunlight tends to hit. Do a final dusting of your bronzer on the higher points of your face, such as the bridge of your nose and the tip of your chin. Complete the natural glow by applying bronzer to your neck so that it matches the coloring of your face.
Don't add too much bronzer, however, as this may create a heavy look.
12. **Use a new brush to blend the bronzer.** Take out another fluffy, clean brush and softly blend everything in so there aren’t any unnatural lines or blotches. It’s especially important that you blend the neck area. To blend most effectively, start in the center and work the brush outward in small, circular motions.
13. **Eliminate any harsh lines with a translucent powder.** If you’ve blended and your complexion still doesn’t look smooth and subtle in color transition, swirl your blending brush in a translucent powder, tap off the excess, and blend again.
14. **Add blush** You can use a blush stick, liquid blush, or a powder. Apply the blush in the center of the apples of your cheeks. Blend it out towards the edges of your face with a rounded brush.
15. **Lock in the look with a setting spray.** After you’re done, make sure to spray your entire face with a makeup setting spray to keep your face looking radiant all day. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Bronzer", "language": "en"} |
How to Compose Music on Piano | Alongside the guitar, the piano is arguably the best instrument to write music for. Although it's difficult to learn at first, a piano allows you to play multiple voices at once, one for each finger. The piano has been a go-to instrument for many of the world's greatest composers since it was invented. Writing music is a difficult, time-consuming process however, and the piano doesn't make it any easier unless you're already an advanced player. Even if you've had success writing with other instruments in the past, composing for a piano offers its own set of procedures.
1. **Listen to piano music.** There is a vast amount of incredible music written specifically for the piano. Even if the composition you're writing isn't ultimately meant to be heard on the piano, hearing other finished compositions when you're trying to get inspired can be just the thing you need.
Classical and jazz are the two most noteworthy styles of piano playing. Even if you're only going to be playing in one or the other (or a more contemporary style like pop) it's a good idea to give a listen to these different styles. Keep an ear out for the different chords the players use depending on the style.
Look into the work of Liszt, Chopin or Satie for great classically-based piano works.
For jazz, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck and Chick Corea are all players worth looking into.
2. **Practice scales on the piano.** Whether you're starting out or an advanced player, warming up your fingers with scales can encourage creativity to flow more freely once you get into the thick of composing. If you know a few scales, try warming up with one you're not as familiar with. Hearing the distinctive tone of a scale might spark the first ideas of a fresh composition.
Scales are a very handy thing to know when it comes time to write melodies. While there's no sure method to write a great melody, knowing which scale you should be using will give you an idea of which notes to use and which to avoid.
3. **Carry a notebook and handheld recorder wherever you go.** You never know when you're going to hit a creative stride. Unfortunately, a lot of the time, this happens to fall on the least convenient times where you're either far from an instrument or about to fall asleep. This is why it's a good idea to bring a notebook and/or sound recorder with you wherever you go. If you think of a great melody or rhythm, you can hum it into your mic and adapt it once you're by your piano again.
Most cellphones have a recorder option. If you don't have a cellphone for this purpose, basic handheld recorders tend to be very affordable.
4. **Give yourself a break.** Creativity cannot be forced. If you're trying to break through the writer's block and nothing's working, it may be time to give yourself a break from things. Go do something that has nothing to do with the creative process. Clean your house. Talk to a friend on the phone. Pet a cat. Better yet, take a nap. When you return to it, you don't want to feel any of the frustration you were grappling with before. Creativity is best when you're feeling relaxed.
Going for a walk is a fantastic idea if you're getting frustrated. Many artists have some of their best creative epiphanies when they're out for a stroll.
5. **Think about what you might like to write music about.** Most music (even instrumental music) is directly inspired by something or someone. In some cases, the composer is driven by love and longing. Other times, he's trying to vent out bad emotions. Take a look at your life and single out some of the things that have most affected you in the past while. Have you gone through a break-up? Did you recently go on an unforgettable vacation? Anything that sparks feeling in you is fair game for musical inspiration.
6. **Try to listen out for music playing in your head.** Many composers report hearing music in their head when they sit down to compose, as if the piece they're working on is already complete and just needs to be written down for the sake of others. Creative intuition isn't the sort of thing that can be forced, and a lot of it will depend on the way you're feeling at the time. However, if you can pick up an interesting musical idea in your head, don't hesitate to run with it.
It's easy for our inner judge to get the best of us and censor ideas before we even try them out. When you're composing music, it's best if you drop this self-doubt. Even if you think something is a bad idea, there's a chance it may lead to something more promising when you start playing around with it.
7. **Think of mental imagery while you play.** The experience of watching films has had a major impact on the way we associate music with visuals. In your mind's eye, try to picture a scene that would spark the same sort of emotions you'd hope to evoke in this composition. For instance, if you want a gentle, soothing composition, you might envision a quiet lake in springtime. Likewise, if you want something angry and dramatic, you might think of a warzone. From there, imagine what kind of music might score a visual shot like this.
This technique doesn't always work, but if you're a visual thinker, it's certainly worth trying out.
8. **Compose a springboard idea.** Most compositions will start with a springboard idea, that is, the first part of the music written that all other pieces are based upon. This may be the most time-consuming part of your composition. It's all about latching onto the first part of your composition and running with it once you get it. Playing scales and experimenting with different chord shapes can turn this process into a sort of enjoyable play.
9. **Write follow-up ideas.** If you play around on the piano and come up with a great idea, you should play that motif in your head and imagine what might come before or afterwards. Follow-up ideas should generally have the same tone and direction of your original idea. For the first while, focus on making ideas that work together. If you want a composition with surprising twists, you should only figure out that part of it once you have a firm structure in place.
10. **Play around with volume and dynamic.** Once you have some solid ideas, it's time to play around with them. One of the great things a piano has going for it is its sensitivity to volume and dynamics. Making some parts louder and others quieter is a tool that beginning composers often tend to overlook. Dynamics can make a world of difference to the emotional effect of a piece of music.
Dynamics is defined as a show of change or difference within something. In the case of a musical performance, it refers to a player's treatment of volume. Some pianists play naturally louder than others, but a truly gifted performer will use quiets and lows to his advantage.
11. **Work some healthy repetition into your composition.** At some point, it's necessary to put a structure to your ideas. As you piece your song together, some ideas will be more deserving of building the song around them. A typical composition will have at least one or two recurring motifs therein. While repetition is used to emphasize an idea, repeating too much will rob the music of its interest. If your composition has a lot of repetition in it already, you should try to gradually modify the idea somehow. Adding or switching a single note can change your audience's response towards an idea.
The idea of relying on repetition and slowly changing it over time is referred to as Minimalism.
12. **Add vocals if you want.** A piano functions beautifully on its own, but like a guitar, it can help if you add vocals on top of it. Vocals are a great match for the texture of a piano. Vocal melodies can copy from the melodic right hand of your piano parts, or you can write a totally fresh part to add to the arrangement. Although vocals are tricky to pull off successfully while you're playing piano, it gives you opportunities to add harmonies that wouldn't have been possible with two hands on a piano.
Lyrics are an obvious requirement in most cases if you want to add voice. Lyrics give you a chance to tell a more vivid story with your music. Of course, if you'd prefer it, you can sing without lyrics. Some compositions prefer to use the voice as another instrument, with "oooohs" and "aaahs" taking the place of lyrics.
13. **Get a friend's advice.** Once your composition starts coming together, there's a moment of truth when you finally show it to someone else. Play a rough run-through of your composition for a friend whose taste you respect. Once you've finished playing it, ask your friend what he or she thinks could be improved upon it. It's important to see this as a step in the creative process rather than a time for judgement; whether they like it or not doesn't matter until you've put the final seal of approval on it. Take what they say into consideration, and contrast it with your own feelings towards the work.
14. **Make revisions.** A composition will start to come together more naturally once the first stages are through. Even if you like the version you've drafted, it's a good idea to run through the song and judge which parts of the composition could be improved, changed or removed altogether. Much like a good piece of writing requires editing before it's finished, a great composer will look at a piece carefully and do everything they can to refine it before calling it finished.
15. **Decide upon a tonality.** A composition's tonality states the key and whether it is Major or Minor. At an early stage of composition, a key could be as simple as making an arbitrary choice, but it will have the biggest impact on the sound of your composition. If you finish your work later on and want to try it out in different keys, you should do so, but be forewarned that it takes a fair amount of work to transpose a composition note by note into another key.
16. **Explore chord progressions leading from the root chord.** The piano keyboard has been explored to death. Every possible combination has been tried and studied at this point. With that, theory can suggest the most appropriate chords. The most famous of these is the I-IV-V-vi progression (the lower case denotes a Minor chord). The Roman numerals indicate how many keys above the root the given chord is. These four chords have been proven to go together very well.
Try using a chord map to get you started.
Although this might sound too mathematical at the start, the truth is that it'll come without thinking to you once you get the basics of theory down pat.
17. **Develop melodies from a chosen scale.** Scales are useful tools in the creation of melody. Although melodies need to be properly felt out in order to be memorable and effective, using a scale will narrow down the notes you're conventionally supposed to use.
Make sure the scale you're using is in accordance with the chords and key you've chosen.
The standard scale is a C Major scale. This scale is often used for vocal warm-ups before a performance.
18. **Experiment with tuning.** Some avant-garde composers in the 20th century would open up the piano itself and change the tuning of the strings, but prior to the adoption of equal temperament for keyboard instruments in the 18th century, there were numerous tunings in use. Changing all of the keys even a 16th of a step can result in a strange new experience of the piano. Be advised that messing around with a piano should only be done if you are an expert. Otherwise, you'll probably just end up sabotaging your piano for regular use.
19. **Record your work via notation.** Notation is the technical language of music. If you're a serious composer, it's essential that you have at least some knowledge of notation and how to get your ideas down accurately on paper. Although it takes a little bit of time to get used to, there are fortunately lots of free online resources to help get you up to par with your notation reading and writing. If you're completely new to notation, you should try sight-reading a few basic songs on the piano until you're more used to it.
There are digital notation programs that may prove easier to work with than pen and paper. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Compose-Music-on-Piano", "language": "en"} |
How to Kill Fleas and Ticks in Your Home | Fleas and ticks in your home can be a nuisance, and if they aren’t dealt with properly, they can just keep coming back. To properly kill ticks and fleas, you must treat pets, wash and clean everything, and treat the house inside and out to prevent another infestation. While ticks don’t infest homes as often as fleas, tick infestations do occur, and they need to be dealt with quickly and efficiently, as ticks can carry several diseases. Ticks and fleas often enter a home on a pet or another animal that gets into the house, so one of the best ways to prevent infestations is by protecting your pets against these invaders.
1. **Treat your pets.** If you’ve discovered fleas or ticks indoors, it’s most likely that they’re still hiding on your family dog, cat, or other pet. Bathe your pets with a special shampoo that’s designed to kill fleas and ticks:
In a bathtub, laundry tub, or outside, rinse your pet to get his fur wet.
Apply the shampoo and massage it thoroughly into his fur.
Let the shampoo sit (check the bottle for the specific amount of time).
Rinse the shampoo out of your pet’s fur.
2. **Remove ticks from your pet.** In case your pet has any ticks burrowed in his skin, it will be necessary to remove them immediately. If you don't feel comfortable, talk to your vet. To remove ticks:
Grab tweezers and gloves. Put on the gloves.
Locate the tick and use the tweezers to squeeze the tick. Be sure to grasp near its head, as close to your pet’s skin as you can manage. Do not squeeze the tick near its belly.
Hold on to the tick firmly with the tweezers and pull it straight out.
3. **Wash everything.** Use the hottest water possible and high-soil settings to wash clothes, linens, bedding, towels, and even toys. Use the highest drier settings as well, to ensure that the washing and drying process kills any fleas, ticks, and larvae that might be hiding out.
Don’t forget to wash pet bowls, water dishes, and anything that needs to be washed in the sink that could be housing adults or larvae.
4. **Vacuum your entire house.** Once everything’s been picked up and put in the washing machine, thoroughly vacuum everywhere and be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies. When you’re finished, dispose of the vacuum bags immediately, as they can house living flea larvae.
5. **Spray your home with insecticide.** Use either an aerosol spray or dust that’s designed to kill fleas and ticks, such as Ultracide, Onslaught, Permethrin, or Bifen. You can also use other pyrethrin-based pesticides, but make sure they contain an insect growth regulator that will prevent reproduction. Make sure all people and pets are out of the house, and wear protective gear like gloves and a mask.
Start away from the front of the house and work your way toward the door, focusing especially on areas where pets spend a lot of time.
Apply a light mist or dusting to floors, carpets, on and under rugs, pillows, on and under furniture, window sills, curtains, pet beds that couldn’t be washed, baseboards, and all cracks and crevices where ticks and fleas could be hiding.
Keep everyone out of the house until the spray has dried or the dust has had time to settle.
6. **Apply a desiccant.** Once your spray has dried, apply a desiccant that will dry out and kill insects and arachnids and their eggs. Focus on areas that pets frequent, behind and under baseboards, carpets and rugs, behind doors and moulding, and all other nooks, cracks, and crannies. Good desiccants for this purpose include:
Evergreen Pyrethrum Concentrate
Drione Dust
Boric acid, which is good for eggs and larvae
7. **Spray outside.** If there are fleas or ticks living in the vicinity of your home, you must also deal with them, otherwise the infestation will keep recurring. Ticks can be found in overgrown areas, wooded areas, and tall grasses. Fleas like shaded, damp areas, such as under trees and shrubs. Remember to spray the lawn, bushes, shrubs, trees, fences, sheds, and play areas to keep away ticks and fleas.
You can use the same product you applied inside your house to target flea and tick habitats outside your home.
You may have to regularly reapply pesticide outside if you live in an area that’s prone to flea or tick infestations. Consider applying an insecticide outside every three months to keep pests under control.
8. **Vacuum, dust, and mop the whole house.** Within 48 to 72 hours of treating your house, clean everything again to pick up dead fleas, ticks, and eggs.
9. **Repeat as necessary.** Ideally, you will only have to go through this process once, but it may take several cleaning and insecticide treatments before you fully destroy all the ticks or fleas plaguing your home.
10. **Protect your pets from ticks and fleas.** Use collars, sprays, skin treatments, or dips that will kill fleas and ticks that come in contact with your pets. This will protect your pet from infestation and disease, and protect your home from pests. Talk to your vet about the best product for your pet.
11. **Mind your pet’s comings and goings.** Since pets are usually how ticks and fleas enter your home, keep an eye on them and monitor when they come in and out. Groom them after they’ve been outside, and keep them off furniture (ticks and fleas can hide out in fabrics and cushions).
12. **Protect yourself.** When venturing outside into tick- or flea-prone areas, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck your pant legs into your socks and your shirt into your pants at the waist. Spray yourself with an insect repellent that contains DEET, and spray your clothes with a repellent containing permethrin.
13. **Vacuum and clean often.** Keeping your home as clean as possible will help prevent ticks, fleas, and other pests from getting comfortable there.
14. **Keep grasses and weeds short.** Since ticks and fleas like overgrown areas, shrubs, or long grasses, it’s a good idea to keep your grass and weeds three inches or shorter, and keep shrubs and bushes near your house pruned.
15. **Clear attractants from around your home.** You want to prevent things that attract fleas, ticks, and the creatures that carry them, such as mice, rats, and birds. Attractants include brush, plants, leaf litter, ivy, wood piles, birdfeeders, and bird baths.
16. **Hang clothes far off the ground and away from wooded areas.** Hanging clothes outside is a great way to dry them during the warmer months, but if they are too close to the ground or too near a wooded or grassy area, ticks can crawl onto them and fleas can leap onto them.
Hang clothes to dry in open areas, away from heavily treed or dense brush areas.
17. **Keep gardens and play areas away from pest habitats.** Staying away from tick and flea infested areas can help prevent diseases and infestations. This includes wooded areas, areas that are overgrown, or places with lots of shrubs.
Keep your gardens in open areas, as well as children’s play areas, playgrounds, gardens, picnic tables, gazebos, patio furniture, and any other play or social area.
18. **Seal entry points.** Areas where fleas, ticks, or pest-ridden animals can enter your home should be sealed and covered. This includes vents, areas under decks, crawl spaces, and other access points. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Fleas-and-Ticks-in-Your-Home", "language": "en"} |
How to Overcome a Martyr Complex: Understanding Your Feelings & Living Happier | If you feel like you have martyr syndrome, the good news is there are things you can do to overcome it and start living a happier, more positive life. By learning to express your feelings more, challenge negative beliefs and expectations, and set some healthy boundaries, you’ll quickly start to notice a big difference in how you feel about yourself, your circumstances, and other people. If you’re not quite sure where to start, don’t worry—this article will help guide you through the process of addressing your martyr syndrome and overcoming it.
1. **Examine your own feelings.** Understanding the causes and issues behind your martyrdom can help you make positive changes in your life. Try to get into touch with your own emotional state. Question why you might act like a martyr. If you can identify the cause, you can identify the solution.
Do you have low self-esteem? Do you ever find yourself thinking that you are worthless or unable to control your own life?
When you feel upset, can you identify what is causing it? Or are you unsure?
Do you often hold grudges? Is there something from the past that you can't let go of?
Do you often see situations as hopeless? Why is this? Does it help you avoid uncomfortable situations? Does it help you justify your current state of life?
2. **Recognize you have choices.** Martyr syndrome is often marked by a feeling of helplessness. You may feel you are inherently the victim in life and that will not change. While there is a lot one cannot change about any given situation, learn to recognize where you can make choices. This will help you feel more in control of your life.
For example, everyone finds their job stressful at times. Having to do things you dislike at work is part of life, and you cannot fully control stressful situations from occurring. However, you can control your reactions and coping mechanisms.
The next time you encounter stress at work, pause and remember you have choices. Think to yourself, "I can't completely get rid of these stressors, but I can control how I react. I can make a choice to stay calm and deal with this effectively."
When faced with a difficult situation, sit down, and make a list of everything that you can do to make a difference. This will help you feel as though you have more control in your life.
3. **Stop expecting to be rewarded for your suffering.** Some people volunteer to endure pain and neglect with the hope of being rewarded somehow. People feel that being a martyr will lead to things like recognition, love, or other rewards. Think about how you expect to be rewarded for your martyrdom.
Think about how often you talk to other people about your martyrdom. Do you think that you use this behavior to get attention from others?
Many people are relationship martyrs. You may find yourself putting a lot more into a relationship than you're receiving. Oftentimes, people feel giving and giving to difficult people will eventually result in those people changing and becoming more loving and caring.
Ask yourself whether this has ever really happened. In most cases, giving more than you receive in a relationship does not result in the other person changing. It only builds resentments and frustrations on your end.
4. **Identify your unspoken expectations.** People with martyr syndrome often expect a lot from others. You have ideas of how people should behave that are not always reasonable or realistic. If you find yourself frequently feeling victimized by others, pause and check your own expectations.
Think about demands you place on others. Ask yourself what you expect from people around you and whether these demands are reasonable.
For example, in a romantic relationship, you may expect your partner to match you in certain ways. Say you prefer working out with your partner, but your partner prefers to work out alone. You may find yourself assuming you're the victim. You may feel your partner should want to spend time with you so they're automatically in the wrong.
Ask yourself whether this is really reasonable. If you're unsure, you can ask a trusted family member or friend for their perspective.
5. **Examine your beliefs.** Martyrdom is closely associated with certain religious and philosophical beliefs. If you have martyr syndrome, it may be related to your underlying worldview. Think about whether you choose to suffer for your beliefs. Consider whether you're trying to live up to an impossible standard or demanding perfection from yourself.
If you feel guilt, spend some time examining how you view the world. Your worldview could contribute to your martyr syndrome.
6. **Lower your standards.** Many people with martyr syndrome feel overwhelmed or victimized because they both take on too much and expect a lot from those around them. Ask yourself what you expect from yourself and examine whether this is realistic.
What you expect of yourself is often the same as what you expect from others. Adjust your expectations to a more reasonable level. This will improve both your relationship with yourself and others.
Accept not everything will turn out the way you wanted. If you expected yourself to complete a certain amount of work within the day, do not beat yourself up if you miss the mark. Instead, appreciate what you did get done.
Appreciate others for what they do, even if they don't meet your exact expectations. For example, say your spouse brings home the wrong brand of toothpaste from the store. Instead of getting angry, be appreciative that you have toothpaste at all and this is one less thing for you to do.
7. **Focus on spending quality time with others.** Rather than running yourself ragged all the time, spend time with others. This will help you learn to appreciate people in and of themselves, regardless of whether they meet your expectations. Strive for small relaxing interactions, such as chatting over lunch, as well as taking a day off to unwind with friends and family members.
Keep in mind that not everyone is good company. If certain family members or classmates make you feel bad about yourself, don't spend time with them.
Focus on spending time with people who make you feel happy and relaxed. Avoid people who drain too much of your energy, as interactions with them may leave you tired.
8. **Seek help from others.** People with martyr complex may convince themselves they cannot ask for help. If you feel the inclination to ask someone for help, you may find yourself making excuses as to stop yourself from reaching out. For example, you may convince yourself that person is too busy or that you don't want to burden them. Remember everyone needs help sometimes and there's no shame in reaching out.
The worst that can happen is that someone will say "No." Even if someone is unable to help, they probably will not think less of you for having to ask for help. Almost everyone has needed to reach out to others for help at some point.
9. **Learn to set effective boundaries.** Every time you say yes when you mean no, you're sabotaging yourself. You can learn to politely and respectfully decline to do what people ask you do. Before you agree to someone's request, ask yourself some questions. Ask yourself if you truly have time. Commitment should make you feel good about yourself and not bitter and overwhelmed.
You can say "no" without ever actually saying "no." For example, you can say, "Sorry, I can't commit to that right now" or "I already have plans."
Think about the commitments that really make you happy and prioritize them over things that drain you. Say "Yes" that things that will make you feel personally fulfilled and pass on other commitments.
10. **Do something for yourself every day.** Even if it's something small, doing something for yourself every day can help you feel like less of martyr. Find ways to give yourself a small treat. For example, take half an hour before bed every night to unwind with a book.
Make it a ritual or a habit, such as spending an extra 5 minutes in the shower, relaxing, or meditating in the morning.
Consider treating yourself to something bigger once every week or so, such as a manicure or bubble bath.
11. **Stop expecting others to read your mind.** If other people were going to understand your needs without you telling them, they would have understood by now. Good communication skills involve both speaking and listening. A simple conversation can clear up a big misunderstanding. If you're trying to express yourself via pouting, sulking, or otherwise acting out, you cannot expect to be understood. Recognize that the only way another person will understand you is if you reach out to that person.
For example, you feel you're being asked to do too much at work. Have you told people in your office you need help or have you simply acted cold towards others?
If you have not told anyone you need help on a project, chances are they don't know. Being cold towards your co-workers is not really communication and, chances are, no one knows what the problem is on your end.
12. **State your feelings directly.** The first step to direct communication is stating your feelings. When expressing yourself, focus on what you're feeling. Try to abandon any mentalities you have convincing yourself you're inherently the victim or things are inherently stacked against. All you can know for sure are your own feelings, so focus on expressing these.
Start with the words, "I feel..." when expressing yourself and then briefly state your feelings and the behaviors causing them. This reduces blame as you're focusing on your personal reactions over objective facts.
For example, do not say, "You guys gave me too short notice for this project and now I have to work harder than everyone else in the office." Instead, say something like, "I feel overwhelmed because I didn't get enough notice about the project."
Focus on the present moment. Express how you feel now. Do not let past emotions or problems control how you act now.
13. **Express your needs.** People with martyr syndrome may hesitate to express their needs or ask for help. Rather than reaching out and explaining what people can do to help, you may prefer to view your situation as hopeless and harbor resentments. However, this is unhealthy long term and can lead to strained personal and professional relationships. If you need something, say so.
For example, if you need help, just ask. Say something like, "I could really use some extra help on this project if any of you have any downtime."
14. **Avoid escape mechanisms.** People with martyr syndrome may have built in escape mechanisms to help them avoid communication. If you are frustrated or upset by a situation, think about the ways you handle that other than communicating directly. Learn to recognize and avoid these mechanisms to begin with.
Some people may behave in a negative fashion in order to entice others to guess what's wrong. Instead of expressing yourself directly, for example, you may sulk or act cold towards someone who's upset you.
You also may complain about the issue in ineffective ways. For example, you may whine or complain continually, refusing to listen to advice or suggestions. You may also complain to other people around the person who's frustrating or upsetting you while withholding information from them.
You may also find excuses for not communicating. For example, you will convince yourself you're too tired or too busy to talk things out directly.
Writing in a journal is a great way to confront your daily life and to process your emotions in a healthy way. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Martyr-Syndrome", "language": "en"} |
How to Unicycle | Unicycling consists of three basic movements: mounting, riding, and dismounting. Because of the intense balance required for unicycling, the steps below take a great deal of practice to master. Start off with a plate of patience and an adventurous attitude and learn how to unicycle with the following sequence.
1. **Find a low fence and place the unicycle parallel to the fence so that you can use it for support as you mount the unicycle.** You want the fence to be high enough for you to rest your hand at a comfortable height while riding.
2. **Position the pedals of the unicycle in a slightly offset, vertical position so that one pedal is in the 4 o'clock position and the other is in the 10 o'clock position, mirroring the hands of a clock.** If you know which foot is your front foot for sports like skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding, you will want the pedal in the 4 o'clock position to be on the side of your dominant foot, and the pedal in 10 o'clock position to be for your non-dominant foot.
3. **Tilt the unicycle toward you until the seat of the unicycle rests between your legs.** Squeeze the seat comfortably with your upper thighs.
4. **Continue to squeeze the seat between your thighs and place both of your hands on the fence.** Keep your body and the unicycle facing forward and parallel to the fence.
5. **Step on the pedal closest to you in the 4 o'clock position with your dominant foot.** Note that this is the opposite movement than you would perform on a bicycle, which requires that you step on the pedal furthest away to gain forward momentum.
It will take a lot of practice to get used to moving backward instead of forward when mounting a unicycle. Take your time and be patient.
6. **Give yourself a little push with your other foot and sit on the unicycle seat, placing your non-dominant foot on the pedal furthest away in the 10 o'clock position.** You will immediately have to pedal slightly to keep your balance.
You want the wheel to rotate 1/4-turn backwards as soon as you mount the unicycle. Once you mount the unicycle, the pedals should be directly vertical.
7. **Hold on to the handrail and begin to pedal very slowly at first.** Lean slightly forward in order to maintain your balance.
8. **Practice mounting and pedaling while holding on to a fence until you feel comfortable balancing on your own.** This can take several hours to several days depending on your abilities.
Once you feel ready, you can learn to free mount by following the same steps above without the assistance of a fence or handrail. Instead, use your hands to hold on to the seat as you mount or use your arms to help you balance.
9. **Put the weight of your body directly over the seat.** Make sure you keep your shoulders back, a common mistake while learning is to hunch you shoulders. This allows your legs and feet to be light on the pedals. If you are heavy in your feet, the pedals become more difficult to manipulate, making pedaling and balancing harder.
10. **Move the unicycle forward by leaning your entire body and the unicycle forward as a single unit.** This motion will feel awkward and possibly a bit scary at first, but you'll soon get used to it.
Make sure to move the unicycle and your body in one solid piece.
Don't just bend your upper body forward at the waist as doing so will throw you off balance and fail to propel the unicycle forward.
11. **Sit up straight when riding at a normal speed.** Imagine that your back is an extension of the seat post.
To accelerate, tilt forward slightly and apply more force on the pedals.
To slow down, sit up straight and control the force exerted on the pedals. Be sure to keep your weight over the seat and refrain from tilting backwards when slowing down as this can be dangerous.
12. **Pedal backwards by sitting up straight with your torso over your seat and pedal the feet in short, 1/4-turn revolutions backwards.** Be careful not to lean back and lose your balance. It is much harder to break a backward fall than a forward fall.
13. **Continue to practice pedaling forward and backward while holding on to a fence or handrail for as long as necessary.** As you feel comfortable, you can let go of the handrail and begin to pedal without any support.
14. **Position your upper body directly over the seat and steady yourself for a turn.** Be prepared to use your body to guide the unicycle in either direction.
15. **Use your hips to turn the unicycle quickly to the right or to the left.** Because your hips are the most centered part of your body/unicycle unit, most of your power for turning will come from the hips.
16. **Pivot sharply on the wheel of the unicycle as you swing your hips by guiding the pedals with your feet.** This motion needs to happen quickly in order for you to keep your balance.
17. **Hold on to a handrail when attempting to turn for the first few times.** As you get more comfortable, however, you can take your hands off of the rail and use your arms to support momentum in the correct direction. To do so, wind up and swing your arms in the direction opposite of the way you are turning.
18. **Remember to tilt your body slightly as you turn to encourage motion in the desired direction.** Stay close to your center of gravity and keep your weight over the seat.
19. **Continue to pedal immediately after you turn.** It is much more difficult to balance on a unicycle when the wheel is stationary.
20. **Position the pedals in the same vertical position you used to mount the unicycle.** Make sure your dominant foot is highest and your non-dominant foot is lowest.
21. **Transfer your weight to the foot on the lower pedal.** Look forward with your gaze in order to maintain a grounded center of gravity.
22. **Hold on to the handrail with one or both hands depending on your comfort level.** As you gain experience, you will no longer need to use a handrail to steady yourself as you dismount.
When you no longer need to hold on to something as you come down, you will transfer your hands to the seat simultaneously as you step down. This allows you to catch the unicycle instead of letting it to fall to the ground.
23. **When you feel stable, step down with the highest, dominant foot first.** Keep the weight on your lower foot the whole time.
24. **Immediately step your lower foot off as the first foot hits the ground to dismount .** Be sure to time it right so that you don't lose your balance in the process. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Unicycle", "language": "en"} |
How to Find if a Website Is Legitimate | Are you concerned that a website or link you're visiting might be a scam site? There are many ways to check if a website is safe and legitimate using context clues and online tools, including the Better Business Bureau website. This wikiHow article will help you verify the safety and authenticity of any website.
1. **Type the website's name into a search engine and review the results.** If the site in question is a hazard (or simply an overwhelmingly illegitimate site), a cursory Google check will be enough to inform you accordingly.
Google tends to compile user reviews of high-traffic sites near the top of the search results, so be sure to check these if there are any.
Make sure you're looking at reviews and feedback from sources unaffiliated with the website.
2. **Look at the website's connection type.** A website that has an "https" tag is usually more secure--and therefore more trustworthy--than a site using the more common "http" designation. This is because "https" sites' security certification is a process most illegitimate sites don't bother with.
A site that uses an "https" connection can still be unreliable, so it's best to verify the website using other means as well.
Make sure the site's payment page in particular is an "https" page.
3. **Check the site's security status in your browser's address bar.** For most browsers, a "safe" website will display a green padlock icon to the left of the website's URL.
You can click on the padlock icon to verify the details of the website (e.g., the type of encryption used).
4. **Evaluate the website's URL.** A website's URL consists of the connection type ("http" or "https"), the domain name itself (e.g., "wikihow"), and the extension (".com", ".net", etc.). Even if you've verified that the connection is secure, be on the lookout for the following red flags:
Multiple dashes or symbols in the domain name.
Domain names that imitate actual businesses (e.g., "Amaz0n" or "NikeOutlet").
One-off sites that use a credible site's templates (e.g., "visihow").
Domain extensions like ".biz" and ".info". These sites tend not to be credible.
Keep in mind as well that ".com" and ".net" sites, while not inherently unreliable, are the easiest domain extensions to obtain. As such, they don't carry the same credibility as a ".edu" (educational institute) or ".gov" (government) site.
5. **Look for bad English on the site.** If you notice a large number of poorly-spelled (or missing) words, generally bad grammar, or awkward phrasing, you should question the site's reliability.
Even if the site in question is technically legitimate insofar as it isn't a scam, any inaccuracies in language will also cast doubt on the accuracy of its information, thereby making it a poor source.
6. **Watch out for invasive advertising.** If your selected site has a stunningly large number of ads crowding the page or ads that automatically play audio, it's probably not a credible site. Additionally, consider looking elsewhere if you encounter any of the following types of ads:
Ads that take up the whole page
Ads that require you to take a survey (or complete some other action) before continuing
Ads that redirect you to another page
Explicit or suggestive ads
7. **Use the website's "Contact" page.** Most sites provide a Contact page so that users can send questions, comments, and concerns to the owner of the site. If you can, call or email the provided number or email address to verify the legitimacy of the website.
Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of the site to search for the Contact page.
If the site in question doesn't have a Contact page listed anywhere, it should be an immediate red flag.
8. **Use a "WhoIs" search to research who has registered the website's domain.** All domains are required to display contact information for the person or company who has registered the domain. You can get WhoIs info from most domain registrars, or from services such as https://whois.domaintools.com/. Some things to look out for:
Private registration: It's possible register a domain privately, where a "private registration" provider serves as the domain's contact, instead of the actual owner. If a domain uses private registration, consider this a red flag.
Contact information is suspicious: For example, if the name of a registrant is "Steve Smith," but the email address is "ramsaybolton12345@hushmail.com", this might be a sign that the registrant is trying to hide their true identity.
Recent registration or transfers: A recent registration or transfer of a domain may indicate that a site is not trustworthy.
9. **Open the Google Transparency Report webpage.** You can quickly run a website's address through this service to see its safety rating from Google.
10. **Click the "Search by URL" field.** It's in the middle of the page.
11. **Type in your website's URL.** This includes the name of the website (e.g., "wikihow") and the extension (e.g., ".com").
For best results, copy your website's URL and paste it into this field.
12. **Click the blue magnifying glass button.**
13. **Review your results.** Sites range in rating from "No data available" to "Not dangerous" to "Partially dangerous" and so on.
For example, sites like wikiHow and YouTube achieve "Not dangerous" ratings from Google, whereas Reddit garners a "Partially dangerous" rating due to "deceptive content" (e.g., misleading advertising).
The Google Transparency Report also provides examples of why it gave a certain site a rating, so you can decide for yourself whether or not the rating rationale pertains to you.
14. **Open the Better Business Bureau webpage.** The Better Business Bureau website includes a verification process that you can use to validate your selected website.
Note that the Better Business Bureau is geared toward matching businesses with your provided website. If you're simply trying to see if the website is safe, use the Google Transparency Report.
15. **Click the Find a Business tab.**
16. **Click the "Find a" text field.**
17. **Type in your website's URL.** For best results, copy and paste the exact URL into this field.
18. **Click the "Near" field.**
19. **Type in a location.** While this isn't mandatory, doing so will narrow your search.
If you don't know your business' geographic location, skip this step.
20. **Click Search.**
21. **Review your results.** You can verify your website's credibility by comparing the Better Business Bureau's results with the website's claims.
For example, if your website claims to sell shoes but the Better Business Bureau links the URL to an ad revenue service, you know that the site is a scam.
However, if the Better Business Bureau results line up with the site's theme, you can probably trust the site. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Find-if-a-Website-Is-Legitimate", "language": "en"} |
10 Ways to Calm a Baby in the Womb | Feeling your baby kick is a wonderful thing—in fact, your baby kicking is a sign that they’re healthy and developing normally. But when you lay down to go to sleep, you might notice that your baby kicks more than usual—which isn’t the best way to get a great night’s sleep yourself. In this article, we’ll tell you all the tactics you can use to calm your baby in the womb and feel closer to them at the same time.
1. **By 26 weeks, your baby will be able to sense your touch.** Sit down in a comfortable position and gently rub your belly slowly with both hands. Use soft, circular motions to soothe your baby and calm them down. You can also ask your partner or a loved one to gently rub your belly, as long as you’re comfortable with it.
Want to indulge in some relaxation as you calm your baby down? Book a prenatal massage to comfort your baby and soothe your muscles at the same time.
2. **As your baby develops, they’ll start to react to the sound of your voice.** Talk to your baby and tell them how much you love them, or tell them a story about yourself. The more you chat and talk to your baby, the more they’ll recognize you and be soothed by the sound of your voice.
You could also read your baby a book or tell them the plot of your favorite TV show. As long as you’re talking, your baby will love it.
3. **Your partner can bond with your baby and calm them at the same time.** If you have a partner, invite them to talk to your baby and rub your belly to help soothe them. After about 26 weeks, your baby will be able to recognize and react to voices, so they can start learning who their parents are.
You can also have a close friend or a relative talk to your baby and calm them down.
4. **A sweet lullaby can help calm your baby down with your voice.** Pick your favorite song to sing to your baby, then gently rub your belly as you whisper the words. Don’t worry about sounding perfect—the fact that it’s your voice will be enough to calm your baby down and help them relax.
Go for a slow, gentle song with a nice rhythm to it to mimic your heart beat and help your baby fall asleep.
5. **Classical music can help relax your baby in the womb.** Try turning on a radio or playing music on your phone near your belly. You might just notice that your baby stops moving around as much when you play their favorite song.
Studies show that babies can even remember songs played for them in the womb! If you notice your baby reacted particularly well to a song in the womb, try playing the same one for them once they’re born.
You can even use baby bump headphones on your belly so your baby can listen to music on the go.
6. **Your rocking motion can help lull your baby back to sleep.** Invest in a quality rocking chair, both for after your baby is born and while they’re in the womb. When your baby seems restless, sit in the rocking chair and gently rub your belly as you rock back and forth.
Combine this method with singing and talking to your baby to give them a lot of comfort and love.
7. **Walking is another great way to gently rock your baby.** Stand up and do a few circles around your home, rubbing your belly as you go. You can talk to and sing to your baby as well, just so they hear your voice. Try to do this for about 10 or 15 minutes so your baby has a chance to settle down.
If you notice that your baby often kicks when you lay down to go to sleep, they’re probably reacting to your stillness. Since they’re used to you getting up and walking around during the day, they may find it hard to sleep while you’re lying still.
8. **Babies tend to move less when you’re active.** This is likely because of the gentle rocking motions that you’re making with your body. If you feel up to it, try doing some yoga or pilates to soothe your baby.
You could also try swimming or cycling. Light exercise like these are usually fine during pregnancy, as long as your doctor gives you the go-ahead!
9. **Caffeine gives your baby energy, which can make them move more.** If you notice that your baby moves around a lot after you have coffee or soda, it’s most likely because of the caffeine. Try reducing your intake to see if your baby calms down and moves less.
Most experts recommend limiting your caffeine intake to 200 mg per day while pregnant.
10. **When you’re stressed, your baby can sense it.** If you’ve had a particularly tough day or you’re feeling burnt out, do something relaxing to help you decompress. You could soak in a bubble bath, take a nap, get out into nature, or simply lounge around the house. When you feel calm, your baby will be calmer, too.
Long-term stress can affect your health and the health of your baby. If you’re finding it tough to relax or wind down, talk to your doctor. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Calm-a-Baby-in-the-Womb", "language": "en"} |
How to Highlight Your Hair Naturally | Whether your hair is dark, brown, blonde or red, the process of highlighting brings out its natural bright tones. Spending time in the sun is an easy, effective way to naturally highlight your hair, but if you want to speed the process along, there are other natural ways to boost the golden hues in your hair. Learn how to use a variety of household supplies to achieve a stylish highlighted look.
1. **Juice lemons** Cut the lemons in half. Use a juicer or your fingers to squeeze their juice into a bowl. Get as much juice out of the lemons as possible, especially if you have longer hair.
You could also add some cinnamon and conditioner for extra highlighting.
Make sure to strain or pick out the seeds, so they don't clog your spray bottle.
Avoid using bottled lemon juice. It contains preservatives that aren't good for your hair but it still works the same.
The precise amount of lemons you'll need varies depending on how long your hair is.
2. **Mix the lemon juice with water in a spray bottle.** You should use two parts lemon juice to one part water. Measure your lemon juice and then add the proper amount of water to the juice. For example, 2 cups of lemon juice would require one cup of water but if you just want slight highlights reverse the ratio. Stay-in conditioner would be the best option for your hair instead of water and would also be more effective. Shake the spray bottle to mix the lemon juice and water together.
If you're using an old spray bottle, make sure it is thoroughly washed before you pour in the lemon juice. Avoid using a bottle that contained toxic chemicals.
3. **Spray your hair with the lemon mixture.** Concentrate on the parts you want to lighten, whether that’s all your hair, the ends, or highlights throughout. You can coat your hair all over or focus on a few strands, depending on what you're trying to achieve.
If you want a more precise application, dip a cotton ball in the lemon juice mixture and rub it on the strands of hair you wish to highlight.
The more lemon juice you apply to your hair, the lighter it will get.
4. **Sit in the sun for several sessions.** Lemon juice works in conjunction with the sun's natural rays to lighten hair. Try to sit in the sun about three or four times during the day. Each session should be between one and two hours.
Make sure you protect your face and body with sunscreen and clothing while sitting in direct sunlight.
There is no precise time frame to follow between sessions. Simply get in the sessions when you're able to go outside.
5. **Wash and condition your hair** Thoroughly rinse the lemon juice mixture from your hair. Then, wash it and add a deep conditioner with moisturizing products. Lemon juice dries out your hair, so a deep conditioner is essential. When your hair is dry, you'll be able to see the highlights.
6. **Brew a pot of chamomile tea** Use either dried chamomile flowers or 3 to 4 tea bags to brew a very strong pot of tea. Allow it to cool once it has brewed. It should not be so hot to the touch it causes pain, as you'll be applying this to your scalp.
7. **Rinse your hair with the tea.** Stand over the sink and pour the tea over your hair if you'd like to lighten your hair all over. Alternatively, apply the chamomile tea to the strands of your hair you wish to highlight.
8. **Sit in the sun to let it react with the tea.** Allow the tea to dry in your hair by sitting out in the sun. There is no precise amount of time to sit, although longer is generally better.
9. **Wash and condition your hair** Rinse the tea from your hair. Then, wash and condition it with moisturizing products. When your hair is dry, you'll see mild lightening and some highlights.
10. **Repeat the process.** You're unlikely to see dramatic results with chamomile tea right away. Chamomile usually gradually lightens your hair over time. You may need to try this method a few days in a row to get your desired results.
11. **Mix honey and water in a bowl.** Honey has natural traces of hydrogen peroxide, so it's a great means to lighten hair. Add about a tablespoon of raw honey to a bowl with a cup of water. Use a spoon of whisk to the honey together until you have an even mixture.
12. **Apply the mixture to your hair.** Decide whether you want to lighten all of your hair or just a few strands. You can rub the honey/water mixture all throughout your head, or simply add the mixture to a few strands of your hair.
To highlight individual strands, it can be easier to use a pastry brush to paint the mixture onto the strands you want to lighten.
13. **Let the mixture sit in your hair overnight.** Put on a shower cap. Let the mixture sit in overnight to lighten your hair. If you don't want to let it sit in overnight, you can let it sit in for 30 to 60 minutes. However, overnight will generally yield more dramatic results.
14. **Shampoo and condition your hair** Wash the honey out completely after letting it sit. It can take some extra effort, as honey is sticky. When it dries, it should appear lighter in color. Repeat the process for even lighter results.
15. **Make sure henna is the right option.** Henna usually turns hair a reddish brown color. If your hair is naturally very dark, this will likely be lighter than your normal shade. However, if your hair is naturally light, henna may actually darken it. Use henna for darker hair and if you want a touch of red.
16. **Make a paste with henna.** You should make your paste 12 hours before you plan to dye your hair. Mix 3 tablespoons (44.4 ml) of henna powder with enough boiling water to make a thick, workable paste. You can either use a spoon, a chopstick, or something similar to stir. Place your mixture somewhere safe to let it cool.
17. **Prepare to apply the henna.** Henna stains skin and clothes, so wear an old long-sleeved shirt and gloves for protection. Spread petroleum jelly on your neck and hairline to avoid staining these areas with henna.
18. **Massage the henna mixture into your hair** Use gloves when applying henna. Either cover your entire head with henna or just apply it to the strands you want to lighten. Be as thorough as possible, striving to saturate your hair or individuals strands with the henna paste. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap when you're done to keep the henna from drying out too fast.
19. **Let the mixture sit for two to three hours.** After two to three hours have passed, remove the shower cap and apply conditioner to your hair. Rise out the henna and conditioner before shampooing and styling your hair as normal. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Highlight-Your-Hair-Naturally", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Gel Nails Last Longer | Gel nail polish is a great option to obtain a shiny, durable manicure or pedicure. If you just got gel nails done at the salon, there are things you can do at home to make the polish last as long as possible, such as conditioning your nails, adding clear polish, and protecting your nails from hot water. If you’re doing your own manicure, take a few steps both before you begin and while applying the gel polish to preserve your polish. If you follow these steps, you can enjoy a gel manicure that lasts up to 2 weeks or longer!
1. **Use cuticle oil daily to condition your nails.** Prepping your nails and cuticles before applying the gel polish makes them very dry, so you’ll need to put the moisture back in them once your manicure is complete. Dry nails will become flaky, causing the polish to come off prematurely. To keep your nails moisturized apply cuticle oil every day by brushing it on your cuticles and your skin around it.
For extra softness and conditioning, apply the cuticle oil right before bed and follow up with moisturizing hand lotion.
2. **Add a thin layer of clear polish over your nails after one week.** A great way to prevent chipping gel polish is to reapply a topcoat about a week after the gel manicure. You can use a gel topcoat and cure it with the light. Or, you can use regular clear nail polish and let it air dry. To seal the tips of your nails, run the brush along the top edge first before covering the entire nail with the top coat.
Continue to reapply a top coat every few days to minimize your manicure or pedicure from chipping.
3. **Be gentle with your nails.** When you have a fresh new gel manicure, be mindful of everything you're doing with your hands and fingers. Even the slightest chip on the edge of the nail can get bigger and lift from the nail bed. So avoid doing things that can damage the edge of the polish, such as tearing open packages or scraping sticky labels off of surfaces.
4. **Avoid using hot water or cleaning products.** If you want your gel manicure to last at least 2 weeks without chipping or lifting, try your best to avoid prolonged exposure to hot water. This means if you plan on washing the dishes or cleaning, wear gloves to protect your nails. Hot water and chemicals from cleaning products can seep into the polish and cause it to breakdown, resulting in chipping and peeling.
5. **Don't use hot water or soap on your nails before your gel manicure.** Some people like to wash or soak their nails before starting a manicure or pedicure. This is not a good idea, because soap contains oils that can adhere to the nail. This can cause lifting of the gel polish after application. You want your nails to be completely dry, so avoid moisture at all costs before painting them.
Stay away from tasks that expose your nails to water for at least an hour before gel application, such as washing the dishes or taking a shower. This is because your nails retain water for a while.
6. **Prep and prime each hand separately for best results.** Focusing on 1 hand at a time helps you do an even, accurate job preparing each nail. Start with the hand that's easiest for you, then move on to the hand that feels harder. Go slowly so you'll make fewer mistakes. This will set you up for the best manicure possible.
Don't rush your prepping and priming process or you'll undermine the purpose.
7. **Push back your cuticles to clear your nail bed.** Applying nail polish over your cuticles can cause the polish to lift and chip after drying. The first thing you should do before polishing your nails is to use a wooden cuticle stick to push your cuticles as far back on each fingernail as possible. If you have a significant amount of cuticles, gently use the stick to scrape them off the nail.
Use a wooden cuticle pusher instead of a metal one, because wooden ones are soft and won’t harm the nail bed.
You can also use a cuticle remover to soften your cuticles before pushing or removing. However, make sure it is oil-free.
8. **Buff** The purpose of buffing is to smooth out the surface of the nail bed and remove any excess dry skin. To do this, hold the buffer parallel to your nail, and buff your entire nail by rubbing quickly back and forth from edge to edge. Try to use no more than 6 strokes per nail, or you may over buff them.
Use the side of your nail buffer with the coarsest texture. Usually, this side will be colored black.
Make sure you use a buffer on your nail bed and not a file. A file is very rough, and should only be used for the edge of the nail.
You can find a nail buffer at most beauty supply stores. Sometimes they are shaped like a rectangular block, while others may be shaped like a Popsicle stick.
9. **Cleanse your nails with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free wipe.** It is important to make sure that your nails are completely dry and free of debris before applying gel polish. Cleanse by applying 99% isopropyl alcohol to each nail. Pour a small amount on a cotton pad and rub it on each nail. You will see your nails start to slowly appear chalky and very dry. Then, wipe each nail with a lint-free wipe.
10. **Use nail primer if you want to dehydrate the nail even further.** A nail primer will help to dry out the nail bed and assist with the adhesion of the gel polish. It can be purchased at any beauty supply store. Just apply a thin even coat with the brush provided, and allow it to dry. Application of this product will prevent lifting and chipping, especially when applied to the tips of your nails.
You can dehydrate your nail bed even more by applying pure acetone with a cotton pad. Make sure to avoid the cuticles when applying acetone; you don’t want to dry them out too much.
11. **Apply a thin layer of base coat to your nails.** Before starting your gel manicure, apply a gel base coat to each nail. This is a critical step, as the base coat allows the gel polish to completely adhere to the nail. Use the brush that comes with the base coat to paint the entire nail, without touching the cuticle or nail bed. Make sure you also paint the tip of the nail to prevent chipping.
It’s important to avoid getting the base coat on the cuticle or nail bed. If it does, the polish may lift, and the manicure will not last long.
12. **Dry the base coat under an LED or UV lamp.** Immediately after applying the base coat, put your nails under an LED or UV lamp to cure it. If you have an LED lamp, cure the base coat for at least 30 seconds. If you have a UV lamp, leave your nails under for 1 minute.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine whether the gel polish cures or dries best with LED or UV light. It varies depending on the type of gel polish you purchase.
13. **Paint thin layers of gel polish on your nails.** When putting on nail polish, make sure you apply thin layers. To do this, dip the brush in the nail polish, then wipe a little bit off the side of the container before touching the brush to the nail. If you apply thick layers with too much polish, they might not completely dry and that will cause smudging.
Apply at least 2 thin layers of polish, but no more than 3.
14. **Work quickly, focusing on 1 hand at a time for precision.** The gel polish will set more evenly if you apply it quickly. Brush the polish on as fast as you can without being sloppy, then go immediately to the next nail. Finish all of the nails on 1 hand before you turn your attention to your other hand, which will help you keep your results as neat as possible.
You don't need to rush, but you also don't want to take your time. Don't pause between nails, spend a lot of time dipping your brush, or stop to examine your work after each nail.
15. **Avoid getting gel polish on your cuticles and skin.** It is important to avoid getting any gel polish on your cuticles or skin while you’re painting your nails. Even a small drop of polish on your skin can cause it to separate from the area after it dries because this prevents the nail from being fully sealed. This is because gel polish does not adhere to the skin.
If you accidentally get the gel polish on your skin or cuticle during application, quickly remove it with a wooden cuticle stick or cotton swab before curing it.
16. **Cap the gel polish on the tip of the nail for each layer you apply.** When applying gel polish, make sure to cap the edges of the nail. To do this, paint the entire nail, and then paint over it a little bit underneath the edge of the nail. This will help to delay chipping because the polish will wrap around the nail and cling to it. When it does start to chip, you won’t notice it because it will chip on the edges first before coming off the tip of the nail.
When capping the edge, make sure the coat is as thin as possible to avoid peeling.
17. **Cure each coat completely before adding the next coat.** The most important part of the gel manicure is arguably using either UV or LED lights to cure the polish. The lighting is used to dry and harden the gel polish, making it last longer than a regular manicure. Leave your nails under the light for the recommended amount of time right after you apply a coat. Gel nails under LED lights take about 30 seconds to cure on average, while UV lamps take 1-2 minutes to cure.
Keep in mind that UV bulbs need to be changed on a regular basis. If not, the light will dim, resulting in dull gel colors and faster chipping. LED bulbs do not need to be changed.
UV lamps should be at least 36 watts, while LED lamps need to be 18 watts for most gel polish brands to fully cure.
18. **Add a top coat and cure it under the lamp.** Once you finish applying a few coats of your gel polish, finish off your manicure with a topcoat. This is an important step to seal the gel, and it adds an extra layer of protection. As with the base coat and gel coats, avoid getting the top coat on your skin and cuticles. Cure it under the UV or LED light when you’re finished applying. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Gel-Nails-Last-Longer", "language": "en"} |
How to List an Item in Your Etsy Shop | Etsy is an online marketplace geared towards buying and selling vintage goods, handmade items, and crafting supplies. To start selling on Etsy, you'll need to create a basic Etsy account and then register as a seller. Once you've opened your store, you can list products on Etsy's website, as well as the Sell on Etsy mobile app. This wikiHow teaches you how to add items to your Etsy shop on your computer, phone, or tablet.
1. **Make sure the item can be sold on Etsy.** In general, you can list items on Etsy as long as they are handmade (by you), are vintage (at least 20 years old), or are supplies used for crafting.
Crafting supplies are generally things used to create things, but also can include party supplies for special events. All of the following would be considered crafting or party supplies: Yarn, beads, instructional books, patterns, blank canvases, confetti, cake-toppers.
If you've restored a vintage item significantly enough that it no longer looks or behaves like the original version, list it as handmade, not vintage. Example: You stylistically cut up a vintage t-shirt and added a beaded fringe.
You can't re-sell someone else's handmade items on Etsy, even if you've repackaged it creatively. For example, you can't sell a gift basket full of soaps you purchased from farmers markets, other Etsy, sellers, etc.
Metaphysical services like spellcasting and reiki are prohibited. You can, however, offer tarot readings.
2. **Sign in to https://www.etsy.com.** First, if you already created your Etsy store, skip to the Adding a Listing method. If you're not already registered as to sell on Etsy, you'll need to do so before you can list items in your store. If you're not already signed in, click at the top-right corner (or enter your login information on the mobile app) to do so now.
These steps are not available in the Etsy mobile app, so you'll need to use a web browser (even if you have a phone or tablet).
If you're using a phone or tablet and your sign-in launched the Etsy mobile app, close the Etsy app and return to the web browser to continue.
3. **Click Sell on Etsy.** You'll see it near the top-right corner of the page on a computer. If you're using a mobile web browser, tap the profile icon near the top-right corner (either your photo or an outline of a head) and select .
4. **Click Open your Etsy shop.** You may have to scroll down the page to see this black-and-white oval button.
5. **Enter your shop details.** You'll have to choose your shop's language, location, currency, and how frequently you'll be selling. When you're finished, tap at the bottom of the form.
6. **Give your shop a name.** Type the name you'd like to give your shop into the field and tap . Your shop name can be up to 20 characters (numbers and/or letters) and cannot contain any spaces. Once you find an available name, tap at the bottom of the form.
You must add a listing before you can register as a seller, so make sure you have a product ready to sell. To list your first product, continue to the Adding a Listing method below.
7. **Click Add a listing after naming your shop.** If you just registered as a seller on Etsy.com in a web browser, you'll see this option. If you already had an Etsy shop and just want to add a listing to your existing shop, follow these steps instead:
Sign in to https://www.etsy.com or open the Sell on Etsy app. If you're using a phone or tablet and don't have the Sell on Etsy app, you can download it from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Play Store (Android).
Click at the top-right corner, or tap the icon at the bottom-right corner in the Sell on Etsy app.
Click or tap .
Click or tap or and continue to the next step.
8. **Add at least one photo of the item you want to sell.** Depending on the item you're selling, you may want to add additional photos of the item at other angles—it's important that potential buyers know the quality and condition of what they are buying so they don't leave you bad feedback. To add a photo:
Click or tap in the first box.
Navigate to the first (main) photo's location and select it. If you're on a computer, click to upload it. On a phone or tablet, you may have to click or something similar.
Click to perfect the thumbnail photo of the item that appears first in its listing. You can drag the image around to recenter it and/or zoom in or out. Click when you are finished.
Click the next to add another, and continue doing so until you've uploaded all photos.
If you want to upload a 5-15 second video of the item, tap below the photo section to do so.
9. **Enter a descriptive but brief title.** This is how your listing will appear on Etsy. Be specific, and don't overload the title with extra words like you might see on an auction site (e.g., "WOW, L@@K VINTAGE NEW MODERN VINTAGE TABLE COOL ARTSY RETRO" would not fly with your average Etsy shopper).
10. **Categorize your listing.** The next few options help Etsy categorize and label your listing properly:
In the "About this listing" section, select the appropriate options, including the item's type and who made it.
Type a category into the "Category" blank. As you type, you'll see category suggestions—click or tap a suggested category to use it. Depending on the category, additional menus and fields will appear that can help you further label the item.
If you'd like the item to renew automatically after it expires, select under the "Renewal Options" header ($.20 per listing charge). If not, select to manually relist items that haven't sold.
Under "Type," choose whether the item is physical (something you send to the buyer via mail, like a quilt) versus digital (something you email to the buyer, like a birthday card template). If the item is digital, upload any necessary files using the on-screen instructions.
11. **Describe the item.** Type a thorough description into the "Description" field, detailing anything someone might want to know about the item before making a purchase. If there are any flaws, such as stains or cracks, add that information here as well. You can also fill out some optional info:
In the "Tags" section, enter some keywords that people might be searching for, such as the item's color, era, style, etc. For example, if you're selling a vintage Adidas jogging jacket, you could use tags like sportswear, 90s, raver, etc.
List the materials used to create your item into the "Materials" box—such as cashmere, cotton, rhinestones, etc.
12. **Enter the item's inventory and pricing information.** Below the item's details, you'll see areas to list the price, quantity available for sale, and other options.
If you want to personalize items for buyers (such as printing their names on mugs), click the "Personalization" switch to turn it on, and then detail instructions for buyers.
To add different colors, sizes, or versions of an item, type and select the variation type, and then fill out the details as necessary.
13. **Enter your shipping preferences.** Shipping calculations are based on weight, dimensions, and location of the buyer. In the "Shipping prices" section, select whether you want your shipping rates automatically calculated for you or if you'd like to enter them yourself for this item. You'll also need to list the dimensions and weight of the item, the provider you ship with, and where you're willing to ship.
Unless you're sure you know how much to charge for shipping to all applicable regions, choose the option from the "Shipping prices" menu.
If you want to save the entered information as your default shipping preferences, click right above the item's weight and dimensions.
14. **Click Save as draft to save your listing.** It's at the bottom of the page. This saves your listing to the section of the Listings page.
To view all listings in the future, click the icon at the top-right corner of the Etsy website (or tap the icon at the bottom-right corner in the Sell on Etsy app) and select . You can edit, delete, preview, and publish listings from this section.
15. **Click Preview to see your listing.** This gives you a chance to view the listing as a customer would before making it live.
16. **Click Publish to list the item.** Once you select this option, your listing will go live on Etsy. As people search for items or browse by category, they'll come across yours if it matches what they're searching for. And then, hopefully, they'll purchase your item and leave you a glowing review!
To list items and manage listings on the go, install the Sell on Etsy app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. This app is basically the mobile version of the Shop Manager you can access on Etsy's homepage. You can get it from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Play Store (Android).
Manage your listings in the Sell on Etsy app or in the , which you'll find at the top-right corner of the Etsy home page. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/List-an-Item-in-Your-Etsy-Shop", "language": "en"} |
How to Personalize Your Locker | Your locker is the one part of the school that belongs to you. Adding an individualized touch can make your locker feel safe and comfortable. Choose a theme to give your locker decorations a sense of focus, and accessorize with pictures or magnets for eye-catching designs. Make sure to keep your decorations organized so your locker can be both aesthetically pleasing and useful.
1. **Base your theme on your hobbies or interests.** Decorating your locker with what you love will make you happy when visiting it throughout the school day. You'll have access to a pick-me-up anytime between classes. Make a list of your favorite activities and narrow it down to your top three.
If you love soccer, for example, find photos of your team and hang up quotes by your role models.
Choose one or two interests to keep your locker decorations organized. Throwing everything you love it will make your locker seem cluttered.
2. **Pick an aesthetically-pleasing color palette.** With a focused color palette, your locker decorations will look more connected. Pick two or three to decorate with. This avoids oversaturating your locker. If your locker looks too busy, your decorations will appear crowded.
For variation, use different hues of the same colors.
Decorate with cool colors, like blues and greens, for a serene atmosphere whenever you visit your locker.
3. **Choose an item to be the centerpiece of your locker’s decoration.** A centerpiece will give your locker cohesion and harmony. Everything else you add to your locker will act in a secondary role to accentuate your centerpiece. This might be a poster, a magnetic mirror, or a dry-erase board.
Remember to relate your centerpiece to the theme. If your theme is horses, for example, add a framed photo of your pet horse or your favorite horse riding quote.
To make something your centerpiece, position it higher than other objects, choose an item larger than your other decorations, find something with a bold color to help it stand out, or look for something with an unusual shape.
4. **Keep your theme simple.** Don't overdo your theme decorations. Keep your decorations to one centerpiece and a few secondary items. Your locker is ultimately a place to store your textbooks and school supplies. Decorate primarily on the walls or with practical decorations, and shy away from knick-knacks. If you can't find what you need, your locker will become a hindrance instead of a utility.
A vase full of roses, for example, might look beautiful if you're going for a floral theme, but it will leave little room for your books.
5. **Hang up photos, posters, or artwork.** A picture of something you love can brighten your day at school. Find a poster or a few different pictures that will fit in the back wall of your locker. Take some impromptu photos with your friends for a special, personal touch. If you're a budding artist, hang some of your own artwork up on display.
Make sure the pictures are of something that makes you happy so visiting your locker is a positive experience.
Add some picture frames to your locker so you can rotate photos throughout the year. Make your own photo frame to reflect your individuality.
6. **Ask your school if you can add decals.** Decals can add a sleek and individual look to your locker. Apply a decal of your school's logo, your favorite quote, or an inspiring symbol. Talk to your school administration before you buy a decal, as they may have rules against adhesive decorations.
Make your own decals for an especially personal design.
Avoid using stickers, which can be difficult to remove.
7. **Add a sweet scent with perfume or fragrance.** Lockers in older schools can smell funky, but an air freshener can eliminate weird odors and add to your locker's atmosphere. You can use a spray and periodically re-apply it, or you can use a long-lasting scent, like an essential oil diffuser that attaches to the wall.
Do not put candles in your locker. Candles don't just take up space, but they are also a serious fire hazard.
You can also make an air freshener for a crafty and personal touch.
8. **Add some light.** A little brightness in your locker can illuminate the darker corners so nothing gets out-of-place. Lighting can also make your locker's atmosphere look more vivid. Because your locker won't have an outlet available, look for a battery-powered light you can turn on and off as you need it.
Sensor lights can turn on automatically when the locker door opens.
LED lights to consume less energy and will last longer on a single battery.
9. **Throw out any trash and unnecessary papers.** Put only the essentials in your locker. Before you add new decorations, sort through your things until you have only what you need. Starting with a clean surface and limited supplies will keep your decorations tidy.
10. **Add shelving.** Shelving can add a personal and practical touch to your locker. As you inspect your new locker, check for shelving. If it has only one level, buy small stacking shelves or locker organizers. Office supplies or craft stores often have shelving options to fit most lockers.
Use the shelves to arrange your locker into sections. Keep your textbooks on your top shelf, for example, and your school supplies on the bottom.
11. **Add magnets for a practical decoration.** Your locker will likely be made of metal, so magnets are a great way to hang up supplies and separate your items. Add a magnet hook to hang a small coat, or buy magnetic bins for your school supplies. Instead of photo frames, use magnets to spotlight your favorite pictures.
Magnetic mirrors are a classic and useful locker decoration. You can use them to style your hair or re-apply makeup between classes.
12. **Make use of the vertical space.** Your locker's walls are going to be your main place for decoration. Choose useful accessories so this space is more than decorative. Adding a schedule, a pencil container, or a few inspirational quotes can greatly improve your locker's practicality.
Dry-erase calendars make a great decoration. While visiting your locker, you can plan your day and prepare for upcoming events.
Add a bulletin to pin up assignment due dates, study lists, notes from friends, or party invitations. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Personalize-Your-Locker", "language": "en"} |
How to Install Linoleum Flooring | Linoleum, a term that originally referred to a natural material made from linseed oil, pine rosins, and other organic materials, is now used as a general term for both the original material and for a variety of modern substitutes made from vinyl plastic. These flooring materials, widely used for their affordability, water-tightness, and durability, are generally installed by securing them over an existing floor or subfloor with strong adhesive. Though linoleum is fairly easy to install compared to more expensive alternatives, it can present unique challenges for those inexperienced in home improvement. Start with Step 1 below to learn how to effectively install your own linoleum floor.
1. **Acclimate your linoleum to the room.** Linoleum and its synthetic alternatives are soft, pliable, and flexible when compared to most other flooring materials. In fact, they're so flexible that they will actually shrink and expand ever-so-slightly with changes in temperature. Though these changes are imperceptible to the naked eye, they can cause minor issues when it comes to installing and maintaining your floor. Because of this, you'll want to give your linoleum a chance to reach its "resting" size by storing it in the room you intend to use it in for about 24 hours prior to installing it.
2. **Remove any furniture, appliances, and doors.** Before beginning the process of laying down your linoleum flooring, you'll want to completely clear your work area from any possible obstructions. For most rooms, this will mean removing any furniture or floor decorations (e.g. rugs, etc.), along with any appliances that are connected to the floor, like toilets or pedestal-style sinks. Finally, you will probably want to remove any doors from their hinges, especially if they open inward, to ensure that you're able to comfortably work all the way to the edge of the room.
When it comes to preparing your work area, be conservative. Spending a little extra time removing items that may not be completely necessary to remove is almost always a better use of time than halting your work later on to, for instance, uninstall a toilet that's in your way.
3. **Detach any baseboards.** Next, remove any baseboards — the small wooden "trim" pieces at the bottom of a wall — that run along the edges of your floor. Usually, this can be accomplished by carefully prying with a pry bar, flat head screwdriver, or sturdy putty knife. To prevent damage to your wall, try inserting a small block of wood behind your prying tool as you work the baseboard away from the wall. This keeps your tool from scratching against the wall and provides additional leverage.
While you are working on your baseboards, take the opportunity to also remove any outlet covers that could be damaged by your linoleum flooring installation project.
4. **Remove baseboard nails.** After you remove your baseboards, quickly examine your bottoms of your walls near the floor to look for any leftover nails sticking out of the wall. Carefully pull these nails out of the wall with a pair of pliers, the "claw" end of a hammer, or a similar prying tool. If left in, these nails can present problems when attempting to lay your linoleum flat against the wall.
5. **Patch up pre-existing flooring material.** Linoleum must be laid over floor that's as close to perfectly smooth and even as possible. If it isn't, the underlying imperfections will eventually be reflected in the linoleum itself, resulting in unsightly bumps, ridges, soft spots, and so on. If you plan to lay your linoleum over the existing floor, check it to make sure that it is level and free of imperfections. If you plan to lay it over the subfloor, remove your existing flooring and check whether the subfloor is in good condition. If your floor or subfloor isn't completely even and level, you may want to try fixing minor issues with the tips below:
Concrete floors: Level high spots with a grinder or masonry chisel. Fill in small holes or cracks with additional concrete.
Wood floors: Use an embossing leveler to fix minor dents and indentations. For more serious issues, use plywood underlayment (see below).
Existing linoleum floors: Repair worn sections of floor or indentations with an embossing leveler (apply with a straightedge trowel). If any sections are damaged or loose, remove the linoleum and work off of the subfloor.
6. **Use a plywood underlay, as an alternative.** Some floors and subfloors just aren't suitable for supporting linoleum flooring — either they're too worn or damaged to easily repair or you'd like to keep the floor material for use in other projects. In these cases, it's usually best to use a plywood underlayment to support the linoleum. Cut 1/4 inch (0.63 centimeter) underlayment-grade plywood to fit the floor area you plan to cover with linoleum, then lay this over the existing floor or subfloor. This provides a smooth, even surface for the linoleum to rest on, bypassing the problems of using a damaged or worn floor entirely.
For tight seams for your plywood pieces, use a pneumatic stapler about every 8 inches (20.3 cm) along edges.
Don't forget that using an underlayment will raise the level of the floor slightly, which may require you to shave off a small amount of material from the bottoms of any doors in the room.
7. **Determine the amount of linoleum you'll need.** Now that your floor is ready for linoleum to be installed, it's time to measure it so that you'll know precisely how much linoleum to use and exactly how to cut it. You have several options for measuring your floor — just a few are listed below. Regardless of which method you use, it's important to make your measurements as accurate as possible so that your linoleum will fit precisely against your walls and appliances.
One option for measuring your floor is to lay down a large sheet (or sheets) of a heavy paper like butcher paper across the area of floor you intend to cover with linoleum. Use a pencil to precisely trace the edges of the floor area. Cut the shape of your floor area from your paper, then use this as an outline when you cut out your linoleum.
Another option is to use a tape measure to obtain measurements for all of the sides of your flooring area. Sketch these results on a piece of paper and use your measurements to cut your piece of linoleum. This method is especially handy for square or rectangular sections of floor — all you need to do is measure two perpendicular sides and you'll know exactly how much to cut.
8. **Mark your cutting lines on your linoleum.** Once you have a paper outline of your floor area or precise measurements and a rough sketch, you're ready to mark your linoleum material with its final shape. Use a washable marker to trace your paper outline or use a straightedge and tape measure to draw lines according to the floor measurements you took. Linoleum is usually sold in 6 or 12 foot (1.8 - 3.6 meter) wide rolls, so it should be possible to mark and cut linoleum flooring for most small spaces and rooms (e.g., bathrooms, hallways, etc.) in one seamless piece. For larger projects, it's OK to use two or more pieces.
It's almost always a good idea to mark your linoleum floor pieces about an inch or two wider than they need to be. While it's fairly easy to trim the edges of the linoleum to make it fit your floor space, there's no way to make a piece of linoleum that's too small bigger, so be conservative when cutting your linoleum.
9. **Cut your linoleum.** Once you know the exact dimensions of the floor area you intend to cover, you can begin cutting your linoleum. Note that, for the most accurate fit, it's best to use linoleum that's been allowed to acclimate to the room for about a day (see above). Use the measurement or outline you took to cut your linoleum in as few separate pieces as possible.
To cut your linoleum, use a sharp utility knife or a hooked linoleum knife and cut along your pre-marked lines. Use a straightedge to ensure an accurate cut. If you have some handy, put an extra layer of plywood underneath your linoleum as you cut it to avoid gouging your floor.
10. **Lay your vinyl down and trim to fit.** Carefully move the cut linoleum piece(s) into position and lay it down. Work the linoleum around any corners and obstructions, taking care not to crease it. If you marked and cut your linoleum so that you have an extra inch or two on every side, the extra material will lay up against the walls. Use your linoleum-cutting tool to carefully trim the edges of your linoleum so that it lays flat on the floor and is flush against the edges of the flooring area. Below are a few tips for trimming your linoleum to fit snugly:
Straight walls: Use a straightedge or straight piece of wood (like a 2x4) to crease the linoleum against the corner where the wall meets the floor. Cut along the crease.
Inside corners: Use V-shaped cuts to shave excess material off of the linoleum where it meets the inside corner. Cautiously remove thin strips of material until the linoleum just lays flat against the floor.
Outside corners: Make a vertical cut inward from the corner at a 45 angle. Shave material off from both sides of the corner until the linoleum sits flat against the floor.
11. **Apply adhesive.** Now, peel back half of your floor. Use a notched trowel to spread adhesive on the underside of the linoleum. Follow the linoleum's recommended directions for use — some linoleum is meant to have adhesive applied evenly across the entire underside, while other types of linoleum are meant to have adhesive applied only along the edges. Allow the adhesive to sit briefly (most adhesives used for this purpose recommend doing so to achieve the best hold), then roll it back down and carefully press it into its place on the floor. Repeat for the other half of the floor.
Linoleum/flooring adhesive is almost always available at major hardware stores (often under the all-purpose name "flooring adhesive"). Always defer to the usage instructions included with the products you buy, including your adhesive. — if they vary from those presented in this article, err on the safe side by following them.
For linoleum requiring adhesive all over its underside (rather than around the perimeter), leave a few inches along the edges without adhesive. Linoleum can shrink and expand slightly when exposed to glue, so wait to apply adhesive to the edges until this settling has occurred.
12. **Secure the linoleum with a roller.** Use a heavy roller (a 100-pound model should work well) to remove air bubbles from the linoleum and securely adhere it to the floor or subfloor. Work from the middle of the floor to the edges, taking care to carefully roll over the entire floor. If this forces excess adhesive out from under the edges of the linoleum, use a solvent to dissolve it and remove it with a wet rag according to the manufacturer's directions.
13. **Finish the linoleum sealant.** To give your new linoleum floor a protective, glossy sheen that can add longevity, finish it with an approved linoleum sealant. Use a brush or roller to apply a thin, even coat over the entire piece of linoleum, taking care not to leave any spots bare. Work from the farthest corners of the floor inward to ensure that you don't have to step on any wet sealant.
Pay extra attention to any seams in the linoleum — spaces where two pieces of linoleum rest against each other. If not sealed properly, these seams can become natural locations for peeling and water damage.
14. **Stay off of the floor for about 24 hours.** As your sealant and adhesive dry, it's important to stay off of your new floor. Even after your sealant is completely dry, keep traffic to a minimum until the underlying adhesive sets completely. Replacing your furniture too early or walking excessively on the floor can cause the still-pliable flooring to deform as it dries, leading to permanent bumps and divots.
Many flooring adhesives will be sufficiently dry in 24 hours, but some may require longer drying times. Always defer to your manufacturer's directions and err on the side of caution. Prolonging a minor inconvenience in the short term can save you problems in the long term.
15. **Replace baseboards, appliances, furniture, etc.** When your new linoleum floor has completely dried, you can start getting your room back to normal. Replace your baseboards, appliances, furniture, electrical outlet covers, and any other items you removed from the room to prepare it for its new floor. Take care during re-installation not to scratch, mar or damage your linoleum.
Keep in mind that some of the items you replace (especially doors and baseboards) may need to be slightly raised or altered to accommodate the slightly higher floor level.
For very heavy furniture and appliances, use a piece of plywood to slide the fixture into place, rather than dragging it across the floor, as doing this can damage floors even after they've set.
For specific help re-installing some common room fixtures, see our installation articles on baseboards, doors, and appliances.
16. **Use caulk to seal the room's edges as needed.** As you're returning your room to its original condition, don't forget that many room fixtures require their edges to be sealed with caulk to provide an air- and water-tight seal. Baseboards in particular can require extensive caulking, as can toilets, sinks, and other appliances that use water. Note that latex or acrylic latex-based caulk is usually best for most indoor projects.
17. **Use an online calculator.** Though linoleum and vinyl flooring are fairly cheap compared to flooring options like hardwood and tile, you still won't want to spend any more money on your flooring project than necessary. Figuring out how much linoleum your project calls for beforehand can prevent you from wasting money on excessive flooring material and save you the hassle of having to run back to the hardware store if you don't have enough. For most projects, the easiest way to do this is simply to use an online calculator.
Though online calculators will vary, most (including the one above) simply require you to input the length and width of your floor section (or sections) to receive a total estimate. For floor sections that are square or rectangular, you'll only need one length and width, but for a differently-shaped area of floor, you'll need to divide your square into rectangular sections and find a length and width for each to get an accurate total.
18. **Calculate your amount by hand.** You don't need to use a calculator to figure out how much linoleum you need — it's also pretty easy to find this amount by hand. Use one of the equations below to determine exactly how much linoleum is necessary for your project depending on whether you're buying sheet linoleum by the yard or tiled linoleum. Keep in mind that, regardless of the equation you use, your floor area value will be the length of your floor times its width (for each rectangular section of floor).
For sheet linoleum: (Floor area)/9 = # of Square yards of linoleum needed
For 9-inch tiles: (Floor area)/0.5626 = # of 9-inch linoleum tiles needed
For 12-inch tiles: (Floor area) = # of 12-inch linoleum tiles needed
19. **Buy a little bit more than you think you need.** As with all home improvement projects, it's a smart use of your time to buy just a little extra when you're shopping for linoleum flooring. Just as you might buy extra concrete when pouring a new driveway, buying extra linoleum gives you the ability to correct for small mistakes you might make and also accounts for minor errors you may have made during the process of calculating the amount of linoleum you need. In addition, extra linoleum can be stored almost indefinitely and used to patch minor damage to your floor, line the bottom of cabinets under your sink, and for a variety of other home-improvement projects. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Linoleum-Flooring", "language": "en"} |
How to Polish Marble | Marble is a popular option for countertops, tabletops, flooring, and fireplace mantles. While it brings natural beauty to your home, it requires special care to prevent damage and stains, which occur easily due to marble’s porous surface. With a little time and elbow-grease, you can polish your natural or cultured marble and make it look new again.
1. **Gather your supplies.** You will need a mild detergent, 3-4 soft cloths, a poultice for stain removal (optional), a polishing compound, a low-speed polisher with a felt wheel (optional), and a marble sealant. You can collect the items yourself or purchase a kit.
If you have cultured marble, make sure that your product says it’s for cultured marble.
If you do not have access to a polisher, you can apply your marble polish with a soft rag; however, this method is very tiring.
If you have stains, remove them with a poultice before polishing. Keep in mind that if you use a poultice you will need to wait at least 24 hours to continue to the next step.
Use an etch remover polishing compound if you have water rings.
2. **Tape the area around the marble.** If your marble is surrounded by other surfaces such as wood or chrome that could be damaged by the products you will use, protect them with painter’s tape.
Cover wood and chrome surfaces.
If you have wood floors, consider taping around the edges of the bottom of the cabinet if you will be using a spray product because the product could land on the floor.
3. **Clean the surface with a mild detergent and soft rag.** Test a small area before you clean the entire slab. If you have stains, try removing them with just your detergent by gently working the area with your damp cloth over the stain.
4. **Apply your poultice (optional).** A poultice will remove stains that have settled into the porous surface of your marble. Polishing your marble will not remove the stains; instead, you will be sealing them in.
You can purchase a commercial poultice or you can make your own. To make a poultice, mix just enough hydrogen peroxide into flour to create a paste. You can also use a combination of one tablespoon ammonia, half a cup hydrogen peroxide while slowly adding baking soda until it forms a thick paste.
Smooth the poultice onto the stain and seal it by taping plastic wrap over it. Leave your poultice on for at least 24 hours. Old stains may require more time. Determining the time needed to remove old stains is a trial-and-error process.
After 24-48 hours, remove the plastic, pour a little water over the dry poultice, and wipe it away with a soft cloth. Thoroughly dry the area.
If the stain persists, repeat this process again.
5. **Apply a small amount of polishing compound.** Consult the side of the container for proper measurements, as different products recommend different amounts. Put the compound on the small section where you will begin work.
Do not apply polishing compound to the entire piece of marble at once.
How much polish you should apply will depend on the type of polish you choose and the size of the space you are polishing.
If you are not sure how much polish to apply, start with a little and add more as needed. It’s easier to add more than it is to remove excess.
6. **Choose a low-speed polisher or a soft cloth.** While you can use either, it takes longer to use a soft cloth, and if you do not keep up the same level of pressure it could affect your results, so a low-speed polisher might be your best bet.
If you have a drill, you can replace the drill bit with a felt-top sanding disk so that you can use it as a polisher.
7. **Work in small sections.** Only work on one small section of 1-2 feet at a time to create an even finish and avoid having your polishing compound dry out or begin to clump up. Working in small sections also helps you evenly distribute the polish because you are able to add small amounts of polish as you go.
Start in a corner and work your way around the entire area to make sure you apply an even polish. If you start in the middle, then you may miss a spot.
8. **Work in the polish.** If you're using a soft cloth or the soft side of a new sponge, make tight, circular movements. If you're using a polisher, slowly move it in a controlled circular motion. When you finish with the flat sides, polish the corners with a soft rag, continuing your circular movements.
Use a low to medium speed if you’re using a polisher.
9. **Remove the excess polish.** Use a dry cloth to wipe away the residue, and then finish with a damp cloth to ensure a clean surface.
10. **Allow your marble to fully dry.** Wait 24 hours before applying your sealant.
If your cultured marble still has stains or shows damage, you can polish it with a buffing compound and then again with a polishing compound. If neither of these products works, cultured marble can be wet sanded using 1,000-grit wet/dry sandpaper.
Don’t try buffing compound or wet sanding on natural marble because it is more easily damaged.
11. **Choose your sealant.** Sealants can be topical or impregnator. Topical sealants sit on top of the marble and prevent staining, while impregnators go below the surface and repel water and oils while still allowing the marble to breathe. Countertops and vanities are usually sealed with an impregnator, while floors and other types of marble may be better served by a topical sealant.
Don’t seal cultured marble because it’s stronger and doesn’t need a sealant. Some cultured marbles won’t take a sealant.
You don’t need to seal marble in a shower unless you plan to use products that stain. Personal care products don’t stain marble unless they’re allowed to sit. Shaving cream can cause etching, but that’s not prevented by a sealant.
12. **Apply your marble sealant.** A sealant won't prevent all stains, but will provide some protection to your marble surface. You can purchase marble sealant in a spray bottle at a hardware or home goods store. As you spray on your sealant, make sure that the entire surface of your marble is wet.
Don’t let the sealant fully dry or it will streak.
You can add water to the sealant by spraying on water or dabbing with a damp cloth. Adding water to sealant that is drying too fast will prevent streaking.
13. **Wipe off the sealant residue.** Consult your container for the application time. After your sealant has been on the marble for the recommended time, use a dry cloth to wipe the surface dry.
Most sealants recommend a wait time of 10-20 minutes.
If you let it sit longer than the recommended time, the sealant will streak.
If your sealant recommends two applications, then repeat the steps once.
14. **Wait for your marble to dry.** Allow your marble to sit for 6-8 hours. Avoid using or placing anything on your marble until it has completely dried because the seal needs time to set. You don’t want to risk getting the sealant that’s seeped into the surface wet while it’s still fresh.
Marble should be sealed every 6-12 months. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Polish-Marble", "language": "en"} |
How to Install an Egress Window | When renovating your basement to use as an office, bedroom, or other living space, you are required by law to install an egress window to act as an escape route in case of an emergency. The codes and exact requirements for you’re egress window vary depending on the area you live in, so make sure you know exactly what they are before you start building. You will need some skill and prior experience with renovations, carpentry, and construction to do this project yourself.
1. **Determine how large your egress window needs to be.** Requirements vary based on where you live, so look up local codes on the subject. It will likely need to be about 6 sq ft (0.56 m) big, and the bottom of the window opening will need to be no more than 44 in (110 cm) off the floor.
Not all basement rooms legally need an egress window. However, basement bedrooms are not allowed without one.
Check if you need any building permits to get started as well, and follow the procedures to get them. At the very least, you will probably need to get inspection and clearance from the local utility companies to start digging so that you don’t damage any buried utility lines.
2. **Dig an oversized window well outside where you will add the window.** It needs to be at least 36 in (91 cm) wide and extend 36 in (91 cm) out from where the window will go. It will also need to be no more than 44 in (110 cm) deep.
Dig the hole about 6 in (15 cm) deeper than where the bottom of the window will be, or as close as you can get without going past 44 in (110 cm) deep. This will allow for a window ledge.
If you have a deep basement that forces you to dig the window well deeper than 44 in (110 cm), then most codes will still allow you to install the window as long as you put some sort of ladder or steps in the window well to provide access.
3. **Measure and mark your cut on the inside wall of your basement.** Use a measuring tape to measure the outline of the window according to the dimensions you determined. Mark each side with a grease pencil and a straight edge.
Make sure you leave about 6 in (15 cm) of header space between the top of the window and the floor joists if you are placing it perpendicular to the joists. This way the floor joist still have part of the wall to rest on.
If you don’t have a grease pencil, you can use masking tape as an alternative to mark the outline of the window.
4. **Drill a pilot hole in the center of the bottom cutting line.** Use a drill bit for concrete that is long enough to go through the wall. Make sure the drill is perfectly level when it penetrates the wall.
You will use the pilot hole as a reference point on the outside to mark the window. This is why you need to drill completely level.
5. **Measure and mark the cut on the outside.** Use the pilot hole as a reference point to measure the bottom line of the window first and mark it with your grease pencil. Measure and mark the sides and the top of the window.
Use a level and a straightedge to check your markings and make sure they are completely level.
6. **Build a support frame if the window will be perpendicular to the floor joists.** Construct a temporary support frame out of 2-by-4s about 3 ft (0.91 m) back from the basement wall. Align the studs directly underneath the joists and screw the top plate to the joists.
The frame will need to be at least as wide as the window, so that you will have 1 stud of the frame under each joist that runs above the window. Make it wider if you have the room so that there is added support.
7. **Hang plastic sheeting along the frame to contain dust.** Use 6-mil plastic sheeting to confine dust within the area you will be cutting. Use a staple gun to secure it along the temporary frame and to the joists in the ceiling.
Use a plastic sheet that is at least 8–9 ft (2.4–2.7 m) feet wide to tent a large enough area and keep all the dust confined there.
Make slits in the sheeting so you can staple it between the joists and create an extra-tight seal.
8. **Cut a groove around the inside perimeter of the window with a concrete saw.** Use a 14 in (36 cm) concrete saw with a diamond blade. Make a first pass around the perimeter and only cut about ⁄4–⁄2 in (0.64–1.27 cm) deep to create a straight groove that will guide your next, deeper cuts.
You can rent a concrete saw. Renting a diamond blade is also recommended.
Wear hearing and eye protection, a dust mask, and gloves when operating the saw.
9. **Cut halfway through the wall along the groove you created.** Make another pass around the perimeter of the window, cutting deeper, until you get approximately halfway through the wall all the way around the window. The groove you made will guide your cut so you can focus on applying pressure to cut deeper.
Don’t worry about whether the cut is exactly halfway through the wall. You will be completing the cut from the other side.
10. **Cut through the other side of the wall in the same manner.** Cut a straight groove around the outside of the window first. Make a second, deeper pass along the groove until you meet your cut from the inside.
You can cover the area outside with a tarp where you will be cutting if you want to keep it clean.
11. **Knock out the blocks where the hole will be with a 4 lb (1.8 kg) hammer.** Start at the top-center and work carefully around the edges. Be careful not to loosen the blocks that will remain in place.
If there are any blocks that are hard to knock out, start by breaking out the core of the block and then break away the rest.
12. **Chip the sides of the hole with a brick chisel to smooth them.** Tap a brick chisel along the edges with a hammer. Check that the opening is big enough to fit the window frame and window.
The edges don’t need to be perfectly smooth. They just need to be smooth enough to comfortably fit the window.
13. **Fill the cores of the bottom blocks with concrete.** Stuff newspaper into the blocks first to keep the concrete from falling down into them. Fill the the blocks with concrete, on top of the newspaper, and smooth out the top of the concrete with a trowel. Cover the concrete with plastic to create a moisture barrier.
If you don’t stuff newspapers into the blocks, you will end up using a lot more concrete than is necessary to fill up the blocks.
14. **Put the window frame into place and secure it with nails or screws.** Partially drive 3 in (7.6 cm) deck screws into the bottom of the frame and push them into the wet concrete below. Screw the top of the frame into the ceiling plate or joists. Use concrete screws to anchor the sides of the frame to the concrete walls.
Drive the concrete screws into the mortar joints of the wall (where the blocks meet) to avoid shattering the blocks.
15. **Apply an exterior caulk around the frame and walls to seal them.** Use polyurethane or another type of exterior caulk to create a waterproof seal. Squeeze a bead of it in between the window frame and the concrete walls to seal the crack and prevent water from getting in.
If there are any gaps wider than ⁄4 in (0.64 cm), then put a foam backer rod in between before you apply the caulk.
16. **Remove the temporary support frame.** It is now safe to deconstruct the temporary support frame you built. The window frame you just installed will support the joists.
It’s easiest to start by unscrewing the frame from the joists. Then you can lay the frame down and deconstruct the rest of it.
17. **Lift the window into the frame and secure it according to the instructions.** Your window will come with installation instructions specific to the window. You will most likely need to screw or nail the metal fins of your window into the frame and caulk around the edges of the window to seal and waterproof it.
The installation procedure varies depending on the type of window you purchased. Make sure to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact procedure. For instance, some manufacturers specify that the window must be nailed, not screwed, into place.
18. **Install a drain pipe in the window well and partially fill the well with gravel.** Excavate a hole in the bottom of the window well to install a PVC pipe that connects to the exterior drainage system of your home. Cover the base of the window well with about 2 in (5.1 cm) of gravel to facilitate drainage.
If your window well happens to be on a slope, then you can just dig a hole for the pipe that leads the water downhill away from the egress window, rather than connecting it to the exterior drainage system of your home. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Install-an-Egress-Window", "language": "en"} |
How to Add Multiple Gmail Accounts to an Android | Every Android device, may it be tablet or smartphone, has its own built-in email client that you can use to download, read, save, and edit emails messages online or offline. And because the Android OS was developed and released by Google, you'll also find the Gmail app preinstalled on most Android device and supporting Gmail email accounts. If you're using Gmail as your email provider, you can add not just one, but multiple Gmail accounts on your Android.
1. **Open your device's App screen.** Tap the App Drawer button (icon made of small squares) at the bottom of your Android device's home screen to open the App screen.
2. **Launch the Email Client app.** Inside the App screen you'll find an item called “Email.” Tap this icon from the App screen to launch your device's dedicated email client.
Note that the icon design of the email client varies depending on the manufacturer of your phone (e.g., Samsung, HTC, LG, etc.).
3. **Set up the app for the first time.** During the first launch, the Set Up screen will be the one showing. Enter your Gmail account's address (e.g., “johndoe@gmail.com”) and password on the text fields provided and tap the “Next” button to begin the setup.
4. **Set the notifications settings.** If your Android's email client app allows you to set its notification settings, like with Samsung Android phones, just simply put a check mark on this option to either enable or disable notifications whenever you get a new mail. Tap the “Next” button to continue.
5. **Name your Gmail account.** Enter the name you like for the account you've just added so it would be easy for you to tell one from the other when you have several Gmail accounts working inside the app. Type in the name you like on the text field provided using your Android on-screen keyboard.
6. **Complete the first setup.** Tap the “Done” or “Finish” button once you've reached the last page of the setup to complete the process and add the Gmail account.
The email app will then start downloading messages from the server.
7. **Open the app's settings.** After adding the first Gmail account, press your Android's menu button at the bottom of the screen and select “Settings” from the slide up menu.
8. **Add another Gmail account.** Inside the Settings screen, tap the “Add Account” button to start adding another Gmail account and the same setup screen displayed in Step 3 will appear.
From here on, all you need to do is to repeat Steps 3 to 6 to set up another Gmail with the email client app. Do this for every Gmail account you'd like to add.
9. **Open your device's App screen.** Tap the App Drawer button (icon made of small squares) at the bottom of your Android device's home screen to open the App screen.
10. **Open your Android settings.** On the app screen you'll see a gear icon. Tap this to open your device's settings screen.
If you can't see the gear icon on the first page of the app screen, try scrolling right or left (or up and down, depending on the make and model of your unit) to change pages.
11. **Open the Account settings.** Scroll down the Settings screen and tap the “Accounts” option to view all the different accounts currently signed in on your device.
On some newer versions of Android, you'll find this option placed on a separate tab found on the top right hand area of the Settings screen.
12. **Add another Google account.** Scroll down the Accounts list and tap the “Add Account” button. A list of account types that you can add will be displayed. Select “Google” from this list.
13. **Add another Gmail.** Select “New” from the initial setup screen and enter your full name on the allocated text field to personalize your account.
Enter your Gmail account's address (e.g., “johndoe@gmail.com”) and password on the text fields provided and tap the “Add Account” button to complete the setup process.
14. **Open the Gmail app.** Tap the Gmail app icon—an envelope with a letter M inside—from your Android device's home screen to open it. Your second Gmail account should already be logged in to
All Android devices have this app preinstalled so you don't need to worry about having to re-download it from Google Play store. If your device did not come with one, you can download the Gmail app by opening this link on your smartphone or tablet: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gm
15. **Add three or more Gmail accounts.** To add more accounts to the Gmail app, simply repeat Steps 1 up to 5 for every Gmail that you'd like to add. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Multiple-Gmail-Accounts-to-an-Android", "language": "en"} |
How to Grow a Plum Tree | Growing your own plum tree in your backyard is a gratifying experience. After planting, watering, pruning, and maintaining your tree, it will bear delicious plums to reward you for your work. With regular care, your plum tree will continue to bloom and produce plums for years to come.
1. **Choose a type of plum that will thrive where you live.** European plum trees will grow in most climates. Japanese plum trees need warmer climates. American hybrid plums are the hardiest and can survive even in cold, harsh conditions.
If you live in the U.S., see which “plant hardiness zone” you live in on the USDA’s website: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#
2. **Pick a European type if you have space for just one tree.** Japanese plum trees and American hybrids need to cross-pollinate, which means you’d need a second tree to produce fruit. If you have space for only one tree, go with a European plum tree. It will also grow well in most climates.
In general, Japanese plums are sweet and juicy, with red skin. European plums are very sweet and purple. American hybrids vary in appearance and taste, but many are similar to Japanese plums.
3. **Start with a grafted plum tree for the best plums.** A grafted plum tree is a young tree that has been attached to a rootstock of a different variety to improve its growth. Grafted plum trees produce delicious fruit. You can grow a plum tree from a plum seed, but the fruit may not taste the same.
Dome plum varieties are only ornamental while others with bear fruit. Choose the type of plum tree that fits with the rest of your yard or garden.
A local nursery will have plum trees that grow well in your climate.
4. **Choose a planting site with well-drained soil so your tree will grow.** Plum trees grow best in rich soil that isn’t constantly wet. If the soil retains water, it might cause your tree’s roots to rot. Check the drainage by digging a hole 1 foot (0.30 m) deep and filling it with water. If the water drains within 1 hour, the site has good drainage.
If your planting site doesn’t have good drainage, choose a different spot in your yard. You can also install gutters and drains or regrade your soil to redirect water.
5. **Make sure your planting site gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.** Your plum tree will need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow. Avoid spots where frost might settle and spots that experience high winds.
Give your tree at least 15 feet (4.6 m) of space all around to grow. If you’re planting multiple plum trees, space them at least 18 inches (46 cm) apart.
6. **Plant during spring for the easiest experience.** If you live in a region with cold winters and hot summers, wait until the spring to plant your plum tree. It will be easiest to dig the hole for your tree, and your young tree’s roots will adapt to the soil well.
By planting in the spring you’ll also avoid frost, which can damage your tree.
7. **Dig a hole slightly deeper and wider than the tallest, longest roots.** Try not to bend the roots so they can spread and grow. Your tree's roots will grow outward. Make sure its longest roots have room to grow and form a stable base for your tree.
8. **Loosen the soil in the sides of the hole so the roots can spread easily.** If the soil in the hole is too compact, your roots will have trouble breaking through and growing outwards. You can loosen the soil with the tip of your shovel or a handheld tool like a trowel.
9. **Check that your tree’s graft line is not submerged in the hole.** The graft line is a clear line or “scar” near the base, where the root and tree join. The graft line should remain at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the soil when your tree is in the hole so it can grow properly.
If your hole is too deep, fill it little by little with soil you removed until the graft line is at the right position.
10. **Refill the hole by packing soil around the tree’s roots.** Refill the hole slowly, making sure to cover each root with soil. Adjust the angle of your tree when needed so that it stays completely upright.
Fertilizer isn’t needed when you plant a young grafted tree. Fertilizer can damage or kill the tree’s roots.
11. **Water your new tree weekly for the first year.** Newly planted trees need plenty of water for the first few weeks after planting. Water your tree deeply so the water soaks about 8 inches (20 cm) into your soil. Letting a tree get too dry can affect its growth and production of fruit. On the other hand, overwatering can damage the roots.
12. **Soak the soil for 15 minutes per week once the tree is 1 year old.** After your tree has been planted for a year, it doesn’t need as much water. If you live in a dry climate without much rain, soak the soil around the base of your tree with a hose for 15 to 20 minutes. If it rains once every 7 to 10 days, don’t water your tree.
Give your tree more water if its leaves are curling up and turning brown. Try watering it every 5 or 6 days at first, or soak it for 25 to 30 minutes when watering it.
Give your tree less water if its leaves are turning yellow and falling from the branches. Wait to water it every 10 or 13 days, or soak the soil for 10 minutes instead.
If you live in a humid or wet climate, your tree is probably getting plenty of moisture. Let the weather water your tree naturally when it rains.
13. **Trim the branches above buds with a lopper to encourage growth.** Pruning your young tree for the first time in late winter will set its shape and encourage growth the following spring. Cut branches above outward-facing buds so that the branch will grow up and out.
Use a pruning tool that will make clean cuts, like a lopper, to discourage pests and disease.
Cut any shoots that form on the bottom of the trunk, as they take away energy from the rest of the tree.
14. **Keep your tree healthy by clearing damaged or fallen branches.** Prune branches that have broken from high winds or storms. Cut these damaged sections where they naturally meet undamaged parts of the branch to avoid leaving stubs. Rake and remove fallen debris in the fall.
15. **Fertilize your tree in early spring after its first crop of fruit.** Fruit trees younger than 3 or 4 years old don’t require fertilizer unless they are not growing about 10 inches (25 cm) per year. Using gloves, spread a mild, slow-release fertilizer about 1 foot (0.30 m) away from your tree’s trunk.
A 10-10-10 ratio fertilizer is recommended for plum trees, which has equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
16. **Use mulch around the trunk to hydrate and control weeds in the spring.** Cypress mulch can cut down the evaporation of water near the soil’s surface, helping your tree conserve water. Mulch made from cedar will block weeds from sunlight so they don’t grow and affect your plum tree.
Apply mulch around the base of your tree so that it’s 2 inches (5.1 cm) thick.
When organic mulch like cypress and cedar decomposes, it also provides nutrients to your tree so it can be used as an alternative to fertilizer.
You can make your own mulch from tree branches, bark, and leaves.
17. **Treat diseases like brown rot by pruning damaged sections.** Brown rot is a common disease that affects plum trees. Withered brown twigs and flowers covered in sticky brown drops are signs of brown rot. Prune and destroy any affected fruits, twigs, leaves, and flowers.
You can also apply a fungicide like myclobutanil to treat brown rot.
18. **Harvest ripe plums when they feel soft and detach from the tree easily.** If you pick plums early, put them in a clean paper bag with the top folded over and let them sit at room temperature for a day or two. Your plum is ripe when your fingertip makes a small dent, but doesn’t puncture the skin.
European plums can be picked when they’re fully ripened. You can pick Japanese and American Hybrid plums slightly early and ripen them.
Use your plums to make dishes like grilled plums or plum jam. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-a-Plum-Tree", "language": "en"} |
How to Peel Kohlrabi | Kohlrabi, also called a German turnip, is a tasty vegetable in the cabbage family. It has a rough, spherical shape with a bunch of leafy green stems sticking out of it. The bulb of the kohlrabi varies in size and can be either bright purple, pale green or white, but they all have the same sweet peppery flavor. The entire vegetable is edible, including the leaves, either raw or cooked. Learn the correct way to peel and cut this interesting vegetable, so you can enjoy it with your favorite meal.
1. **Wash your hands.** Your hands can spread bacteria to the foods you touch and eat. Before you begin prepping your kohlrabi, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Make sure your hands are fully dry before you begin peeling. Wet hands can spread bacteria more easily than dry hands.
2. **Clean the kohlrabi.** Before eating any vegetable, it is very important to make sure it is clean and free of any bacteria. To wash your kohlrabi, hold it under running tap water and rub the entire surface of the bulb with your fingers.
Wait to wash the leaves until right before you are ready to eat them. If you wash them a day or more before you eat them, they will begin to rot.
3. **Cut off the leafy stems.** If the leaves are still attached, you’ll need to cut them off before you begin peeling. Use a chef’s knife to cut off the stems as close to the bulb as you can.
The stems are leaves are edible, so you can put them aside and save them to cook later.
4. **Use a chef’s knife to slice the kohlrabi in half.** When using large kohlrabi, at least 10 centimetres (3.9 in), you’ll need to cut it down the center before you peel it. To do this, place the vegetable on a large cutting board, hold it in one hand, and use your other hand to cut it in half with a chef's knife.
Keep in mind that the outer skin of the kohlrabi is very tough. Make sure to hold the kohlrabi firmly in your hand so it doesn't slip while you're cutting it.
5. **Cut the kohlrabi into quarters if it’s larger than your hand.** Large kohlrabi will need to be cut again into quarters. To do this, put the halved kohlrabi cut side down and cut each piece again so you have four equal quarters.
This will make large or giant kohlrabi more manageable to peel.
If yours is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, you can skip this step.
6. **Cut out the core with the tip of your knife.** In the center of the kohlrabi is a tough inner core. You’ll want to remove it before cooking. Use the sharp tip of your chef’s knife to cut out the inner core from each quarter of the kohlrabi.
If you have a smaller kohlrabi, you can leave the core in the vegetable. It will soften when you cook it.
7. **Slice off the woody top and bottom of the kohlrabi.** On each quarter of the kohlrabi, you’ll notice that the top and bottom has a thick, woody stem. Cut these parts off with the chef’s knife. This will make the kohlrabi easier to peel.
These woody stems are very tough and not edible. They will not soften when boiled.
8. **Carve off the outer skin with a paring knife.** Even with small kohlrabi, the skin may be too tough to peel with a vegetable peeler. Use a paring knife to slowly and carefully carve off the outer layer of the stem. This step will take many strokes with the knife.
You’ll know that you’re finished peeling when the entire bulb is an off-white color.
Always use extreme caution when using a knife. Cut slowly and away from your body to avoid injury.
9. **Use a vegetable peeler to remove any additional outer skin.** You can use the vegetable peeler to remove any additional skin the larger knife may have missed. You may see some remaining green skin (or purple, depending on the kohlrabi color you chose). This can be removed using a sharp vegetable peeler.
10. **Store the kohlrabi in the refrigerator.** To preserve your freshly peeled kohlrabi, wrap it in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator. Store it in the vegetable crisper drawers for the best results. Make sure the entire cut surface is covered in plastic to ensure the kohlrabi doesn’t dry out. Cook and eat within a few days before it starts to rot.
An unpeeled kohlrabi can last up to three weeks in the refrigerator.
If you cut the kohlrabi in small pieces, it can be stored in an airtight plastic container or plastic bag.
Keep your kohlrabi longer (8-10 months) by storing it in the freezer. Kohlrabi should be blanched (boiled) and placed in an airtight container before frozen. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Peel-Kohlrabi", "language": "en"} |
How to Win a Singing Competition | Singing competitions are both exciting and nerve-wracking. To improve your chances at winning one, you’ll need to pick a great song, practice as much as you can, and use confident body language to make the audience feel more engaged. Taking care of your body and adopting a positive mindset can also get you ready to give a killer performance.
1. **Pick a song that’s appropriate for your range and abilities.** Choose a song that plays into your strengths and downplays your weaknesses. If you have an incredibly powerful voice, pick a bold, loud song. If you’ve got a killer range, pick a song that shows it off.
You’re better off choosing a simpler song that you can sing comfortably than a challenging song.
2. **Go for a lesser known song.** To make yourself stand out, go for a more original song. Steer clear of the over-performed classics, unless you’re sure you can put a really unique spin on one.
3. **Choose an artist or song that is particularly meaningful to you.** Do your research so you understand your artist’s style and history. Be ready to talk about your reasons for picking a particular song or artist in case the judges ask.
Avoid giving cliche reasons for picking your artist. Try to find an original perspective.
4. **Take singing lessons or watch online tutorials.** Make sure you have a good foundation before you start practicing your performance piece. If you can, you should get a vocal coach to work through the basics with you. If not, you can find tons of tutorials online.
5. **Practice breath control.** Breath control is one of the most important skills a singer can have. Practice exhaling slowly from your diaphragm, which is the muscle under your ribs, alternating between “ooh” and “ahh” sounds. Notice how you can use your diaphragm to create different amounts of tension in your breath.
Your lower abdomen should expand as you inhale and contract as you exhale.
6. **Perfect your pitch.** Play notes on an instrument, like a piano or guitar. Try to match the notes with your voice.
If you don’t have an instrument on hand, try using an online keyboard.
7. **Practice good singing posture.** Good posture allows for the proper flow of breath, which makes for skillful singing. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms relaxed at your sides. Keep your chin parallel to the floor, your chest out, and your shoulders back.
Lean forward a little bit, and keep your abdomen tight but expandable.
8. **Do a thorough warm up before you sing.** Just like your muscles, you need to warm up your voice before you put it to work. You should warm up before every practice session. If you have a vocal coach, they’ll probably give you warm up exercises. You can also check out online singing tutorials.
You should always begin your warm up with breath activation exercises, like hissing or trills. Then, do some scales that stretch your range. Finally, if you have time, you should work on improving techniques or skills that give you a little trouble.
9. **Practice your song until you’re comfortable with the melody and lyrics.** Then, practice some more! The more comfortable you are with the song, the more likely you’ll rock your performance at the competition. Ideally, each session should include 20 minutes of warm up, 20 minutes of song work, and 20 minutes of different vocal techniques.
When you’re working on your song, start by learning the rhythm, melody, and lyrics. Once you know the lyrics and melody by heart, work on mastering the song’s vocal style and putting your own unique spin on it.
10. **Record your performance and critique it.** Sing in front of your webcam, or take a recording on your phone. Then, listen and watch carefully. You may be able to pick up on weaknesses in your voice and movement that you didn’t notice before. Target problem areas with extra practice.
Performing in front of a mirror can be super helpful as well.
11. **Perform your song in front of as many people as you can.** Once you know your song in and out, perform for friends and family members as often as possible. It’ll help re-create that competition environment, giving you a chance to hone your performance skills and practice managing your performance jitters.
Listen to their critiques without taking them personally. If they tell you you’re too stiff, don’t get defensive. Realize that they want to help you, and focus on loosening up a bit during your performance.
12. **Increase your practicing volume two weeks before the competition.** Your voice is like a muscle, so you need to make sure it’s nice and strong before the competition. Try to practice a little more in the two weeks before you’re set to compete. Of course, you shouldn't go crazy with practicing, because you don’t want to exhaust your voice.
Remember, it’s better to do a little practicing every day than one huge practice session once a week.
13. **Look at other performances to improve your own.** YouTube is a great source for performance videos--there are literally millions out there. Look at performances specific to your genre or song. You may even be able to find past performances from your competition!
Watch one of your favorite performances while looking in a mirror. Mimic the performer to improve your performance style.
14. **Get enough sleep each night the week before** Being well rested will help you feel alert and fresh on competition day. Teens should get at least eight hours each night, and adults should get at least seven.
Try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary foods right before bed.
15. **Stay hydrated.** Hydration is key for a great performance. Start hydrating the week before your competition. You should aim for eight glasses a day. Carrying a refillable water bottle with you can make it easier to stay hydrated.
Stick to water. Avoid sugary beverages like juice and soda.
16. **Avoid eating the hour before you sing in the competition.** Food plus pre-competition nerves can create troublesome stomach issues. Make sure you eat earlier in the day, because you need to be fueled up to give an awesome performance.
Avoid sugary foods and caffeine on competition day. These can increase your anxiety.
Steer clear of alcohol, spicy foods, and citrus, which can cause acid reflux.
Keep away from dairy products before you compete, like cheese, milk, and yogurt. These can thicken the phlegm in your throat.
17. **Warm up your voice** Do an hour long warm up the morning of your competition. Do a shorter warm up 30 minutes before you compete.
You should come up with a warm up ritual, either on your own or with your vocal coach. YouTube can be a great source for warm up ideas.
18. **Use positive self-talk on competition day.** Positive self talk means talking to yourself using kind and encouraging words. Think of it as a pre-competition pep talk! If you feel negative thoughts creeping in, combat them with positive ones.
If you find yourself thinking, “I’m going to mess up,” tell yourself, “You can do this. You’ve practiced a ton, and now it’s time to give it all you’ve got.”
19. **Find phrases or images that make you feel optimistic.** Have a few go-to phrases or images that make you feel confident and ready to perform. Hold them in your mind before you compete.
You might have a phrase like, “Time to crush it,” or visualize yourself winning the competition.
20. **Don’t think of this competition as your one and only chance.** Thinking that way will only make you more nervous. Instead, think of this competition as an opportunity to improve your skills and get outside of your comfort zone. If you have a stellar performance, great! If not, you’ll have more opportunities in the future.
21. **Focus on the potential for success instead of failure** Don’t drive yourself crazy worrying about what could go wrong. Instead, think about what could go right. Imagine the audience cheering for you after an awesome performance.
Put your energy into providing a good show for the audience rather than worrying about what they’re thinking.
22. **Make eye contact with the audience.** Looking at the floor or darting your eyes around the room will make you look less confident, which will detract from your performance. Hold steady eye contact with the audience. You’ll look fearless, composed, and confident.
23. **Move around the stage with confidence.** For most competitions, you should walk around as you sing to make your performance more dynamic. Don’t hesitate or stop mid-walk, or you’ll seem unsure of yourself.
Make sure you come to the front of the stage from time to time throughout your performance. It’ll help you connect with your audience.
24. **Stand up straight.** Good posture can take your performance to the next level. Keep your back straight, your shoulders back, and your head held high. You’ll give off tons of confidence, which is key for a fantastic performance. Plus, good posture is important for high quality singing.
25. **Use big, relaxed gestures to enhance your performance.** If you want to use your arms to gesture as you sing, don’t keep them locked at your sides or use tiny movements--you’ll look stiff and timid. Instead, go for big, sweeping gestures. Extend your arms all the way out. “T-rex arms” that are stiff at the elbow are a big no-no.
Gestures are especially important if you’re not moving around much during your performance.
26. **Use facial expressions that fit with the emotion of your song.** If you’re singing a sad romantic ballad, a gentle, sorrowful expression can give your song a bigger emotional impact. Beware of going overboard with exaggerated smiles and frowns, though. Keep your facial expressions natural and authentic.
27. **Remember that the judges are your audience, too.** Treat the judges like you would any other member of the audience. For a more authentic performance, try to sing for them instead of to them.
The judges aren’t evil masterminds out to get you. They actually want you to do well! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Win-a-Singing-Competition", "language": "en"} |
How to Blow Out RV Water Lines with Air | Riding around in an RV is fun for most of the year, but cold weather can stop you in your tracks. Low temperatures can cause your water lines to freeze and even burst. If you’re aren’t planning on driving your RV, set aside time to winterize it. You can do this pretty easily at home with a portable air compressor. Drain all of the water tanks and flush the lines with compressed air to clear them out. You won’t have to spend money pouring buckets of antifreeze down the drain like other RV owners do. Your RV will be safe in the cold until you’re ready to get behind the wheel again.
1. **Shut off gas and electricity to the water heater a day in advance.** The water heater is typically located on the outside of the RV, near the back. It will be underneath an external panel that you can pull open by hand. Check inside the panel for labeled power switches maintaining the electricity and propane supply to the RV. Flip each switch to the off position to give the heater plenty of time to cool down.
Some RVs have an interior control panel near the front dashboard you can use to deactivate the power supply.
If you don’t have time to wait for the heater to cool, run hot water inside the RV. When the water comes out cool, then you can start draining the lines.
If you’re unsure about the location of the heater controls, as well as the water tanks and valves, refer to your RV’s owner’s manual.
2. **Open the freshwater tank drain underneath the RV.** Walk around the outside of the RV, looking for any exterior panels you can flip open. One of them, usually near the middle of the RV, will have a valve labeled “city water connection.” Look on the opposite side of the RV from it to find a labeled freshwater inlet valve. Look below the RV for a single drainage valve hanging down. Turn it counterclockwise until fresh water begins flowing from it.
Some RVs also have low drain point valves nearby. They will be close to the freshwater tank on the side or back end of the RV and labeled. Open them as well to help drain the lines.
The valve can be in other spots, including inside the RV. It depends on the model you have. However, the freshwater always drains out from the bottom of the RV.
3. **Locate the black and gray water tank valves on the side of the RV.** These valves are typically under the same panel as the freshwater inlet. They are often labeled “black” and “gray” and may even have colored handles to make them more recognizable. These valves are used to control the water tanks holding used water inside the RV.
These tanks, along with their valves, can be positioned elsewhere depending on the RV. They are usually near the back end on the same side as the freshwater tank, but may be accessible through a separate exterior panel.
Keep in mind that some older RV models may not have separate black and gray tanks. The tank drains may also be located underneath the RV.
4. **Connect a sewer hose to the black and gray water tanks.** After opening the access panel covering the black and gray tank valves, put on some rubber gloves to keep your hands clean. Look for a big drain pipe covered with a twist-off cap. Remove the cap, then attach a 45-degree RV sewer hose joint to it and turn it clockwise to lock it in place. Hook the sewer hose onto the end of the elbow joint and turn it clockwise until it locks in place as well. Connect the opposite end of the hose to a nearby sewer system or septic tank.
Purchase an RV sewer kit to get all the parts you need to drain the tanks. Kits are available online and at RV centers.
Note that the rules for dumping sewage may vary depending on where you live. Check with your local government for specifics. You can always go to a campground with a dumping point to drain your sewage tanks.
5. **Drain the black water tank, followed by the gray one.** Pull the black drainage valve toward and watch for water to begin flowing through the hose. Even if the valve lever isn’t colored black, it likely will have a label nearby telling you that it is for the black water tank. After the water stops, push the lever back in, then pull out the gray one next to it. Close it up after it has finished draining.
Always clear out the black water tank first so the gray water washes out any sewage left inside the water line.
If you accidentally open the black water tank first, run water through the lines, such as by flushing the toilet a few times.
6. **Disconnect the water supply and turn off the water pump.** If your RV is currently connected to a city water supply, detach the connecting hose. Go to the source of the water supply and turn the connecting hose counterclockwise to detach it. Do the same for the end of the hose hooked to the freshwater inlet valve on the side of the RV. Then, flip the nearby water pump control switch to the off position to stop any water flow in the lines.
The pump switch is typically located next to the heater controls. Check around the kitchen and underneath sinks as well.
You can run the pump for about 15 to 20 seconds to help drain water after opening the valves. However, make sure you shut it off after that so it doesn’t get damaged.
7. **Open the pressure release valve on the water heater.** Go back to the water heater, which is often on one of the back corners of the RV, underneath an access panel. Pull open the panel and locate the metal valve at the top of the heater. Turn it clockwise until water starts spilling out from it. Then, do the same with the big, black plug below the pipes near the bottom part of the heater. Reinstall the plug after water stops coming out of the drain.
Have a ⁄8 in (2.2 cm) socket wrench to rotate the plug and pull it out. Some RVs require a ⁄16 in (2.4 cm) socket instead.
Expect to see some white sediment come out of the heater. It’s ugly and looks like sand, but it’s normal. You can insert a hose into the drain to rinse out any sediment left inside the heater.
8. **Get a portable air compressor to blow air into the water lines.** Smaller compressors are fine for winterizing your RV. Try getting one that holds at least 2 US gal (7.6 L) of air so you have enough to completely flush out the lines in one go. Pick one that also has an adjustable pressure gauge so you can control how much air gets pumped into the RV.
Some RVs have a built-in air compressor that you can use to blow out the lines.
Air compressors for car tires are too small for an RV. Also, oil tank compressors aren’t the best choice since they can blow debris into the water lines.
If your air compressor uses a filter, replace the filter with a clean one to keep the RV’s lines nice and clean.
9. **Fit a blowout plug on the RV’s fresh water inlet.** The air compressor’s hose won’t fit on the valve, so you have to get a separate adapter. Take the plug to the freshwater hook-up on the outside of your RV. Push the end of the plug inside the train and turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
If the plug has a small cap on the end, remove it by turning it counterclockwise.
Blowout plugs, or compression adapters, are available online and at most RV centers.
10. **Join the air compressor to the RV with a hose.** Extend a flexible air compressor hose from the compressor to the blowout plug. Push one end of the hose onto the plug and turn it clockwise until it stays in place. Insert the opposite end of the hose in the outlet valve on the end of the compressor. To find the outlet, look for an open, brass valve in front of the compressor’s pressure gauges.
If your compressor has a blow gun, take advantage of it to make the process easier. Use a hose with open adapters on both sides so you can insert both the blowout plug and the tip of the blow gun.
If you’re unable to hook up a hose, buy an adapter called a coupler to hook it to the blowout plug. Hoses are different, since they can have a plug-in “male” end or open “female” ends that male plugs fit into.
11. **Connect the compressor to a car battery or another power source.** This will depend on what kind of power source your air compressor uses. Many small, portable compressors have hookups similar to jumper cables. Park your car near the air compressor and open the hood. After locating the battery, clip the black cable to the negative battery terminal and the red cable to the positive one. Start your car afterward to power the compressor.
The battery is typically located in the front right or left side of a car’s engine bay. It looks like a small box with metal terminals labeled + and -. Clamp the compressor’s hookups onto these terminals.
If your compressor runs on electricity, plug it into a nearby outlet. Use an extension cord as needed to connect to distant outlets.
12. **Set the compressor to 30 PSI and let it fill for 2 minutes.** Flip the power switch on the compressor to start it. Once it is on, watch the pressure gauges. Look for the gauge labeled with PSI. Let the compressor fill up, then reach for the regulator adjustment knob nearby. Turning it clockwise increases the air pressure in the tank. Turn it counterclockwise to lower the pressure.
If your compressor doesn’t have a regulator, buy a separate one and fit it on the end of the blowout plug. Attach the compressor hose to the other end.
High air pressure can cause the water lines to burst, so set the compressor with caution. A low pressure setting is more than enough to clear out the lines.
13. **Turn on one of the faucets to drain it of water.** Go inside the RV to the nearest faucet, such as in the kitchen. Use the tap to run hot water in the sink. With the faucet active, go back outside and press the trigger on the compressor’s blow gun to push hot air through the system. Once the hot water stops flowing, go back inside, turn off the hot water, and open the cold water line to blow it out as well.
This part is easier if you have someone helping you. Have them hold the compressor hose or tell you when water stops flowing from the faucet.
If you’re using a compressor with a blow gun, try doing 2 separate blasts of air for 15 seconds each. It will be more than enough to clear the lines.
14. **Blow out the hot and cold lines on other water faucets in the RV.** Close the first faucet you cleared out and open a different one. For each faucet, clear out the hot water line first. Close it and blow out the cold water line afterward. Take a systematic approach to your RV so you don’t miss any faucets. Go from room to room, clearing the sinks one at a time.
If your sink has separate controls for warm and cold water, make sure you clear both lines out separately.
If the faucet has a single control for both warm and cold water, you can activate the warm water to clear both lines at once. However, treating them separately ensures they are 100% drained.
15. **Flush showerheads, toilets, and other water lines in your RV.** Adjust the shower to the warmest setting, then press the trigger on the compressor’s blow gun until the water stops flowing. For toilets, flush them while the blow gun is active. Also, turn on any ice machines, dishwashers, and washing machines, then use the blow gun while they are active. Remember to do the same for extra components, such as kitchen sink sprayers or outdoor showers, as well.
If you have a water filter, disconnect and empty it as well.
For more assistance dealing with components like dishwashers and washing machines, check your owner’s manual. It will have recommendations for effectively clearing the lines.
16. **Disconnect the air compressor from the RV.** Turn off the air compressor and open the pressure release valve to empty its tank. Also, turn off your car before unclipping the power cables. Turn the compressor hose counterclockwise to remove it from the blowout plug, then do the same to the blowout plug to detach it from the RV. Finish by closing the panel that normally covers the RV’s inlet valve.
Remember to also disconnect the sewer hose and garden hose if you haven’t already.
17. **Close the external outlets on the RV.** Protect your RV from damage by sealing it up for the winter. Make sure you turn the water heater pressure release valve clockwise, for instance, as well as the drainage valve underneath the freshwater tank. For the gray and black water tanks, slide the plugs back in to close their valves again. Leave the faucets open inside the RV so that any air left over can safely escape. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Blow-Out-RV-Water-Lines-with-Air", "language": "en"} |
Double Texting: How Long Should You Wait & Why It Matters | You texted your crush or new S.O. hours ago, but still no reply. Should you double text them, and if so, how long should you wait? Double texting, or sending someone another text before they reply to the first one you sent, can be complicated according to experts. There’s more to it than you might think, and when you should (and shouldn’t) double text may surprise you. To help you navigate this tricky texting situation, we asked relationship experts what they recommend. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about sending that follow-up text.
1. **Most experts agree: double texting usually isn’t a good idea.** When someone doesn’t text you back, it’s super disappointing and even anxiety-inducing. But experts warn that double texting usually isn't the solution. First of all, they point out that it can come across as clingy (despite your intentions). At the beginning of a relationship, clinginess can be a turn-off. And even worse, double texting could be seen as pushy, which you definitely don’t want when you’re texting someone you’re crushing on or in a new relationship with.
Even though you haven’t heard back from this person yet, that doesn’t mean they’re not interested! There’s a huge chance they’re just busy with school, work, or something personal.
It’s completely normal for people to take a few days to respond to a text, especially if you don’t know each other that well yet (like if you’ve only been on a date or two).
It’s hard, but try not to jump to conclusions yet. If you give it some time and they end up texting you back, you’ll be happy you waited.
2. **Wait at least one day if you still want to double text.** This gives the person you texted time to respond on their own. If you still haven’t heard from them and want to follow up, text them something lighthearted. The key is to be positive and casual here—they’ll be more likely to respond that way, and you’ll lower the risk of seeming pushy. Try something like:
“Finally got around to watching that movie you recommended. You were right, it’s incredible.”
“Sorry, had to send you this video of baby otters playing together. I know they’re your favorite 🦦”
“Just had the strangest experience at the coffee shop by my place 👀”
3. **Send a double text if your message is urgent.** If you absolutely need to get ahold of your crush or S.O. for some reason, double texting is fair game. For example, you’re scheduled to meet your crush at a restaurant, but the restaurant name they gave you isn’t showing up in your GPS. In this case, you need to know the right address. Or maybe your crush invited you to grab coffee this afternoon and you texted them to confirm, but they haven’t responded. You need them to respond so you know if you’re meeting up with them or not.
In either of these scenarios, double texting is completely justified. Don't worry about waiting if your plans or schedule depend on a reply.
4. **Consider moving on if you haven't gotten a response in over a week.** By then you've given the other person plenty of time to get back to you. If they haven't, you deserve to move on and focus your attention elsewhere—it's not fair for you to have to wait around for someone. It definitely hurts when someone ghosts you, but now you're free to start the next exciting chapter of your life and stop worrying about their reply.
5. **Ask yourself why you want to double text.** Do you have something you genuinely want to share with the other person? Or are you feeling hurt or anxious that they didn’t text you back (and hoping that double texting will get them to respond and make those feelings go away)? We’ve all been there before, and wanting reassurance that someone is still interested is completely normal. But double texting to avoid those unpleasant feelings won’t make you feel better in the long run.
It’s okay to feel sad and disappointed that someone didn’t text you back. Let yourself feel and process those emotions.
If you’re feeling anxious because someone hasn’t texted you back, find other ways to cope with that anxiety. Go for a walk, talk to a friend about how you’re feeling, or do some deep breathing.
6. **Put your phone away.** There’s nothing worse than staring at the last text you sent and waiting for three dots to appear, or checking your phone every 5 minutes to see if your crush or S.O. texted you back. You don’t have to subject yourself to that. Put your phone in a drawer or hide it under your pillow. Then, take a break from it for a little while. Out of sight, out of mind!
Plus, if they do end up texting you back, you won’t see it right away and reply immediately. Waiting a while before responding will show your crush or S.O. that you have your own things going on in life just like they do.
7. **Distract yourself.** Take a relaxing bubble bath, step outside for some fresh air, or binge that new series you’ve been wanting to watch. Do whatever you need to do to relax and keep your mind off of your phone and the person you texted. You’ll feel so much better after (and who knows—they might text you back when you’re not even thinking about it). Here are some more activities that will be way more fun than waiting around for a text:
Baking something
Cuddling with your pet
Listening to upbeat music
Drawing with markers or colored pencils
Going through your wardrobe and creating new outfits
8. **Remember your worth.** You deserve to have people in your life who appreciate and value you. If that’s not this person, that’s okay. Instead of pressing them to talk to you, accept that this relationship wasn’t meant to be, and focus your attention elsewhere. You’re worthy of love and friendship, and there are so many people out there who would be absolutely thrilled to talk to you—don’t forget it!
Spend a day alone doing things you love. Take yourself shopping, go for a walk at the park you love, and end the day cooking yourself your favorite recipe.
Lean on friends and family who value you. Organize a game night with friends or catch up with family over lunch.
If you’re actively dating, put yourself out there again. Don’t let this one setback get you down. The right person for you is out there somewhere! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Relationships/How-Long-Should-I-Wait-to-Double-Text", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Millionaire Shortbread | This unique cookie dessert has three layers: a hardened chocolate top, a gooey caramel middle, and a crunchy shortbread bottom. It's worth the preparation and wait for the enjoyment.
1. **Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C).**
2. **Make the dough.** Mix the sugar, flour, semolina, and 1 cup (225g) butter together to create a smooth dough.
3. **Press the mixture into a greased baking tray.** Evenly spread the mixture around with your fingers, so it evenly covers the base of the tray.
4. **Prick the mixture with a fork.** Spread the pricks around so it bakes evenly.
5. **Bake the shortbread.** Set the mixture in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden and firm.
6. **Cool the mixture.** Allow it to cool on the side on a cooling rack.
7. **Create the mixture.** Add about 3/4 cup (175g) butter, the condensed milk, and golden syrup into a small sauce pot.
8. **Melt the ingredients.** Stir continuously over a low heat for about six to eight minutes. You will want to achieve a thick fudge-like mixture.
9. **Pour the caramel over the shortbread.** Use a plastic spatula to evenly spread the caramel immediately. Sprinkle the sea salt over the caramel.
10. **Allow to cool completely.** As it cools, it will settle and harden.
11. **Melt the chocolate.** Prepare a double boiler and continuously stir the chocolate until it melts.
12. **Pour the chocolate over the caramel.** Use a plastic spatula or the back of a knife to evenly spread the chocolate.
13. **Allow to cool completely.** As it cools, it will settle and harden.
14. **Finished.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Millionaire-Shortbread", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Chia Seed Pudding | Chia seed pudding is a nutritious pudding that's easy to make; you don’t have to cook a thing! Throw together the basic ingredients in a few minutes, then let the mixture sit for a couple of hours or overnight to develop the pudding’s texture. Add any flavors or ingredients you like to create endless variations!
1. **Combine milk and chia seeds in a bowl or mason jar.** Pour 2 cups (473 mL) of unsweetened milk of your choice, such as coconut, almond, cashew, or 2% milk, into a bowl or mason jar. Dump 6 tbsp (90 g) of chia seeds in after the milk.
Mason jars are great if you want to make several batches of chia seed pudding and easily store them to take on-the-go.
1 cup (236.5 mL) of basic chia seed pudding has about 10 g of protein, so it’s great for a post-workout snack!
2. **Stir in vanilla extract and sweetener and mix everything together.** Put ⁄2 tsp (2.5 ml) of vanilla extract and 1 US tbsp (15 ml) of honey, maple syrup, or any other sweetener of your choice into the bowl or mason jar. Stir the milk, chia seeds, vanilla, and sweetener together thoroughly with a spoon.
You can skip the sweetener if you want to cut down on sugar.
If you are using a mason jar put the lid on and shake all the ingredients together instead of stirring them.
3. **Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it thickens.** Leave the bowl or jar on the counter at room temperature once all the ingredients are well-combined. Check the consistency of the mixture after 5 minutes.
Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes if it is still mostly liquid after only 5. It should start to thicken a bit before you give it a final stir and refrigerate it.
4. **Stir the mixture again to break up any clumps of seeds.** Use a spoon to give the pudding a final stir. You want to break up any clumps that are stuck together before you refrigerate the pudding so that it has an even consistency.
You should still stir the pudding with a spoon if you are using a mason jar so that you break up any clumps with the edges of the spoon.
5. **Pulse the chia seed pudding in a blender if you want a smoother texture.** If you don't like the texture of chia seeds, you can easily break up the seeds. Pour the mixture into a blender and pulse it until you get a smooth consistency.
6. **Put the pudding in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or overnight.** Put the lid on the jar or cover the bowl and place the pudding in your refrigerator. Let the pudding sit for at least 1 hour to thicken. The longer you leave the mixture, the more pudding-like it will get.
Check on the pudding after 1-2 hours, or in the morning the next day. It should have a thick, pudding-like texture. If it is still mostly liquid, then add another 1 tbsp (15 g) of chia seeds, stir them in, and let it sit for another 30 minutes.
Chia seed pudding will last for up to 5 days in the fridge.
7. **Add cinnamon to the basic pudding recipe for a spicy-sweet flavor.** Stir 1 tsp (2.3 g) of powdered cinnamon into the pudding before you let it sit in the fridge. This will allow the flavors to get absorbed by the chia seeds.
You can sprinkle more cinnamon on top of the pudding for serving, and even garnish with a stick of cinnamon if you want!
8. **Top the pudding with fresh fruit to add flavor and texture.** Cut up any fruits of your choosing into bite-sized ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) pieces. Serve them on top of the pudding after it has thickened, or layer them in a mason jar with the pudding in the fridge.
Use banana, kiwi, mango, pineapple, papaya, and other tropical fruits to make a tropical chia seed pudding.
Combine strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to make a mixed berry pudding. You can simply cut the strawberries in half and leave the other berries whole.
Experiment with layers of different fruits and chia seed pudding in mason jars to have a variety of healthy snacks ready to go!
9. **Mix fresh ginger into the pudding for a healthy twist.** Grate or finely chop 1 tsp (7 g) of fresh ginger root. Mix it into the pudding before you put it in your refrigerator to rest and thicken.
1 tsp (7 g) of fresh ginger is about a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of ginger root.
Try adding 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of fresh lemon or lime juice for an added kick with the ginger.
10. **Add peanut butter and cookie crumbs to make a sweet treat.** Mix 1-2 tbsp (20-40 g) of peanut butter into the basic pudding after you mix the chia seeds and milk together. Crumble 1-2 peanut butter cookies on top of the pudding for serving.
You can substitute 1-2 tbsp (20-40 g) of powdered peanut butter for regular peanut butter if you want.
11. **Put cocoa powder and brown sugar in the pudding for chocolate flavor.** Mix 2 tbsp (14.76 g) of cocoa powder and 2 tbsp (15 g) of brown sugar into the chia pudding before you put it in the fridge to thicken. Stir until the pudding has an even color and there are no lumps of cocoa. Alternatively, substitute chocolate milk for coconut milk for a chocolaty and creamy flavor.
Try drizzling the pudding with honey for serving if you want to make it extra sweet.
12. **Sprinkle nuts on top of the basic pudding for more flavor and protein.** Add 1/4 cup of nuts (37.5 g) of the nuts of your choice on top of the pudding right before serving. Nuts are a good source of protein and will add a crunch to the pudding.
Try almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, or a mixture of several types of nuts. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chia-Seed-Pudding", "language": "en"} |
How to Fix a Broken Relationship After Breaking Up | Have you been longing to fix the relationship between you and an ex? Couples who break up get back together all the time, and when done with care, a renewed relationship can be happy and long-lasting. But first, you'll need to identify the problems that led to your breakup, take steps to address them and make sure that your ex is committed to doing the same. To help you along the way, here's our comprehensive guide to fixing a broken relationship after breaking up.
1. **Make sure you want to fix the relationship for the right reasons.** If you genuinely care for your ex, feel ready to move forward, and want to see if there's a chance to work things out, then you've got a good reason to reunite with them. If you're just lonely or sad after the breakup, you may want to reconsider.
Keep in mind that an unhealthy relationship isn't worth salvaging. If your ex made you feel unsafe and didn't respect you, it's better leave them behind.
It can also help talk about it with a friend or family member you trust. They can help you take an honest look at the relationship—the good and the bad parts.
2. **Make sure you're both on the same page before you move forward.** Talk about the problems in your past relationship and work to understand why you broke up. Look back on each stage of the relationship; determine what brought you together and what caused you to drift apart. Confirm that you're both serious about trying again.
You and your ex may have different perspectives about your relationship problems, so listen carefully to one another.
If your partner broke up with you, try to put yourself in their shoes to understand why they ended the relationship.
Remind them of the good things about the relationship and keep in touch.
3. **If you hurt your ex, a sincere apology is necessary to move forward.** Acknowledge your hurtful actions, explain why you acted that way, and recognize how they made your ex feel. Then, tell your ex your plan to fix the issue and share any progress you've made.
"I'm sorry I was late for so many dates. I always got carried away at work, and as a result, I made you feel undervalued. I felt like I had something to prove in my career, but now I understand that being there for you is more important."
An apology can absolutely help mend a relationship—just be sure to put your words into action.
4. **Resolving past conflicts is impossible if you can't learn to forgive.** For a new relationship to work, it's important to let go of past mistakes and work together toward a better future. Think about how you've dealt with your feelings so far and actively decide to forgive your ex. Understand your ex's actions, try to feel compassion for their situation, and release your negative emotions.
Forgiveness isn't easy, but ultimately it's the healthiest choice for you. Resentment can impact your mental health if it goes unaddressed.
Your decision to forgive (or not) is deeply personal and should not be made under pressure from your ex. Make your decision freely and in your own time.
5. **Set ground rules that will help you fix the relationship together.** Picture a brighter future, and then ask each other what steps you can take to make that future a reality. Tell your partner what you need from the new relationship, and listen to their ideas as well. Create a plan that addresses both of your needs.
Be flexible and open to change. Both of you will probably request certain ground rules, so do your best to either agree or compromise.
Whatever you do, don't play games. Be serious about repairing the relationship.
6. **Every relationship needs a foundation built on trust.** Always tell the truth, keep your promises, and own up to your mistakes. Be consistent so your partner knows they can rely on you for anything. Ultimately, trusting each other is a decision you both have to make.
If you say you're going to call your partner at 7 PM, make sure you do it. No matter how small the promise is, stick to your word.
Make sure that you both feel like you're part of the same team. There are no "sides in a relationship," just you and your partner working together for a bright future.
7. **Relationships need direct, sincere communication to heal old wounds.** Learn to be comfortable expressing how you feel, and practice active listening when your partner is talking. Try setting a timer when you talk so that each of you has enough time to speak your mind without interruption.
Express your needs to your partner. Don't make them guess.
Send positive nonverbal cues when you talk (make eye contact, lean forward, and touch their hand, etc.).
Make gratitude a habit. When your partner does something that you appreciate, tell them so.
8. **Fair compromise can resolve conflicts both old and new.** Stay focused on the issue at hand, use "I" statements to avoid direct verbal attacks, respect your partner's values, and take a step back when your temper flares. Compromise will also help you work out your differences.
A good "I" statement is, "I feel lonely when you go out with friends and don't invite me." It focuses on your feelings, whereas an accusation like, "You never want to spend time with me!" causes more conflict.
Remember that "winning" isn't your goal; instead, aim to meet halfway so that both of your needs are met.
Arguments are a totally normal part of relationships. As you enter a renewed relationship, look at conflict as a way to grow together and strengthen your bond.
9. **Rekindle passion with intimacy and physical touch.** Initiate kisses, hugs, cuddling sessions, and other touches your partner likes. Maintain a healthy sex life, and respect your partner's sexual preferences. Set aside quality time to bond as a couple, whether you're going on adventurous dates or spending a quiet night talking at home.
Don't underestimate the importance of holding your partner's hand or hugging them when they have a bad day. Sex is important for many couples, but it shouldn't be the only physical intimacy you share.
Communication also builds intimacy, which is why it's so important to share your needs and preferences with your partner.
10. **Clinging to past problems will only hold you back.** Once you've forgiven one another, there's no need to keep bringing up those old issues. Stay optimistic and concentrate on building a better future together, leaving old grievances in the past.
Learn from the past so you can stop thinking about it.
Live in the moment by concentrating on yourself and the people around you.
Try to relax and enjoy yourself instead of worrying about old problems.
11. **Relationships take time to mend and that's okay.** Take it slow and spend time together as though you're dating at the beginning of a relationship—because, in a way, you are. If you speed through getting back together, your new relationship may end the same way your old one did. Enjoy the journey and focus on having fun at the moment.
Hold off on getting serious too quickly. Give yourself time to rebuild the relationship.
If you lived together before your split, getting back together doesn't mean you should merge households right away.
12. **Therapists can offer advice and support as you fix your relationship.** They'll listen objectively and give you insight that you might not think of otherwise. If you decide to seek outside help, choose a counselor you feel comfortable opening up to, and remember that therapy is beneficial for everyone—there's no shame in it!
Couples' therapy can also benefit you and your ex. If you both have the means, ask your ex if they can commit to sessions with a relationship counselor. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Broken-Relationship-After-Breaking-Up", "language": "en"} |
How to Develop a Strategic Asset Management Plan | Developing and implementing a strategic asset management plan (SAMP) will allow for a detailed understanding of what physical assets are currently held, their value, future value, and costs associated with maintaining them or disposing of them. These plans are often created as part of a more comprehensive disaster plan, which can include intangible assets such as reputation, brand, and patents. We'll help you through the planning phase so you can manage your company's assets and meet your organizational objectives.
1. **Learn how a strategic asset management plan can help.** Asset management is a strategic approach to how a company conducts business, reaches decisions, and processes, uses, and communicates information. Creating a strategic asset management plan will help your organization provide services as effectively as it can. By examining which assets your organization possesses, how important they are, and what their future costs and values may be, your organization can get the highest amount of worth from its assets.
A strategic asset management plan will allow you to understand how effective your assets are being utilized.
The value over the entire lifecycle of an asset can be determined and planned for.
You can dispose of costly assets that are not deemed necessary and generate funding from their sale.
2. **Collect information about assets.** Before you can proceed in making a strategic asset management plan you will need to collect information about the assets that you will be planning for. The focus of this inquiry is to learn how well certain assets are serving the needs of your organization. This will later allow you to learn which assets need your attention and which need to be removed.
Collect information about which assets your organization currently holds. This information should be available from company accounting records. Confirm the records with a physical audit of the tangible assets.
Think of how well your assets are serving the goals of your organization or individual department. Consider your company's short-term and long-term goals and then use this information to help you determine how the assets may be assisting or hindering your organization.
Take into account projected costs for any asset to learn what steps you need to take now.
3. **Decide which assets will receive your focus.** After you have taken an evaluation as to how important and how effective certain assets are to your organization you will need to prioritize the assets. Work to create a list of categories for use based upon their importance and frequency of use. For example, an asset that is critical but used infrequently may be replaced by short-term rental.
Some assets may be necessary to hold but may require upgrades.
Certain assets may be deemed non-essential or extraneous and may not require further holding by your organization.
For example, your organization may own a manufacturing plant or lease a building for operations or administration. The value to cost ratio of this plant will need to be assessed to fully determine just how important it is to your organization's goals. Be sure to separate individual assets within a building based upon cost, contribution, frequency of use, and importance. You will likely need to work closely with other departments to fully understand their procedures.
4. **Create strategies for each asset.** Once you have a good understanding of which assets you need to focus on and in what order of importance you can begin to build your strategic asset management plan. Creating a plan for the assets will allow you to best utilize their value and avoid any risks they might come to pose to your organization over time. A basic strategic asset management plan will include the following six phases:
Acquisitions (including leases or rentals).
Operations.
Maintenance.
Disposal.
Funding.
Risk assessment and management.
5. **Study necessary acquisitions.** The acquisitions phase will determine which assets need to be purchased or otherwise made available. This part of the strategy will also include financial planning which details how much funding is made available for the acquisitions and where the funding will come from.
This phase may also include replacement assets.
Cost to benefit analysis should be calculated before acquiring or leasing an asset.
Only assets that have already been evaluated as being necessary should be acquired.
For example, your organization might want to expand and acquiring a new facility could be part of your acquisitions planning phase.
6. **Plan for asset operations.** The operational phase of the strategic asset management plan will account for existing assets and their functions in your organization. This will allow you to get a better idea of the exact role of the asset, how secure it is, who is accountable for it and how well it is performing.
Any operational costs should be considered during this phase.
If any training is required in relation to the asset it should be factored into this phase of the strategy.
For example, an industrial water filter will have a certain cost attached to its function over time. Including this operational cost will let you compare it to other costs in order to make a good strategy for its management.
7. **Plan for maintenance of assets.** All assets will require maintenance over time to continue serving your organization as well as they can. This phase of your strategic asset management plan will allow you to plan for the future maintenance of your assets. This phase will also detail what level of maintenance they will receive and who will be responsible for that maintenance.
Keep in mind that all of a company's assets are important for carrying out the strategic plan. The physical assets that your organization owns will all require some type of maintenance to improve your chances of success.
Details of planned future maintenance operations should be included in this phase.
Include projected costs of maintenance over time.
For example your company may own an older facility. It can be expected than that maintenance costs will likely continue to rise. These rising costs will factor into the organization's decision regarding the future of the facility.
8. **Prepare for disposal of old assets.** Not all assets will be deemed important or valuable enough to continue holding. These assets requiring disposal will need to be included in your strategic asset management plan, as well as any tax consequences that may result from the disposition. You should also include the details of the disposal process including how it will be disposed of and the amount of costs incurred during the disposal process.
Include the reasons for disposal.
List the methods of disposal.
If the asset is being sold list the value that it could generate.
All assets should have a disposal plan that details when they are to be disposed of and when.
For example, your organization might have recently acquired a new shipping vessel. Even though it is new, you should have a planned retire date for the ship based on projected operational and maintenance costs compared to how critical the ship is to your company's functions.
9. **Include information regarding funding.** Holding assets, maintaining them, or even disposing of old assets will require funding. During the funding phase of your strategic asset management plan you will need to detail where the funding for each asset is coming from, how much each one is receiving, what the funds are specifically being used for and whether or not they are recurring.
Consider the cost of the asset over its entire lifetime.
Consider costs of disposal as well as any funds generated from the sale of disposed assets.
10. **Manage risk.** The risk management phase of your strategic asset management plan will detail the potential threats to your assets and their level of priority to your organization. Losses include down time, customer relations, poor press, and other factors that may damage value. A risk management plan should detail any potential risks to assets, how likely they might be, and what to do should the potential risk come to pass.
Keep in mind that all of a company's assets, whether they are physical, financial, human, information or intangible, will have different risks associated with each of them. You will need to address all of these risks.
Funding should be made available for the replacement of essential assets in case of an emergency.
Plans to quickly acquire key assets in the event of their loss can be included in your risk assessment.
For example, there may be a low risk that your company's generator will stop working as long as it is properly maintained. However, should it fail to be maintained, having a plan in place can help minimize loss.
11. **Understand the ISO 55000.** The ISO 55000 is a standardized document that details an effective system for creating a strategic asset management plan. The ISO 55000 can help an organization to develop a plan that is a great fit for that organization's unique needs.
The ISO 55000 will take you through the entire process of creating your strategic asset management plan.
The ISO 55000 can help you meet regulatory laws and requirements that might be demanded from your organization.
The ISO 55000 meets international standards including the American National Standards Institute and ASTM International standards.
The ISO 55000 is becoming a necessary standard when working with clients, insurers or investors.
12. **Discover how the ISO 55000 treats assets.** The ISO 55000 is a rigorous and highly specialized text. As a result there are many specific terms that are used to make the text an effective one. Learning how the ISO 55000 defines assets can be useful when studying its content.
Assets are things of value that a company owns or is responsible for.
Asset systems are groups of assets that must function together.
13. **Get an overview of the ISO 55000's process.** The ISO 55000 specifies the overview, concepts and terminology in asset management, the ISO 55001 defines the requirements for a management system, and the ISO 55002 provides interpretation and implementation guidance for the management system. The ISO 55000 offers a comprehensive plan that you can follow to build your own strategic asset management plan. The ISO 55000 achieves this goal by breaking the process down into certain stages and concepts. Understanding these concepts before you set out to utilize the ISO 55000 can help you navigate the process with less trouble. Review the following outline for a sample of what your plan might look like:
Mission statement and introduction.
Information about your organization including the state of your business, needs of clients, and an asset portfolio.
A section that details the planning process that went into your strategic asset management plan.
Objectives for your asset management program.
Strategic plans that include targets, time-frames, priorities and who is responsible.
Lastly your strategic asset management plan should detail risks and end with a conclusion.
14. **Get a feel for what a good strategic asset management plan looks like.** The ISO 55000 offers some overall guidelines that your strategic asset management plan should have in its final form. Review some of the following key points to understand what qualities your strategic asset management plan should include:
A planning process that is backed up by strong strategies suited to your organization.
Your plan should include both assets and asset systems.
Any objectives presented need to be included clearly and plainly. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Develop-a-Strategic-Asset-Management-Plan", "language": "en"} |
How to Paint Asphalt | Asphalt can look bare and dull without paint. Whether you'd like to paint your driveway, a basketball court, or another surface, you can apply either a water-based (latex or acrylic) paint or oil-based paint to make it look a lot better. You'll need to rigorously clean your asphalt beforehand, using a hard-bristled brush and a power washer. You can then apply the paint with a paintbrush, roller, or striping machine.
1. **Wear safety goggles, gloves, old clothes or overalls, and rain boots.** When working with chemicals, it's important that you wear the correct protective gear to avoid injury. You can buy these items at the local hardware store or home center.
2. **Make a trisodium phosphate and water solution.** Trisodium phosphate is very effective at cleaning and stain removal. However, it should be diluted before use as it's a very potent chemical. Mix 60 millilitres (2.0 fl oz) of trisodium phosphate with 3.8 litres (1.0 US gal) of water.
Always read the instructions on the trisodium phosphate packaging before mixing.
3. **Scrub the asphalt with a brush and the trisodium phosphate solution.** Pour the solution over the asphalt. Then use the hard-bristled brush to rigorously scrub the asphalt. Focus extra time on any areas of the asphalt that are especially dirty or stained.
4. **Rinse the asphalt with a hose to get rid of the solution.** Trisodium phosphate damages paint, so it's important to remove it before painting. After scrubbing the asphalt with the solution, use a hose to wash the asphalt. Don't use a pressure or power washer at this point. Focus the hose on the solution and rinse it in the direction of the nearest drain.
The point of using the hose is to rinse the trisodium phosphate solution. If you use the pressure washer to rinse the trisodium phosphate, it will embed into the asphalt.
5. **Use a pressure washer or power washer to clean the asphalt.** Hook your pressure washer or power washer up to a water supply. Stand far away from the contact point of the water and aim the power washer well away from your face when using it. Pull and hold the trigger on the power washer to spray the asphalt.
Make sure you follow the safety precautions and ensure all animals and people are clear of the asphalt before you begin.
6. **Give the asphalt time to dry after washing it.** Since you're working outside, it depends on how long it will take the asphalt to dry. In hot weather, it might only take a couple of hours. In wet weather, you might have to wait a few days. Don't paint the asphalt until it's completely dry.
7. **Wait for dry, hot weather before you paint or prime.** There's no point applying your paint to the asphalt when it's meant to rain that day. Check the weather forecast to make sure you can expect no rain for at least the next 24 hours. Your paint will dry best when it's warmer than 50 °F (10 °C) outside.
8. **Apply primer to the area before you paint.** Buy asphalt or concrete primer at your local hardware or paint store. Use a roller with an extended handle to apply the primer to the area. The primer will take around 3 hours to dry when the temperature is 75 °F (24 °C).
Don't let the primer puddle or gather in certain areas. Use the roller to spread puddled primer to other areas.
9. **Select an oil-based paint if possible.** Oil-based paint is the best choice as it's incredibly durable. However, oil-based paints have been banned in a lot of areas due to the effect they have on the environment. If oil-based paints are banned in your area, purchase some water-based latex or acrylic paint instead.
10. **Use a brush or paint roller if you're working with a small area.** If you're painting a playground and you need to be accurate, you can't go wrong using a paintbrush or paint roller. If you're painting a small parking lot, the roller will also do.
Get a soft- or medium-bristle paintbrush. A hard-bristled paintbrush won't do the job as needed on the asphalt.
Use a large flat or striker paintbrush. Both of these paintbrush styles are great for exterior painting.
Select a roller that is 7 inches (18 cm) in length. This size allows for accuracy and speed.
11. **Rent a striping machine for a large parking lot.** Striping machines are built like lawnmowers. Simply add the paint to the striping machine, pull the handle, and push it over the intended area. Striping machines make applying paint to large areas much easier.
Release the handle to cut off the flow of paint.
You can buy a striping machine from your local hardware store for $150 and upwards.
Or, contact your local tool rental store to ask if you can rent the machine. It will be much cheaper to rent than to buy, especially if you're only using it for a single job.
12. **Paint your first coat after the primer has dried.** Use either a paintbrush, roller, or striping machine to apply your first coat of paint to the asphalt. Make sure the primer has dried first by dabbing it with a tissue. If the tissue isn't damp after you dabbed it, the primer is dry. Apply the paint as evenly as possible to all the areas you want to paint.
Use controlled strokes with the brush or the roller. Focus on being as neat as you can be.
Walk at an even, measured pace with the striping machine. If you walk too slowly, you'll apply too much paint. If you walk too fast, you'll apply too little.
If people might pass through the area after you've applied the first coat, use cones and tape to protect the area while the paint dries.
Give the first coat 5 to 6 hours to dry after you've applied the first coat.
13. **Add the second coat after the first coat has dried.** You can use a tissue again to test if the first coat has properly dried before you apply the second. When applying the second coat, you need to be as careful as possible to match the first coat. If painting on a playground, make sure you don't color over the outline or shapes you made with your first coat.
14. **Place equipment on the wet paint if you want to add studs or beads.** If using road studs or glass beads, you need to apply these items when the paint is still wet. Use gloves and push them into the wet paint.
You might need to paint the base of these items to firmly attach them to the asphalt. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Asphalt", "language": "en"} |
How to Conserve Resources in Resident Evil 4 | Resident Evil 4 is one of the best-selling survival horror games of all-time, blending active and exciting combat with just the right amount of suspense to keep that horror atmosphere. Adding to the atmosphere is the feeling of scarcity when it comes to resources. Money, ammo, weapons- all of them are in tight supply, and you need to think about how to use them properly and efficiently.
1. **Avoid carrying any unnecessary guns/ammo.** It may seem strange to you, but traveling light is essential if you want to keep going and have enough useful bullets. You'll only ever find ammo for the weapons you have in your attache case from random drops and boxes. If you don't have the Rifle? You won't get Rifle drops. If you don't have a mine thrower? Ditto. In general, you should stick to maybe three weapon types- plus a magnum for sticky situations and bosses. Try the Pistol, Shotgun, and Rifle, but feel free to mix and match and find your own play style.
2. **Master the knife.** Learning how to effectively use your knife will go a long way in preserving your ammunition. Use these tips and practice to master the knife!
Slash boxes with the knife to open them.
Slash downed enemies with the knife.
The enemy AI in the game is programmed to start swinging early if you're running towards them. If you stop short when they wind up and back off, they'll miss and you'll have an opening to run in and slash their face- which will have the same stunning effect that shooting them in the head would, leaving them open for a melee attack.
3. **Lay down the smackdown.** In general (with a few rare exceptions towards the end of the game) you don't want to shoot at the body of a Ganado. Instead, aim for the face or knees. Shooting these targets will allow you to perform a melee attack that will knock an enemy down and send them flying.
However, past the castle section, it's worth it more to shoot them in the knees. If you manage to send a Zealot or Militia Ganado to their knees, then you can perform a devastating suplex. It has a very high chance to decapitate your foe, and will never generate a Plaga.
You're also completely invincible while performing melee attacks, so no need to fear. If you play your cards right, and use this strategy in conjunction with your knife-work, you can use as little as one handgun bullet to take out normal enemies.
4. **Use the rocket launcher on bosses.** It is one of the greatest tools in the game, especially for boss enemies. El Gigante, Salazar, Verdugo, U-3, whatever- nothing is a match for this weapon. 30,000 Pesetas for an instant boss kill you can easily waste whole stacks of ammo on is a winning exchange.
5. **Use upgrades to get more ammo.** If you run out of ammo and you're near or about to hit a merchant's stand, go and upgrade the weapon's capacity. The merchant will be kind enough to throw in the bullets to match the upgrade, so you're basically getting free ammo.
6. **Run when it's smart to do so.** Those who fight and run away, live to fight another day. Don't get wrapped up in a fight that you absolutely don't have to get involved in. Save your bullets for required fights.
7. **Don't panic when a Plaga pops out of an enemy.** Primarily because they can be insta-killed with a flash-bang. However, it should be noted that the crawler Plagas need to be crawling on the ground before you try it.
8. **Don't overbuy guns.** It bears repeating- you don't want more than four guns in your attache case. They take up a lot of room, they're expensive, and upgrading them gets costly quick. Stick to four guns, and keep it simple.
9. **Sell upgraded guns for a high price when it's time to buy the next round of upgrades.** In addition, treasures are scattered all throughout the game. These items can be sold to the merchant for large amounts of money. They're all hidden in various places, but you can buy a treasure map close to the start of each area that marks their location with a star. Before you sell them, however, make sure to check the description. If it says anything like "This looks like it was once set in something" or "It looks like something was set here," then keep it and try to find what can be attached to it. This includes:
The Beerstein (combine it with the Three Catseyes, Red, Yellow, and Green)
The Elegant Mask (combine it with the Green, Purple, and Red Gem)
The Butterfly Lamp (combine it with the 'Eye' gems you get from killing Novistadors)
The Golden Lynx (combine it with the Blue Stone of Treason, the Red Stone of Faith, and the Green Stone of Judgement)
The Crown (combine with the Crown Jewels and Royal Insignia)
10. **Avoid certain weapons.** This is somewhat a matter of personal opinion, but you're better off skipping these weapons and holding out for the betters to save on Pesetas.
Red9 - The first offender. The power it packs is an incredible draw- and when fully upgraded, it packs 5.0 power, the equivalent of five standard handgun shots. However, while the punch it packs is nice, it's outperformed in all other areas by the other handguns in terms of reload speed, capacity, and firing speed. Not to mention the gun is so hard to aim reliably that you pretty much have to buy the stock if you want to do reliable damage. Also, the you have the option to purchase the Blacktail the minute you get into the castle, and it's fully upgraded power is still a respectable 3.4.
TMP - The Machine Pistol is certainly a good weapon for crowds, admittedly. However, if you're dealing with a crowd of Ganados, you'll rarely find yourself in a situation that the Shotgun won't perform equally well in. Plus, in the Castle segment, the Blacktail is available for purchase, which hits harder per bullet, has more common ammo drops, and is far more precise than the TMP, which really needs the stock to be accurate.
Killer7 - This is a powerful gun. 25 base power compared to the Broken Butterfly's 13. However, you're very rarely going to find yourself in a situation that needs that base power- in fact, you should rarely, if ever use the magnum. The fact that you find the Broken Butterfly for free in the castle is a far better deal than the 77,700 Pesetas you'd spend on it. It's a boss killer weapon, but so is the Rocket launcher- and you could buy two of those for that price.
Mine Thrower - This is an incredibly dangerous weapon that takes up too much space in the inventory and has a tendency to blow up in your face without the additional scope. Literally.
11. **Don't forget the freebies!** There are several free weapons throughout the game, and they're all worth your time if you can spare it.
Shotgun - Hanging on the wall in the two-story house in the Pueblo. Do not try to get it until the normal enemies head to the church in the opening chapter. Otherwise it will trigger a massive enemy rush.
Punisher - Through the Village, you'll find blue medallions hanging around. Shoot ten of them and talk to the merchant to get the Punisher handgun for free. Shoot all fifteen, and he'll throw in a free firepower upgrade.
Broken Butterfly - In the castle, if you give Ashley a boost in a certain segment, she can unlock the door to a free Broken Butterfly Magnum.
12. **Save resources based on what weapons you're using.** These are methods of saving ammo with the various weapons:
Handgun: Shoot for the knees or head, and go for the Melee/Knife combo.
Shotgun: Try to get more than one Ganado in your sights, aim at head level, and fire. The results will be satisfying, and mimic the results of a Gallagher show.
Rifle: Headshots are the obvious method, but the Rifles get so powerful that body shots will suffice- and this is where it shines. The Rifle can penetrate multiple targets (at least three, on previous play-throughs) and can thusly take out multiple foes with one shot.
TMP: The same strategies that were used for the Pistol can be used here- although you'll burn through ammo fast.
Magnum and Mine Thrower: Don't miss. This may seem short, but anything you hit with the magnum is a goner anyway.
13. **Try to use just one bullet in the Pueblo.** The Pueblo is the first area you encounter- a small village with a few buildings. You have to kill a set number of enemies to progress, but if you play your cards right, you can get this section complete with only one bullet. Here's how:
Once you enter, you'll see a barn on your right. Go to the house to the immediate left and kick the door open. Now run to the right and push the chest of drawers halfway in front of the door.
Now, go in front of the door and shoot a hole in the door around the knob. This will open up a hole. Run towards it, get out your knife, and start swinging.
There you go! You're untouchable, and are free to just slice away!
14. **Make a chokepoint in the Cabin.** Getting stuck in the Cabin with Luis is a nerve-wracking experience. You can make it easier on yourself, though.
To start, push two bookshelves in front of the boarded up windows. Just two, not all three. Then destroy the boards of the one you left uncovered. This gives you a chokepoint that you can easily control. After they all start swarming in through all the openings, the Ganados are all in the small space with you. Try shooting the Ganados in the head and try to kick a lot of them at a time.
When Luis urges you to go upstairs, this is where the Punisher really shines. Stay at the top of the stairs, and aim down them. The enemies will try to use ladders to get up to you, but Luis will always knock them down, forcing the enemies to use the stairs. As the Punisher blasts through two enemies at once for the same damage, it will make a troubling segment that much easier.
15. **Go right at the Two Paths.** Take the right path, buy a rocket launcher, and shoot El Gigante. The Sheer number of Ganados you have to shoot on the left path is simply ridiculous, especially with Ashley following you around.
16. **Upgrade the Rifle so it has seven shots in it, then get on the Lifts.** Now, scope up and shoot the zombies. Don't worry about hitting a vital point, they'll fall over when you hit them. Instant kill. Not to mention the Rifle pierces enemies, so you can potentially take out three Ganados with one bullet. If you run out, switch to the Pistol. No need to reload when the Semi-Auto Rifle is so close.
17. **Be quick in the Castle Approach.** After you take the truck out, run. Just keep moving and get inside the Castle, it's triggered by a cutscene after you're over the bridge.
18. **Prepare for a challenge in the Water Room!** But seriously, the worst part is when Ashley has to turn the two cranks on the upper level. If you still have some flash grenades, you can make them flinch while Ashley does her work.
19. **Suplex as you go up the Spiral Elevator.** Remember your suplex on the elevator! It makes you invincible, and is an insta-kill, most of the time. Use it! And remember, you can kick enemies off of the platform.
20. **Don't be afraid to run on the Island.** It's honestly better to run away from most of the fights here. Luckily, you have one of the best tools to do so- the Striker. There's a glitch in the game where if you take aim with the striker- and before the aiming laser can show up, switch to another weapon - once you resume the action, Leon will be moving at 1.5x speed. This is extremely handy, especially for slipping past "It".
21. **Have your Rocket Launcher fallback strategy in mind.** Just about everything here dies in one hit to a good Rocket Launcher.
No bullets are needed to fight Del Lago, so luckily conservation isn't an issue there.
22. **Pepper El Gigante in the face until the Plaga in its back bursts out.** You can then mount it with the action button and hack away. Doing this twice should cut it, no pun intended.
23. **Use three to four grenades on Chief Mende.** This guy is very, very weak to fire. Once you separate his torso and legs, it only takes three or four incendiary grenades to kill him.
24. **Use the Rocket Launcher on Verdugo.** You can get a free Rocket Launcher before this. Freeze him with a nitrogen canister, and blow him up.
25. **Shoot Salazar's eye with a handgun or other weapon until his core is exposed.** Then blow him away with the magnum!
26. **Use a knife on Jack Krauser.** The normally pitiful damage is increased exponentially- you only need to hit him with your knife about twelve times during the final showdown on professional, and it's easy to bait him into missing on his attacks.
27. **Go "old-fashioned" with U-3 (aka, "It").** Nothing else for it but a good old fashioned beat down. Blast it with the Striker and Magnum!
28. **Go for Saddler's eye.** Just like Salazar, shoot the eye. Hit the weak point with a Magnum. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Conserve-Resources-in-Resident-Evil-4", "language": "en"} |
How to Breed a Pet Ferret | Ferrets are fun as animals to keep as pets. They're sociable and will probably want to climb all over you if given the chance! Breeding ferrets, however, is not as simple as just pairing a male and female together. If you are thinking about your pet ferret, you will need to become very knowledgeable about the breeding process and spend the time (and money) to ensure the parents and babies are healthy.
1. **Select which ferrets to breed.** Breeding ferrets is a serious responsibility. Breeding ferrets that are related or have behavioral and/or physical health problems could introduce undesirable traits into the ferret population. For example, breeding closely-related ferrets could result in health problems in the babies (e.g. blindness, deafness) or pregnancy-related problems for the mother (e.g., small litters, premature death of babies).
If you already have a male and female ferret, you may want to have them genetically tested to make sure they are not closely related. Speak with your veterinarian about genetic testing options.
Prior to breeding, take your ferrets to your veterinarian to ensure they are healthy.
2. **Watch for signs that the ferrets are ready to mate.** Ferrets reach sexual maturity during the first spring after their birth. This will be about four months of age for females (‘jills’) and between six and eight months of age for males (‘hobs’). The spring coincides with the ferret breeding season, so start to look for signs that your ferrets are ready to breed when the days get longer and the temperature starts to warm up.
A jill in heat will have a swollen and enlarged vulva, which is part of her external genitalia. You will notice a pink and watery secretion coming from her vaginal area.
On your hob, you will notice that his testicles drop (hang lower from his body) and become larger. The hob equivalent of being in heat is a ‘rut.’
Your hob’s personal hygiene will take a nosedive when he’s ready to breed. He will urinate to mark his territory and even drag his stomach through the urine. He will also secrete oil to mark his territory.
Male and female ferrets that are ready to breed both develop greasy skin and become quite smelly.
3. **Place the jill in the hob’s cage.** When you put the ferrets together, sit back and wait for the mating ritual to begin. Be aware that the ferret mating process is anything but romantic—the male will bite the female’s neck and even drag her around the cage. You may even hear the female scream.
The biting will look disturbing, but it actually has a purpose—biting the jill’s neck releases the hormones in her body that will stimulate ovulation (egg production). Jills are known as induced ovulators, meaning that she has to be bred to start egg production.
The mating process can take anywhere from several hours to several days, and occur over several sessions.
The ferrets’ violent mating ritual may cause you to want to separate them. Don’t do this! The male ferret’s penis is curved such that it ‘locks’ the female in place until mating is over. Trying to separate them will do more harm than good.
4. **Observe the jill after mating.** After mating, move the jill back to her cage. If the mating was successful, she will gain weight and start nesting. She will also start pulling fur out of her tail and body.
Jills also make clucking noises when they are pregnant.
You can tell if the jill is pregnant starting about two weeks after a successful mating. You could also have your veterinarian perform an abdominal ultrasound on the jill, but this would be expensive.
Jills can have phantom pregnancies, meaning that they act as if they are pregnant when they are not. High levels of hormones can cause your jill to become bloated and look as if she is pregnant.
Keep in mind that your jill will need to eat more as she approaches the end of her pregnancy so she can handle the energy demands of giving birth and nursing.
If the mating was unsuccessful, try again. Jills remain in heat unless they are bred, which can lead to serious health consequences, including pyometra (infected uterus),, bladder infections,, and anemia. Your female ferret be bred or spayed if she is in heat.
5. **Increase your pregnant jill’s food intake.** A jill’s pregnancy typically lasts about 42 days. Pregnancy and giving birth can take a toll on your pregnant jill’s health. She will need to take in more calories and protein to meet her increased energy demands.
Feeding your jill more dry food will also give her the extra protein she will need during nursing.
Feed her the highest quality ferret food that you can find to ensure she is in optimal health before giving birth.
The diet for a pregnant jill should be at least 35% fat and 22% fat.
To give her even more protein, supplement her diet with cooked meat (e.g., chicken) and liver.
A pregnant jill that does not eat enough in late pregnancy can develop a very serious condition called pregnancy toxemia. This is an emergency situation—your veterinarian will need to perform a Cesarean section to save your ferret’s life.
6. **Put more water in your pregnant jill’s cage.** As with her food intake, your pregnant jill will need to drink a lot more fresh, clean water to get ready for birth and nursing. Increase her water intake to two to three times her normal intake. Put her water in a dish instead of a water bottle—she will likely drink more water from the dish.
If she does not drink enough water, she will also not eat enough food. Without enough intake of food or water, your pregnant jill would not be able to produce enough milk for her babies.
7. **Prepare a separate cage for the pregnant jill.** Your jill can stay with the hob through most of her pregnancy. About two weeks before the end of her pregnancy, you should move her to her own cage. Put fresh paper bedding or pine shavings in this cage.
Your jill will use the bedding or shavings to make a nest.
Place her cage in a warm, quiet part of your home so she can stay warm and prepare herself for giving birth.
Ramp up her food and water intake when you move her to this separate cage.
8. **Give the jill her privacy.** Jills are typically pregnant for about 42 days. When your jill gives birth, give her time alone with her babies (‘kits’) for at least a week. Jills may eat their kits when feeling scared or threatened—you definitely don’t want your jill to do this!
You will need to feed her during this private time. Being as stealthy as you can, slip food and water in her cage when she is distracted.
Jills can develop mastitis (mammary gland inflammation) and some of the kits may die after birth, so you should take a quick look at the mom and her babies when you put the food and water in the cage.
Call your veterinarian if the jill doesn’t look well, or if you see dead kits that should be removed.
9. **Feed your jill as you did when she was pregnant.** Now that your jill is nursing, she will need just as much energy as when she was about to give birth. Continue to feed her two to three times her normal intake.
Be mindful that if she has a large litter (more than 10 kits), she will lose weight no matter how much you feed her. With such a large litter, the caloric and energy demands will always outweigh how much she can eat.
10. **Minimize bedding changes.** Undoubtedly, your jill’s cage will become smelly after she gives birth. However, you should change the bedding only to check for neglected or abandoned kits. Just like when you put food and water in the cage, be stealthy when you change the bedding.
If you have the cage in an enclosed room, the smell could become unbearable. Increase the air circulation in the room by keeping a door open.
11. **Handle the kits.** When the kits are born, they are only two inches long and are completely dependent on their mother. Their eyes and ears are sealed shut, and they have only the slightest amount of pink fur on their bodies. You can start handling them when they are about one week old, keeping in mind their complete dependence on their mother.
You may have to wait longer than a week if the jill doesn’t seem thrilled with you being near the cage as she cares for her babies. You don’t want your eagerness to handle the kits to be the reason she becomes scared and eats some of her babies.
Because kits are so small when they are born, you can probably hold each one in one hand.
As the kits get bigger, you would pick them up by gently grasping them between their neck and shoulders with one hand and supporting their hind legs with the other hand.
Hold the kits for only a few seconds before placing them back in their cage. When the kits are about a month old, hold them for longer (a few minutes) and speak softly to them.
Do not interrupt feeding time to hold the kits.
12. **Feed the kits.** Start introducing the kits to solid ferret food when they are about three weeks old. They will still be nursing at this point. They will also still have their baby teeth, so you should soak the solid food in water before feeding it to them. It may help to put the softened food in the refrigerator to let it soften a little more.
You could try feeding the kits baby food as well.
Ferrets can be picky eaters, so you may need to add some kitten milk replacer to the kibble to make it a little tastier.
Check the label for the ferret food: it should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The protein source should be meat based, such as chicken.
Cat foods are usually not ideal to feed ferrets, since they do not have enough fat to meet a ferret’s nutritional needs.
13. **Wean the kits.** The kits should be weaned they are about six weeks old. Their adult teeth will start growing in by this age, so you can start soaking their food in less and less water until you can feed them completely dry food.
A kit will have its full set of adult teeth by about nine months of age.
Keep in mind that kits should stay with their mother until 12 weeks of age. Although they will be able to eat solid food and should be more comfortable with human handling by six weeks of age, they should stay under their mother’s care for a little while longer.
14. **Take the kits to the veterinarian.** Your veterinarian should look over each kit to make sure it is healthy and growing well. The kits’ physical examinations will include checks for parasites, ear mites, fleas, and birth defects. Your veterinarian will make treatment recommendations based on the results of the physical examination.
The kits will also need to receive several vaccinations: canine distemper vaccine at two and three months, and the rabies vaccine at three and four months.
15. **Potty train the kits.** Before you make the kits ready for adoption, you should train them in a few areas, such as potty training and training them not to bite. A simple way to potty train the kits is to watch first where they usually go to the bathroom. Place a litter box in that area and encourage them to use the litter box.
It may help to give them a little treat each time they use it so they associate the litter box with something good.
Ideal litters contain no dust. Examples include recycled paper pellets and fine softwood shavings. If the wood shavings contain cedar, the amount will likely be too small to cause toxicity in your kits.
Clumping litter is not recommended because the kits can make a mess of it and possibly inhale it into their lungs.
16. **Stop inappropriate biting behavior.** Kits tend to explore their new world with their mouths, which means they will probably want to bite or nip at just about everything. The biting and nipping are also ways that kits establish hierarchy with their litter mates.
To discourage inappropriate biting behavior, give the kit a firm ‘No!’ if it bites when you pick it up. It may take a long time for the kits to get the message that they’re not supposed to bite you, but they will eventually learn.
Do not cuddle the kits until they learn not to bite.
Discouraging a kit from biting at a young age will help them become better socialized by the time they are old enough to be adopted.
Kits that are well trained and socialized will not bite and nip as much when they become adults. However, they will probably continue to nip at their toys and other cage items throughout their lives. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Breed-a-Pet-Ferret", "language": "en"} |
How to Hang Curtains Around Your Bed with Sticky Hooks (No Drilling) | Curtains around your bed can give you a luxurious canopy look for a low price. However, if you live in a rental or don’t want to use power tools, then you won’t be able to drill holes in the ceiling. Luckily, you can still complete this project. With just a few adhesive hooks and some string, you can successfully decorate your bed with curtains.
1. **Wipe down the ceiling surfaces above the bed corner with alcohol.** Dust or dirt on the ceiling could prevent adhesive hooks from sticking properly. Pour some rubbing alcohol into a paper towel and wipe down the ceiling above each corner of the bed.
Don’t use a wood or glass cleaner. These products leave behind residue that make the adhesive strip weaker.
Adhesive hooks need an even surface to stick properly. If you have a popcorn ceiling, then this method won't work and you'll probably have to drill into the ceiling.
2. **Make a pencil mark on the ceiling above each corner of the bed.** Place a tape measure on the floor touching a bed corner. Then extend it straight up to the ceiling. Make a pencil mark in the spot that the tape measure touches. Repeat these steps for each corner of the bed.
3. **Attach an adhesive strip onto the ceiling over each pencil mark.** Adhesive hooks come with sticky strips. Peel the non-stick paper off one side of the strip and press it down onto the pencil mark you made. Hold it down for 30 seconds so it sticks completely. Do the same for all 4 marks.
Get a product with a solid hook that doesn't move. Some adhesive hooks have a hinge for more flexibility, but those won't work for this job.
Always read and follow the directions that come with the product you use. Different products might have specific directions.
4. **Press an adhesive hook onto each strip facing away from the bed.** When all the strips are attached, peel the non-stick paper off the other side. Take a hook and press it down onto the strip. Make sure the hook points away from the bed so it holds the string properly. Hold it for 30 seconds. Repeat this process for the other strips, making sure all the hooks face away from the bed.
If you’re using heavy curtains, make sure to get adhesive hooks that can handle a lot of weight. The product packaging should state how much weight the hook type is designed for, so use this to guide what kind you buy.
5. **Wait 1 hour before hanging anything on the hooks.** This gives the hooks enough time to adhere to the ceiling. If you start hanging the curtains too early, the hooks might fall.
If you recently painted, wait 7 days after the paint dries to hang adhesive hooks on the ceiling.
6. **Add up the distance between the hooks.** Use a tape measure and take the distance between each hook. Add up those distances to get the total length you’ll need for your curtain string.
7. **Cut a piece of string or twine to fit around all the hooks.** Unroll the string or twine until it’s as long as the distance between the hooks. Add a few extra inches so you have room to tie the string. Then cut the string off the roll.
It’s okay to have extra string. You can cut off any excess when you’re finished.
If you’re hanging a heavy curtain that's more than about 5 lb (2.3 kg), then you might need something more heavy-duty like wire.
8. **Loop the string through the curtain if it has a tunnel along the top.** Some curtains have a tunnel for a rod to go through, but you can also run a string through it. Insert the string into the opening on one side and work it through the tunnel to the other side. Then bunch up the curtain in one spot so it doesn't get in the way while you're hanging the string.
Make sure you do this before hanging the string because you won't be able to mount the curtains if the string is already tied off.
If you want a curtain on more than one side, then you'll need multiple curtain sections. Get a curtain section for each area between 2 hooks.
9. **Tie the string tightly around the hooks.** Lift the string up to the first hook. If you've already attached the curtain, then slide it along the string so it's between the correct 2 hooks. Tuck the string into the hook and pull it tight. Maintain the tension as you pull it to the next hooks. When you reach the first hook again, tie to 2 string ends together.
You might need to use clear tape to lock the string in place if the hooks aren’t tight enough to grasp the string.
Working with a partner will make this job easier. One person can hold the string in place while the other loops it through the hooks.
If you’re going for more of a canopy look, then you can leave the string loose instead of pulling it tight. This gives your curtains a rounded, crescent shape.
10. **Insert hooks into all the spaces on top of the curtains if they don't have a tunnel.** If the curtains didn't have a tunnel for the string, you can still hang them with hooks. The curtains should have holes for hooks along their top edges. Insert a hook into each hole. Make sure you don’t miss any holes or the curtains will sag.
If the curtains don’t come with hooks, you can buy a set of hooks online. You can also get clips instead, which means you don’t need holes in the curtains.
Using hooks makes sliding the curtains easy, and also makes replacing them very simple.
11. **Hang a curtain set on each string section using the hooks.** Lift the curtains up and hang each hook onto the string. Slide them back and forth a few times to make sure the hooks hold. If you want to cover your whole bed, put a curtain set on all 4 sides.
You can also only put the curtains in one or two sections if you don’t want to cover your whole bed. This will still give you a nice effect. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Hang-Curtains-Around-a-Bed-Without-Drilling", "language": "en"} |
How to Know if You Are Agoraphobic | Approximately 5% of the U.S. population suffers from agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder which in Greek translates to "fear of the marketplace.” It is best thought of as the fear of fear, or the fear of having a panic attack in a public place. Agoraphobia is twice as prevalent in women than in men and is marked by an intense anxiety during encounters in public, while socializing, or in unfamiliar settings. Identifying whether or not you have agoraphobia is the first step toward finding a solution.
1. **Pay attention to your need for company when out in public.** People who have agoraphobia often require assistance when traveling to a new place because they are afraid to go out alone. People who have agoraphobia often have a difficult time doing things independently and are comforted by the presence of a friend or partner.
If the thought of going to the grocery store for a gallon of milk makes you feel anxious, you may suffer from agoraphobia.
2. **Consider whether you have established a fixed route.** People who have agoraphobia may fear going to places that might not be free of anxiety-inducing triggers. Someone who has agoraphobia may create a “safe” pattern of movement to travel each day, such as to and from work.
If you’ve noticed that you exclusively take one way home each day and stick to the exact same roads, walkways, and footpaths because you’re afraid to try new ones, you may be experiencing agoraphobia.
3. **Keep an eye out for a decline in your social life.** People who have agoraphobia often limit the places they will go to reduce the chance of encountering something that might trigger a panic attack. People who have agoraphobia may feel uncomfortable with meeting new people and try to limit themselves to “safety zones,” such as home or work. If you have agoraphobia, then you may notice that your social life feels limited.
Perhaps, before you developed agoraphobia, you went out with friends to the bar, parties, and cinema in addition to work and school. As time went on perhaps you began to worry more about having a panic attack, and you stopped going to parties. Then, when the semester ended, you didn’t enroll in school again for fear you’d have a panic attack in class. You now see your friends less often and spend as little time as possible at work. These kinds of behaviors may indicate that you have agoraphobia.
4. **Identify if you feel fear or anxiety when you are in a large crowd.** Do you feel a shortness of breath when in a crowd of people at the mall, at a concert, or at the market? You may have agoraphobia if even thinking about large crowds of people creates symptoms of anxiety like sweaty palms, excessive worrying, a racing heartbeat, and disjointed thoughts.
Even if you don't actually experience a panic attack, fear of having an attack in a social situation can also be a symptom of agoraphobia.
5. **Stay conscious of fear or anxiety in a confined space.** Panic symptoms related to agoraphobia may strike when you feel like you cannot escape. Examine your feelings when you are in confined spaces. Passing through tunnels in a car or train, riding in elevators, buses, planes, and trains may trigger panic symptoms or a panic attack.
6. **Think about situations in which you made an excuse to escape.** It is common for people with agoraphobia to fear not being able to escape a place or situation. However, you might experience shame or embarrassment when you have to make an excuse to escape a situation. In order to conceal your fear, you might find yourself lying about why you suddenly need to leave a certain situation or event.
For instance, perhaps you experience an agoraphobic episode when you’re at a baseball game with a friend. Instead of expressing that you feel anxious in the large crowd, you might tell your friend you need to go home to let your dog out. In addition to such excuses, you might fake illness to escape an uncomfortable situation.
7. **Watch for persistent anxiety.** The main feature of agoraphobia is feeling anxiety about situations and places that you fear you may not be able to escape. When you are in these situations (most often outside of your home) you may experience a sense of dread, as if something terrible is about to happen. You must have had these feelings for a minimum of six months to receive a diagnosis of agoraphobia.
Some people also experience panic symptoms or panic attacks in situations that trigger anxiety. During a panic attack, one may experience a combination of chest pain, numbness, dizziness, trembling, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, feeling unreal or disconnected from oneself, feeling like you are losing control or going crazy, feeling like you are dying, or feeling chilled or hot.
8. **Identify the situations that make you feel fearful.** The types of fear that someone who has agoraphobia experiences are quite specific. To be diagnosed with agoraphobia, the DSM-V indicates that the patient must experience fear in two or more of the following situations:
being in a large crowd or waiting in a line
being in an open space, such as a marketplace or parking lot
being in a closed space, such as a coffee shop or movie theater
using public transportation, such as the bus, train, plane, or a ferry
going outside of your home alone
9. **Recognize when you fear being alone.** If you dislike being alone because you might panic and experience the shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, and confused thoughts that happen during an agoraphobic attack, then you might have agoraphobia. Make note of any heightened feelings of fear that you experience when you are alone.
There are two kinds of fears that may emerge when people are alone. One kind is related to agoraphobia. The other kind of fear is one that develops because the person is alone and feels vulnerable to attack from predators. This is not symptomatic of agoraphobia. Correctly identifying one’s own feelings is important to identifying whether they have agoraphobia.
10. **Consider your risk factors for agoraphobia.** Women and those who are under the age of 35 are at a higher risk of developing agoraphobia. Other risk factors for agoraphobia include:
having another disorder, such as panic disorder or another type of phobia
feeling nervous or anxious much of the time
going through something stressful, such a losing a parent, being attacked, or being abused
having a family history of agoraphobia (such as a blood relative)
having depression
having a substance abuse problem
11. **Ask your doctor about medication.** Agoraphobia should not be treated with medication alone, but combining medication with therapy can help. Common medications used to treat agoraphobia include:
Antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, such as paroxetine and fluoxetine, may help if you have panic attacks along with your agoraphobia. Other options include tricyclic antidepressants and MAOI inhibitors.
Anti-anxiety medications. Medications such as benzodiazepines can produce a sense of calm in short amount of tie, but these medications can be addictive. Therefore, it is best to limit your use of these medications to emergency situations, such as during a panic attack.
12. **Attend therapy.** Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of treatment for agoraphobia. The technique mixes cognitive therapy (which emphasizes that certain ways of thinking lead to certain mental illnesses) with behavioral therapy (which emphasizes the ability of the individual to change behaviors which are harmful to them.
An effective CBT regimen will occur over several weeks in sessions of about 50 minutes each. Your counselor will talk you through your experience of agoraphobia in a given week and you will be asked to analyze your patterns of mind and action.
Eventually, you will be asked to expose yourself to progressively more challenging levels of social engagement in order to banish the feelings and thoughts your agoraphobia inspires. First you might go to the market for 15 minutes, then 30 minutes, then an hour, and so on until you’ve been properly re-acclimated to social situations.
13. **Retrain your mind.** Agoraphobia is the result of your brain telling you something that isn’t true: “You’re trapped,” “You are unsafe here,” or “You should not trust anyone.” By modifying and actively rejecting your misconceptions, you can learn to cope with agoraphobia. The first step toward retraining is to recognize that your mind is disordered, and that the thoughts or signals you’re receiving are false.
For instance, when your brain tells you to freak out because there’s danger nearby, gather additional information. Think about prior panic attacks you’ve had and remember that you survived and endured them without permanent injury or death (a common fear among people who have agoraphobia).
14. **Use non-avoidant coping strategies.** Non-avoidant coping strategies (exposure) force you to confront situations which feel threatening. In order to become fear-free in situations that currently give you anxiety, you’ll need to experience these situations firsthand. Only after passing through the flame of fear can you emerge, Phoenix-like, refreshed and mentally whole.
For instance, if you feel or fear a wave of panic coming on when you go to a baseball game, try going to a local little league or minor league game for about 15 to 20 minutes. Ramp it up progressively, attending the next game for 30 to 40 minutes, then 60 to 70 minutes and so on. Eventually, transition into going to a major league game for a few innings, then
Be honest with yourself about your comfort level. Your goal should not be to induce an agoraphobic panic attack, but to identify the trigger that brings the attacks on without actually having one. Don't rush the process by exposing yourself to too great a trigger too soon. Pace yourself and keep a journal of how you feel after each exposure in order to gauge your progress. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Are-Agoraphobic", "language": "en"} |
How to Help Your Community | A community feels more alive when people who live there love it enough to help improve it. Helping your community makes life better for your friends, family, and other people who live where you live. If you look around and see that your community has a lot of problems, there's no better time to start fixing them than right now. The more love you pour in, the better it will get. Keep reading for ideas on how to help your community be strong and vibrant.
1. **Stop to help when and where you're needed.** It's a simple way to make your community better and help to create the kind of vibe that makes people feel safe and happy. If you see someone in need of assistance, come to their aid instead of averting your eyes. Do for others what you'd want them to do for you if you were in their situation.
If you see a mother struggling to get her stroller down a set of stairs, offer to help her carry it.
If you notice someone looking lost, help them get where they're trying to go.
Figure out how you can help the people who ask for money in the street, instead of passing them without looking them in the eyes.
Be the person who helps out in an emergency, instead of the one who assumes someone else will do it.
Offer to shovel your neighbours' backyard or rake leaves for someone across the street. Babysit community kids, or watch their pets.
2. **Support your local economy.** Healthy communities have healthy local economies. People work together to help each other make a living and thrive. You can help improve the health of your local economy in many different ways, from changing your shopping habits to starting a business of your own. Consider these different ways to help:
Buy your food from local vendors. Try to get most of your produce from the farmer's market, where members of your community go to sell food they've worked hard to grow.
Shop at local businesses whenever you can. For example, if you have the choice to buy a new pair of jeans at a chain discount store or a small business owned by a member of your community, choose the latter. Change your mindset from buying the cheapest available product to leveraging your purchases to provide the most community good. Knowing that your money will go toward boosting your local economy and building a strong, vibrant community is worth the extra effort and expense. Help others to see the light and help them come aboard to help you boost the local community's financial health.
Consider starting your own business. You can serve your community by offering a great product and possibly even hiring employees.
3. **Recycle and compost.** Many communities are experiencing problems with landfills that are getting too full. Producing too much trash pollutes the environment, and that's not good for your community's long-term health. You can do your part to help improve the situation by recycling and composting as much of your waste as possible.
If you want to go above and beyond, you could also spread awareness about how to recycle, or start a recycling program at your school or place of work.
Composting is useful in more ways than one. It allows you to dispose of your food waste without putting it in the trash, and as a result you end up with rich soil you can use in your garden. Once you learn how to do it, show others how easy it can be.
4. ** Save energy** Using excessive electricity and water strains community resources. Saving energy and water is good for the planet as well as your local environment. Do your best to conserve energy and water and it will become an investment in your community's long-term health.
Turning off your lights when you're not using them, using energy-saving appliances, decreasing your reliance on air conditioning, turning down the temperature on your water heater, and unplugging your computer when you power it down are all ways you can help save energy.
Taking shorter showers, making sure your pipes aren't leaking, limiting your lawn watering, and using a low-water method of washing dishes are all ways you can help save water.
5. **Be less reliant on your car.** Communities that rely heavily on car transportation often experience elevated air pollution levels. Air pollution is not only detrimental to plants and animals, it causes major health problems for humans, too. Using your car less often decreases your carbon footprint, which helps your community. Here are alternatives to try:
Walk or bike where you need to go. It takes a little longer, but you see more along the way.
Use public transportation. Even if your area doesn't have a great subway or elevated rail system, you probably have bus lines nearby.
Carpool to work or school, instead of driving places by yourself.
6. **Meet people.** Knowing people in your community is a great way to start learning what you can do to help. In order to get to know a community even better, start building your network by getting out and meeting people. Go to local events, frequent local coffee shops, and get to know your neighbors. The more people you know in your community, the better.
To break the ice with your neighbors, bake some muffins or cookies and wrap them up. Then take them door to door and introduce yourself. This will make it easier to strike up a conversation with a neighbor or invite them to your home for dinner.
7. **Do some research to identify the needs of your community.** Before you can help your community, you should take time to do a bit of research and find out what the community needs. This step is especially important if you are new to the community or if you have not been very involved in the past. Maybe there's a river flowing through your city that's so polluted no one can swim there. Maybe the schools in your community need more resources to buy books and computer equipment. Maybe the homeless population in your community needs assistance. Whatever it is, figure out what needs to be addressed where you live.
Use the internet to run some basic searches to find out what your community needs. Try pairing the name of your city with key terms like “community needs,” “volunteer opportunities,” and “problems.” Try other keyword searches to find out more.
Read the local newspaper every day. The local newspaper will help you to get to know the community and learn what people are doing to address problems.
Talk to people who have lived in the community for a long time. Ask questions, such as, “What is the biggest problem facing this community? How are people addressing that problem?”
Try not to get overwhelmed by the size and scope of the problems your community is facing. Pick one thing that you care about changing, one thing that ignites your passion, and go from there.
See if anyone else feels the same way you do. Is there an organization addressing this need? Do you know anyone who's as passionate as you are about creating change?
8. **Learn about organizations.** Find out as much as you can about local non-profit organizations and charities. Visit their webpages and find out what they do, who they serve, why they do it, how they are funded, and what types of volunteer opportunities they have available. Keep track of organizations that you’d like to get involved with at some point.
Websites like Idealist, Volunteer Match, and Serve.gov can also help you to find out about organizations that are looking for volunteers.
9. **Identify ways you would like to help.** Once you have taken time to learn about your community, start identifying ways that you can help. Think back to what you have learned about the community, your interactions with people, and the needs organizations in the community. Make sure to ask yourself some questions before you get started.
What community issue are you the most passionate about?
What can you do to help that will best use your talents?
What sort of time commitment are you able and willing to make?
What do you need to do in order to start helping?
10. **Choose a way to help out.** Once you've identified the problem you want to solve, figure out how you personally can start working to fix it. Even if you do not believe that one person can change the world, you should realize that one person can make a difference—one step at a time. How are you going to make a difference?
Find the place where your passions and skills intersect. For example, let's say your city has too few trees and you want to help. You can use social media to spread awareness about the problem by sharing what you know with as many people as possible and encouraging people to plant more trees.
11. **Set some reachable goals.** The problem you've identified isn't likely to be solved easily; it'll probably require a lot of work; maybe years of work. It's even possible that after years of work, the problem still won't be entirely corrected. However, if you set manageable goals and start working toward them step-by-step, you'll eventually be able to look back and see the progress you've made.
Set short-term goals. You can define short-term in a way that makes sense and is motivating to you. What do you want to have accomplished in one week, one month, or a year?
Set long-term goals. In five years, what do you want your community to look like? What about ten? What seems doable in that amount of time?
12. **Outline a plan for getting things done.** To accomplish your goals, you're going to need an action plan. And to execute an action plan, you'll probably need some help and funding. Write up a plan that details everything you're going to need to accomplish a given goal, including the following:
- Include the skill-sets that will be involved, the hours of work that they'll need to put in, the minimum number of volunteers or spokespeople that will be necessary to accomplish your goals.
- These might include such things as: buses to take people downtown for a river cleanup; garbage bags, shovels, protective gloves, and masks for the volunteers; pizza, sodas, and a salad to feed them at lunchtime. Think it through down to every last detail.
- Create a budget and detail how much it's going to cost to execute your plan.
13. **Get other people involved.** Ask around to find out who else is as excited to make a difference as you are. Try to form a core group of activists committed to carrying out the plan to improve your community. Everyone will have something to contribute, and together you'll be able to start getting things done. Even just telling other people about your goal and what you are doing to accomplish it can help you to achieve it.
To find passionate volunteers and spread the word about what you're doing; share information via social media. Go public with your plan to make a difference, and tell people how they can get involved. Hold meetings to discuss how to put your plan into action.
Some people prefer to help by donating money instead of their time. Don't be afraid to ask for donations or hold a fundraiser to make money you can put toward your cause.
14. **Commit to following through.** Now that you have goals and an action plan for meeting those goals, it's time to get organized and put in the real time and effort it takes to create change. If you back out now, your community might never see the solution of your dreams. It's not going to be easy to make things better, but every bit of effort you put into your project will make a difference.
15. **Volunteer for a group that does work you admire.** Every nonprofit or community organization in your area is probably in need of volunteers. Donating your time is an excellent way to have a positive effect on your community, and to strengthen your relationships with your fellow community members, too. Find a group doing work that interests you and give them a call; chances are, they'll have a list of ways you can start helping out right away. Just be aware that becoming a volunteer is a serious commitment. It costs organizations a lot of time and money to train volunteers, so make sure that you will be available and willing to help out on a long-term basis. Here are a few examples of volunteer opportunities available in most communities:
Helping out at park, river or beach clean-up days
Answering phones at phone-a-thons to raise money
Playing with cats and dogs at the animal shelter
Serving meals at the soup kitchen or homeless shelter
Working at a crisis hotline
Being a counselor at a camp for kids
16. **Attend community events.** It's likely that other people and organizations in your community are also taking steps to help improve it. They probably hold festivals, cleanups and meetings in an effort to make the neighborhood a better place. How often do you show up to community events? Start going to as many as you can. Just showing up is a way to help people in your community because it lets them know that you care. When you feel comfortable enough, you can even start volunteering to help out at these events.
For example, if someone you know is trying to hold a "Bike to Work or School Day" on Monday mornings, and you've got a bike, why not give it a try? Bring a friend along, too. Show people in your community that biking is fun.
Participate in fundraising walks and runs. Many nonprofits hold community walks and runs to raise money. Paying the entry fee directly benefits the nonprofit, and participating in the event helps spread awareness about the cause.
Go to concerts, festivals and other events put on by local businesses or organizations. If no one shows up to these types of events, they might stop happening altogether.
17. **Get civically active.** A great way to help your community is to participate in community decision-making. Stay up to date on activities that impact your community, and form educated opinions on important matters. For example, if your city is deciding whether to cut down a few acres of forest to allow a supermarket to move in, read up on the subject and decide what you think. Would it be better to keep the forest there, or does your community really need a new supermarket? Having an informed perspective and making your voice heard can have an effect on what direction your community takes. Encourage others to engage as well because civic engagement is crucial for a healthy democracy.
Voting is an important way to influence your community. Read up on the candidates and issues and vote in all local elections.
Contact your representative about issues that matter to you. If you don't want that patch of forest to be cut down, or you think it a new supermarket could really help the community, call your representative or write a letter stating what you want to happen and why.
Show up for community meetings at which decisions are being made. Take the opportunity to speak up about what matters to you. Would your community benefit from having more crosswalks on busier streets? Are there too many potholes on your block? Do you have an opinion on how the city should handle increasing levels of crime? Say so.
18. **Beautify your public spaces.** If you look around and see trash in the street and graffiti on the windows in your neighborhood, you know where to start helping out. Making the spaces in your community feel brighter and cleaner will bring people out and result in better quality of life for everyone. The work you do will depend on the specific needs in your community.
You can help to make your neighborhood more beautiful right away by picking up trash on your own. When you walk down the street, pick up trash you see and throw it away or recycle it. If there's too much for you to tackle on your own, get some friends involved to help you.
Scrape off or paint over graffiti to freshen up buildings and fences. If you're good at painting, you could eve create a mural on a public wall for everyone to see. You might have to get permission from the building owner or city first.
Do landscaping in areas that are overgrown with weeds. Mow them down or pull weeds by hand. Plant flowers or trees wherever you can. Adding more natural elements to urban spaces can help make them look and feel safe and inviting.
Create a community garden, where everyone can have a plot on which to grow vegetables, herbs or flowers. Ask people to pitch in to help break ground and lend their tools for the project.
Always make sure to check with the owner of a piece of property before you do anything to it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Community", "language": "en"} |
How to Wear Suspenders with Jeans | Suspenders don’t have to be just for fancy suits—they’re a great addition to jeans, turning a regular outfit into a more stylized and modern look! Try pairing them with slim jeans and a button-up shirt, picking a patterned pair to brighten up a plain top, or creating a laissez-faire look with jean shorts and a long-sleeved top. However you choose to style your jeans and suspenders, chances are you’ll feel more stylish and put-together when you wear them.
1. **Opt for tighter-fitting jeans to keep your outfit from looking frumpy.** For both masculine and feminine styles, jeans that are slim fit or skinny will look better with suspenders than loose or wide-legged jeans would. Suspenders make your outfit look intentional, so you want to match the rest of your outfit to that look.
Suspenders paired with jeans is more so about the aesthetic of the look rather than the functionality of the suspenders. They may help to actually keep your pants up, but their main function is fashion.
2. **Wear cropped jeans and a lightweight blouse for a bohemian look.** This look is pretty different from the classic tight-pants with button-up-shirt style, but it can be really fun, stylish, and comfy to wear when you’re out and about. Pick a pair of capris or cropped jeans (they can be slim-fit or a little looser, just depending on what you’d like), tuck in a loose button-up blouse (long- or short-sleeved), and add a pair of leather or light-colored suspenders to create a bohemian outfit.
Let the blouse hang out a little so it looks flowy when it’s tucked in, rather than pulling it down tight.
If you don’t have a button-up blouse, you can wear a normal one, too. Just make sure to tuck it in.
3. **Pair jean shorts with a long-sleeved shirt for a nerdy, yet cute, look.** This is a fun, casual look that is great for the late spring or early fall months. Choose your favorite pair of jean shorts and tuck in a light sweater or blouse. Add a pair of suspenders to complete your look.
Add a floppy hat to this ensemble if you’ll be out in the sun.
You could also wear a short-sleeved shirt with jean shorts if the temperature is too warm for a long-sleeved shirt.
4. **Pick dark jeans for a more modern aesthetic.** Dark indigo, grey, black, and other darker shades of denim are classic when it comes to the jeans and suspenders combo. They give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to picking a top and a correlating color of suspenders. Wear lighter shirts to really create a strong contrast between your top and bottoms, and then pair that outfit with suspenders that pop.
Keep things on the shadier side by pairing your dark jeans with a more muted or dark top, like forest green or deep brown. If you do this, pick a light-colored pair of suspenders to create a nice contrast.
5. **Choose lighter-colored jeans for a more casual vibe.** This look can still be put-together and neat, but the lighter tone will give your outfit a more laid-back vibe. It’s great for weekend mornings spent running errands or going to brunch. If you opt for light jeans, pair them with a darker top to offset the colors, or wear a white top with dark-colored suspenders.
Browse magazines and fashion sites for inspiration on how to style your suspenders with jeans.
6. **Tuck in** The most common look in the jeans and suspenders fashion is to pair jeans with a long-sleeved button-up shirt. This is great because there are so many styles and colors available for you to choose from.
A casual button-down shirt like an Oxford button-down (which has buttons on the collar and lapels) in a more casual fabric like chambray would be perfect. This, paired with dark jeans, is a stylish and bold look.
You could always roll up the sleeves to your elbows if you get hot or if you’d just like a more casual look.
7. **Opt for a short-sleeved button-up shirt tucked in during warmer months.** This is a look that is great for a dinner out during spring or summer, and it could also be acceptable in an office, just depending on what you do for a living. Remember to pair a patterned shirt with solid-toned suspenders, and vice versa.
Try rolling up the sleeves one or two times for a more laid-back look.
Avoid wearing sleeveless shirts with suspenders. That look usually resembles a firefighter’s outfit more than a fun, cool aesthetic.
8. **Wear a soft cotton top for a casual, laid-back look.** This look is less conventional, but you can make it work if you’re really intentional about your style. Pick either long or short sleeves and choose a neckline that comes up at least to your collar bones. Make sure to wear slim pants rather than baggy ones, otherwise your outfit will look frumpy.
Try to pick a top that won’t stretch out too much over the course of the day.
9. **Add a blazer overtop of your ensemble for an extra-elegant touch.** This is a great option if you’re working in the office and want to dress up your jeans a little more, and it’s a good look for a fun evening out, too. Pick a darker blazer, but one that doesn’t too closely match the shade of your jeans. When you walk around, put your hands in your pockets to hold the blazer back to show off your suspenders.
Leave the blazer unbuttoned so your suspenders can still be seen.
10. **Let the suspenders hang down for a punk-rock look.** This is a really specific look that can be super fun for concerts, music festivals, or just a night out with friends. The goal is to look casual rather than modern or put-together. Let the suspenders hang off of just one shoulder, and let the entire thing hang down.
Be careful to not get caught on things if you do this. The last thing you want is to have your suspenders hook on something like a doorknob and snap you or somebody else.
You can wear this look with both regular-length jeans or with jean shorts or capris. It just depends on the look you’re going for.
11. **Pick button-suspenders for a more clean-cut and refined look.** Button-suspenders do just that—button into your jeans directly rather than clipping the waistband. This look is great if you prefer a more classic style and if you dislike the shiny metal that comes on the clip-suspenders.
If your jeans don’t come with buttons already in them, you’ll need to attach them yourself. This requires a little more effort, but your outfit will look really nice in the end.
12. **Choose suspenders with clips for an easy-to-wear wardrobe staple.** These are pretty popular, as they’re easy to wear and you don’t need to worry about sewing any suspender buttons into place. Most clips are silver, though you can special order gold-toned ones online.
One of the downfalls of clip-suspenders is that they can sometimes damage the waistband of your jeans.
13. **Wear solid-colored suspenders if you’re sporting a patterned shirt.** Avoid overwhelming your outfit with two contrasting patterns. Choose a bright color, like red, pink, green, or blue, or opt for something more muted if you’re worried about being too flashy.
Neutral shades like tan, black, brown, and navy are great staples to have in your wardrobe for everyday wear.
14. **Opt for patterned suspenders against a single-toned shirt.** This gives your outfit a great pop of color and a dash of style. It’s also a great way to show off some cool suspenders and to create a signature look.
This is similar to how you would pick which tie to wear with a dress shirt. You want the colors and tones to complement each other, but not to visually overwhelm.
15. **Go with suspenders that match your bow tie if you'll be wearing one.** Try to pick a color or design that complements but doesn’t exactly match the suspenders. Matching too closely can make your outfit look less stylish and nerdier (but if that’s the vibe you want, go for it!). For example, if you are wearing navy blue suspenders with white polka dots, try pairing them with a pink, yellow, or green bow-tie.
Use your best fashion judgment to mix and match colors and styles. As long as you like what you’re wearing, you should look good!
16. **Wear suspenders that match your shoes if they’re both made of leather.** If just one item (the shoes or the suspenders) are leather, you can style them how you’d like. But if they’re both leather, match the shades so that your outfit looks neat and fashionable.
The suspenders don't have to match your shoes exactly. If you have a chocolate brown suspender, just look for a shoe in the brown family so it's not too matchy.
Different shades of leather in an outfit can look shabby, so try to buy matching colors when you shop. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Suspenders-with-Jeans", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Falooda Kulfi | Falooda, originally an Iranian drink, is very famous in Pakistan. In other countries, it is only eaten as Kulfi. Kulfi, introduced by the Mughals, tops off this refreshing drink.
1. **Blend all the ingredients in your blender.**
2. **Pour the mixture into a large container.**
3. **Freeze it for 24 hours.**
4. **Soak the basil seeds in water for two hours.**
5. **Drain the water out of the basil seeds.**
6. **Boil the vermicelli, drain the water out of it, and let it cool for some time(it's best to refrigerate it by putting it in a container and snapping its lid in place so it won't get stiff by cooling).**
7. **Place three glasses on your countertop.** You'll need to divide your ingredients in thirds.
8. **Add the vermicelli.**
9. **Scoop some kulfi into the glasses.**
10. **Sprinkle the basil seeds in.**
11. **Pour the rose syrup.**
12. **Pour the milk as well.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Falooda-Kulfi", "language": "en"} |
How to Be Poetic | Poetry is vastly different from prose. Poets tend to see the world as a series of images, feelings, sounds, and experiences, which they try to convey in their writing and in their everyday lives. Whether you're interested in becoming a poet or simply have a desire to learn more about how poets see the world, adopting a more poetic lifestyle and reading or writing poetry can help you enter this moving and powerful genre.
1. **Try seeing the world as a poet.** Poetic individuals live in the same world as the rest of humanity, but they see that world a little differently. Poets not only see the world around them, but observe it. They analyze what they see, notice little details that other people might ignore or overlook, and search for new ways to express what they are observing.
Look for new and different perspectives. You create meaning out of your perspective and interpretation of the world, so try changing the way you look at your environment and see what you notice.
For example, if you are looking at a sunset, you may notice that it is pretty. Stop and consider why you think the sunset is pretty. Is it the way the colors in the sky blend together? The way the light reflects off the clouds? The way the sun casts long shadows away from the horizon?
Think about how others might experience the world differently from you. For example, how might the world seem different if you were taller or shorter? What if you had been raised in a different home or grew up speaking a different language?
2. **Immerse yourself in your environment.** There's a good chance that you never stop on your daily commute and take in your surroundings. In the hustle and bustle of life, it can be easy to forget that there are special moments and beautiful places all around us. By being fully present and engaging with your surroundings, you can begin to see meaning where you may have missed it before.
Poets find ways to make the ordinary extraordinary. When you see the beauty in everyday mundane things, you begin to tease out the hidden significance of everything around you.
Start out by being mindful of the things your body does every day without thought, like breathing or coordinating your movements.
Expand outward to think about how every individual interacts with their environment, and consider how amazing it is that you can be a part of that person's world (and vice versa).
Breathe deeply and force yourself to look more slowly and closely at your environment, even if you’re in a place or situation that’s familiar to you. Adopt an attitude of curiosity and ask yourself questions about what you see, feel, smell, hear, and taste.
3. **Learn to appreciate each moment.** It can be very easy to end up spending a lot of time waiting without realizing that you've lost that time. If you're at work and it's almost time to go home, you probably count down the minutes and seconds instead of finishing up your day's assignments. The same is true of how we wait for future events: the weekend, an exciting vacation, retirement, and so on. Try to stop living for the future and start appreciating the fact that you have a chance to live a meaningful life right here and now.
4. **See yourself as an artist.** This may be difficult if you're not used to being creative. However, everyone is an artist in some capacity. Even if you are just feeding and walking your dog, there is still a deliberate method to what you do. And ultimately your actions in caring for that dog contribute towards something larger than yourself and your own life.
No matter what you do, in work or in your personal life, there is a way to live your life creatively and artistically.
If you work as an accountant, for example, you can think of yourself as someone who brings balance and a sense of order to the world.
Consider what you love about your job. Think about the unique touches and skills that you bring to your work, and take pleasure in those. Also look for beauty and joy in the mundane aspects of your work, like the rhythm of your typing or the unique way you organize your space.
Let your creativity touch and inspire others around you. People will recognize that you see yourself as an artist, and they in turn may begin to see themselves as being a part of something poetic.
5. **Speak poetically.** Creative use of language is a vital part of poetry. Paying attention to how you use language can get you thinking creatively and put you in a poetic mindset. Think carefully about the way you use language every day, and have fun with it. This could mean experimenting with new phrases, switching up your usual word order, or playing with different sounds.
For example, you might make a game of finding rhymes or alliterations (a series of words starting with the same letter or sound) in your speech.
Try changing the order of words in a sentence and think about how it affects the mood or meaning of the sentence. For example, how does “I am so tired” feel different from “So tired am I”? Can you change the meaning by switching it around even more (e.g., “So, I am tired,” or “Am I so tired?”)?
6. **Expand your vocabulary.** Another way to become more poetic in your interactions with others is by expanding your vocabulary. By incorporating new words into your daily interactions, you can develop a more poetic range of speech.
You can learn new words by consulting a thesaurus. Any time you're tempted to use an old, familiar word, look it up in the thesaurus to find a suitable synonym.
Subscribe to an email list that sends out new vocabulary words. Garner's Usage Tip of the Day, Vocab Vitamins, Wordsmith, and websites like The New York Times and the Oxford English Dictionary all have word of the day subscriptions.
7. **Find poems and poets you enjoy.** Poetry dates back thousands of years, with every region of the world having its own distinct poets and styles of poetry. If you're new to reading poetry, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. Novice poetry readers may find it easiest to start with poetry that uses contemporary language, though every reader's tastes and preferences are different.
Try an online poetry database like the Poetry Foundation. You can search through thousands and thousands of poems by subject, poet, occasion, school/period, and geographical region.
Explore different poets and different styles of poetry until you find someone or something that is highly engrossing. Discovering poetry that you're very fond of will make it easier for you to fully engage with the text.
8. **Learn how to read poetry.** Reading poetry is very different from reading prose. If you're new to the genre, it may seem confusing and even intimidating. Learning how to properly read a piece of poetry will help you better understand the poet's stylistic choices and may allow you to walk away with a deeper understanding of the poem's meaning.
Set aside any assumptions you may have about a particular poet, their work, or poetry in general. Every poem is different, so you'll want to approach each piece of writing as a unique experience.
Remember that poetry is not written like prose. Poets may play with spacing, word choice, and organization on the page to create distinctly original pieces of writing.
Line breaks help the reader find the poet's intended breath for each line. However, some lines in free-verse and experimental poetry are irregular and don't follow any metrical order.
Recognize that poetry is essentially about capturing a moment. A poem may not have a logical beginning, middle, and end, but it should cause you to have some type of emotional reaction and sense something deeper beyond the words on the page.
9. **Read poetry out loud** Once you're comfortable reading poetry to yourself, you may want to take the next step and learn how to read poetry out loud. Hearing a poem can be a drastically different experience than reading it on a page. Many poems were meant to be heard out loud, either because of the pleasing sound combinations those poems produce or because the poem is an oral tradition passed on to others (especially in ancient poetry). If you're serious about becoming more poetic, you may want to try experiencing the sounds of spoken verse out loud.
Read slowly. Don't rush through each line; take the time to savor the interplay of language and imagery.
Pause when you encounter punctuation, rather than pausing at the end of every single line break. This will make the poem less choppy and clearer to listeners, should you decide to read a poem in front of an audience.
Don't try to use a "dramatic" voice; just read the lines in your normal speaking voice and tone.
If you encounter a word you don't know or aren't sure how to pronounce, look it up in the dictionary. You owe it to the poet to understand their word choice and arrangement, so keep a dictionary on hand whenever you read.
10. **Go to a poetry reading.** Hearing practicing poets read their work out loud can be a great way to get inspired or just develop a better understanding of how poetry sounds and feels. You don't have to wait for a world-renowned poet to come through your town, either – many colleges, bookstores, coffee shops, and bars host poetry readings for both published poets and amateur writers.
You can find a listing of poetry readings in your community by searching online. Even small towns should hold some type of reading series, especially if you live near a college or university.
Start out going to readings just to hear other poets and experience the sounds of poetry. As you get more comfortable living poetically, though, you may even want to bring your own poem(s) to read in front of an audience.
11. **Consider taking a poetry class.** Poetry classes can help you learn about a range of different poets, types of poetry, and styles or techniques in poetry. You can take a poetry literature course, which focuses on reading and analyzing the poetry of others, or you can take a creative writing course/workshop, which can help you write your own poetry.
Check your local college or community college for academic classes in poetry.
You can also take poetry classes or workshops for free through community centers, poetry organizations, or certain nonprofit groups.
Search online for opportunities to study and write poetry in a class setting in your community.
12. **Choose a moment to capture.** Any moment, whether experienced or imagined, can become the source for a poem. You may want to capture a life-altering experience in your life, but some of the best poems have been written about otherwise mundane moments. A skilled poet can capture the essence of any moment and impart it with meaning and significance.
Explore every aspect of the moment you choose.
Consider what it felt like living that moment when it was fresh, as well as how it appears now that the moment has passed.
Don't overlook the everyday moments of your lives. A moment spent waiting in fear or apprehension, for example, could make for a powerful and moving poem.
13. **Find something new and interesting in that moment.** If you've chosen a relatively commonplace moment to write about, think about what could make that moment interesting or meaningful to a reader. That doesn't necessarily mean falsifying the moment; rather, it means looking for a different approach to a familiar sight, sound, smell, or concept.
Instead of just seeing what people are doing in a given moment, imagine the private lives of those people. Think about what they do or don't do, what motivates them, and what makes them happy or sad.
You can also apply this method to physical places. Look past a building's 4 walls and think about what might have transpired within a given place and what it might have meant in someone else's life.
14. **Have an opinion on the things you write about.** You may be afraid to personalize your poems for fear that a reader might disagree with you. However, a good poem should convey the poet's thoughts, opinions, and feelings on whatever is being written about.
Every poem has a theme. This is the central "topic" of the poem.
A strong poem will expand on the theme with the poet's opinions and beliefs regarding that topic. This makes it more powerful as well as more meaningful, and it separates your poem from every other poem on a given subject.
15. **Play with different word choices.** Some of the best poetry plays with words to produce unexpected phrasings and enjoyable sounds. This can take a lot of work, and it may involve some trial and error in replacing or entirely removing certain words to test the effects of those choices.
Say the words out loud to see how they sound, both individually and with one another.
Remove unnecessary words, including words like "and," "then," and "because." Many of these and other words can be removed without causing the poem to lose clarity.
Try swapping out familiar or overused words with something new. Let yourself be surprised and see how the poem turns out differently with those changes.
16. **Work on developing striking similes and metaphors.** A simile is a comparison using "like" or "as." A metaphor uses 1 word, phrase, or concept to stand in for another word, phrase, or concept to show an otherwise abstract relationship. For example, a metaphor for beautiful eyes might be written, "Her eyes are deep pools of mystery and misunderstanding." A simile for beautiful eyes might be, "Her eyes are like deep pools that contain uncharted beauty."
Poetry often relies heavily on similes and metaphors for their imagistic effect and their ability to relate 2 seemingly disparate things in a short span of space.
Think about what a word really means, and find words that express similar things. For example, drowning can literally mean being incapable of swimming, but it can also describe a sense of feeling overwhelmed or overpowered.
Think about the symbolism of any words you choose. Even if you don't intend a word to carry a given symbolic meaning, some readers may interpret your work that way.
17. **Choose concrete words over abstract words.** Abstract words are concepts, feelings, or ideas that are intangible. While most people recognize what abstract words like "happiness" or "sadness" mean, it's much more difficult to create an image of those emotions with written words. Instead, poets rely on concrete words, which can be described using the 5 senses.
Instead of saying that a person is happy, use concrete words to describe that person's smile or the look in their eyes.
You can also use a metaphor or simile with concrete words for added effect. For example, you might convey that a person was happy by saying, "A smile cracked her stern face like ripples across a still pond." | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Poetic", "language": "en"} |
How to Fight Procrastination | Everyone struggles with procrastination on occasion. It can be hard to begin major projects or assignments that you don't enjoy. However, there are specific techniques that you can try to fight procrastination and become more focused and productive on work, school, or home projects.
1. **Force yourself to begin the task.** This might seem overly simplistic, but even sitting down at your desk to start a project or buying the materials needed for a home repair, for example, can help change your mindset and fight procrastination. The old saying that getting started is half the battle is true, especially if you struggle with procrastination.
To help yourself get started, try to make your task as enjoyable as possible. For example, if you need to sit down to file your taxes, turn on some music that you like or envision how happy you’ll be once the task is complete and you don’t have to worry about it anymore. (Especially if you get a refund!)
2. **Eliminate your known distractions.** Are you addicted to Tumblr or Pinterest? Is Netflix calling your name and taking you away from work that you need to be doing? If possible, disconnect from the internet while you work. Working with spreadsheets or other Office applications usually allows for this. If you need the internet for your project, try telling yourself that you can spend as much time watching your favorite shows as you like once the project is finished.
If noise is a major distraction for you, then you might want to try foam earplugs or noise canceling headphones. You can find foam earplugs in any drugstore or convenience store.
3. **Set concrete goals for yourself.** Sometimes procrastination is the result of feeling overwhelmed with too many projects or having tasks with non-specific requirements or due dates. Self-starting can be hard. It’s important to set specific, doable goals for yourself.
For example, if you know that you have a major research paper due at the end of the semester, then it can be hard to start on it for a variety of reasons: a distant due date, no specific topic for the paper, or simply that there are more enjoyable ways to spend your time. However, if you set concrete goals like choosing a topic early on or writing a page or two a week, then the large, intimidating project that you might normally procrastinate on won’t simply exist in the abstract a few months down the road. It will exist “now” and you will be less likely to procrastinate and be pulling all-nighters at the end of the semester.
4. **Minimize interruptions as much as possible.** When you finally do sit down to complete a task you’ve been procrastinating on, it can be frustrating to get interrupted repeatedly. Whether it’s an inconsiderate roommate or colleague or electronic interruptions, minimizing these will help you actually be able to get to work and not procrastinate.
Set your email client to not automatically alert you when emails arrive, and silence your phone completely. Be sure the phone is set to mute, not vibrate, as you can still hear/feel the vibrate setting and it will still distract you.
Politely let your chatty roommate or colleague know that you are up against a deadline and have to get some work done. If you feel rude saying this, you can try softening the blow by mentioning that you can chat with then over lunch or dinner later on if they’re free, but right now you have to get your work done.
5. **Prioritize your work.** Often, we procrastinate because we simply feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin. To help fight procrastination, it is important to prioritize your work in order of importance and/or by deadline.
Using a planner is helpful for this. Get one large enough to have both a weekly and monthly view so you can look ahead to future projects and visualize the deadlines for current projects.
If you prefer, you can use the planner on your phone, tablet, or computer. If you choose to use an electronic planner, be sure to set audible alerts because these planners and calendars tend to have a smaller screen view that might not be able to show all tasks on a single screen. Play around with planner/calendar apps to find the one that works best for you and has the best interface.
6. **Change your work environment.** Sometimes our work environment is the reason we tend to procrastinate. If you find yourself working in the middle of a huge mess or with noisy neighbors that drive you crazy, you need to change your environment to be productive and stop procrastinating.
Try devoting 10 minutes to do a quick “tidy” of your immediate work space. Organize papers, put away clutter, and throw out any trash. This will give you some breathing room and a small sense of accomplishment which will help you begin your work.
If environmental factors beyond your control are the problem, then you might need to relocate your work space for the day. Good choices might be your local library or a cafe.
7. **Break tasks down into manageable sizes.** Feeling overwhelmed by huge projects can cause us to simply delay starting them. Breaking down projects into smaller goals can help you stop procrastinating and get started on your work.
For example, if you need to repaint your bedroom, all the sanding, taping, trim work, priming and painting can be very overwhelming. However, if you make a goal to sand and clean the walls one day, tape everything off and prime the walls the next day, and finally paint on the third day, your major project will become more manageable, and you’ll be more likely to get started on it.
8. **Try using productivity apps.** There are apps and browser extensions that will block your social media or any other sites that you deem “time wasters.” Check out one of these to maximize your productivity and cut down on distractions that help you procrastinate.
Some good examples of apps and browser extensions designed to help you stay on track are StayFocusd for Google Chrome or Timeful and Pocket for Apple and Android products.
9. **Take mental health breaks.** Although this may seem counterproductive, breaks can help you reset and refocus. Get a snack or a cup of coffee and reflect on what you still need to do. Avoid beating yourself up for not having done more up to this point, and use your break as a refresher. Stand up, stretch, and use positive thinking to tell yourself that even though you haven't accomplished as much as you wanted up to this point, you will once you go back to work. Sometimes a short break and a personal pep talk can help you refocus and stave off procrastination.
10. **Reward yourself for completing tasks.** Even if your project is something you really dislike, you can help yourself get to work on it if you promise yourself something enjoyable upon its completion. You might tell yourself that you can binge watch your favorite show on Netflix or go out for a drink or some ice cream once you’ve completed your goal or task. Having something to look forward to can help jumpstart you and help you fight procrastination.
11. **Have an accountability partner.** If you have a friend or colleague who struggles with procrastination, too, then you might benefit from using each other as accountability partners. You can set up a friendly competition to see who can get further on their work, or you can simply use each other as support. Being accountable to someone will help you stop procrastinating.
For example, if you catch your accountability partner checking Facebook during your designated work time, then you can gently remind them that they need to be working, and they can do the same for you. Be sure to be polite when you catch the other not working.
12. **Set a timer to keep you on track.** Try setting a timer for 10 minutes and telling yourself that for that time, you have to work as hard as you can on a project. Regardless of how large the project is, you must work on it nonstop and give it your best for 10 minutes.
This is an effective jumpstart strategy that fights procrastination because the short time allotment is manageable and you can immediately see the results of your burst of hard work.
13. **Step outside for some light exercise.** It can be depressing to be indoors all day worrying about all the work you need to do. Even though it might seem counterproductive, step outside and take a short 5 to 10 minute walk in the fresh air. This can help you refocus and combat procrastination. Once you come back inside, however, ensure that you go back to work.
14. **Don’t be hard on yourself if you procrastinate.** Be kind to yourself when you’re struggling with procrastination. Think about how you would treat someone else who was struggling with getting their work done. You would probably be kind and try to gently talk with them about how to go about completing their tasks. Do the same for yourself. Don’t beat yourself up about procrastinating. Simply accept that you’ve put off your work up to this point and make a fresh start.
15. **Don’t drag out work till it’s perfect.** Our obsession with perfection can cause us to procrastinate in a roundabout way. Sometimes we’ll sit down and work hard on a project only to keep revising or fixing it until it’s past its deadline. Embrace that you only need to do your best and then submit your work. Don’t procrastinate submitting your work because you think it might not be perfect. It probably isn’t perfect, but it can be great and ready to turn in without being perfect.
16. **Be introspective.** Try to identify the importance of the task at hand and determine what the consequences will be if you don’t complete it. Will you receive a negative review at work for failing to complete a report or a bad grade for not writing your research paper? Objectively consider what will realistically happen if you keep procrastinating. Sometimes this bit of reflection can help you get going on a project.
It’s important to remember when doing this to be objective about the possible outcomes. If the outcome isn’t especially negative, then this project or task might be one that you can delay in favor of more pressing work.
17. **Consider that there might be a medical reason for your procrastination.** Finally, if your procrastinating is particularly bad and accompanied by other symptoms like sadness or hyperactivity, you might benefit from talking to your doctor. ADHD, depression, and thyroid disorders are just a few of the many medical issues that can affect your ability to concentrate, focus, and be productive. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-Procrastination", "language": "en"} |
How to Grind Flax Seed | Flaxseed is a nutritious seed rich in omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber. To properly absorbs the nutrients from flaxseed, it must be ground up before consuming. You can either grind flaxseed by hand or using an electronic machine, which is easier. No matter which option you choose, you'll have freshly-ground flaxseed within minutes!
1. **Grind your flaxseed with a flax mill for the easiest, quickest option.** A flax mill is a specific appliance similar to a coffee grinder used to grind flaxseed. Take off the lid and pour your seeds into the top with the wide opening. Hold the flax mill over a bowl or plate. Then, simply twist the top clockwise to grind the seeds. You can grind 1 tablespoon (14.8 g) in less than 30 seconds.
In addition, you can use a mill to easily top a smoothie or salad with ground flaxseed.
If you do not use flaxseed regularly, it may not be cost-effective to invest in this device.
2. **Use a spice grinder or pepper mill for an inexpensive option.** Remove the top of the spice grinder and pour in about 1-2 tablespoons (14.8-30 g) of flaxseed. Replace the lid and crank the handle for 1-5 minutes until the flaxseed is ground to the desired size.
The ground flaxseed falls neatly out of the bottom, so hold the grinder over your meal or a storage container.
This method can be time-consuming, If your hand or wrist gets tired, take a break for 30-60 seconds.
3. **Try using a mortar and pestle to finely grind your flaxseed.** With this method, you can grind 1 tablespoon (14.8 g) to 1 cup (236.6 g) at a time. Pour the flaxseed into the mortar, which is the bowl-shaped object. Then, swirl the pestle (the hand-held grinding tool) around the mortar to mash up the seeds. Press down on the pestle repeatedly to grind them. Do this consistently for 3-5 minutes until you reach the desired consistency.
Mortar and pestles are commonly made out of marble and stone. The weight of the stone works great to grind seeds.
4. **Try a coffee grinder for a quick and effective method.** Measure 1 cup (236.6 g) or less of seeds at a time, and pour the seeds into the grinder. Use the finest grinding setting to grind your flaxseed for 10-15 seconds. This is an easy way to add nutrients to your meals.
When you are finished, clean your coffee grinder.
Do not fill your coffee grinder past the maximum fill line. If you do, you can damage the grinder when you use it.
5. **Use a food processor if you don’t need your seeds finely ground up.** A food processor can easily grind 1-3 cups (236.6-709.8 g) of flaxseed at a time. Pour your seeds into the food processor, pick the finest grinding setting, and grind your seeds for 5-15 minutes until they are the desired size. As you grind, periodically take off the lid and stir up your flaxseed with a spoon to make them easier to grind it up.
While this works well, it takes significantly longer to grind your flaxseed than other methods.
6. **Choose a blender to grind your flaxseed for an easy household solution.** Pour about 1 cup (236.6 g) of flaxseed into your blender. You can either use a measuring cup or eyeball this amount. Secure the lid on top, and select the finest grinding setting on your blender. Grind the flaxseed for 3-10 minutes until it is ground to your liking.
After your flaxseed is ground up, you can pour it into a bowl or jar so it is easy to use.
7. **Store whole flaxseed** For the cheapest option, purchase whole flaxseed in the bulk section of health and specialty grocery stores. You can keep it at room temperature for up to 1 year, and grind small amounts as you need them.
For maximum freshness, replace your flaxseed every 2-3 months.
8. **Transfer your ground flaxseed to an airtight container.** After you grind up your flaxseed, put it into a glass Mason jar or a plastic Tupperware container. Secure the lid to ensure air doesn't spoil the seeds.
9. **Keep ground flaxseed in the fridge for up to 7 days.** Ground flaxseed is best used immediately to maximize nutrient absorption. However, you can store ground flaxseed in the fridge for several days.
If your ground flaxseed tastes bitter, it is bad and you should throw it away. It typically tastes earthy and nutty. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Grind-Flax-Seed", "language": "en"} |
How to Get Quarters | Whether you need quarters for laundry or to stock your restaurant's register drawer, finding a convenient way to make change is key. The easiest way to get multiple $10 rolls of quarters is at a bank. Some banks just make change for account holders, but creating a new account is only worth it if you can avoid monthly fees. In addition, you can usually exchange up to a roll of quarters at major chain grocery and big box stores' service desks. If you just need to exchange a few dollars, you could try making change at a corner store or gas station.
1. **Ask your bank teller to exchange a $10 bill for a quarter roll.** If you hold an account with a local bank, pay them a visit. If you haven't already, take out some cash to exchange for quarters. When you get to the teller, ask them to change your paper money for quarters. A quarter roll is $10, so you can make exchanges in multiples of 10.
If you have an account with that bank, you could also fill out a withdrawal slip and take out money. When the teller asks you how you'd like your money, ask them for quarter rolls.
2. **Call ahead and ask if you need an account to make change.** Some banks only make change for account holders. If you don't have an account with the nearest bank, call ahead and ask about their change policy to avoid wasting a trip.
If you do go to a bank that only makes change for account holders, they might be nice and make a one-time exception for you. However, you probably won't have luck with them in the future.
3. **Sign up for an account only if you can avoid monthly fees.** If you don't have a bank account or your bank doesn't have locations near your current area, it might be worth creating an account with a nearby bank. Ask if they offer accounts without monthly fees or waive fees if you meet certain criteria, such as a minimum number of debits and credits.
For example, they might offer a checking account with no maintenance fees if you make at least 10 transactions per month. Between exchanging quarters and making small transfers and purchases, you should be able to meet that number.
Compare the interests rates of a potential new account and your current account. While it might be convenient to keep some money in a new account, it's not worth switching altogether if your old account accrues more interest.
4. **Exchange money with the service desk at a major grocery store.** Most major chain grocery and department stores will exchange up to a $10 roll of quarters. Go to the customer service desk instead of a checkout line.
A checkout cashier only has a limited amount of change in their register, so you'll have more luck getting a full roll at the service desk.
Unless you go to multiple grocery stores, a bank is your best bet if you need more than $10 in quarters.
5. **See if there's a nearby change machine.** Check for nearby libraries, game arcades, and public transit stations, which often have change machines. If you're doing laundry, commercial laundromats usually have change machines, but they can be unreliable. Most college dorm laundromats, on the other hand, don't have change machines.
You could try to insert a dollar into a vending machine, then press the change button. However, it's a gamble, since you might get a dollar coin instead of quarters.
6. **Make a small purchase at a gas station or convenience store.** You probably won't have any luck getting lots of quarters at a corner store, but it could be a quick way to get a couple dollars' worth. Buy a candy bar, and when the cashier makes your change, ask if they can give you 4 quarters for a dollar while they're at it.
If you're paying with a debit card, you could see if the store offers cash back. Select $5 or $10 cash back, and ask the cashier to give you as many quarters as their register can spare.
7. **Ask cashiers for change in quarters whenever possible.** When you make cash purchases, try to notice when a cashier hands you dimes and nickels instead of quarters. Ask if they can give you quarters instead.
You can also try to exchange a few dollars or spare change for quarters whenever you check out at stores.
8. **Put your change into jars every day.** Try keeping one jar for quarters and another for other coins. Check your car, pockets, furniture cushions, and other nooks and crannies for change routinely.
9. **Plan ahead and buy more rolls than you'll need.** Whether you need quarters for laundry or for your small business, estimate how many quarters you'll need. When you go to a bank or a major chain store's service desk, try to purchase enough quarters to hold you over for a while.
For instance, if you need quarters for laundry, you might need $20 or $30 to wash and dry your clothes for a month. If possible, exchange that amount once per month instead of scrambling for change come laundry day.
If you need to stock your small business's register, go to the bank once a week to deposit cash on hand and make change. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Quarters", "language": "en"} |
How to Romance a Man |
Whether you've been married for thirty years or dating for three months, it's always important to romance the man you're with. To romance a man, you have to make him feel special, make some meaningful gestures to show him you care, and always remember to keep your relationship feeling fresh and interesting. If you want to know how to romance a man, see Step 1 to get started.
1. **Give him a massage.** Every man loves a massage, even if he doesn't ask for one. Many men are too shy to tell you what they really want, and if you and your man are alone and you can tell that he feels a little tense or know that he's been hunched over his desk or a computer all day, then give him a little shoulder, back, and neck massage to relieve some of that tension. He'll feel great and will see that you really care about him. This can also inspire him to give you a massage, so everybody wins!
2. **Get him tickets to a game.** If your man is a die hard 49ers, Jets, Nets, Devils, or whatever fan, surprise him with tickets to the next game that he's been really wanting to go to. If you like sports or think he'd like the company, go with him, or even say that the tickets are just for him and his best friend, to show that you're okay with him having some guy time. He'll really appreciate the gesture and will feel like you care about him. You don't have to be a sports fanatic to be interested in the things he cares about.
3. **Cook his favorite meal.** Don't force him to sit through two hours of home cooking when he'd rather be having a burger and fries, but do pick the right time to luxuriate over a delicious, tasty meal prepared by you and you only. You can surprise him and say that you're just making ordinary pasta and a salad when you're really preparing his favorite meal, whether it's lasagna, steak, or whatever floats his boat. Bring some fine wine or ales into the picture and your man will be floored.
4. **Give him a small gift.** There's no need to give big, fancy and elaborate gifts to your man just to show him how much you care about him. Instead, it really is the thought that counts, and giving him a small token of your love when he least expects it can be far more powerful than the gift of a new record player. Instead, get him that record he's been trying to find forever, find him a rare t-shirt with his favorite band's logo on it, or get him a new nice ballpoint pen when his old one runs out of ink. He'll be romanced and touched by the gesture.
5. **Leave him notes.** Nothing can make a man swoon faster than a sweet note left at the right place at the right time. Whether you're getting up and leaving the house before he does, or just leaving him a note at his place, take a minute to write him something sweet that shows that you're thinking of him and leave it in a place where he's likely to find it soon, whether it's on his computer, his mirror, or on his car window. He'll be touched by the gesture, and by the fact that you're thinking of him when you're apart. This will definitely show you care more than a text message!
6. **Do him a favor.** When your man is busy and stressed out, take the time to notice how you can help him get through his day more easily. Whether you're washing the pile of dishes in his sink, picking up lunch, or dropping off his dry-cleaning for him, you can surprise him with the gesture, and romance him by showing you care. Sure, cleaning a pile of dirty dishes may not sound romantic, but the fact that you put some thought into helping him out will sweep him off his feet! Plus, this will give him the idea to do favors for you when you need some help in return.
7. **Show up with his favorite treat.** Sometimes, nothing will make your man feel more romanced than if you show up at his place holding his favorite treat, whether it's the delicious deep-dish pizza form the other side of town, scones from his favorite bakery, or the delicious milkshake that he loves more than any other dessert on the planet. This will show that you're put thought into what he likes and that you've made an effort to make him happy. Bonus points if he's been holed up at home, working or studying, without having time to step out to get anything too eat.
8. **Give his feet a rubdown when you're watching TV.** Sure, watching The New Girl or Survivor together may not feel like the most romantic time of your relationship. So why not spice it up by giving your man a nice foot massage instead of just sitting on the couch together? Put his feet on your lap and give them a nice, thorough massage, and he'll be blown away.
9. **Leave him a message in the mirror.** When your man is taking a shower, quietly sneak in and write "I love you" or another sweet message in the mirror. When he gets out, he'll see your special words written over the steamy glass and will feel truly touched. This works best if the bathroom is a bit larger and you don't freak him out if he catches you in there.
10. **Get him tickets to see his favorite band.** Check out the concert schedule for his favorite band and surprise him with tickets before he even knows they're coming to town. He'll appreciate the gesture and the effort you made to make him happy, and will definitely be romanced, even if his favorite band is decidedly something unromantic. Sometimes, getting him a gift that can lead to an amazing experience is better than a gift that can lead to instant gratification.
11. **Develop some shared interests.** If you want to really romance a man, then you two can't just live completely separate lives. You have to make an effort to be interested in some of the same things, whether you watch the same show together or love cooking together on Wednesday nights. Finding a few things that you can both care about, and which makes both of you think about your relationship and your relationship only, can definitely make a man feel romanced. You should find something that would genuinely interest both of you instead of forcing him to take a dance class or to do something else just to please you.
12. **Touch him often.** If you want to show your man that you really care, then you have to make an effort to touch him when you're together. This doesn't mean it has to be anything inappropriate or sexual. Just touch him on his arm, the small of his back, or on his knee when you're sitting together, or give his hand a little squeeze from time to time. You don't have to go into major PDA mode (not a favorite for many guys) to show him that you care about him and that you love being around him.
13. **Give him a night with the boys.** There are plenty of ways to romance a man when you're not even around. Once way to show him that you really do love and care about him is to be okay with him having a night out with his boys. Don't get jealous, text him every two seconds, or ask if any women are going to be there; just show him that you trust him to behave responsibly while hanging out with his buddies. He'll see that you really do love him and want him to be happy, and will be even more excited to hang out with you the next day.
14. **Compliment him.** Men like to feel special just as much as women do. Let him know that you think he's sexy, smart, or the most amazing man you've ever met. Whatever you're feeling, don't make him play mind reader and let him know from time to time, so he really does feel special in your presence. He'll feel like you really do care about him and like you've taken the time to think about what makes him so amazing. If you're having sex, don't be afraid to compliment him in bed, too; men love to hear it!
15. **Check in with him.** When you're apart for a little while, don't just go MIA and make him think that you don't care about him. Without being overbearing, just give him a quick call, text, or email to ask how his day is going and to show him that you're thinking of him. This doesn't mean you should call him when he's in the middle of a crazy day at work or a stressful family situation, but that you shouldn't make him feel like you've forgotten him completely just because you're not together.
16. **Ask about his outside interests.** Maybe your man is completely obsessed with the Lakers or Game of Thrones. It's okay if you just can't get on the bandwagon, but it doesn't mean you have to ignore his obsessions. You don't have to watch the Lakers game with him, but you can shoot him a text to see how the game went later, just to show that you're thinking of him and know it's important to him. If you see him after his TV show, ask if it was a good episode. These small questions can go a long way in making him feel like you care about him -- and the things he cares about.
17. **Make eye contact.** It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the things you have to get done instead of focusing on the man you care about. However, if you want to really romance him, you have to make time just to look in his eyes, whether it's in the middle of a conversation or when you're just hanging out together. If you live together, especially, it can become habit to shout at each other from different rooms instead of really making the effort to look into each other's eyes while you're having a meaningful conversation.
18. **Listen to him.** If you want to show that you care, then sometimes the best way you can show it is through your silence, not your words. When your man is trying to tell you something, take the time to really listen and process what he has to say instead of trying to find a solution right away or comparing what he's saying to your own experiences. Even if you feel like you've found the perfect solution for his problem, don't interrupt him and let him finish. This will show him that you really care.
19. **Turn off your phone.** When you're out on a date or just hanging out watching TV or going for a walk, shut your phone off so you can give your man all of your attention. Nothing is more annoying than a girl who is constantly texting her friends while you're supposed to be hanging out, or who browses the web to fact-check every little thing you talk about. The next time you're together, shut that phone off for a few hours. You'll see that the world won't stop just because you can't check your Facebook or Instagram every second of your date.
20. **Go on a road trip.** Nothing beats a spontaneous weekend road trip after a long, hard week. Plan something simple and fun, like a trip to the beach or to a wooded area a few hours south. Or maybe there's a restaurant you've both been meaning to try, though it's four hours north. Just pack up your car, make a plan, and go for it. Or don't make a plan -- just get in the car and go wherever the wind takes you. You'll see that your man really appreciates the effort you've made and will breathe some more life and fun into your relationship.
21. **Do something completely different.** Plan something totally new for the two of you to do together, whether you're taking a sushi making class, learning Japanese together, or doing partner yoga for the first time. It doesn't have to lead to any major self-discovery or achievement, and you never have to do it again; just making the effort to try new things from time to time can go a long way in helping your relationship stay fresh and in continuing to keep up the romance.
22. **Get dressed up.** You shouldn't put on a ball gown if you're just sitting around the house all day, but if you're going on a date or just hanging out outside the home, make an effort to look nice and maintain your appearance so that your man sees that you've made an effort. You should both dress up to keep the romance alive and to maintain the passion and attraction of your relationship. And if you're not going anywhere fancy, to try to still maintain your appearance to show that you do care and so you both don't get complacent.
23. **Convince him to dance.** Yeah, so most guys don't love the idea of taking ballroom dancing lessons with their ladies, but if you're out at a bar or a club and the music is pumping, drag him onto the dance floor for a song or two. Just moving your bodies together and enjoying the beats you hear will help you let loose and have a great time together. This will definitely kick up the passion and romance factor.
24. **Surprise him.** To keep things interesting and to make sure your man always feels romanced, you should surprise him from time to time. A little unpredictability never hurt anyone, and if you plan a surprise picnic, surprise trip, or just a surprise activity you would never dream of doing before, your man will feel like he has been truly swept off his feet. Make an effort to do something spontaneous, completely unexpected, and incredibly exciting at least every few weeks just to keep stoking the embers of your romance. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Romance-a-Man", "language": "en"} |
How to Buy and Sell Gold Coins for Profit | Acquiring gold coins to buy and sell can be a fun hobby and a way to make some extra cash. Gold is almost always a good investment, as long as you invest wisely. As the value of currency weakens, the price of gold tends to go up. Research the current price of gold before buying and selling any gold coins.
1. **Learn about coin weight.** It is good to have at least some knowledge about gold coins when buying and selling. The standard weight for a gold coin is one Troy ounce (31.1 grams, a little heavier than the standard ounce). There are coins that weigh less than one Troy ounce (1ozt), but they trade less frequently, and you will pay a bigger percentage premium to buy them from dealers. That will cut into your potential profits.
2. **Pay attention to the difference between ounce and Troy ounce.** The Troy ounce is used because a standard measurement system is needed since gold is an important, universal material. The difference between the two measurements matters more as you buy more gold. For example, a 100 Troy ounce bar of gold is not the same as 100 ounces of sugar. You would be losing 8.85 Troy ounces of gold. Calculate carefully.
3. **Look into bullion coins.** Gold coins can be segregated into various types. The two main types are bullion and numismatic. Bullion coins are more commonly acquired by gold investors because the prices are transparent. The price of gold depends on the market price of physical investment grade gold.
The most common bullion coins are American Gold Eagles and Canadian Maple Leafs.
Bullion gold coins of today usually have 90% or higher level of gold content and are 22k to 24k.
4. **Learn about numismatic coins.** Numismatic coins are most often purchased by gold collectors. The price of this gold coin is more dependent on outside factors, like rarity of coin, than market price. Rare collectible numismatic coins can sell at a very high premium--more than the gold value alone. Most of the buyers and sellers of numismatic gold coins have decades of experience. It is not recommended for beginners.
A few examples of numismatic coins are British Sovereigns, 20 Swiss Francs, and $10 Eagle coins.
Bullion coins are made year-to-year. Numismatic coins are not produced in modern times.
5. **Do not rely on gold as insurance during a crisis.** Gold is sometimes traded in hard times for things like cigarettes and shoes, but it won’t get you by in a time of crisis. This is because gold loses its value in times of crisis. Gold is not stable, and it is actually a commodity because it is a metal. Gold is, however, a good investment if you follow the market, carefully choose the type of coins you buy, and don’t solely rely on it for financial insurance.
As the value of money falls, the value of nominal gold rises and vice-versa.
You should also consider investing in silver if you are looking for something to fall back on during hard times.
6. **Avoid overpaying.** You should check the price of gold the day you plan to buy. Don’t pay more than a 5% to 8% markup on the price, based on what the price is that day. A small markup is normal because the extra cost typically covers the price of minting and shipping, the dealer, and the authorized purchaser.
You can check the current price of gold on websites like www.goldprice.org
7. **Notice the fees.** Look into extraneous fees and the validity of the company you are buying from before making a purchase. You should look into fees like shipping costs, hidden commission, insurance fees, or extra charges due to payment type. Use your judgment and compare with other vendors to make sure you’re not being overcharged.
8. **Look up the business.** It is important to buy from a legitimate vendor when purchasing gold. Research the business you plan to buy from on websites like Better Business Bureau and RipOffReport.com The vendor should have many positive peer reviews, and a generally good rating.
Before buying, you should also check to see if the vendor will buy back the gold coins, and if they will give you a fair price in years to come.
9. **Shop around.** There are many ways you can buy gold coins. You can buy from the government, online, or from a local retailer. Your best bet is to compare prices on whichever coin you're thinking of buying.
10. **Buy from the government.** Their coins usually come with a reliable guarantee of gold content, weight, and purity. The variety of coins may be limited, but you can feel safe buying from the government. Buying from the government, however, may not be the best option if you are looking for old and/or rare coins.
The US government sells gold coins online at usmint.gov
11. **Buy from an online site.** There are numerous websites to buy coins from online, like ebay.com and goldsilver.com. Because there are so many sites out there, be sure to check every website out before considering a purchase. Most retail sites offer multiple methods of purchase, like PayPal, credit card, money orders, and checks.
Don’t jump on the lowest price. The vendor with the lowest price may not be the one that provides the best quality of purchase.
12. **Buy from an individual dealer.** You can buy locally from a jewelry shop or pawn shop. This is the riskiest route, however. Some dealers make shady guarantees in order to trick buyers into purchasing their coins. Try to obtain a price guarantee (a specific value guarantee that the dealer places on your coin). If buying within your state, check the United States Mint website for a list of reputable dealers by state.
Go to www.usmint.gov to check by state. The US Mint checks the dealers, but does not vouch for them.
13. **Buy coins from people.** If you want to buy coins below market value, like the dealers do, learn how to buy coins from the public. You can do this by looking through yard sales and buying online from websites like eBay. Make sure you do so legally though. Avoid soliciting others for their gold.
14. **Inspect the coins.** Make sure the coins are real soon after you make your purchase. One of the most important things you can do to minimize your losses is make sure the coins are made from real gold without damaging them. You can do this by testing things like the weight, sound, and acidity.
Gold is a dense metal. Even if the coin weighs what it should, check the diameter and thickness. Sometimes fake coins will make up for weight by a thicker diameter and thickness. Or, they will be underweight to make up for the size. Check the weight and thickness by using a jeweler’s scale and calipers.
Strike the gold coin with another coin. It should chime. Base metals will sound duller, and the sound will not last as long.
Buy an acid test to see if the gold coin is genuine. Do not overdo this because the test can cause permanent damage to the coin. You check the quality by rubbing the gold on a black stone, which will leave a mark. You then apply nitric acid to the coin. Any mark that is not gold should dissolve.
Have a third party certified coin dealer verify they are real.
15. **Plan where you will store the coins.** Any secure method of storage is going to cost you money. Consider a bank safe deposit box, a home safe, or a safekeeping program offered by some gold dealers. This mainly concerns investors, though. You will keep the coins on hand, in a lock box, or safe temporarily if you plan to resell them for a quick profit.
16. **Keep track of gold value.** It is just as important to know the price of gold when you’re selling as it is when you’re buying. Most newspapers report the price of gold daily, and you can get almost instantaneous updates online at several sites. Don’t sell the gold immediately unless the type of coin you have is doing very well. Check the site often and sell when the coin is doing well, or when you really need it.
Keep track of the price www.goldprice.org
Even if the coin is doing particularly well, it is wise to wait years before selling certain coins.
17. **Keep track of the value of your country's currency.** This is also widely reported. As mentioned, there tends to be an inverse relationship between that and the value of gold. It is best not to sell when the currency for your country is doing very well. Instead, wait for the currency to decline in value.
18. **Aim to sell your coins at the peak of demand.** This is where both research and intuition steps in. You want to sell your coins right before the value of gold starts going down, so that you walk away from the transaction with more money than you spent on the coins. Since timing the market does not always work, you should consider selling when the price of gold is at all time high, the demand is very high, the sentiment is generally bullish, and you are sitting at a sizeable profit.
No matter what the reports say and how the market is doing, the choice to sell is ultimately up to you.
19. **Take your gold coin to a jeweler or pawn shop.** It is an option to sell directly to a jeweler or pawn shop, but you should make a trip to either or both places no matter where you sell. Look for a reputable jeweler or pawn shop, take your gold coins to them, and ask to have an estimate to assess their value. Use that value as the base of what you charge, whether it is online, like on eBay, to an individual, or to a retailer.
Go to three or four shops for estimations.
20. **Do not sell to “rogue” buyers.** Rogue buyers are those who come to town, set up in places like a hotel ballroom, and disappear without paying. These buyers will make false promises to buy for high prices, but will actually pay for less than what the gold is worth. For example, a piece of gold appraised for $250 may only get an offer of $130 from a rogue buyer.
Stick to selling to retailers approved by the Better Business Bureau to assure that you are not being cheated. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-and-Sell-Gold-Coins-for-Profit", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Banana Nut Bread | Banana nut bread can be a perfect snack or a great addition to any meal. You can enjoy a slice of banana nut bread with your breakfast or you can eat it as a dessert after your meal. Not only is it easy to make banana nut bread, but banana nut bread can help you get your daily serving of fruits. If you want to know how to make a variety of banana nut bread recipes, just follow these steps.
1. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).**
2. **Mash 3-4 bananas.** Mash them together until the mixture is creamy.
3. **Mix 1/3 cup melted butter and mashed bananas in a mixing bowl.** Use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients together until you get a creamy, even consistency.
4. **Mix in 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 beaten egg, and 1/2 cups toasted walnuts.** Stir these ingredients together.
5. **Add 1.5 cups all-purpose flour to the mixture.** Mix the ingredients well.
6. **Butter a 4 x 8 inch loaf pan.** Coat the pan evenly in butter. This will ensure that the banana bread won't stick to the pan and will keep it from burning.
7. **Bake for 1 hour.** Once the oven is heated, place the pan with the banana nut bread mixture into it.
8. **Remove from heat.** Let it cool on a rack.
9. **Serve.** Remove the bread from the pan and slice it to serve it.
10. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).**
11. **Cream 1/2 cups margarine and 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese together.**
12. **Add 1 1/4 cups of white sugar to the mixture.** Continue to beat the mixture until it's light and fluffy.
13. **Add one egg.** Beat the mixture well until the egg is blended in.
14. **Add the other egg.** Continue to beat the mixture until both eggs are blended.
15. **Stir 1 cup mashed bananas and 1 tsp. vanilla extract into the mix.**
16. **Add 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, and 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder into the mix.** Mix the ingredients together until the batter is just a bit moist.
17. **Mix 3/4 cups of chopped pecans, 2 tbs. brown sugar, and 2 tsp. cinnamon to the batter.**
18. **Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch loaf pans.** Spread the grease over the pan using wax paper or a paper towel until it's completely covered. Then sprinkle the flour over the grease.
19. **Divide the mixture in two.**
20. **Pour 1/2 of the mixture into both pans.**
21. **Sprinkle the pecan mixture over the batter in both pans.**
22. **Top the mixture with the remaining batter.** This will make it so that the banana bread is filled with a reach, creamy center.
23. **Place the pans into the heated oven.** Bake the batter for 45 minutes. After 30 minutes, you can test the batter by inserting a toothpick into it. Once the toothpick comes out clean, without any batter sticking to it, you can take the banana bread out of the oven.
24. **Serve.** Wait for the bread to cool and then slice and serve.
25. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).**
26. **Mash 7 ripe medium bananas.** Mash them until they are creamy.
27. **Grease two 8 x 5 inch loaf pans with baking spray.** Baking spray is a healthier alternative than grease or butter.
28. **Combine 2-1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour, 1-1/2 tsp. baking soda, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a bowl.** Mix them together with a wire whisk. Once the ingredients have been blended, set this mixture aside.
29. **Cream 4 tablespoon (59.1 ml). softened butter and 1 cup light brown sugar together with an electric mixer.** Mix them until they are thoroughly combined.
30. **Add 4 large egg whites, 7 mashed bananas, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract into the mixture.** Beat the mixture at a medium speed until it's thick.
31. **Add 2-1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour and 3 oz. (3/4 cup) chopped walnuts to the mixture.** Continue to blend the mixture at a low speed until all of the ingredients are combined.
32. **Pour the batter into a loaf pan.**
33. **Place the pan in the oven.** Let the banana nut bread bake for at least 50 minutes. After 40 minutes, you can test the batter by inserting a toothpick into it. Once the toothpick comes out clean, without any batter sticking to it, you can take the banana bread out of the oven. Then remove the pans from the oven.
34. **Serve.** Wait for the pan to cool for at least 20 minutes. Then, slice the bread and enjoy it as a snack, as a dessert, or as a compliment to a delicious meal.
35. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).**
36. **Grease two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.**
37. **Mash 3-4 very ripe bananas.** Mash enough bananas to fill 2 cups.
38. **Drain 1 8 oz. can of pineapple** . The pineapple should be crushed.
39. **Mix 3 cups flour, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. baking soda, 2 cups white sugar, and 1 tsp. ground cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl.**
40. **Mix 3 beaten eggs into the mixture.** Add the eggs one at a time and stir until they're all evenly stirred into the mixture.
41. **Add 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 cup vegetable oil, 2 cups banana, 1 8 oz. can pineapple, 2 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 cup flaked coconut, and 1 cup diced maraschino cherries into the mixture.** Stir the mixture until all of the ingredients are nicely blended.
42. **Pour the batter into the two pans.**
43. **Bake for an hour.** After 45 minutes, you can test the batter by inserting a toothpick into it. Once the toothpick comes out clean, without any batter sticking to it, you can take the banana bread out of the oven.
44. **Serve.** Wait at least ten minutes for the bread to cool, and then slice and serve it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Banana-Nut-Bread", "language": "en"} |
How to Cut Bias Binding | Fabric that is cut on the bias is cut from one corner to the other of the fabric. Making diagonal folds allows you to create bias binding strips without having to measure and draw lines all the way across your fabric. The strips have angled ends that make it easier to connect them along the edges of your project. Bias binding strips can be used to cover the raw edges of a project while also adding a decorative touch.
1. **Iron your fabric.** Your fabric needs to be completely wrinkle-free. This will help to ensure that the bias binding strips look neat when you sew them onto the edges of your project. Iron your fabric to get rid of any wrinkles before you begin working with it.
Depending on the type of fabric, you may need to pre-wash and dry it before ironing it. For example, if your fabric is one that will likely shrink the first time you wash it, such as cotton, then pre-washing is recommended.
2. **Lay out your fabric with the print side facing down.** A cutting mat and rotary cutter make it much easier to get precisely sized binding strips. You can purchase a cutting mat and rotary cutter in a craft supplies store. Place your fabric onto the cutting mat after you have pressed it. Make sure that the print side of the fabric is facing down towards the mat.
If you do not have a cutting mat and rotary cutter and do not want to purchase these items, then you may also use scissors and a ruler to make your cuts. However, you will have to be much more careful when cutting the fabric since you will not have the benefit of a lined surface to cut on.
3. **Cut your fabric if needed.** Use your rotary cutter or a pair of fabric shear to cut your fabric piece to the desired dimensions for making your binding strips. The dimensions that you cut your fabric to will impact how much bias binding you can make. It is best to use a piece of fabric that is a square or nearly a square. You can also use what is known in quilting terms as a “fat quarter” to make your bias binding strips. This is a piece of fabric that measures 1.25 yards (1.14 m) by 1.25 yards (1.14 m).
4. **Fold the fabric so that the opposite corners meet.** Fold over one corner of your fabric towards the opposite lower opposite corner. Make sure to match up one edge of the fabric with its adjacent edge. The corners may not line up perfectly if your piece is slightly rectangular. It is most important for the edges of the fabric to be even on one side. Also, if your piece is slightly rectangular and not square, then you may have some excess fabric that does not match up with anything and that is okay.
Your piece will be in the shape of a triangle after you make this first fold. The print sides of the fabric will also be visible after you make this fold.
5. **Fold diagonally again to form a smaller triangle.** Next, fold one corner of the triangle to its opposite corner. This will form the fabric into the shape of a smaller triangle. You may still have a strip of excess fabric at the bottom of the triangle, and that is fine.
6. **Create one more fold to form a rectangle.** Fold the tip of the triangle towards the bottom of the triangle so that the fabric forms a rectangle. You will have a small triangular piece of fabric sticking out from the bottom of the rectangle after you make this fold.
Keep in mind that this extra fold is only necessary if you are working with a larger piece of fabric. If you just have a small piece, then you can skip it.
7. **Cut off the end of the rectangle.** Place your clear ruler across the shorter area of the rectangle so that it is about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from the edge. Then, run the rotary cutter along the edge of the ruler to cut this 0.5 in (1.3 cm) strip off of the rectangle.
8. **Measure and cut 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) sections across the rectangle.** After you remove the end piece, turn the piece of fabric around and begin cutting 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) sections all the way across the rectangle. You can make your strips smaller or larger if desired by increasing or decreasing the width of the strips.
Make sure to cut across the shortest portion of the rectangle. In other words, cut width-wise, not lengthwise.
9. **Stack the strips until you are ready to use them.** After you cut the strips, stack them up and tie them with the first 0.5 in (1.3 cm) piece of fabric that you cut. This will keep the bias binding strips together until you are ready to use them. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Bias-Binding", "language": "en"} |
How to Get a Federal Explosives License | Getting a federal explosives license requires that you complete multiple forms and provide the federal agency with a photograph and fingerprints. You can download the forms from the website for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Once you have completed the forms, you should pay the registration fee and send off your complete application.
1. **Download the application.** You need to complete an “Application for Explosives License or Permit,” which is available from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives website.
You can either print the form out and write in your information or you can enter the information into a PDF on your computer before printing it out.
If you print, then use all block letters.
2. **Complete multiple applications, if necessary.** One permit is required for an individual or business to acquire, use, or transport explosives. However, you need to submit a separate application and license fee for each premises on which you will manufacture, import, or distribute explosives.
3. **Provide personal information.** The form will ask for basic information about you and your business in Section A. If you need additional space for any item, then include a sheet of paper with your name and address at the top, and clearly identify the item the additional information refers to. Required personal information includes:
Name
Trade or business name
Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number
County where your business is located
Physical address of the premises
Mailing address (if different from physical address)
Business and residence telephone numbers
Fax and email address
Your business's legal form (partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.)
4. **State your method of payment.** You can pay by check, money order or cashier's check, or credit/debit card. If you are paying by credit or debit card, then include the following:
Card number, without dashes
Name as printed on the card
Expiration date
Billing address
Total amount of fees
Signature of cardholder
Date
5. **Complete the Responsible Persons List.** As part of the application, you need to identify all “responsible persons.” This term is defined in the application's instructions. Essentially, it includes anyone with the power to direct the management of the applicant, such as an owner, partner, or shareholder (if the shareholder has the power to direct management and policies). Provide the following information for each “responsible person”:
Full name
Alien number or admission number, if not a citizen
Position at the business
Social Security Number (voluntary)
Home address
Email address
Home and work telephone numbers
Date of birth
Place of birth
Country of citizenship
Sex
Ethnicity
Race
6. **Identify the particular license or permit that you want.** For example, if you intend to manufacture explosives, then you should check all of the different explosives you manufacture, such as dynamite, fireworks, black powder, etc.
You also should provide information about any local or state license you had to obtain in order to run your explosives operations or business.
7. **Provide criminal background information.** You will be asked a series of questions about your criminal background and the background of all people listed as Responsible Persons on your application. The following is a sample of what you will be asked:
Whether you are a fugitive from justice
Whether you are under indictment or information for a felony or any crime for which you could be imprisoned for more than a year
Whether you are presently appealing a conviction
Whether you have ever been convicted of a felony
Whether you have ever received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces
8. **Provide additional information about your business.** The application also requests information about where your business is located and when it operates. For example, the form asks for the following:
Your hours of operation (when you open and close)
The type of building your business is located in (commercial building, residence, etc.)
Whether you own or rent the premises
9. **Contact ATF with questions.** You can call ATF at (877) 283-3352. Alternately, you could review information online at www.atf.gov.
If you want to mail correspondence, then send it to ATF Federal Explosives Licensing Center, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405.
10. **Check that your storage facilities are adequate.** You need to read the storage requirements set forth in 27 CFR, Part 555, Subpart K – Storage. Your application will be denied if your storage facilities are deemed inadequate after an investigation.
You can find this federal regulation on the Internet.
11. **Complete the Explosives Storage Magazine Description Worksheet.** This form is part of the application. You must complete one worksheet for each magazine that you use as storage. Provide the following information:
Magazine ID number
Any state or local explosives magazine certificate number
Storage magazine address
Type of magazine (permanent, mobile, indoor or outdoor, etc.)
ATF type
Distance to nearest storage magazine, regardless of ownership
Anything that could be damaged if the magazine exploded, such as nearby roads, buildings, utilities, etc.
Materials used in the magazine
Security or safety features
Explosives that will be stored in each magazine, including quantity and weight
A plat plan which shows all buildings on the premises and all magazines identified, including the distances between the magazines and the distances between the magazines and public highways, inhabited buildings, and passenger railways
12. **Complete the Employee Possessor questionnaire.** This questionnaire must be filled out by each employee who has “actual” or “constructive” possession of explosive materials during employment with you. “Actual” possession means the person has immediate physical possession or control. Someone has “constructive” possession when they don't physically possess the explosives but otherwise exercise control—for example, someone who has the keys to the magazine. The form asks for the following information:
Name
Social Security Number
Place of birth
Date of birth
Ethnicity and race
Sex
Home and work telephone numbers
Home address
Name and address of employer
Job position
Countries of citizenship
Questions about criminal background
Employee signature given under penalty of perjury
13. **Complete a fingerprint identification card.** Each “responsible person” must submit a completed FD-258 Finger Identification Card. You will need to contact your local law enforcement agency to have fingerprints taken.
14. **Get a photograph for each “responsible person.”** You will need to submit a 2”x 2” photograph of each responsible person. The photograph must show a full frontal view of the person's features. The head must be bare. Make sure that the picture is not more than six months old.
15. **Have the forms signed.** After filling out the forms, you should go through and double-check that you have answered everything. Then have the forms signed by an appropriate person in the business:
The application form should be signed by the sole proprietor, corporate officer, or partner.
Each Employee Possessor form must be signed by the employee listed on the form.
16. **Pay the fee.** The fees are listed on the form, under Item 12. For example, a license to manufacture dynamite costs $200 ($100 for renewal). A permit to use dynamite costs $100 ($50 renewal).
Make your check or money order payable to: “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.” Be sure to include your Social Security or employer identification number on your check or money order.
17. **Mail the application.** You should mail the completed application to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, P.O. Box 409567, Atlanta, GA 30384-9567.
You should mail the application at least 90 days before you will need the license or permit. Remember that you cannot start operating your business until you receive the license or permit.
18. **Receive a response.** If your application is approved, then ATF will send the license or permit to you. However, if the application is denied, then you will receive written notification explaining why your application was denied.
You can get a refund of your application fee if your application is denied, abandoned, or withdrawn. Provide your Social Security or employer identification number. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Federal-Explosives-License", "language": "en"} |
How to Help a Dog Recover from a Broken Leg | A broken leg is one of the most common injuries for dogs. If your dog recently got in a vehicular accident or took a fall and broke their leg, you’ll need to perform first aid and get them to the hospital right away! Once you arrive at the hospital, you should look at the various treatment options and consider how you will pay for the veterinary fees, which may be steep. When you get home, you’ll need to restrict movement and give your dog lots of love and attention.
1. **Evaluate the dog for more severe injuries.** If your dog has just experienced a traumatic event, take a moment to assess your dog. If your dog has more serious injuries, then you will need to address these first before dealing with the broken leg. If the injury occurred on a road, move the dog to a safe place and then administer emergency first aid. Some things to look for include:
Whether or not your dog is alert. If your dog is unconscious, then he may have a head injury.
Whether or not your dog can take full breaths.
The color of their gums. They should be pink. If they are very pale, muddy, or blueish in color, then your dog is not getting enough oxygen and needs immediate veterinary attention.
Strong, synchronous pulses. Feel for the heart beating on the lower chest, near the elbow joint. The femoral pulse is also easy to feel on the inside surface of the thigh, in the middle of the leg. If you cannot find a strong regular pulse, then seek immediate veterinary attention for your dog.
2. **Examine the injured leg.** If you see your dog limping, take a look to see which leg is injured. Do a slow, careful examination of the injured leg. The broken leg could be really obvious, such as an exposed, open fracture. In this case, you’ll need to keep the wound clean. If it is a closed fracture, your dog may be limping but there may not be any blood or obvious wound. Whatever type of break, you’ll need to apply first aid and get your dog to the veterinary hospital right away!
Apply pressure if you notice that the limb is bleeding.
Since injured dogs can be fearful and aggressive, you’ll need to be careful. Signs of aggression include growling, snapping, snarling, and rigidness. To avoid getting bitten, don’t put your hands or face close to the injured dog, especially if it is already agitated. To help keep your dog calm, place a light towel or cloth over their head. This will help to limit light and sound, which may help to keep your dog calm.
If you need to move the dog away from the place where the accident occurred, you can use a towel sling to support some of their weight.
3. **Bandage and secure any wounds with first aid tape.** Wrap a clean bandage around each of the wounds several times until they're completely covered. You want to wrap the wounds so the bandages are snug but not applying too much pressure. Secure the bandage with first aid tape.
If you don’t have a clean bandage or gauze, you could use a clean towel.
You should be able to fit 2 fingers under the bandage. If you can't, the bandage is too tight and you should rewrap it so it's looser.
4. **Put a leg-splint on your dog.** You should prevent the fracture from getting any worse by applying a simple leg-splint. Use a medical splint or, if you don’t have one, a ruler or a spatula will do the trick! The splint should cover the entire area of the fracture and should extend past the joints above and below the fracture. It may go all the way up to where the leg meets the abdomen. Tie the splint to the leg with a bandage and secure it with medical tape at the top and the bottom.
5. **Use a towel as a sling to move your dog to the carrier.** Your dog will have a hard time walking to the carrier or the car, so you should assist them. Wrap a towel or a blanket around their abdomen. Hold some of their weight with the towel while they walk to the carrier or the car.
An easy way to do this is to pass a large bath towel under your dog’s belly. Hold the end up over his back, like a sling, to support his weight.
6. **Restrain your dog in a carrier.** Because your dog could move around on the journey to the veterinary hospital, you should restrain them. Lay them down with their injured leg up in the carrier. Use the carrier to transport them to the hospital by car or taxi.
Since injured dogs can become aggressive, you may want to put a muzzle on your dog before taking them to the veterinarian. However, make sure to remove the muzzle if you feel like it is restricting your dog’s breathing. If you don't have a muzzle on you, you can make one by wrapping gauze or a piece of fabric around your dog's snout and tying a knot so it's snug.
7. **Get your dog to the veterinary hospital.** You’ll need to get your dog to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Drive them or, if you don’t have a car, get a taxi. On the way, try to keep your dog warm and comfortable by loosely wrapping them in a towel or blanket.
If your dog was involved in a vehicular accident, it is especially important to get them to the hospital quickly because they could have internal injuries in addition to the broken leg.
You could ask a friend to comfort your dog in the back seat while you drive.
You’ll need professional veterinary treatment. So don’t use ointments on the open fracture, or perform other self-treatments on the dog.
Don’t try to re-set the bone yourself.
8. **Get professional veterinary care.** When you get to the hospital, the veterinary team will take appropriate emergency action. Depending on the severity of the injury, your veterinarian may focus on stabilizing vital organs. Once vital signs look stable, your veterinarian will attend to the fractured leg.
9. **Ask your veterinarian about treatment options.** Your veterinarian will diagnose the type of broken leg. They will tell you what type of fracture it is, such as a complete or an incomplete fracture, transverse (straight) or oblique (diagonal) break. And they should be able to tell you some of the treatment options, which may be surgical or non-surgical.
If it is a closed fracture, they may put your dog’s leg in a cast or a splint.
Your vet may perform surgery to insert pins, plates, or screws into the bone to help the broken leg heal.
10. **Find out whether amputation is necessary.** If your dog’s leg is severely broken in multiple places, your veterinarian may suggest amputation. Although this treatment option may sound scary, it could be the most viable option if the injury is very severe. Remember that your dog has four legs and, if necessary, should be able to live a healthy life with three legs.
X rays will be taken to determine the extent of damage.
The amputation surgery may take several hours.
11. **Discuss the cost of treatment.** When discussing treatment options, you should ask your veterinarian about any differences in cost. Depending on the severity of the break, you could end up paying between $1200 and $3000 in veterinary fees, and sometimes more. Typically, non-surgical treatment with a cast or a splint will be cheaper than surgical options, although there may be more follow up visits with non-surgical options.
The average cost for treating a broken leg is $2000.
See if your veterinarian offers a payment plan or more affordable care options.
12. **Keep the injured area dry if your dog has a splint or cast.** It's important that your dog's splint or cast doesn't get wet. Avoid letting your dog run around in your backyard or the park off leash. Also, make sure you clean up any puddles or spills on your floors so your dog's splint or cast doesn't get dragged through them.
If the splint or cast becomes wet, reach out to your vet. They may ask you to bring your dog in so they can replace the splint or cast.
13. **Stop your dog from licking the wound.** It is important that your dog does not lick his wound. A dog's mouth is full of bacteria and licking will likely infect the wound. Talk to your vet about the different options that are available to prevent licking.
There are various neck braces that prevent the dog from turning around to lick its wound.
If your dog is not a chewer, a light dressing or an old sweatshirt can provide a barrier between his tongue and the wound.
14. **Restrict movement for the first four weeks after surgery.** While your dog recovers from the broken bone, you’ll need to restrict their movement to a few five-minute walks a day, or just enough to let them eliminate outside each day. Although it is not absolutely necessary, you might want to keep your dog in a crate during this time, so you don’t have to worry about them injuring themselves when you can’t see them.
Crates are widely available from pet retailers and sold for the purpose of housebreaking puppies.
You don't want a crate that is overly roomy. The general rule is to use a crate that the dog can sit upright in without banging its head.
After a few weeks and if your veterinarian approves it, you can start to increase physical activity.
Keep your dog away from stairs and slippery surfaces.
If you let the dog out of its crate, it may run around and injure itself again!
15. **Ask your veterinarian about pain medication.** If your dog is pawing at you, biting, or reluctant to move about, it could be an indication that they are in pain. There have been advances in the treatment of pain in dogs, so you should ask your veterinarian about the different options available for your dog. Your veterinarian may prescribe a pain medication, which could be a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), a synthetic opioid, or an opioid. You should ask your veterinarian which medication works best and when it will make your dog’s pain go away. You should also ask about side effects of specific drugs.
If NSAIDs do not work, your veterinarian may prescribe opioids.
16. **Go for a check-up after six weeks, or earlier if your vet recommends it.** Depending on what type of treatment your dog received, your vet will let you know when you need to bring your dog back in. They will do X rays to make sure the fracture is properly healing. They will also give you new recommendations for home care, such as longer, fifteen-minute walks.
They may recommend hydrotherapy for your dog. Hydrotherapy is like physical therapy, but it takes place in water. The buoyancy of the water makes it easier for dogs to move their joints during recovery.
17. **Provide memory foam bedding.** Choose bedding that keeps pressure evenly spread under your dog’s weight, such as orthopedic memory foam beds. There are also some beds that have a wicking effect, which means that if your dog accidentally goes to the bathroom in the crate, the moisture will be drawn away from its skin.
If the weather is cold, cover the crate with blankets at night.
You may also want to give your dog a blanket.
18. **Give your dog calming attention.** To relax your dog during recovery, you should be sure to give them lots of attention. Giving your dog lots of attention to ensure that your dog is calm and promotes relaxation. Caress your dog’s ears for five minutes. Pet your dog’s back to make them feel better.
19. **Throw your dog a bone.** Since your dog will be spending lots of time indoors or in a crate during the recovery period, you’ll want to keep them stimulated with toys and loving attention. Give them a new rawhide toy or bone to chew on in their crate. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Dog-Recover-from-a-Broken-Leg", "language": "en"} |
How to Hit a Driver for Beginners | Driving can be the most intimidating part of golfing for beginners. It's the first shot on any hole, so it's important to get it right! Make sure to position yourself and the ball correctly, then use proper balance and technique as you swing to hit the ball. Avoid typical mistakes that beginners make, like trying to hit the ball with all your strength, and with a little practice you'll be sending drives straight and far down the fairway in no time!
1. **Set your stance wider than your shoulders.** Stand straight with your feet out slightly wider than your shoulders. A wide stance will allow you to have a longer swing when you drive.
In general, longer clubs need wider stances, while shorter clubs need narrower stances. For example, you would use a very narrow stance for a short wedge club.
2. **Line the ball up with the inside of your dominant foot in front of you.** Many beginners tend to place the ball exactly in the middle. You need to set the ball more forward in your stance, since the driver is a long club, to allow the driver to square up with it.
This also means that the driver will hit the ball on the upswing, which creates less spin and straighter drives.
3. **Grip the club like a baseball bat with your dominant hand in front.** Place both your hands on the grip of the driver, the same way you would hold a baseball bat, but with the club angled down towards the ball. Point the butt end of the club at your belt buckle (or where it would be).
You can try interlocking the little finger of your dominant hand with the index finger of your non-dominant hand. This can add comfort and stability to your swing.
4. **Hold the driver 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) away from your body.** Hold the handle of the club so that the butt end is about 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) away from your belt buckle. Back away from the ball until you create enough space to hold the driver at this distance.
Having your hands too close to your body will create a poor swing during the first part of the swing.
5. **Tee the ball up high with a 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) tee.** Use a standard 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) tee and barely stick it in the ground. This allows you to hit more of the ball on the upswing and send it further and straighter.
As you get more experienced, you can adjust the height that you tee the ball at to suit your style and preference.
6. **Pick a target in the distance to aim for.** Choose a tree or a far away bunker, instead of just looking down the green. Stare at your target and use it to line up your stance to get ready to begin your swing.
As a beginner, it's easy to make the mistake of just aiming down the fairway and swinging away with all you've got, instead of picking a target to focus on.
7. **Waggle the club back and forth to loosen up before you start your backswing.** Don't lock up tight or you will have a poor swing. Waggle the club until you feel your fingers and feet loosen up.
Lots of beginners freeze up under the pressure of driving. It is critical to keep your body relaxed to drive well.
8. **Stay balanced, go slow, and spend time at the top of your backswing.** Keep your center of gravity in the middle as you start your backswing. Slowly pull the driver back and up above your head. Pause at the top of your backswing for just a fraction of a second before you bring it back down towards the ball.
Many beginners make the mistake of letting their center of gravity shift to the back, which will take away accuracy and power when you drive.
The “pause” at the top is really just a slight hesitation that will allow your body to adjust and align the driver for the downswing. Many beginners don't let the club reach the top all the way on their backswing, which takes away power and accuracy from the swing as well.
It's a common misconception among beginners that you must pull the driver back and swing as fast as possible, when in fact, the opposite is true. Focus on your form during the backswing and pull the club back slowly.
9. **Use a sweeping motion and shift your balance forward during the downswing.** Bring the driver back down at the ball and shift your center of gravity to your front foot as you make contact. Use a sweeping motion, instead of a downward angle, to give the ball more lift and less spin.
Remember that you don't need to hit the ball at full force to send it far. Driving is more about form, balance, and technique than power.
10. **Swing through the ball and maintain your arm speed after you hit it.** Let your arms keep swinging in a sweeping motion even after you make contact with the ball. This will create a smooth swing tempo and give your drive more accuracy.
As a beginner, you may be tempted to just hit the ball hard, and then forcefully stop your swing, but remember to allow your arms and body to fully complete the swing. You should end with the driver above your head again in front of you. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Hit-a-Driver-for-Beginners", "language": "en"} |
How to Help an Older Dog Grieve the Loss of Its Owner | Just like humans, dogs can mourn when a loved one has died. Older dogs may be upset by the sudden loss of their beloved owner in their life. If you have recently taken in a dog who has lost their owner, you may notice that the dog is listless or clingy. You can help the dog transition into this new period of their life by cuddling and playing with them. Older dogs can also suffer health problems from mourning, so make sure that they are eating and exercising properly. In many cases, you can keep the dog happy by providing a positive environment.
1. **Spend extra time with the dog.** A dog in mourning may need extra love and attention. Try to increase the amount of time you spend with the dog. You might spend twenty extra minutes in the morning and evening to help give the dog support while they are grieving the death of their owner. During this time, you can:
Talk to the dog
Walk the dog
Groom the dog
Go on a car ride
Visit the dog park
Pick out a new toy together at the pet store
Cuddle the dog on the couch or in bed
Take the dog for a run, if the dog is healthy enough
Play a game, like fetch or tug-of-war
2. **Pet the dog.** Touch increases the bond between dogs and people. Extra cuddling, petting, and brushing can improve the dog’s mood and distract them from the loss of their owner. As you spend time with the dog, rub their belly or scratch their ears. Give them a little extra grooming time each week. This will help you bond and comfort the dog.
3. **Play their favorite games.** Playtime can distract the dog from the loss of their owner. The extra exercise can also boost their mood and decrease the likelihood of grief-related health issues. Try to identify the dog’s favorite games or toys, and spend extra time playing with them.
Some older dogs may not want to play as much. Each dog is different. If the dog is uninterested in playing, you might try another way of distracting them.
You can also give the dog new and interesting toys. Food puzzle toys can help keep the dog busy while you are not home, reducing the dog’s separation anxiety.
4. **Invite company over.** The dog may appreciate having people over to spend time with. Invite a few friends over, and see how the dog reacts. If the dog enjoys the company and socializes with the people, you may want to keep it up. If the dog avoids your guests, you should respect their space.
Inviting people or dogs that the dog already knows may cheer the dog up. It can also introduce an element of familiarity in their new life.
If the people are total strangers to the dog, invite one or two over at a time to see how well the dog handles it.
5. **Identify physical symptoms of mourning.** Dogs mourn differently from humans. While some dogs may not mourn at all, others will become extremely clingy, anxious, or lethargic. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms. If they do not disappear after a few days, you might consider seeking help from a vet or dog behaviorist.
Lethargy or lack of energy.
Lack of interest in playing
Loss of appetite
Unsociable behavior
Increased sleeping
Weight loss
Decline in physical health
6. **Encourage the dog to eat.** It is very common for older dogs to stop eating after the loss of their owner. This can cause other health issues to develop. If the dog seems to have stopped eating, you should try to get the dog to eat.
If possible, keep feeding the dog the same food that the old owner fed them.
You can also give the dog kibble in a kong-type dog toy or food puzzle. The dog may enjoy trying to get the food out of the toy.
Add a little warm chicken broth to the dog’s dry food to make it softer and more enticing.
While a few extra treats here and there may not be detrimental to your dog, you should avoid giving the dog too many treats during this period. They may learn that they will be rewarded for whining, and they may not eat their normal food.
7. **Take the dog on walks.** Older dogs may not be extremely active to begin with, but they may become more lethargic after the loss of their owner. Such inactivity can lead to further health problems. If the dog is able, take them on a walk at least once or twice a day. Depending on the age and health of the dog, these may be short walks.
You can make even short walks more mentally stimulating for the dog by walking in areas with lots of interesting sights, sounds, and smells. For example, you might take your dog to the park, through the woods, or some place with water.
8. **Take the dog to the vet.** If the dog continues to mourn for several weeks or if the dog is not eating, you should visit the vet to make sure that the dog is still in good health. The vet can diagnose an underlying medical problem or prescribe medication to help with the dog's anxiety or depression. While at the vet, you might ask:
"What medical issues does this dog have? Can any of them be aggravated by the loss of their owner?"
"The dog seems really depressed. What can I do to help?"
"The dog has been sleeping a lot since I took them in. Is this because the dog is depressed or is there another issue?"
"The dog has not been eating since their owner died. What can I do to encourage them to eat?"
If you know which vet the dog's old owner used, you should take them there. The vet can inform you of the dog's medical history.
9. **Maintain a routine.** For the first few days after the owner has died, it is important to maintain the dog’s routine as much as possible. Older dogs tend not to do well with new habits, schedules, or activities, and the owner’s death may have already disrupted their life. Try to feed and walk the dog at the same times as the old owner did.
If you can, reach out to people who knew the dog when it was with the old owner, and see if they have an idea of what the dog’s former routine was like.
If you do not know what schedule the old owner kept, you can develop a new schedule for the dog. Keep a consistent routine for the first few weeks that the dog joins you. The dog may also prompt you when they expect to be fed or taken outside.
If there has been upheaval in the dog’s life since the owner died (for example, if the dog has been passed around by family members or if you adopted the dog from a shelter), setting a routine will be even more important for the dog. Make sure that you stick to the schedule to help the dog ease into their new home life.
Be careful not to let the dog fall into bad habits due to grief. For example, if the dog turns up its nose at food, just let the food sit there until the dog is ready to eat it. Don’t “reward” the behavior by making a fuss.
10. **Take care of your own grief.** If you knew the old owner, you may be grieving yourself. This is understandable. Do what you have to so that you can grieve in your own, personal way. This will in turn help the dog by providing a loving, happy home for them.
Avoid mourning in front of the dog. Dogs are very sensitive to grief, and they may exhibit signs of mourning if they understand that you are grieving. While it is okay to cry a little in front of the dog, you may want to step into another room to mourn privately.
11. **Reinforce positive behavior.** During this time, you may notice that the dog is whining, crying, or acting out. While you may want to give the dog a treat during these episodes, you should avoid rewarding them for this behavior. The dog may learn that they will earn treats if they whine. Instead, reward the dog when they are being good, such as when they are quietly resting.
For example, you may notice that the dog is sitting outside of your bedroom door at night and whining. Instead of waking up to comfort the dog, go back to sleep. In the morning, you can pet and talk to the dog. If they are well-behaved, give them a treat with their breakfast.
Good times to treat the dog are when the dog is resting quietly, when the dog is sitting with you, or right before you leave the house.
12. **Weigh the pros and cons of getting a new dog.** While a new dog companion might provide company for the dog, many older dogs do not do well with a new younger dog in the house. While some older dogs may enjoy having a puppy around, others may snap at the younger dog or bully them. Consider carefully whether a new dog is appropriate for the older dog. Also keep in mind that bringing in a new companion for the dog will not make them miss their old owner any less.
If a friend or family member has a puppy, ask if they can be introduced to your older dog. This will show you how well the dog deals with energetic puppies. If the older dog plays, cuddles, or gets along with the puppy, you might consider getting a younger dog.
Try taking the dog to a dog park when it’s not too crowded, and see if the dog seems to enjoy being around other dogs. If so, then you might consider bringing home a new dog.
Another option is to adopt an older or senior dog. Try to find one with a similar temperament. See if the dogs can meet first before you adopt to see if they are friendly with one another. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Help-an-Older-Dog-Grieve-the-Loss-of-Its-Owner", "language": "en"} |
How to Prepare for Martial Arts Training | Want to improve your strength and stamina before you get started in martial arts? It’s a good idea, but you shouldn’t discount the importance of mental and emotional preparation, either! In this article, we’ll break down everything you’d need to consider and do before you choose a martial arts school and get started on your path to becoming a warrior.
1. **Figure out what you want out of this experience.** There are no wrong answers here. Do you want to learn at a calm, slow pace until you get the moves right? Or do you want to advance fast, training as though you are in a combat situation and quickly learning how to correct mistakes. The choice depends on you, your age, your physical condition, etc.
Take some time to study the different martial arts styles, and see which ones are more conducive to your style. For instance, Muay Thai might not be the best option for you if you don't want to get hit all the time.
2. **Look for a curriculum and school style that suits your needs.** There are many factors that go into choosing a school to train in. Look at this article for more information. This is very important, as the style and master you decide on greatly affects how you learn.
Do some research about schools ahead of time and check out the reviews—you might even watch a class to see what the atmosphere is like.
It can also help to take an intro class, since that gives you a lot of insights into that specific school, how the instructor will treat you, and if their teaching style is conducive to your learning style.
3. **You don’t need to be on pro-athlete levels, but get into shape.** You can also lose weight with martial arts. You don't have to workout beforehand, since martial arts isn't about strength. But endurance is key. You will learn to fight 1 on 1 or 10 on 1 eventually, so the faster you can move for a long period of time the better you will perform.
4. **There’s a lot of interesting history behind the martial arts.** The original purpose of martial arts was so people could defend themselves against multiple attackers, even to the death. Much has changed, and there are many people today who misjudge the purpose of martial arts. The true purpose is to train to stay alive against many people who are trying to kill you.
5. **Respect and understand the role of your sensei.** Your master is your friend, your motivation, and your worst enemy (if they are skilled in their profession). They should push you beyond your believed capabilities training you to never give up during a fight. Ask them for help, but try to figure things out for yourself first. Understand you're not the only one there, others have come for the same reason so don't keep the instructor to yourself. Don't be a loner either, or you'll never learn. Realize their job and yours before you join a school.
6. **The dojo is a sacred place, so walk in with your mind focused and ready.** There are no games here. You don't fool around, especially while your sensei is speaking. Respect your dojo as much as you respect your fellow students. Always show up early for lessons.
7. **Connecting with the other people at the dojo can help.** Your purpose for being at a dojo might not be the same as some peoples'. If there are kids, they want to be power rangers or show off their moves to friends. If there are adults, the younger ones are arrogant and wild. The older adults are just there to learn. You will meet all types. If the sensei is a good one, he will quickly dismiss any student who is out of order and continue the lesson. Show no attention to anyone who acts for others and not himself.
8. **A yuki is like a key partner you will train with.** Eventually, you will be assigned a yuki. While only for the one lesson, this person is your trusted partner. You must show each other great, mutual respect for them as you will be fighting them. This is the person you practice your moves on, or spar against, and they you. Depending on the style, learn what attacks to hold back power on so you don't injure this person. When practicing techniques, do them slow until you gain the right control. Help your yuki learn as well as you do. On the other hand, have no sympathy for this person. When you spar, do it violently with control. Don't go easy on them but don't hit them hard. In a nutshell: attack fast and aggressively, but with controlled power. You are there to learn to defeat people like this, not to play around.
9. **Maintain a cool, calm demeanor, even when you’re upset.** You will do aerobics, you will sweat, you will be tired, and you will get hurt. But do not stop. If you practice right, you will hurt someone or get hurt yourself. Don't take it personally. If you are sparring and get injured, take a few breaths and don't resume with the fury you will have. You will feel like swinging wildly and acting aggressively to keep them at a distance, but do not do this. The concept behind martial arts is staying calm while staying alive. If you are not calm, your yuki will get mad or worse, your sensei will. If you injure your opponent, don't apologize, just don't do it again. Wait for them to signal ready and resume sparring.
10. **Work hard to master the techniques and skills you learn.** Practice every technique you are shown until it becomes second nature, and then some. Think beyond what you are shown and question your sensei about it. Figure out what else could work for that situation. Strip down anything you don't like. Unless you are having a test on the subject, it's always best to keep the simple ideas rather than the 21-step takedown.
11. **Keeping things on an even-keel will prevent misunderstandings.** Think of your dojo as a holy place. Any outside aggression, anything that is on your mind, you must drop as soon as you enter your dojo. This includes any quarrels with a fellow student who may be in that lesson. Otherwise, how can you concentrate on what needs to be done?
12. **Keep your skills to yourself and be humble.** Don't let it known that you are taking martial arts, or what belt color you have. Discrepancy works best for you in a real fight. Also, someone might pick a fight with you just because you are taking the art. Think of your new skills as something mediocre. You wouldn't tell everyone what you drew the night before or the dreams you had, the Arts are no different. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Martial-Arts-Training", "language": "en"} |
How to Patch Stucco | Stucco is a fine plaster that can be used as a coating for walls and other surfaces. One downside to stucco is that it can become damaged over time, needing a repair.
1. **Gather safety equipment.** It is highly reccomended that you wear eye protection, a dust mask, and gloves.
2. **Gather your equipment.** See the Thing's You'll Need section below.
3. **Cover areas around the damaged Stucco.** Place something along the lines of a tarp,over areas that could possibly get dust or soot on them while chopping.
4. **Chop the Stucco.** Use a hammer and chisel to break off the damaged stucco and lath from the sheathing of the wall, but you must leave some lath around the damaged area, as the new lath will be tied to the old. The stucco should fall off fairly easily. If you wet down the wall, it will reduce the dust that comes off at this step.
5. **Pull back the old metal lath.** from the non-damaged stucco in the outside of the patch area. This is the lath previously described as important that should not be removed. Pulling it back will allow you to work it a little more comfortably.
6. **Cut a piece of the double D tar paper.** Cut it as big as the uncovered portion of the lath. Use the hammer tacker to stick the piece on the sheathing.
It is best to have the new piece go behind the old tar paper at the top (so if any moisture gets inside the wall, it will run out and away from the wood) and to have the new tar paper in front of the old tar paper at the bottom (so that is any moisture gets in the wall, it will run outside, away from the wood).
Use as few staples as possible because holes in the tar paper can let water in.
7. **Seal the outside edge of the metal lath.** Use the rubber membrane to seal of the outside edge of the lath. The rubber membrane may not stick well to the area being sealed off. In that case, tack a few staples in or improvise in order to keep it in place. Instead of rubber membrane, which is quite expensive, you can use a tube of Polyurethane sealer, which costs less and was used by builders for this purpose prior to the invention of rubber membrane.
8. **Cut a piece of metal lath.** Cut the piece size to fit into the patch area. The metal lath should be large enough to fit beyond where the metal lath from the good stucco on the outside edge can fit over the cut piece.
9. **Seat the lath.** Place the lath in the patch and place a few nails in that will keep it in place.
10. **Nail in the lath.** Place nails in places that will provide a good anchor to the lath. Don't worry about hitting studs because it is only a patch. The nails should be spaced about 6 inches (15.2 cm) apart.
11. **Overlap the lath.** Take the old lath that you bent outwards and bend it over the new piece of lath you installed. Place nails where the two pieces overlap.
12. **Mix and prepare cement.** Make sure it does not dry and harden.
13. **Apply the cement to the patch.** Use the scoop to place some cement on your hawk. Use your trowel to take the cement off the hawk and spread it onto the wall. Skim just enough cement over the lath so that it is covered.
14. **Scratch the patch.** Use the scratcher to scratch the skimmed area.
15. **Make more cement.** If your current batch is dried out, mix a new one.
16. **Clean your tools.** Clean them so they don’t get ruined. Use a wash brush and bucket of water, or whatever else that may work.
17. **Wait for the scratch coat to dry.** You will know the patch is dry when it turns from a dark grey to a light grey.
18. **Mix cement.** Mix enough to fill the patch twice.
19. **Apply cement to the patch.** Scoop cement out of the bucket and place in the hawk. Use the trowel to spread the cement onto the wall. The brown coat must be level with the surrounding wall of the patch, so use enough mud to fill the patch in adequately.
If the stucco sags, wait 5 minutes for the stucco to harden some and then level it again.
If you wet the existing wall, it will help the new stucco to adhere to the old. Stucco does not stick to oil, mold, dust, dry, loose or very smooth surfaces.
20. **Level the patch area.** When the patch has been filled in with cement, use the darby and scrape down across the patch area. Wetting the darby makes the process work smoother. If the stucco sags, wait 5 minutes for the stucco to set some and then level it again.
21. **Fill in any holes.** If any holes exist after running the darby across the patch, throw some cement in the holes and repeat the leveling process. You must now immediately begin the next part, floating.
22. **Rough the patch area.** Use a swirling motion with the wet float to start leveling the wall. Be careful not to press too hard against the wall so that you dig into it, but use enough pressure so that you are effectively roughing up the surface of the wall.
23. **Make sure the new patch and wall are connected.** Make sure the outside edge of the patch is smoothed out onto the existing wall with the float. You may apply more pressure on the outside of the patch for this purpose.
24. **Finishing up.** When the patch is roughed up and evened out with the area previously existing wall around it the job is complete. Make sure the patch cures before putting a finishing coat on.
25. **Gather the necessary materials needed to make a batch of the cement.** These materials include a bag of pre-mixed cement (with fibers), bonding agent, and water.
26. **Gather the necessary tools.** A margin trowel for scraping the edges of the bucket. An electric drill and beater for mixing the cement. A wash brush is recommended for cleaning the tools after mixing the cement.
27. **Fill the bucket.** You will want to fill it up about ¼ full with water.
28. **Add bonding agent.** You'll want to add roughly 16 ounces. On a very large area, you can just paint the bonding agent on the edges of the old stucco and not mix it into the stucco.
29. **Fill the bucket with cement.** You can now fill the rest of the bucket with the pre-mixed cement.
30. **Mix the cement.** Mix the bucket with the electric drill and beater until the right consistency is met. You will know the cement is at the right consistency when it is not soupy, but it keeps its form fairly well. You may need to add some water, check the cements consistency. If the stucco runs off a trowel that is held up vertically, the mixture has too much water in it.
31. **Don't over mix the stucco or it will set faster and be harder to apply to the wall.** If you are starting, you can fill the bucket with a couple of inches of water, then add a half bucket of stucco, add a couple inches more of water and let it sit for 3 minutes so the water absorbs into the stucco. This will permit you to mix the stucco less so that you can work with it longer. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Patch-Stucco", "language": "en"} |
How to Win the Peg Game | You may have come across the "Peg Game" in a number of restaurants throughout the country. The game consists of a small wooden triangle board with 15 holes in it and 14 pegs. Starting with one empty spot, the player is supposed to jump pegs until there is only one left. Some of these games state that if you can complete them, you're a genius- so here's an easy strategy to win the game and impress your family and friends!
1. **Learn the rules.** Like checkers, the point of the game is to jump pegs and remove them from the game. The rules are simple:
To jump a peg, it must have an empty space next to it.
You can use any peg as a jumper, as long as the peg you jump is directly adjacent to it and has an open space next to it.
Every peg you jump must be removed.
You win when there is only one peg left.
2. **Understand the board.** Each space on the board has a number from 1 to 15. The top point of the triangle is position 1, and the bottom right is position 15. This list will use this numbering scheme when describing moves, so keep it in mind.
3. **Learn the theory behind the puzzle.** There is an intricate mathematical theory that explains the puzzle. This isn't all necessary to win the game, but there are some highlights to keep in mind that will help you solve the puzzle.
Mathematically, you can mess the game up with two bad moves. That means that after just two bad moves, the puzzle becomes impossible to solve. Make your moves count!
Plan your moves carefully. If you move randomly there is a 50% chance you'll end up with an unsolvable puzzle within two moves.
There are 6,816 solutions to the puzzle. All those solutions, however, are just modifications of two main solution patterns.
4. **Begin the game.** Start with position 1 empty. This would be the top point of the triangle. There are other methods of solving the puzzle, but this one is the most common and easiest.
In the following videos, grey circles indicate empty holes, red circles indicate pegs you will be moving, and blue holes indicate pegs that are not in play.
5. **Make the diamond shape.** This basic pattern can be repeated throughout the board, helping you win the game.
Take the peg in position 4 and jump it over the peg in position 2. It will then be in position 1.
Use the peg in position 6 to jump position 5. It will now be in position 4.
Use the peg in position 1 to jump position 3. It will now be in position 6.
These moves will give you the diamond base.
6. **Make two groups of pegs.** As you'll see, the next set of moves will divide the pegs into two groups, one on each side of the triangle.
Move the peg in position 7 to position 2, jumping position 4.
Move peg 13 to position 4.
Next, move peg 10 to position 8.
You should now have two groups of pegs, with 5 pegs on the left side and 3 on the right.
7. **Separate the triangle in two.** This next set of steps will make a curved line across the triangle, dividing it into two parts.
Move peg 2 to position 7. Then take that same peg and move it to position 9.
Next, move peg 15 to position 13.
8. **Move your last pegs to the bottom row.** These moves will leave you with three final pegs, all in the bottom row.
Move peg 12 into position 14.
Next move peg 6 to position 13.
You should now just have three pegs left in the bottom row.
9. **Complete the last moves.** Move peg 14 to position 12. Then make the last move, peg 11 to position 13.
10. **Win the game.** The ending peg should be in the 13th hole. Congratulations! You've just completed the Peg Game.
You can take this game when you go for babysitting.
It will be fun and exciting for the kid.
The parents will appreciate that you have come with something to keep the kid engaged. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Win-the-Peg-Game", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Cayenne Pepper Tea | Cayenne is a spicy tasting herb that is orange or red. People sprinkle it onto their food and incorporate it into recipes to add some heat and flavor to dishes. Cayenne also has healing properties, and herbalists have been using it for years to build immunity, fight off colds, soothe ulcers, and help detoxify the body. Recently, a weight loss diet called "The Master Cleanse" has used a cayenne pepper tea to flush the body of toxins and promote weight loss. Make a cayenne pepper tea with water, lemon, a generous helping of cayenne, and any additional ingredients that will help you achieve your health goals.
1. **Measure 1 tsp.** (4.9 ml) of cayenne pepper and place it in a mug.
Use less cayenne and work your way up to 1 teaspoon if the full amount is too strong or too hot. If you have not used cayenne on a regular basis, you might find a full teaspoon difficult.
2. **Pour hot water over the cayenne.** Try to use water that has almost reached the boiling point.
3. **Stir the cayenne and the water until it is dissolved.** You will notice flakes of the cayenne pepper floating in the water, which is fine.
4. **Add the juice from half a lemon to the cup.** Stir the lemon juice into the tea.
5. **Let the tea cool for 1 or 2 minutes before sipping.** Once it has cooled to the point that you can hold the mug without burning your hands, it is ready to drink.
6. **Taste the cayenne pepper tea.** Sip it slowly until it is gone. People who drink it in the morning find they have more energy and a faster metabolism throughout the day. Some people drink it before a workout for an additional energy boost.
7. **Add other ingredients if you desire.** Some people put fresh, peeled ginger in the bottom of the mug and allow it to steep in the hot water before adding the cayenne and the lemon. Ginger can help eliminate harmful bacteria in your body.
Try adding molasses or Stevia if you want to sweeten your tea without sugar or sugar substitutes.
8. **Start with 10 oz.** (283 g) of water. This tea can be consumed hot or cold.
9. **Add 2 tbsp.** (28 g) of lemon juice and 2 tbsp. (28 g) of Grade B maple syrup to the water. This maple syrup must not be sweetened or processed. Look for the Grade B designation on the label.
10. **Stir in 1/10 tsp.** (0.5 ml) of cayenne pepper.
11. **Drink from 6 to 12 servings of this tea every day to detox your body, lose weight and attain better health.**
12. **Refrain from eating any foods or drinking anything else except water and unsweetened tea while you are consuming the cayenne pepper tea as part of a cleansing program.**
13. **Drink the tea for at least 3 days, but no more than 10 days.** You should begin feeling lighter and healthier. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cayenne-Pepper-Tea", "language": "en"} |
How to Cut Plywood | If you plan on doing any kind of construction or carpentry, you will eventually have to cut some plywood. Plywood can be unwieldy and may be challenging to cut, especially if you don't have the right tools. You can cut plywood with a circular saw or a table saw with ease, as long as you remember a few basic rules. Make sure you have a sharp blade in your saw, and take precautions to keep the sheet stable.
1. **Choose the right kind of blade.** To get a smooth cut on a sheet of plywood, you'll need to have the right blade. Look for a carbide-tipped blade with a high tooth count.
You can find blades labeled for plywood or "finished cuts," but make sure to check the tooth count.
Blades come in various sizes, so be sure you get one that will fit your circular saw.
If you stick with the blade that came with your saw, you'll likely end up with splintered ends, also known as tear-outs.
2. **Set the saw blade to the right depth.** Before cutting your plywood, adjust your saw blade to the right depth. If your blade is set too deep, you'll be dragging a lot of excess blade through the sheet. If you have your blade set too shallow, you run the risk of not cutting all the way through the sheet.
You want your saw to be about .25 inches (0.6 cm) below the sheet. If you're cutting a sheet of plywood that is .75 inches (1.9 cm) thick, set your blade to 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.
3. **Support the whole piece of wood.** When cutting a sheet of plywood, it's important that you support the sheet on both sides of the cut.
A few long 2x4s laid across two sawhorses will keep the sheet steady as you cut. Keep the 2x4s handy just for this task, as you'll be cutting into the tops of them with your circular saw.
If you don't have access to 2x4s or sawhorses, you can use a piece of rigid foam insulation instead. Lay the foam on the ground, and lay the sheet of plywood on top. Make sure the wood doesn't slide around on top of the foam board.
If you use the foam board method, you can crawl across the board as you cut, and you don't have to worry about the board snapping off at the end of the cut.
4. **Cut with the good side down.** When using a circular saw, place your plywood on the cutting surface with the good face down. The teeth of the blade enter the sheet from underneath, and exit at the top. When the teeth exit, they may cause some chipping. Placing the sheet with the good face down will ensure a smooth surface.
5. **Mark your cutting line.** Use a straight edge to mark your line. Measure carefully and make sure you have the cutting line square with the edge of your plywood.
For a smoother cut, score your line. Use a utility knife to score your line before you cut. You may have to run your knife over the line a few times to get it to score completely.
A good rule to follow is "measure twice, cut once." If you cut the wood wrong, you can't do much to fix it other than start over with a new piece of wood.
6. **Use a guide to cut.** Find a piece of plywood that still has its factory edge and attach it to your cutting surface using clamps.
Take into consideration the width of the saw's base plate, or shoe. Adjust your guide so that the shoe fits firmly against the guide, and the blade is in line with your cut mark.
If you are planning on cutting a lot of plywood, you might consider investing in a saw guide that attaches to your circular saw. Look online or in your local hardware store to find one that suits your needs.
7. **Make your cut.** Line your saw up with your guide, and make sure the blade is over your cut mark. Turn your saw on, and run the shoe of the saw along your guide. Take care to make your cut as straight as possible.
Using a saw is dangerous. Wear safety goggles at all times, and keep your fingers clear of the blade.
Watch out for the power cord as you cut. Keep your work area clean.
8. **Choose the right blade.** You can use a table saw to cut plywood. To get the smoothest cut from your table saw, invest in a blade with a high tooth count, such as an 80 TPI plywood blade.
Most stock blades on table saws work well for rough cuts, but will not give you a clean edge.
Alternatively use a zero-clearance insert under the plywood. To make one of these, carefully set a piece of wood or plywood onto the working table saw, taking care not to have the wood slip or pull from your hands. Once the blade is all the way through (the blade needs to be quite high), clamp the insert down. You will be cutting on the insert, which does not allow the bottom layer of plywood to chip downward because of the low clearance between the blade and the insert. The insert is sacrificial and it's usually only sensible to make one when cutting large amounts of plywood.
9. **Raise the blade.** Raising the blade changes the direction the teeth will enter the wood. When the blade is slightly raised, such that the teeth just barely cut through the surface, the teeth enter the cutting surface at an angle. If you raise the blade a little higher, you can get a perpendicular cut, which will make a smoother surface.
Don't raise the blade more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the cutting surface. A raised blade may offer a smoother cut, but it also makes for a more dangerous cut. Exercise extreme caution when cutting with a raised blade.
10. **Use a zero-clearance insert.** Your table saw may have a gap between the blade and the throat plate, where the blade sits in the table saw. A zero-clearance insert closes the gap and offers support to the sheet, making a smoother cut.
You can purchase a zero-clearance throat plate online or at your local hardware store.
Alternatively make your own. First, carefully set a piece of wood or plywood onto the working table saw, taking care not to have the wood slip or pull away from your hands. Once the blade is all the way through (the blade needs to be quite high), clamp the insert down. You will be cutting on the insert, which does not allow the bottom layer of plywood to chip downward because of the low clearance between the blade and the insert. The insert is sacrificial and it's usually only sensible to make one when cutting large amounts of plywood. To make safe cuts, make sure that whatever you're cutting isn't at an angle or unsupported on the other side.
11. **Support the entire sheet.** Large pieces of plywood can get heavy. When cutting them on a table saw, make sure you can keep it flat before beginning your cut. Stabilize the sheet on sawhorses, or ask a friend to help you hold it steady.
Having the entire sheet supported allows you to keep a steady feed rate, that is, the speed you run the wood through the saw.
You can also use a circular saw to break down large sheets to more manageable sizes.
12. **Tape off your cut mark.** Use a low-adhesion tape, such as painter's tape, on both faces of your sheet. This will help hold the wood fibers in place and keep the edges from splintering.
Once you have finished cutting, peel the tape off slowly to avoid any splintering.
13. **Cut with the good face up.** Lay your sheet on your table saw with the good face up. The teeth of the saw will enter the sheet from the top and exit from the underside of the sheet. Tear-outs, or splintering, will occur where the teeth exit, so keep the good face up.
14. **Make the cut.** Hold your sheet steady and keep it pressed firmly against the fence, the straight edge of your table saw. Use both hands to guide the sheet through the blade.
Use the hand that is closest to the blade to press the sheet forward, through the blade. Use the hand that is furthest from the blade to press the sheet towards the cutline.
As you get close to the end of the cut, move your hands so that you have one hand on either side of the blade. Carefully push the rest of the sheet through the blade.
Work carefully when using your table saw. Keep your hands away from the blade.
15. **Make sure the sheet is stable.** Lay your sheet of plywood on a few 2x4s suspended over two sawhorses. The entire sheet of plywood should be seated firmly on the work surface.
A plunge cut is a cut that does not start from a straight edge, but the center of a sheet of plywood. If you need to make an opening in the middle of a sheet of plywood, for example, you would need to make a plunge cut.
16. **Set the blade depth.** Lower the blade to about .25 inches (0.6 cm) more than the thickness of your sheet. This will ensure the teeth of the blades just barely cut through the underside of the surface.
17. **Stand to the side of the saw.** There is a high risk of kick back, or the saw running back towards you, when making a plunge cut. Do not stand directly behind the saw when you make a plunge cut.
18. **Position your saw for a plunge cut.** Place the front edge of the shoe, or the base plate of the saw, against your sheet of plywood. Carefully lift up the blade guard, and line the blade up with your cut mark.
19. **Keep the underside of the blade clear.** You won't be able to see what is beneath the sheet as you make your plunge cut, so check before hand to make sure the space is clear.
20. **Lower the blade into the plywood.** Turn the saw on and slowly lower the saw blade into the sheet. Hold the saw firmly to keep it from kicking back to you.
Once the saw is completely lowered into the cut, and the saw bed is flush with the cutting surface, release the blade guard. Move the saw forward to finish the cut. Let the blade come to a complete stop before lifting the saw out of the sheet.
21. **Buy a good saw.** If you don't have access to power tools, you'll need to invest in a solid crosscut saw. Look at a saw's TPI, or teeth per inch. A saw with fewer teeth will cut faster, but you'll be left with a rough edge. A saw with a higher TPI will leave you with a smoother edge, but it will take some time to saw.
Make sure the handle is comfortable when you grip it, and look down the back of the saw blade to make sure it is straight. The tip of the saw should be flexible. When you bend it, it should snap back to the center.
22. **Measure your cut.** Anytime you are working with wood, make sure to measure your cut. Once the wood has been cut, there is no turning back. Double check your measurements before cutting.
23. **Notch the wood.** Start on the edge of the board, and hold the saw blade upright. Draw the saw up a few times to get a notch in the edge of the board.
You can use your thumb knuckle to guide the blade, but be careful.
24. **Start the cut.** When you've made a solid notch in the edge, bring the saw to about 45-30 degrees. Work carefully and use smooth, full strokes to cut plywood.
Keep your forearm and shoulder in line with the blade to ensure a straight cut.
If you notice the blade running off track, give the handle a little twist to set it right.
25. **Brace the cutoff end to avoid splinters.** When you get towards the end of your cut, use your free hand to hold the cutoff end. Turn the saw upright and use short vertical strokes to finish the cut. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Plywood", "language": "en"} |
How to Keep Pets Safe from Cane Toads | The cane toad (Rhinella marinus or Bufo marinus) is a small toad commonly found in Australia and Hawaii with poison glands along their backs. If your curious cat or dog tries to play with or attack the cane toad, it will spray a toxic liquid towards the eyes and mouth of your pet. As well as being very painful for your pet, it can sometimes even put it in a coma or result in its death. By knowing how to reduce the risk of cane toads and how to treat a poisoned pet, you can keep your animals safe from cane toads.
1. **Store your pet’s food and water indoors.** Cane toads, like any other creature, will be attracted towards bowls of food or fresh water left outside. While the toad eating some of your pet’s food won’t lead to poisoning, a pet that tries to defend its food might be attacked. Feed your pet and store its water inside the house, where cane toads won’t be able to find it.
Cane toads are known to lay eggs in still water, which may include a water bowl. Change your pet’s water often and keep it inside to prevent cane toads from swimming in it.
If you can’t keep food bowls inside, feed your pet regularly and watch it eat to make sure no cane toads come towards it.
2. **Watch your pet while it plays outside.** Particularly playful or aggressive pets, such as young puppies, might be more likely to attack or interact with cane toads. Supervise your pet while it plays outside so that you can prevent it from touching a cane toad, or keep an eye on it to look for any symptoms of poisoning.
Rather than letting your dog run around unsupervised for exercise, take it for regular walks. This way you can watch it while it's outside, as well as giving it and yourself plenty of physical activity.
3. **Keep your pets indoors at night and after rain.** Cane toads tend to be more active at nighttime and in damper weather. If you see cane toads in your yard or know them to live in your area, keep your pet inside during times when cane toads will be more active.
If you let your pet play outside in the rain, make sure you supervise it closely. It may be more difficult to notices symptoms of poisoning on a wet dog.
4. **Reduce common hiding spots for cane toads.** Cane toads will often hide in piles of debris or under large bushes during the daytime so as to avoid the direct sun. If you can do so safely and easily, get rid of these and any other places where cane toads may be able to hide.
If you cannot remove these hiding spots, check them often for cane toads. If you find one, catch and kill it safely and humanely.
5. **Build a barrier to keep out cane toads entirely.** If you have a serious cane toad problem, or just want to keep them out of an area entirely, you can build a barrier to stop them from getting into your garden. Use a fine mesh wiring, at least 50 centimetres (20 in) high, to build a barrier fence around your entire garden or yard to keep them out.
Once you erect the fence, you will need to remove all of the toads in the barrier fence area to make it completely safe.
You don’t need to fence off your entire garden. You could enclose a small section where your pets will be able to safely run around and pay.
6. **Look for symptoms of cane toad poisoning.** If your pet is sprayed with or makes mouth contact with a cane toad, there may only be a small window of time to save it. Keep an eye out for excessive drooling, unusual head-shaking, the pet pawing at its mouth, or unusually pink or reddish gums. Keep an eye out for these symptoms at all times.
The symptoms of cane toad poisoning will usually be visible within around 10 minutes of your pet being poisoned.
If you notice more severe symptoms, such as seizures, vomiting, or cardiac arrest, get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
7. **Wipe away poison around the mouth and gums.** Use a damp paper towel or cloth to begin wiping away any visible milky-white poison or general dampness around your pet's mouth. Change out the paper towel or wash the cloth frequently to prevent smearing the poison you’ve wiped away back over its mouth and face.
This should be done quickly rather than excessively thoroughly. Remove any obvious poison and wipe its mouth before moving on.
8. **Rinse your pet’s mouth with a garden hose.** Stand behind your pet and hold a garden hose such that the water will run through its mouth and pour out the front. Turn the water on and wash your pet’s mouth out with water for at least 10 minutes to rinse away and remove any poison.
Make sure you do not point the hose toward your pet’s throat or hold it in a way that it can drink the water. This may introduce more poison to its system, as well as risk drowning your pet.
9. **Get your pet to a vet as soon as possible.** Once you have rinsed as much poison out of your pet’s mouth as you can, transport it quickly and quietly to a vet. Even if you don’t notice any remaining symptoms, cane toad poison that has been ingested can lead to your pet’s death.
For safest transportation, hold your pet while someone else drives so that you can keep a closer eye on it. Otherwise, you can put it in an animal carrier for the journey.
Contact your vet as soon as you can, so that they can prepare to help you and your pet as soon as you arrive. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Pets-Safe-from-Cane-Toads", "language": "en"} |
How to Win a Fight Against a Bully | Fighting should only come as an absolute last resort. Always try to walk away from a fight. Unless you or someone you care about is being physically attacked, you can always be the bigger man. Fighting might seem heroic and exciting when you fantasize about it, but actually getting in a fight is a terrible feeling. If you have to protect yourself, there are ways to end and exit the fight quickly.
1. **Join the wrestling team.** Wrestling is great for fighting. It is probably the best way to fight in real life because you can avoid punching and kicking. Both of these things can lead to fractures, breaks, blood, and a lot of pain for both you and your bully opponent. If you know how to wrestle, you can just get in close to the guy, lock him up, take him to the ground, and then put him in a hold. There are some holds that can be pretty painful and uncomfortable for your opponent. They will be forced to submit. It will be very embarrassing for them and you won’t have harmed them very badly. Learning to wrestle is highly recommended.
Wrestling is all about body weight, so you can beat someone significantly larger than you if you have the technique.
2. **Learn how to keep your balance.** Playing basketball might even help you win a fight. The stance that you use to defend someone in basketball is similar to the athletic stance that you want to adopt in a fight.
3. **Take a self-defense class.** There are plenty of self-defense classes available that will teach you how defend yourself and get out of the situation. You can even take a short course over the weekend that will teach you basic moves and strategies.
If you would prefer, you can take an offensive martial arts class like karate.
If you're not sure what kind of martial arts or self-defense classes you'd like to take, see if you can watch a lesson without participating so you can get a sense of the instructor and atmosphere of the place.
4. **Work out.** Being physically fit is a great way to prevent fights and will help you when you are in one. You don’t need to be covered head to toe in muscle - just work on having more endurance and getting stronger.
5. **Recognize when you need to fight.** Violence should always be a last resort. If you aren’t capable of winning a fight you might end up getting hurt much worse if you try to fight back.
6. **Try making peace.** Some bullies will see this as a form of weakness, but it’s something that you have to do. If you can stop the bullying and future confrontations, you should.
Try saying something like, “listen, I’ve got nothing against you. I’m not sure why you have something against me, but let's just let it lie. Thank you.”
Don't underestimate the importance and usefulness of verbal deescalation as a combat strategy. You win one hundred percent of the fights you don't engage in.
7. **Ignore them.** If the bullying only includes words, don’t escalate the situation. Just walk away silently. Don’t even acknowledge the situation. Don’t act scared, just never even make eye contact with the bully. Act as if they did not exist. If they can’t torture you, they probably will lose interest.
When they try to interact with you try to keep a completely blank look on your face and continue whatever you were doing. This will really frustrate them, and you’ll be putting yourself in a powerful position.
8. **Turn the tides.** Most people don’t like bullies. If you are in a public place and the kid is bullying you, don’t be afraid to call them out calmly and firmly. Tell them that picking on other people isn't cool, and you're not sure why they do it. Hopefully, others will agree with you and let the bully know too.
9. **Assess the situation.** Never enter a fight that you can’t win. If the bully has a lot of his friends around don’t try to get physical. Avoid a fight at all costs.
10. **Find an escape route.** Even if you win the fight, you might need to leave very quickly. Take account of your surroundings and where you’ll escape to.
11. **Pack your knuckles.** If you know the bully is stronger than you, try packing your hands. Keep two rolls of quarters in your backpack. When the bully confronts you, take them out and hold one in either hand. Your punch will be much more powerful with the weight of the quarters behind it. You can also throw the quarters at the person if you are in a desperate situation. Holding quarters will also prevent fractures.
Make sure that you don’t grip your thumbs when you punch. You might break them.
12. **Attack unexpectedly.** Don’t wait until you’re in a position of weakness. If the bully has pushed or mocked you, he probably won't have his guard up. If this is something he does commonly, you are entitled to fight back. Hit/kick him hard in a weak spot as hard as you possibly can, and then follow that up with multiple other hits. One of the biggest mistakes that people can make in a fight is throwing one punch, and then backing off. As soon as you enter the fight you have to stay on the offensive to avoid retaliation. You can end the fight quickly.
Don’t pull your punch. Hitting someone isn’t a good feeling. We have a natural tendency to pull our punches, which means not following through on your momentum. You need to punch hard.
13. **Keep your distance if the bully attacks you first.** Unless you’re trained in wrestling, try to avoid going to the ground. If he rapidly punches, keep dodging. You cannot effectively block punches in a real fight. Duck his punches, or just otherwise avoid them.
By staying light on your feet, you can evade attacks and put yourself in a more favorable position for counterattacks.
14. **Go for the weak spots.** This means the gut, the groin, and the throat. Don’t throw a punch unless it will hit one of these three areas.
15. **Avoid kicking.** Unless you’re trained to kick, avoid kicking high. You’ll put yourself off balance and it will allow the other person to grab your leg and potentially put you to the ground.
16. **Be confident and stick to the plan.** You’ll have adrenaline coursing through your body. Your legs might shake and your teeth might be chattering. Just keep telling yourself that you have to be the aggressor. Don’t pause until you’re sure you have won, and then get out of there quickly.
Do not be the aggressor so much that you seriously injure them. Just make sure that you have ended the fight and you can get away. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Win-a-Fight-Against-a-Bully", "language": "en"} |
Dating Tips for Chatting Online: How to Start a Great Conversation and Keep It Going | When you first enter the dating pool, online dating can seem like a pretty intimidating beast: how do you know what to talk about? How quickly should you reply? And how long do you need to chat online before taking things to the next level? If you feel like a fish out of water, don’t worry—you’re not alone! We’ve compiled some of the most helpful tips for chatting online so you can get to know your potential date before asking them out.
1. **Check out their profile to see what they like to do.** Once you learn a little more about them, you can craft a message that talks about something you two have in common. Maybe you graduated from the same college, or maybe you both participate in the same hobby. It doesn’t even have to be anything specific — if you both like being outdoors, that’s great, too! Try something like:
“Hey! I saw your hiking pics, they look so pretty. I love hiking, too!”
“I’ve never met another person who does roller derby! How often do you hit the rink?”
2. **Online dating is all about getting to know the other person.** Since the only things you know about them are from their profile, try expanding on those to get a little more insight into who they are. You don’t have to treat it like an interrogation (since that can feel a little intense), but some casual questions near the beginning of your convo can really get the ball rolling, especially if they have some pets or traveling pictures in their profile. Try things like:
“That pic of your pup is so cute! How old are they?”
“Have you ever been to the rose garden?”
3. **This is an easy way to start a fun conversation.** If you two live nearby (and most dating sites will connect you with people around you), see how they like the place you’re in. You could also ask them how long they’ve been here or if they plan on staying a while, just for a few fun things to talk about. Try something like:
“How long have you been in San Francisco?”
“Do you like living here in Minnesota?”
“What’s your favorite thing about living here?”
4. **There’s always a new TV show or movie to talk about.** See if they caught the newest binge-worthy Netflix special, or ask them if they plan on seeing the next big box office in theaters. Plus, if they haven’t seen one of your favorite things yet, this is a great way to segue into a date! Try something like:
“You’ve got to watch that new Netflix documentary about mushrooms. It’s insane!”
“Are you gonna go see the new Batman movie? I’m pretty curious about it, honestly.”
5. **You can flatter your potential date by telling them something you like.** Since you don’t know this person well yet, stay away from anything physical, and compliment them on something you noticed in their profile. Stick to 1 or 2 compliments per conversation, just so it doesn’t go overboard. You could say something like:
“You have such a nice smile! It really shines through in all your pics.”
“You look like you have such a good fashion sense. I love your outfit in that first pic!”
“You have such a good sense of humor. I can tell you’d be fun to hang out with.”
6. **You can send a few cheeky messages if you get that kind of vibe.** Some people appreciate a little harmless banter, especially if you’ve had a fun conversation so far. Try a little bit of teasing (in a flirty way!) to let your potential date know that you’re interested. You might say something like:
“Red Sox fan, huh? You must be pretty bummed out this season!”
“You’ve never seen Twilight?! Wow, idk if this will work out.😉”
7. **These fun, fake scenarios can get a goofy conversation flowing.** Come up with a “Would you rather” or “What would you do if…” question that your potential date can answer. If you disagree, don’t be afraid to hold a (non-serious) debate! Try something like:
“What would you do if a zombie apocalypse started right now?”
“Would you rather fight 10 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?”
8. **Conversations tend to fizzle out if you leave them for too long.** Try to check your online dating account at least once a day, or even more if you’re actively having a conversation with someone. If you can’t keep up with their messages, consider giving out your phone number instead (if you feel comfortable with that).
If you do decide to give out your digits, say something like, “I’m not on this app a ton. Here’s my number if you want to keep chatting.”
9. **The goal of talking to someone online is to meet up in-person.** After you’ve chatted back and forth for five to six times, suggest meeting up somewhere casual, like a cafe or a bar. If they agree, you can set a time and a place to have a fun IRL date with someone you met online.
Say something like, “I’ve really enjoyed our convo so far. Are you free this weekend to grab coffee or a drink?”
Sometimes, people are a little wary about meeting up in-person too soon. If the person you’re chatting with wants to talk online a little more before meeting up, don’t be offended! They’re probably just trying to be safe.
10. **If you don’t want to meet IRL yet, try this instead.** A lot of dating apps have a video chat feature, but you can also use FaceTime or Zoom to talk to your date on a computer or your phone. This can be a nice way to take things slow and keep yourself safe if you’re wary about meeting a stranger in-person.
You could suggest it by saying something like, “I really like chatting with you! Do you have time for a video call this evening? I’d love to hear your voice.”
11. **Keep your safety in mind as you chat with people online.** Never give out your address or any personal information, like where you work. If you’re ever wary about someone you’re talking to online, try looking them up on social media to make sure they’re real. It’s okay to give people the benefit of the doubt, but online safety is just as important as real life safety!
If anyone ever sends you creepy messages, feel free to block and report their profile.
Try to be reasonably sure that they are real and not a scammer. Make sure that the person is following a nice conversation and not asking you about your money. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Dating-Tips-for-Chatting-Online", "language": "en"} |
How to Dress with Thick Thighs: 10+ Flattering Looks | No matter what body type you have, finding flattering pieces that highlight your figure will help you feel confident every time you put on an outfit. Striking a balance between accentuating your body without covering up too much might take a little effort, but it’s worth it! We’ve compiled a few tips and tricks you can use on your next shopping spree to find the perfect pieces for your body type.
1. **Bright bottoms can draw attention to your legs.** If your goal is to downplay your thighs, go for bottoms in solid, neutral colors, like brown, black, and cream. For jeans, try dark wash or black denim.
Bottoms with a lot of detailing, like extra pockets or sequins, can also draw attention to your legs and add extra bulk. Pick bottoms that are slim and smooth all the way around.
2. **Vertical stripes have a slimming effect on your legs.** If you would like to wear pants with a pattern, look for ones with vertical stripes or patterns to elongate your body. Solid blocks of color, like black and white, are better than small, intricate patterns.
The same is true for skirts and dresses, too. Vertical stripes will elongate and slim you, while horizontal ones may make you look wider.
Try to stay away from busy prints, which can also draw attention to your legs.
3. **Bottoms like these will be much more comfortable.** Try to pick out pants that start out wide and slightly taper down at the ankle for a nice balance. Trousers with pleats and joggers are the perfect examples of this.
Try to find straight or bootcut pants instead of flare ones. If the fabric flares out too much at the bottom, it could make your legs look wider.
4. **Your natural waistline is usually the slimmest part of your torso.** Pick out pants, trousers, jeans, and skirts that are slightly high waisted to draw attention to your figure and highlight your curves. Try adding statement belts around your natural waist to bring it out even more.
Your natural waistline is the area right above your hips. It’s the spot you naturally grab when you put your hands on your “hips” while standing.
If you’re wearing a long top, tuck it into your bottoms to let your waistline shine.
5. **Draw attention to the slimmest part of your legs.** Try going for midi skirts that end just above or just below the knee to cover your thighs while slimming your legs. Skirts with lace or ruffle detailing at the bottom will work even better for this, since they draw the eye downward.
Try A-line skirts or trumpet skirts to fit your body type perfectly.
6. **Starchy, stiff denim can add extra bulk to your legs.** When you’re picking out jeans, go for denim that’s a little bit stretchy. Jeggings and jean leggings are perfect for this since they conform to your body without adding extra fabric.
Dark wash denim is better than light wash, since the darker colors can help draw attention away from your legs.
7. **Draw the eye upwards in your outfits.** Go for flowy, embellished blouses, patterned button-ups, structured jackets, and graphic T-shirts. When you accentuate your upper body, you can make people focus on your upper half instead of your legs.
Tie dye shirts and floral blouses also work great for this!
Look for tops with fringe or lots of pockets.
8. **When you’re dressing up, make yourself look taller with a pair of heels.** Go for simple heels that don’t have a ton of straps or bling on them so you elongate your legs instead of cutting them off at the ankle. If you aren’t a fan of stilettos, go for kitten heels, wedges, or midi heels instead.
Try to avoid knee-high boots. Footwear like this can make you look shorter instead of elongating your legs.
Nude heels are particularly elongating since they look like an extension of your leg.
9. **Flats, mules, and dress shoes can elongate your legs.** When you’re picking out shoes, go for ones with a slightly pointed toe to draw attention to your footwear and lengthen your entire body. Plus, pointed shoes make any outfit look a little more chic and sophisticated.
Go for nude shoes that match your skin tone to really elongate your legs.
10. **It’s all about drawing the eye upward.** Go for chunky necklaces, long earrings, big headbands, or fluffy scarves. Pieces like these will finish off your outfit while making people look upward at your face and torso.
Try matching your necklace to your earrings to make your outfit look more cohesive.
Flashy rings and facial piercings also work well for this!
11. **Bags like these make your legs look a little smaller.** Go for big, bulky handbags and backpacks to store your essentials in when you go out. If you’re in the professional field, try carrying a briefcase or a satchel for all your important papers.
Small clutches and delicate handbags can make your legs look bigger in comparison. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-with-Thick-Thighs", "language": "en"} |
How to Make a BLT Sandwich | Basic, no-frills BLT sandwiches couldn't be easier to make — the ingredients are right in the name! BLTs (or bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches) are simple yet delicious and make a great breakfast, brunch, or lunch dish. In addition, because these sandwiches are so simple, they're also incredibly easy to modify into hundreds of scrumptious variations. If you're ready to fire up your griddle and make a mouthwatering BLT, see Step 1 below to get started!
1. **Cook the bacon** If there's one thing that's absolutely, positively, 100% crucial to a BLT, it's bacon. Delicious, delectable bacon. Turn a burner on your stove to medium heat and place a large or medium-sized frying pan on it. When the pan is hot (you'll know it's ready if water flicked on to immediately sizzles), add your bacon strips and let them begin to fry. Use tongs or a long fork to periodically turn your bacon strips as they cook to avoid burning. When they have achieved a pleasing brownish color, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. The entire process shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes or so.
While waiting for your bacon to cook, you can proceed to the next few steps to save time. Just keep an eye on your bacon to make sure it doesn't burn.
As an alternative to frying, you can bake bacon by placing it in a shallow cooking pan and leaving it in an oven set to 375 F (190 C) for about 15 to 20 minutes.
The "correct" crispiness of bacon is a subject of endless debate among bacon aficionados. Some people like their bacon soft and chewy, while others like it burnt to a crisp. Ultimately, it's up to you. The earlier you remove your bacon from the pan, the softer it will be.
2. **Add your spreads to one slice of bread.** Next, take out two slices of bread and lay them flat on a clean, clear cutting board or work area. Spread mayonnaise (or a substitute like Miracle Whip) on one slice of bread. Then, spread mustard over the mayonnaise. Finally, add any optional spreads or condiments that you care for. For instance, some like to add a little "kick" to their BLTs with a splash of Tabasco sauce.
If you like, you can toast your bread to give your sandwich a crispy texture before applying your spreads.
Obviously, if you don't care for mayonnaise or mustard, there's no need to add either to your sandwich. You may find that having at least one spread helps your sandwich "stick together", though it's certainly not necessary.
3. **Add a few tomato slices.** Next, grab a tomato, turn it on its side, and make a few vertical cuts to produce several circular slices. Lay these evenly over your bread. Your tomato layer may be as thick as you like — some people like lots of tomatoes, while others prefer just a few thin slices.
You can use whichever type of tomato you like for your BLT. Traditional, "standard" BLTs are often depicted with large slices of beefsteak tomato, but you can also use more flavorful varieties like heirloom or Roma tomatoes if you wish.
4. **Add your lettuce.** If you haven't already done so, wash your lettuce thoroughly in cold water to remove any dirt and make the leaves crisp and cold. Lay a few leaves of lettuce over your tomatoes. Again, the amount of lettuce you add is up to you. Many find a leaf or two to be sufficient.
As with tomatoes, the variety of lettuce you use is your choice. While many enjoy ordinary iceberg lettuce, other types, like romaine lettuce, are great alternatives. You can even use a different green, like spinach, if you prefer, though in this case your sandwich won't technically be a BLT.
5. **Add your bacon.** If your bacon hasn't finished cooking at this point, wait for it to do so. When you've removed it from the stove, lay it on a plate lined with paper towels for a few moments to allow any excess grease to be absorbed. Then, transfer the bacon to your sandwich. The amount of bacon you use is up to you — some folks like a thick mouthful of bacon, while others prefer just a taste. Depending on the size of your bread, 3-4 strips is usually enough to provide a satisfying crunch.
6. **Place your second piece of bread on top of your sandwich.** Congratulations! Your sandwich is ready to eat. At this point, you can either enjoy your delicious BLT or continue adding fillings to create a double-decker sandwich.
If your sandwich fillings are stacked too high and your sandwich falls apart when you try to eat it, you may want to spear your sandwich with a toothpick to keep it together.
7. **For a double-decker, add more fillings and another piece of bread.** Sometimes, an ordinary sandwich just doesn't cut it. If you're feeling especially hungry, consider adding a second layer of ingredients above your existing sandwich, then capping your double-decker with a third piece of bread. This second layer can contain all of the fillings you've used thus far or just the ones that you wish.
For example, if we wanted to add a second layer with all of the ingredients in the sandwich, we would spread mustard and mayonnaise on top of our current sandwich, add a few tomato slices, add a leaf of lettuce, add a few strips of bacon, and finally add another piece of bread on the very top.
8. **Assemble a classic BLT, minus the final piece of bread.** As noted in the intro, there are hundreds of ways to make a BLT. This variation adds a little west coast flair to the standard BLT by adding some of the key ingredients in a California club sandwich. To start, you'll want to build a BLT as directed above until the point just before you'd normally be finished. In other words, cook some bacon, then spread a little mustard and mayonnaise on your bread, and finally add tomato, lettuce, and your cooked bacon to your sandwich. From here, we'll be adding a few extra touches to make our sandwich unique.
For a true west coast classic, you may want to consider using sourdough, San Francisco's signature bread.
9. **Add a few avocado slices.** Peel and cut a ripe Hass avocado into several thick french-fry sized slices. Lay these slices down above your final layer of bacon. The avocado gives the sandwich a creamy, satisfying quality not present in an ordinary BLT. The smooth texture of the avocado contrasts especially well with crunchy toast.
Avocados are best when they're ripe. Ripe Hass avocados (the most common variety on the west coast) have dark green-to-black skin and a firm, yet yielding texture. The fruit should feel somewhat weighty and should have no obviously flattened or "smooshed" patches. If you're unsure whether an avocado is ripe, check under the brown stem remnant at the bottom of the avocado. If the skin underneath is bright yellow-green, you've picked a ripe avocado. If it's brown, your avocado may be bruised or overripe.
10. **Optionally, add a spritz of lemon juice.** After adding your avocado, you may want to squeeze a thin slice of lemon over your sandwich to produce a few drops of lemon juice. If you do so, be conservative — you want just a hint of lemony zest, not a BLT that makes you pucker. If done correctly, the BLT will have a slight tangy flavor which, for some, is absolutely mouthwatering when paired with the meatiness of the bacon and the smoothness of the avocado.
11. **Add your final piece of bread.** Congratulations! Your California BLT is ready to eat. If you desire, you can add another layer of ingredients and an additional piece of bread to create a double-decker. If you're looking for a truly Californian experience, you may want to opt for this — California clubs, the state's signature sandwich, are customarily served as double-deckers.
12. **Cook your bacon, saving the grease.** This BLT variation is great for early birds looking for a satisfying sandwich on the way to work. To begin, start cooking your bacon as normal, but, when you're finished, save some of the grease, which will be used for frying an egg.
If you don't like the idea of frying an egg in bacon grease, you may dispose of the grease and instead use another form of fat to fry your egg, like butter, oil, or margarine.
13. **Assemble a classic BLT, minus the final piece of bread.** While you're waiting for your bacon to finish cooking, you'll probably want to make the most of your time by doing most of the work to assemble your sandwich. Lay down a piece of bread, add any spreads you desire, and add tomato, lettuce, and bacon (when it finishes cooking). As above, you'll build on this basic BLT template to create your new sandwich.
14. **Fry an egg in your bacon grease.** When you've transferred all of your bacon out of the frying pan, drained it, and added it to your sandwich, crack an egg over your frying pan. Wait for your egg to cook to your desired level of hardness, monitoring as it cooks to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.
See How to Fry an Egg for specific egg-frying techniques. Essentially, you'll want to fry your egg in the pan for several minutes until its edges are white, then drop a spoonful of water in the pan next to the egg and cover both the egg and the water with a lid. This steams the upper side of the egg, ensuring it cooks. After this point, cook to your desired level of hardness, checking under the lid several times to observe your progress. Transfer the egg out of the pan when it's done — you shouldn't ever need to flip it.
15. **Add your fried egg and cheese to your BLT.** When your egg is finished cooking, gently place it on top of your sandwich. Then, add a few slices of your favorite cheese on top of the egg. Almost any type of cheese pairs well with these ingredients, though standard omelet cheeses like cheddar, jack, and Swiss are all safe bets.
16. **Add your final piece of bread!** Congratulations! Your Breakfast Special BLT is ready to eat. The fried egg and cheese make this hearty, satisfying meal that tastes something like an entire American breakfast in one sandwich.
If you're eating on the go, bring a napkin — the egg yolk can be quite runny, depending on how you've cooked it.
17. **Fry pancetta.** For the BLT variations above, we've stuck to the same basic template: bread, spreads, tomato, lettuce, bacon, and bread. As far as the specifics of these ingredients are concerned, we've left the choices up to you — you may have used anything from white bread to rye, supermarket bacon to gourmet butcher's cuts, and so on. However, with this dignified, elegant recipe, there's no settling for standard fare. Start by frying up some high-quality pancetta for a taste that's second-to-none.
Pancetta is an Italian variety of bacon that is unsmoked (by contrast, most American bacon is smoked) and often flavored with various aromatics. Pancetta is cooked in the exact same way as bacon — either fried several minutes per side in a pan or baked in the oven.
18. **Spread burrata cheese on a brioche bun.** Rather than opting for the standard bread and mustard/mayonnaise combo for this sandwich, this time, we'll use more indulgent ingredients. Cut a gourmet brioche bun in half and spread fresh burrata cheese on the bottom half. Be generous with your burrata — unlike mustard and mayo, you can get away with applying a fairly thick spread here.
Brioche is a rich, tender French pastry bread made with a high egg and butter content. This bread is sweet, light, and fluffy, which allows it to contrast with the heavier flavors in the sandwich.
Burrata cheese is a soft cheese made from mozzarella and cream that makes a creamy, luxurious spread for BLTs and many other sandwiches. The outer portion of the cheese is often pure mozzarella, while the inside is the characteristic mixture of cheese and cream. Use the inside portion for spreading.
19. **Add arugula.** Next, on top of your tomato slices, sprinkle a handful of arugula greens. Since arugula comes in the form of many small leaves rather than one or two large leaves like lettuce, it can be tricky to get them to stay in the sandwich. However, if you put the arugula into your sandwich now, before you add the tomatoes, the leaves will be held in place by the sticky burrata cheese, ensuring a tidy (or at the very least tidier) sandwich.
Sometimes called "rocket" greens, arugula is a more nutritious alternative to ordinary iceberg lettuce. Arugula also has a somewhat nutty, peppery taste and a noticeable fragrance, making it a stimulating addition to almost any sandwich.
20. **Add heirloom tomato slices.** Next, you'll want to add flavorful slices of tomato to your sandwich. While there are many valid choices, heirloom tomatoes) sometimes called "heritage" tomatoes) are a great bet. These tomatoes, frequently described as "rich" and/or "rustic", have a splotchy appearance that can range from yellowish to red to green or even brown and have a sweeter, more succulent flavor than ordinary varieties.
Note that heirloom tomatoes don't keep particularly well, so buying fresh, when possible, is best.
21. **Add your cooked pancetta.** At this point, if you've been cooking your pancetta while you've been assembling your sandwich, it should be almost done. When the pancetta is finished cooking, remove it from the pan and allow it to drain on a plate lined with paper towels. After draining for a few moments, move the pancetta to your sandwich.
You may add as much as you like, but, as with bacon, 3-4 pieces is often enough.
22. **Drizzle the top half of the bun with oil and vinegar.** We're almost done with our gourmet BLT! Add a final tangy, savory garnish to your burger by making your own vinaigrette from oil and vinegar. Combine three parts olive oil and one part balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Use very small amounts of each — aim to make no more than a few spoonfuls of vinaigrette total. Drizzle about a spoonful of your vinaigrette evenly over the top bun.
If you have leftover vinaigrette, don't drench your bun. Using too much can make your sandwich a sloppy mess. Instead, combine it with leftover arugula for an improvised side salad!
23. **Place the top half of the bun on top of the sandwich.** At last, you're done! Turn your top bun over and enjoy your premium, top-of-the-line sandwich.
As a side, try using the aforementioned arugula and vinaigrette salad, or, for a decadent alternative, some homemade fries! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-BLT-Sandwich", "language": "en"} |
How to Lose 5 Pounds in 5 Weeks | Losing five pounds in five weeks is considered healthy and safe weight loss. Losing any more than one to two pounds per week can put you at risk for nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, and is usually not sustainable for longer periods of time. Very low calorie diets used for more rapid weight loss make it very difficult to eat enough of the vital nutrients your body needs. However, with small changes to your diet and lifestyle, losing five pounds in five weeks can be quite easy while still be safe and healthy for most people.
1. **Talk to your doctor.** Before starting any weight loss plan, talk to your doctor. She'll be able to discuss your weight goals and let you know if weight loss is safe and healthy for you.
Ask your doctor about being referred to a registered dietitian. She may have a colleague she works with on a regular basis.
A registered dietitian is a nutrition expert that can help you design your weight loss plan, assist with meal planning, or suggest certain foods for weight loss.
Visit the EatRight website and click on the orange "Find an Expert" button on the top right to search for a dietitian in your area.
2. **Count calories.** Losing five pounds in five weeks can be fairly simple — especially when you count calories. To lose about one pound a week, aim to cut out 500 calories daily from your diet. This generally results in about a one pound weight loss per week.
Do not cut out too many calories or eat fewer than 1200 calories daily. This may result in nutrient deficiencies as it can be difficult to consume enough vital nutrients on very low calorie diets.
3. **Keep a food journal.** A food journal is a great weight loss tool. You can use it to see what changes you can make in your diet and also to help keep you on track throughout your diet.
Purchase a journal or download a journaling app on your smart phone. Track as many days as you can — both weekday and weekend days. Many people eat differently on the weekends, so including both weekend and weekdays is important.
When you're first starting your journal, take note of how many calories you're eating daily. Many of the food journal apps do this for you automatically. This can give you an idea of a calorie goal to follow for your weight loss plan.
4. **Write up a meal plan.** Meal plans are another great tool for weight loss. Planning out your meals and snacks in advance can help you stay on track and stick to your plan.
Consult a dietitian in regards to a meal plan to ensure that it is accurate and appropriate for your health history.
Take a day each week to write out your meal plan. Include all meals and snacks that you'll need for the week.
Your meal plan can also help you create a grocery list each week so you only buy the items you need.
5. **Eat lean protein at each meal.** Protein is an essential nutrient, especially in terms of weight loss. Eating lean protein at each meal has been shown to aid in weight loss and can help you lose more weight in the long-term.
Eat an appropriate portion size of protein at each meal. Aim to include about 3-4 oz of lean protein at each meal. This is approximately about the size of a deck of cards or a checkbook.
Include a variety of lean protein at each meal and throughout the day. Lean protein options include: poultry, eggs, lean red meat, pork, seafood, and low-fat dairy.
Vegetarian protein sources are also considered lean. These include: beans, lentils, nuts, tofu, and tempeh.
6. **Make half of your meals a fruit or vegetable.** Fruits and vegetables should make up a fairly large portion of your diet. These foods are low calorie and full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
For a well-balanced diet, try to include a fruit or vegetable at each meal and snack.
One serving of vegetables is about 1 cup or 2 cups of leafy green vegetables.
One serving of fruit is 1 small whole fruit, 1 cup of sliced fruit, or 1/2 cup dried fruit.
7. **Eat only 100% whole grains.** Whole grain foods provide your diet with an essential source of fiber and some vitamin and minerals. They are minimally processed and contain the bran, germ and endosperm of the grain.
1 serving of whole grains is 1 oz or 1/2 cup of grains like rice or pasta. Using a food scale is another accurate way of measuring pasta or other grains.
Examples of whole grain foods include: quinoa, brown rice, 100% whole wheat bread, millet, barely, oats, or 100% whole wheat pasta.
8. **Snack healthy.** An occasional snack can help make weight loss easier. This is especially true if a snack will help prevent you from overeating at a meal.
Take caution when deciding to snack. A snack can be a great tool to get you through an extended period of time between meals (more than four or five hours) or as pre/post workout fuel.
Keep snacks to about 100-200 calories. Also, try to include lean protein, fruits or vegetables, or whole grains. The combination of protein and fiber may help keep you satisfied longer.
Healthy snacks can include: low-fat cheese and an apple, low-calorie protein bar, or a greek yogurt and fruit.
9. **Drink water.** Aim to get an adequate amount of fluids daily. It's generally recommended to consume around eight glasses or 64 oz daily. Although the amount is different for everyone, adequate hydration can also aid in weight loss.
Keep a water bottle close by and monitor how much you're drinking each day.
Also, drinking right before a meal can calm your hunger and decrease your overall intake at your meal.
10. **Avoid indulgent foods.** When you're trying to lose weight, it's important to moderate how much you indulge in your favorite foods. Many indulgent foods or comfort foods are higher in calories and fat and can slow down or prevent weight loss.
Save indulgent foods like sweets or higher fat foods for a special occasion. Or, try consuming them in moderation — like once or twice a month.
If you're planning on indulging, consume a small portion to keep the calories in control.
11. **Avoid alcohol.** Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can prevent or slow down your weight loss. Alcohol can be very high in calories and sugar (especially in mixed drinks). Limit or avoid alcohol.
Women should limit alcohol to a maximum of 1 glass daily and men should limit alcohol to a maximum of 2 glasses daily.
Like indulgent treats, if you enjoy drinking alcohol, try to consume it in moderation. For example, a glass of wine once or twice a week.
12. **Include cardio exercises weekly.** Although exercise doesn't cause weight loss by itself, including regular physical activity will help support your weight loss efforts. Aim to be active for at least 150 minutes each week.
Aerobic activities can include exercises like: dance classes, hiking, jogging, or biking.
Be wary of the calorie estimates on cardio machines. The numbers listed aren't necessarily accurate for your height, weight, or gender.
13. **Participate in strength training.** Resistance training is a great compliment to cardiovascular activity and your weight loss. As you build more muscle mass, you will increase your metabolism and burn more calories overall.
It's recommended to include two days of strength training each week.
Strength training includes activities like: weight lifting, Pilates, or isometric exercises like push-ups or crunches.
14. **Sign up for a session with a personal trainer.** Scheduling a session or two with a personal trainer might be a good idea. This is especially true if you're unfamiliar with some exercises or want to find an exercise routine that will support your new weight loss plan.
A personal trainer can assist you in creating an exercise plan that is progressive, periodized, and appropriate for your abilities/goals.
Many gyms offer a free or discounted personal training session when you join or as part of your membership.
A personal training session might be costly, but you may only need one or two sessions to learn a routine or learn how to use the machines.
15. **Weigh yourself every day.** It will be important to weigh yourself every single day around the same time. This is especially true since you want to lose five pounds in five weeks; since it's a shorter dieting period, you'll want to make sure that your diet plan is working well.
Purchase a home scale so you have the right tools at home to keep yourself on track.
For the most accurate weights, weigh yourself in the same clothing each day.
Regular weigh-ins have also been shown to help prevent weight-gain.
16. **Evaluate your diet.** In order to meet your goal of losing five pounds in five weeks, it'll be important to check in and evaluate your diet along the way. Since the timeline is so short, if you notice your diet is not causing adequate weight loss, you'll want to make adjustments as soon as possible.
If you're not losing weight, check in with your food journal and calorie count. Are you slipping up? Snacking more often or eating larger portions? Make the necessary changes or cut out a few more calories to induce weight loss.
17. **Avoid ditching your diet plan.** Ideally, after you've lost your desired amount of weight, you should keep it off. Stick to your diet plan long-term to maintain your weight loss.
Maintain the lifestyle changes you've made: monitoring calories, portions sizes, and eating a balanced diet daily.
Also monitor how often you indulge in treats or alcohol. Although the occasional treat is OK, keep them to a minimum long-term to help maintain your weight. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-5-Pounds-in-5-Weeks", "language": "en"} |
How to Paint Rims with Plasti Dip | Plasti Dip is a rubber-based coating that protects your vehicle’s rims from damage. Many people use Plasti Dip since it applies smoothly and is easy to remove. If you want to protect your wheels, all you need is a few hours to Plasti Dip the rims. Once you’re finished, your rims will have a clean new look that lasts for months!
1. **Rinse your rims off with clean water from a hose.** Over time, your vehicle’s wheels get covered in debris from the road and dust from your brakes. Point the end of your hose at your rims and rinse them off completely. Make sure to rinse all the way around the rim to remove as much of the debris as you can.
You can also use a pressure washer attachment on your hose to get more cleaning power.
2. **Wipe your rims** Spray an all-purpose cleaner directly onto your rims to coat them. Use a clean rag to wipe the surfaces on your rims to remove any brake dust or dirt that’s still on them. Reach behind the rims with your rag and wipe the back side of your rims as well as you can.
Make sure your rims are completely dry before applying any Plasti Dip or else it may form bubbles.
3. **Tape plastic covers over your brake pads.** Feed the corner of a plastic cover through your rims so it’s over your brake cylinders. Work the cover around the brakes so they’re completely covered and Plasti Dip can’t get on them. Once you can’t see the brakes underneath the plastic, use a piece of painter’s tape to secure the plastic in place.
You can buy plastic covers from an auto care or hardware store.
If you don’t have plastic covers, cut a garbage bag in half instead.
4. **Line the edges of your rims with painter’s tape.** Rip off small pieces of tap and layer them around the outside of your rims. Overlap the tape so the Plasti Dip can’t get between the pieces. Make sure the tape extends about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) out from the rim to prevent any overspray.
You can also cover the rest of your tires with plastic covers if you want, but it’s not necessary to do since Plasti Dip peels off easily from rubber.
5. **Put a piece of cardboard underneath the wheel you’re working on.** Make sure to work outside or in a well-ventilated area to prevent any fumes from building up. Place a piece of cardboard that extends 1–2 feet (30–61 cm) from the bottom of your tires so you don’t get any Plasti Dip on the ground. If you need to, layer multiple pieces of cardboard to protect the area.
You can also use old rags instead of cardboard.
6. **Heat the Plasti Dip for 1 minute in a bucket full of warm water.** Fill a bucket or container with warm water from your sink. Slowly lower the can of Plasti Dip you’re using into the water, making sure the nozzle doesn’t get submerged. After 1 minute, take the can of Plasti Dip out from the bucket and dry it off with a rag.
Heating the can before you use it makes the spray more consistent so it doesn’t form bubbles or air pockets on your rims.
You can buy Plasti Dip online or from auto care stores.
7. **Wear goggles and a respirator when you spray the Plasti Dip.** Put on goggles and use a respirator that cover your mouth, nose, and eyes. Hold the can 6 in (15 cm) from your rims and press down on the nozzle. Use short bursts to apply the Plasti Dip onto your rims, working your way around them. Make sure to spray between the gaps in your rims to coat the inside of them as well. Aim to get about 50% coverage with your first coat.
Plasti Dip creates fumes that could be harmful if inhaled.
8. **Let the first coat dry for 5-15 minutes.** Plasti Dip is quick-setting, so leave the first coat to dry for about 5 minutes. Touch an inconspicuous spot on your rims to see if the coat feels tacky. If it does, allow it to dry for up to 15 minutes. If it doesn’t feel sticky, you can start your next coat.
Your rims may take longer to dry if you have humid weather.
9. **Apply a second coat and let it dry.** Start spraying the Plasti Dip onto your rims from 6 in (15 cm). Focus on areas that look spotty or weren’t covered as well by the first coat you applied. It’s okay to apply a thicker layer of Plasti Dip during your second coat, but be sure to spray it evenly so it doesn’t form bubbles. When you’re finished with the second coat, let it dry for another 5-15 minutes.
If the Plasti Dip does form bubbles, you can either go over it with more coats to hide them or peel it off to start over.
10. **Move your vehicle to rotate your tires by 180 degrees.** In between the second and third coat of Plasti Dip, get in your vehicle and pull it forward. Go slowly so your tires rotate 180 degrees. That way, you can see if there are any spots you missed or that need better coverage during the next coat.
If you’ve taken the tires off your vehicle to apply Plasti Dip, then flip them over so you can apply it to the back as well.
11. **Put on a third and fourth coat of Plasti Dip.** Spray at least 1 more coat of Plasti Dip onto your rims to cover any spots you may have missed or that don’t have an even finish. Let the next coat dry for another 5-15 minutes. If you still have areas that don’t have equal coverage, then put on a thin fourth coat and wait until they are dry to use.
Coating all 4 tires on your vehicle usually takes about 4 cans of Plasti Dip.
12. **Add a coat of spray gloss if you don’t want a matte finish.** While Plasti Dip has a matte finish, adding a coat of gloss adds shine to your rims. Hold the can of gloss 6 in (15 cm) away from the rim and spray it on in short bursts. Evenly cover all areas of your rims so they have an even finish. Let the gloss dry for at least 20-30 minutes
You can buy gloss from any auto care store.
You only need 1 coat of gloss, but you can apply additional layers if you want them to look shinier.
13. **Remove the tape and plastic covers from your tires.** Use your fingernail to peel the edge of the tape off of your wheel after your final layer of Plasti Dip or gloss finish is dry. Slowly peel off the tape around your rims to completely remove it. Reach in between the rims to pull the plastic covers from your brakes.
Be careful while peeling off the tape since pulling it off quickly could take off the Plasti Dip coating on your rims.
14. **Peel or wipe off any Plasti Dip that dried on the tires.** If you accidentally oversprayed and there’s Plasti Dip on your tires, use your fingernail to peel the edges. If you can't get a good grip with your fingernail, use a dry cleaning cloth in circular motions to break the Plasti Dip off. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Rims-with-Plasti-Dip", "language": "en"} |
How to Sew a Button | Sewing buttons is very easy once you get the hang of it. It's a very useful skill to possess, as buttons do fall off.
1. **Choose your button and thread.** Select a suitable button and thread that matches the button, the garment, and any thread used to sew on other buttons. If you like, you can double the thread to make this job quicker.
2. **Thread the needle** Simply pull the thread through the needle so that there is an equal length of thread extending from both sides.
3. **Tie a knot at the end of the thread.** One way to tie a knot is to wrap the thread around your finger as shown, roll the thread between your fingers, and pull it tight. If you doubled the thread, tie the ends together. Leave a long tail of thread, whether you are doubling the thread or using a single thread to sew the button.
4. **Position the button on the fabric.** Line the button up with the other buttons on the garment. Also check the buttonhole. Close the opposite flap or panel where you want it and make sure that the button lines up with the buttonhole.
5. **Push the threaded needle up through the fabric and through one hole in the button.** Pull the thread all the way through on each stitch.
6. **Place a straight pin.** Place a straight pin beneath the button, between the stitch you have made and where the next stitch will go, in order to keep the button from being stitched too tight. Then, push the needle down through the next hole and through the fabric. Pull the thread all the way through. It's best to hold the button in place so it does not move.
7. **Restart the process.** Bring the needle up through the first hole again and pull the thread all the way through the fabric.
8. **Strengthen the button.** Repeat the sewing process enough times to make sure the button is securely in place.
9. **On the last stitch, push the needle through the material, but not through a hole in the button.**
10. **Remove the straight pin.**
11. **Wrap the thread.** Wrap the thread six times around the thread between the button and the material to reinforce the shank you have created.
12. **Push the needle back down through the material.**
13. **Make three or four stitches to secure the thread.** Make a few stitches below the button, going back and forth to make them strong. Tie this thread off.
14. **Cut off the excess.**
15. **Choose what you will use.** Select a suitable button and thread that matches the button, the garment, and any thread used to sew on other buttons.
16. **Thread the needle** If you like, you can double the thread to make this job quicker. Simply pull it through the needle so that there is an equal length of thread extending from both sides.
17. **Tie a knot at the end of the thread.** One way to tie a knot is to wrap the thread around your finger as shown, roll the thread between your fingers, and pull it tight. If you doubled the thread, tie the ends together. Leave a long tail of thread, whether you are doubling the thread or using a single thread to sew the button.
18. **Position the button on the fabric.** Line the button up with the other buttons on the garment. Check the buttonhole. Close the opposite flap or panel where you want it and make sure that the button lines up with the buttonhole.
19. **Push the threaded needle up through the fabric and through one hole in the button.** Pull the thread all the way through on each stitch.
20. **Place a straight pin.** Place a straight pin beneath the button, between the stitch you have made and where the next stitch will go, in order to keep the button from being stitched too tight.
21. **Push the needle down through the opposite hole and through the fabric.** Pull the thread all the way through.
22. **Repeat through these holes twice, then switch to the other holes.**
23. **Switch between opposing pairs until the button is strongly attached.**
24. **On the last stitch, push the needle through the material, but not through a hole in the button.**
25. **Remove the straight pin.**
26. **Wrap the thread.** Wrap the thread six times around the thread between the button and the material to reinforce the shank you have created.
27. **Push the needle back down through the material.**
28. **Make three or four stitches to secure the thread.** Make a few stitches below the button, going back and forth to make them strong. Tie this thread off.
29. **Cut off the excess.**
30. **Finished.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-a-Button", "language": "en"} |
How to Dress for Hot Rainy Weather | Hot, humid, and rainy weather can be a recipe for sweaty, uncomfortable outfits. Thankfully, lighter, breezier outfits can help to keep you comfortable while careful layering can keep you comfortable during the rain. Take a peek through your wardrobe and see what rain-friendly outfits you can come up with during the spring and summer heat!
1. **Choose garments made with breathable, quick-drying fabrics.** With all the rain and humidity, it’s unfortunately inevitable that your clothes are going to get a little damp. With this in mind, pick out some breezy materials like cotton, linen, chambray, and jersey. Additionally, look for clothing made with moisture-wicking materials like bamboo, which won’t soak up the rain.
Stay away from materials like leather, heavy denim, and vinyl, which aren’t ideal for hot, humid weather.
Ditch any garments made with silk. You’re bound to be sweating a bit in the heat, and silk is not-so-great at hiding sweat stains from the naked eye. If you’re really in the mood for silk, slip into a white top, instead.
2. **Design a dynamic outfit with a transparent raincoat.** Slip into your favorite casual outfit, whether it’s a graphic tee, plain top, or something else altogether. Don’t be afraid to play around with colors and patterns—with your transparent raincoat, everything will be visible for the rest of the world to see.
For instance, you can pair a lightweight blazer and a skirt beneath a transparent raincoat.
You can also spice things up by wearing a trench coat with a graphic tee and a pair of jeans.
3. **Pair a lightweight jacket and dress for an easy outfit.** Dresses offer a lot of comfortable freedom and breeziness, which can be hard to come by on a hot, rainy day. Take advantage of this by wearing a long dress with a lightweight trench coat. To jazz things up, pick out a brightly-patterned dress that will contrast nicely with the trench coat.
For instance, you can pair a long, printed dress with a plaid trench coat for a rain-ready outfit.
If you’re looking for a minimalist outfit, wear a neutral-toned dress with your trench coat, instead.
Dresses and skirts give your body a lot of breathing room, which can be hard to come by during hot, humid weather.
4. **Create a sleek look with a lightweight trench coat and a casual outfit.** Pick out an outfit that you feel comfortable going out and about in. Slide a trench coat over top, so you’ll be a little protected from the rain and humidity outside. This type of outfit gives you a lot of freedom, so don’t be afraid to cater to your personal preferences!
For example, you can pair your favorite lightweight hoodie with some comfortable leggings, then accent it with a trench coat.
For a breezier look, pair baggy jeans and a loose top.
5. **Pick out a comfortable pair of pants to stay cool.** Go through your closet and pick out some pants that feel comfortable for the current weather. Look for garments made with lightweight materials, like linen, or other breathable pants, like harem pants, culottes, or jeans. Pair these with a comfortable top for a quick, rain-ready outfit!
For example, you might pair a basic T-shirt with boyfriend-style jeans.
You might also like changing things up with a jumpsuit.
6. **Stay relaxed in a pair of jeans and a windbreaker.** Grab your favorite pair of jeans, which will keep your outfit comfortably casual. Slide on a breathable top, along with a windbreaker. Pick out a colorful windbreaker for a more dynamic look, or play around with neutral tones if you’d prefer to be subtle.
For example, you can wear a pastel-toned windbreaker with blue jeans for a colorful outfit.
You can also pair a solid-toned windbreaker with your jeans for a less ambitious look.
7. **Dress up in a trench dress.** Trench dresses provide a fun twist on the typical trench coat. You can wear a trench dress on its own, or layer it over another outfit for extra emphasis. Play around with different outfit combinations and see what strikes your fancy!
For instance, you can layer a solid-toned trench dress over a blouse and slacks.
You can also wear a brightly-colored trench dress as the centerpiece of your ensemble.
8. **Slip into ankle-length pants instead of floor-grazing bottoms.** Floor-length pants are a great option when the weather is dry, but they’ll just get soggy and icky when you wear them in the rain. Instead, look for ankle-length pants or bottoms that won’t drag along the ground, like a nice pair of skinny jeans or slacks.
For instance, a nice pair of slacks is a good replacement for floor-length pants.
If it’s really warm, you can ditch the pants altogether and go for shorts!
9. **Try on a pair of sturdy rain boots before heading outside.** Don’t be afraid to splurge a little bit on a pair of nice rain boots. Unfortunately, inexpensive rain boots can wear out easily and might leave you feeling damp and uncomfortable. Keep a pair at your home, so you’re ready to go out when the rainy weather comes.
10. **Wear a scarf in place of jewelry.** Slip a lightweight scarf around your neck instead of wearing a necklace. This way, your jewelry won’t be as likely to soak up excess water and sweat, which can lead to unwanted tarnishing.
This method works best for necklaces. If it’s really rainy outside, you might want to leave your jewelry at home for the day.
11. **Pick out a bucket hat to make your outfit rain-resistant.** Slip-on a bucket hat to stay extra protected from any water and moisture headed your way. You can pair your hats with a flowing garment, like a dress, or a basic shirt and jeans—the choice is yours!
For example, you can pair a neutral-toned bucket hat with a relaxed midi dress for an easy look.
Mix and match a solid-colored top with jeans and a bucket hat.
12. **Stay dry with an umbrella.** Grab a bubble umbrella if you live in a rainy and windy area, which can help keep you protected from extreme weather. If you’re looking for a simpler solution, stick a small, compact umbrella in your handbag instead.
13. **Carry your things in an inexpensive bag.** Don’t bring your nicest bag out with you when you head out into the rain and humidity. Instead, have a lower-quality bag at the ready for rainy days, like a tote.
If you want to bring your nice accessories out in the rain, coat them with a high-density transparent coating, which will help protect them from moisture.
14. **Stay dry in a pair of combat boots.** Rifle through your wardrobe and see what leftover shoes you have laying around, like a pair of combat boots. Look for a sturdy, neutral-toned pair of shoes that will go well with any outfit, while also protecting you from humidity.
For instance, you can wear a graphic tee with dark shorts with a pair of combat boots.
15. **Slip into some waterproof sneakers if you’re in a rush.** Don’t limit yourself to just rain boots when it’s hot and humid outside. Instead, look through your closet or shop online for a pair of waterproof sneakers, which can put up the icky demands of inclement weather. Look for a pair of neutral-toned sneakers, which will go well with just about any outfit.
For instance, light brown or white are great colors for your shoes.
16. **Avoid flimsy footwear when you head outside.** Go for sturdier footwear like combat boots and waterproof sneakers, as opposed to flip-flops, which can slip off or break easily in puddles. Additionally, stay away from flat or strappy shoes, which don’t offer a lot of protection. Instead, pick out shoes that you feel comfortable and safe walking around in, where you’ll be steady on your feet. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-for-Hot-Rainy-Weather", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Hemp Oil | If you like using hemp oil at home, creating it yourself makes sense. Keep in mind, hemp seed oil refers to a carrier oil made from the seed, much like flaxseed oil or canola. It can be used as a moisturizer or in foods. However, it's difficult to make at home because you need a large press. Hemp CBD oil, on the other hand, is where you pick a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil and infuse it with hemp. CBD oil can technically be made from cannabis or hemp; hemp is the same plant, but it contains less than 0.3% THC, the compound in cannabis that gives you a high. To make hemp oil at home, you can either finely chop hemp buds to infuse the oil or use a CBD concentrate for a simple process.
1. **Pick a carrier oil.** You can use hemp seed oil if you'd like. Other options include olive oil, coconut oil, or canola oil. Basically, any healthy plant-based oil is a good choice for making CBD hemp oil.
You could also try flaxseed oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, or walnut oil.
2. **Preheat the oven to 225 °F (107 °C).** In a few minutes, you'll be placing the hemp plant in the oven to bake, so it's best to get it started preheating now. That way, it will be ready when you're finished preparing the buds.
3. **Grind up 1 ounce (28 g) of hemp buds.** Place the buds into a coffee grinder or food processor. Pulse the plants in the processor to quickly chop them up more finely. Try to get the pieces as fine as you can.
You can find hemp buds online or sometimes in local health food stores. Dried is best.
If you don't have a processor or grinder, you can just use a very sharp knife. Mince the plants up as well as you can.
4. **Spread the ground buds out on a baking sheet.** Any flat baking sheet will do, though aim for a 9 by 13 in (23 by 33 cm) pan or larger. Dump the plants on the baking sheet, and then spread them out into a thin layer.
You can use aluminum foil or parchment paper on the pan if you'd like, but it's not necessary.
5. **Heat the bud powder for an hour.** Place the pan in the preheated oven and turn on a timer for 60 minutes. When the time is up, check on the powder. It should be a little crisp to the touch, and it should look a little brown.
This process decarboxylates the hemp, which activates the CBD in it.
6. **Add 2 cups (470 mL) of oil and the powder to a slow cooker.** You can also use a double boiler. Pour the oil you picked into the cooker of your choice and then dump the plants in as well. Stir to make sure the powder completely covered in oil. Turn the heat on low to begin slowly warming up the mixture.
You need to use something that provides low heat over an extended period, which is why double boilers and slow cookers are good options.
In a double boiler, the water below the oil should be simmering lightly.
7. **Let the mixture stew for 2-3 hours on low heat, stirring every 30 minutes.** Come back to the oil every half hour to give it a gentle stir. This also gives you an opportunity to check the color. When it takes on a greenish-brown color, the oil is done, and you can take it off the heat.
You can let it stew for up to 8 hours but make sure to keep the heat very low. You may extract more CBD this way.
8. **Strain the powder out of the oil.** Let the oil cool 30 minutes or so before you try to handle it. Set a strainer with cheesecloth or muslin in it over a bowl. Pour the oil through the strainer to filter out the powder.
To get as much oil out of it as you can, gather up the cheesecloth around the powder and squeeze it. Let the oil drip out the bottom.
9. **Store the oil in a cool, dark place.** Pour the strained oil into a clean jar or container that holds about 2 cups (470 mL). A small canning jar works well for storage. Label the jar with the date and its contents so you don't confuse it with other oil. Place it somewhere relatively cool away from light to help increase its shelf life.
Typically, it will stay good for about 2 months. If you want to keep it for longer, put it in the refrigerator, where it may last as long as 6 months.
If the oil has an off smell or it grows mold, it's time to toss it.
10. **Pour 1 cup (240 mL) of oil into a pan.** You can use any cooking oil you prefer, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil. If your coconut oil is solid, spoon it out to measure it, and it will melt in the pan as you heat it.
11. **Place the pot over low heat.** You don't want the oil to heat up too much, as it could burn. Plus, if the oil is too hot, it could destroy your CBD concentrate when you put it in. Keep the pot on the lowest setting.
If you want, you can use a candy thermometer or digital thermometer to monitor the temperature. Don't let the oil get above 245 °F (118 °C).
You can use a double boiler or slow cooker if you're afraid the oil will get too hot.
12. **Measure and crush 0.04 ounces (1.1 g) of CBD isolate or concentrate.** Use a digital scale to measure out the concentrate. Then, crush the crystals/concentrate until you have a powder.
You can use a spoon, a rolling pin, or any flat tool to crush the crystals. You could also use a mortar, and pestle.
13. **Add the powder to the pot and let it heat slowly until it dissolves.** Once you dump the powder in, stir it with a spoon. Keep stirring every few minutes until you see the powder has dissolved completely.
14. **Cool the oil before storing it.** Take the pot off the heat when the powder is fully incorporated. Leave it for about 30 minutes to cool completely, and then pour it in a clean jar that holds about 1 cup (240 mL). Label the jar with the date and the contents of the jar to prevent confusion. You can store it at room temperature, but pick a relatively cool location.
It's also a good idea to store it away from light.
It will stay good for 2 months. For longer shelf life, place it in the refrigerator, where it may last up to 6 months. Toss it if it gets an odd smell. If it grows mold, you should also toss it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Hemp-Oil", "language": "en"} |
How to Design a Logo | A great logo is more than images and words, a good logo tells a story about your company--who you are, what you do and what you stand for. That's a lot to ask of one piece of art, which is why it's important that you take the time to do it right. Fortunately, you don't have to do it alone. The steps below will take you through the process of designing a logo that will successfully brand you in the marketplace.
1. **Determine the primary function of your logo.** A logo represents your brand through the use of shape, fonts, color and images. Being clear on why you need a logo can guide your design.
Boost recognition. Is your company new or competing in a field with a lot of other players? Having a strong logo can help clients recognize your brand more readily.
Create memorability. Consumers shop with their eyes and logos can be easier to remember than names, products, and services. Over time, a customer comes to associate your logo with your company.
Create trust. Part of bringing in and keeping clients is based on their willingness to trust you. A solid logo that conveys your honesty and integrity can help put clients at ease.
Enhance admiration. If clients already have a good impression of your business, you can build on that by creating a logo that is well-regarded for its good looks, cleverness or effective simplicity.
2. **Think about your target market.** It's important to be clear on who your client is and customize the look of your logo to appeal to those who will be using your services.
A logo for a florist shop could incorporate a whimsical font and a bright color scheme; this wouldn't work so well for an auto body repair garage.
A logo for a law firm must communicate integrity and strength; not necessarily the look that would work well for a catering company.
3. **Decide whether to incorporate your company's name into the logo.** Of course, you want to build name recognition for your business, but making the name part of your logo design may not always be a good idea.
Include the name if it is reasonably distinctive but not yet a household word or if your marketing funds are limited and your goal is to build name recognition.
Do not include the name if it is too generic, too long, doesn’t translate well globally (if that's a consideration) or lacks personality. Leave the name out, too, if you must put your logo on a product, such as a sneaker or a handbag.
Think of all the different ways you plan to use your logo. Picture the smallest size you may need; if the company name won't be readable when the logo is the size of a favicon, it may be best to leave it out of the design.
4. **Follow the company's color scheme.** If your company has already established the use of certain colors in its signage, advertising, and other materials, it's important that those colors are reflected in the logo.
Consistent use of colors builds familiarity. You want customers to be able to mentally "link" your logo to the company.
If your company has branded itself with specific colors, the public will have developed a subconscious association with those colors. For example, wikiHow's color scheme is green.
If you don't yet have an established color scheme for your business, do some research on the psychology of colors so that you can choose appropriately. For example, red signifies strength, passion, energy and confidence but it can also signal danger.
5. **Be inspired by but don't copy successful logos.** While it might be tempting to create something that looks like your favorite corporate logo, it will communicate an unintended message to your audience—that you're lazy and uninspired.
Look at logos of other businesses similar to yours. Ask yourself what you like and don't like about them. What works and what doesn't? Don't get overwhelmed by looking at too many examples—10 or 12 should be more than enough to give you ideas of what to do and avoid.
A successful logo should be simple, memorable, timeless, and appropriate. Keep these as goals as you play around with ideas.
If you're struggling with ideas, try using the different keywords to conduct searches online or use a thesaurus to move your thinking in some new directions.
Doodle. Sketch things out and play around with them. Write keywords in different fonts. See if something visual sparks an idea.
6. **Keep it simple.** Designing a logo is an exercise in restraint. While it may be tempting to try to convey a multitude of messages with your design, trying to do too much will sabotage the success of your logo.
Avoid too many colors, multiple fonts and layered images. A confusing or cluttered logo won't convey a clear message.
If there are too many visual elements in your logo, it will be difficult for the customer to process. They won't know where to look or what it means.
Practically speaking, a simple logo is easier and less expensive to reproduce. Since your logo may appear on a variety of items—from letterhead to advertisements to tote bags—simplicity could save you money in the long run.
7. **Create multiple designs.** In the early stage, you may have several ideas that you want to express in your logo design. Commit them all to paper so that you can see what works and what doesn't.
Even a design that's a dud can spark an idea or offer one element that you want to retain in the next version of your design.
8. **Draw a rough sketch of the design.** You're better off putting pencil to paper in the initial stages of your logo design process. Sketching is a quick and easy way to get the ideas out of your head and onto paper where you can evaluate them more easily.
Plain white paper or simple graph paper make good backgrounds for your pencil sketches.
Don't erase. Designing is not a linear process. Keep the pages with the designs that you didn't like. They may spark an idea or, upon later examination, offer something of value.
Large design companies will often sketch out dozens of pages of logo concepts before they even touch a computer mouse. Take a tip from the pros and focus on your sketches first.
9. **Show the design to a test market.** It may be tempting to move forward once you've come up with what seems to you to be a winning logo, but it's important to get feedback.
10. **Get feedback from people in your target market.** Show your design(s) to a sampling of people who fit the profile of your ideal customer. You may show them multiple designs or simply the one you feel to be the strongest candidate.
Ask key questions that will reveal their reaction to the logo. Do they think it's boring or exciting? Ugly or attractive? Generic or unique? Also check to see what image or message the logo conveys to them, whether they find it easy to read/recognize, and if it seems consistent with what they know about your company or about your industry.
11. **Be wary of relying too heavily on family and friends.** While you may want to informally get the opinion of those close to you, their comments may not offer the kind of feedback you'll find to be most useful.
You can use family and friends to test your logo's memorability. Let them look at the design for a few seconds and then ask them to draw it. If they can remember most of it, then it's memorable.
12. **Make sure that the design is scalable.** Consider all the different ways you may use your logo—in newspaper ads, on signage, and on your website. Your logo must function well whether it's being reproduced in a large or a small format.
If a logo has too much detail or lines that are too thin, those elements may get lost or the logo may look too fussy at small sizes.
If a logo is drawn to look good only at a business card size, it will tend to appear clunky when reproduced larger.
Graphic design programs such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape will allow you to test the scalability of your design. If you're working by hand initially, try making copies of your design at different size settings.
13. **Create a final draft.** Ultimately, you need to have your logo digitized. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to make it happen for you.
Learn a graphic design program. The most used program is Adobe Illustrator but Inkscape is another offering, and it can be downloaded online for free.
There are a number of instructional books and websites that can help you learn Illustrator. Community colleges and some continuing education programs offer classes in this design program.
Hire a professional graphic artist. If you already have a background in graphic arts, or computer-assisted design or you're a quick study, then you may be able to do it yourself; otherwise, you're better off putting your work in the hands of a professional.
Visit designers' websites to see their portfolios. You want to choose someone who has experience working with logo design.
Ask about turnaround time. Depending on what stage your design is in, you may go through another revision with an artist or he or she may simply reproduce your idea "as-is." In any case, find out how long it will take from the time you give them your design until you see a finished product.
Find out about costs. Again, where you are in your design process will impact the cost of this service. If you need someone to go back to square one with you in your design, that will be more expensive than if you are happy with the logo you've created and simply want to have it professionally computerized.
Check online services. There are a number of online graphic design services that allow you to pay a set fee and in return receive several logo designs from artists trying to win the job. You choose the design you like best and work with that artist through the completion of the project.
14. **Keep listening.** Once your logo is finished, it's important that you stay open to feedback on the design.
Use social media. If your company has an established online presence, run your logo past those who are connected to you and listen to what they have to say.
Try your logo out on your website first. If the response to your logo isn't positive, it's easier and less expensive to revise and republish it on your website than to redo printed materials.
Get details. If clients say the logo is "confusing" or "difficult to read," press them for details. The more you can find out before you invest in all of your print collateral, the easier it will be to tweak the design. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Design-a-Logo", "language": "en"} |
How to Tape a Foot for Plantar Fasciitis | Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain in the heel and the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia, also called the arch tendon, is a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. It can be torn, stretched, or otherwise injured and become inflamed. Once inflamed, the condition is called plantar fasciitis. Taping reduces the amount of further injury and inflammation and gives plantar fascia a chance to heal. Learn how to wrap or stretch your foot if you have plantar fasciitis so you can take advantage of this treatment option.
1. **Gather your materials.** You need sports tape to tape your foot using this method. You can get rolls of sports tape at superstores, supermarkets, or drugstores. A roll of zinc oxide tape should last for three to five tapings.
Make sure that when you apply the tape that you keep all wrinkles out of the tape. This can cause blisters or other irritation.
Tape should be wrapped lightly. You don't want the tape to be too tight on your foot.
2. **Wash your foot.** Before you tape your foot, make sure you wash your foot with non-moisturizing soap. This helps the tape stick to your foot when applied. Make sure your foot is completely dry before starting.
3. **Anchor the tape.** To start the taping process, tape a piece of tape around the ball of your foot. This is the area just behind your toes on your foot. Make sure your foot is relaxed during the taping. Wrap the tape all the way around so it's on the top and bottom of your foot.
Next, wrap a piece of tape around the back of your ankle. The tape should run around the ankle and down both sides of your foot until it meets the tape around the ball of your foot. Stick the two sections of tape together.
This should not be tight. The tape should be loose on your feet, and you should complete this step while your foot is relaxed.
Smooth any wrinkles out of the tape as you go to prevent blisters.
4. **Cross the foot with tape.** Stick one end of the tape on your foot just below your big toe. Then tape diagonally across the bottom of your foot. Wrap the tape around the hell, then tape it diagonally the other way across the bottom of your foot. Take the end under your pinky toe.
At this point, you should have a large X across the bottom of your foot with tape. The center of the X should be in the middle of your foot.
Repeat taping this X three more times. This provides support to the plantar fascia.
5. **Tape horizontally.** The last step of the taping is to tape horizontal lines along the sole of your foot. These horizontal strips of tape will overlap so that you cannot see any of your foot. They will cover the entire bottom of your foot from the heel to the anchor going around the ball of your foot.
At the end, wrap a piece of tape all the way around the ball of your foot again, including the top of your foot, to provide extra support. This should be the only piece of tape on the top of your foot.
You don't have to wrap all the way around your foot. Instead, tear each piece of tape at the edge of your foot, making what looks like a tape shoe.
6. **Tape throughout the day.** You should tape your feet whenever you are going to engage in a lot of physical activity, such as before exercising or before going to work.
The kinesiology tape should be comfortable and should not be folded on the underside of your foot.
It's okay to leave the tape on for three to five days, but it's better to change the tape every day.
It's fine if the tape gets wet in the shower.
7. **Gather the materials.** To stretch your foot, you will need a few items. You will need a long shoelace or ribbon. You also will need a tube sock you have modified.
The tube sock needs a shoe lace or ribbon loop sewn into the toe of the sock and to the top of the sock. You can easily do this with needle and thread.
8. **Sit in a comfortable position.** To begin stretching your foot, sit down in a comfortable position. You may want to place your ankle on your opposite knee. Put the sock on your affected foot.
Make sure you keep your toes flexed during this so you get the best stretch. However, don't stretch it so far that it feels painful.
9. **Secure the stretch of your foot.** Gently pull your toes up toward your head. Keep your toes stretched so you feel the extension in your foot. Thread the shoelace or piece of ribbon you have through each loop on the tube sock. You should feel a gentle stretch and shouldn't feel any pain.
Tie the shoelace or ribbon so that your foot remains in the stretched position, your toes pointing toward your face. You should also feel some stretch in your calf.
Be careful that you don't overstretch the tendon.
10. **Take caution during the night.** Be careful when you get out of bed during the night for any reason. Also use caution when you wake in the morning. Before you get out of bed, untie or loosen the shoelace or ribbon. Re-tie it when you get back into bed.
Stretching your foot at night helps to loosen or lengthen the shortened plantar fascia.
11. **Understand the importance of taping or stretching your foot.** Taping your foot to treat plantar fasciitis can reduce the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. It helps support your foot when you engage in physical activity to reduce strain. It can also help minimize stress and inflammation.
Keeping your foot stretched helps your foot loosen and heal in an elongated position so it doesn't shorten during the night. The main goal in taping your foot is to keep the foot flexed, with the toes pointing or pulled toward your head, until you feel a stretch in the bottom of your foot. Make sure you only feel a gentle stretch in your foot.
12. **Recognize the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.** You may start seeing symptoms when you feel pain under your heel or in the arch of your foot. This often occurs when you stand up in the morning or after resting your feet for an extended period of time. After some time walking, the pain decreases.
Pain may be felt after long periods of standing, physical activity, running, or sitting. Many times, the pain is felt while exercising.
The pain is usually described as stabbing, but it can also be described as aching or burning.
13. **Learn the causes of plantar fasciitis.** The plantar fascia bears all our weight and has been described as a sort of bowstring supporting the arch of the foot. Anything that causes increased strain on this area of the foot can cause plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis may occur when the plantar fascia tightens, shortens, or becomes inflamed. Causes include:
Obesity
Footwear that does not support the arch adequately or fits improperly
Overload because of physical activity, such as running, jumping, or jogging
Arthritis
Diabetes
Existing foot problems, such as flat feet or high arches
Abnormal gait and way of walking
Walking barefoot on hard surfaces too much
Deconditioning
Overtraining | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Tape-a-Foot-for-Plantar-Fasciitis", "language": "en"} |
How to Write a Circular Letter | Writing an unsolicited circular letter is a great way to get information to a large group of people at once. It is used most often to get info out about goods or services one wants to advertise. However, it can also be used for non-business reasons, such as for spreading information about a community meeting or about a change in your life. In order to write one yourself, you need to start by deciding on your topic and your supporting points. With these on hand, you can easily outline and then draft your letter. To finish it up you just need to read it over once more for typos and to ensure that the letter provides all of the information you want it to.
1. **Decide who your letter should be written to.** When writing a circular letter it is important to have a specific audience in mind. Knowing who your audience is from the get-go will help you to craft a clear and effective letter that is customized specifically to them.
2. **Write an introductory greeting.** Begin with a general salutation, such as "Dear Investor" or "Hello Dear Customer." This simple greeting sets the tone for the letter and shows that you are a professional.
For a circular letter that is going to many people, you can’t use the common personal greeting, such as “Dear Jane Smith.” Instead, you have to use very general language while still being cordial and engaging.
You can try a warm greeting, such as "Dear Valued Customers," or "Dear Esteemed Colleagues," or a just simple greeting, like "Dear Community Members."
3. **Give a brief explanation of who you are.** This information should include your professional position, if that is pertinent to the letter, and how you are connected to the readers. This gives the reader context about why you are writing to them, and thus tells them why they should keep reading.
For example, if you own a catering business and you are writing to previous clients, write, "My name is Erin Smith and I own Catering Plus. I'm writing to you today because I am grateful to have had you as a customer in the past."
4. **Tell your readers about your main topic in the first paragraph.** When writing a circular letter it's important to let the reader know your point rather quickly. Instead of beating around the bush, tell the reader what you want them to know right away. This will ensure that even if they don’t keep reading, they get the general idea.
Are you writing to promote a sale? Are you writing to inform people about an investment opportunity? Whatever the main message is, clarify that at the beginning.
For example, if you want the reader to buy your product, say something like, "I am writing today because I have a wonderful new product that I think you might find useful."
5. **Make a list of your supporting points so you can refer to it as you write.** Having additional points or ideas you want to express in the letter written out in a list can help you stay on message as you write the body of the letter. Make bullet points of everything you want to be included in the letter so that you can remember to include them all and cross them off when you have included them.
For example, if you are writing about a sale on a product you sell, bullet points you might list include the sale price or discount percentage, how long the sale will be running, and how to contact you to purchase the product.
6. **Give supporting information in 1 or 2 core paragraphs.** Each of your paragraphs should be focused on supporting your overall point. Tell the reader the details about why they need your product, why they should do what you are asking them to do, or why changes are happening in your company. These need to be short, clear paragraphs that work to prop up the central point of your letter.
For example, if your letter is about a sale your business is having, make one paragraph about what exactly is on sale. Begin the paragraph by writing, "Let me tell you a bit about this product so that you understand what a great deal we are offering."
Another paragraph could be about why your offer is such a good deal. You could start this paragraph by telling your potential customers, "We are offering you such a good deal on this product because we value you as a customer and we want to pass our savings on to you."
If you are writing to your company's employees about the office moving to a new building, the core one or two paragraphs should contain a general timeline for the move and how they should expect the move to impact their workflow. You could start by saying, "The whole move should take 2 weeks," and then go into detail about how that time will be broken down.
7. **Write out a concluding paragraph or statement.** In your conclusion, you should restate your main point and thank the reader for taking the time to read your letter. This will drive your point home and create a good feeling as the reader finishes reading your letter.
For example, if your circular letter is telling readers about your new professional position, repeat your title and why this information might be important for the reader to know. You could say, "Once again, I am very grateful to now be the head of the marketing division of Omniglobal and I hope that with this new position I will be able to build a new and productive relationship with your company."
8. **Edit your letter for length.** A circular letter should be long enough to give the reader all the pertinent information you want them to know. However, it also needs to be short enough so that the reader doesn't get bored reading it. If the letter is longer than a page, it needs to be shortened. Look for repetition in your writing and edit that out. Also, assess whether your reader needs to know all the details you have provided and take some out if they don't.
It can be difficult to edit your own writing, as you thought that everything you included was important enough to include. Because of this, consider asking someone with fresh eyes to look over your work.
9. **Read over your letter and fix any typos.** Once you finish writing it's important to go over your work to look for mistakes. Taking the time to do this will help ensure that your letter comes across professionally and that the reader can focus on your message, instead of your mistakes.
10. **Make sure that you are releasing authorized information.** When sending a business letter it's important to give out very limited information. Do not send out confidential information or information that you don't want the general public to know in a circular letter.
For example, if you are writing a circular letter that is going out to employees about a change in leadership in your company, in many cases you don't want to include the underlying reasons for the change as they might reflect poorly on the company or they might open the company up to a lawsuit.
11. **Format** Your letter should have a business format that includes the name of your business and its address at the top, usually in the center. If you have a business header, that can serve this purpose. You should also include the date at the top left-hand side above the greeting so that readers know if the letter is current when they read it.
At the bottom of the letter you should include your name and contact information, which usually includes your email address and phone number.
12. **Verify that you are sending your letter to the right people.** After you have finished your letter all you need to do is send it out. However, look over your mailing list one more time before you send it just to make sure that it's going out to everyone you want it to and that the addresses you are using are correct.
In general, make your mailing list as large as possible if you are getting information out about your business. The more people you reach, the more likely you will get more customers and business connections. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Circular-Letter", "language": "en"} |
How to Grow Wheat in Your Garden | If you're trying to be more self-sufficient or just like the idea of making your own flour, wheat is a fun crop to grow. While a small patch won't produce enough wheat to feed a family for the rest of the year, you can still plant enough to get a good harvest, even in a small garden. As an added bonus, planting wheat in winter acts as a cover crop, which means it's a good way to keep weeds from growing in your garden. Also, you can till the leftover parts of the plants into the soil come spring, which acts as compost for your soil.
1. **Pick an area with full sun.** Wheat does best with a lot of sunlight, so try to pick an area that doesn't get much or any shade during the day. Watch your garden off and on throughout the day to find the best area for full sun.
If you don't have a full-sun location, just pick the sunniest spot you can.
2. **Carve out a large area of your garden for growing wheat.** Wheat has a relatively low yield in relation to the space it takes up in your garden. You need about 90 square yards (75 m) to produce about 50 pounds (23 kg) of wheat, the amount of wheat an average person consumes in a year.
Put in other terms, you need an area that's at least 16.5 feet (5.0 m) by 16.5 feet (5.0 m) to produce enough wheat for 1 person for a year. However, you could always plant less than that and just replace some of the wheat you buy each year.
Keep in mind that in colder areas, you'll likely have a lower yield, as little as 60 pounds (27 kg) per 1,100 square feet (100 m).
You shouldn't expect high yields with your first crop. Growing wheat, like growing any vegetable, involves a learning curve.
3. **Test the soil pH level.** Purchase a pH testing kit from a local gardening store or online. Follow the instructions on the back of your kit to determine the pH level of your soil. You can also send samples to a lab to test your soil, either from your local agriculture extension office at a university or from another soil-testing lab.
Wheat doesn't like low pH levels, so if yours are below 7, amend the soil. Add about 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) of limestone per 100 square feet (9.3 m) of soil for each half a level you need to increase the pH.
4. **Turn the soil to get it ready for wheat.** Turning or digging the soil helps loosen it up, improving airflow and helping the plant grow. The simplest method to turn the soil is to take a spadeful from the ground, and flip it over in the same spot. Go across the whole bed this way. Only dig 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) down into the soil.
You can also dig trenches, and flip the soil from one trench into the previous trench.
If your plot is large, you can use a rototiller to turn your soil more easily.
5. **Till the soil with a fine rake.** Wheat does best in soil without large clumps. Go over your garden patch with a fine rake or tiller to break up any clumps and ready the soil for planting.
Walk over the soil to help even it out, and then till it once more.
6. **Choose winter wheat up to growing zone 3.** You plant winter wheat in the fall, so it is a relatively sturdy plant. However, it won't survive very cold growing areas, such as any growing area at zone 3 or above.
Some winter wheat varieties will survive down to −10 °F (−23 °C).
Plant winter wheat seeds about 6 weeks before the first expected frost. While winter wheat does well in cooler climates, you do need to sow it when it's a bit warmer. Doing so will help the wheat germinate more readily.
7. **Try spring wheat if you live in a hardiness zone 3 or colder.** Because winter wheat won't survive where it's very cold, opt for spring wheat in those areas. In the United States, only the very northern states in the Midwest and East Coast fall into zone 3, such as most of Montana, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Minnesota and parts of Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Maine, so those are the areas you should plant spring wheat instead.
Plant spring wheat after the last frost in your area.
Check weather sites for when the first and last frosts typically happen in your area.
8. **Toss the seeds on the ground with your hand.** You don't need to plant the seeds in evenly spaced holes with wheat. Instead, just scatter the seeds with your hand across the area you've prepared. Aim for about 1 seed per 1 square inch (6.5 cm).
You won't be able to get this exactly precise, and that's fine.
If you're not confident you can spread the seed uniformly, try a broadcast seed spreader, which you can find in the lawn section at your local home improvement or gardening store. Adjust the hole size at the bottom for wheat, and then roll it over the garden area. It will disburse the seed evenly for you.
9. **Rake the ground lightly to cover up the seeds.** If you don't cover the seeds with a little soil, birds will eat them. Just run a fine rake over the area to move the soil on top of the seeds.
10. **Water the ground to start the germination process.** Use a hose with a gentle head to spray the ground with water until the area is fairly well saturated. The water will help the seeds begin the growth process.
11. **Repel slugs and snails when the plants are young.** These bugs can ruin your crop when it's just coming up. Use slug repellents or spread diatomaceous earth on top of the soil to keep the slugs at bay.
Diatomaceous earth is harmless to humans and animals. It basically drys out any crawling insect, keeping them away from your plants. You can find it online or in organic garden stores.
12. **Water the plants 1-2 times a week in very dry weather.** Typically, you won't need to water wheat, as it is fairly hardy. If you've gone more than a week without rain, give the wheat a good soaking.
Fortunately, because you plant wheat so close together, you don't need to worry about weeds, as they have no room to grow.
13. **Apply a fungicide if you see drooping leaves and rusty patches.** If you see these signs, you may have a fungus such as rust or blotch. Apply a fungicide to help prevent the spread of the disease. Typically, you'll only apply these once when you see the disease popup, and spraying is a common method of application. However, it varies based on what kind of fungicide you choose, so always read the directions.
Pick a fungicide meant to treat wheat, which may be listed under "cereal" or "grain." Typically, the active ingredients you'll need will be one of the following: propiconazole, azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, Pyraclostrobin, or Tebuconazole.
14. **Watch for the maturation of the grain.** Once your wheat develops stalk heads, check the growth of the grains. When the head starts turning all brown or mostly brown, you're near the end of the maturity cycle.
The head of the stalk will also start to bend over when it's ready to be harvested.
15. **Cut stalks when the grains reach the "hard dough" stage.** Grain goes through 4 stages. It has a soft, milky stage (like corn on the cob), a soft dough stage, a hard dough stage, and a flint stage. In the hard dough stage, you should be able to dent the grain with a fingernail, but it shouldn't squish.
Typically, the grains will reach this stage about 30 days after the heads flower.
16. **Harvest the stalks with a scythe or pruning shears.** If you don't have a lot of wheat, simply cut off about 10 inches (25 cm) of stalk near the grain head. If you have a scythe or other large harvesting knife, grasp the stalks in the middle, then cut them at the bottom of the plant near the soil.
17. **Let the grain cure in bundles.** Make piles of the stalks as you cut them. When you have a large pile that you can still wrap your arms around, tie up the stalks in a large bundle with string or even just a green stalk of wheat. Lean the bundles against each other to help them stand up, and let them sit in the sun for 3 or 4 days, until the grain hardens to the flint stage.
Some rain won't hurt the grain. If you have a downpour or rain over a couple of days, cover the wheat with a tarp.
You can harvest the grain in the flint stage instead of letting it dry after you cut the stalks. However, you'll get a better-tasting and better-grinding wheat if you let it dry to the flint stage after you cut it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Wheat-in-Your-Garden", "language": "en"} |
An Expert-Approved Guide to Cutting Brick like a Pro | Bricks are ideal materials for creating walkways and support structures. With a high degree of durability and a wide price range, they can be adapted for use in many situations. But most likely, you're going to find yourself in situations where you need to cut them. Luckily, whether you use a cold chisel to make rough cuts or a power saw for clean, precise cuts, cutting bricks isn't as tough as you might think.
1. **Draw a line on each side of the brick to create a cutline.** Place the brick onto a flat surface. Hold a triangular layout square or ruler on top of the brick and draw the first line in pencil. Rotate the brick and draw the remaining lines until there are lines on each of the four sides of the brick.
Be sure that the top and bottom lines and the pair of sides lines are parallel to each other—you need to accurately score along this line.
2. **Score along the cutlines with a 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide cold chisel.** Place the brick onto a flat surface and align the sharp edge of your chisel at a 60-degree angle to your cutline. Hammer the chisel gently while moving it along the marked line, alternating the chisel's angle between pointing downward to the left and downward to the right as you go. Continue this process until there is a ⁄16 inch (0.16 cm) groove all the way around the cutline.
Don't hit the chisel too hard or you might end up breaking off more of the brick than you intend.
3. **Hammer along the groove with a brick-set chisel to break off the unwanted piece.** Be sure that the brick is on a flat surface with the side to be cut facing toward you. Place your brick-set chisel into the groove with the straight edge facing you. Tilt the tool's edge slightly away from you and begin striking the handle firmly with a hammer to break the brick into two pieces.
If the brick doesn't come apart from a firm strike, score around the cutline once more with your chisel. Afterward, try hammering along the groove again.
4. **Remove uneven and excess pieces of brick from the remaining piece.** Once the removed piece is out of the way, use your brick-set and hammer to chip off any problematic areas. Look for uneven regions and excess pieces. If the brick is unsteady during this process, place it on a sandbag for support.
For uneven spots, a stone carving file is a great tool. When using a file, always drag it along the brick away from you, lift it up, and bring it back. Repeat this process until the spot is even.
5. **Draw a cutline onto the top and bottom of the brick with a pencil.** Place a straight edge on top of the brick and mark a horizontal line with a pencil. Afterward, flip it over and do the same to the bottom side. Be sure that both lines are parallel to each other.
Since you're only cutting along the top and bottom of the brick you can skip the sides when you're drawing lines.
6. **Attach a diamond masonry blade** Clip a pair of vice grips along the side of the old power saw blade to prevent it from moving. Loosen its center bolt using a wrench and take it off. Now, take off the small rim under the bolt—also known as the flange—and remove the old blade. Attach your new diamond blade and make sure that the teeth are facing opposite to the cutting direction. Lay the flange on top and retighten the bolt.
Attach vice grips to the new blade while retightening the bolt to prevent it from moving.
7. **Grip the handle with your left hand and place your right on the blade's shield.** Practice moving the blade with your left hand and be sure you're comfortable with the saw. Hold the saw steady with your right hand. Push the blade against the brick to test its stability—it should remain in place.
Place a small carpet or rubber mat under your brick if it's moving around.
8. **Saw along the top line ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) deep.** Start by setting the saw blade to a depth of ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm). Now, turn on the saw and cut along the penciled line on top of the brick. As you use your left hand to guide the blade, use your right hand to press down on the saw and apply downward pressure to the brick. Repeat this process with the bottom of the brick until you have scorelines on the front and back surfaces.
To adjust the blade depth, release the blade lever by loosening it. Now, move the base of the saw upward to reveal the blade. Stop when only ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of the blade is exposed and tighten the blade lever to lock the depth in place.
Remove the blade from the brick every 30 seconds to maintain a cool blade temperature.
9. **Strike the unwanted end of the brick after placing it on a step.** Place the brick onto a step and hold it in place with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, strike the unwanted end of the brick that is not supported by the step with a hammer. The brick should break into 2 pieces cleanly along the score lines.
If you can't find a step, grab the brick with your hands and firmly hit the tip of the unwanted end onto a concrete floor. Just be aware that you're more likely to create a messy or jagged break using this method.
Use a 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide cold chisel and hammer to remove jagged edges. Another alternative is a stone carving file. When using a file, stroke outward along the brick away from you. Afterward, lift the file, bring it back toward you, and repeat the process until the jagged edges are smooth. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Brick", "language": "en"} |
How to Design Clothes | Fashion design is an exciting, constantly evolving field. It also takes a lot of work and can be incredibly competitive. If you want to become a successful fashion designer, you have a long road ahead of you, but there are some straightforward steps you can take to begin the process of designing clothes, regardless of whether or not you want to do this for a living.
1. **Learn about drawing.** You don’t need to be a master illustrator; a lot of designers use a funky personal style when they design. That said, you do need to be able to communicate your vision visually. Take a drawing class, study some books, or just practice, practice, practice.
The most important part of learning any new skill is just doing it a lot. Set aside 30 minutes every day to practice drawing.
A good book to reference is Mark Kistler’s You Can Draw in 30 Days.
2. **Learn about sewing.** Even if you don’t want to be the one to sew your designs, you need to know about sewing. Understanding the possibilities presented by your medium is an important part of being able to come up with innovative, exciting ideas.
Many craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabric offer relatively cheap sewing classes.
Studying pattern making is a must if you intend to sew your garments. You will need to know how a garment is physically assembled. Knowing how to break a design down into shapes is a crucial part of being able to sew a garment.
Buy some simple patterns at a craft store to practice with.
3. **Learn about design.** If you want to produce innovative designs, you have to know about design theory. Molly Bang’s book Picture This: How Pictures Work is a great place to start. It will help you learn to think like a designer.
Don’t limit yourself to studying fashion design exclusively. The principles of design theory apply across all sorts of disciplines. It may surprise you how much studying something like typography can teach you about fashion design.
4. **Learn about fashion.** If you want to design clothes, you may want to learn all you can about the world of fashion. You may think of yourself as a very stylish person, but knowing how to dress well is only the tip of the iceberg. If you are designing based on what is hot right now, by the time your design is complete it might already be out of style. Professional fashion designers are constantly thinking ahead, to what the next big thing will be.
Watch videos or look at pictures from high-profile fashion shows online, or go in person if one is happening near where you live. Professional designers design their seasonal collections months in advance, so these shows can give you an idea of what kinds of trends will be trickling down into commercial fashion in the future.
History and film are great inspirations. History is a big answer to how and why we wore things.
5. **Learn about technology and resources.** There are more tools available to designers now than there ever have been before. On top of knowing your way around a sketchbook and a sewing machine, you will need to know your way around Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Websites like Linda.com or Tuts+ are good online resources.
If you want to do your sketching on a computer instead of in a sketchbook, you will need to purchase a good pen tablet, such as a Wacom.
6. **Find your inspiration.** What are you passionate about? What makes you itch to create? It might be a particular fabric, a work of visual art you saw, something you want but can’t seem to find in stores, a garment you saw on the street, a particular color pattern, a retro trend you want to bring back, or any number of other things. There is no right way to get inspired. The important thing is to find something that excites you.
Consider your customer. What kind of person do you imagine buying your designs? What does that kind of person need in a garment? Be practical when designing clothes for yourself, design things you'll love owning or wearing.
Combining existing styles and trends can be an interesting way to generate new looks. What would it be like to blend military elements with softer, more flowy ones? What would the 1990s meet the 1930s look like? How can you incorporate menswear elements into womenswear?
Get out of your comfort zone and learn about art, photography, history, and fashion icons. These can all inspire you.
7. **Consider the fabric.** Do you want a stretchy material or something with less give? Is your design flowy, or rigid and architectural? Should the fabric be smooth, or textural? If your original inspiration was an amazing fabric you found, you already have this covered. Otherwise, think about what kind of material your design demands.
Consider embellishments such as buttons, lace, beads, or embroidery floss as well. These can often impact your fabric choice.
8. **Consider color and pattern.** A lot of the impact of your design hinges on your use of color and pattern. Think about the garment's intended purpose and how you imagine someone wearing it. Consider your customer, and what she might want to wear. Most of all, go with what you think looks good. There are no hard and fast rules here. You are the designer, and you should be true to yourself above all things.
Look at a color wheel. Remember, contrasting colors (the ones across the color wheel from each other) make each other stand out. This can add a dramatic effect to your design, but if not handled well it can also be jarring and off-putting.
Get some paint swatches from a paint store and use them to experiment with different color combinations before you purchase the fabric.
Colors and shapes can all help you get ideas for creating new pieces.
9. **Outline a person.** When designing clothes, it’s important to think about how your garment will look on the body. This is why most designers draw their designs onto a human form. It can be intimidating and time-consuming to have to draw a figure from scratch every time you make a new design, so many designers use a croquis. This just means a template you can use each time you sketch out a new garment. You will need to start by outlining a person in a pencil. This is an intimidating prospect, but it doesn’t need to be difficult.
If you’re not too daunted, freehand it. The idea here is not to be anatomically correct, and most designers’ croquis drawings are rendered in some kind of personal style. Your design will look even more unique on a figure you drew yourself. Don’t worry about small details; think of your drawing as a 2-dimensional mannequin.
If you don’t feel up to the task of drawing a human figure from scratch, use someone else’s work. Trace an image from a book or a magazine, or download one of the hundreds of free croquis templates you can find online.
Many designers use something called the 9 heads method to make sure their drawings are evenly proportioned. The idea is to use ahead as a unit of measure, and to draw a body that measures nine heads from the feet to the top of the neck.
Draw a straight vertical line and divide it into 10 equal parts. This will be your guide as you draw.
Section 1 starts just under the head, and measures the body from the top of the neck to the middle of the chest; section 2 measures from the middle of the chest to the waist; section 3 from the waist to the bottom of the hips; section 4 from the bottom of the waist to mid-thigh, section 5 from mid-thigh to knee, section 6 from knee to upper calve, section 7 from upper calve to mid-calve, section 8 from mid-calve to ankle, and section 9 measures the foot.
10. **Retrace the figure in a dark pen.** You are going to need to be able to trace this drawing onto another piece of paper laid on top of it. To make that possible, you’ll have to retrace the lines of your figure drawing with a dark pen.
11. **Trace the figure onto another sheet of paper.** For this step, you will need to put down the pen and pick up a pencil again. Lay another piece of plain white paper on top of the croquis you just drew. You should be able to see it relatively well, as long as you used a dark pen and your paper isn’t too thick.
If you have a lightbox, this would be a good time to use it. Just lay the croquis onto the lightbox, put the blank sheet of paper on top of it, turn the lightbox, on, and trace away.
If you don’t have a lightbox and are having trouble seeing through your paper, try taping the two sheets of paper to a window on a bright day. You’ll have to trace at an odd angle, but the effect is the same as if you used a lightbox.
12. **Start sketching your design.** Still using your pencil so you can erase inevitable mistakes, lightly draw the garment you’ve been imagining. Start with more general things like the basic shape of the garment, and gradually add details as it takes form. When you are satisfied, retrace the whole drawing in pen.
13. **Color your design.** You can use whatever drawing materials you want for this step. Markers and colored pencils work particularly well since they lend themselves to layering. Start with the lightest colors you plan on using, and shade in larger areas with long, consistent strokes that move in the same direction as the fabric. Gradually incorporate darker colors, patterns, and shadow as you go.
14. **Repeat as wanted.** Now that you have a croquis, starting a new design should be much faster. Just trace the figure, and get going.
15. **Make a dummy.** You will need a dressmaking dummy to be able to see the garment as you work on it and make sure it fits a human form. If you don’t have one, you can create a makeshift one yourself, in your size.
Put on a shirt that you don’t want and cover it completely with duct tape while wearing it. This will create a stiff duct tape form in the shape of your body.
Remove it by cutting it down the side, from your hip to your armpit, and then up along the sleeve.
Tape back over the cut to make the form whole again. Stuff it with newspaper, and close up the bottom, neck, and sleeves with more duct tape. You can decide whether to keep the arms or cut them off.
16. **Draw your pattern on butcher paper.** Use a pencil in case of mistakes, and label each section to avoid confusion later. Remember the old carpenters’ adage: measure twice, cut once. You can waste a lot of time with a single mistake. When you’re done, cut out the shapes.
Ideally you should know a thing or two about pattern making before attempting this, but you don’t have to be an expert. You do need to be able to envision how your garment will be put together, however, and have the skills to execute it.
17. **Recreate the pattern on muslin.** Lay the butcher paper pieces of your pattern onto muslin, and trace them. Cut these out too, and pin them into the basic shape of your garment.
18. **Sew your mock-up.** Introduce your pinned muslin garment to your sewing machine. Remove the pins, and put the garment on a mannequin, or your own body if you are designing for yourself.
19. **Evaluate the garment.** Look at how it fits. Think about the shape. What’s working? What isn’t? Take notes, make sketches, draw on or cut the muslin, or whatever helps you make sense of the changes you want to make.
20. **Decide what your next step is.** How close is the mock-up to what you had envisioned? Are you ready to move forward with this design? Do you need to make another before you try it with nicer fabric? Depending on how your mock-up looks, you may want to go back to the drawing board completely, or you may be ready to move on to sewing the actual garment.
21. **Move on to the real thing.** It’s time to bring your design to life. Proceed as you did with the muslin mock-up. Remember, you are going to make mistakes, especially the first few times around. Make sure you buy more fabric than you think you need, give yourself lots of extra time, and always double-check your measurements. Things will not always go according to plan. Be prepared to problem solve, or tweak your design as you go. Sometimes the most exciting innovations come from mistakes.
22. **Build a portfolio.** Document your work in photographs as you go. This is how you will sell yourself as a designer as your career progresses. Keep in mind that you want to showcase your versatility, while also demonstrating that you have a unique voice and point of view. There should be a variety of pieces in your portfolio, but they should all scream “you.”
Take quality photographs. Don’t just lay the dress you made on your bed and take a poorly lit picture with your phone. Put your garments on live models, make sure they are well lit (if you don’t have the resources to do this inside, go outside on a slightly overcast day—this will give you even lighting), use a decent camera, and pay attention to details like hair, makeup, and accessories. The way you present your work plays a huge role in the impact it creates.
23. **Do some research.** Are there independent clothing boutiques in your area that sell clothes with an aesthetic similar to yours? Are there websites that sell clothes that remind you of your own? Try to find designers doing work that reminds you of yours, or of what you would like your designs to evolve into. Observe their tactics.
24. **Use online resources.** Some websites will fabricate your designs for you if they or their users are sufficiently impressed. Look into websites like Gamz and Fabricly if you think you have a killer design that you’re not up to sewing on your own.
If you are more of a graphic designer, but think your work would look great on clothing, look into sites like RedBubble, which can print your artwork on a variety of different products.
25. **Build a website.** If you want to sell your clothes, the world must know about your genius. Almost anyone can design a beautiful website these days; use a platform like Squarespace to create a site to display your portfolio. Keep it simple and elegant. You want the focus to be on your clothing design, not your web design.
26. **Brand yourself.** Develop a social media presence. Get on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, the works. You need to get eyes on your work, above and beyond all else. Worry about selling things later. Right now, you need to create a buzz. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Design-Clothes", "language": "en"} |
How to Melt Wax for Candles | If you're having trouble finding the perfect candle or are just in the mood for a fun do-it-yourself project, consider melting wax to create your own candles. Using soy, bee, or paraffin products, you can melt your wax using a double boiler or microwave, add the fragrance and colors of your choice, and pour them into a container to cool.
1. **Purchase soy or beeswax for your candle wax.** Soy waxes mix well with scents and colors and are often naturally composed from soybean oil, although some are mixed with the potentially toxic paraffin—always check the ingredients! Beeswax is completely natural, although it doesn't mix well with other fragrances.
If you have leftover wax from old jar candles, use a spoon to dig out the wax and divide them up by scent.
Paraffin waxes are classic candle-making waxes that easily mix with other scents and colors. However, they are petroleum byproducts, meaning they are potentially toxic—avoid using these waxes whenever possible.
2. **Break up your wax into a bowl if it's not in pellet form.** If you have larger pieces of wax, take a small, sharp knife and cut your wax up into pieces. Each piece should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide or less.
If you're wax is in pellet form, you can skip this step.
3. **Chop up 3 ounces (85 g) of crayon wax for color.** If you want to add some color to your wax, use a cheese grater, pencil sharpener, or knife to create some shavings—enough to fill a 3 ounce (85 g) mason jar should be fine.
If you want, you can mix multiple colors.
4. **Find the flash and melting point of the wax you're using.** Knowing the melting point of your wax before heating it will give you the best results. Never approach the flash point, as this is the temperature that the wax can combust if exposed to flame.
Beeswax has a melting point range of 144 to 147 °F (62 to 64 °C) and a flash point of 400 °F (204 °C).
Soy wax melts within the 120 to 180 °F (49 to 82 °C) range depending on the specific blend. Flash points are variable—check the label or supplier.
Paraffin wax melts above 99 °F (37 °C) and has a flash point of 390.2 °F (199.0 °C) without additives and 480.2 °F (249.0 °C) with additives.
5. **Create a double boiler to melt your wax.** Place a large pot onto an element. Fill it up with about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water. Afterwards, place a smaller pouring pot into the large pot with water.
For safety, always use an electric stove—never gas.
6. **Put ⁄2 pound (230 g) of wax into your double boiler.** This is the perfect amount to fill an 8 ounce (230 g) mason jar. If you're using colors, add your crayon shavings now.
7. **Heat your wax on 320 to 340 °F (160 to 171 °C) for 10 to 15 minutes.** This is also known as medium-low heat, or 3 to 5 on a numerical element scale. Keep an eye on the temperature using a cooking thermometer and adjust the heat accordingly. Stir the wax using a wooden spoon every 1 minute or so. Break up any large chunks of wax with your spoon.
If the water in the large pot begins to evaporate, add more as needed.
If your wax exceeds 340 °F (171 °C), remove it from heat until it falls back within the proper range.
8. **Add fragrances after your wax is melted.** Gently pour the fragrance into your wax as it continues to heat. Stir it with your wooden spoon for approximately 30 seconds to distribute it evenly into your wax.
If you purchased wax that is specifically designed for candles, they should have instructions for that amount of fragrances required per 1 pound (0.45 kg) of wax.
If your fragrance isn't mixing properly, try increasing the temperature to 365 °F (185 °C).
For general wax products, 1 ounce (28 g) for each 1 pound (0.45 kg) is a safe bet.
9. **Put ⁄2 pound (230 g) of wax into a microwave-safe bowl.** This will fill an 8 ounce (230 g) mason jar. If you're adding colors to your wax, pour in your crayon shavings.
If you're using plastic, be sure to use containers that are marked as "microwave-safe." Ceramic and glass dishes are usually fine, but you should still check for "microwave-safe" or "heatproof" labels on their packaging.
10. **Heat your wax** After this time, take the wax out and stir it around with a spoon. Take the temperature and determine that it hasn't exceeded the melting or flash point. Continue heating your wax in 2-minute intervals until it's fully melted.
Be sure to keep checking on your wax about every 30 seconds throughout the process.
11. **Add fragrances once your wax is fully melted.** Remove the bowl of wax from the microwave and gently pour your fragrance into the melted wax. Stir it with a small spoon to create an even consistency and to blend the ingredients.
Check fragrance instructions from your wax supplier prior to mixing it in. Most include instructions for the amount of fragrance required per 1 pound (0.45 kg) of wax, which is typically 1 ounce (28 g).
12. **Reheat the wax for 2 minutes.** After you add your desired fragrances and stir them in thoroughly, put the bowl of wax back into the microwave. Heat it for 2 more minutes so all of the ingredients meld together, then carefully remove the bowl of melted wax from the microwave and stir it one more time.
13. **Lay down paper towels or newspaper on a flat surface.** Melted wax droplets can be messy, so you need a nice work area. Be sure to have your containers, jars, and wicks ready and within reach—wax droplets can dry in 1 to 2 minutes.
14. **Stick the wick into your container.** If your wick has a sticker attached to the bottom, use this to adhere it to the bottom of your candle container. If not, place a dab of super glue on the bottom and attach the wick's metal tab to it. Hold the wick upwards for 2 to 3 minutes to give the glue time to set and ensure it dries in the proper position.
If you'd like, you can use your melted wax to adhere the wick to the container.
15. **Take your wax mixture off the heat and cool to 266 to 284 °F (130 to 140 °C).** This is the optimal temperature to pour the wax into a container. Place the small pot onto a flat surface and keep an eye on the thermometer. It should cool sufficiently in about 3 to 5 minutes.
16. **Pour the wax gently into the container while holding the wick.** As you pour the pot, keep a firm hold on the wick so that it remains in the center of the container in an upright position. Leave a bit of wax in the pot for later.
Don't pull on the wick too hard or you could break it from the container.
17. **Secure the wick using a writing utensil if it's swaying.** If your wick is swaying in the wax and not standing up straight, place two pencils horizontally on top of the container and secure the wick in between them. The wick doesn't have to be completely secured—just enough to stay in place while the wax sets.
Be sure to secure your wick if it's off-center—letting it set in this position means it won't burn properly.
18. **Wait for about 2 to 3 hours for the wax to set.** As the wax begins to set, you will notice a sinkhole forming in the center. Once it has completely set, reheat the leftover wax and add some of it to the top of the candle—just enough to fill the sinkhole. Once the hole is filled, stop pouring the wax—too much will create another sinkhole.
For the best wax setting, leave your candle out set overnight at room temperature.
19. **Trim your wick down to ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm).** Keep your wick at a manageable length so that it doesn't burn too large of a flame. Hold the wick upright with your fingers and snip it down to size using a pair of scissors.
If you light your wick and the flame is bigger than 1 inch (2.5 cm), your wick is too long. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Melt-Wax-for-Candles", "language": "en"} |