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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Thank-You-Card

How to Make a Thank You Card

To make a thank you card, fold a rectangle of card stock in half and use your best handwriting or calligraphy to write “Thank you” on the outside of the card with marker. Then, you can decorate your card in a variety of ways. For example, you could glue on pictures from a magazine to make a collage. Alternatively, you could use washi tape to make a decorative border. To add extra flair to your card, try hot gluing on buttons or pieces of ribbon!

Form a pretty border on your card using washi tape. Take your washi tape of choice and cut off pieces that are long enough to create a border across the length and width of the card. Carefully line them up so they're even with the edges of the card, press them down firmly, and trim off any excess tape. There are tons of different colors and patterns of washi tape available. From solid colors to glittery ones to printed patterns—check out your local craft store to pick out a few options to use on your next homemade thank you card. Create a collage from magazine cut-outs to make a unique design. This is a great way to make a really personalized card for someone. Gear the card toward the person's personality and cut out images that remind you of them, or make the card “thank you” centric by cutting out words and images that remind you of gratitude. You could cover an entire card with cut-outs of the words “thank you” from different magazine articles for a neat effect. Design a colorful balloon or rainbow card for a young child. Use colored cardstock to cut out shapes for balloons or arches for a rainbow, or use markers or colored pencils to draw them onto the card. Make the image large enough to cover the entire front of the card for the most stunning visual effect. Write a special thank you message inside a ballon or across an arch of the rainbow to make the card even more personalized. Cut out shapes to adorn the front of the card for a pretty design. Hearts, stars, flowers, circles, or squares can make a nice visual effect on the front of a card. Use colored cardstock to cut out multiples of a single image and then glue them to the front of the card. For example, you could cut out 2 dozen small stars and then paste them to the card, putting the bulk of them near the top so that it looks like it's raining down stars. Make an elegant card by using thick, creamy paper and a simple design. Sometimes you might want a classier card when you send out a thank you note, like if you're sending one to your boss or a relative you're not very close to, or maybe you just like the look better. Choose a thicker paper in a cream or beige color. Use stamps or calligraphy to write “thank you” on the front of the card. You can: Use a simple design, like a paint chip with a flower stamped or drawn on it, to decorate the card; Use gold or silver markers to make your message a little more sparkly; Stamp the card with homemade stamps, like from cut pieces of fruits or vegetables, or store-bought ones. Use paints or watercolors to create a vibrant, unique card. You could paint the person's name on top of a stunning multi-colored background, or make a dreamy sky-scape with clouds, a sun, and birds. The options are endless. This is a great way to use a skill of yours to show someone gratitude. If you're going to mail the card, make sure the paper is completely dry before you put it into an envelope. Craft a rustic card with twine and brown craft paper. This kind of card is simple to make. All you need is some brown craft paper, some twine, and a white or black marker. Fold the paper in half, and write “thank you” across the front with the white or black marker (white works well on dark-brown paper, whereas black will look better on light-brown paper). Make a small bow out of 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) of twine, and use a glue gun to secure it to the top corner of the card. You can, of course, get even more creative with rustic cards. For example, include the person's name on the front of the card, add a cut-out flower or some other design, or create lines across the top half of the card by gluing down strands of twine. Cut paper with scalloped shears to make decorative edges. Cut all the edges of the actual card itself to make its edges into a different shape, or use them to make other parts of the card look more unique. For example, if you have a square of white paper to glue to the card to write your message in, cut it out with the scalloped shears—it'll look a little fancier than straight edges would. There are lots of differently-patterned scissors you can use. Browse the options at your local craft store to find a pair to add to your crafting supplies. Decorate with stamps to add an extra design element to your card. You can buy stamps from your local craft store or from an online store, and there are tons of different styles available. Look for ones that say “thank you,” or pick your favorite designs, like leaves, flowers, or other objects you can use to decorate your card. Experiment with different colors of ink. For example, white ink would really look great on black or dark blue paper, whereas dark green ink could look really classy on a cream-colored card. Add dimension to your card with paper cutouts. Layering paper is a great way to create visual depth. Cut out several different sizes of colored paper, like a large square, a medium-sized square, and a small circle, then paste them on top of each other on the front of the card so that they create multiple borders. You can get really creative and use different colors, sizes, and types of paper. Glue on buttons or gems for a whimsical touch. You can create a pattern or border out of buttons or gems, or use them to accent a design already on the card. Use liquid-glue or non-liquid adhesive to secure the objects to your card. just make sure you give them enough time to dry so they stay securely in place. For example, if your card has flowers on it, you could glue a button to the center of each flower. Use leftover scraps of ribbon to make a textured card. Use one color of ribbon, or use multiple colors and patterns depending on what you have available. Tie a bow and glue it to the top of the card, or use strips of ribbon to make a colorful background across the entire body of the card. This is a nice way to repurpose ribbon leftover from other crafts or even from gifts you've received. Use your best handwriting or calligraphy. If you have a hard time writing legibly, try to slow down and take care when writing out your thank you message. Use a pen or marker that won't smudge or smear across the page. Permanent markers work well, and gel pens dry faster and are less likely to smudge than ballpoint pens. If your card is made with dark paper, cut out a lighter-colored piece of paper to glue to the inside of the card. That way, you can write your message without worrying if it will be visible or not. Include a salutation and the person’s name on the inside of the card. Regardless of what you designed or wrote on the front of the card, the inside message should still include some kind of greeting, as well as the recipient's name. Double-check that you're spelling the person's name correctly. For the greeting, you could write: “Dear John,” “Kelly, thank you,” “Hello, Mrs. Smith,” “Greetings, Susan,” Or, just write the person's name if that feels more natural to you. Thank the person for what they did or gave specifically. You don't need to exaggerate, ramble, or overly thank someone. Just a simple line or two will do. And don't hesitate to thank people for small things, too, like a homemade meal or someone attending an event or performance you were in. Everyone likes being appreciated! For example, write something like, “Thank you so much for inviting me and Jason over for a meal. It was so nice to relax and connect with you and Kate.” Or write something like, “Thank you so much for the new set of bath towels. They look great in our cupboard and we were excited to replace our mismatched and worn-out set.” Thank someone who supported you by attending an event by saying something like, “Thank you so much for coming to my concert last Friday evening. It was so nice to look out and see a friendly face, and I really appreciate you taking the time to support me.” Compliment the person or express good wishes for them. Whether you compliment their thoughtfulness or generosity or tell them you hope to see them soon, it's nice to end the note on an emotional upswing. This doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out sentiment. One line should be enough. For example, write something like, “Your gift was so thoughtful. I look forward to seeing you at the next family reunion!” Or, “I hope this next season is good to you and your family.” Sign your name to end the letter. If the gift was given to you and your family, have everyone sign their names to the bottom of the card. Whether you write “love,” or some other kind of sign-off note is up to you. You can try out different endings, like: “Warmly,” “All the best,” “Kind regards,” “With appreciation,” “Thanks again.” Mail or deliver the card with 1 to 2 weeks of the occasion. If you're mailing the card, make sure to seal it in an envelope, put enough postage on it, and write the address legibly across the front. For a hand-delivered card, either drop it into the person's mailbox or give it to them the next time you see them. If you can't get your thank you card out in the mail quickly, late is always better than never. You could even put in a note saying something like, “I know this is a few weeks late, but I just wanted to send my appreciation.”

Form a pretty border on your card using washi tape. Create a collage from magazine cut-outs to make a unique design. Design a colorful balloon or rainbow card for a young child. Cut out shapes to adorn the front of the card for a pretty design. Make an elegant card by using thick, creamy paper and a simple design. Use paints or watercolors to create a vibrant, unique card. Craft a rustic card with twine and brown craft paper. Cut paper with scalloped shears to make decorative edges. Decorate with stamps to add an extra design element to your card. Add dimension to your card with paper cutouts. Glue on buttons or gems for a whimsical touch. Use leftover scraps of ribbon to make a textured card. Use your best handwriting or calligraphy. Include a salutation and the person’s name on the inside of the card. Thank the person for what they did or gave specifically. Compliment the person or express good wishes for them. Sign your name to end the letter. Mail or deliver the card with 1 to 2 weeks of the occasion.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Japanese-Citizen

How to Become a Japanese Citizen

To become a Japanese citizen, you have to first live in Japan for at least 5 years and submit to a criminal background check. Next, provide documentation that you can support yourself in Japan by working or owning property. Then, complete a series of interviews and watch the video provided about the naturalization process. After your documentation has been checked, attend a final meeting, then wait to hear if you've been approved for citizenship. It may take several months, so don't worry if you don't hear back right away.

Maintain a domicile in Japan for at least five consecutive years. Before you can apply for citizenship in Japan, you must maintain a domicile in the country for at least five consecutive years. You may be able to gain citizenship in Japan without meeting this requirement, if you can satisfy any one of the following conditions: You have maintained a domicile in Japan for three years or more and are the child of a Japanese national. You were born in Japan and have resided or maintained a domicile in Japan for three consecutive years, and your father or mother was born in Japan. You had a residence in Japan for ten consecutive years or more. You will need to demonstrate not only the range of dates when you maintained a domicile or residence, but you also must provide all the dates when you left Japan and when you returned during the relevant period. You can do this with copies of passports, visas or other similar official documents. Be at least 20 years old. You must meet this age minimum, and you must be able to show that you are of legal age to act according to the laws of your home country. In some countries this may be 18 years old, 21 years old, or some other minimum age. If you are not certain, you should check with an attorney in your home country. Demonstrate that you are “of upright conduct. ” You must submit to an official criminal records check. The result of that check must show that you have no criminal record. Each case is examined individually, however, so some history of criminal activity may not prevent you from gaining Japanese citizenship. Demonstrate that you are able to support yourself in Japan. The legal standard is that you must be able to "secure a livelihood" either through work or through property that you may own. If you are married, and your spouse provides the income for the family, this requirement is satisfied. If you are employed and report that place of employment as part of your application, immigration officials may visit your place of employment to confirm whatever information you report. Declare that you relinquish any other citizenship. Officially, you must give up your citizenship in some other country when applying. Japan does not allow individuals to retain dual citizenship in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest that could arise. After you have been naturalized, you will be asked to show proof of your former citizenship renunciation, OR you will be asked to fill out the citizenship selection form (国籍選択）at your municipal office. Note that should you choose Japan, this is an internal Japanese government procedure and that this has no bearing on your other citizenship, so technically you can retain both citizenship. As of this writing, Japan turns a blind eye to dual citizenship. However: It is possible to obtain Japanese citizenship without giving up another country's citizenship, if you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify doing so. Individuals younger than 20 years old may maintain dual citizenship. Before reaching age 20, such individual shall make a choice to retain Japanese citizenship and relinquish the other, or relinquish Japanese citizenship. (国籍選択 as stated earlier. ) Participate in a prequalification interview. When you believe that you have established all or most of the requirements for Japanese citizenship, you should contact the Ministry of Justice of local district legal affairs bureau where you reside in Japan. The office of the Ministry will set up an interview. The initial interview, which may be conducted by telephone or in person, is to conduct a preliminary screening. The official will seek to establish that you have satisfied all or most of the citizenship requirements. If you satisfy the official that you are ready to proceed with your application, a second interview will be scheduled. Participate in a second interview. At the subsequent interview, you will learn the specific items that you will be expected to produce to prove your eligibility for citizenship. There is no established list of requirements. The officials will consider each applicant and each case separately and provide expectations. You can generally expect to need to produce the following types of documents: birth certificate marriage certificate passport proof of international travel evidence of employment evidence of assets proof of residency or domicile proof of education (transcripts, diplomas) proof of physical and mental condition evidence of criminal history Watch a naturalization video. During the second interview meeting, you will be shown a video regarding the procedures and expectations for naturalization in Japan. This video will last approximately an hour. Compile your evidence and study the guide book. When you leave the second interview, you will have a list of the specific documentation that you must provide and a guild book that describes the naturalization requirements. You need to study these materials and begin compiling the documentation. This may take a matter of months to complete. When you are ready, contact you case official and set up an application meeting. At the end of your prior meeting, you will have been provided with the name of a contact person and a case number for your application. Participate in one or more application meetings. When you believe you have satisfied all the requirements, contact your case officer and set up an application meeting. (Everything prior to this point has been pre-application work.) You will meet with one or more immigration officials, who will check every single detail about your application. If items are missing or incomplete, you will be sent to complete them. It is also possible that they may add new materials as deemed necessary. Wait while your materials are checked. After your application is submitted, you will be sent home to wait. During this time, officials will be checking and verifying all the details of your application. This verification may consist of a visit to your home. Officials may also interview references you provide as personal contacts or employers. At any time during this process, you may be contacted to provide additional information on any topic. This portion of the application process may take several months. Attend a final meeting. When everything appears to be satisfactory, you will be contacted for a final meeting. At the final meeting, you will sign required oaths, and your application will formally be accepted by the local Legal Affairs Bureau. The Legal Affairs Bureau will forward your completed application, along with your signed statements, to the Ministry of Justice. When the Ministry receives and approves those materials, your Japanese citizenship becomes final. Meet the minimum requirements for citizenship. You can acquire Japanese nationality, if you have one Japanese parent but your parents are unmarried, as long as you meet the following criteria: You must be under 20 years of age. You must not have previously been a Japanese national. You must be legally acknowledged by one parent. The acknowledging parent must have been a Japanese national at the time of your birth. The acknowledging parent must be a Japanese national at the time of the acknowledgment. Report in person to the appropriate office. If you wish to claim Japanese citizenship, you must appear in person at the appropriate office of the Ministry of Justice. If you reside in Japan, then you should report to the district legal affairs bureau for the district where you are living. If you reside outside of Japan, then you can visit any Japanese embassy of consulate. You must report in person to claim citizenship. The only exception is for individuals who are under 15 years old. If you are under 15, then a legal guardian or other representative may appear on your behalf. Provide notification that you claim citizenship. You must make notification in writing at the appropriate office of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry will provide the form you need. Complete and submit the form. Have one parent who is a Japanese citizen. If one of your parents was a Japanese citizen at the time that you were born, then you automatically obtain Japanese citizenship. Have a Japanese father. According to Article 2(2) of the Japanese Nationality Law, if you are the child of a Japanese father, but your father died before your own birth, you immediately acquire Japanese citizenship. Be born in Japan. If you were born in Japan, to unknown parents, you have the automatic right to Japanese citizenship. This will occur if the baby is abandoned, reported as abandoned, or turned over to a medical facility or police officer.

Maintain a domicile in Japan for at least five consecutive years. Be at least 20 years old. Demonstrate that you are “of upright conduct. Demonstrate that you are able to support yourself in Japan. Declare that you relinquish any other citizenship. Participate in a prequalification interview. Participate in a second interview. Watch a naturalization video. Compile your evidence and study the guide book. Participate in one or more application meetings. Wait while your materials are checked. Attend a final meeting. Meet the minimum requirements for citizenship. Report in person to the appropriate office. Provide notification that you claim citizenship. Have one parent who is a Japanese citizen. Have a Japanese father. Be born in Japan.

https://www.wikihow.com/Season-Chicken

How to Season Chicken

The best way to season chicken depends on how you're going to cook it. If you're going to grill chicken, try a spicy barbecue dry rub or let the chicken marinade in olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. For baked or roasted chicken, you can make a brine or try a dry herb rub. If you're frying the chicken, brush it with olive oil and coat it with your favorite seasonings. You can also keep it simple by just sprinkling salt and pepper over the chicken before you fry it.

Try a spicy barbecue rub. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground allspice, 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of ground red pepper, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Rub the mixture over the chicken before you grill it. The mixture can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Go sweet and sour with a Moroccan rub. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of Hungarian sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Add ¼ teaspoon of the following: salt, ground ginger, ground red pepper, and freshly ground black pepper. Grill the chicken as desired. Go classic with a lemon-herb marinade. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of chopped, fresh rosemary, 2 tablespoons of chopped, fresh thyme, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, and a dash of salt and pepper. Pour the marinade into a plastic, resealable bag and add the chicken. Leave the bag in the fridge for 2 to 8 hours, then grill over medium-high heat. This is enough to season 2 pounds (0.91 kilograms) of chicken. If you don't like rosemary, you can also use basil or oregano. Make an orange-lemon marinade. In a small bowl, combine: ½ cup (120 milliliters) of orange juice, ½ cup (120 milliliters) of lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon of chopped sage, a ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) section of minced ginger, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 3 cloves of minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon hot sauce. Pour the mixture into a resealable bag and add the chicken. Let it marinate for several hours to overnight in the fridge. Grill or broil the chicken until it is fully cooked. Try a sweeter honey-lemon marinade instead. In a small cup, combine the juice from 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper. Pour the marinade into resealable bag and add the chicken. Leave it in the fridge for 15 to 60 minutes, then grill. Make herb-marinated chicken. In a small cup, mix together 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of dried herbs, 1 to 2 tablespoons of garlic or onion powder, ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of extra-virgin olive oil, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of mustard. Pour the marinade into a resealable bag and add the chicken breasts. Seal the bag and allow the chicken to marinate for a few hours in the fridge. Once the chicken has marinated, you can either grill or bake it. For the vinegar, try one of the following: apple cider, balsamic, or red wine. For the dried herbs, try one of the following: crumbled bay leaf, oregano, rosemary, or thyme. You can freeze the chicken and marinate for up to 2 weeks. Try a teriyaki marinade. In a small bowl, mix together: 1 cup (240 milliliters) of soy sauce, 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water, ¾ cup (180 milliliters) of white sugar, ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of Worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger. Once the sugar dissolves, pour everything into a resealable bag and add the chicken. Let it sit for a few hours to overnight in the fridge. Grill or bake the chicken once it is done marinating. Know when to use barbecue sauce. Barbecue sauce is the perfect compliment to chicken, but when you add it can make a huge difference in how the chicken tastes. If you add the barbecue sauce too early, your chicken may end up over-flavored. If you add it too late, your chicken may not be flavored enough. Here are some guidelines: If you are baking or grilling the chicken, apply the barbecue sauce at the very end, just as the chicken finishes cooking. If you are cooking your chicken on a slow roaster or in a crock pot, add the barbecue sauce when the chicken is halfway done. Consider adding a little bit of honey mustard to your barbecue sauce for an added kick. Consider using barbecue sauce as a marinade if you are planning on grilling the chicken. Add a fresh herb rub to your chicken. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of snipped fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon of snipped fresh sage, 1 tablespoon of snipped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Rub the mixture over the chicken before you bake or grill it. This recipe makes enough rub for about 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) of chicken. If you don't plan on using all of the seasoning, consider storing it in a small jar in your fridge. Use it within the week. Make brined chicken with honey, lemon, and sage. Fill a large pot with ½ cup (120 milliliters) of honey, ½ cup (140 grams) of salt, 1 quart (950 milliliters) of water, 2 cloves of sliced garlic, and ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of olive oil. Pull the skin away from a while chicken, and tuck 6 sage leaves and 6 thinly sliced lemon wedges underneath. Place the chicken into the brine and let it sit for in the fridge for several hours. Once the time is up, brush the chicken with olive oil before roasting it. For skinless chicken breasts, let it sit for 2 hours. For bone-in pieces, let it sit for 4 hours. For a whole chicken, let it sit for 4 hours to overnight. Make a salt and sugar brine. In a large pot, combine 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of cold water, ½ cup (140 grams) of kosher salt, and 2/3 cup (135 grams) light brown sugar. Soak the chicken in the brine for up to 2 hours, rinse it, then cook it as desired. If you don't have kosher salt, use ¼ cup (70 grams) of regular table salt instead. Try a buttermilk brine to make the meat more tender. In a large pot, combine 1 quart (950 milliliters) of buttermilk, 4 teaspoons of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Add the chicken, cover, and leave in the fridge for 4 hours. When you are ready to cook the chicken, drain the buttermilk. This is enough for one, whole chicken. After you are done brining, consider baking your chicken with 2 thinly sliced lemons, 4 finely grated garlic cloves, and 2 cups of chopped fresh dill. Try a basic brine that adds moisture and flavor to chicken. In a pot over medium heat, combine: 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of warm water, ¾ cup (210 grams) of salt, 2/3 cup (150 grams) of sugar, ¾ cup (180 milliliters) of soy sauce, and ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of olive oil. Stir everything together until the sugar and salt dissolve, and then allow the brine to cool to room temperature. Place the chicken into the brine and leave it in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours. Rinse and pat dry the chicken before baking it. Make a blackening seasoning for skillet cooked chicken. In a separate cup or bowl, mix together a pinch of chili powder, some salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Rub the seasoning over the chicken, then cook the chicken in a skillet. Season chicken with minced garlic if you are sauteing it in a pan. You can also squeeze in some lemon juice in addition to the garlic for added zest. Don't worry if the garlic turns blue. This is normal, and just the enzymes reacting. If fresh, minced garlic is too strong for you, you might prefer garlic powder or garlic salt. Use some olive oil and spices. Brush some olive oil onto the chicken. Then, choose one of the following to sprinkle over your chicken: cayenne, garlic, lemon-pepper, pepper, rosemary, salt, or thyme. This is also great for grilled or baked chicken. Go basic with some salt and pepper. Simply sprinkle salt and pepper over your chicken to your tastes, and then cook it however you want to. You can also use lemon-pepper instead of regular pepper for added zest. You can buy the lemon-pepper pre-made, or you can make your own by squeezing some lemon juice over the chicken, then sprinkling some salt and pepper over it. This is also great for grilled or baked chicken. Give your chicken a little bit of spice with chili flakes. Cover your chicken with a dash of salt, a dash of pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of chili flakes. This is also great for grilled or baked chicken.

Try a spicy barbecue rub. Go sweet and sour with a Moroccan rub. Go classic with a lemon-herb marinade. Make an orange-lemon marinade. Try a sweeter honey-lemon marinade instead. Make herb-marinated chicken. Try a teriyaki marinade. Know when to use barbecue sauce. Add a fresh herb rub to your chicken. Make brined chicken with honey, lemon, and sage. Make a salt and sugar brine. Try a buttermilk brine to make the meat more tender. Try a basic brine that adds moisture and flavor to chicken. Make a blackening seasoning for skillet cooked chicken. Season chicken with minced garlic if you are sauteing it in a pan. Use some olive oil and spices. Go basic with some salt and pepper. Give your chicken a little bit of spice with chili flakes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Frozen-Bacon

How to Cook Frozen Bacon

To cook frozen bacon, start by separating the slices. If they're frozen solid, place the entire block of bacon over low heat to defrost. Alternatively, you can place the block on a paper towel-covered plate in the microwave on the defrost setting to thaw. Once the pieces are loose enough to peel away from each other, separate them and cook them as normal in a pan over medium heat or in the oven, turning every 2-3 minutes once they are sizzling. Let the cooked bacon drain on a paper towel before serving!

See if you can separate the bacon into slices. When frozen, bacon can more or less be cooked in the same ways as when it isn't frozen: frying, baking, microwaving, etc. There is just one major difference: if the frozen bacon slices are stuck together, you need to separate them first. If you froze the slices separately or you can pry them apart easily, you're set. Simply cook the bacon as you normally would, allowing a little extra cooking time to compensate for the fact that they are frozen. Some meats take an extra 50% of their original cooking time to cook from frozen, but bacon slices are so thin that they'll usually only take an extra minute or two at most. If you can't separate the slices, heat the block on low. Often, if you freeze a package of bacon, it will form a large solid block that can't easily be broken into individual slices. This is OK — you can still cook your bacon fairly quickly. Start by cooking the entire block with low heat to loosen up the slices. There are a few ways to do this: The easiest is generally to put the frozen block into a frying pan and heat it over a burner set to "low." Turn it frequently to ensure even cooking. You can also put the block on a paper towel-lined plate and use your microwave's "defrost" setting. Don't use the oven to loosen up a block of frozen bacon. It's usually too much trouble to constantly transfer it in and out as you check it for doneness. Peel pieces off as they loosen. The low heat will quickly start to soften the outer layers of the bacon block. As they soften, they'll become much easier to remove. Peel the individual pieces of bacon off as soon as you can do so. Lay them next to the block or in a separate dish. Use a set of tongs or another utensil here. You're using low heat, but it can still be enough to burn you. Cook the separated pieces as normal. Once all the pieces are separated, they should be most of the way (if not completely) thawed, so you can cook them as normal. Our guide to cooking bacon has detailed instructions on how to do this. In broad strokes, you should: Turn the heat up to medium-low or medium. If you removed the bacon from the pan while it was defrosting, transfer it back in. Let the bacon cook until it starts sizzling. At this point, start turning the slices every few minutes to ensure even cooking. When the bacon is well-browned and reaches your desired level of done-ness, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. You're done! Thaw in the refrigerator. This is generally the cleanest way to thaw a package of bacon. Simply put it in the fridge in its original container and wait for it to thaw to a uniformly soft texture. This can take anywhere from a couple hours to a day or more depending on your refrigerator's temperature. This method of thawing generally leaves the bacon usable for the longest amount of time — it's almost as if you transferred fresh bacon directly into the fridge. You can cook or refreeze the bacon within seven days. For loose slices of bacon, place them inside a sealed plastic bag or container before defrosting. This can help prevent the dehydrating effects of cool refrigerator air. Thaw in cold water. Fill your sink with cold water from the faucet. Drop the package of bacon into the water and let it sit. If it floats, weigh it down with a heavy pan or plate. Smaller packages will take 10-15 minutes to fully thaw. Larger packages may take up to an hour. If it takes longer than 30 minutes, dump the water and refill again with cold water. Don't use warm or hot water. This will make the outside of the bacon warm quicker than the inside, ruining its texture and potentially causing dangerous bacteria growth. If you're not thawing the bacon in its original package, make sure you seal it in an airtight bag. You don't want the bacon to come into direct contact with the water — this can be unsanitary and may affect the bacon's taste or texture. Defrost in the microwave. Place the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate and defrost it for three minute intervals, checking its texture between each defrosting. Separate the bacon as it defrosts to speed up the process. You can leave the bacon in its original package, but if you do, poke a few holes in the package to allow it to vent. If you don't, steam can build up and cause an explosion. Cook thawed bacon normally. Once the bacon is completely thawed, you're ready to start cooking. Transfer it to a frying pan (or another vessel if you're using a different cooking method like baking) and cook it as you normally would. Be sure to wash your hands after handling defrosted bacon. Warming uncooked bacon to luke-warm heat (like most defrosting methods do) makes it a prime breeding ground for bacteria. Most thawed bacon should be cooked fairly quickly to avoid bacterial contamination. The exception is bacon thawed in the fridge — since it's kept cool, it's generally safer to store.

See if you can separate the bacon into slices. If you can't separate the slices, heat the block on low. Peel pieces off as they loosen. Cook the separated pieces as normal. Thaw in the refrigerator. Thaw in cold water. Defrost in the microwave. Cook thawed bacon normally.

https://www.wikihow.com/Smoke-in-Your-House-Without-Your-Parents-Finding-Out

How to Smoke in Your House Without Your Parents Finding Out

If you contain the smell and keep the smoke off your clothes and skin, you should be able to smoke in your house without your parents finding out. When you're ready to smoke, block the gap underneath the door with a towel or old sweater. Open a window or turn on a fan and aim your smoke towards it. You should also wear a spare jacket over your normal clothes so you don't get smoke on them. When you've finished smoking, mask the smell with a little incense, air freshener, or an odor neutralizer. Make sure you wash your hands and face. Then, brush your teeth or chew some gum. That way, your parents won't be able to smell the smoke on your breath or skin.

Find a private place to smoke it. If at all possible, make it an outdoor spot. Part of the garage, or an area under your deck are both good choices. If an outdoor spot isn't an option, you can use the bathroom. A bedroom isn't a great spot to smoke if you're trying to hide it. There are a lot of fabrics that will soak in the smoke and it will be hard to mask the smell. Timing your smoke breaks. If you're disappearing to smoke every hour, your parents will get suspicious. Time your breaks wisely. Use other excuses to get a moment away. Before you shower. Using the bathroom after a meal. Nightly phone call from your boyfriend/girlfriend. Block gaps in the door. Using a towel, plug the cracks between the door frame and the door. Freshly laundered towels will produce a more pleasant smell as air moves through them. If you're outside or using a garage, don't worry about this. Use a window. If you're inside, be sure to exhale through an open window. Not only will this force the majority of the smell outside, but it will help aerate the smell that's inside. Use a fan. Having ventilation planned is key to hiding the smell of smoke. Placing a portable fan at a window can help control air flow and diffuse the hazy, smelly cloud of smoke. Use a room that already has a fan. Carrying a fan around with you is suspicious. Cover your clothes. Using a lightweight jacket, sweatshirt, or long sleeve shirt will help keep the smoke from clinging to your clothes. Leave this cover-up in your smoking spot. Light a smudge stick. A smudge stick is basically a bundle of dried herbs. It acts as a heavy duty incense stick. This will not only mask the scent, but also make any escaped smoke less suspicious. Use cologne/body spray/air fresheners. Spray these before and after you smoke. This way, you don't overuse it and cause your parents to be skeptical. You don't want them wondering why it smells like you took a bath in it. Use an odor neutralizer. Ozium is an odor neutralizer that inhibits the ability of the nose to smell anything other than the neutralizer. This is commonly used to produce the “new car smell” and can fix many other problem smells. Make sure you spray according to the directions and only use it directly before you leave the room. Freshen your breath. Brush your teeth immediately after smoking. If your smoking spot is outside and you have to cross your parents before getting into the bathroom, use chewing gum to freshen your breath. You can also hide the smell by eating something with a strong odor, like onions or garlic. Of course, if you go this route, you'll smell like onions or garlic, but that might be better than smelling like smoke. Wash your hands. Using a strong scented soap, wash your hands as thoroughly as possible. If this is not enough, you can also use a scented moisturizer or scented hand sanitizer. You can also mask the scent on your hands by eating an orange. Peeling the orange will leave the juice and scent of oranges on your hands. Use rubbing alcohol. You can clean any tar on your skin with rubbing alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol can be safely applied to skin. It will dry out your skin so be sure to have scented moisturizer with you as well. Shampoo your hair. Your hair absorbs the smell of cigarette smoke because it is porous and absorbs the particles of smoke. This smell is retained for a long time. The only way to get the smell out of your hair is to take a shower and use a good shampoo. Using a coconut shampoo and scented hair styling product will help mask the smell.

Find a private place to smoke it. Timing your smoke breaks. Block gaps in the door. Use a window. Use a fan. Cover your clothes. Light a smudge stick. Use cologne/body spray/air fresheners. Use an odor neutralizer. Freshen your breath. Wash your hands. Use rubbing alcohol. Shampoo your hair.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Salt-Cell

How to Clean a Salt Cell

If you need to clean the salt cell in your saltwater pool, all you need is a hose. First, make sure the power is turned off before removing the cell so you don't electrocute yourself. Then, take the cell out of its holder and spray water at it from the hose, which should dislodge the debris and mineral deposits caught inside. If the hose fails to remove everything, try scraping away the debris with a plastic or wooden scraper. It's a good idea to clean your cell at least twice a year, although some systems will require more regular cleaning.

Turn the power off. Before you start messing with the cell, the power needs to be off for safety's sake. Don't try to unscrew the unit while it is still on. Most filtration systems have an easy access switch to turn the power off. On some units, simply press the button next to "filter" on the control panel. On other units, turn it off at the on/off switch or the time clock. In addition, flip the breaker for the control panel or turn off the control panel. Then, unplug the salt cell, as well. Remove the salt cell. Once you have the power off, take the salt cell out to inspect it more closely. You'll be looking at the metal plates inside the unit. You should be able to inspect them fairly easily to see if they need cleaning. Unscrew both sides of the salt cell to remove it. It should have large screw-in unions on both ends. The unions will be the same size as the pipe. As you unscrew, be careful, as water will leak out. Look for deposits. The cell only needs cleaning if it has mineral deposits on its filters. The mineral deposits will look white, dry, and flaky, like a tub faucet or shower head gets at times. These deposits reduce the unit's efficiency, so you need to remove them. If your filter doesn't have deposits, put it back, and check it in a month or so. Tip the salt cell up to look inside at the metal plates. Check for mineral deposits. Check the cell regularly. Most salt cells will need cleaning at least twice a year. Some may need it as often as every two months. It mostly depends on how hard your water is, as that's what causes buildups. Check on it every two months to see if it needs cleaning until you figure out how often yours will need to be cleaned. If you have a newer salt system, the cell may not even need cleaning out, as these systems have built-in ways of keeping deposits from building up. Watch for the signal. Some systems have an automatic monitor to remind you when to check your salt cell. Pull out any large debris. If you notice large debris in the filter, pull it out with your hand, though only do so if it's easily reachable. Anything small should be taken care of by the hose and the chemical solution used to clean the salt cell. Try a hose first. You can start cleaning the salt cell with a standard garden hose. Point it in one end of the unit, letting the water go through it and flow out the other end. This process should help remove random bits that have gotten caught in there, as well as some of the mineral deposits. Don't get the end of the plug wet, as that part is not waterproof. Scrape off the deposits. Another option for working on the deposits is to use a plastic or wooden tool. Scrape at the deposits gently to try to remove them. Don't use metal, as that will damage the filters. You may be able to remove most of the mineral deposits this way. Practice safety measures. When using chemicals, protect yourself. Put on latex gloves, as well as goggles to protect your eyes. In addition, only clean the cell where there's plenty of ventilation, as the acid can produce fumes. Coveralls also wouldn't hurt. At the very least, cover your arms and legs. Mix the muratic acid. You use muratic acid to clean the deposits off the filters in the salt cell. However, you must dilute it because straight muratic acid is too strong. Pour water in a clean bucket that's easy to pour from. Add muratic acid to the bucket. Start with five parts water to one part acid. Never add water to acid. Always add the acid to the water. While occasional cleaning of a cell is acceptable it's best to only do so when required. While the acid does remove any Scale it also damages the plates inside of the cell itself thus reducing the life. Cap the cell. The easiest way for the solution to reach the filters is to simply pour it into the cell. To do that, screw the cell into the cleaning stand, which caps off one end. The stand goes on the end where the cord is. Stand it up on that end. Pour the solution in. Using the bucket, carefully add the solution to the salt cell, making sure not to spill it on yourself. It should cover the filters inside, coming most of the way up the inside of the cell. Leave the solution to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Wait for the foaming to end. The mixture will foam up inside the cell. That is a good sign, as it means it's working on the mineral deposits. Once the mixture has stopped foaming, that usually means it's clean, though sometimes you may need to go through the process again. For the moment, pour the solution back into the bucket. Clean out the salt cell with water. Once the deposits are gone, use the garden hose again. Thoroughly rinse out the inside of the cell, as chlorine and muratic acid shouldn't mix. Once you're sure it's thoroughly cleaned out, the process is done. Replace the salt cell. Put the salt cell back into position; it doesn't matter which direction it goes on most units. Screw the unions back in place. Plug the unit back into the wall, and clear the inspection light on the control panel by holding down the up arrow or pressing down the diagnostic button for three seconds. Store or dispose of the excess acid. You can keep the water-acid mixture in a clean bottle, though you should get rid of it by the time it suggests on the original bottle of acid. To dispose of it, look for hazardous waste disposal collection centers in your area, as that's the best way to get rid of it.

Turn the power off. Remove the salt cell. Look for deposits. Check the cell regularly. Pull out any large debris. Try a hose first. Scrape off the deposits. Practice safety measures. Mix the muratic acid. Cap the cell. Pour the solution in. Wait for the foaming to end. Clean out the salt cell with water. Replace the salt cell. Store or dispose of the excess acid.

https://www.wikihow.com/Charge-an-Apple-Watch

How to Charge an Apple Watch

To charge an Apple Watch with a regular Apple Watch charger, start by plugging the block side of the charger into a standard electrical outlet. Make sure you have the rectangular end of the cord securely plugged into the block, and place the circular end of the charger on a flat surface. With the indented side of the charger facing up, place the back of the Apple Watch onto the circle. You should feel a small magnetic pull as the watch gets closer to the charger. Let the watch charge until it says “100% Charged” at the bottom of the screen.

Plug the charger into a wall outlet. The charging block side of the charger cable should plug into most standard electrical outlets. If the charger cable is separate from the wall outlet end of the charger, first plug the rectangular end of the cord into the port on the charger block. The cord should only fit one way. You can also detach the cable from its block and then plug the rectangular end of the cable into a computer's USB port provided that it's a USB 3.0 port with charging capabilities. Place the charger face-up on a flat surface. The slightly indented side of the charger disk should be facing up, while the flat side of the charger disc should be face-down on a flat, even surface. Put the Apple Watch on the charger. The Apple Watch should go face-up onto the charger. You'll notice a slight magnetic pull when you set the Watch down on the charger, and the screen will light up with a progress bar and a charge percentage. Leave the Apple Watch to charge. You can monitor the charge progress by looking at the percentage of the battery at the bottom of the screen. When the Apple Watch has "100% Charged" listed at the bottom of the screen, you should remove it from the charger. Place the Apple Watch on its side to enable Nightstand mode. In Nightstand mode, the buttons on Apple Watch are used the snooze and stop alarms. The screen shows time and a battery ring, along with the date and next alarm. Indicators at the top tell you if you aren't connected to your iPhone or Wi-Fi and if you have notifications. The charging indicator is never shown. Buy a third-party Apple Watch stand. Unlike watch docks, watch stands have places where the Apple Watch cord can feed into, eventually revealing the circular end. Feed the Apple Watch cord through the stand. How you do this will vary depending on the Apple Watch stand itself. Some Apple Watch stands have a charger cable built into them, in which case you'll just have to plug an iPhone charger cable into the back or side of the Watch stand. Plug the charger into a wall outlet. The charging block side of the charger cable should plug into most standard electrical outlets. If the charger cable is separate from the wall outlet end of the charger, first plug the rectangular end of the cord into the port on the charger block. The cord should only fit one way. You can also detach the cable from its block and then plug the rectangular end of the cable into a computer's USB port provided that it's a USB 3.0 port with charging capabilities. Place the Apple Watch's back against the charger. Wherever the charger disc is in the stand, the Apple Watch's back must be attached to the back of it in order to charge. Leave the Apple Watch to charge. You can monitor the charge progress by looking at the percentage of the battery at the bottom of the screen. When the Apple Watch has "100% Charged" listed at the bottom of the screen, you should remove it from the charger. Place your Apple Watch on its side to enable Nightstand mode. This won't be possible for some Apple Watch stands. In Nightstand mode, the buttons on Apple Watch are used the snooze and stop alarms. The screen shows time and a battery ring, along with the date and next alarm. Indicators at the top tell you if you aren't connected to your iPhone or Wi-Fi and if you have notifications. The charging indicator is never shown.

Plug the charger into a wall outlet. Place the charger face-up on a flat surface. Put the Apple Watch on the charger. Leave the Apple Watch to charge. Place the Apple Watch on its side to enable Nightstand mode. Buy a third-party Apple Watch stand. Feed the Apple Watch cord through the stand. Plug the charger into a wall outlet. Place the Apple Watch's back against the charger. Leave the Apple Watch to charge. Place your Apple Watch on its side to enable Nightstand mode.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Pipe

How to Clean a Pipe

You should clean your tobacco pipe after every use. To do so, let the pipe cool, then tap it to get rid of any ash and tobacco from the bowl. Next, remove the mouthpiece by tugging or turning it before running a pipe cleaner through it. Then, put 2 pipe cleaners into the shank, and keep cleaning down to the bowl until you've cleared all the residue. Clean the bowl by gently rubbing around the sides with 2 pipe cleaners. Finally, rub a wet a Q-tip around the rim to get rid of residue. To finish, polish your pipe with olive oil.

Let the pipe cool completely. Empty out the ash and leftover tobacco from the bowl. You can do this by tapping or using a special scoop just for this purpose. Blow through the mouthpiece a bit to expel anything that remains. Remove the stem or mouthpiece. This may require a slight tug or turn. Clean the stem. Run a pipe cleaner back and forth through the stem to clean it. Clean the shank. Run a pipe cleaner back and forth through the opening where the stem connects and down into the bowl. Keep cleaning until all of the residue is removed. Use a cleaning solution if you want to but it is not necessary. If using a cleaning solution, stuff a paper towel into the bowl to keep extra fluid from running out and ruining the outside of your pipe. You can double the pipe cleaner as well, once the ends are dirty, to make sure you get the most use out of it. Clean the bowl gently. Double a pipe cleaner and gently run it around the sides and bottom of the bowl. You want to remove some of the built-up cake on the sides but not all. You can also use Q-tips if you want to. Clean the rim. Get some spit on a Q-tip and rub it firmly around the rim to clean any residue off of there. Shine your pipe with olive oil. Some people think this is necessary, others don't like it. Do whatever you prefer. Clean your pipe regularly. Don't leave it until it gets really awful: clean your pipe regularly! Pour salt into the bowl and mouthpiece. Epsom salt is good but table salt works too. Put the pipe in a small container. This container should be as close as possible to the size of the pipe. It should also need to be fairly sturdy (not made of super cheap plastic) because you will be putting harsh chemicals or very hot water into it. Pour in your cleaning solution. Now, which cleaning solution you should use is a matter of debate. Rubbing alcohol works great but it can destroy the colors of your pipe or possibly leave unhealthy residues. Alternatively you can use vinegar or Listerine and mix it with very hot water. Whatever you use, pour the mix into the container. Place your pipe in the mixture. Swish it around and let it soak for at least five minutes. Rinse it thoroughly with water. Take it out of the cleaning solution and rinse it really thoroughly with hot water. Be careful not to drop your pipe while rinsing. Clean off remaining residue. Use pipe cleaners, Q-tips, and paper towels to remove any remaining residue. Repeat as necessary. If you haven't cleaned your pipe in a long time, it may take two or three rounds of this process before it is completely clean. Clean your pipe regularly to avoid this. Make sure your pipe is thoroughly rinsed before smoking with it!

Let the pipe cool completely. Empty out the ash and leftover tobacco from the bowl. Remove the stem or mouthpiece. Clean the stem. Clean the shank. Clean the bowl gently. Clean the rim. Shine your pipe with olive oil. Clean your pipe regularly. Pour salt into the bowl and mouthpiece. Put the pipe in a small container. Pour in your cleaning solution. Place your pipe in the mixture. Rinse it thoroughly with water. Clean off remaining residue. Repeat as necessary.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Metal-Roof

How to Clean a Metal Roof

To clean a metal roof, wait for a dry, overcast day, and make sure you have a partner to help you for safety reasons. When you're ready to get started, spray your roof using a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment, starting at the top of the roof and blasting downward so the dirty water runs off the sides. If there are any stubborn stains that the hose won't remove, scrub them with soapy water using a sponge. Only use harsher cleaners, like bleach, as a last resort since they can damage your roof.

Wait for dry weather and overcast skies. Avoid cleaning your roof in direct sunlight. Keep in mind that metal and light-colored paint will reflect sunlight and create glare, which may drastically reduce your vision. If the layout of your roof requires you to climb onto it, do so when it's dry out to reduce the risk of slipping. Of course, once you start washing your roof, it will get wet and pose a risk. However, it's still a smart idea to reduce that risk as much as possible. Clean only those areas that are easily reached. Before you haul all of your gear up, set up your ladder. Climb onto the roof and judge your ability to reach all of its parts. If you feel that certain parts are too precarious for you to safely reach, err on the side of caution and do not attempt to clean it. Keep in mind that your power washer or hose will extend your reach considerably. If any out-of-reach areas look like they need scrubbing afterward, hire a professional to do so. Have a partner. Do not attempt to wash your roof alone. Whether you need to mount the roof itself or can do the job from a ladder, play it safe. Ask someone to spot you so they can: Assist you in bringing gear up and down. Alert you to any hazards that you may not be aware of. Call for help in the event of an accident. Secure yourself. Protect yourself from a fall. Wear a safety harness. Attach a safety line between that and a sturdy feature of your roof (like a chimney). If none are available, use either a: Bolt-strap anchor for corrugated roofs. Ridge clamp for standing-seam roofs. Favor using plain water over chemical cleaners. Expect clean water alone to get the job done most of the time. Save yourself the time and money and use chemical cleaners only when absolutely necessary. Expect these to leave behind streaks and film if you don't thoroughly rinse them off. Rinsing your roof with water at least once a year should reduce the need for using chemical cleaners. Use pressure. Don't expect a simple splash of water to accomplish much. Use pressurized water to blast dirt away. For a light job, start by using your garden hose and a wand or spray nozzle attachment and see if its jet setting is strong enough to work. If not, rent or invest in a power washer and use that instead. Clear a path first. Avoid stepping directly onto dirt, grime, and debris. Treat any material other than the roof itself as unstable. Before climbing onto or advancing along your roof, use your hose or power washer to clear a path for yourself to reduce the chance of slipping. If you have to first clear a path in order to attach safety lines and other gear to the roof, wait until the washed path has dried before climbing onto the roof. Start from the top if possible and blast downward. Make washing easier by cleaning the highest points first so the dirty runoff flows over yet-to-cleaned sections. Continue blasting dirt and debris by advancing downward along the roof's slope while steadily pushing dirt and debris down toward its edge. However: Roof designs vary greatly, so don't treat this as an absolute must. If your roof is particularly steep and/or has sections well out of reach, always opt for safety and hose it down from a lower, safer point. Work slowly and patiently. Don't rush the job. Opt for a slow and steady approach to ensure safety. Advance along your roof at a safe pace while minding your footing at all times to minimize the risk of slipping. Mix water and mild detergent for stubborn areas. For any areas that don't wash away with pressurized water, fill a bucket or other container with water. For every part water, combine 0.05 part mild dish or laundry detergent. Use a cloth or sponge to clean. Opt for something soft to protect your roof's paint and parts. Avoid using more abrasive materials like steel wool or wire brushes. Expect these to scratch and otherwise damage your roof. Scrub problem areas with your detergent solution. Soak your cloth or sponge in the water/detergent mixture. Scrub from the bottom of the panel upward in a left-to-right, back-and-forth fashion. Once each panel is clean, rinse it immediately with clean water to prevent streaks and film. Then wipe the panel again with a cloth or sponge soaked in plain water. With persistent dirt that refuses to come off, go slow and steady and scrub for longer rather than apply more pressure to speed things up. The more pressure you add, the greater the risk of damaging the panel. Repeat with stronger cleaners if necessary. If stains or other eyesores remain no longer how you scrub with your detergent solution, check with the roof's manufacturer or installer about using stronger agents, since some may damage the roof, depending on its materials. Whichever cleaner they recommend, follow its directions regarding use. Scrub the dirty panels in question in the same manner that you did with your detergent solution. If the cleaner has bleach as an ingredient, rinse the scrubbed area with clean water immediately afterward. Do not wait until you complete a whole panel as you did with the detergent. Rinse all panels again when the entire job is finished.

Wait for dry weather and overcast skies. Clean only those areas that are easily reached. Have a partner. Secure yourself. Favor using plain water over chemical cleaners. Use pressure. Clear a path first. Start from the top if possible and blast downward. Work slowly and patiently. Mix water and mild detergent for stubborn areas. Use a cloth or sponge to clean. Scrub problem areas with your detergent solution. Repeat with stronger cleaners if necessary.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Sugar-Maple-Candy

How to Make Sugar Maple Candy

To make sugar maple candy, start by boiling 2 cups of pure maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat until it reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, take it off the heat and let the syrup cool to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, use a wooden spoon to stir the syrup vigorously for 4 minutes or until it gets creamy and starts to thicken. Finally, pour the syrup into rubber molds and let it cool for 1 hour before transferring the candies to a baking rack.

Boil 2 cups (644 grams) of maple syrup until it reaches 110 °C (230 °F). Measure and pour the maple syrup into a large saucepan. Pure maple syrup works best as it has the strongest and most genuine flavour. Avoid using maple-flavoured syrup as this won't thicken correctly and has a weaker flavour. Heat the maple syrup over medium heat until it reaches 110 °C (230 °F). Stir the syrup with a wooden spoon as it heats to avoid it sticking to the pan. Use a candy thermometer to measure the temperature of the maple syrup. Submerge the tip of the thermometer in the mixture to get a correct temperature reading. Avoid the thermometer touching the pan as this can give a false temperature reading. Run hot water over the inside of the measuring cup before you measure the maple syrup. This will cause less maple syrup to stick to the measuring cup. Purchase maple syrup from a supermarket or natural health food store. Take the pot off the heat and wait for the syrup to cool to 80 °C (176 °F). Place the pot of maple syrup onto a cold element or a wooden board to cool. Leave the candy thermometer in the syrup so that you can monitor the temperature. Most candy thermometers can be clipped to the side of the pot. It will likely take about 10 minutes for the temperature of the syrup to drop. Don't stir the syrup as it cools. Mix the syrup vigorously for 4 minutes. Remove the candy thermometer from the pot and then use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture briskly. Continue to stir the syrup until it begins to thicken and gets creamier. This should take about 4 minutes. Keep the pot off the heat while you stir it. Stop stirring the mixture once it starts thickening so that the candy doesn't set in the pot. Take care not to splash yourself with the mixture because it will be incredibly hot. Stir in ½ cup (62.5 g) of chopped walnuts if you want a nutty flavour. Walnuts help to add texture and extra flavour to the candy. Measure the nuts into the pot and then slowly stir the mixture to evenly distribute them. As soon as the nuts are distributed, stop stirring the mixture. If you don't like nuts or want a smooth candy, skip this step. Pour the candy into rubber moulds. Rubber moulds are a great choice for maple syrup candy as they are easy to pop the candies out of. Carefully and slowly pour the syrup from the pot into the moulds and fill them right to the top. If you don't have rubber moulds, use lightly greased wooden or metal moulds instead. Avoid using plastic moulds as the heat of the candy will melt the plastic. Purchase candy moulds from a craft store, speciality kitchen shop, or online. Popular moulds include: ones shaped like maple leaves, standard round candy moulds, and heart-shaped moulds. Smooth the candies with a knife and then allow them to cool. Use the face of a butter knife to help flatten the mixture in the moulds. This will help the base of your candies look smooth and professional. Leave the candies in the moulds at room temperature until they are cold. The cooling process takes about 1 hour. Remove the candies from the moulds. If you have used a rubber mould, turn the mould upside down and push the candies out. If you have used a wooden or metal mould, turn the mould over and lightly tap it to help agitate the candies away from the mould. If the candies are stuck in the mould, use a knife to help pry them out. Place the candies on a cooling rack for 2 hours. This helps the candies to dry and gives them a nice, soft but firm texture. If you don't have a cooling rack, place the candies on a plate instead. Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. Transfer the candy into a container and make sure the lid is on tightly. If you don't eat them first, the candies can last up to 1 month. If you are gifting the candies, put them into small decorative bags and let the recipient know that the candy keeps best in an airtight container.

Boil 2 cups (644 grams) of maple syrup until it reaches 110 °C (230 °F). Take the pot off the heat and wait for the syrup to cool to 80 °C (176 °F). Mix the syrup vigorously for 4 minutes. Stir in ½ cup (62.5 g) of chopped walnuts if you want a nutty flavour. Pour the candy into rubber moulds. Smooth the candies with a knife and then allow them to cool. Remove the candies from the moulds. Place the candies on a cooling rack for 2 hours. Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-People-Who-Treat-You-Like-a-Child

How to Deal With People Who Treat You Like a Child

It can be frustrating when people treat you like a child, but if you don't react, you'll feel better about it at the end of the day. Try to stay polite whenever someone treats you like a child, which will make you look more mature in their eyes. The person might just be having a bad day or they might be projecting their own insecurities onto you, so it's better to just ignore them and laugh about it later. If someone regularly treats you like a child, it's best to approach the situation calmly and honestly. For example, say something like, “I appreciate you looking out for me, but I feel like you're telling me what to do when I'd rather make decisions myself.”

Discuss the issue. Some family members may not even realize they're still treating you like a child. It's hard for older adults in your family to let go of the thought of you being "little girl" or "little boy," even if you're well into adulthood. Therefore, you need to broach the topic with them and help them understand what you're feeling. Start with your feelings. That is, use an "I" statement to describe how you're feeling instead of a "you" statement that puts the blame on them. Blaming someone will put them on the defense. For instance, don't say, " You always treat me like a little kid." Instead, say "I feel upset when you still treat me like a child. I've grown up." Be specific by talking about particular statements or behaviors that bother you. For example, you could say, "I love that you help with the kids, but I don't like when you contradict the rules that I've made." You could also say, "I respect your rules when I'm in your house, but I don't like being asked where I am every second of every day." Tell them what you expect. For instance, you could say, "I would really appreciate if you would respect the rules I've set for my kids." or "I would appreciate it if you would treat me like any other adult who stays in your home." Be upfront about what you want. If you're telling your mom a story, tell her what you expect from her upfront. For instance, if you're just telling her the story to give her information and you don't really want advice, let her know that. You could say, "Mom, I need to tell you something, but I want you to promise me that you won't offer your judgment at the end. I feel like you need to know this information, but I don't want advice on my choices." Focus on the relationship. That is, often in communication, people are trying to maintain control. It's a power struggle. Often, this type of communication pops up between a parent and an adult child, or even another type of relationship, such as an aunt and niece or nephew. The "adult" still wants to control the adult child, even if that person doesn't realize it. If you're the adult child, you may want to struggle to "win" in this situation. However, often letting go of the power struggle can lead to a healthier relationship. This type of power struggle can make people defensive. You probably feel defensive when another adult in your family, whether it be a parent, aunt, guardian, or grandparent, does it to you. However, by truly listening and letting go of the power struggle, you can cut through some of that defensiveness and both parties can feel more heard and valued. Set boundaries. Sometimes, parents and other family members have trouble respecting boundaries because they still see you as a little kid they have a right to rule over. In that case, you need to politely but firmly set boundaries with them because you have your own life now. For instance, say your parents tend to just show up at your house unannounced. You could say, "We love having you here, but we'd appreciate it if you gave us some advanced notice. Sometimes, we have our family time planned, and we need that time to strengthen and grow together." Another way you could address an issue is to say, "I understand that you are concerned about when we're having children. However, it may be some time before we decide to do so. I will definitely let you know when we're thinking about it. Until then, I would appreciate it if you stop asking about it." Open the lines of communication. Often, parents, guardians, and other adults still treat teens like kids because they can't see how you've matured. One sign of maturity is being honest with your family members, both about big and small things. Partly, that means that you are upfront about things. Don't lie by saying you're going to the library when you're going to your friend's house. Don't fib about how much homework you have. Every lie, no matter how small, cuts down on how much your parents trust you. It also means opening up about your life. If you can talk about what you're thinking and feeling with your parents, that can help them see how you've matured and what your priorities are. Talk to the adults in your life about trust. If you're growing up, that means you can have an honest talk about trust. If you feel like your parents or other adults who are responsible for you don't trust you, it's a good time to ask them why they don't trust you or if you did something to break their trust. Ask the person or persons for a good time to talk. When you sit down, just get it out in the open. Say something like, "Sometimes, I feel like you don't trust me. I've grown up a lot in the last few years, and I feel like you still think I'm a little kid." Ask what you can do to earn their trust. They may have specific guidelines you need to follow before they really trust you. Follow the rules. If you act like a little kid, they'll treat you like a little kid. Kids break the rules. Adults are mature enough to respect their parents' or guardians' wishes and rules when living in their house. For instance, when you have a curfew, make sure to be home on time. Make sure to do what chores they've laid out for you and your homework. If you want to be treated older, you need to realize that comes with responsibilities. Show you're responsible. Another way to prove to the adults in your family that you're mature is to show how responsible you are. Being responsible means doing what you say you're going to do when you say you're going to do it. It means the adults in your family can depend on you to be as good as what you promise. Make sure you follow through when you say you're going to do something. It can also help to take on responsibilities without being asked. Do the dishes without your mother nagging you. Mow the lawn before your dad has a chance to. Take care of the things you need to take care of. For instance, get your homework done, brush your teeth and shower without being asked, and take any medications or vitamins on time. Choose good friends. The reasoning behind this step may not seem so obvious. Your friends are your friends, right? Well, not always. When you pick friends that are a bad influence, such as ones who don't like school, are into drugs, or just mad at the world, your parents and family notice. Your friends have a big influence on you, so when you choose friends who aren't as mature, it can bring you down. Your family knows that, and they may treat you more as a kid when you're exhibiting this behavior. Try not to be overly dramatic. When you cry and scream, that tells your family members and guardians you're not ready to be treated as a young adult. An adult can sit down and have a reasonable conversation. Of course, everyone gets upset sometimes. However, when you get upset, you need to learn how to calm yourself down and have an even conversation with the person you're upset with. Sometimes, just taking a break can help calm you down. If you feel yourself getting angry, ask the person you're talking to if you can take a few minutes for yourself to calm down before you move on with the conversation. You can also channel your feelings. Put those feelings into your art or writing instead of into yelling at other people. Apologize when you're in the wrong. Apologizing is hard for everyone. No one likes to admit they've been in the wrong. However, when you've broken someone's trust, such as your parents' trust, it's important to apologize to them of your own free will. Apologizing goes a long way to rebuilding bridges and showing that you've matured. Start by acknowledging what you did wrong. "I know going out last night without your permission was wrong. I know you just worry about me and want to be safe." Apologize without trying to explain away your actions. For instance, say "I'm sorry for doing that." NOT "I'm sorry for doing that, but I was just so mad you wouldn't let me go to the party." Be sincere. People know when you're not being sincere. Make sure you can be sincere when you offer your apology. Hear what the person is saying. Some people are just condescending. They don't necessarily mean to be, but it may come across to you like they're treating you like a child or a novice in the field. One way to combat this type of person is to actually listen to what they're saying, as well as listen to what's under the words. Listening to what the other person is trying to convey and then helping them know that you've truly heard that can open the door to more fruitful conversations. One way you can show you're listening is to ask insightful questions that are relevant to what the other person is saying. You can also nod and use your body language to show you are hearing what the other person is saying. Remember it's often not about you. In many cases, any advice they may be giving you or the way they treat you may be about them. In other words, the things they say to you in a patronizing tone are really meant for themselves. When you find you're being treated like a child, try to take a step back. Take a deep breath and ask yourself if what they're saying has some merit or if it's more about the other person's strengths and weaknesses. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes, tone is hard to convey, especially in an email or text message. If you feel like someone is being condescending, consider whether it could be taken another way. If it can, maybe let it slide this time. Try to push for communication in person. That way, you're less likely to misinterpret the person's tone. Call the person out. At work, this step can be tricky, but if the person you're communicating with is generally amenable, you can give it a try. The person may not even be aware that they are doing it, so calling them out gives them a chance to fix their actions. Be polite and unemotional. Address what you think the issue is without trying to blame the other person. For example, you could say, "I appreciate you explaining that to me, but I already know how to do it." Another way you could confront the issue is to say, "I don't like wasting time, and since I already know how to do that, can we move on?" or "Thanks for the email. You've explained that to me in the past, so I understand perfectly." Prove that you are capable. Another way to move past people who treat you like a child is to prove your maturity. In a job, that means proving that you are one hundred percent capable of getting the job done well and on time. In other situations, it may just mean ignoring the person treating you badly and then dealing with the task at hand. That means learning the skills you need to learn, even if you must put in extra hours. It also means being on time to work and being on time when turning in your work. In other situations, such as volunteer situations or at school meetings for you kid, you may need to just ignore the person and do what you need to do. Stay polite. Sometimes, when you're in public, someone may use a condescending tone or drop a "dear" at the end of a sentence when talking to you. If you run across it in public, start by being polite. In other words, don't rise to the bait. Simply go by your own rules of politeness, and move on with the conversation. Most of the time, the person probably doesn't even realize they're being condescending or treating you like a child. Snapping at them won't help the situation. Shift the conversation back to you. Sometimes, you may find yourself in a situation where you should be the one having the conversation with the "expert," but instead, that expert is having it with someone else right in front of you. A prime example of this situation is when a mechanic addresses the husband about the wife's car when the wife is standing right there and should be the one in the discussion. The best way to deal with this type of situation is to ask a question that the person has to directly address, meaning the person needs to talk to you. For example, you could ask, "I understand what you're saying about the timing belt, but don't you think my spark plugs also need to be changed? They were last changed 20,000 miles ago." Use humor. If someone is being patronizing, it may be that they have just gotten into a rut of explaining things to everyone who walks in the door, especially in technical jobs or fields. One way to change the conversation is to use a little humor to jostle the person out of their standard explanation. For example, when someone says, "You need to make sure you change your oil every 3,000 miles," you could say, "Just like going in for tune up at the doctor, right?" Let it go. Sometimes, when it's a stranger who's treating you like a child, you just have to let it go and move on. You'll probably never see that person again, and holding on to that anger isn't helping you at all.

Discuss the issue. Be upfront about what you want. Focus on the relationship. Set boundaries. Open the lines of communication. Talk to the adults in your life about trust. Follow the rules. Show you're responsible. Choose good friends. Try not to be overly dramatic. Apologize when you're in the wrong. Hear what the person is saying. Remember it's often not about you. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Call the person out. Prove that you are capable. Stay polite. Shift the conversation back to you. Use humor. Let it go.

https://www.wikihow.com/Germinate-Seeds

How to Germinate Seeds

To germinate seeds, start by filling a seed tray with a growing medium made specifically for seeds. Then, lightly press the seeds into the growing medium with your fingers and cover them with a thin layer of the medium. After you've sown the seeds, put them in a spot that's between 60 and 80 °F and lightly water them. Cover the tray with a sheet of plastic wrap to help keep in warmth and moisture, which will help the seeds germinate. If you continue to lightly water your seeds every day, it won't be long before they sprout!

Start with good seeds. They should be less than two years old, from a reputable source, and suitable for your growing region. You'll have better luck with seeds that came from plants local to your area - they'll like the environment, soil, and other conditions you can provide. Buy your seeds at a local nursery, a farmer's market, or an online vendor that sells seeds for different growing regions. Try checking to see if there is a seed swap in your area. You can meet other gardeners, get seeds, and get tips for germinating specific types of seeds in your area. Plan to start them at the right time. Some seeds need to germinate indoors several weeks before the weather gets warm, while others need only a few days' time. The time you need to start your seeds also differs by growing region. Getting the timing right is important if you want to give your seeds the best chance to grow into strong, healthy plants. Check the back of the packet your seeds came in for instructions on when they should be started. Seed packets come with a lot of vital information. You can also look online for more info about when to start your seeds. If you're still not sure when to start your seeds, plant to start them a few weeks before the last frost of the season. You can start growing them indoors and let them sprout a few inches high before transplanting them outside. This is a safe bet for many types of plants. Get the right growing medium. Seeds need to germinate in a growing medium that's usually different from standard potting soil or dirt. They require a certain soil texture to germinate, and it's different for different seeds. Research the needs of the seeds you're growing and get the appropriate growing medium from a nursery or online vendor. You can buy a soilless growing medium that's premixed, and it works for many types of seeds. It's cheap to make your own growing medium from vermiculite, perlite, and milled sphagnum moss, all available at garden stores. A ration of 1:1:1 is usually effective. Don't try to plant seeds in regular soil. Seeds already contain all the nutrients they need to germinate within them. The extra nutrients in regular potting soil are detrimental during the germination period. Choose a seed container. You'll need a container that's 2 or 3 inches (5.1 or 7.6 cm) deep with drainage holes in the bottom. It can be shaped like an open tray or have individual segments for different seeds. The width of your container depends on how many seeds you're planting; make sure you allow plenty of space for the seeds to germinate. You can buy a seed pallet or tray, but it's just as easy to make your own out of an old egg carton, newspaper , a wooden box, or other household supplies. When the seeds germinate and sprout, the seedlings will need to be moved to larger containers or planted in the ground. For this reason the aesthetics of the seed germination containers aren't as important as their utility. Get the containers ready. Line your seed containers with your seed growing medium. Fill the containers to within half an inch of the rim, rather than all the way to the top. Sprinkle water over the growing medium to moisten the growing medium all the way to the bottom. Don't douse it in water; it should just be slightly wet to provide a good environment for the seeds. Determine whether to soak the seeds. Some seeds need to be soaked for a few hours before planting, while others can go straight into the growing medium without soaking. Determine whether the seeds you have need any type of pre-processing before they get planted. Look on the seed packet or check online. To soak seeds, place them in a clean container and cover them with room temperature water. Let them sit for between 3 and 24 hours. Strain them and pat them dry with a paper towel. If you soak your seeds, plan to plant them directly afterward. Don't let them dry out again first. Sow the seeds. Scatter seeds evenly over the growing medium and use your fingers to lightly press them in. Cover the seeds with a layer of growing medium about three times the thickness of the seeds. Moisten the growing medium again once the seeds are sown. Don't sow too many seeds together; make sure not to overcrowd them. Check the seed packet for each type of seed you are planting to get specific recommendations for spacing the seeds. Some seeds need to be planted deeper in the growing medium, and others shouldn't be covered at all. Most seeds are fine with a light covering of growing medium as described above, but you should check to make sure the seeds you have don't need special treatment. Put the seed containers in the right environment. Most seeds don't need sunlight to germinate, but some do, so you'll need to check to make sure you give your seeds the proper conditions. Placing the seeds in a room with a temperature between 60 to 80 °F (16 to 27 °C) is a safe bet, but again, some seeds need special treatment and require very cold or hot temperatures to do well. You can use a heat mat under the seed tray to regulate the temperature and keep things on the warmer side during the germination period. Once the seedlings sprout, keep them in an area with a temperature above 70 °F (21 °C) until they're ready to be transplanted outside. Keep the growing medium moist. Cover the trays lightly with a sheet of plastic wrap to keep the moisture in and regulate the temperature. Lift the plastic wrap each day to lightly water the seeds. Make sure they never get the chance to dry out, or they won't germinate properly. Do not overwater the seeds. If they get waterlogged they won't grow. You can use newspaper instead of plastic wrap. Use a spray bottle to keep the newspaper moist while the seeds germinate. Move the seedlings to a sunny place. When you see the first green shoots poke through, move the seedlings to a sunny area. Make sure the room temperature is above 70 degrees, but provide a bright space so they can grow strong and healthy. Keep the seedlings moist. If you covered your seedlings with a sheet of plastic wrap or newspaper, remove it and keep the seedlings moist with a couple of waterings a day. Water in the morning and early afternoon, but avoid watering later in the day. If water sits on the growing medium all night long it might facilitate the growth of mold. Feed the seedlings after a few weeks. Since the growing medium doesn't contain nutrients, you'll need to fertilize the seedlings with plant food after they've gotten a few inches tall. Find out what type of plant food is appropriate for the seedlings you're growing. Use organic fertilizer if at all possible. Thin the seedlings. If a lot of the seeds germinate and sprout, it's necessary to thin out some of the weaker seedlings so the strong ones can get even stronger. Thin them out to the point where you have 2 or 3 sprouts per seed container, or 2 or 3 sprouts for each area the size of one egg carton segment. Pick the extra sprouts out close to the base, pull out the roots and discard them. Transplant the seedlings when it's time. When the growing season begins it will be time to move the seedlings to bigger containers or your outdoor garden. Make sure you get the right type of soil for your plants, and plant them in an area with the correct amount of sunlight and drainage.

Start with good seeds. Plan to start them at the right time. Get the right growing medium. Choose a seed container. Get the containers ready. Determine whether to soak the seeds. Sow the seeds. Put the seed containers in the right environment. Keep the growing medium moist. Move the seedlings to a sunny place. Keep the seedlings moist. Feed the seedlings after a few weeks. Thin the seedlings. Transplant the seedlings when it's time.

https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-a-Living-Christmas-Tree

How to Plant a Living Christmas Tree

To plant a living Christmas tree, move your tree to a sheltered outdoor area 1 to 2 weeks before planting. Then, dig a hole that's twice as wide and just as deep as the tree's root ball. Place your tree in the hole and secure it with the soil you dug up. Moisten the ground around the tree, then add 1 to 2 inches of mulch. To help it stay up, place 1 or 2 stakes around the tree, away from the roots, and tie them to the tree with canvas straps or another flexible material.

Check the root ball for damage. Move the tree gently side to side and be sure the root ball moves with the trunk as you do this. The base of the trunk should not move around inside the root ball, which is indicative of damaged roots. If this is the case, you should not attempt to plant your tree because it is unlikely to survive. The only way to replant a Christmas tree is to purchase one that still has a root ball. You can't replant a cut Christmas tree. Limit the amount of time your tree is indoors. Buy your living Christmas tree as close to Christmas as possible, and plant as soon as possible afterwards. The longer your tree stays inside, the more it's exposed to drying conditions that will weaken it. You'll have the best chance of success if you plant it within 6 weeks of bringing the tree home. Consider lightly decorating the tree, rather than covering it with lights and ornaments, to minimize the wear and tear before you move the tree to its outdoor location. Keep your tree in a cool spot. Near a window is best so it can still receive light and cool air, but keep it out of direct sunlight. Avoid putting it near a heating vent, fireplace, or stove. Keep the soil moist. Daily watering is necessary to keeping your tree healthy. Try putting ice cubes on top of the root ball daily to achieve a more gradual and steady watering as they melt. Move your tree to a sheltered outdoor space. Allow your tree to acclimate back to the cold after spending 1-2 weeks inside your warm home. Place it outside, in a cool sheltered spot like a front or back porch and leave it there for about a week. Continue watering it daily during this time. Choose an open, sunny planting spot. Research the type of tree you have and its growth potential. Make sure it won't outgrow the spot you choose for it. Look for a sunny spot that's several feet from your house or any fencing since roots and limbs could eventually cause problems for these structures. Christmas trees tend to thrive best at higher altitudes, and they may not be as suited to an urban area. Dig the hole as early as possible in the season. In colder climates, the ground will freeze if you wait until Christmas to dig the hole, so plan ahead and do this in the fall. If you've waited too long to dig and the ground is already frozen, try pouring boiling water onto the spot and then digging. Dig wide but not deep. Using a shovel, dig a hole twice as wide as the size of the root ball to give the roots a chance to spread. But don't go any deeper than the height of the root ball, since you don't want it too far below the soil level. Having it slightly higher than the soil around it will help with drainage. Save the soil you’re digging up. Don't dispose of any of the dirt you dig out of the hole. You'll be using this later to fill the hole back in. It can be left outside under a tarp or placed in a garage or shed. Remove root ball coverings. The root ball of your tree may have been wrapped in burlap or plastic, so be sure nothing remains wrapped around it when you're ready to plant. Place the tree in the hole. This may require two people depending on the size of your tree. Try to get it as close to centered as possible inside the hole you dug. Hold it upright so it doesn't fall over before you can fill in the hole. Fill the hole back in. Shovel the soil you dug out of the hole back into the empty spaces around the root ball of the tree. Tamp the soil gently, but don't pack it in tightly. Water the newly planted tree. Moisten the soil around the tree with a hose or watering can. You do not need to use any sort of fertilizer – just plain water will do. Mulch around the tree. Add a couple inches of mulch around the base of the tree as an insulating layer. You can also gather old leaves and place them on top of the soil for a similar effect. Monitor soil moisture. Observe the tree for the rest of the winter season. If your winter conditions are dry, occasionally water the tree to keep moisture near the roots. Once the spring growing season begins, water the tree regularly if you aren't getting a lot of rain. Stake your tree to keep it upright. Place one or two stakes around your tree – away from the roots but still within the mulched area. Tie the tree to the stakes using a flexible material like canvas straps. The stakes can be removed after about a year.

Check the root ball for damage. Limit the amount of time your tree is indoors. Keep your tree in a cool spot. Keep the soil moist. Move your tree to a sheltered outdoor space. Choose an open, sunny planting spot. Dig the hole as early as possible in the season. Dig wide but not deep. Save the soil you’re digging up. Remove root ball coverings. Place the tree in the hole. Fill the hole back in. Water the newly planted tree. Mulch around the tree. Monitor soil moisture. Stake your tree to keep it upright.

https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Dog-from-Eating-Your-Cat%27s-Food

How to Keep Your Dog from Eating Your Cat's Food

To keep your dog from eating your cat's food, try feeding them both at the same time every day so your dog is too distracted by its own food to eat your cat's food. You can also start feeding your cat using a puzzle feeder, which will make it harder for your dog to access the food. Or, you can place your cat's food up high where your dog can't reach it. Also, consider using a baby gate with a cat door to keep your dog away from your cat's food bowl.

Begin by showing your dog a treat that will fit inside your hand. The goal with “leave it” is to teach your dog to leave things alone that you don't want him to mess with. To accomplish this, you will train him that he will get something better (a tasty treat) when he “leaves it” as you command. Show your dog the treat and let him see what you have. Make sure you have a treat ready for him in your other hand, but don't let him see this one. Say “leave it” in a firm voice. Don't yell at your dog, or you could scare him. Simply say it in a firm voice that makes it clear that you are issuing a command. Then, hold out your hand with your fist closed around the treat. You can also connect a gesture with the command. Since you will be teaching this command with a closed fist, a fist held sideways could be a good gesture. Allow the dog to explore your hand. Because your dog knows there's a treat inside your fist, he will probably try to get to it. He may paw at your fist, nose at it, or lick you. Ignore all of this and do not say anything. Wait until your dog stops trying to get at the treat. Usually, once the dog realizes he can't get at the treat, he'll stop pawing after a few seconds. Praise him immediately. As soon as your dog stops trying to get at the treat in your fist, praise him and give him the treat you were holding in your other hand. Go over the top with your praise so that your dog knows that you like it when he “leaves it.” Repeat this as necessary. Repeat this exercise at least ten times in a row. You may need to continue the training across several days or even weeks, depending in how quickly your dog catches on. The key is consistency. Praise him and give him a treat as soon as he stops trying to get at the treat in your fist. You should eventually be able to just show him your closed hand and say “leave it” for him to obey. Your dog will eventually move away from your hand as soon as you say “leave it.” Move the training to the floor. Now you will place a treat on the floor and instruct your dog to “leave it.” It's recommended that you use “high-value” treats (like pieces of cheese or meat) for the reward treats and something less exciting for the “bait” treat that you will place on the floor. Say “leave it” and then place the bait treat on the floor. Cover the bait treat with your hand. Allow your dog to investigate. Because this is a different situation than the treat in your fist, he may not immediately associate it with the “leave it” command he already knows. Wait until the dog stops trying to get at the bait treat. Immediately praise and reward the dog. As soon as your dog stops going for the bait treat, praise him enthusiastically and give him a “high-value” reward treat as you remove the bait treat from the floor. This will help teach him that listening to you is more enjoyable than going on his own. You will need to repeat this process more than the simple training. Repeat the process at least 40 times in one session. Leave the bait treat in view. Once you have thoroughly practiced the technique with you removing the bait treat from the floor, you will progress to leaving it on the floor. Tell your dog “leave it” just as before, but this time, hold your hand about an inch or so above the bait treat so that he can see it, but not get at it. Wait until the dog stops trying to get the treat. Then praise and reward him immediately. Try to keep the dog from getting the treat off the floor. If he does manage it, show him the “high-value” treat, allow him to smell it, and then withdraw it. This will help teach him that you have better treats than he can get on his own, and he will not get them unless he obeys. Try the training standing. When your dog is responsive to the “leave it” command with the treat on the floor, it's time to try it standing up. Put your dog's leash on and hold it while you stand next to the bait treat on the floor. Tell him to “leave it.” Cover the bait with your foot if the dog tries to grab it. If the dog does not go for the treat, praise him and give him a “high-value” treat. With enough repetitions, your dog should learn to look at you when you say “leave it” in anticipation of a tasty treat, ignoring the bait treat altogether. Wait until your dog starts eating the cat's food. To effectively train your dog to not eat the cat food, you have to wait until he actually does it to discipline him. Otherwise, he won't understand what he did wrong and the training won't work. When you put down the cat food, wait a few minutes and see if the dog goes for it. If he does so, then take corrective action. Tell your dog to “leave it. ” Using the command you've taught your dog, show your dog the gesture as you say “leave it” in a firm (but not yelling) voice. If your dog does not respond, you may need to use other tactics to create a negative association between an unpleasant (but not harmful) experience and eating cat food. Use a spray bottle to discourage your dog from eating the cat food. A spray bottle can startle your dog so he'll associate eating the cat's food with an unpleasant (but harmless) experience and will not want to do it anymore. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it near the cat's bowl so you can reach it easily. Wait for your dog to go for the cat food. Then take the spray bottle and send 2 squirts toward the dog. Startle your dog with a loud noise when he eats the cat food. In addition to using a spray bottle to discourage the dog, you could also get a similar effect from startling the dog with a loud noise.This is supposed to scare your dog so he will be discouraged from eating the cat food again. A few things you could use are a coffee can filled with coins, a whistle, or a magazine smacked against the table. Wait until your dog goes for the cat food and then make the loud, startling noise. Try to make it so that the dog does not know you are the source of the sound. You want him to respond negatively to the sound, not to you. Reward the dog when he eats his own food. The other side of dog training is rewarding behavior that you want to continue. When the dog eats his own food from his own dish, pile on the praise. Tell him he is a “good boy” and pet him (if he will allow it while he is eating -- some dogs will not). Avoid yelling. Yelling at your dog is ineffective, as he is unlikely to make the connection between you yelling and his eating. It could just make your dog decide that he's scared of you, in which case he will wait until you are not there to eat the cat food. Feed your cat and dog at the same time every day. The ASPCA recommends that you feed your cat twice a day in controlled portions. This helps your cat avoid overeating. If you feed your dog at the same time as your cat, the dog may be too distracted by his own food to go for the cat's. Leaving dry cat food out for your cat all the time will allow her to graze, but this eating behavior can actually be unhealthy for cats because they may not get enough exercise to balance the calories they consume. “Free feeding” is also associated with feline diabetes. However, free feeding may resemble a cat's natural feeding behavior more, so if your cat has no problems maintaining her weight with free feeding, go ahead and let her graze. Feeding your cat in a “timed feeding” session can help you manage your cat's eating habits. Put the food out and if the cat doesn't eat it after 30 minutes, put it away. Your cat will learn that if he doesn't eat, the food won't be out all day. This will teach him to eat right away, giving the dog less of a chance to steal his food. Consider switching to wet cat food. Cats can usually eat wet food faster than dry food. If your cat struggles to finish eating before the dog comes and takes his meal, try switching to wet food. This way, he can finish eating quickly, before the dog can get to his food. If you free feed your cat, you can't leave wet cat food out all the time or it will spoil. Use a feeding game. There are several feeding “puzzle” games that you can purchase (or make at home) that will turn your cat's mealtime into a fun game. Simply fill the puzzle game with dry food and introduce it to your cat. This method may also make it more difficult for your dog to get at the food. To make a puzzle game at home, try cutting some small holes in a plastic water or soda bottle. Fill the bottle with dry food (but not all the way). Your cat will get pieces of kibble as she bats the bottle around. Place the cat food in a separate room from the dog food. Putting the dog and cat food next to each other could lead to the dog scaring away the cat and taking his food. Separate the food by placing them in different rooms. This will let the cat eat in peace without getting interrupted by the dog. Place your cat's food somewhere high that your dog can't reach. Cats can usually reach higher areas than dogs can, so take advantage of this by placing your cat's food out of the dog's reach. Try up on a counter or on a cat post. That way your dog won't be able to reach the food and your cat can eat in peace. This method will also ensure that your cat has to “work” a little for her food, which will help keep her healthy. Block off the cat's food with a gate. If your dog is small enough, a gate should successfully block him from the cat food. The cat should be able to climb or jump over this gate to reach her food. Some special gates have a cat hole, just big enough for the cat to get through. Consider this option if your cat is unable to get over a gate blocking her food. You could also use a baby gate to block off a doorway and set it a few inches off the ground. This will give the cat room to squeeze through, but your dog won't be able to unless he's very small. Install a cat door. Like a gate, a cat door will block off a doorway and stop the dog from getting through. The door has a flap that the cat will fit through, but that most dogs will be too big for. Look for one of these in a pet store or on the internet. This will only work if your cat is smaller than your dog(s). If the dog is the same size as your cat, obviously, this won't work. Try an electronic cat feeder. There are some products that electronically block off your cat's food. They operate through a microchip or electronic tag that your cat wears. A sensor on the feeder will recognize your cat and open when the cat approaches. It will then close when the cat leaves. This can be an expensive option, but it will prevent your dog from taking the cat's food without you watching him all the time. Make sure that your dog doesn't become a bully. Some dogs may sit in wait for the feeder to open for the cat, then bully the cat out of the way. Observe the feeding several times and discourage any bad behavior. Designate a room as the cat room. If your dog has a habit of pestering your cat, it might be good to give the cat a room to himself. Place his food, water, litter box, and toys in here and block off the entrance with a gate that your dog can't get over or under. That way your cat can retreat in here to rest whenever he wants.

Begin by showing your dog a treat that will fit inside your hand. Say “leave it” in a firm voice. Allow the dog to explore your hand. Praise him immediately. Repeat this as necessary. Move the training to the floor. Say “leave it” and then place the bait treat on the floor. Immediately praise and reward the dog. Leave the bait treat in view. Try the training standing. Wait until your dog starts eating the cat's food. Tell your dog to “leave it. Use a spray bottle to discourage your dog from eating the cat food. Startle your dog with a loud noise when he eats the cat food. Reward the dog when he eats his own food. Avoid yelling. Feed your cat and dog at the same time every day. Consider switching to wet cat food. Use a feeding game. Place the cat food in a separate room from the dog food. Place your cat's food somewhere high that your dog can't reach. Block off the cat's food with a gate. Install a cat door. Try an electronic cat feeder. Designate a room as the cat room.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Blue-Cheese-Dressing

How to Make Blue Cheese Dressing

To make a chunky blue cheese dressing, start by breaking blue cheese into chunks, then add some sea salt and black pepper. Then, stir in chopped chives, sour cream, buttermilk, lemon juice, and a few drops of red wine vinegar. For a creamy blue cheese dressing, combine equal parts mayonnaise, buttermilk, and plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar, and a tablespoon of Dijon mustard with a little salt and pepper. Finally, add crumbled blue cheese and stir until smooth!

Place 4 oz. (115g) of crumbled blue cheese in a medium bowl. Smash the blue cheese lightly with a fork so that there are still chunks, but it is in much smaller pieces. Add 1/2 tsp. (2g) of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking, and mix the ingredients together with the fork. Put 1 tbsp. (14g) of chopped chives, 5 tablespoons (60g) of sour cream, 1/3 cup (60ml) of buttermilk and 1 tbsp. (14ml) of lemon juice into the bowl with the blue cheese. Stir all of the ingredients together until they are evenly combined. Finish the dressing with a few drops of red wine vinegar, stir the mixture together and taste. Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Place 1/3 cup (75.6g) of mayonnaise, 1/3 cup (75.6g) of buttermilk, 1/3 cup (75.6g) of plain yogurt, 2 tbsp. (28ml) of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. (14g) of Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp. (2g) of salt and 1/2 tsp. (2g) of freshly ground pepper into a medium bowl. Whisk the ingredients together in the bowl until they are evenly incorporated and smooth. Add 1/2 cup (56.7g) of crumbled blue cheese to the smooth mixture. Smash the cheese with a spoon until it is evenly blended into the other ingredients.

Place 4 oz. Smash the blue cheese lightly with a fork so that there are still chunks, but it is in much smaller pieces. Add 1/2 tsp. Put 1 tbsp. Stir all of the ingredients together until they are evenly combined. Finish the dressing with a few drops of red wine vinegar, stir the mixture together and taste. Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Place 1/3 cup (75.6g) of mayonnaise, 1/3 cup (75.6g) of buttermilk, 1/3 cup (75.6g) of plain yogurt, 2 tbsp. Whisk the ingredients together in the bowl until they are evenly incorporated and smooth. Add 1/2 cup (56.7g) of crumbled blue cheese to the smooth mixture. Smash the cheese with a spoon until it is evenly blended into the other ingredients.

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

How to Diagnose and Treat Giardia in Cats

If you're unsure if your cat has giardia, check its stools for foul-smelling, watery diarrhea, which may also contain traces of blood, since this is the most common sign. Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you notice any unusual symptoms for a diagnosis. Bring a stool sample with you so your vet can test it. If your cat has giardia, your vet will usually treat it with medication. However, if your cat is severely dehydrated, they may give it fluids through an IV. Once your vet has discharged your cat, follow their instructions for any further medication to treat your cat effectively. If you notice any signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, lethargy, a dry mouth, and lack of appetite, take your cat back to the vet as soon as possible, since dehydration can be dangerous.

Watch for changes in bowel movements. If you want to diagnose giardia, pay attention to your cat's litter box. The main sign of giardia is unusual bowel movements. Cats will have foul-smelling, watery diarrhea that may contain trace amounts of blood. Some cats may also lose weight with giardia due to the diarrhea. Cats may also become less active in this weakened state. Explain your cat's symptoms to your vet. If you notice any unusual symptoms, take your cat to the vet right away. The vet will work with you to diagnose and treat giardia. Tell the vet all the symptoms you observed and they will determine whether to test your cat for giardia. The symptoms of giardia do not necessarily indicate giardia. Unusual bowel movements can be caused by lifestyle changes, such as a change in diet. Collect a stool sample. Giardia infections are usually detected via a stool sample. Collect a recent stool sample from your cat's litter box for testing. Place the stool sample in a plastic bag and bring it to your vet's office for testing. Fecal testing should be done on an annual basis in addition to times when you think your cat may be ill. Have your vet test the sample. Your vet will send the sample to a lab or test it in the clinic. The test will determine if your cat has giardia. A stool sample is usually used to detect giardia. However, depending on your cat's symptoms and risk factors, vets may occasionally diagnose giardia without a stool sample. Hospitalize your cat if necessary. Usually, giardia can be treated at home. However, the condition can cause dehydration. If your cat is severely dehydrated, your vet may want to leave your cat at the hospital so it can receive fluids via an IV. Provide the necessary medications. Giardia is usually treated through prescription medications. Your vet may administer the medications at the office. They may also send you home with medications for your cats. Your vet will provide information about how often and for how long to give your cat medications to fight giardia. Metronidazole is the medication most often prescribed. Unless your cat is pregnant, your vet will likely give you a prescription for metronidazole. Pregnant cats are usually treated with the alternative medication fenbendazole. Monitor your cat for signs of dehydration. Younger cats and kittens are especially prone to developing dehydration due to giardia. Dehydration can be life-threatening when left untreated. If you notice signs of dehydration in your cat, take it to your vet as soon as possible. The following are symptoms of dehydration in cats: Sunken eyes Lethargy Stiff skin Dry mouth Lack of appetite Bathe your cat. Use pet shampoo to bathe your cat to ensure no traces of fecal matter are left on their coat. This can help prevent giardia from spreading to other pets in the house as well as to humans. It can also keep your cat from getting reinfected after taking medications. Administer regular medication to outdoor cats. If your vet suggests it you can administer medication for giardia regularly to outdoor cats. The medication is not harmful for cats who do not have giardia and it can help stop an infection right away. Ask your vet whether regularly giving your cat giardia-fighting medications is right for you. Limit access to outside water. Giardia can be ingested through water from creeks, lakes, and ponds. Keep your cat inside for the most part, especially if you live near a body of water. Your cat should only drink clean tap water to prevent giardia.

Watch for changes in bowel movements. Explain your cat's symptoms to your vet. Collect a stool sample. Have your vet test the sample. Hospitalize your cat if necessary. Provide the necessary medications. Monitor your cat for signs of dehydration. Bathe your cat. Administer regular medication to outdoor cats. Limit access to outside water.

https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Shop

How to Open a Shop

Before you open your shop, create a business plan that details the cost of producing and selling your product. Show investors your business plan to prove your shop will be profitable and to get the funds to cover your startup costs. Fill out the necessary small business owner forms at your local chamber of commerce. Then, rent a building in an area that has plenty of potential customers, and purchase the equipment and inventory you'll need to get started. Advertise your shop's grand opening in the paper and on social media to attract new clients.

Decide what kind of shop you want to open. What are you going to sell? You could sell clothing, home and office supplies, baked goods, coffee, handmade products, etc. What do you know a lot about? For example, if you are a talented baker and enjoy putting together new and interesting recipes, a bakery is a good choice. Focus on your talents and interests. Find out what is in demand in your city. If you don't already have aspirations about what kind of shop you want to own, you can take a more practical approach to figuring out what your city or town is missing. Walk or drive around your city. Bring a pen and paper with you to write down the businesses you see. Make a tally mark next to each business as you come across more than one. For example, if you see 5 bakeries, you should have the word “bakery” written with 4 tally marks next to it. Although not the most scientific, it can give you a good idea of what kind of shops are in each area. Visit your local chamber of commerce. Typically, chambers of commerce offer a wealth of information about what businesses are already existent, and lots of additional information for small business owners. They may be able to advise you on potentially good business ventures. Governmental agencies typically offer plenty of information about economic indicators, income and earnings in different parts of the country, as well as statistics about employment. This information can also point you in the direction of good business ideas. Visit trade shows and read business magazines. These provide yet another source of information about business trends in the country and maybe even specifically in your city, depending on where you live. They may also inspire ideas you hadn't previously considered. Search online. You can search for things such as small businesses, the neighborhood you're interested in and the name of your city to find other databases and potentially even academic information about business trends in your local area. Make your product unique. Once you have decided on what you want to sell in your shop, take the extra step to put a twist on convention. Calculate your costs. Will, what you want to sell be profitable? Take the time to compare the costs of creating your selling product with what you can sell it for. If your product costs a lot to produce, and the going rates for the product are low, then it will be more difficult to make a profit. As a startup company, calculating your margin is a bit tricky. However, you can get a good idea of what your costs should look like by comparing the margins of the industry averages and competitor companies. For example, you can find out how much your competitor sells their product for, and compare it with your calculations of how much the product costs to create. Determine your annual overhead costs. This includes costs such as shop rent, phone bills, marketing costs, etc. ' Let's pretend your annual overhead costs are $15,000/year. Calculate the number of hours you spend creating the product each year. Let's say you work 40 hours/week, 50 weeks/year, and that you spend half of your work week (i.e. 50%) creating your product. In this case, let's pretend you bake cakes. Using the equation: number of weeks worked x hours per week X the percentage of time you spend creating the product will tell you how many hours you spend creating the product each year. For this example, that means 50 x 40 x 50% = 1,000 hours spent creating the product. Take your annual overhead expenses and divide that number by the number of hours spent creating the product each year. For example, $15,000/1,000 hours = $15.00/hour. This is your hourly overhead cost. Decide how much money you would like to make in a year. Be reasonable about this number! This means the money you use for personal living expenses. Let's say you hope to make $20,000 in your first year. To find out your hourly wage, divide your desired salary ($20,000) by the number of hours you spend creating the product (i.e. 1,000 hours/year). $20,000/1,000 = $20.00/hour. Determine how long it takes you to create one product from start to finish. Let's say that to make one cake from start to finished product, you need 1.5 hours. You will likely have to bake a few cakes and use a timer to figure this part out. You will take your hourly wage and multiply it by the amount of time it takes you to create one unit. In this example, that means $20.00 x 1.5 hours = $30.00. Calculate your material costs. For this example, this means how much all the ingredients for one cake cost. If you buy one dozen eggs for $5.00 to make your cake, but only use 2 eggs, then your egg cost/cake equals.84 cents ($5/12 eggs =.42 cents/egg multiplied by 2 eggs =.84 cents). Do this for each ingredient you use. Let's say you find out that all the ingredients for one cake will cost $4.00. Decide on a contingency percentage. In your cake making business, you will likely end up with a percentage of the product you can't sell. Maybe a few cakes are burned, or fall on the floor, or aren't sold in time. Keep this percentage low. For this example, let's say your contingency is 10%. Accurately calculate your final product cost using the numbers from the previous steps. Here is the equation: The final number from step 6. ($30.00) + the material costs in step 7 ($4.00) x contingency percentage in step 8 (110%) = $37.40/cake. In order to calculate the final number correctly, you have to add a 1 in front of the percentage because when you multiply a percentage, you place a decimal in front of the number (so 10% becomes.10), and when you multiply a decimal number by a whole number you get a smaller number. For the case of calculating product price, you have to add a 1 to make the number bigger, so 10% becomes 110%, which for multiplication purpose becomes 1.10. Research the competition in your area. If you're up against a giant store with bargain basement prices, you're not going to make a profit.Unfortunately for small business owners, these giant stores operate in most cities. However, if you strive to make your store a special experience, you will attract customers. The Small Business Association of America offers a free tool that allows you to map out all of the businesses in your city that offers similar services. Identify the top competitors by searching the web. For example, if you want to open a beauty salon, search “beauty salons” + the name of your city. Read reviews about each one. Look specifically for what reviewers like and dislike about different salons. Not only will this help you identify competitors, but it will also give you ideas about how to improve your own business. You can also find out about the competition by visiting the stores. Check their prices and chat with their employees. Look at how their store is arranged. You should be looking for some way that you can do better than them. For example, offering an extra service for free or for a minimal charge. Remember that even after your shop is well-established, you should keep up with what the competition is up to! This way you can do your best to keep ahead. Construct a sound business plan. A business plan is typically a projection of how your business will generate revenue over the next three to five years. It should include information about what your business will sell, a description of your company, an analysis of the market for your business, and plans for how you will market your request. If you plan to apply for financial support (e.g. a small business loan, or government funding) make sure you include a section that outlines how much money you need over the coming five years, how the funds will be utilized, as well as any plans you may be planning to implement in the future (e.g. if you plan to sell the company after it becomes profitable). It is a good idea to have an accountant evaluate your business plan. He/she might come up with additional costs to consider, start-up tax breaks, or add additional insights about your income projections. Find investors to put up the capital for your shop. When opening up a shop you are unlikely to make a profit in the beginning considering all of the initial money that must be invested and repaid. This means that you'll need funds upfront to cover the start-up costs of your business. Information about how much money you need and how the money will be used should be present in your business plan. How you find investors depends on your specific situation. For example, maybe you have friends or family members who want to help you get on your feet, or maybe you want to apply for a small business loan. Ask about government grants and loans at your local chamber of commerce. Regardless of what type of investor you find, they will probably want to make sure you have a strong plan for getting your business off the ground. Find out about what is necessary to become a business owner. Different kinds of businesses require different permits and follow different tax laws. Before opening your business you will need to find out what is required to legally operate in your city. The best way to find out this information is to visit your local chamber of commerce. There, they can advise you on what is important to take care of. You can also search online for state and county government websites. Find suppliers. You will have to figure out where you will get the product you want to sell or the components of the final product to sell. However, there is no good way to do this. You can ask around at shops who sell similar products to see if they will help, especially if it is a store that is unlikely to be a big competitor because they focus on a different market. Search the internet. For example, search for “wholesalers and suppliers” + your industry + your city". If you have specific requirements you can also include that in your search terms. For example, if you want to offer organic products, include “organic” in your search terms. Look in trade journals. Find the most popular trade journals for your industry, and buy a recent issue of the journal. Not only will you find lots of interesting information about your business, but there are likely to be lots of advertisements for suppliers too. Scrutinize your city. You will need to think about the best place to sell your shop based on what you want to sell. Putting your shop in a bad location almost guarantees that your shop will fail. Think about what areas are trendy for shopping. These areas may have more expensive rent, but may have the exposure necessary for success. On the other hand, if you can't afford a shop in the best part of the city, try thinking about what areas of the city are “up and coming”. These areas are likely to be less expensive, but can still be good for becoming successful because the trendsetters of the city are likely to visit these areas. Contemplate the likelihood that you will be seen. Is there a lot of foot traffic in the area you want to open your shop? Will your shop be hidden behind other buildings or bigger, more well-known shops? It is ideal if you are in an area with people walking by, who can just drop by because they noticed your shop. The best way to learn about how much exposure the shop will receive is to spend time observing the behavior of the people who come through the neighborhood. For example, how many people can you count walking around in the neighborhood in an hour? Are there lots of other shops that people come in and out of? Do people seem to do a lot of window shopping on this street, or are most people walking hurriedly? Also pay attention to the auto traffic too. Is there adequate parking for drivers, or do they have to park half a mile down the road to visit your shop? If you live in a city where most people drive, you want to find a location where drivers will be able to stop by with some convenience. Consider crime rates in the neighborhood. This information can usually be found by searching the internet for “crime rates” + the zip code of the neighborhood you are considering. If an area is very unsafe, there will be far fewer people willing to venture out to your shop. For example, if you want to open a toy store, parents will likely not want to bring their children to the area if there is a lot of muggings and gang violence. Get to know the landlord. If you are interested in a particular storefront, talk with the landlord and try to get a feel for how helpful and sincere he or she is. Having a bad landlord who doesn't maintain the building well, who would be willing to rent to a direct competitor, or who doesn't allow placement of signs in the windows will cause unnecessary stress. For example, ask him how he will help keep up with maintenance. If something in the building breaks (e.g. water heater) how fast will he be able to fix it? It will affect your business greatly if it takes him a month to gets things fixed. You can also ask him if he would be willing to agree not to rent any other shops in the building to competitors. Go with your instincts! When chatting with people, you will often get a feeling for his/her concern and sincerity. If you leave the conversation with a bad feeling, don't discount the importance of that! Think about how much investment the location will need. If you find a shop for rent in a location you like, consider how much effort and expense you will have to put into getting it ready for opening day. If you want to open a clothes store, but the location you like used to be a pizza shop, you will likely have to spend significant money to renovate it for your needs. Purchase the equipment you need to run your shop.This includes the decorations for your shop. If you are opening a bakery, you will need a seating area including comfortable chairs and tables, a counter where people can choose what they want to order, a cash register. Additionally, you will also need to have the proper equipment to make your goods. For example, an oven, a place to mix ingredients, bowls, measuring cups, aprons, etc. Again, look in trade publications and online for people and businesses selling equipment. You may be able to buy used if you are having a hard time with the cost of brand new equipment. Search the internet for people selling equipment. Many websites allow people to post advertisements for equipment they want to get rid of in your area. Some companies may offer leasing options. If you don't want to commit to a piece of equipment for the long term, or if you can't afford to purchase one right away, this may be a good option. Additionally, you may be able to negotiate your lease so that it can contribute to eventual ownership if you decide to commit. Hire staff. To do this, you will first need to advertise that you are hiring. You can do this by posting an ad in the local paper, posting ads on job sites , and by word of mouth (e.g. telling friends you are hiring and asking if they know anyone looking for a job). Once you have a pool of applicants you will need to interview the candidates who are suitable and choose the best ones. Be sure that you are complying with all of the employment laws that apply to you. Your employees are the face of your business when you're not there. Therefore, do your best to hire people who are reliable, friendly, and efficient. Advertise your shop. Post an ad in the paper, tell all your friends what you're doing and ask them to spread the word, post information about your shop on community boards as well as online. Harness the power of social media. Create accounts that will allow you to advertise your business for free (you can always put money into later, once you've become well-established, if you wish).By doing this, you will be able to post information about your business, post secret deals for followers, and advertise any special events you may have. Be sure to share any information about social media accounts you have as much as possible. For example, if you open a bakery, try setting up at a local farmer's market for a few weeks to get the word out. On your booth, post information about where you are located, your phone number and opening times, as well as where you can be found online. You can encourage social media followers by offering a special deal, where customers who follow your business will get a gift when they come into your shop with a “password” that you post on your social media page/s. Purchase your inventory. This is perhaps one of the most important steps. Before you can open your shop, you have to purchase inventory. What this means exactly depends on your shop. You may need to order the inventory that you will then sell directly, or you may need to order the ingredients for your baked goods or your sandwiches. One rule of thumb is to always have enough inventory on hand so that any customer can purchase whatever they want, whenever they want. However, this applies best to businesses that don't sell perishable goods. Contact trade associations to find out the industry standards. In your first months, you may have to go through some trial and error to get your inventory on track. This requires that you keep accurate records of how much you sell and when you sell it. Hopefully, over time the amount of inventory you need will grow, making it doubly important to keep good records of your sales. This may also require you to take inventory at least once per quarter to see how much you have of each product. Have a grand opening. This is another way to draw attention to your business. After your business is up and running for a few weeks or months, have a grand opening party. At your party, you can have drawings for free stuff, cheaper than usual prices, games for kids, etc. This will be a party where you welcome customers to your shop. Although the grand opening may end up costing you money in the beginning, if you have a good grand opening you will make up for it in new business. Make sure to advertise the date and time of your grand opening! Have flyers sent out, post an additional ad in the local paper, create a social media account for your business.

Decide what kind of shop you want to open. Find out what is in demand in your city. Make your product unique. Calculate your costs. Determine your annual overhead costs. Calculate the number of hours you spend creating the product each year. Take your annual overhead expenses and divide that number by the number of hours spent creating the product each year. Decide how much money you would like to make in a year. Determine how long it takes you to create one product from start to finish. Calculate your material costs. Decide on a contingency percentage. Accurately calculate your final product cost using the numbers from the previous steps. Research the competition in your area. Construct a sound business plan. Find investors to put up the capital for your shop. Find out about what is necessary to become a business owner. Find suppliers. Scrutinize your city. Contemplate the likelihood that you will be seen. Consider crime rates in the neighborhood. Get to know the landlord. Think about how much investment the location will need. Purchase the equipment you need to run your shop.This includes the decorations for your shop. Hire staff. Advertise your shop. Purchase your inventory. Have a grand opening.

https://www.wikihow.com/Boil-Chicken-Breasts

How to Boil Chicken Breasts

To boil chicken breasts, put the defrosted meat into a large pot and add water until it's completely submerged. Next, put the lid on the pot and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the chicken cook for about 15 minutes. You can check to see if the meat is cooked through by carefully removing a piece and cutting into it. If it's still pink in the middle, continue simmering the breasts in 5-10 minute increments. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the heat and drain the liquid from the pot.

Skip rinsing the chicken breasts before you cook them. You may have been taught to rinse chicken before you cook it, but doing so can spread harmful germs and bacteria around your kitchen. As you rinse the chicken, water droplets splash off of it, causing bacteria to splatter all over your sink, countertops, arms, and clothes. It's best to avoid washing chicken so that you don't risk food poisoning. Chicken carries harmful bacteria, like salmonella. It only takes a tiny amount of germs to make you sick, so don't risk it. Cut the chicken into halves, quarters, or cubes to help it cook faster. This step is optional, but it can dramatically reduce your cook time. Use a sharp knife to slice through the chicken breasts, cutting them into smaller pieces. Chop them as small as you like, depending on the dish you're making. If you're shredding the chicken, you might not want to chop them too small, as this could make shredding take longer. However, it might be helpful to make your pieces very small if you're adding them to a salad or wrap. Use a cutting board that's dedicated to chopping meat to limit the risk of contaminating other foods. Bacteria like salmonella can get stuck onto your chopping board, even if you wash it. If you then chop veggies on the board, they might get contaminated with salmonella. Whole pieces of chicken take up to 30 minutes to cook, while small pieces may cook as quickly as 10 minutes. Place the chicken into a medium or large pot. Put the chicken into the pot first, then add the water or broth afterwards. Arrange the chicken in the bottom of the pan in a single layer. If you have to layer the chicken to make it all fit, then it's best to switch to a bigger pot. Otherwise, your chicken may not cook as well. Cover the chicken with water or broth. Slowly pour water or broth over your chicken, being careful not to splash. Add just enough water to completely cover the chicken. If the water boils off, you can add more water, as necessary. Keep in mind that splashing can distribute bacteria like salmonella. You can use either chicken or vegetable broth. Season the pot using spices, herbs, or chopped veggies, if you like. Adding seasonings is optional, but it can make your chicken much more flavorful. At a minimum, add salt and pepper to your water for a little seasoning. However, it's best to also add dried herbs like italian seasoning, jerk seasoning, or rosemary. For really flavorful chicken, chop up onions, carrots, and celery, then add them to your water. After you cook the chicken, you can save the water or broth for use in another recipe, if you like. For instance, it might make a good soup stock. If any veggies are sticking out of the water, add more water so that the veggies and chicken are totally covered. Cover the pot with a lid. Use a lid that fits tightly onto the pot you're using. This will seal in the water vapor that evaporates from the pot to help the chicken cook. When you lift the lid, use a towel or pot holder so you don't burn your hand. Additionally, don't hold your face over the pot, as the steam could burn you. Bring the water or broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Place the pot on a stove burner and turn the heat to medium-high. Watch the pot until it starts burning, which will take a few minutes. Watch for bubbles on the surface of the water and condensation forming on the lid, which mean the water is boiling. Don't let your water or broth boil too long, as this can evaporate too much of your liquid. Stay with the pot so you can turn it down as soon as it starts boiling. Turn the heat down to a simmer. The chicken will continue cooking at a simmer. Turn the heat down to low, then monitor it for a few minutes to make sure the water or broth is lightly simmering. Don't leave the pot unattended, even while it's at a simmer. You don't want it to accidentally start boiling again or for the water to evaporate. Check the chicken breasts with a meat thermometer after 10 minutes. Remove the lid from the pot. Next, pull out a single piece of chicken from the side of the pot. Push your meat thermometer into the center of the chicken, then read the temperature. If it's not at least 165 °F (74 °C), put the chicken back in the pot, replace the lid, and keep cooking it. If you don't have a meat thermometer, cut the chicken in half to see if it's pink inside. While this is not as accurate as a meat thermometer, it will help you determine if your chicken is likely done. Large pieces of chicken will likely not be ready at this point. However, smaller chunks or chicken quarters may be cooked. Overcooking your chicken will make it rubbery and unpleasant to chew, so it's best to check if it's ready, even if you suspect it isn't. Continue cooking the chicken until it reaches 165 °F (74 °C) inside it. If the chicken isn't ready after 10 minutes, keep cooking it. Check it every 5-10 minutes to see if it's done. How long it will take for your chicken to cook depends on the size of the pieces: Chicken breasts with skin and bones should cook for about 30 minutes. Skinless, boneless chicken breasts should cook for 20-25 minutes. If they are cut in half, then they'll likely take 15-20 minutes. Skinless, boneless chicken breasts that have been cut into 2-inch pieces should cook for about 10 minutes. When the chicken is thoroughly cooked, the inside will no longer be pink. Remove the pot from the heat. Turn off the burner, then use a towel or pot holder to grasp the handle on the pot so that you don't burn yourself. Move the pot to a cool burner or a pot cooling rack. Be careful when handling the hot pot, as you might burn yourself. Drain the liquid from the pot. Slowly pour the water or broth over a colander, being careful not to splash. The chicken and any veggies you used to flavor the water will collect in the colander for easy retrieval. Set the colander on a clean countertop, then either discard or save the liquid. If you're planning to save the liquid for a future recipe, drain it into a clean bowl. From there, you can refrigerate or freeze it. If you used veggies to season your water, discard them into your compost or trash. As an alternative, you can use a fork, slotted spoon, or tongs to remove the chicken. Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate. Use a fork to move the chicken from the colander to a plate. Be careful not to touch the chicken, as it will be very hot. If you prefer, you can transfer the chicken back into the empty pot. For instance, you might prefer to shred the chicken in the pot if you plan to add a sauce to it. That way, you can warm the sauce in the same pan you used to cook the chicken. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before you use it. This gives the chicken a chance to cool down before you handle it. Set a timer and leave the chicken alone during this time. Afterwards, you can serve or shred your chicken. If you're planning to add a sauce to the chicken, it's okay to do so now as long as you don't touch the chicken. However, don't heat up the sauce until the chicken has cooled for 10 minutes. This will help you prevent the chicken from becoming rubbery from overcooking. Serve the chicken whole or cut it into chunks. After your chicken cools, you can serve it however you like. It's okay to eat the breasts whole, or you might want to slice them up. If you like, you can season your chicken with more spices or a sauce. For instance, you might coat it in barbeque sauce or mix it into a mango salsa. You can add boiled chicken to salads, stir-fries, or fajitas. Shred the chicken with 2 forks if you’re making tacos or sandwiches. Hold a fork in each hand, then use the forks to pull the chicken apart. Continue to pierce and pull apart the chicken until it's shredded to your preferences. Then, you can use it to complete your recipe. You can also use a knife to help break up the chicken, if you prefer.

Skip rinsing the chicken breasts before you cook them. Cut the chicken into halves, quarters, or cubes to help it cook faster. Place the chicken into a medium or large pot. Cover the chicken with water or broth. Season the pot using spices, herbs, or chopped veggies, if you like. Cover the pot with a lid. Bring the water or broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat down to a simmer. Check the chicken breasts with a meat thermometer after 10 minutes. Continue cooking the chicken until it reaches 165 °F (74 °C) inside it. Remove the pot from the heat. Drain the liquid from the pot. Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before you use it. Serve the chicken whole or cut it into chunks. Shred the chicken with 2 forks if you’re making tacos or sandwiches.

https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Goldfish-Is-Pregnant

How to Tell if a Goldfish Is Pregnant

To tell if a goldfish is pregnant, see if its belly looks larger than usual, which is a sign that it's about to spawn. If your goldfish is moving slowly or hiding near shelters or plants a lot, this could be a sign that it's pregnant. When you feed your fish, pay attention to how much it eats, since pregnant goldfish often eat less or refuse food altogether. In addition to examining your female goldfish, look for tiny white bumps on your male fish, which it will develop when it's ready to spawn. If your male has also been chasing your female goldfish around the tank recently, this could be a sign that your female is pregnant.

Find out if your fish is female. The best way to find out the sex of your goldfish is to ask when you buy the fish or to consult a vet. That said, females goldfish typically have plump bodies. When viewed from above, you can usually notice fuller bellies on the females, and slender midsections of the males. Also, the female pectoral fins (located just behind the gills) are shorter and rounder than those on males. Additionally, goldfish will generally not lay eggs until they are at least one year old. Consider the time of year. If your goldfish is kept outside, it will only spawn during the spring or early summer. If your goldfish has always been kept inside, it could spawn at any time of year. Think about what season it is when determining if your outdoor goldfish is pregnant. Check your water temperature. Goldfish are most likely to breed in water that is around 68 °F (20 °C). If you believe your goldfish may be preparing to spawn, check the temperature of your water to see if the temperature right. Look for spawning tubercles on your male goldfish. When your male goldfish are ready to spawn, they will develop tiny white bumps known as “spawning tubercles” around their heads, gill covers, and pectoral fins. If you notice these white spots on your male fish, there is a greater chance that your female fish may be pregnant. Spawning tubercles may be hard to see. If you do not see these, it doesn't mean that your fish isn't pregnant. Notice male goldfish chasing female goldfish. When they are preparing to spawn, the male fish may chase the female ones, in a dance sometimes called the “spawning chase.” In many cases, this behavior is more obvious than spawning tubercles (which can be hard to see). Pay attention to your goldfish’s activity level. When goldfish are about to lay eggs, they usually start to move more sluggishly. Take note if your goldfish is moving slowly or seems to have trouble getting around. You may also notice your goldfish “nesting,” or spending most of the time hiding near shelters or plants. Notice if your fish refuses food. When are fish are preparing to spawn, they will sometimes refuse food. If your goldfish isn't eating as much, it is possible that they may lay eggs soon. Note the size of your goldfish’s body. Female goldfish are generally a bit rounder than male goldfish. When your female goldfish is about to lay eggs, the size of their belly may grow even larger, and stick out a bit. Just like the spawning tubercles, in some fish this can be quite noticeable, yet in others, you may not see it at all.

Find out if your fish is female. Consider the time of year. Check your water temperature. Look for spawning tubercles on your male goldfish. Notice male goldfish chasing female goldfish. Pay attention to your goldfish’s activity level. Notice if your fish refuses food. Note the size of your goldfish’s body.

https://www.wikihow.com/Style-Wigs

How to Style Wigs

To style a synthetic wig, use a handheld steamer instead of heat styling tools so you don't ruin the wig's synthetic fibers. You can use the steamer to remove kinks or set a style, like curls. Also, avoid using styling products, like hairspray or gel, since they might cause your wig to deteriorate. Additionally, when you're brushing your wig, use a stainless steel brush, and start at the ends before working your way up to the roots.

Do your initial styling on a foam head. Styling the wig white it's on a foam head will give you the freedom to work on the style from every angle. You can get a foam head from a wig store or beauty supply store or online for about $5. Use a stainless steel brush on synthetic wigs. Rather than using your regular hair bush, get one made of stainless steel. Use it to carefully brush the wig hair, starting at the ends and working your way to the roots. Brushing the wig will “wake up” the fibers. Avoid using any styling products. Synthetic wigs are inexpensive and therefore aren't made to last very long. However, using styling products can cause the wig to deteriorate even faster! Don't use any products, like hairspray or heat protectants, on synthetic hair. Use steam rather than heat tools. Heat tools, like a curling iron or straightener will ruin the synthetic fibers. However, you can use steam to remove kinks or set a style. If you often wear synthetic wigs, you should invest in a handheld steamer, like the ones used to get wrinkles out of clothing. If you want to add curls to the wig , put the hair in foam rollers , then go over it with the steamer. Let the wig cool and dry, then remove the rollers. Bleach the knots or lace on your wig to hide them. Bleaching the knots and or lace helps them blend into the color of your scalp by removing the black dots. Mix equal parts bleach and 20 to 30 volume professional developer in a bowl. Then, turn the wig inside out. Use the applicator brush that came with the bleach to carefully apply the bleach to the lace and knots. Wait about 15 minutes or until the knots turn blonde, then thoroughly rinse the wig out upside down. Immediately wash the wig with a neutralizing shampoo to stop the chemical process. Then, condition the wig to prevent the material from getting dried out. Allow the wig to air dry. Bleaching the knots will conceal the appearance of the black dots on the lace. Bleaching the knots isn't only for lighter skin tones. Bleaching should be effective for any skin tone. Camouflage the lace on the wig with concealer. If the lace doesn't quite blend in with your scalp or forehead, you can use concealer to color it. Take a concealer that closely matches your skin tone and apply a small amount of it onto a sponge. Use the sponge to blend the concealer into the lace front until it matches your skin tone. Use heat styling tools only on human hair wigs. Heat styling tools are typically okay to use on real human hair. You can use a flat iron or curling iron to style your hair as desired. Use a low heat setting and only style dry hair so that you don't cause excess damage to the wig. To straighten the wig, take a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair and run the heated flat iron from root to tip. Repeat on each section until you've straightened all of the hair on the wig. To curl the wig, clamp the curling down on a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair in the middle (between roots and tips). Then, wrap the bottom section of hair around the wand. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds and then let go. Repeat on each section until all of the hair has been curled. Style the wig in an updo, if desired. If you don't want to leave the hair down, you can put it up in a ponytail or bun. Make a side ponytail by creating a deep part, then brush all of the hair to 1 side. Gather all of the loose hair and secure it with a ponytail holder. Create a top knot by gathering the hair into a high ponytail. Then, twist all of the hair around into a knot. You can secure the bun with bobby pins or a ponytail holder. Make sure the wig looks natural at the nape of your neck. Trim the wig to give it a more realistic look. If you didn't buy a wig made specifically for a character, it's typically a good idea to trim the hair on your synthetic wig. Hold a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section between your index and thumb at the point where you want to cut the hair. Hold a pair of sharp shears horizontally and trim the hair. Repeat until all the hair has been trimmed. Cut off little portions of hair at a time to avoid mistakes. Cheaper synthetic wigs usually come with blunt cuts, so trimming the hair can give it a more natural appearance. You could also cut bangs into your wig. Use gentle heat styling to add curls or volume. It's okay to use minimal heat on a costume wig that won't be used often. To add some volume and remove kinks, use a round brush and a blow dryer on a low setting. If you want waves, put the synthetic wig into Velcro rollers, and put it into the microwave for no more than 30 seconds. Do not put the wig in the microwave if it has any metal clips attached to it. Apply dry shampoo to remove excess shine from the wig. Cheap synthetic wigs often have an unnatural shine. You can dull the shine a bit by using dry shampoo. Spray all of the wig with the dry shampoo of your choice. Then, use a stainless steel brush to brush through the wig. It's easiest to do this step when the wig is on a foam head. Braid your natural hair before putting on the wig. Cornrow braids are recommended because they stay close to your head, so you won't see a “bump” under your wig. The braids are also useful because you can add extra security to keeping the wig in place by using bobby pins to attach the wig to your braids. Alternatively, you could put on a wig cap to hide your natural hair. If you have short hair, you don't have to worry about doing anything to your hair before putting on the wig. Secure your wig with a chin strap to make finishing touches. Wigs will often move around when you try to brush them while wearing them. A chin strap clips onto both sides of the wig and will keep the wig in place as you complete your styling. Simply put on the wig, clip the chin strap to either side of the wig, and make sure it is securely under your chin. You can find chin straps for $3 to $5 online or at a wig store. Use bobby pins or an elastic band to secure the wig to your hair. The way you secure the wig depends on how long you plan to wear the wig. If you plan to wear it for a short amount of time, simply use bobby pins to attach the wig to your braids or hair. It's also an option to put an elastic band around your head to hold the wig in place. Some wigs may have drawstrings or clips inside of them to help secure them to your hair. Though you can use adhesive glue or tape to attach the wig, it may cause an allergic reaction or damage your natural hair. See a professional stylist if you want to try these methods. You can also sew the wig into your natural hair

Do your initial styling on a foam head. Use a stainless steel brush on synthetic wigs. Avoid using any styling products. Use steam rather than heat tools. Bleach the knots or lace on your wig to hide them. Camouflage the lace on the wig with concealer. Use heat styling tools only on human hair wigs. Style the wig in an updo, if desired. Trim the wig to give it a more realistic look. Use gentle heat styling to add curls or volume. Apply dry shampoo to remove excess shine from the wig. Braid your natural hair before putting on the wig. Secure your wig with a chin strap to make finishing touches. Use bobby pins or an elastic band to secure the wig to your hair.

https://www.wikihow.com/Revise-Successfully

How to Revise Successfully

Before you start revising, log out of your social media accounts and go to a quiet place so you won't be distracted. When you're ready to begin, look over your material and highlight important people, places, dates, and ideas. Stop every 10-15 minutes and write a summary of what you read to help you retain the information. Then, write sample questions that you can quiz yourself with before the test. If you start to feel worn out, take a break to help boost your concentration.

Find a good place to study. Find a quiet, well-lit place to work that will be comfortable and free of distraction. Log-out or temporarily disable social media like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. The effort of logging in or enabling it will deter you and after a day you'll start to forget about it- you lose a lot of time to vines and stranger stalking! Also, science proves that our brains have optimum irritation levels - basically we work better if we're a little too cold, or on a rigid chair. sit to a desk or table- its more formal and re-creates the environment you'll be tested in. Yet feel free to get down to it in your jammies- you can wear comfy clothes on the day. Some people like to designate one specific study-place, while others enjoy moving between the their room, the coffee shop, the library, and other study-places to break up the monotony. Choose whatever works best for you and your habits. Some studies show that studying information in different places allows you to compartmentalize the information, making it easier to recall at a later date if you can associate the information with the location. Some students find studying in public to be more effective, making it more difficult to watch television or fiddle with other distractions found in the home. Know yourself and head your bad habits off at the pass. Draw up a timetable for your revision and stick to it. What do you hope to cover by the end of the week? By the end of the day? Working from a revision timetable helps you to make clear goals for each revision session and allows you to check them off as you progress. Revision plans can reduce anxiety, reassuring you that you've taken the necessary steps. Alternatively if this isn't your style and your life is more unpredictable, write up a tick list/ to-do list of all the subject areas or units you need to cover. You can do a separate colour or page for each of your subjects and see clearly exactly what you've covered or what needs doing. This allows for chunk revision or a variation of topics in one day. Set reasonable study targets that you know you can reach. Going over twelve chapters of trigonometry the night before a big exam is probably going to do more harm than good. Likewise, trying to revise all that Shakespeare several weeks out before being tested might not be the best way to remember the information by test-time. Organize in the most effective way to remember the most important information you've got to study. You could revise throughout the year by spending 15 minutes each day making notes you'll be able to rely upon later. By doing it in short stretches, you will remember more and feel less stressed. A month before your exam, you will have finished all your notes so you can spend a few hours a day reviewing notes and doing timed writing practice. If your exam is a long way off, (although this is probably not the case for 80% of you) after each lesson write up your new notes on a flash card (it only take a couple of minutes!) and keep it with your work. This way you're consolidating your knowledge and saving time and panic at the end of the year. If you are the 80% of last-minute panickers with 7 exams in 8 days just around the corner - DO NOT PANIC - it is NEVER too late. You've already started the journey here, and stressing out is the last thing you need to do. Engage your texts. Rather than simply reading quickly over the sometimes-dull texts you've got to study, take a more active role by making Q cards with your own questions on, 5 or so questions per card is appropriate and should cover all the information in the text. These questions can then be used for self-testing or get a friend/family member to quiz you, if you get it wrong, the answers are on the back! Bright colors help make this bit more fun too as-well as organizing your subjects. Also, you could: highlight your notes/book, mind map/summarize the ideas on each page or TEACH what you've learned to a friend or family member. The best test of knowledge is if you can teach it-remember: "If you can't explain it simply- you don't know it well enough." (Albert Einstein) By turning your revision into an activity you must participate in, you can liven it up a bit and help your memory work more effectively. Ask open-ended questions of each text or subject you revise by writing questions in the margin, or on a separate sheet of paper. Try to think about the consequences should certain elements of it be changed, or should certain features occur differently. Whether it is science or history, small changes can make big differences and your thinking process is the important part. Recall and summarize. As you're studying, stop every few minutes to recap what you've read. Write a short summary--a few sentences--in your notes, or at the bottom of the page. Use your own words. A good way of recalling is writing your notes down from memory and then going back over them and filling in the gaps with another color of pencil or pen. You'll know the different color refers to information you might have trouble remembering. Periodically, Try to repeat the process of summary, writing down on a separate sheet of paper what you know about a given topic or subject without consulting your books or your previous notes. Compare your new notes to your old, finding what you've left out and what you still need to memorize. Draw or doodle freely while you study. For a visual learner, it's important to break down information into drawings or diagrams, to make recall easier in the long run. Diagrams, mind maps, and freehand drawings can be useful ways of improving both your understanding and creating a much easier memory aid than reading the text alone. Do not be afraid to use colors in much the same way––color your drawing or highlight the text. Find someone who knows nothing about the topic and explain to them. Even if it is explaining to the mirror or your cat, just take the time out to talk to someone as if the person is learning about it for the first time, and you are the teacher. It is hard to forget information once you have done this, and also forces you to clarify the information and lay it all out in the most concise and simple way possible. If no one's around, pretend you're on TV or the radio being interviewed about the topic. Ask yourself a series of questions and reply as succinctly and clearly as you can, pretending people are listening and wanting to learn all about it. Try to use a study guide or old test. Answering past exam or test papers in the same time limit, as the real exam or test will be gives you an opportunity to test yourself under the same constraints. It will be a chance to see whether there are gaps in your knowledge that you need to go back over and it'll also be useful to see if you can get down all that you want to say in the time allotted. Do the practices under timed conditions by using a timer, which could be on your phone.You may also find some important questions, who knows? Take breaks periodically to give your concentration a boost. If you take breaks regularly, your concentration will be better and you will find yourself retaining more information than if you try to plow straight through. Don't waste energy and time revising with an over-tired mind that won't remember what it just read. Try to stick to your schedule. Make sure to check off topics and subjects as you accomplish revising them. It may even be a good idea to reward yourself with a treat on the completion of a target to help you get there. It is a good motivation to not consider giving up as an option. Talk to your teachers. Look on your teachers and professors as part of your support network and use them for the resource they offer. Ask for their assistance when it becomes clear you need it. Knowing earlier rather than later in your revision will make it easier to approach them and get their help. Revise with other classmates. Find a suitable group of good students who hope to succeed, and schedule regular meetings in between your other revision activities. Discuss the topics of revision, helping each other solve problems, understand the materials, and test one another over the reading. Studying in a group can be a great way of reducing anxiety levels and making revision fun, as well as productive. Find ways to test each other, playing revision games as challenges. Use flash cards or structure your study sessions like a quiz game. Chat online if you haven't time to catch up in person. Make sure your revision time with friends is spent actually revising. You may actually be better off revising with classmates you're not friendly with to make it productive. Let your family help you. Your family can help support you even when they cannot understand what you are learning. Ask them to test you, clarify problems for you, read with you, and help you to stay organized. Parents and siblings who have already experienced revision will have some good ideas to help you prepare. Moreover, family and friends can be good moral support when you are feeling down or anxious about the revision. You may need emotional support as much as other support and if you can trust in someone to talk to about your anxiety or worries, this can help you to offload many unneeded troubles to a caring listener. Even having someone, you can trust like this available online or by phone is better than no one. Stay relaxed. Spend time doing something relaxing each day, such as listening to your favorite music, going for a walk or swim, spending time with your pets or talking with a good friend. These activities will help you to feel relaxed and connected to others and the world as you keep working through the revision. You can also practice relaxation exercises, meditation, or simply just lying back and chilling out now and then...Possibly with a Q card in your hand.

Find a good place to study. Draw up a timetable for your revision and stick to it. Set reasonable study targets that you know you can reach. Engage your texts. Recall and summarize. Draw or doodle freely while you study. Find someone who knows nothing about the topic and explain to them. Try to use a study guide or old test. Take breaks periodically to give your concentration a boost. Talk to your teachers. Revise with other classmates. Let your family help you. Stay relaxed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Bar-Graphs

How to Make Bar Graphs

Before you can make a bar graph, you'll need to collect data that shows a comparison across multiple categories. Then, draw an x-axis and a y-axis in a large L-shape, which you will need to label according to the categories you are comparing. For example, your y-axis might measure inches of rainfall, while your x-axis separates the data according to the corresponding month. Next, use your data to draw bars onto your graph by extending the base on the x-axis to the height that matches the value of that bar on the y-axis. From here, you'll be able to see any outliers or gaps in the data that could affect how you analyze the results and form conclusions.

Collect your data. The first thing you have to do is to collect all of your data. Remember that a bar graph should show a comparison among categories. Let's say your goal is to organize data on how many inches of rainfall a city received between the months of February 2005 and February 2006. You'll need to find out exactly how much rain fell during each of the months. Once you have this data, you can begin to draw the graph. Another use of rectangular bars on a graph is called a "histogram" , not "bar graph", to display a continuous range of data in increasing or decreasing value in a list of equally divided range segments to show how these compare. For example, if you were to measure how many people in a classroom fell into a range of heights, and one range was 5 feet (1.5 m) to 5 feet 3 inches (7.6 cm), and so on, then you'd need to use a histogram. Draw an x and a y-axis. This will look like a large "L" shape. Bar charts are often drawn when one set of data is expressed as a set of categories (which can be periods of time), in which case this set will be the base. The other axis will be values (sales, costs, grades, scores, production amounts, other quantities, etc) for the base categories, groups or periods. Label the x-axis. Divide the number of squares (convenient units) across the page by the number of bars you need to draw to find the width of each bar. If this gives a fraction, round down to the nearest whole number. If the bars do not touch, choose a convenient space and leave this blank between the pairs of bars, often from an appropriate beginning point, such as January, or a certain year. In this example, you should label the x-axis with the names of each of the months you will be using. Let's say you're looking at the months between February of 2005 and February of 2006. Label the bottom axis. After you've marked down all of the months that you'll be categorizing, you can give the entire axis a label. In this case, let's label the axis "Months". Label the y-axis. Divide the highest value of all the bars by the number of squares left above the bottom axis to find what each square represents. If this is a fraction, round up to the nearest whole number. Label the point where the axes meet as 0. Each square above 0 increases by the calculated amount until the value is equal to or greater than the largest vertical bar. If you're working with inches of rain, and your range of rainfall falls from between 10 inches (25.4 cm) and 70 inches (177.8 cm), then it will make sense to label the vertical axis in increments of ten, starting with 0, then 10, then 20, then 30, and so on. Draw your bars. Extend the base you have marked on the bottom axis to the horizontal line labelled with the value of that bar. If the value falls between two lines, approximate where the correct value would lie. Notice that bars are normally separated (not continuous), as they are comparing the value of different but comparable events, unless this is a distribution (histogram).rff For example, if the rain fell to 30 inches (76.2 cm) in February of 2005, then raise the bar up to 30 inches (76.2 cm). If it fell 20 inches (50.8 cm) in March of 2005, then draw the bar accordingly. Interpret the data. Now that you've made your bar graph, you can have a better sense of the data because you can visualize it. Now you can take a step back and take a look at the important aspects of this data. Here are some things to look for: Outliers. Outliers are the pieces of data that fall outside the range of normal data that you gathered. In this case, 70 inches (177.8 cm) of rain, which occurred in February of 2006, is an outlier because the rest of the data is far below this norm, with the next highest amount of rainfall being 40 inches (101.6 cm). Gaps. Look for gaps between the data. There was a gap, or no rainfall, in the month of July, as well as in the months between August and February. Frequency. See if there's an amount that is frequently occurring. In this bar graph, the most common occurrence is 10 inches (25.4 cm) of rainfall, which happens in April, May, and June. Clusters. Look for clusters of data. Most of the inches of rainfall occur around the months of February, March, and April of 2005.

Collect your data. Draw an x and a y-axis. Label the x-axis. Label the y-axis. Draw your bars. Interpret the data.

https://www.wikihow.com/Peel-Plums

How to Peel Plums

To easily peel plums, use a paring knife to cut a small X in the bottom of each plum. Place the plums in a pot of boiling water for about 45 seconds, then carefully remove them with a slotted spoon. Immediately transfer the plums to a bowl of ice water and leave them there for about 5 minutes. Once they've chilled, slide your finger under one of the flaps formed by the X you cut, and peel the skin back. It should come away easily. Continue until you've removed all of the peel from the plums.

Boil a pot of water on the stovetop. Choose a pot large enough to hold all your plums and fill half of it with water. It'll probably take about 10 minutes to boil.. Place a lid on the pot to help the water to boil quicker. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Add water and ice to the bowl at a 50:50 ratio. This will act as an ice bath for the plums. Slice an "x" on the bottom of each plum. Use a paring knife to cut a cross hatch at the bottom of the plum (the side opposite the stem). Make each cut to be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. This will make it nice and easy to peel back the skin. Don't worry about making the cut deep, simply cut through the skin of the plum. Blanch the plums for 45 seconds in boiling water. Carefully place the plums into the pot of water. It is important not to leave the plums in the water for longer than 45 seconds, as the flesh will go mushy and the plums will start to disintegrate. Always be careful when cooking with hot water to avoid burns. Submerge the plums in the ice water for 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the plums from the boiling water into the ice bath. The icy water will help to pull the skin away from the flesh of the plums. Make sure that all the plums are fully submerged in the water. If some of the plums aren't submerged in the ice bath, make another ice bath for them. Peel the skin off the plums. Place your finger under 1 of the little flaps formed by the "x" you sliced, and pull back the flap. The skin should easily come loose in 1 big strip. Keep pulling back the flaps on all four sides until you've completely peeled the plum. If there is still a little skin on the plum, use a paring knife to slice off any remaining skin. Cut around the circumference of the plum. Press the paring knife firmly into the flesh until it hits the stone. Follow the natural seam in the skin and cut right around the plum. Keeping cutting until you have split the plum in half. If you don't have a paring knife, use a sharp kitchen knife instead. Twist each half of the plum in opposite directions to pull it away from the stone. Hold 1 half of the plum in each hand. Firmly grip the halves and slowly turn them away from each other until one half of the plum comes loose from the stone. Lever the stone out with a spoon. Push a dessert spoon under the stone and then press the handle down to pop the stone out. If the stone won't coming out, push the spoon under the opposite side of the stone and then lever it out. Cut the plum in half and pop the stone out. Place the plum on a chopping board and cut around the circumference of the plum. Use a teaspoon to pop the stone out of the plum. Chop both pieces of plum in half. Cut each plum half lengthways to create a wedge. This makes the plum easier to peel. If your plum is particularly large, consider chopping each piece of plum into thirds. Trim the skin off each plum wedge. Press the skin side of the plum firmly down against the chopping board. Carefully glide the knife as close to the skin as possible to remove the skin from the flesh. Compost the plum skin or use it in smoothies.

Boil a pot of water on the stovetop. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Slice an "x" on the bottom of each plum. Blanch the plums for 45 seconds in boiling water. Submerge the plums in the ice water for 5 minutes. Peel the skin off the plums. Cut around the circumference of the plum. Twist each half of the plum in opposite directions to pull it away from the stone. Lever the stone out with a spoon. Cut the plum in half and pop the stone out. Chop both pieces of plum in half. Trim the skin off each plum wedge.

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

How to Make Sushi

To make your own sushi, first rinse 2 cups (400 g) of rice and add it to a saucepan filled with enough water to submerge the rice. Then, bring the water to a boil and cook the rice for 10 minutes. Strain the rice and set it aside. Next, combine 4 tablespoons (60 mL) of rice vinegar, ¼ cup (25 g) of sugar, and 1 tablespoon (6 g) of salt in a large bowl. Add the rice to the mixture and toss everything together by hand. Let the rice soak in the mixture while you prepare your fillings. Tuna, yellowtail, salmon, mackerel, halibut, and eel are popular fishes for sushi, and cucumber, carrot, avocado, bell pepper, and mushroom all make great vegetable fillings. You can also use sesame seeds, wasabi, imitation crab, and spicy mayo to give your sushi even more flavor. Chop the vegetables into thin vertical slices that are roughly 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. Cut the fish into pieces that are 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) wide and 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. Lay a bamboo mat out flat, and place a sheet of dried seaweed on top of it. Spread an even layer of rice over the seaweed, and arrange the fish and vegetables in a line along the center of the mat. Then, roll the bottom of the mat up over your fillings and tuck the edge underneath them. Roll the mat again until 1 inch (2.5 cm) remains. Press down gently along the rolled up mat to compress the ingredients. Finally, unroll the mat and use a knife to cut your sushi roll into 5 to 6 individual pieces.

Strain 2 cups (400 g) of sushi rice under running water. Take a large amount of rice and place it in a mesh strainer. Hold the dry rice beneath cool running water, rotating the strainer so all of the rice gets soaked. Keep an eye on the water dripping beneath the strainer—once the water looks clear and not clouded, you can turn off the faucet and remove the wet rice from the sink area. Cleaning your rice is an important process in the sushi-making process, as it helps improve the quality of the rice. It might take a minute or so before the water looks clear, depending on how much rice you're using. Add water and rice to a saucepan in a 3:2 ratio. Pour your damp rice into an empty saucepan. Next, dump in about 1.5 cups (350 mL) of cold water. Make sure that there's more water than rice in the saucepan, as sushi rice is extremely absorbent. If you don't add enough water to your rice, it'll be dry instead of fluffy. Cook the rice for 10 minutes after the water boils. Wait for the water in the pot to reach a boil, then set a timer for 10 minutes so the rice can fully cook. Cover the saucepan with a lid so the rice can absorb as much water as possible. Don't lift the lid and stir the rice, as this can make the grains mushy and congealed. If you added too much water to the rice, it might not be able to soak up the water. Mix a small amount of salt, sugar, and rice vinegar together. In a separate bowl, mix 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of rice vinegar, ¼ cup (25 g) of white sugar, and 1 tsp (5.7 g) of salt together. Stir the ingredients with a spoon and wait for the salt and sugar to dissolve completely. Once you've made your vinegar solution, set it aside for later. This mixture helps add flavor to the sushi rice, and prevents it from tasting bland. You can also make the vinegar mixture over medium heat on the stovetop by mixing the sugar, salt, and vinegar with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of vegetable oil. Arrange the rice onto a cooking tray or bowl so it can cool. Use a spoon to scoop the rice onto a flat tray or into a large bowl. Try not to touch any of the rice as you transfer it, as the grains will be extremely hot. Cover the rice with a damp towel to help the cooling process. You can also fan the rice to help it cool more quickly. Don't leave cooked rice out for more than 2 hours, as it can spoil after that time. Mix the vinegar solution into the cooling rice to give it flavor. After the rice is cool enough to touch, drizzle your vinegar, sugar, and salt solution over the grains. Use a wooden spoon as well as your own fingertips to mix this vinegar into the sushi rice. Always wash your hands before handling any type of food. Try to keep the grains of rice fairly separated, instead of clumped together. This helps the rice to feel and taste fluffier. Select raw tuna or salmon for an authentic sushi roll. If you're using fresh or raw fish for your sushi roll, leave it in the freezer for at least 24 hours to get rid of any possible parasites. While it's tempting to use fish that you just purchased from the store, you don't want to risk spreading any food-borne illnesses. If you'd prefer not to worry about food parasites, try using cooked meat instead. Salmon and tuna are some of the most common raw fish used to make sushi. Go for cooked eel or crab if you don’t like raw fish. Look in your local grocery store or market for cans of cooked seafood, like eel or crab. If you'd prefer to enjoy sushi without any risk of food-borne illnesses, opt for fillings that don't need to be cooked or prepared ahead of time. Cooked shrimp are another great alternative for people who don't like raw fish. Rub oily fish with sea salt and vinegar to enhance their flavor. Before cutting your fish fillets into smaller pieces, rub them down with a few pinches of sea salt. Let the salt soak into the fish for about 30 minutes, then drizzle a tiny amount of rice vinegar over both sides of the fillets. This works best with large fish fillets, like tuna, salmon, or mackerel. If you're working with shrimp, crab, or another shellfish, you don't need to worry about this. Use vegetables like cucumbers and carrots to add texture to your roll. Look for other fillings besides fish and seafood to fill your roll. Instead, include some additional nutrition in your sushi by adding cucumber, carrot, and other fresh vegetables. While you need to peel the carrots before slicing them into small ribbons, you don't need to peel your cucumbers. Vegetables add a delicious crunch to your sushi roll. Choose crab and tuna without bits of shell or sinew. Always inspect your fillings before you slice them up. Examine your tuna fillets for excess sinew, as this can make your fish a lot more difficult to chew. Additionally, check your fresh crab for any pieces of shell. Trim and remove any of these undesired elements, as they can make your sushi more difficult to enjoy. Use canned crab to avoid running into any shell pieces. Additionally, canned tuna won't have any sinew. Chop fresh fish into 4 by 0.25 in (10.16 by 0.64 cm) long strips. Take your fish fillets and cut them into thin strips. Since you'll be constructing your sushi roll lengthwise, aim to make your fish pieces long and narrow. Ideally, try to keep these pieces around 0.25 in (0.64 cm) wide and 4 in (10 cm), so they can fit nicely in the center of your sushi roll. Since you might be adding other ingredients into your sushi roll, try to keep your fillings as manageable as possible. Cut fresh vegetables in thin, vertical slices. Make your vegetable fillings as thin and narrow as possible before placing them in the sushi roll. Place your carrots, cucumbers, and any other vegetable of choice onto a cutting board and begin slicing them into thin, narrow strips. Ideally, try to make your vegetables less than 0.25 in (0.64 cm) wide and 4 in (10 cm). You're welcome to slice your vegetables more thinly, especially if you're trying to fit a lot ingredients into your sushi roll. Aim for your vegetable slices to look like a julienne. It's okay if you leave the skin on your cucumber. Slice fresh avocado into 0.25 in (0.64 cm) thick pieces. Cut an avocado in half, then remove the pit. After scooping the produce out of the hard skin, begin cutting the ingredient into halves. Next, slice each half of the avocado into 0.25 in (0.64 cm). Since ripe avocados are soft, they are pretty malleable when used in a sushi roll. If needed, you can always trim your avocado into smaller slices. Lay 1 piece of nori onto a bamboo mat. Arrange a bamboo mat onto a flat surface, where you'll be able to assemble all of your ingredients. Next, take a flat sheet of nori, or dried seaweed, and arrange it 1 in (2.5 cm) away from the edge of the mat. It doesn't matter if the nori is centered perfectly—all that matters is that it's completely flat. Nori sheets come in packs, which works well when you're preparing a lot of sushi at once. Layer ½ to 1 cup (100-200 g) of sushi rice over the nori sheet. Moisten your fingertips with cool water so the rice doesn't stick to your fingers, then scoop a small amount out of the bowl or cooking sheet. Start arranging the rice along the surface of the nori, leaving 0.25 in (0.64 cm) of space along the outer edge of the sheet. Continue adding rice until the most of the seaweed is covered in a thin layer of rice. The amount of rice you add is completely up to you. If you're thinking about adding a lot of fillings, only use ½ cup (100 g) or so of rice. Arrange your ingredients lengthwise on top of the rice. Lay your slices of fish and vegetables across the center of sushi rice. If you're feeling especially creative, try using specific ingredient combinations to make special, well-known sushi rolls. Try aligning your strips of meat and vegetable as though you're drawing a line down the middle of the rice, so the sushi will be easier to roll up. To add some kick to your roll, try including ¼ tsp (1.25 g) of wasabi as a filling in your roll. Roll up the bamboo mat so only 0.25 to 1 inch (0.64 to 2.54 cm) of nori is visible. Use both hands to push the edge of the mat forward, rolling it up in the same way that you'd roll a piece of cloth or paper. Continue rolling the bamboo along the outside of the nori, rice, and fillings, tucking the ingredients into a rounded shape. Once you reach the section of nori without any rice, stop rolling the bamboo. This process helps you form the sushi roll without losing any of the toppings or other ingredients in the process. Squeeze the top and sides of the bamboo mat to form the sushi roll. Use your fingers to pinch around the sides and surface of the bamboo mat, forming the sushi roll into your desired shape. As you pinch and squeeze your food, note that the sushi roll itself will resemble a slight square shape. Keep pinching until you're satisfied with the way that your sushi looks. If any fillings are squeezing out of the sushi, this is a good time to force them back into place. Don't apply too much force—you're only trying to shape the sushi. Unroll the bamboo and remove the sushi. Pull the bamboo mat backwards, using slow and delicate motions to reveal your finished roll of sushi. Use both hands to lift and move your roll to a cutting board. If the sushi looks like it's about to unravel, try squeezing it within the bamboo mat for a little longer. Don't be discouraged if your sushi doesn't look great on your first try. It takes a lot of time and practice to master the art of sushi rolling! Slice the sushi into 6 equally-sized pieces. Take a large knife and begin cutting the roll in half. Once you have 2 equal halves, continue cutting chopping each half into 3 even pieces. Arrange these pieces of sushi vertically or horizontally on your plate, depending on how you'd like to present them!

Strain 2 cups (400 g) of sushi rice under running water. Add water and rice to a saucepan in a 3:2 ratio. Cook the rice for 10 minutes after the water boils. Mix a small amount of salt, sugar, and rice vinegar together. Arrange the rice onto a cooking tray or bowl so it can cool. Mix the vinegar solution into the cooling rice to give it flavor. Select raw tuna or salmon for an authentic sushi roll. Go for cooked eel or crab if you don’t like raw fish. Rub oily fish with sea salt and vinegar to enhance their flavor. Use vegetables like cucumbers and carrots to add texture to your roll. Choose crab and tuna without bits of shell or sinew. Chop fresh fish into 4 by 0.25 in (10.16 by 0.64 cm) long strips. Cut fresh vegetables in thin, vertical slices. Slice fresh avocado into 0.25 in (0.64 cm) thick pieces. Lay 1 piece of nori onto a bamboo mat. Layer ½ to 1 cup (100-200 g) of sushi rice over the nori sheet. Arrange your ingredients lengthwise on top of the rice. Roll up the bamboo mat so only 0.25 to 1 inch (0.64 to 2.54 cm) of nori is visible. Squeeze the top and sides of the bamboo mat to form the sushi roll. Unroll the bamboo and remove the sushi. Slice the sushi into 6 equally-sized pieces.

https://www.wikihow.com/Approach-Your-Horse

How to Approach Your Horse

To approach your horse, approach it diagonally from the front if possible so it sees you coming and you don't startle it. If you have to approach your horse from the back, always approach it from an angle since coming up directly behind it may scare it. Whichever direction you approach from, always call out to your horse in a gentle voice to let it know where you are.

Familiarize yourself with basic horse body language. It's very important to be able to tell the difference between a happy, inviting horse and an alarmed or frustrated one when you approach the animal. Look for the following signs: Comfortable signs (if you see these, proceed): Having relaxed, "soft" eyes that aren't staring at you Turning his head or front quarters toward you Licking his lips Ears pricked towards you. Having a peaceful, relaxed overall body position Uncomfortable signs (if you see these, back off and do not approach): Moving or running away from you as you approach Having, intense, wide eyes or eyes that are staring at you Pinning his ears (moving them back against his head) Bearing his teeth or trying to nip at you Rearing up on his legs or kicking Flicking tail repeatedly in aggressive fashion, often with back legs stomping. Always be aware of where the horses are. It takes only a moment for a horse to run up behind you and possibly rear up on you. Make sure you can see where the horses are and keep watch. Horses can get startled by almost anything. If a horse seems to be running towards you, to make sure you don't get trampled raise your arms to appear larger and say in firm calm, voice "whoa" or "get". This will help with getting the horse to head another direction. Create an inviting rather than demanding presence before you approach. With horse behavior, there is an idea of pressure and release. Horses are herd animals, and will most likely not stand in an area waiting for you to approach them. Simple things, such as making eye contact, is actually putting pressure on the horse, cueing him to move away from you. Approach the horse diagonally from the front whenever possible. The number one rule for approaching horses is to make sure that they know you're coming. This is easiest (by far) if you come at the horse from the front and slightly to the side (to avoid the blind spot right in front of it). If you can, approaching from the front-left of the horse is even better: many horses are trained specifically to work with humans on their left side and as a result are most comfortable with this. It actually is a myth that horses prefer one side over the other. It is us humans that over the years have developed a habit of doing everything from the left, training and desensitizing to the left, but forgetting about the other side. A horse will approach one another in the wild without a care in the world about which side they are approaching. You do, though, want to make sure you are setting both you and the horse up for success. Use a gentle, even walking pace. Try to stay relaxed, as horses are good at picking up on subtle signs of tenseness. Make no effort to hide yourself or the noise of your feet. Don't stare the horse in the eyes. This can be interpreted as a threat. Instead, look at its knee as you approach. If you have to approach from the rear, approach at an angle. Note that this should be avoided by anyone but experienced trainers with knowledge of drive lines. Approaching a horse from a direction other than from the front isn't ideal — just like it can be uncomfortable for someone to approach you from the rear, this can be unsettling for the horse. To make the animal as comfortable as possible, come at the horse from an angle ( not from directly behind it). The wider the angle, the better: horses have monocular vision , which means they can use each eye separately to see you on their sides. As mentioned above, the horse's left side is generally preferable to the right. Use your voice to let the horse know you're approaching. To first-time riders, hearing an experienced horse handler talk to her horse constantly can seem unusual. However, this serves an important purpose: it lets the horse know where the human is at all times. As you approach the horse, call to it at a gentle volume. You can say basically anything you want here as long as it's in a non-threatening, even tone, but most riders simply say things to the effect of, "Hey, horse, are you ready to ride?" You should do this no matter what direction you approach the horse from, but it's even more crucial if you're forced to approach the horse from a direction besides the front. Since the horse may not see you right away, it's important to let it know you're coming with your voice. Let the horse smell you. Like dogs and many other animals, horses use their powerful sense of smell to identify other animals and detect threats. When you reach the horse, hold your hands out for it to smell. Don't thrust your hands right into its nose — instead, stand a step or two in front of it and gently move your hands (palms pointing down and held flat and open) to about a foot in front of it. If the horse doesn't seem to want to smell your hands, don't continue to bother it. Instead, just withdraw your hands and continue to the next steps. Give the horse a small treat if you have one, and if you have permission from the horse's owner. This isn't required , but it's helpful for getting an unfamiliar horse to "warm up" to you. One of the greatest dietary dangers for horses is bloat, which can often become fatal, so it's good to err on the side of caution and check with the horse owner before offering their horse a treat. Bloat can be created by several factors, some of which include even small amounts of foods that horse is not used to eating, foods that the horse could be allergic to, or, foods that are eaten at the wrong times. A few processed foods, or even some wild plants growing in the area, can be poisonous to horses too. Another consideration is that the owner may have the horse on a specialty diet or medications, and some treats can interfere with with absorption of certain medications or supplements. These are all good and valid reasons to check with the owner before giving their horses a treat. Offer your treat to the horse by placing it in your palm, keeping your fingers completely flat. This keeps the horse from accidentally biting your fingers. Let the horse take the treat from you. Don't insist on giving it the treat if it doesn't seem to want it. Note that treats make some horses snappy - some will become rude very fast if they get treats for no reason, it has to be given immediately after a desirable behaviour AND accompanied by the verbal cue to eat it. It can also lead to horse's refusing to go with you unless you have a treat, not great. Small amounts of many common fruits and vegetables make great treats for horses. For example, most horses will enjoy a carrot or a few apple slices. Pet the horse. Before proceeding to whatever task you have planned for your horse, take the opportunity to show your affection and get it comfortable with you. Move to the horse's shoulder, talking to it as you do so. Make sure it can see you and that it is displaying soft, peaceful eyes. Gently nuzzle it around the neck, shoulder, and mane. You can move down the body to the rump once the horse is comfortable with you. Stay away from sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, and mouth. Use a rubbing or a gentle scratching motion — never a slapping or patting motion, which most horses do not like. Put a halter on the horse. Once you've approached a horse and gotten it comfortable around you, you may want to be able to move it where you want. This is easy with a device called a halter that goes over the horse's nose and mouth. A halter allows you to control a horse's head, leading it where you want it to go. Most halters have a small loop that slips over the horse's muzzle with a larger loop that latches either behind the horse's ears or underneath its jaw. Slip a lead rope around the horse's neck before you get started so you'll have something to hold on to if it won't cooperate. . Saddle your horse A saddle lets you ride a horse by acting as your "seat" on its back. This is something you shouldn't do if you're inexperienced, so don't be afraid to get an instructor's help. Set the saddle down gently and keep the stirrups out of the way so as not to surprise the horse. The saddle should be secured with a girth that allows you to slip two fingers underneath, but not much looser. Don't forget to lay a blanket under the saddle to protect the horse's hair and back. There are two popular styles for saddling a horse: Western and English. See the link above for directions on both. Mount the horse. Mounting the horse just means getting on top of it so that you can ride it. You'll need a horse with a saddle, halter, and set of reins for this. Traditionally, horses are mounted from the left side. Put your left foot in the stirrup with the reins in your left hand. Grab the saddle with your right hand and use a gentle bouncing motion to swing your right leg up and over the saddle. Put your right foot in the other stirrup and grab the reins. Have an elevation above the ground for new riders when getting on the horse, like steps or something of the sort. Ride the Horse. This is it — the moment many horse lovers have been waiting for. Horseback riding is something that entire books have been written about, so we won't even try to explain it all in this article. Click the link for WikiHow's article on how to ride horses, which has detailed instructions for beginners and experienced riders alike. This guide is also a great place for beginners to start. Stay out of the horse's kicking range. No matter how much experience you have around horses, there's always the small but real chance that something outside your control may spook the horse. If this happens, you will not want to be within range of the horse's extremely powerful kicks. Most horse handlers do this one of two ways: Staying a generous distance away when they are behind or to the side of a horse. Depending on the size of the horse, this "safe distance" can vary, so give the horse plenty of room, especially when directly behind it. Staying close to the horse and maintaining contact. Keep a hand on the horse and speak to it with a gentle tone of voice. If you are very close to the horse, it will still be able to kick you, but it won't have enough space to use its full force, so the potential for injury is lower. Don't make sudden movements around a horse. Keep in mind that it's possible to startle a horse even if it knows exactly where you are. Sudden, violent motion can make a horse think it's in danger and provoke a spook response, so you will want to avoid it at all costs. Specific things to avoid include: Thrusting anything into the horse's face (remember that it has a blind spot in front of its nose) Running towards the horse Slapping or striking the horse in any way Avoid loud, startling noises. Just like unexpected noises can frighten humans, they frighten horses as well. Don't make loud noises around horses, especially if they're not used to hearing the noise you're about to make. If you do have to do something that makes a loud noise, move away from the horse before doing it. Specific things to avoid include: Loud clapping, yelling, or screaming Guns being shot Loud music Loud machines (chainsaws, dirt-bikes, etc.) When possible, loud natural noises (e.g., thunder) Don't surprise or harass a horse when it is eating. Like many animals, horses can be very defensive about their food. However, this is more of a personal tip for a particular horse than a part of a general guideline. If the horse is sensitive about eating, give it plenty of space when it is feeding — even a horse that is normally very docile may get agitated if you interrupt it while it is eating. You should especially avoid putting your hand or anything else near the animal's face or mouth, as this can be interpreted as you trying to steal its food. Note that there are some things on this list that experienced trainers will do, but generally should be avoided by anyone else.

Familiarize yourself with basic horse body language. Always be aware of where the horses are. Create an inviting rather than demanding presence before you approach. Approach the horse diagonally from the front whenever possible. If you have to approach from the rear, approach at an angle. Use your voice to let the horse know you're approaching. Let the horse smell you. Give the horse a small treat if you have one, and if you have permission from the horse's owner. Pet the horse. Put a halter on the horse. . Mount the horse. Ride the Horse. Stay out of the horse's kicking range. Don't make sudden movements around a horse. Avoid loud, startling noises. Don't surprise or harass a horse when it is eating. Note that there are some things on this list that experienced trainers will do, but generally should be avoided by anyone else.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Rat-Droppings

How to Clean Rat Droppings

Rat droppings can carry deadly diseases, so it's important that you clean them up immediately. Before you start cleaning, open up the doors or windows so you avoid breathing in any airborne diseases. You might also want to wear a face mask or ventilator as you clean. Don't sweep or vacuum up the rat droppings, as this can release more pathogens into the air. Instead, make a solution of 1 ½ cups chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of hot water, which will kill any bacteria. Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands and spray the solution onto the rat droppings. Let the solution sit for about 5 minutes, then clean up the droppings with a paper towel.

Ventilate the space where you will clean. Open the doors and windows of the area where you need to clean the droppings. Ventilate this space for at least 30 minutes before you begin cleaning. If you are dealing with a very large number of droppings, wear a face mask or ventilator while cleaning. Consider wearing an eye mask when cleaning after large infestations of rats. Don’t sweep or vacuum up rat droppings. This will release any pathogens into the air and can also trap pathogens in your vacuum or on your broom. Instead, only clean up the droppings with a commercial disinfectant or a 10% chlorine bleach solution. Use paper towels to pick up droppings soaked in this solution. Make a 10% chlorine bleach solution. Combine 1.5 cups (360 mL) of chlorine bleach with one gallon (5.678 L) of hot water. You might wear a mask or ventilator to protect your throat and lungs when making this solution. Put the solution in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the droppings. Put on rubber or latex gloves that you can dispose of or wash in very hot water. Spray the droppings with the bleach solution until they are saturated. Let the solution soak into the droppings for about five minutes. Pick up the droppings with a paper towel. Next, put the paper towel in a plastic bag and secure the bag. Put the plastic bag with the droppings in a covered trash can that is emptied frequently. Ideally take the plastic bag to a trash receptacle outside your home. Clean the insulation in your attic. Rats often nest in attics. Remove the droppings in the attic as described above. Use this technique on any hard surfaces and in the insulation. Remove any insulation that has a large number of rat droppings, especially if these droppings are below the top surface of the insulation. Put heavily soiled insulation in a plastic bag and dispose of it immediately. You'll have to replace the insulation. Wipe all floors and surfaces. Mop the floors where you've removed the droppings and wipe down counters with the 10% chlorine bleach solution. Use a paper towel to wipe surfaces. If bleach will ruin your floor or counters, spray the floor or counters with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Follow up with vinegar. After mopping and wiping the counters, spray pure white vinegar on the hydrogen peroxide and wipe the floors and counters clean. Next, soak your mop in commercial disinfectant or the 10% chlorine bleach solution and rinse it in hot water. Immediately dispose of all paper towels you used to wipe surfaces and dispose of your plastic or latex gloves. Alternatively, wash your gloves thoroughly with soap and hot water. Wash your furniture and clothing. Steam clean or shampoo any furniture that had droppings on it. Put any clothing you wore to clean the rat droppings in a washing machine and clean them with laundry detergent and hot water. Put the shoes you wore to clean the droppings in the washing machine with your clothes. Hand wash clothing or shoes that can't go in the washing machine. Use hot water and laundry detergent to clean them. Wash your hands. Use hot water and a disinfecting hand soap to clean your hands. Scrub them thoroughly, including under your nails and around your wrists. Don't rely on alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands. Trap the rats. Use industrial strength traps to remove the rats from your home. Avoid poisons, because the rats might die in walls or other hard to reach areas where you won't find them. Continue trapping rats for a week or until you no longer have any rodents. Remove dead rats. Wear rubber or latex gloves. Spray the dead rat with a disinfectant or a combination of one part bleach and ten parts hot water. Allow this to remain on the dead rat for five minutes. Scoop up the dead rat with a paper towel. Seal the rat with the paper towel in a plastic bag. For safety, put this bag in a second bag. Dispose of the rat in a covered garbage receptacle that is emptied regularly. Clean up after rat removal. Spray the area of your floor where the rat was with a solution of 1.5 cups (360 mL) of chlorine bleach and one gallon (5.678 L) of hot water. Wipe the floor down thoroughly with a paper towel and dispose of the paper towel immediately. Also dispose of the gloves you wear for cleaning up the rat and the floor or wash them well in soap and hot water. Carefully wash your hands with plenty of disinfecting soap and hot water.

Ventilate the space where you will clean. Don’t sweep or vacuum up rat droppings. Make a 10% chlorine bleach solution. Spray the solution on the droppings. Pick up the droppings with a paper towel. Clean the insulation in your attic. Wipe all floors and surfaces. Follow up with vinegar. Wash your furniture and clothing. Wash your hands. Trap the rats. Remove dead rats. Scoop up the dead rat with a paper towel. Clean up after rat removal.

https://www.wikihow.com/Unhook-a-Bra

How to Unhook a Bra

To easily unhook someone else's bra, place one hand on the end of each strap, and pull the straps slightly away from the person's back to prevent pinching. Then, push both ends of the straps toward each other to release the tension that holds the straps together. Finally, slide the right side with the hooks toward you as you hold the left side with the eyelets in the same place. If only one of the hooks comes undone, push the straps together again and then slide the right strap toward you again.

Understand how the closing mechanism works. A typical bra has two horizontal straps that fasten in the back. One strap has several pairs of eyelets. The other has one pair of hooks that attach to the eyelets. To undo a bra, you must pinch both sides together and slide the hooks out of the eyelets. Occasionally you may come across a bra that only has one eyelet and one hook, or five eyelets and five hooks. While two or three eyelets and hooks are standard, all of the eyelet-hook bras can be undone in the same way. Know that some bras attach in the front. While these types of bras are not as common as bras that clasp in the back, they do exist. These types of bras have cups that connect with a clasp at the front. So, if you're trying to undo a bra and can't seem to find eyelets and hooks at the back, chances are the bra connects in the front. Place one hand on the end of each strap. One hand should be on the eyelet side, one hand on the hook side. Pull the straps slightly away from their back to give yourself room to work with. If the person is facing you, you'll have to take their bra off without being able to see. Don't worry! Place one hand on each strap so that one hand can feel the eyelets and the other can feel the hooks. Push the straps slightly away from her back to give yourself room to work with. Push both sides in towards one another to relieve the tension on the connectors. Think of this like a finger trap--if you pull the two straps away from each other, nothing will happen (except for you maybe ripping their bra.) Instead, the key is to push the two straps together. Slide the right side (i.e. the side with the hooks) toward you. Keep the other side stationary to free the hooks from the eyelets. Occasionally one hook might come undone while the other stays connected to the eyelet, especially if you are facing them so you can't see the bra. Don't panic! Simply repeat the same motion with your focus concentrated on the remaining hook. Place your fingers on one side of the clasps and your thumb on the other. Keep your fingers and thumb very close to the closing mechanism. These same steps can be followed when you are unhooking a bra with one hand while the person is facing you (ie. you won't be able to see what you're doing.) Pinch both sides together. You will need to do this with your pointer finger, middle finger, and your thumb. Imagine that you are picking a shirt up with just your thumb and first two fingers. Pinch the bra clasp in the same way. Slide the right side (i.e. the side with the hooks) across the left strap. This will free the hooks from the eyelets. It may help to wedge your fingers (if right-handed) or thumb (if left-handed) in front of the eyelets to keep them stationary while you remove the hooks. Put your arms behind your back, reaching from the bottom up. Grasp either side of the hooks/eyelets area and pull the straps slightly away from your back to make room to work with. If you don't have very flexible arms or think it would be easier to take your bra off at the front of your body where you can see the clasp, take the arm straps off. Once they are off, rotate the bra so that the clasp is in the front. You'll be able to see what you're doing which will make taking the bra off easier. Push both straps in towards one another like they are kissing. Doing this relieves the tension that causes the straps to stay connected. Slide the strap with the hooks outwards. Keep the strap with the eyelets stationary. Doing this will release the hooks from the eyelets. Locate the clasp. It should be in between the two cups of the bra. Generally clasps are plastic or metal pieces where one side fits down into the other side. When the clasp is flattened, it snaps in place and locks together. Place one hand on each side of the clasp. Lift the edges of the bra up and toward you so that the clasp unlocks. You should see the two metal or plastic pieces unsnap. Pull one side of the clasp up and the other side down. Bras vary on which side of the clasp will go up and which will go down. If you find resistance when you pull one side up, try the other side. The two pieces should come apart so that the bra can be taken off.

Understand how the closing mechanism works. Know that some bras attach in the front. Place one hand on the end of each strap. Push both sides in towards one another to relieve the tension on the connectors. Slide the right side (i.e. Place your fingers on one side of the clasps and your thumb on the other. Pinch both sides together. Slide the right side (i.e. Put your arms behind your back, reaching from the bottom up. Push both straps in towards one another like they are kissing. Slide the strap with the hooks outwards. Locate the clasp. Place one hand on each side of the clasp. Pull one side of the clasp up and the other side down.

https://www.wikihow.com/Unstick-a-Door

How to Unstick a Door

To figure out how to unstick your door, you need to find out what the issue is first. Listen to the sound the door makes as you open and close it. If you can hear squeaking, this means that the hinges need to be oiled. Lubricate the hinges with petroleum jelly. It can also help to run a piece of heavy stock paper around the door when it's closed. If the paper gets caught on something, this means that this is the problem area. You may need to use a palm sander to thinly shave the wood. If you can't find a physical problem with the door, take note of the time of year. Some wooden doors expand as the humidity increases, which means that the door may stick in summer but not in winter. Apply a bar of soap to the problem area to reduce the friction and unstick the door.

Examine the door with your eyes. Look for scratches in the paint or any other noticeable damages to the door and frame. Also check for grime or any sticky buildup that may just need to be cleaned. Close the door and run your eyes along the gap between the door and the frame, noting places where the gap is very thin. It is best to inspect an exterior door in a sunny or well-lit area. Run a piece of heavy stock paper around the closed door. This is very useful if you can't determine where the door is sticking by physically examining it. The paper should glide smoothly around most of the door. Wherever the piece of paper gets stuck is the problem area. Look for sticking areas as you open or close the door. Try closing the door with your hands on the bottom, the side, and the top. This will allow you to feel where there is the most resistance as you close it. Listen to the hinges. Squeaking hinges can be causing the door to stick. If you hear this, it indicates that they need to be oiled. Note the time of year. If the door seems to be only slightly sticking, it is probably caused by changes in humidity. Wood expands when humidity increases, and shrinks when humidity decreases. It is important to understand this, because a door that sticks in the summer may not stick in the winter. In this case, you would try a less drastic solution, such as lightly sanding the door, or else it may be drafty and shrunken come winter. Rub the problem area with bar soap. This should reduce the friction and allow the door to close more smoothly. Use a dry, moisturizer-free soap that leaves a powdery residue on the sides of the door. Of course, this is a gentle and temporary solution and will need to be repeated sporadically during times of humidity. Run your air conditioner. One of the functions of the AC is to remove excess moisture from the air and decrease the humidity level in your home. While this can be a costly solution, it will help with your sticking doors. As the humidity in your home is lowered, the wood door will shrink in size. Invest in a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier works by sucking in air, removing the air's moisture, and expelling the air back into the room. The main advantage of using a dehumidifier is that it is portable, which allows you to place it close to the sticking door. Decide if the door hinges are causing the trouble. When a door is opened and closed repeatedly, it's no surprise that they can start to tarnish. Scratches and other superficial damage to the hinge can create friction and cause the door to stick. If you are worried about the lubricant possibly staining the door, you can take the additional step of removing the door from the frame. You can find out how to remove a door from the hinges here. Lay newspaper on the floor. Just like the lubricant can stain the door, it can stain your floor. Cover the area directly under the hinges you are working on to prevent any dripping. Apply petroleum jelly to the hinges. After you've done this, open and close the door a few times to work the jelly into the hinge joints. WD-40 would also have the same helpful effect on your door, but it is messier and dries out faster. Examine the bottom and top of the door as you open and close it. The door may be sticking near the top or dragging at the floor. If this is the case, the screws in the hinges may have loosened over time. Use a screwdriver to tighten each screw. Do not use a drill, because over-tightening the screws can cause damage to the wood and cause bigger problems. Screw it in slowly to make sure you don't tighten too much. Hinge screws are known to strip out, so you may have to add a longer screw or plug the hole and then re-screw it. Test your handiwork. You may need to go back and tighten or loosen them. By loosening the screw you will reduce the gap between the door and the frame, and vice versa. Play around with it until it fits perfectly. Confirm that the problem is not a temporary or more easily-solved problem. If you've checked that the screws are firmly in the hinges, the hinges are well-oiled, and determined temporary humidity is not the issue, you may need to trim your door. This is an intricate, and permanent, fix. Mark the spot on the door where it is sticking, and remove the door. You can find out how to remove a door from the hinges here. It is important to note exactly where the door is rubbing, so that you don't over trim your door. Use a sharp block plane to trim the door. A block plane is a simple woodworking tool that allows you to thinly shave wood. It is perfect for this task, because you can make tiny changes to the width or height of the door without causing oversized gaps between the door and frame. If you're an amateur or only have a little wood to remove from your door, you may want to try using a palm sander to do this instead. Repaint or refinish the section of door that you have trimmed with the block plane. Don't do this step until you've ensured that it is the correct size, or you may have to do it twice. After the paint has dried, your door will be looking- and opening- like it is brand new!

Examine the door with your eyes. Run a piece of heavy stock paper around the closed door. Look for sticking areas as you open or close the door. Listen to the hinges. Note the time of year. Rub the problem area with bar soap. Run your air conditioner. Invest in a dehumidifier. Decide if the door hinges are causing the trouble. Lay newspaper on the floor. Apply petroleum jelly to the hinges. Examine the bottom and top of the door as you open and close it. Use a screwdriver to tighten each screw. Test your handiwork. Confirm that the problem is not a temporary or more easily-solved problem. Mark the spot on the door where it is sticking, and remove the door. Use a sharp block plane to trim the door. Repaint or refinish the section of door that you have trimmed with the block plane.

https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-a-Broken-Thumb

How to Diagnose a Broken Thumb

To diagnose a broken thumb, note any severe pain immediately following the injury. Additionally, check if your thumb is bent at an odd angle or is twisted in a strange way, which may indicate a broken bone. You should also pay attention to any numbness, tingling, or coldness in your thumb. Alternatively, If you can move your thumb backwards without any pain, you may have a sprain instead of a break.

Note any severe pain in the your thumb. It is normal to experience severe pain right after you break your thumb. The pain happens because your bones have nerves surrounding them. When a bone breaks, it can irritate or compress the surrounding nerves, which causes pain. If you don't experience severe pain right after the injury, there is a chance that your thumb is not broken. You will also experience severe pain if something touches your thumb or when you try to bend it. Generally, the closer the pain is to the joint where your thumb meets the rest of your hand (closest to the webbing between your thumb and forefinger), the more cause for concern and potential complication for the injury. Look for any deformities at the site of the injury. You should look to see if your thumb looks normal. Is it bent at an odd angle or twisted in some strange way? You should also check to see if there is any bone protruding out of the skin. If you notice any of these characteristics, it is very likely that you have broken your thumb. Your thumb will also most likely have bruises on it, which is a sign that the capillaries in the tissue of the thumb have broken open. Try to move your thumb. If you have broken your thumb, moving it will cause you serious and severe pain. Your ligaments connecting your bones will also most likely be unable to function properly, which can also make it difficult to move your thumb. In particular, check to see if you can move your thumb backwards. If you can move it backwards without pain, you probably have a sprain rather than a broken bone. Pay attention to any numbness, tingling, or coldness you feel in your thumb. Aside from causing pain, compressed nerves can also make your thumb go numb. Your thumb might also begin to feel cold. This is because a fractured bone or a lot of swelling can block the blood vessels that carry blood into your thumb and surrounding tissue. Your thumb might also turn blue if it is receiving very little or no blood. Look for severe swelling around your thumb. When you break a bone, the area around it will swell up due to inflammation. Your thumb will begin to swell five to ten minutes after the injury has occurred. After the thumb swells, it may begin to stiffen. The swelling in your thumb might also affect the closest fingers to your thumb. Visit your doctor or go to the emergency room. If you think you have broken a thumb, you should go to the emergency room so that a professional can set it. If you wait too long, the swelling caused by the broken bone can actually make it too difficult to realign the bones, which means that your thumb could be permanently bent. In addition, broken thumbs in children can permanently affect their growth by damaging their growth plates. Even if you suspect the injury might be a sprain (torn ligament) rather than a bone fracture, you should still see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, some serious sprains can still require a hand surgeon to repair. You should ultimately leave the final diagnosis and treatment decisions to a medical professional. Submit to a physical examination. In addition to asking questions regarding the symptoms from Part One, the doctor will also physically examine your thumb. He may test your strength and movement in the thumb by comparing it to that of your uninjured thumb. Another test includes touching the tip of your thumb to your index finger before applying pressure to the thumb to check your weakness. Get an x-ray taken of your thumb. The doctor will likely order x-rays of your thumb from a variety of angles. This will not only confirm that diagnosis, but it will also show the doctor exactly how many fractures your thumb has sustained, which will assist in determining the best treatment option. The angles for the x-rays include: Lateral: The lateral view is an x-ray with the hand resting on its side, so that the thumb is up. Oblique: The oblique view is an x-ray with the hand tilted, resting on its side, so that the thumb is up. AP: The AP view is an x-ray of your hand in a flattened position, from above. Talk to your doctor about getting a computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan can also be referred to as a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan. A CT scan uses x-rays and a computer to create images of what the inside of your body parts (in this case, your thumb) look like. This way, your doctor can get a better idea of what the break is like and the best way to go about fixing it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant because CT scans might cause harm to the fetus. Have your doctor diagnose the type of break. Once your doctor has run the relevant tests, she will diagnose the specific type of fracture you have sustained. This will determine the complexity of the treatment options available. Extra-articular fractures are those that take place away from a joint along the length of one of the two bones in the thumb. While painful and requiring six weeks to heal, these fractures do not typically require surgical intervention. Intra-articular fractures take place along the joint, often requiring surgical intervention to help the patient retain as much movement in the joint after recovery as possible. Of the intra-articular thumb fractures, the two most common are a Bennetts fracture and a Rolando's fracture. In both, the thumb fractures (and likely dislocates) along the carpometacarpal joint (the thumb joint closest to the hand). The major difference between the two is that a Rolando's fracture involves three or more bone fragments that require realignment, and while a Bennetts fracture may occasionally forego surgery, a Rolando's fracture almost always necessitates surgical treatment. See an orthopedic surgeon. An orthopedist will look at your x-rays and other tests to help determine the best treatment option. He will take into account the type of fracture (intra- or extra-articular), as well as the complexity (Bennett's versus Rolando's fractures). Ask about non-surgical options. In relatively straightforward cases (such as an extra-articular fracture) the doctor may be able to replace the fracture fragments manually without surgery. She will provide anesthesia before attempting to realign the fragments. This method (also referred to as a closed reduction) typically consists of the doctor pulling and tugging along the break to realign it while using a fluoroscopy (continuous, realtime x-raying) to see when the fragments are realigned. Note that some Rolando's fractures, especially those where the bones are shattered into too many pieces to screw or pin together, may also be treated in this method with the surgeon molding the fragments to the best of his ability (known as an open reduction). Consider surgical treatments. For intra-articular fractures (such as Bennett's and Rolando's fractures), your orthopedist will usually suggest surgery. The specific type of surgery will depend on the complexity of the fracture(s). Typical options include: Using fluoroscopy to place wires through the skin to realign the fragments, known as external fixation. This option typically pertains to Bennett's fractures where the fragments have remained very close together. Having a surgeon open the hand to place small screws or pins into the bones in order to keep them properly aligned. This is known as internal fixation. Potential complications from surgical options include nerve or ligament injuries, stiffness, and increased risk of arthritis. Immobilize the thumb. Whether your particular case calls for a surgical or non-surgical option, the doctor will place your thumb in a spica cast to immobilize it and keep all of the fragments perfectly in place during the recovery period. Expect to wear the cast anywhere from two to six weeks, with closer to six being the norm. Your doctor may also schedule follow-up appointments during this time. See a physical therapist. Depending on the length of time you spend in the cast and your mobility upon the removal of the cast, your doctor may recommend that you see a physical or occupational therapist. A therapist will be able to provide a number of flex and grip exercises to rebuild strength due to atrophied muscle during the immobilization period.

Note any severe pain in the your thumb. Look for any deformities at the site of the injury. Try to move your thumb. Pay attention to any numbness, tingling, or coldness you feel in your thumb. Look for severe swelling around your thumb. Visit your doctor or go to the emergency room. Submit to a physical examination. Get an x-ray taken of your thumb. Talk to your doctor about getting a computed tomography (CT) scan. Have your doctor diagnose the type of break. See an orthopedic surgeon. Ask about non-surgical options. Consider surgical treatments. Immobilize the thumb. See a physical therapist.

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

How to Make a Hot Whiskey

To make a classic hot whiskey, start by cutting a lemon into thin slices and putting 3-4 whole cloves into each lemon slice. Next, boil a half kettle of water, pour some boiling water into a mug, then empty the mug after a few seconds. Now that your mug is nice and warm, add 1.5 ounces of whiskey, stir in 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, and add your lemon slices. Fill the rest of the mug with boiling water, then stir everything together.

Slice a lemon and stick cloves in it. Take a small lemon and slice it into several thin slices. Take one slice and cut it in half so you have 2 semi-circles. Stick 3 to 4 whole cloves into each lemon half slice. Save the other slices to make more drinks or use them in another recipe. Bring a kettle of water to boil. Fill a kettle halfway with water and place it on the stove. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a full boil. If you're using an electric kettle, turn it on until it boils. Preheat an Irish whiskey glass or mug. Carefully pour a little of the boiling water into a glass with a handle (such as an Irish whiskey glass or mug). Let the water warm the glass for a few seconds and then pour the water out. Avoid using wine glasses or any thin glass that could shatter with the heat of the water. Stir the whiskey and brown sugar in the glass. Pour 1.5 ounces of whiskey and 2 teaspoons (8 g) of brown sugar into the warmed glass. Stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar. You can use any type of whiskey in this recipe. If you don't have brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar, but it won't have as rich of a flavor. Place the lemon in the glass and pour in the boiling water. Place the studded lemon slices in the glass and pour in 2/3 to 3/4 cup (5 to 6 ounces) of boiling hot water. If you'd like a stronger drink, pour in less water. You can always taste the drink and adjust the water according to your taste. Stir the hot whiskey and serve it. Slowly stir the hot whiskey so the lemon releases some of its oils and the brown sugar whiskey mixture is combined with the water. Serve the hot whiskey right away. Sip the hot whiskey slowly since the drink is incredibly hot. Stir honey and spices in an Irish whiskey glass or mug. Measure 1 teaspoon (7 g) of honey into the bottom of a heat-proof glass with a handle (such as an Irish whiskey glass or mug). Stir in: 5 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1 whole anise star Boil a kettle of water and brew the tea. Fill a kettle halfway with water and place it on the stove. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a full boil. Place a tea bag into a separate mug and pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water over the bag. Steep the tea for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the tea bag. If you're using an electric kettle, turn it on until it boils. For a classic flavor, use English or Irish breakfast tea. Or use your favorite type of tea (such as chai, jasmine, or green tea). Pour the whiskey and tea into the spiced honey mixture. Pour 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey into the spiced honey in the mug. Pour in the brewed tea while it's still hot. Add a lemon slice and stir the drink. Gently squeeze a thin lemon slice over the drink and put it in the glass. Stir the hot whiskey tea until the honey dissolves and the drink is spiced. Serve it while it's still hot. Place the aromatics in a medium saucepan. Wash an orange and use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to peel off one 2-inch (5 cm) piece of orange zest. Place the zest in a medium saucepan along with a few fresh gratings or a pinch of nutmeg. Slice 1 vanilla bean in half so you can see the seeds. Take a sharp knife and scrape the seeds out of the bean. Scrape the bean paste into the saucepan. If you don't have vanilla bean, you can add vanilla extract right before you serve the drink. Add the cider and brown sugar. Pour 6 cups (1.4 liters) of apple cider into the saucepan along with 2 tablespoons (25 g) of packed light brown sugar. Stir the cider to combine it with the seasonings and sugar. Heat the toddy for 10 minutes. Turn the heat to medium and let the liquid bubble gently. The sugar will dissolve and the spices will flavor the cider. Simmer the toddy for 10 minutes. Stir in the whiskey and pour the toddy into glasses. Turn off the heat and stir in 3/4 cup (180 ml) of whiskey. If you're using vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla now. Divide the toddy among 4 heat-proof glasses with handles and serve the drinks immediately. For an extra treat, you can top the drinks with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Finished.

Slice a lemon and stick cloves in it. Bring a kettle of water to boil. Preheat an Irish whiskey glass or mug. Stir the whiskey and brown sugar in the glass. Place the lemon in the glass and pour in the boiling water. Stir the hot whiskey and serve it. Stir honey and spices in an Irish whiskey glass or mug. Boil a kettle of water and brew the tea. Pour the whiskey and tea into the spiced honey mixture. Add a lemon slice and stir the drink. Place the aromatics in a medium saucepan. Add the cider and brown sugar. Heat the toddy for 10 minutes. Stir in the whiskey and pour the toddy into glasses. Finished.

https://www.wikihow.com/Hang-a-Pinata

How to Hang a Pinata

To hang a piñata, try using a tree or beam. First, tie a piece of rope around the pinata's loop in a double knot. Hang it from a sturdy tree branch or patio beam so the loose end of the rope hangs down. During the game, you can pull on the rope to raise and drop the piñata so it's harder to hit. Alternatively, hang the piñata from a piñata tripod. Set the tripod up in an open space, then hang the piñata from the rope in the center, which should already have a hook attached.

Put the party favors in the piñata first. Use scissors to cut a hole through the piñata's opening, which is usually on the back and covered by a sticker. Then, insert candy, toys, or other small prizes into the piñata by pushing the items through the hole. Some examples of treats and toys you can use are gummies, hard candies, plastic rings, and tiny candy bars. Push a 10 ft (3.0 m) piece of rope through the loop on the piñata's top. Find the loop attached to the top of the piñata and thread the end of a piece of rope through the loop. Then, tie the rope in a double knot to secure it to the piñata. Choose a low-hanging location with plenty of open space around it. Low-hanging tree branches are good options, or you can hang the piñata from a basketball hoop or patio beam. Make sure you choose something sturdy! For example, if you're hanging the piñata from a tree, choose one of the main branches and make sure there are no rotten spots. Make sure the location has plenty of open space around it so the kids have ample room to swing the bat or stick at the piñata. Throw the loose end of the rope over the branch, hoop, or porch beam. The piñata should be on one side of the branch and the loose end of the rope should be on the other. Pull the end of the rope to lift the piñata off the ground so that it's out of the children's reach. Secure the loose end of the rope until it’s time to play the game. Tie the dangling loose end of the rope to something sturdy, such as a nearby pole or tree. Be sure to tie the knot loosely, since you'll soon need to untie it! Additionally, make sure the rope isn't in the way of your party goers. Untie the loose end of the rope and lower the piñata to start the game. Take control of the other end of the rope and lower it so the blindfolded players can reach it with their bats. You can also lower and raise the piñata with the rope to change things up and challenge the partygoers! Make sure the blindfolded child doesn't hit other children with the stick by accident! Assemble the tripod’s legs by connecting their pieces together. Assembly will vary, but it will probably involve snapping the leg pieces together before adding small screws to secure the legs in place. There will be tiny holes for the screws. You can usually rent a piñata tripod from most party supply stores. Make sure you choose a large area with plenty of open space for the piñata, such as an open area of the lawn. Party goers should be able to swing at the piñata in any direction and not be remotely close to hitting anything other than the piñata. Stand the tripod upright on the ground. Extend the legs evenly on flat ground to ensure it doesn't wobble or fall over when party guests are using it. Most tripods come with supporting feet at the bottom of the legs, so you don't need to insert the legs into the ground to hold them in place. If the legs are uneven in height, readjust them by realigning their small holes with different screws. Allow the rope to dangle from the apex of the tripod. A rope should already be attached to the tripod where the top of the legs come together at a point. The rope should have a hook on one end and a bar on the other end that allows you to pull the piñata up to the desired height. Make sure the rope is dangling in the center of the tripod. Avoid pulling the piñata so high that it's out of reach for your partygoers.They should be able to easily hit the piñata with a stick or bat while standing on the ground. Hook the loop on top of the piñata to attach the piñata to the tripod. Attach the hooked end of the rope to the loop on top of the piñata. Grab the other end of the rope by the handle bar and pull it until the piñata is at the desired height. You can hold the rope during the game so that you can adjust the height and create a challenge for the players if you want to, but you don't have to. You can also tie the rope to something sturdy when the piñata is at the desired height. Cut a wire hanger in half lengthwise with pliers. Needle nose pliers or fencing pliers will work for this. Keep the top half of the hanger to use for the piñata's hook and discard the bottom half. You can also use sturdy craft wire that you cut from a spool yourself and craft the end just like the hook of a hanger. Cut out a thin piece of cardboard to use as a mount and bend it into shape. You can cut a thin piece of cardboard from a cereal box or any kind of cardboard box. The cardboard can be any shape, as long as it can be shaped to fit the top part of the piñata. For example, the cardboard from a postal service box will work for this project. Poke the hanger through the cardboard and fix it in place with pliers. Use pliers to bend the tip of the hanger straight to insert it through the cardboard. Then, bend the ends of the hanger over the cardboard. Fold the ends of the wire as flat as possible so they don't poke out. Assemble the inside of your piñata. Arrange the goodies in the shape you want and use masking tape to hold them in place. Then, wrap the taped shape with newspaper to get it ready for the application of papier mâché. Attach the cardboard to the top of the piñata shape. Use masking tape to secure the hanger mount to the top of the pinata at the place where it will be suspended. All of the cardboard's edges should be completely secured to the pinata innards with the masking tape. Curl the hanger hook into a closed loop using pliers. Bend the tip into a complete circle with enough extra wire at the end to twist around itself. Secure the hook in place by bending the wire around the lower part of the hook as tight as possible. Build the piñata with papier mâché around the cardboard mount. The layers of papier mâché you use to create the piñata will secure the cardboard mount inside of the piñata. Make sure not to apply papier mâché over the hook itself so it will be exposed. Hang your piñata from a secure place with a rope. If you want to use something in your yard, like a sturdy tree branch or a ceiling beam, check out the hanging technique in M1. You can also rent a piñata tripod and use the hanging technique in M2!

Put the party favors in the piñata first. Push a 10 ft (3.0 m) piece of rope through the loop on the piñata's top. Choose a low-hanging location with plenty of open space around it. Throw the loose end of the rope over the branch, hoop, or porch beam. Secure the loose end of the rope until it’s time to play the game. Untie the loose end of the rope and lower the piñata to start the game. Assemble the tripod’s legs by connecting their pieces together. Stand the tripod upright on the ground. Allow the rope to dangle from the apex of the tripod. Hook the loop on top of the piñata to attach the piñata to the tripod. Cut a wire hanger in half lengthwise with pliers. Cut out a thin piece of cardboard to use as a mount and bend it into shape. Poke the hanger through the cardboard and fix it in place with pliers. Assemble the inside of your piñata. Attach the cardboard to the top of the piñata shape. Curl the hanger hook into a closed loop using pliers. Build the piñata with papier mâché around the cardboard mount. Hang your piñata from a secure place with a rope.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-with-Olive-Oil

How to Cook with Olive Oil

To cook with olive oil, add it to a hot pan before stir frying to lightly sear the meat and vegetables, as well as prevent them from sticking to the pan. If you're roasting foods like steak and potatoes, coat them with a layer of olive oil to get them tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. As a recipe ingredient, use olive oil in salad dressings, or as the oil base of a marinade. Alternatively, drizzle olive oil on dishes like pasta at the end of the cooking process to complement the flavor and texture.

Heat in pan for sauteing. One of the most common uses for olive oil is as a saute oil. In this style of cooking, a small amount of oil is used to fry the food in a pan on the stove top. The oil keeps the food from sticking to the pan and adds a light sear along with some flavor. Try adding a tablespoon to a hot pan before tossing in your main ingredients in a stir fry or similar pan-cooked dish. Olive oil tends to have a fairly low smoke point (see "Tips" below). At high heats, it will smoke and gain a slightly bitter taste. For this reason, it's not usually a good choice for deep-frying (cooking by submerging in very hot oil). Paint pieces of meat to get a pleasing sear. Pieces of meat like steaks, pork chops, and chicken wings tend to taste best if they have a crisp, golden-brown exterior (in cooking, this is called a "sear"). A good way to get this is to paint both sides of the meat with a little olive oil before laying it on a hot surface. Flip the meat infrequently to allow the sear to form. Try tossing the meat in your favorite dry seasonings after you apply the olive oil. The seasonings will stick to the oil, giving you a finished product with a flavorful crust. In this role, olive oil isn't just for the stove. You can use it on the grill by painting it directly on the bars with a grill brush. Coat roasting ingredients for a crispy exterior. Roasting is a style of cooking that uses dry heat from all directions to get meat or vegetables tender on the inside and crispy on the outside (think a Thanksgiving roast turkey). To get a tasty exterior similar to the sear you'd get in the step above, apply a thin coat of olive oil to the entire outside surface of the food you're roasting. Don't use too much — this can lead to a greasy, soaked exterior rather than a crisp crust. If you're roasting many small things as opposed to one large thing, just put the ingredients in a bowl, pour in a little olive oil, and shake to coat them. This is a good way to roast vegetables like green beans, chickpeas, broccoli, and more. Use it to keep ingredients from sticking. Sometimes, olive oil is used as a sort of "lubricant" to keep pieces of food from sticking together. Its mild flavor and its slick texture exterior make it perfect for this. You don't typically need very much oil to get this effect. About a tablespoon should do for most dishes. Olive oil is most famous for being used this way to cook pasta. Adding a tablespoon of oil to the boiling water just before adding the pasta ensures that the noodles won't cling to each other in the strainer or on your plate. Use it as a finishing oil. When olive oil is added to dishes at the very end of the cooking process, it is called a "finishing oil." In this case, it's usually being used to complement the food's flavor and texture or give it a pleasing presentation. Here, again, you don't need much. A teaspoon or two gently drizzled over the finished dish is usually plenty. This is another case where pasta is a common example. Lightly dressing a plate of pasta with a little oil can give it a smoother texture and a pleasing aroma along with a satisfying "heft" from the added calories. Toss in a salad with acidic ingredients for an easy dressing. Take advantage of olive oil's bright, pungent flavor by using it as the base for a salad dressing. Most dressings mix oil with acidic items such as tomatoes, citrus juices, or vinegar to "cut" the fatty-ness of the oil and give the dish a tangy quality. Tart ingredients in the salad itself also tend to pair well with olive oil. Try using it in the dressing for a salad containing slices of sour apples, strawberries or sharp cheeses for interesting flavor combinations. Use as the oil base of a marinade. Marinades are mixes of ingredients that foods are soaked in before cooking for extra flavor. In this role, olive oil tends to complement foods with earthy flavors, such as meat, poultry, mushrooms, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Olive oil marinades can also be enhanced by fresh herbs - thyme, savory, basil, tarragon, and dill work very well. Like salad dressings, most marinades also have an acidic ingredient in addition to the oil to keep it from tasting too greasy or heavy. Use as a dipping sauce. Sometimes olive oil's smooth flavor is best enjoyed on its own. A small bowl of olive oil works great for dipping appetizers like bread, bruschetta, vegetables, and many more. Add acids or herbs like garlic, thyme, and sage to the oil to give it a more complex, interesting flavor. One common example of this is the mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar that is often served with bread at Italian restaurants. The bread is used to soak of some of the oil mixture and carry it to your mouth for a satisfying (but not overly heavy) appetizer. Use as a fatty base in savory baking recipes. Olive oil isn't an extremely common ingredient in baking — its flavor is more suited to meats and vegetables than it is to pastries and desserts. However, olive oil is great for adding an extra dimension to certain breads and rolls that are designed to have a savory flavor. Baking recipes that contain ingredients that traditionally go with olive oil (like this rosemary bread recipe) tend to be the best choices. If you're adventurous, you can even substitute olive oil for vegetable oil or canola oil in ordinary baking recipes to give them a new flavor. You may want to add a few more ingredients that go well with olive oil to complement the flavor. For example, try substituting olive oil for vegetable oil in your favorite pancake recipe. Mix a few minced cloves of garlic and some caramelized onions into the batter for a savory treat.

Heat in pan for sauteing. Paint pieces of meat to get a pleasing sear. Coat roasting ingredients for a crispy exterior. Use it to keep ingredients from sticking. Use it as a finishing oil. Toss in a salad with acidic ingredients for an easy dressing. Use as the oil base of a marinade. Use as a dipping sauce. Use as a fatty base in savory baking recipes.

https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Dog-Fence-for-Your-Yard

How to Choose a Dog Fence for Your Yard

To choose a dog fence for your yard, first check the local fencing regulations in your community since there may be laws about what kind of materials and sizes you can use. If you have a mild-mannered dog that doesn't dig, you may want to consider getting a wooden fence since they're reasonably affordable. Alternatively, you can go for a cheaper, chain link fence as long as you're confident your dog won't want to jump over it. Another option is to get an electric fence, but if you go this route it's important to train your dog carefully with it so that it learns how to stay inside the boundary with positive reinforcement, rather than developing anxiety from getting shocked.

Check local fencing regulations. Your community may have laws about the materials and sizes allowed for residential fences. Don't rely on a fencing company to know the regulations. Contact your town hall for specific by-laws and regulations for your area. Breaking them may result in fines and the requirement to remove your fence. Weigh the benefits of a tangible fence. A tangible fence is generally more protective of your dog, if it is installed and maintained properly. It is also far less likely to cause your dog anxiety, as there is no physical discipline associated with it. Likewise, it can help block visual stimuli such as people and other dogs walking by that may excite your dog and cause them to bark or bite. However, these fences are also generally more expensive, and need to be maintained with repairs over time. If you're hoping to fence around ½ an acre, you will spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on materials. Account for the full-grown size of your dog. Your fence may need to be higher than you expect. If you have a breed of dog that will stay small, four or five feet will likely be enough. This is often not the case for larger dogs, especially agile breeds. If you have a husky, golden retriever, or another large breed of dog, go with a fence that's about six feet tall. Save money with a chain-link fence. Chain link fences are especially common for good reason. They are cheap, and extremely durable. However, they allow your dog to see out (and other dogs to see in), which can contribute to the occasional bark-off. Chain link fences are also relatively each to jump, if your dog is a bit acrobatic. Opt for a wooden privacy fence with a mild-mannered dog. Wood fencing is reasonably priced, lasts for over a dozen years, and can provide visual privacy for you and your dog. However, many dogs are able to push wood pickets out of wood fences, and wood fences tend to be the easiest to dig under. If you do go with wood, see to it that any horizontal beams are not able to be used as launch pads from which your dog could jump the fence. Vinyl fences can offer similar advantages, but tend to cost more than wooden fences. Build a solid, permanent fence. Concrete, brick, or other solid, permanent walls are especially effective in protecting your dog and keeping them contained. However, these are also the most expensive to install and maintain. While concrete blocks are relatively cheap, they are also relatively unsightly, and may be banned in your area. Evaluate the risks associated with a hidden fence. A well-trained dog is unlikely to break the perimeter set by an electric fence. However, an electric fence does not physically prevent a dog from leaving your yard. Moreover, electric fences are not appropriate for all dogs, as they may cause anxiety for some. For instance, if your dog is angered by another dog walking by and decides to pursue them, they may ignore the brief jolt their collar gives them when they cross the electric fence. If a fence is improperly set up or used on an animal with a low pain tolerance or one that is prone to anxiety, the shock experienced when crossing the fence boundary may foster an overall fear of the fence in the dog. Further, electric fences do not prevent anything from entering into your yard. This could leave your dog vulnerable to attack from another animal, and may create liability if someone enters your property and is bitten by your dog. Choose a hidden electric fence. Use an invisible electric fence to create a zone in which your dog is free to move with neither the expense nor the visual consequence of a traditional fence. Your dog will also need to wear an electronic collar that serves two purposes. First, the collar plays an warning tone that your dog will hear whenever they near the perimeter. Second, the collar will shock them with a harmless but bothersome electric current if they attempt to cross the invisible fence. There are many benefits to such a system. They are quite affordable, and will almost always cost less than a traditional, tangible fence. They are quickly and easily installed in a few hours. Training for your dog will likely be quick and effective as well. You have several different types to chose from, with the main difference being the use of a buried wire or a wireless system. Go with a buried wire fence system. An electric fence that relies on a buried wire to establish the boundaries of your dog's safe zone is especially easy to customize. For instance, you can establish exact, specific areas within your yard that are off limits, such as a pool or flower beds. These systems also have greater range, and can be used to establish a safe zone up to 100 acres in size. Costs range from $165 to $320. Setup is quite simple. It involves burying a continuous circuit of wire around the perimeter of your yard. To do so, use a flat spade to dig a 3in (8cm) trench wherever you want to lay the wire. This can usually be completed in one or two days. Your transmitter (which keeps track of where your dog is relative to the fence) will usually be stored inside, near a power source. Opt for a wireless electric fence. Another type of electric fence does not require you to bury a wire around the safe zone you wish to create for your dog. However, the range of these systems is more limited, and is based on a radio signal that reaches a certain distance from a centrally located transmitter to determine the perimeter. Advantages associated with this type of electric fence include an extremely easy installation, and the ability to move the system with ease - even for a vacation. However, this type of system is limited to a circular safe zone, usually extending about 90 ft from the transmitter in all directions. As such, these systems are most appropriate for smaller yards. Costs range from $220 to $350. Train your dog carefully. Electric fences do work for a lot of people's dogs. However, training is vitally important for your fence to work. To help during training, use yard flags or another clear indicator to provide a visual information to your dog about the fence's location. The specific system you purchase will include specific information on setup, as well as training. Further, recognize that your dog ultimately learns to stay within the perimeter via negative reinforcement, even if you train them with positive reinforcement to respect the perimeter during training. As such, using an electric fence does mean that your dog will wind up being shocked at one point or another, likely during training. Identify where your dog is getting out. The two main ways dogs can escape from a traditional fence are digging and jumping. To check for evidence of digging, walk the interior and exterior perimeter of your fence. Keep in mind that the hole they're squeezing through may be smaller than expected. Any sign of digging indicates you may have found an escape hatch. If you're certain they aren't digging and they keep getting out, they've likely found a way to vault the fence. Do a bit of digging yourself. One way to deter a digger is by digging beneath your fence all the way around and adding a foot or so of chicken wire going straight down, then burying this added part of the fence. Your dog will likely try again, but may give up when they encounter this new barrier. For especially serious diggers, you can add an L-footer to the bottom of your fence. This extends down off of your fence, turns 90 degrees at ground level, and extends inward into your yard for about a foot. This will greatly diminish a dog's ability to choose. Contain leapers with a chicken wire lean-in. If you think your dog is getting over your fence, one option is add something to the top of your fence to prevent them from doing so. Chicken wire can likely do the trick. It's cheap and easy, if a bit unsightly. Simply staple, nail, or tie chicken wire to the top of your current fence, and bend it inwards to form a ¼ circle or so. Make sure there are no sharp spires of chicken wire that your dog could jump into and scratch themselves on. Use coyote rollers for persistent jumpers. Coyote rollers are designed to keep wild coyotes out of fenced-in areas, but they can also help keep your dog within your fence. Most commonly, coyote rollers are long metal tubes affixed to a frame on top of the fence that allow the tube to spin. Coyote rollers can be purchased from several different online companies, but they are not cheap. You can make a more affordable version yourself using PVC piping and other hardware from your local home improvement store. Plant vegetation along the inside of the fence. Persistent fence-jumpers, or dogs that have worn a path patrolling the inside of your fence-line may be dissuaded from doing so by landscaping. Dense shrubs are especially effective in keeping dogs back from the fence. In fact, the deterrence offered by landscaping within your fence can prevent escape attempts generally. Add to a chain link fence. If you go the chain-link fence route but find that you and the other neighborhood dogs are prone to singing to one another, you may want to add something to keep them from seeing one another. There are plenty of options. One easy, good-looking option is zip-tying some reed fencing to the inside of your chain link fence. You can also tie on bamboo poles or wind plastic slats through the fence itself. While none of these are perfect, they will diminish the chorus of canine greetings. Provide a backyard activity. Many dogs who are trying to escape simply need more stimulation to be happy in your yard. If they like to dig, consider adding a sandbox where they are allowed to do so. Further, play with your dog a while each time you go into your yard together. Play fetch or simply run around together. Don’t leave your dog outside. Though it can be tempting to let your dog out on their own to take care of business or catch some rays, it's not recommended. Even with the safety of a fence, your dog can wind up getting themselves in trouble by eating something it shouldn't or getting wound up in something you forgot to put away. Do not rely on running loose in the yard as your dog's only form of exercise and mental stimulation. Taking your dog for regular walks or runs, engaging in play in the home, and providing appropriate physical exercise and mental stimulation for their breed, size, and age will help curb attempts to escape the yard and other mischievous behaviors.

Check local fencing regulations. Weigh the benefits of a tangible fence. Save money with a chain-link fence. Opt for a wooden privacy fence with a mild-mannered dog. Build a solid, permanent fence. Evaluate the risks associated with a hidden fence. Choose a hidden electric fence. Go with a buried wire fence system. Opt for a wireless electric fence. Train your dog carefully. Identify where your dog is getting out. Do a bit of digging yourself. Contain leapers with a chicken wire lean-in. Use coyote rollers for persistent jumpers. Plant vegetation along the inside of the fence. Add to a chain link fence. Provide a backyard activity. Don’t leave your dog outside.

https://www.wikihow.com/Win-an-Argument

How to Win an Argument

To win an argument, think before you speak and deliver your arguments in a calm, rational manner. If you find yourself getting upset, take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down and keep your voice even when you respond. You should also avoid making vague generalizations like “you never help out around the house,” since these are easy for the other person to brush off. Instead, offer specific points that help the person understand what exactly is upsetting to you. For example, be sure to site particular instances when your roommate didn't complete their chores or left a big mess in the kitchen.

Stay calm. A key to winning an argument is staying calm. The angrier and more upset you get the harder it will be for you to get your point across effectively. This takes practice, but the better rein you can keep on your temper, the easier it will be for you to argue effectively. If that isn't possibly, however, remember to breathe while you're having the argument. It can be tempting to get out your words as quickly and as loudly as possible, but the more time you take to say what you need to say, the more calmly you come across. Keep your body language open and not defensive. You can use your body to trick your brain into being easier. Don't cross your arms across your chest; keep them loose at your sides or use them to help make your point. Don't raise your voice. Work to keep your voice even. If you are a crier when you're upset or angry, work on your breathing. Breathe in for a certain number of counts (like 4) and then breathe out for an extra 2 counts (like 6). This will help keep you calmer. Let go of the need to have the last word. Before you get into a big conflict, remember that you aren't always going to get to have the last word, even if you're right. Be content with arguing your case well and effectively, even if it doesn't change the other person's mind. This will mean that the argument doesn't go on and on, as each side refuses to let the other have the last word. Getting in one last jab can actually be quite damaging, if you have a relationship with the person you're arguing with (and even if not, people talk and it might do you more harm in the long run). If the argument has gotten to a finished point, both sides have discussed their views and there's nothing more to say, just let it go. Take a time out. It's best to do this before you get into the argument, so that you and the other person have a chance to take a deep breath and get your arguments sorted out. It can help you to create some space around the issue or the issues being dealt with. You can do this with your partner, your boss, a friend, etc. When an issue comes up that causes friction between the two of you, ask them for some space and time to think it over. Then set a specific time to address the problem. For example: you and your partner get into an argument about whose turn it is to do the dishes, which subsequently leads to you accusing your partner of not doing an equal share of housework (a common problem). Say to them "Hey, I think this is something we really need to discuss, but I'd like a little time to cool down and talk about it calmly. Can we get back to this tomorrow after work?" Then, you take that time to put down your reasons for feeling the way you do, give some specific examples, and provide a possible solution. This can also be a good time to decide whether the argument is actually worth having. Sometimes things that blow up in the moment, turn out to be really nothing when you get a chance to step back and see it clearly. Be open to hearing other person's side. Usually when you're having an argument there is no one right side. Usually, there are simply two alternate viewpoints, and alternate interpretations. You will need be open to their versions and their examples, even if you ultimately don't agree. They may (and probably will) make some good points. For example: you and your boss get into an argument about your boss's treatment of you (you feel like he's bullying you and saying incredibly hurtful things). He maintains that your attitude has been the problem. Now, think back. Maybe your attitude has made things worse (instead of confronting him immediately about his behavior, you took a more passive aggressive route). Admitting your own culpability will take the wind of his sails, because you will be acknowledging your part in the problem, while still explaining how your behavior was linked to and triggered by his. Examine your knee-jerk reaction (this is why having a time out to think things over is so useful). What you may immediately believe might not be true (for example if someone offers up evidence or argument that challenges your worldview). Try to do some research with reputable sources before you start shouting loudly about how right you are. There will be a few times in your life where you will enter into a conversation with someone who is dead wrong (usually when it comes to things like discussions on racism, or sexism, etc.). You won't win this argument, because the other person will almost never be able to let go of their view of the world (i.e. that racism or sexism don't exist). Don't engage this person. Build positive intention. To have an argument end well, especially end well in your favor, you need to convince the other person that you have their best interest throughout the argument. If you feel that the argument will serve some purpose in your relationship with the other person, they will sense that and you will have a better chance of getting your point across. Before you get into the argument remind yourself why you care about this person and about the relationship you have with them (it could be as simple as "they are my boss and I'm going to need their good will some day" to "this is my daughter who I care about very much and am concerned about some of the decisions she's been making lately.") This doesn't mean that you need to be condescending. Never say things like "I'm only saying this for your own good" or "I'm only trying to make you a better person." You are going to completely shut down the other person. Be present to the moment. Being present means you recognize what is going on with you, instead of trying to race ahead to the moment that the argument is over. It means that you don't just get louder and louder with hearing what the other person has to say and thinking it over. It means paying attention to the other person's feelings and arguments. Try to avoid having an argument in a crowded place where you both will be easily distracted. Don't have this sort of discussion when you're going to be interrupted by phone calls and text alerts (best to turn your phone off or put it on silent). Name what is happening to you. This means that when your heart starts to race and your palms get all sweaty you name what is happening (you're anxious because you're afraid this argument will cause your wife to leave you, etc.). Lay out your points. The more clear and more specific your points are, the easier it will be to get your side of things across to the other person. You really don't want to make vague generalizations like "you never help out around the house," because inevitably they will come with that one time they did help and won't be able to hear you. The more specific the better: if you're fighting with your boss, for example, offer up specific instances of the times when he bullied you and how that made you feel (tearing you down in front of other people, calling you names, things he's said behind your back to other people, etc). This is why when something becomes an issue in a relationship (any relationship) you should document it, so that you can show that it's a pattern rather than an isolated incident. If you're arguing politics, or religion, etc. make sure you know what you're talking about. You will need to bring specific facts to play and avoid logical fallacies (discussed below). Remember, particularly when it comes to these types of subjects, people find it very hard to stay calm and give a rational account of their views. Listen. You will need to really listen to the other person and consider their views. An argument contains two (or more) people who have differing views on something. Very rarely is one person completely wrong and the other completely right. To win an argument you have to make sure that the other person feels they have been heard and their arguments assessed. When the other person is making their points, make sure to look them in the eye and really listen to what they are saying. Don't start formulating your next argument, until they've said what they need to say. If you find yourself distracted or unclear, ask clarifying questions so that you make sure you understand their point. This is why it's a good idea to have an argument in place without distractions, so that you make sure you can focus exclusively on them. If you can't choose the place, Try to find an out-of-the-way corner and that you aren't having the argument under the eyes of everyone around you. Manage your reactions. In the midst of an argument it can be really easy to let the argument get to you. You'll find yourself getting upset and, maybe, angry. That's perfectly normal, but the best thing to do is to Try to keep your calm by making sure you're breathing all the way into your belly. Sometimes it can be good to tell the other person how you're feeling. Say something like "I'm sorry, but I find the assertion you made that I'm lazy extremely upsetting. What have I done that makes you believe I'm lazy?" NEVER resort to name-calling or physical violence. These are incredibly harmful and abusive behaviors and there is literally no reason ever to use either of these tactics (the only place violence is allowed is if someone has physical hurt you and you are in fear for your life; get away from them as quickly as possible). You should also avoid treating the other person like an idiot (no matter what you think) by talking down to them, being extremely sarcastic, mimicking what they say, or laughing when they express their concerns. Avoid certain phrases. There are some phrases that seem just designed to irritate people. If you're wanting to have a real argument (rather than just trying to tear someone down, or impose your viewpoint on them), you'll avoid these like the plague. "At the end of the day..." This phrases is basically meaningless, but it has the ability to make your opponent want to punch you in the face. "To play devil's advocate..." People who use this phrase like to think that they're above things like listening to other people (they pretend to, but really all the want to do is impose their viewpoint [usually the devil's advocate viewpoint]) on the other person. Either that, or they want to derail the conversation. "Whatever..." If you're trying to have an argument with someone and you or the other person keeps saying "whatever" to the points being made, you aren't engaging respectfully and need to postpone the argument to another time, or indefinitely. Understand logical fallacies. These are certain arguments that you make that undermine your argument because they are based on faulty reasoning. If you find yourself relying on logical fallacies to convince your opponent, then you should reconsider your argument. This is why it's a good idea to have an idea what you want to say before you say it. This way you can see if there are any holes or fallacies in your argument. If you notice that the person you're arguing with is using a logical fallacy, point that out. You could say, for example, "You said that 70% of people don't support gay marriage, but you could have said that about slavery a hundred years ago. Are you sure you want to base your argument on that?" Avoid employing a straw man. This type of fallacy shows up a lot. This is when you basically oversimplify your opponent's argument and then argue against the argument you say they're making, rather than the one they are actually making (aka why listening is so incredibly important). An example of this would be saying that "all feminists hate men" and then arguing against that instead of addressing the concerns feminists have about equality between the sexes (ignoring the wage gap, gendered violence, research that shows that men tend to dominate discussions ). This type of argument derails the conversation so that the other person (or you) is forced to keep explaining that your viewpoint is more complicated than "you never do anything right" to your partner. Avoid moral equivalence. This fallacy is where you compare minor misdeeds with major atrocities. It happens all the time in the political sphere and is something you should avoid using, because it will only irritate the person you're arguing with and make them even less likely to want to hear your viewpoint. An example is comparing Obama (or George W. Bush, or whoever) to Hitler. This basically means saying that someone who is doing something you may not agree with is actually at all similar to someone who orchestrated the most horrific wholesale slaughter of entire groups of people. Unless someone is setting up systematic genocide, don't compare them to Hitler. If your arguments rely on moral equivalence you should rethink what you're actually arguing. Really avoid ad hominem attacks. This is basically where you attack someone based on their appearance or their character rather than arguing with their opinions. Women, especially, get the brunt of this sort of attack on their physical appearance regardless of the arguments they are making. For example, if you were arguing with your mother, calling her stupid or crazy, has nothing to do with her arguments and everything to do with her character. These types of attacks will only make the person you're arguing with even more unlikely to hear your sides of things. If the other person is attacking you in this way, call their attention towards it, or leave the argument (often the people who attack you personally are not going to be open to hearing your side of things). Don't fall into the ad populum fallacy. This fallacy is one that appeals to the emotions, speaking only about the "positive" and the "negative" concepts rather than actually touching on the real arguments. This is another one that is used all the time in the political sphere. An example of ad populum: "If you don't support the Iraq war, you aren't a true American (you're a terrorist)." By saying something like this you aren't discussing the true problem, whether or not the Iraq war was justified, you're calling into question the patriotism of the dissenters, which is basically useless and means nothing. Don't use the slippery slope fallacy. This is a huge one that is constantly used in all different spheres: political, personal, social. It can sound really convincing, but it won't stand up to scrutiny. It basically bases a conclusion on the idea that if A happens, then following a small series of steps (B, C, D...) X,Y, Z will happen as well. The fallacy equates A with Z, saying that not doing A will mean that Z won't happen. For example: Any restrictions on who can buy guns in the U.S. means that the government wants to take away all your rights. The A that happens is some gun restrictions , the Z that happens is that the government takes away everyone's rights. A will not actually directly lead to Z (there would have to be a huge number of steps taken along the way). Avoid the hasty generalization. This is a conclusion that is based on very little, or faulty, or biased information. You make this when you rush to a conclusion, or argument, without gathering all the facts first. For example: Your new girlfriend hates me, even though I've only had one interaction with her. The problem here is that you've only met the new girlfriend once. She could have been shy, she could have been having a bad day. You don't have enough evidence to decide that the new girlfriend hates you.

Stay calm. Let go of the need to have the last word. Take a time out. Be open to hearing other person's side. Build positive intention. Be present to the moment. Lay out your points. Listen. Manage your reactions. Avoid certain phrases. Understand logical fallacies. Avoid employing a straw man. Avoid moral equivalence. Really avoid ad hominem attacks. Don't fall into the ad populum fallacy. Don't use the slippery slope fallacy. Avoid the hasty generalization.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Old-Coins

How to Clean Old Coins

In many cases, cleaning old coins can damage their value, so if you're not sure, it's best to leave it alone or consult a coin expert. If you do decide to clean the coin, hold it by the edges and hold it under a gentle stream of lukewarm, distilled water. Wet both sides, then gently pat the coin dry with a soft cotton towel. If that didn't work, dilute a small amount of weak liquid soap in distilled water. Dip the coin into the soapy water and swirl it around, then gently rinse and pat dry.

Leave your old coins as they are. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the best course of action when dealing with dirty coins is simply to leave them as they are. If a coin is in good condition, with only a small amount of smudging or tarnish on the face or back, it will be worth more to a collector in this condition than if you clean it. Nearly all types of cleaning will substantially decrease the monetary value of your coins, especially if the face or back is damaged in the process. Have a coin expert inspect your old coins. If you're not an expert yourself, but are wondering if your old coins may be worth any money, take them to an expert before cleaning. The expert will be able to advise you as to whether or not you should undertake cleaning the coins. If the coins are unique or valuable, the expert will likely advise you not to clean them. A numismatist—an expert on money and coins—will also be able to advise you as to the worth of your collection. The more valuable a coin is, the less reason you have to clean it. Clean only worthless or filthy coins. If you have coins that have little value and you are not planning to collect or sell to a collector, you may wish to clean these for purely aesthetic reasons. It's also up to you whether or not to clean extremely dirty coins. If a coin is so blackened or tarnished that its face is all but invisible, you may decide to accept the risk and clean it. If you're in doubt as to whether a coin has any value, should be cleaned, or is worth keeping in a coin collection, always take the coin to an expert before you try to clean it. It would be a shame to find out that you've cut the value of a rare coin in half by cleaning it. Never clean coins with abrasives or acids. Although abrasive products are often advertised on TV or in stores as effective for cleaning coins, this is not the case. Acidic cleaners remove some of the material of the coin's surface during the process of cleaning it. Although this will make the coin look cleaner and improve its shine, the coin will be damaged and its value diminished. Similarly, you should never scrub or scrape coins in order to remove tarnish or blackness. Products like steel wool or wire brushes will irreversibly damage your coins and remove their value. Clean old coins with water. To clean your coins without risking damage to the surface and a reduction of value, you should use only water. Grasp a coin by the edges, and hold it under a gentle stream of lukewarm distilled water. Flip the coin over so that the reverse side is also wet. Then, gently pat the coin dry with a soft cotton towel. This will remove some superficial dirt without scratching the coin. If you live in a city, the tap water will be treated with chlorine. This chemical will discolor the face of your coin. To avoid this, either purchase distilled water from your supermarket, or clean coins under water from a purifier. Clean old coins in a weak soap solution. If the distilled water was too weak to effectively clean the surface of a dirty or encrusted coin, the only other non-damaging option is to use a weak soap solution. Pour a small amount of a weak liquid soap into a large bowl, and then fill the bowl with tepid distilled water. Grasp your coin by the edges, and swirl it around in the soap solution. Then rinse the coin under distilled water and pat dry with a clean cloth. Do not use dish detergent to clean your coins; it's too powerful and abrasive. Instead, use a weak, gentle soap, such as hand soap. Scrub old pennies with ketchup. To clean a copper penny , squeeze out a small amount of tomato ketchup onto the face and back of the coin. While you're grasping the coin firmly by its edges, use a clean toothbrush to lightly scrub the flat surfaces of the coin. The salt and vinegar in the ketchup will remove tarnish from the penny. Then rinse the coin clean under distilled water and pat dry with a clean cloth. This practice works best on pennies produced before 1982. Pre-1982 pennies were made using real copper, whereas post-1982 pennies contain zinc, which will not be cleaned with ketchup. Be aware that ketchup is mildly acidic, and so may end up reducing the penny's value. Clean old silver coins with baking soda. Begin by running the coin under distilled water. Then, hold the coin firmly by its edges. Using your fingers or a clean toothbrush, apply a small amount of baking soda to the face and back of your coin and lightly rub. The baking soda will remove black and tarnish from the surfaces of the coin. Rinse the coin under distilled water again, and pat dry with a clean cloth. This process will be most effective on older silver coins. It may be less effective on newer coins that contain less—or no—actual silver. Clean old coins with vinegar. White vinegar is a common cleaning agent which many people use to clean metals, including jewelry. To clean an old coin with vinegar, pour a cup of vinegar into a glass or bowl, and then gently set the coin at the bottom. Let the coin soak for a few minutes. Then grasp the coin by its edges, pull it out of the vinegar, and rinse it clean with distilled water. If the coin is still tarnished or dirty, try brushing it gently with a soft toothbrush. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the coin, however. If the coin does not look cleaner after a few minutes, place it back in the vinegar for a few hours. Very dirty old coins can even be left soaking in vinegar overnight.

Leave your old coins as they are. Have a coin expert inspect your old coins. Clean only worthless or filthy coins. Never clean coins with abrasives or acids. Clean old coins with water. Clean old coins in a weak soap solution. Scrub old pennies with ketchup. Clean old silver coins with baking soda. Clean old coins with vinegar.

https://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Tube-TVs

How to Recycle Tube TVs

Do an online search for an electronics recycling center or a retailer or manufacturer that recycles electronics in your area. Drop the TV off during business hours, or pay a fee to have it picked up. Alternatively, you could advertise the TV for free online or donate it to a nonprofit organization. Avoid throwing it away, as it contains toxins that can harm the environment.

Drop off the TV at an electronics store with a recycling program. Many stores that sell electronics also recycle them! Some TV manufacturers also have TV recycling programs. Ask a sales associate the next time you're in the store or search online for retailers and manufacturers that recycle electronics. Then, simply bring the TV to the drop-off point during business hours. Take the TV to an electronics recycling center near you. Electronics recycling centers reuse valuable materials from the TV, which conserves the energy it would take to mine and manufacture new materials. To find an electronics recycling center in your area, go to http://www.ecyclingcentral.com/. Drop it off during the center's business hours. Arrange to have the TV picked up if you don’t mind paying a fee. If the recycling center or retailer is far away or if the TV is too heavy to move by yourself, you can usually pay a fee to have them pick it up for you. Call the nearest electronics recycling center and ask if they offer this option. Expect to pay around $100 for the convenience. Advertise the TV for free on classified sites. Some people actually collect old tube TVs. Not only are they cheap, they can still be connected to satellite and cable boxes. Older video games also look better on tube TVs. If your TV still works, make an ad on Craigslist or a similar site stating that you are willing to give the TV away to someone who will come pick it up. Donate the TV to a nonprofit organization as an alternative. If the TV still works, you can donate it to a nonprofit group like the Salvation Army. Do an online search to find such an organization near you. Then, call the center to make sure they accept old TVs. If they do, drop it off at the center or arrange to have it picked up. Donations like these are a tax write-off so don't forget to get a receipt. Don’t just throw the TV away. Tube TVs are full of toxic materials, like lead and cadmium. If you throw them away, the toxins leach out into the ground and harm the environment. Plus, if you're caught dumping electronics in the trash, you could end up paying a hefty fine. Turn the TV into a fish tank. You can give an old TV new life by repurposing it. For instance, you can make the TV an aquarium! Clear out all the old parts behind the glass and place a fish tank into the TV housing. Take care to dispose of the old parts correctly, rather than throwing them away. Look for tutorials online if you need help with this project. Make a mini bar out of the TV. Rather than getting rid of the TV, you can turn it into a functional and beautiful display. Clear out the inside of the TV so you can arrange liquor bottles and decanters inside it in a unique way. This would look great in a man cave or basement bar. Convert the TV into a pet bed. There's tons of tutorials for turning old TVs and desktop computers into pet beds online! If you have a little furry friend, you can make them a customized bed from your old TV. Be sure to remove all the parts and wires, and place a cushion in the bottom for maximum comfort.

Drop off the TV at an electronics store with a recycling program. Take the TV to an electronics recycling center near you. Arrange to have the TV picked up if you don’t mind paying a fee. Advertise the TV for free on classified sites. Donate the TV to a nonprofit organization as an alternative. Don’t just throw the TV away. Turn the TV into a fish tank. Make a mini bar out of the TV. Convert the TV into a pet bed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Solve-Anagrams-Effectively

How to Solve Anagrams Effectively

To solve anagrams, rearrange the given letters to uncover hidden words or phrases. Try reorganizing the letters into a recognizable pattern or rearrange them into new groupings to give you a fresh perspective. For example, draw a shape, like a circle, and write the letters around it. You can also try putting letters into common pairings. For instance, the letter “H” is usually found at the beginning of a word or after the letters “S,” “T,” or “W.” Picking out prefixes and suffixes can also help you isolate pairings, so look for common pairings like “un,” “dis,” “ly,” or “ment.” Another way to solve anagrams is to put the letters into alphabetical order to help you see small, simple words, prefixes, or suffixes.

Break up the anagram. First, write down all of the letters in a different pattern. You won't be able to find a new phrase or word if you keep staring at the same one that's already in front of you. The letters are already in a jumbled mess, but reorganizing them into a recognizable pattern or shape will help. Draw a shape and write the letters around it. This makes it easier for your eye to pick up combinations since there's no order to the letters- they're each equally important. The most commonly used shape is a circle. You can spin your paper or notebook any which way to get a new perspective. Constantly rearranging your letters is important because it gives your mind new ways to look at various groupings of the same letters. Sometimes you need a fresh viewpoint if you've been staring at the same thing for some time. Put letters together in common pairings. After you break up the anagram, start putting together pairs of letters. For example, you may notice that you have an “H” and that it normally follows a consonant like “P” or “S” to make words that contain “PH” or “SH.” In addition, “H” usually is found after “P,” “S,” “T,” “W,” and “G” unless it's at the beginning of a word. Unusual letter pairings like “QU” or common ones like “TH” are easy to build words from. Once you start isolating smaller pairings, you have fewer letters to unscramble. Separate vowels and consonants. Write out all of the consonants from your anagram in one column and the vowels in a separate one. Start with the consonants and write out each different way that they can be ordered. Then, insert the vowels into each combination to see how many new words you can make. If you have a lot of vowels, first find the consonant pairs since there are fewer variations to be had. Also, if you have mostly consonants, pair the vowels that can go together. For example, “IE,” “EA,” ot “OU.” Triple vowel combos like “beautiful” or “silhouette” are rare but taking the time to memorize them will help you solve anagrams faster. Pick out prefixes and suffixes. Many words in the English language are built off of prefixes and suffixes, which are pairings of letters at the beginning or end of a word to indicate grammar. For anagrams, they can be helpful to find because all you need to do is find the pairings and build a word from the remaining letters. Some common prefixes include: un-, dis-, sub-, re-, de-, in-, ab-, ad-, and ex-. Suffixes you may find could be: -ing, -ness, -ly, -ed, -er, -ry, -ous, -ment, and -tion. Switch around pre- and suffixes to create more word options. For example, “paint-er” can become “re-paint” by using the same letters in a new way. Separate all of the letters. Take out a new sheet of paper and rewrite the anagram at the top of the paper. You always want to keep the original anagram handy so that you have a reference and can check that you're using the correct letters. Put the letters in alphabetic order. Start with the first letter you have that's closest to “A” and write all of the remaining letters after it in the order that they appear in the alphabet. This will help you see what kinds of letters you have or isolate an abundance of vowels or any rare letters like “Q”s or “Z”s. Some letters may repeat but you should still write down any duplicates. Remember, you need to use every letter that exists in the original anagram. Use the alphabetized anagram to solve the puzzle. Just by rearranging an anagram into a jumbled yet ordered list, you can begin to see prefixes, suffixes, or even small, simple words. Once the letters are in an organized set, you can then also begin to memorize the combinations since alphabetizing is a consistent method of organizing any grouping of letters. Organize the letters based on a pattern. Take an anagram and reorganize it. Use a standard such as alphabetizing to create a 'base set' of letters from the anagram. Alphabetizing an anagram makes a base set of letters because regardless of how the letters are scrambled, they can always be put back in the same order based on that “A-Z” standard. Solve as many anagrams as possible based on the base set. You can have anagrams that appear to be different, but if you alphabetize “drife” and “ifred,” you get “defir” as a base set for both. From the base set of letters “defir,” you can create “fried” and “fired.” Memorize the alphabetized base sets and the different words you can make from it. If you play word games like Scrabble or Words With Friends, then you might see familiar combinations of letters over time. Memorizing anagram combinations will train you to see patterns in random letter combinations. It will help you solve crossword puzzles or word games faster. Revisit the same anagrams often. You want to be able to recognize basic combinations of letters anywhere. Make flashcards or reread your notebook full of anagrams to commit to memory the ones you've solved. Practice often to get into the habit of unscrambling anagrams so that you become more efficient at solving them in the future.

Break up the anagram. Put letters together in common pairings. Separate vowels and consonants. Pick out prefixes and suffixes. Separate all of the letters. Put the letters in alphabetic order. Use the alphabetized anagram to solve the puzzle. Organize the letters based on a pattern. Solve as many anagrams as possible based on the base set. Revisit the same anagrams often.

https://www.wikihow.com/Shrink-Rayon

How to Shrink Rayon

To shrink rayon, gently hand wash the material and let it soak in the water for several minutes before laying it out flat to air dry. If you want to shrink the rayon more dramatically, wash the fabric in a washing machine on a warm or hot cycle. After the cycle finishes, you can hang dry the item or lay it out flat to dry. You can also put the fabric in your dryer and tumble-dry on low for even more shrinkage.

Hand wash the fabric and soak it in water. Rayon can be easily manipulated and permanently changed when exposed to water. Gently hand wash the garment and let it soak in the water for several minutes to significantly shrink your fabric but also protect the material. Wash your fabric in the washing machine. If your rayon garment is much too big, throw it in the washing machine with some regular detergent and wash on a warm or hot cycle. Roll the fabric into a damp towel. If you don't want to make any drastic changes to your rayon garment, shrink it in a more subtle way. Soak a bath towel in water, lay the rayon flat on the towel, and then roll the towel up and let it sit so that the moisture can soak into the fabric. Try this method first if you're worried about shrinking your garment too much. If you want it shrunken more, you can always resort to one of the other methods for your second attempt. Lay it flat on a counter. After you've washed your rayon fabric, you can simply lay it down flat on a counter for a while and wait for it to dry naturally. This may be your best option if you're trying to only shrink the garment a little bit, or if you want to be extra cautious about making sure the shrinking occurs uniformly. Press out the water and hang dry. You can dry your wet rayon by gently pressing out excess water and then hanging it on a clothes line to let the outdoor air dry it. Avoid squeezing the water out because this could potentially create wrinkles and stretch the fabric out unevenly. This method may make the fabric stretch the most lengthwise. Dry rayon fabric in the dryer. Put your wet rayon garment in the dryer on the gentle setting until it's completely dry. Drying your fabric in this way will most likely allow for the greatest possible amount of shrinkage.

Hand wash the fabric and soak it in water. Wash your fabric in the washing machine. Roll the fabric into a damp towel. Lay it flat on a counter. Press out the water and hang dry. Dry rayon fabric in the dryer.

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Bugs,-Tar,-and-Sap-from-Your-Car

How to Remove Bugs, Tar, and Sap from Your Car

To remove bugs, tar, and sap from your car, start by washing your car to loosen as much accumulation as you can. Next, rub WD-40 on the areas affected by bugs and tar, let it in soak for 10 minutes, and then use a towel to wipe the surface clean. To remove sap, soak a cloth in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the affected area for 10 minutes. Then, use a microfiber cloth to rub off the softened sap!

Don't wait too long. Bug "juices" can dry into your car's paint, and if you wait long enough to clean your car it can be very difficult to remove the bugs without taking off a little paint as well. Give your car a regular cleaning to remove bugs that have accumulated. If you go on a road trip or drive on country roads and pick up a lot of bugs, clean off your car within a day or two of getting back. Rub WD-40 on the body of your car. This oily substance will loosen the dead bugs and help them come off more easily. Apply it to your car's body with a rag or using a spray can and let it sit and soak in for about 10 minutes. Don't use WD-40 on your windshield or windows. It's an oily substance that will be very difficult to remove. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/aid42218-v4-728px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Don't have WD-40? Try a different bug an tar removing product. Your local auto store should have a selection of products you can use to take off the bugs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg\/aid42218-v4-728px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} As a bonus, this method works well to remove tar, too. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet3.jpg\/aid42218-v4-728px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-2Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Wipe or scrub off the bugs. After the WD-40 has had time to soak in, use a towel to wipe off the bugs using a circular motion. Where necessary, you can scrub off the bugs with the towel. Be very careful not to scrub too hard, though, or you could damage your paint job. Don't use a tough sponge or steel wool pad to remove bugs from your car - it will scratch your paint. If you catch the bugs before they completely dry, one pass should be enough to clean them off. If the bugs have dried into the paint, you may need to clean the car once, then do another application of WD-40, let it soak in, and clean the car again. Clean the windshield and windows. You'll need a different cleaning solution to get the bugs off the glass parts of your car. A mixture of water and dish soap can often get the job done, but if you think you need a stronger solution you can find car window soap at an auto parts store. Spray your windshield and windows with soapy water. Let it soak in for 10 minutes. Scrub away the bugs. For the toughest spots, use a scrubbing sponge. Wash the car. After the bugs have been cleaned off, wash your car thoroughly to get rid of the residue from the products you used to clean it. Remove sap every few weeks. Sap tends build up into a thick, hard layer if you don't clean it off regularly. If your car tends to pick up a lot of sap, plan to clean it off every other week or so - more often in the summer, when it's more concentrated and will smear more easily. This will keep you from having a tougher job on your hands down the line. Soak a cloth in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the sap on your car. You can also apply a sap remover product from your auto supply store, but rubbing alcohol works just as well. Let the towel sit on the sappy area for at least 10 minutes. The alcohol will begin to break down and soften the hard sap. Rub the area to remove the sap. Use a microfiber cloth to rub off the softened sap. If the sap won't budge, you'll need to soak it again for another 10-20 minutes. Keep soaking and rubbing the sap until it's removed from your car's exterior. If the sap is difficult to remove, cover it with WD-40, which should help it loosen up. Don't use WD-40 on your windows, though. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-8Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-8Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-8Bullet1.jpg\/aid42218-v4-728px-Remove-Bugs%2C-Tar%2C-and-Sap-from-Your-Car-Step-8Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Don't use a scrubbing sponge or any other rough material to scrub the sap from your car's body, because the paint will likely come off with the sap. Scrape the toughest sap from your windshield and windows. If dried sap won't come off your windows, use a box cutter blade to carefully scrape it off. Don't use this method to remove sap from other parts of your car. Wash your car. After the sap has been removed, it's a good idea to wash your car to get rid of any residue. Little bits of leftover sap could dry elsewhere on your car, leaving you to deal with the problem all over again. Smother the tar with a product to loosen it. Of the three sticky substances that can dry on your car - bugs, sap and tar - tar is the easiest to remove. Not only that, but there are a variety of household substances you can use to loosen the tar. Smother the tar in one of the following substances for 1 minute to loosen the tar: WD-40 (not for use on windshields and windows) Goo gone Peanut butter Commercial tar remover Wipe away the tar. Use a soft cloth to wipe off the loosened tar. If it holds fast, apply more product and wait a few minutes before trying again. Continue smothering tar in the product you're using and wiping it off until the car is tar-free. Wash the car. After the tar is gone, wash your car to get rid of residue from the tar-removal product.

Don't wait too long. Give your car a regular cleaning to remove bugs that have accumulated. Rub WD-40 on the body of your car. Wipe or scrub off the bugs. Clean the windshield and windows. Wash the car. Remove sap every few weeks. Soak a cloth in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the sap on your car. Rub the area to remove the sap. Scrape the toughest sap from your windshield and windows. Wash your car. Smother the tar with a product to loosen it. Wipe away the tar. Wash the car.

https://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-High-Heel-Shoes

How to Break in High Heel Shoes

To break in high heel shoes, try wearing them around the house while you do chores to give them a chance to stretch and conform to your feet. You can also gently warm the heels with a blow dryer before wearing them with a pair of socks, which will stretch them out even more. Alternatively, try placing a freezer bag half full of water into your heels and putting them in the freezer so the water can stretch the shoes as it freezes. If the bottoms of your shoes are too smooth, use a piece of sandpaper to rub the soles for about a minute to make them less slippery.

Wear them throughout the day. The first step to breaking in a new pair of high heel shoes is simply to wear them often. The more often you wear your heels, the more of an opportunity your heels have to stretch and conform to your feet. To avoid the awkwardness and potential danger of wearing new high heel shoes while out and about, start by wearing your shoes at home. You can wear them while watching television or folding laundry. You can wear them while cooking dinner. You can also take your heels with you to work. If have an office job, wear your shoes at your desk for a couple of hours. Once you feel comfortable wearing and walking short distances in your heels, take them out. Wear them on a short trip to the grocery store or to your local bank. Wear your heels with socks. Although this is considered a fashion faux pas, wearing socks with your new heels will help to break them in. You don't have to wear them while you're out and about, unless, of course, you actually like the look of it. You can wear them while you're hanging out at home, or while you're sitting at your desk at work. In order for your socks to stretch your shoes properly, they can't be too thin (they won't work) and they can't be too thick (they'll stretch your shoes too much and cause your feet to slip out when you are wearing your heels skin-to-shoe). A regular, everyday sock will do just fine. Do this for a few days and you'll notice that you are blister-free and your shoes are broken in, having molded to the shape of your foot. Bend and twist them. You can work out the stiffness of your new heels by bending and twisting them. Apply slight pressure as you bend the shoes upwards and downwards and twist them side to side. Don't do either method too hard or too quickly. You don't want to force the shoe into a position that it shouldn't be making. Doing so could damage the shoe or weaken it in places that should remain sturdy. Blast your heels with heat. Heat is an effective way to soften a material and make it more pliable. Carefully warm your heels using a blow dryer or a small heater for about a minute or two. Watch how your heels react to the heat because certain materials don't do so well under heat for long periods of time. You can bend and twist your heels while they're still warm. Or you can wait until they've cooled and put them on with a pair of socks to stretch them. Always keep your heels stuffed. Naturally your heels with shrink when they're not being worn. Since you don't want all of your breaking in efforts be in vain, keep them stuffed when you're not wearing them. You can stuff your shoes with the shoe paper and rod that come with the shoes when you buy them. You can keep them filled with shoe trees, which are inserts molded into the shape of the inside of your high heel shoes. Or you can simply stuff them with rags. Keep silica gel packets in your shoes when they're not being worn. Have you noticed after purchasing a pair of new shoes those little white packets containing tiny clear balls inside your shoe box? Those packets contain silica gel which absorb moisture and keep your shoes from shrinking. Hold on to those packets instead of throwing them away and stick them in your shoes when you're not wearing them. You can ask a shoe store associate for extras, if necessary. Stick a peeled potato in your shoes. This may seem unusual and a little icky, but it can help stretch out your heels quickly. You'll need to select two potatoes large enough puff up your shoes once inserted. Peel the potatoes before inserting. Doing so will allow the moisture from the potatoes' juices to soften the material inside your shoes, which will make it easier to stretch. Leave the potatoes in your shoes overnight or for at least eight hours in order for the shoes to remain enlarged once the potatoes are removed. Make sure to wipe clean out your shoes afterwards to get rid of the potato residue. Rough up the bottoms of your heels. It's important that your shoes have a decent amount of traction on the bottom. Walking in high heels will be a lot easier and safer if you're not sliding around all over the place. New heels tend to have smoother bottoms that become rougher once scuffed. Speed up the process by roughing up the bottom of your heels using a piece of sandpaper. Rub the bottom of your heels for a minute or two, or until the bottoms feel noticeably rougher. Wet the insides of your high heel shoes to stretch them. Water can speed up the breaking in process by helping to mold the inside material of your shoes to your feet. Take a damp cloth and rub the insides of your high heels. Put them on while they're still moist and wear them for an hour or more. You can also dampen a pair of socks and wear them with your high heels for the same amount of time. Freeze a bag of water inside your shoes. Water expands when it freezes, making it a perfect method you can use to break in your high heels. You'll need a one-quart sized freezer bag. If you have smaller freezer bags available that's okay to use as well. Fill the freezer bag half way with water. Squeeze the air out of the bag and close it up. Toss the bag lightly in your hands to make sure it's closed all the way and that there are no leaks in the bag. Gently stuff the bag inside the shoe until it fills all of the empty space down to the toe. You may need more than one bag of water depending on the size of your shoe. Be sure to tuck the bag in places where the shoes feel too tight on your feet. Put the shoes into the freezer, and keep them there until the water freezes completely. Once the water is frozen, you can remove the bags and try on your shoes, which should now be stretched. Repeat the process if they still feel too tight. Cover the parts of your feet that are being pinched by your heels with moleskin, soak your feet in water, and then wear your heels for a few hours. Moleskin is basically a more comfortable bandage that comes in sheets that you can cut into any size. One side is sticky and one side is soft. It protects the areas of your feet that hurt when wearing your heels, which is typically where blisters might form. Dampening the moleskin and then wearing your shoes will help the insides of your shoes to mold more quickly to the shape of your foot. Cut pieces of moleskin large enough to cover the areas of your feet that hurt when wearing your new high heel shoes. Adhere the moleskin to your skin, like you would a bandage. Then to get maximum comfort, soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes while wearing the moleskin. The moleskin will expand. The extra padding will give your feet additional protection. And because the moleskin is damp, it will help to soften the material inside your shoes, making it more pliable and able to conform to the shape of your feet. Use shoe stretching supplies. If breaking in your heels is a battle you constantly find yourself fighting, you may want to invest in shoe stretching spray and a heel stretcher. You simply spray the insides of your shoes, and then insert the heel stretcher in your shoes overnight. You should be good to go in the morning. Use a shoe stretching machine. If trying to break in your high heel shoes doesn't seem to be working. Or if you simply don't have the time try various DIY methods, stop by a shoe repair shop for a quick fix. Shoe repair shops have machines specifically built to stretch your shoes. The machine applies the same techniques as common home remedies –pressure and heat –to stretch your shoe quickly.

Wear them throughout the day. Wear your heels with socks. Bend and twist them. Blast your heels with heat. Always keep your heels stuffed. Keep silica gel packets in your shoes when they're not being worn. Stick a peeled potato in your shoes. Rough up the bottoms of your heels. Wet the insides of your high heel shoes to stretch them. Freeze a bag of water inside your shoes. Cover the parts of your feet that are being pinched by your heels with moleskin, soak your feet in water, and then wear your heels for a few hours. Use shoe stretching supplies. Use a shoe stretching machine.

https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Girly-Handwriting

How to Have Girly Handwriting

Although everyone's handwriting is unique, girls tend to have neater and curvier handwriting. To make your handwriting more girly, use less pressure when you press down with the pen. You should also slow down and take care with every letter to make it neater. Make your lines curvier, like the tails of a “Q” and lower-case “a.” Leave a little more space between your letters, even when you join them up, which will make them easier to read. You can also slant your letters slightly to make your handwriting more feminine. Just make sure you use the same angle for all of your writing so it looks consistent.

Know why people have different handwriting styles. There are an infinite number of possible handwriting styles, and a large number of factors that determine an individuals handwriting style. This means that everyone's handwriting is unique, which is why it is sometimes used a legitimate method of identification, such as during court trials. Understand the differences between male and female handwriting. Although there are many theories about the differences between male and female handwriting, it turns out, people aren't actually that good at differentiating between the two. Some generalities can be made, such as women's handwriting being neater on average. Women tend to write slower, and larger, with more attention to detail. One study found that prenatal hormones in women can predict the femininity of their handwriting. Analyse your handwriting as it is now. Since one of the major differences between male and female handwriting is neatness, you can make your handwriting more girly just by improving your handwriting in general. The first step to improving your handwriting is analyzing how you write now. Take out a sheet of lined paper and a pen. Write the sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" a couple of times. This sentence contains the whole alphabet. Note the areas that could use improvement. Does your handwriting slant or is it upright? Do you vary the length and height of your letters? Circle the letters you like the look of the least. Check your posture. Find a spot to begin practicing. You should have a hard, flat surface to write on, paper, a pen, and a chair. Sit with your back straight. Use your non-dominant hand to balance yourself. Flex and stretch your hand before beginning. Stretch your arms and hands. Loosen up your wrist and get your hand nice and relaxed before you begin to practice each day. Improve how you hold your pen. The best way to hold the pen is to grip it between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, with the back resting on your first knuckle. Practice writing with your arm instead of your fingers. Your handwriting will instantly become more relaxed and flowing if you start moving the pen by moving your arm, while keeping your wrist and fingers still. This may make it harder to write carefully at first, but it's a habit that will help you in the long run. When first practicing writing like this, make big letters on the page. Exaggerate the size of your words and slowly bring the size back down as you get used to writing with your arm. Slow your writing down. Good letter formation takes careful concentration, especially if you aren't used to writing well. This means you need to take your time with each word and each letter. You can start to speed up slowly as you improve. Practice first with lines, and then letters. You should be practicing all of these handwriting techniques every day. Start each day with simple lines and shapes. Make vertical lines over and over, working on keeping the lines straight and the spaces between them even. Do the same with some circles, and slanted lines. Then move on to writing letters over and over, until you consistently like the look of them. Keep your handwriting consistent. Once you've got a better handle on the shapes you're forming, focus on consistency. Your letters should be sized consistently across the page. This will make your handwriting look neat and orderly. Try to keep the angle of your handwriting consistent too, both the slanting of the letters and the angle at which you draw crossbars on letters like "t" and "f". Look up and copy examples of feminine handwriting. The easiest way to get a head start on making your handwriting more feminine is to copy handwriting that you consider feminine. Find an example of feminine handwriting, print it out, and use tracing paper to trace over the writing. Then try copying the handwriting style from sight, rather than tracing. If you have a female friend or sibling with particularly feminine handwriting, you can ask to borrow an example of theirs. In addition to tracing and copying examples of feminine handwriting, you also spend some time just analyzing what about the handwriting gives it a feminine look. Use less pressure. One generality that separates male from female handwriting is that women tend to use less pressure when writing. Writing with your arm rather than your fingers will do a lot to help this, but it can't hurt to take some extra care to lighten your pressure as you write. Make your lines more curvy. Feminine handwriting tends to borrow some its characteristics from cursive. So one way to add a more girly flair to your handwriting is to start introduction more curves to your letters. For example: You can write "t"s with little curves at the bottom, rather than just a simple straight line. You can exaggerate the curves in the feet of letters like "a" and "Q". Use flourishes to add feminine detail to your letters. For example, maybe the bottom foot of your lowercase "k"s can flourish upwards at the end. Or maybe your "w"s can start with a small upward curve instead of just going straight downwards. Add more space. Feminine handwriting tends to have fuller counters, meaning that the space within each letter is fuller. You can also add space in places which normally have none, like making your dots (as you would on the letter 'i') small circles. This is an easy way to add a stereotypically girly flair to your letters. Try slanting your writing. Slanting your letters can add to the cursive quality of your handwriting. Whether you slant your words to the left or the right, just make sure your slant is consistent. This goes along with keeping your handwriting neat and tidy, a characteristic of feminine handwriting. Make up new fonts. If your handwriting is already girly, try experimenting with your own styles. Curve your A's at the top, or dot your lowercase I's with special symbols like stars or hearts. Personalize your writing and make it beautiful! Use fun pens. Vibrant, glittery colored pens, though not technically part of your "handwriting", can add just the right amount of pop to your girly handwriting. If you write with friends, the outside of the pen can be just as important as the color, so try to pick pens that look pretty and colorful. Make sure to avoid using pens in classes like Math and Science, because these subjects often have strict teachers who only accept work written in pencil. Sometimes these teachers do allow erasable pens, so don't be afraid to ask!

Know why people have different handwriting styles. Understand the differences between male and female handwriting. Analyse your handwriting as it is now. Check your posture. Flex and stretch your hand before beginning. Improve how you hold your pen. Practice writing with your arm instead of your fingers. Slow your writing down. Practice first with lines, and then letters. Keep your handwriting consistent. Look up and copy examples of feminine handwriting. Use less pressure. Make your lines more curvy. Add more space. Try slanting your writing. Make up new fonts. Use fun pens.

https://www.wikihow.com/Graduate-Cum-Laude

How to Graduate Cum Laude

To graduate cum laude, contact the registrar's office of your school to find out the specific requirements. Usually, you'll need a GPA that's approximately 3.5 to 3.7, but your school may also have other requirements that you need to pass. Complete the required number of credit hours to graduate cum laude, which tends to be between 45 and 100. Then put plenty of focus and attention towards your thesis if your school requires one. You may also need to get a faculty recommendation to graduate cum laude, so organize a meeting with a faculty member that you have a good relationship with.

Choose the right courses. Though you may be tempted to load up on complex courses, it's best to space them out. Even if you are extremely interested in the subjects, the course loads may be more than you can bear. While you shouldn't try to skate through college taking easy classes, it is important to choose classes you think you'll do well in. Try to balance your workload so that you have a few “easier” classes in the same semester are more labor-intensive ones. Stay organized. Being organized is key to getting things done on time, and in the right way. If you don't know what assignments are due or what the requirements are for an assignment, how can you expect to do your best and turn it in on time? Make or buy a day planner and organize it for school to keep track of due dates, assignment requirements, and more. Find a good study environment. You might work best with the music blasting in your dorm room, or in the quiet depths of the library basement. Determine which things help you study (e.g., peace and quiet, eating dinner first, etc.), and which are distractions (e.g., leaving your door open, answering text messages, etc.). Prioritize school over socializing. It can be hard to skip fun events like fraternity mixers, theme parties, or dorm room dance-offs in favor of hitting the books. However, time spent studying will pay off in the long run. If you really want to graduate cum laude, you have to dedicate yourself to getting the best grades possible. That doesn't mean you can't have fun, too, as long as your main focus stays on school. For instance, you could reward yourself with one night out a week as long as you are caught up on all your classwork. Attend all your classes. It's incredibly important that you show up to every single class. While you may be unable to avoid missing one due to illness or emergencies, aim to keep your attendance as close to 100% as possible. Not only do some professors detract points from your grade for missed classes, you will miss important lecture or discussion information that you can't find in the textbook. Take handwritten notes. Handwritten notes are retained better than typed notes. Writing your notes keeps you focused on the lecture and also prevents you from checking your social media or becoming distracted by web-surfing during class. You can also add visual components shown in class to your notes, like charts or graphs. Do the required reading and homework. Though you may be tempted to skip a scene of Othello or simply browse through your history textbook, try to resist doing this. Make it a priority to read and complete every last thing your professor assigns. Hone your reading skills so that you can complete your assignments in less time. Turn in all your assignments on time. Turning in your assignments late can mean a docked grade, which won't help your GPA. Refer to your planner frequently so that you know which assignments are due for which class each day. For larger projects, make sure you start work ahead of time so you aren't rushing to finish a paper that's worth 25% of your grade the night before it's due. Form study groups. Studying with classmates can really help prepare you for exams. They may have information that you missed or be able to explain something in a way that helps you to better understand it. Find several people in each class that you think you would study well with and arrange to meet up. For example, you can choose to meet your study group once a week, or several times before each exam. Talk to your professors. It's important to develop strong relationships with your professors. Not only can they help you understand class material, they may also be able to write you letters of recommendation for graduating with honors. Figure out when and how your professors prefer to be contacted (e.g., Wednesday office hours, evening phone calls, etc.) at the beginning of the semester. Turn in extra credit. If any of your professors offer extra credit opportunities, take advantage of them. You'll be able to boost your grade or earn back points lost for absences, late assignments, missed exam questions, and the like. Find out at the beginning of the semester if each of your professors offers and accepts extra credit. If they do, add those assignments to your planner so you don't forget to complete them. Complete the required number of hours. Passed credit hours needed to graduate cum laude vary by state and school. Find out how many credit hours you are required to pass at your university to qualify for graduating cum laude. The number of hours may range from 45 to 100 for your undergraduate degree. Write a thesis, if required. Some schools will allow you to write a thesis if your GPA meets the cum laude requirements for the university (e.g., University of Miami), but falls under the requirements for your specific school or college (e.g., College of Liberal Arts). If you find yourself in this situation, give your thesis your undivided attention and best effort. Get a faculty recommendation, if needed. You may be able to get a faculty member to recommend you for graduating cum laude if your grades don't meet the requirements. Certain schools allow students to qualify for cum laude in a specific field based on faculty recommendations. Arrange to meet with a faculty member that you have a good relationship with and ask them to recommend you for cum laude. You could say, “You know, Professor, I am only one-tenth of a point away from graduating magna cum laude. How you do feel about recommending me for the honor based on my dedication to veterinary science and medicine?” Find out the requirements for graduating cum laude. “Cum laude” means "with honor." GPA requirements may range from 3.5 to 3.7. Alternatively, students in the top 25 to 15% of their class may graduate cum laude. Contact the registrar's office at your school to find out more about cum laude requirements. Determine what is needed to graduate magna cum laude. “Magna cum laude” means “with great honor.” You may need a GPA between 3.8 to 3.9 to qualify for magna cum laude. Or, the students in the top 15 to 5% of their class may be chosen for magna cum laude. Figure out how your university determines eligibility for these honors. Check the requirements for graduating summa cum laude. “Summa cum laude” means “with highest honor.” Usually, you'll have to have a GPA of or over 4.0 to graduate summa cum laude. Some schools may choose summa cum laude students only if they are in the top 5% of their graduating class. This means that, theoretically, you could have a 4.0 GPA but still not be considered summa cum laude.

Choose the right courses. Stay organized. Find a good study environment. Prioritize school over socializing. Attend all your classes. Take handwritten notes. Do the required reading and homework. Turn in all your assignments on time. Form study groups. Talk to your professors. Turn in extra credit. Complete the required number of hours. Write a thesis, if required. Get a faculty recommendation, if needed. Find out the requirements for graduating cum laude. Determine what is needed to graduate magna cum laude. Check the requirements for graduating summa cum laude.

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-%22A%22-and-%22An%22-Correctly

How to Use "A" and "An" Correctly

To correctly use “A” and “An,” use “A” before words that begin with consonant sounds and “An” before words that begin with vowel sounds. For example, say "a pet" or "a green onion," since these word begin with consonants. For words that begin with vowels, use "An," instead, as in "an apple" or "an elbow." However, there are exceptions, including that you also use “A” with words that start with vowels but are pronounced like consonants, and “An” with words that start with consonants but are pronounced like vowels.

Use "A" before all words that begin with consonant sounds. In English, nearly all words that begin with consonants will be preceded by the article "A." For example: a pet, a door, a green onion, a cat, a hysterical joke. Understand that there are some exceptions to this rule. Some words may be spelled beginning with vowels but be pronounced with initial consonant sounds. Words that begin in h , y , u , and eu or "e" are common words that can cause confusion. Use "A" when u makes the same sound as the y in you : a union, a unicorn, a used napkin, a usability study. Use "A" when o makes the same sound as w in won : a one-legged man. Use "A" when eu or "e" makes the same sound as y : a European trip, a ewe lamb Do not use "A" when the h is silent. Read words aloud if you're unsure. Sometimes, the way the word looks on the page is not enough to tell you which article to use. Read the word aloud in the way it sounds appropriate to you, and then base your article use on that. Use "An" before all words that begin with vowel sounds. In English, nearly all words that begin with vowels will be preceded by the article "An." For example: an apple, an elbow, an Indian. Understand that there are also some exceptions to this rule. Some words may be spelled beginning with consonants but be pronounced with initial vowel sounds. Words that begin in h are the most common causes of confusion, but there are some other letters that can pose a challenge, too. Use "An" before a silent h: an hour, an honorable peace, an honest error. Use "An" before words that are spelled with consonants but pronounced with vowel sounds: an MBA. Understand that pronunciation may vary depending on geographical location. For example, British and American pronunciation of certain words varies dramatically, particularly words beginning in h such as "herb." In American pronunciation, the h is silent, so correct usage would be "an herb." But in British pronunciation, the h is pronounced, so correct usage would be a herb. Understand that the word "historic" is a special case. There is substantial debate over whether the correct usage is "a historic event" or "an historic event." Nearly all style handbooks and usage guides prefer "a historic event," citing the consonant sound explanation given in this article. However, you may see "an historic" crop up from time to time, particularly amongst British writers. Some American writers will also use "an" with longish words (three or more syllables) beginning with H, where the first syllable isn't accented: "a hypothesis," "an habitual offender."

Use "A" before all words that begin with consonant sounds. Understand that there are some exceptions to this rule. Read words aloud if you're unsure. Use "An" before all words that begin with vowel sounds. Understand that there are also some exceptions to this rule. Understand that pronunciation may vary depending on geographical location. Understand that the word "historic" is a special case.

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Uber-Driver

How to Use Uber Driver

Uber Driver is used to give Uber rides to riders, but it can also give you other data about the rides you are giving. This includes your earnings information, along with trip data and even make adjustments to your driving preferences. You can cash out your earnings using the app or set up your Trip Planner from the bottom of the screen. You can also tap on "Profile" to change the information that riders will see about you and also check out rider reviews.

Open up the Uber Driver app. The icon has a white hexagon icon on it, with a square design cut out in the middle. Get to know the basic app layout. Inside you'll find a map of your area with several buttons, including the most important one - the "Go" button. Find the filtered trips feature. On the top left, you'll find a magnifying glass which controls the filtered trips feature (previously known as the "Matching Trips" feature). Learn to read your earnings display. Your earnings are displayed in a button at the top center of the screen. It defaults to showing you your earnings for the entire day ("Today" view), but if you tap the oval button with your ride earnings total on it and swipe left, you can see earnings information for only your last trip. If you tap "View Weekly Summary" below, you can read your pay stub information for the week, up to the current time, with links back to each trip. On "Last Trip" view, "See All Trips" will give you an overview of earnings from each trip. Consider using "Privacy Mode". This is a new feature that allows you to hide your earnings. To enable it, open the "Earnings" option and tap the eye button. Look to your Uber Driver profile picture for more earnings and account data - along with notifications. Tap "Earnings" to see all your earnings data at a glance or to "Cash Out" (with Instant Pay). You can see all the promotions in your region here by tapping "Promotions". Tap "Profile" to review or change the data about you that riders see in their app. If you've never driven for Uber in the past, get your information set up so riders understand a little more about you. Here, you can also find all your Driver Compliments and notes. To change the fields on this page, tap either the pencil icon by it, or the three dots to the right of the item in question. Tap "Account" to view app settings and to send in new documents to Uber. You can view which cars you've set up with Uber in the past, or hit "Perks" to check out your list of discounts you get at local and online merchants. You can set up your bank account in "Payment", or fix your "Instant Pay" cards in this area, too. Peruse the "Notifications" list below the top bar. Tap any new notifications to read relevant updates about Uber or your activities. Tap the "Help" button to read help documentation and contact Uber - and read any information from Uber that arrives in your Uber Driver account box. Review the map. Your map depicts a variety of colors of roadways from blue-grey to white (or grey to dark grey during night mode colors). It also gives you access to the "Safety Toolkit" features, including the "Share Trip" and "911 Assistance" options. Re-center your map by tapping the pointer button near the bottom right corner of the map. The compass pointer is onscreen at all times and represents your current position on the map - whether you are online or off. It is blue and points in the direction your car is heading. Look at the bottom bar for trip information. There, you'll find your "Trip Planner" and information about your trip preferences and status (whether you're offline or online and if you have a destination set for filtered requests). Both the upward arrow and checklist buttons bring you to the "Trip Planner" area. Your "Trip Planner" offers an estimate of ride requests that may appear within the hour, along with details of upcoming promotions in your Uber City. It'll also list how much Driving Time you have left for the current day (in some Uber Cities, you are only allowed a certain amount of driving time). Below, you'll see the "switches" icon which allows you to turn off and on trip preferences/types (if you have more than one available on your account). Above the "Offline" button, you'll see your rider's Waybill insurance details. If you are in an accident, you'll want to have these details available to present to your insurance company and to Uber. Learn to recognize a "Surge" on the map. When there's an increased fare available in a given area, the map will designate the affected area with orange (during the day) or violet/blue (in night mode). Become familiar with Uber's two navigation views. After you begin a trip, the map will default to map view, which gives you your entire route from a bird's eye view. Once on a ride, you can switch to view the trip with street-level navigation, or you can send it to a third-party navigation app such as Google Maps or Waze. Uber recommends that you use their app for navigation. If you switch to an outside app without setting it up as your preferred navigation choice in Uber, you'll have to enter trip details and operate the app manually. If you set Google Maps or Waze as your default navigation app within Uber Driver, Uber will send the details right to the app of choice, automatically. Study the navigation information on the top line. This area shows you turn arrows along with an approximate distance to the next turn; the name of the street you'll need to turn onto is just to its right. If your turn is more than 10 miles away, the mileage tracker will count each mile down. At ten miles, you'll see the counter begin the mile countdown at 9.9 and decrease until you hit.1 miles, when it will change to feet to the turn. If you tap this area, you'll find additional options such as buttons to mute audible directions or view the extended list of upcoming directions. If a road turns but keeps the same name, you may not receive a warning about the turn. Using the street-level navigation can help with this, since it shows the street ahead of you. Find the destination address in the area below the turning information. If you in map-view mode, this shows the rider's pickup location or destination. Look at the map in map view. Map view always shows the entire map of the ride, with north facing up. The line on roads is the route you'll be taking, and may depict areas of traffic congestion, as well. You can turn or rotate the map by pinching and twisting (but be safe while you're driving!). Use the "Navigate" button to send your address to either Google Maps or Waze, if you have those apps set up in your Settings for navigation. If you have Uber navigation set, instead, you'll see the app adjust so the map looks like it's positioned at street level facing the direction of travel. It may say "Navigate", or you may just see a location icon. To exit out of Uber street-level navigation, press the button that looks like a curve S near the bottom right corner of the map. Understand the dots and dashes on the map. The map is full of information. The blue arrow pointer is where you are, and the path to your next destination can either be blue, yellow or red (dependent on traffic), or a combination. The final dot (red or green) marks the pickup or drop-off location. In multi-stop rides, not only do Drivers see the first location on the map, but they also see subsequent stops in a lighter hue of blue. ETA data is shown below the map and contains total time and mileage to the destination, counting down as you get closer. Listen for audible turn-by-turn directions. Turn by turn directions are plentiful in Uber Driver. The app repeats directions at 1 mile,.5,.3 miles and 250 feet from the destination. At 250 feet, Uber tells you that you've reached your destination, but you'll see your last turn just in front of you, along with which side of the street you'll find your destination on. Find the ETA line just below the map, if there is one. During a ride to the rider's pickup or drop-off location, this area may show your ETA, or it may show "Rider notified". During multi-stop trips, it'll say "En route to first stop" or "Approaching final destination". During pickup and single trip rides, it'll tell you "Picking up (rider name)" or "Dropping off (rider name)". If the rider doesn't come out and wait time begins to accrue, this bar will say "Charging for wait time". If you tap the bar, you'll see a clock counting up wait time (or a countdown clock until wait time begins). If you tap the checklists button, you can head to the in-app messaging and cancellation features, if the app didn't switch you into these modes as you arrive. Use the "swiping" bar at the very bottom of the screen, if displayed at your present destination. Most often, this will be a green bar and will say "Start (Uber ride type)". This can vary if you have UberEATS/Uber delivery options in your region as well (then it might show "Delivered" as a swipe bar).

Open up the Uber Driver app. Get to know the basic app layout. Find the filtered trips feature. Learn to read your earnings display. Look to your Uber Driver profile picture for more earnings and account data - along with notifications. Review the map. Re-center your map by tapping the pointer button near the bottom right corner of the map. Look at the bottom bar for trip information. Learn to recognize a "Surge" on the map. Become familiar with Uber's two navigation views. Study the navigation information on the top line. Find the destination address in the area below the turning information. Look at the map in map view. Use the "Navigate" button to send your address to either Google Maps or Waze, if you have those apps set up in your Settings for navigation. Understand the dots and dashes on the map. Listen for audible turn-by-turn directions. Find the ETA line just below the map, if there is one. Use the "swiping" bar at the very bottom of the screen, if displayed at your present destination.

https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-and-Give-a-Speech

How to Prepare and Give a Speech

To prepare and give a speech, start by thinking about the topic, audience, and location of the speech. Write a detailed outline that includes your main topics, supporting points, and facts. Then, transfer the speech to note cards or handouts if necessary. Remember to practice your speech a few times in front of a mirror or a friend, and set a timer to ensure that you aren't taking too long. On the day of the speech, review your note cards and make sure your presentation, handouts, or other supplementary information is in order.

Identify the topic of your speech. Choose a single focused message rather than trying to cover multiple topics. Like the thesis of an essay, what you say should connect to your main point. Pinpoint your audience. Are you speaking to children or adults? Are you speaking to people who know nothing about your topic or people who are experts on your topic? Understanding your audience will help you to target your speech appropriately. Consider your motives. A good speech answers a need that the audience has. Are you trying to make your audience laugh? Are you trying to build their morale, or are you communicating a sober and direct message so that you can change their behavior? These questions will set the mood and tone of your speech. Think about the setting. Is this a speech for a small group or a speech to deliver before a large audience? You may have more opportunities to interact with a smaller audience so you can add in time for things like questions. With a larger audience, you may need to stick to a firmer structure. You may even be able to redirect or add points to your speech with a smaller audience if you notice a number of them are interested in a particular subject or niche. Write a succinct, single-sentence statement about your subject. Try to write something that will hook your audience so that you immediately grab their attention. Try starting the speech writing process by free-writing. Write as much as you can about your subject as fast as you can. Don't worry about judgment or crafting perfect sentences. Once you have your points on paper, you can start refining them and putting them in order. Use an anecdote or a quote. Sometimes, someone else has already said it better than you ever will. A quote, provided it hasn't been overused, can help you get things started. Just be sure to look for a quote that is surprising or unique, and always credit your source. Be cautious about opening with a joke unless you know your audience well. You may think that a joke is funny, but your audience may find it humorless or even offensive. Choose 3 to 5 supporting points for your topic. Make sure that your points are concise and direct. You can start by looking at generic sources like an encyclopedia or Wikipedia, but you need to fact check your ideas with more authoritative sources after you generally understand your subject. Draw on your own experience. If you have a long history with your topic, your experiences and personal stories can be great resources. Just keep these stories succinct so that you don't ramble and lose the audience's attention. Choose how to keep your speech on point. Decide whether you want to write out your speech or to outline the speech on index cards. Consider your comfort level with the topic. If you know the topic well and can improvise easily, then use index cards. Use 1 card for the introduction. This card should include your opening statement. Use 1 or 2 cards for each supporting point. Then, create 1 card for the conclusion which ties back to the main idea of your speech. Write brief sentence fragments or even single words on your cards. These words or fragments should contain key phrases that remind you of what you want to say. If you feel insecure or don't know the subject well, write out the words of your speech exactly as you want to say them. Decide whether you want to use visual aids. The choice to use visual aids will depend on the size of your audience and the length of your speech. A long speech, for example, may be easier to sit through with some visuals to break it up. You may create a Prezi or a PowerPoint presentation to go along with your speech, or you may choose to use paper-based charts and graphs. Keep the visuals to a minimum. You want them to aid your speech, not to overshadow it. Always make sure your speech can stand on its own should technical problems occur. Make sure that the audience can read the content of your visuals. Too big is better than not big enough. Check the facilities of the room in which you will be speaking. If you need Internet or you need a projection screen, be sure that the facility has the equipment. Arrive to the room early to make sure everything is functional for your speech. Prepare handouts, if your subject is detailed and technical. That way, you can cover the most important points in your speech while giving the audience a reference for the more detailed points that they can keep for later. Write a brief biographical introduction about yourself. Providing your credentials before your speech can help you set your tone, and give you the chance to list your credentials without bragging. Use this to let the audience get an assessment of who you are, and take the moment to introduce not only your background but your style of speaking. If someone will be introducing you before your speech, then providing this introduction beforehand will be helpful. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Do-Research-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-Research-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Do-Research-Step-19.jpg\/aid9476-v4-728px-Do-Research-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Set a timer. You should know how long your speech needs to be. If you can't deliver the speech within the given amount of time, then you may need to shorten it or lengthen it. Remember to include time for a Q&A period if appropriate. Practice your speech in front of a friend or a mirror. Practice looking up at your audience so that your eyes aren't always on your notes. Be sure to include your visual aids in your practice to make sure they are smooth. If you drive a regular commute, you can also practice a memorized speech while driving. Don't look off of notecards while on the road, though. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Pause between the sections of your speech so that your audience can digest the information. Mark up your speech as you go with a pen or pencil. If words sound unnatural to you or a sentence is awkward as you speak it, mark it out and edit it to make it sound natural. Make a video recording. Record yourself as you make the speech. Analyze your appearance, your body language and your delivery. Make sure that your gestures are natural and not too frenetic. Alternatively, don't fix your arms at your sides or keep your hands latched to the podium. If you make the speech to a friend or colleague and they offer constructive criticism, try to be open to what they have to say. Make sure they are familiar with your topic or industry, though, or their criticism may do more harm than good. Practice a few times. If you've delivered your speech in rehearsal multiple times, then you will feel much more confident on-stage. Dress appropriately. If you need to appear authoritative, choose formal business attire. Choose a color that flatters you and keep bold accessories to a minimum. Make sure that you have all of your materials in order. Bring your visuals, your tablet or laptop and your speech copy. Ask for a sound check. If you're in a small room, ask someone to stand at the back of the room and see if he or she can hear you. In a larger facility, practice using the microphone so that your speech is neither too faint nor distorted. Try to arrive at your presentation well before your audience. Take the time to make sure the sound is good and run through your visual aids. If you're at a conference, you may have 15-20 minutes to prep. If you're the sole speaker, you could get there an hour in advance. Set up your equipment and supplementary materials. Make sure that the computer, projection screen and easels are functional and positioned so that they are visible to your audience. Decide what to do with your handouts. You should either place them on a table for audience members to retrieve or pass them out in an organized fashion. Ask for a glass of water. If your speech is lengthy, then you will need some water to moisten your throat. Look in a mirror before you go onstage. Check both the front and the back of your outfit and make sure that your hair is neat and that your makeup, if you're wearing any, is not smudged. Look around the audience. Don't focus on only one person or area. Make eye contact with members of your audience. If eye contact is too intense for you, look just above their heads at a point such as a clock or a painting. Remember to look to both sides of the room. Don't favor just the right or left. Move your eyes around your audience so that everyone feels included in the presentation. Speak slowly and try to breathe normally. The natural adrenaline rush that you will have in front of your audience may make you want to speak much too quickly. And have a confident smile on your face. Laugh at yourself if something goes wrong. If by chance, you forget your speech, then simply say thank you and leave the stage. Your audience will find you much more easy to relate to, and you won't lose their confidence in your knowledge of your subject. Never leave the stage if something goes wrong, even if you feel embarrassed. Make a joke if you can, shake it off, and move forward. Give your audience a chance to interact with you. Ask questions. As well have them ask you questions, so you can touch up on some points that you overlooked and/or left out,)before leaving the podium at the end of your speech. Acknowledge your audience with a smile, a brief nod or a slight bow, if appropriate. Be sure to build time for any Q and A into your allotted presentation time. That way, you can control the flow of the Q and A. Then, after the last question, let your audience know, "I'd like to share one final thought with you," and deliver a powerful closer.

Identify the topic of your speech. Pinpoint your audience. Consider your motives. Think about the setting. Write a succinct, single-sentence statement about your subject. Choose 3 to 5 supporting points for your topic. Choose how to keep your speech on point. Decide whether you want to use visual aids. Prepare handouts, if your subject is detailed and technical. Write a brief biographical introduction about yourself. Set a timer. Practice your speech in front of a friend or a mirror. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Mark up your speech as you go with a pen or pencil. Make a video recording. Practice a few times. Dress appropriately. Make sure that you have all of your materials in order. Ask for a sound check. Set up your equipment and supplementary materials. Decide what to do with your handouts. Ask for a glass of water. Look in a mirror before you go onstage. Look around the audience. Speak slowly and try to breathe normally. Laugh at yourself if something goes wrong. Give your audience a chance to interact with you.

https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Cat-Cough-Up-a-Hairball

How to Help a Cat Cough Up a Hairball

To help your cat cough up a hairball, give it 1/2 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, since the jelly will act as a laxative to help your cat pass the hairball naturally. Alternatively, smear its paw with some hairball paste, which you can buy from a pet store. Then, when it licks its paw, it will swallow the paste and dislodge the hairball. You can also add a spoonful of canned pumpkin to your cat's food, which can help because pumpkin contains fibers that encourage digestion. If you don't have pumpkin, try using a small amount of olive oil instead. For a longer-term solution, purchase cat food labeled “hairball control,” which is designed to combat hairballs. If your cat loses its appetite for more than a day or is continually hacking without bringing up a hairball, take it to the vet to check if it's suffering from something more serious.

Give hairball paste to your cat to get the hairball moving. This type of paste acts as a lubricant for the hairball, and it is specifically made for cats. You just place a little bit on your cat's paw, and it will lick it off. Use a small strip of the paste on the cat's fur. If your cat shakes it off its front paw, try smearing it lightly underneath the front elbow. Hairball pastes come in fun flavors your cat will likely enjoy, such as salmon. You may be able to just put some on a plate for your cat to lick. In most cases, you'll need to give your cat multiple applications of the hairball paste. Treat your cat with the paste twice a day for 3 to 5 days until the hairball passes. Use a 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of petroleum jelly for a cheap option. This home remedy can act as a laxative for your cat, which can help move the hairball. Apply the jelly to a paw so your cat can lick it off. Try to rub it in a little so the cat can't shake it off. If your cat shakes it off, try placing it in an area that's more difficult for it to shake off, such as underneath the front leg. Give your cat 4-6 hairball remedy treats to prevent future hairballs. You can find several brands of dry hairball remedy treats at your pet store. These treats may help your cat pass its hairball, but they work best for preventing future hairballs. Follow the package directions on how many to give your cat. These are an easy solution because there's no messy paste or gel. Your cat will often just chomp them down. Once your cat passes its hairball, continue to give it the hairball remedy treats to prevent future hairballs. Try a hairball control cat food for a long-term solution. Changing your cat's food may help with the current hairball. However, it's more likely to help prevent more in the future. Look for one that claims "hairball control." This foods employ different methods to treat hairballs, such as increasing fiber or omega-3 fatty acids in the food. Add a spoonful of canned pumpkin to your cat's food. Pumpkin contains fiber that may help your cat pass the hairball. Mix it in with canned food, so your cat is more willing to eat it. Other fiber options you can try include wheatgrass powder, coconut fiber powder, or psyllium seed husk powder. Mix a ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) or so into the cat's wet food. Pour a 1⁄4 teaspoon (1.2 mL) of olive oil in your cat's food. Mix it in with wet cat food or even a bit of dry cat food. Olive oil acts as a mild laxative, which helps move the hairball. While you can use this treatment every once and a while, try not to use it weekly. Your cat's body prefers meat-based fat sources. Watch for loss of appetite. If your cat suddenly stops eating, pay attention, particularly if it lasts for more than a day. That's a sign your cat needs to go to the vet to help determine what's wrong. Not eating could be a sign your cat's digestive system is blocked by a hairball. Notice if your cat hacks without bringing up a hairball. If your cat is continually hacking but not producing anything, that could be a sign your cat has a blockage in its digestive system. Pay particular attention if your cat hacks without production several times in one day. You should also check to see if your cat is defecating. If it's not, then it definitely has a blockage and needs to be seen by a vet. Alternatively, your cat may have diarrhea because it can't get much around the blockage. Check the cat's stomach and energy levels. Place your hand on the cat's stomach. If it feels harder than normal, that could indicate a blockage. Your cat may also seem really lethargic, like it doesn't have the energy to do much. Take your cat to the vet if it's exhibiting multiple symptoms. If your cat is severely blocked, home remedies may not cut it. In fact, blockages can lead to death if left unchecked since your cat won't be able to digest food. Plus, the problem may not be a hairball, and you'll need your vet to diagnose it. Expect a physical examination. The veterinarian will begin by using their hands to exam the cat. They may feel the cat's stomach, for instance, to see if it's hard. They'll also inspect the cat visually. During this time, the vet will likely be asking you questions about the cat's medical history and its recent symptoms. Be ready for diagnostic tests. Your vet will likely want to do blood work. They may also perform X-rays or an ultrasound on your cat. These tests can help your vet determine if and where your cat has a blockage, so they can decide on the best course of treatment. Be prepared for the cat to stay at the vet for a few days. If your cat does have a blockage, the vet will likely keep it at the clinic. They'll give your cat a laxative to see if it relieves the blockage, while monitoring the cat's digestive progress closely. If the blockage isn't serious enough for the cat to stay, your vet will make recommendations for home remedies, such as mineral oil. Discuss the possibility of surgery. If your cat has a blockage from a hairball, it may need surgery to remove it. Your vet will let you know if your cat's situation is serious enough to warrant surgery. Notice how your cat hacks. Cats with asthma have a specific kind of hacking position. Generally, they crouch down and extend their neck forward while they are hacking. Pay attention to see if your cat uses this position. If your cat gets in this position and often doesn't produce anything when hacking, that could be a sign of asthma. Listen for a cough rather than a hack. While cat coughing can seem like hacking, it will likely have more wheezing to it. It can also sound like a "dry" or "wet" cough, but it may seem like your cat is hacking up mucus and then swallowing it. Your cat may stick its tongue out while coughing. Pay attention to signs your cat is having trouble breathing. Your cat may seem to get "winded" more easily than normal. You may even hear wheezing-like breathing after it runs around a bit. If your cat is having a particularly hard time breathing, it may breathe with its mouth open. Groom your cat daily until its coat is under control, if it has hairballs. Hairballs are often avoidable! Your cat gets hairballs from eating its fur as it grooms. If you brush away that fur, your cat won't eat it. If your cat currently or recently had hairballs, groom it daily until the grooming brush collects little fur. You can then adjust your grooming schedule to fit its coat length. Your cat may have a build up of shed hair, which is causing its hairballs. Even short-haired cats shed and need grooming! Comb and brush long-haired cats daily to avoid hairballs. Work the comb through the fur first, then go over it with a brush. Not only will this help prevent hairballs, it will also keep your cat's fur clean and unmatted. Give your cat lots of love when you groom it, and offer it a treat so it views grooming more positively. Clean your comb and brush after each grooming session. Brush short-haired cats twice a week to control their coat. Even short-haired cats shed, so they need to be regularly groomed. This helps avoid hairballs and keeps their coat shiny. During grooming, give your cat lots of pets to make the experience more pleasant. You should also give the cat treats to reward it. Remember to clean your brush after each grooming session.

Give hairball paste to your cat to get the hairball moving. Use a 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of petroleum jelly for a cheap option. Give your cat 4-6 hairball remedy treats to prevent future hairballs. Try a hairball control cat food for a long-term solution. Add a spoonful of canned pumpkin to your cat's food. Pour a 1⁄4 teaspoon (1.2 mL) of olive oil in your cat's food. Watch for loss of appetite. Notice if your cat hacks without bringing up a hairball. Check the cat's stomach and energy levels. Take your cat to the vet if it's exhibiting multiple symptoms. Expect a physical examination. Be ready for diagnostic tests. Be prepared for the cat to stay at the vet for a few days. Discuss the possibility of surgery. Notice how your cat hacks. Listen for a cough rather than a hack. Pay attention to signs your cat is having trouble breathing. Groom your cat daily until its coat is under control, if it has hairballs. Comb and brush long-haired cats daily to avoid hairballs. Brush short-haired cats twice a week to control their coat.

https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Unwanted-Facial-Hair

How to Reduce Unwanted Facial Hair

If you want to reduce unwanted facial hair naturally, try waxing or sugaring heavier patches of skin. You can also try drinking spearmint tea, which reduces your testosterone levels and may reduce unwanted hair growth. Hormone issues can be treated with birth control pills as well, but you should check with your doctor before using them as they aren't always necessary. To remove hair permanently, consider getting laser hair removal, which destroys the follicles completely.

Try waxing. You could either use an at home waxing kit or get the facial hair waxed away in a salon. Waxing removes hair from the root, so it's an effective way to get a smooth face. It irritates some people's skin, though. Warm wax should be applied to the desired area using the applicator that comes with the kit and then allowed to cool. Use your fingers to pull the cold wax off of your skin in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Regular waxing can reduce regrowth because this technique interrupts the development of hair follicles. If your skin is sensitive to wax, you could try sugaring, which is a natural method similar to waxing. Add 2 cups of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice to 1/4 cup water. Boil until it turns into a paste. It needs to simmer about 25 minutes and turn amber brown. Let it cool. Dust your skin with corn starch or baby powder. Apply the mixture in the opposite direction of hair growth. Put a rag on it, and then pull it off. Use depilatories. Depilatories are chemical products that remove unwanted facial hair from the surface of the skin. The chemicals dissolve the hair into a gel-like substance. Apply the depilatory to the skin. Leave the product on the skin based on the timing instructions that come with the product. Once the product has been on the skin for the required length of time, wipe it off of your skin with a clean cloth. Hair regrows a few days after using a depilatory. Depilatories can be purchased across the counter. One problem with depilatories is that they have a strong chemical smell. Try bleaching. Bleaching doesn't remove unwanted facial hair. However, it can make it harder to see. The trick is making sure the product matches your skin tone. If you have heavy hair growth, this is not a good solution for you. Bleaching regularly can irritate the skin. So you should test it out on a small patch of the skin before using it more heavily. If you do bleach, stay out of the sun for at least an hour. If you don't, the skin could have a bad reaction. Use tweezers to reduce facial hair. This is one of the most common ways people remove facial hair. It works best when you don't have that much hair to remove. One or two dark hairs on the chin? Tweezing is the best way to go. Sterilize the ends of the tweezers with rubbing alcohol before and after plucking to avoid infection. Stretch the skin gently around the area that you want to pluck. Grip the hair near the root, and then firmly pull the hair. Plucking facial hair is inexpensive, but time consuming. It can also be painful and lead to ingrown hairs if the hair breaks off underneath the skin. You can avoid ingrown hairs by pulling the hair gently as opposed to yanking it out with the tweezers. Hair regrowth after plucking can occur in 3 to 8 weeks. Try a disposable or reusable razor for use in wet shaving. Disposable razors will give you a closer shave than an electric shaver, especially if you have a thick beard. Apply a shaving gel or foam to the chin or upper lip. Glide the razor across the skin in the direction that the hair grows. You can also use an electric razor for wet or dry shaving. Be careful or you could cause small cuts. It can be hard to use a razor on some areas of the face, like the chin. Hair regrowth after shaving is fast, though. Hair can return in anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Try threading. Threading is becoming an increasingly common way to remove facial hair. It's often used to shape the eyebrows, but people who do threading can also remove your facial hair with the procedure. The cosmetologist will twist a cotton thread around the hairs on the desired area and then pull them out in rows. One benefit of threading is that, unlike waxing, it doesn't inflame sensitive skin. The hair will grow back in a couple of weeks. Some salons now offer threading. Look in the phone book or ask your favorite salon. Use lasers. Laser hair treatments are very useful for getting rid of that unwanted hair. The laser gives off beams of heat and light to the roots of the hair and stops the hair from growing after a period of time. To get the end result it will take 9 or more months but is much more worth it. It is more expensive at first, but in the end you save money. One of the downsides to laser hair treatment is that it can be very painful. A plus side is that it can permanently remove the hair. You will probably need to go for repeated treatments to fully destroy the hair. Laser hair treatment works best on people with light skin and dark hair. Try electrolysis. Electrolysis should be done in the salon. This is a tedious process that is best for small areas of hair removal, such as above the lip. Electrolysis is done with a small needle. An electric current is delivered into each hair root, one-by-one, permanently destroying the hair. White or blonde hair can be removed with electrolysis, unlike laser treatment, which works better with darker hair and light skin. You will need to go for the treatments until the hair is destroyed. Use a gelatin peel. You can make a gelatin face mask at home to remove unwanted facial hair. All you need is a tablespoon of unflavored gelatin, 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, 3 to 4 drops of lime juice or 1 to 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix the products together, then microwave them for about 15 seconds. Apply the mixture to your face, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, peel it off. Make sure you don't get the mixture near your eyebrows or eyes. When you peel the mask off, you should find that unwanted facial hair (and blackheads) come off with it. Make a lemon/orange or apricot/honey scrub. Fruit-based scrubs can help you remove unwanted facial hair without the harshness of chemical products. For the lemon/orange peel scrub, mix together 1 teaspoon each of powdered orange and lemon peel, ground almond, and oatmeal. Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of rose water. Mixing these items should create a paste. Put the paste on your face for about 5-8 minutes. Rub the paste into your skin with small circular movements. Then rinse your face with water. You will need to do this 2-3 times a week to see results. For the apricot scrub, grind half a cup of dried apricots in a blender until it's a powder. Then add 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply to face for 5-10 minutes. Rub into skin with small circular movements, and then rinse with lukewarm water. You also need to use this scrub 2-3 times a week to see any difference. Make a paste with Turmeric. Turmeric has been used for a long time in India to improve the look of the skin. You can make a homemade paste out of it. All you need is 1 to 2 teaspoons of Turmeric, and milk or water. Mix them into a paste. Put it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes. Let it dry. Then, wash it off with warm water. This paste will work best for people with fine facial hair. If the hair is denser, you could add oatmeal to the paste. Try an egg mask. Another natural remedy for removing facial hair can be made with eggs. You need 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/2 tablespoon of cornflour. Beat them together until it turns into a paste. Apply the paste to your face, and let it dry. It will turn into a thin mask. Pull the mask off firmly, and you should see the hair come off with it. Drink spearmint tea. Spearmint tea affects the amount of male hormone in your body, so if you drink it enough, you might see less facial hair growth. Studies published in scientific journals like Phytotherapy Research have found that women who drank spearmint tea reduced the amount of testosterone (male hormone) flowing through their blood streams. This reduction in testosterone led to less unwanted hair growth. Consume 2 cups of spearmint teas for a minimum of 5 days per week. Use a hair growth inhibitor. Visit your dermatologist to get a prescription for a hair inhibitor. Hair inhibitors are plant-based products that change the structure of hair follicles so that the hair grows thin and soft and eventually it does not grow at all. Apply the cream to the areas of your face where you want to reduce hair growth. The cream will remain on your skin. Follow the instructions that accompany the product to determine frequency of use. Hair growth inhibitors can be used in conjunction with other hair reduction methods such as threading, waxing and tweezing. Results may take 4 to 6 months. It costs about $100 for a supply that will last you two months. Although there's not much evidence of long-lasting effect, make a drink out of black cohosh herb. This herb slows down facial hair growth. In addition to turning it into tea, you can find it in capsule form. With any natural herbs, it's a good idea to check with your doctor first. To make the tea, you need 20 grams of dry black cohosh root, 4 1/4 cups of water, and a teaspoon of honey. Boil the water and root, and then let it simmer for 30 minutes. Strain it. Put the honey into the concoction. Drink three times a day. You will need to refrigerate the liquid. Higher dosages of the tea can cause side effects, and it shouldn't be used if you have liver disease or cancer, so it's best to see a doctor before you try this regimen. Deal with hormones. Sometimes hair will grow more because of a hormone issue, such as during menopause. This is a condition that should only be diagnosed by a doctor. Sometimes doctors will prescribe birth control pills to help address such issues.Some underlying medical conditions can cause facial hair growth, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Eat foods with phytoestrogen. If you eat foods with this ingredient, it can help cure an estrogen imbalance, although again you should check with a doctor. More estrogen can slow down hair growth. Licorice, alfalfa, fennel and flaxseeds are natural products that contain phytoestrogen. Basically, phytoestrogen mimics the role that estrogen plays in the body.

Try waxing. Use depilatories. Try bleaching. Use tweezers to reduce facial hair. Try a disposable or reusable razor for use in wet shaving. Try threading. Use lasers. Try electrolysis. Use a gelatin peel. Make a lemon/orange or apricot/honey scrub. Make a paste with Turmeric. Try an egg mask. Drink spearmint tea. Use a hair growth inhibitor. Although there's not much evidence of long-lasting effect, make a drink out of black cohosh herb. Deal with hormones.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Script-for-an-Animated-Cartoon

How to Write a Script for an Animated Cartoon

To write a script for an animated cartoon, start by opening the first scene with dialogue from your main character to immerse the viewers in the story right away. Then, include a conflict that involves the main character, like having them want something that's hard to get or putting them in a difficult situation with their boss. Additionally, include details about the setting that bring the story to life, such as descriptions of a thunderstorm or a skyscraper. You should also give your characters formal, informal, and other styles of dialogue to reflect their personalities.

Come up with a unique plot. The beauty of animation is that you can come up with the craziest plot imaginable and have it drawn into life. Embrace the possibilities of animation and create a plot that is unique and imaginative. Avoid familiar plot ideas that you've heard before. Challenge yourself to create a plot that puts a unique spin on a familiar idea. For example, rather than start with a familiar plot like boy meets girl and tries to get girl, you may go for a plot like boy meets cyborg girl and tries to win her heart by fighting off killer dinosaurs. Focus on an interesting main character or cast of characters. Create a main character that has distinct characteristics or personality traits. Give your main character a backstory that makes them particular or strange. You may use a real life person as inspiration for your main character or create a main character from scratch. For example, maybe you have a main character who is a young girl born with a third eye. Or perhaps you have a main character who is a creature from the swamp, half-man, half-animal. You can even have a main character that is not human, such as a walking square or a talking lamp. You can also focus your story on a cast of characters, such as an oddball family or a pair of strange siblings. Explore a surreal or strange setting. Make up a setting by combining your hometown with your favorite planet. Or exaggerate a setting, such as your high school, by putting it in a black hole in space. Use the setting as inspiration for your characters and your plot. For example, if you decide to use a setting like your high school in space, you may then come up with characters like teenage aliens who go to the high school. Brainstorm with a partner. Tossing ideas back and forth with a partner may help you generate a stronger story for the animation. Ask a friend, peer, or family member to brainstorm ideas with you. Try yelling out a character idea and then having your writing partner respond with a different idea or add on to it. You can also try making a mind map with your writing partner to help generate story ideas. Create storyboards. Bring your brainstorming ideas to life by drawing storyboards for a few possible scenes in your script. Draw out squares on plain paper and sketch out details like setting, time of day, and scenery for the scene. Include character dialogue and action in the storyboards. See how your ideas work visually in the storyboards. Do storyboarding for a few potential plots or characters you are thinking about. You can then tweak your ideas when you sit down to write the draft of the script. Watch examples of animated cartoons. Get a better sense of the genre by watching cartoons that are considered unique and well-written. Listen to the dialogue of the characters. Notice how the plot in each cartoon moves forward in interesting and unexpected ways. Watch a mix of animated television shows and films. You may watch: The Simpsons South Park Rick and Morty BoJack Horseman The Powerpuff Girls Up Steven Universe The Amazing World Of Gumball Introduce the main character. Establish your main character in the first scene of the script. Open with dialogue that shows the viewer the character. Place the main character in the setting and have them interact or reflect on the setting. Give the viewer a sense of the main character so they can feel immersed in the story. For example, you may open with a scene where your main character goes to work at their job on Mars, showing their daily routine to introduce them to the reader. Or you may open with dialogue of a fight between the main character and their partner, showing their complicated relationship. Include conflict that involves the main character. The conflict can be something the main character wants, but has a difficult time getting due to obstacles or issues. It can also be a conflict between the main character and another character, where neither character can agree or find common ground. The conflict can also come from an outside factor, such as a bad boss, a mean teacher, or a natural disaster. For example, you may focus on a simple conflict like the main character doesn't want to go to school that day. You can then come up with what the main character would do instead if they skipped school, focusing on the weird or strange things they might do. Keep the setting engaging. Bring the setting to life by including details that make it unique and visually engaging. Make the setting particular by including certain objects in a room. Decide what the climate or weather is in the setting. Include buildings and structures that add to the world of the story. For example, you may set your script in a carnival that caters to aliens. You may then include rides that blast the rider to another galaxy or carnival foods that aliens might enjoy. Write dialogue that explores character and conflict. Dialogue in your script should always be doing two things: exploring character and building conflict. Avoid dialogue like “Hi, how are you?” or “Nice day today.” Write dialogue that cuts to the chase and tells the reader something about the character. For example, you may give one character a catchphrase that they say whenever they feel stressed or surprised, such as Homer Simpson's famous "D'oh!" You can also have one character with a more casual way of speaking and another character with a more formal way of speaking to create contrast. For example, one character may say, “Sup, alien?” and another character may respond, “Hello there, my illustrious alien friend, how lovely to see you.” Note the location and time of day of each scene. This is called the slugline and should appear in ALL CAPS at the beginning of a scene. Use “INT” for an interior location and “EXT” for an exterior location. For example, you may write: “EXT. CARNIVAL - MIDDAY” or “INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.” Format the dialogue for each character. Whenever you use a character name in the script, write it in ALL CAPS. You can then write their dialogue under their name. Center the character's name and dialogue on the page so it is easy to follow. For example, you may write: AL THE ALIEN Come on Mom, let's ride the Blaster! MAMA ALIEN Not a chance on Mars, honey, way too dangerous. Include important objects in the scene. Only list objects that are essential to the scene and not merely to create the background setting. The object may be something the main character sees or touches. It could also be a sign that the character reads, and that should be shown to the viewer as well. Include the object in ALL CAPS in the script. For example, you may write: “AL THE ALIEN stumbles over a ROLL OF CARNIVAL TICKETS” or “MAMA ALIEN reads a sign that says “NO MINORS, NO HUMANS.” Describe the sounds and actions in the scene. Include any sounds in the scene in parentheses and ALL CAPS. For example, you may write, “(CLANKING NOISES)” or “(EXPLODING NOISES).” You should also write any actions done by the characters in ALL CAPS and bold. For example, you may write, “She KICKS the human” or “He CRIES into his pillow.” Read the script out loud. Once you have created a draft of the script, read it aloud several times. Notice if it is easy to follow and has a clear conflict. Pay attention to how the dialogue sounds when read aloud. Make sure the dialogue is entertaining and explores character well. You should also read the script aloud to check for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Ask others to read the dialogue. To hear how the dialogue sounds, ask friends, peers, or family members to play different characters and read the dialogue aloud. This will help you get a better sense of how the dialogue sounds with different voices. Try running through the script at least once to listen to how it sounds. In script writing, this is called a “read through.” A read through is often done with the voice actors who are playing the characters to ensure the dialogue sounds right in their voice. Watch a portion of the script and the animation together. Take one scene and have rough animation done to flesh it out. Then, watch it to confirm the scene is working and the script is effective on a visual level. You can do the animation yourself or hire an animator to bring your script to life. If you like the portion that has been animated, you can then get the rest of the script animated. Then, watch the animated cartoon from start to finish to ensure it is to your liking.

Come up with a unique plot. Focus on an interesting main character or cast of characters. Explore a surreal or strange setting. Brainstorm with a partner. Create storyboards. Watch examples of animated cartoons. Introduce the main character. Include conflict that involves the main character. Keep the setting engaging. Write dialogue that explores character and conflict. Note the location and time of day of each scene. Format the dialogue for each character. Include important objects in the scene. Describe the sounds and actions in the scene. Read the script out loud. Ask others to read the dialogue. Watch a portion of the script and the animation together.

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How to Make a Furry Mouse Toy for Cats

To create a furry mouse toy for your cat, you'll need to gather wool felt fabric, scrap fabric, a large needle and embroidery thread, stuffing, and some super glue from your local craft store. Then, create the body by cutting a semi circle out of a folded piece of square felt fabric. Next, using the scrap fabric, cut out two eyes, two ears, and a tail for your toy mouse. To stick everything together, use the super glue to attach the ears, eyes, and tail to the felt fabric. Finally, use the needle and embroidery thread to sew the mouse three quarters of the way closed and fill it using stuffing. Continue sewing the mouse until it's completely closed.

Gather materials. In order to make a furry mouse toy, you will need to use good quality wool felt. This will give the mouse a nice furry feel. You'll also need a handful of other items. These items can be purchased at most craft stores. You'll need: Wool felt fabric Fabric scraps (optional) Fabric chalk Fabric scissors A large needle and embroidery thread Hot glue gun and glue (or super glue) Stuffing Twine (optional) Catnip (optional) Cut out a square of fabric. Begin by cutting your felt fabric in the shape of a square. Your mouse can be any size you want, but a good average is for the fabric to be 2" X 2" (5.08 cm X 5.08 cm). Now fold your square in half. Set a book (or another heavy object) on your folded square to help it keep its shape. Use your fabric chalk to sketch a mouse shape. Starting at the fold, carefully draw a semi-circle that comes to a point at one end. This should look similar to a letter "D," if the bottom of the letter were stretched to a point. Cut out your semi-circle, maintaining the fold. Using a pair of sharp fabric scissors, carefully cut along the curved line. Do not cut at the fold! If you open your fabric square, you should have a sort of lopsided heart. Cut out two ears and two eyes. Using either a different color of wool felt, or any kind of scrap fabric you have lying around, cut out two tiny circles (to be used as eyes) and two medium-sized circles (to be used as ears). Create a tail. Of course, your mouse will also need a tail. You have two options for this: (a) you can braid a piece of twine or (b) you can cut out a slender piece of scrap fabric. Select which type of tail you want, and create it. Use hot glue to attach ears and eyes. Plug in your hot glue gun and allow it to heat up. Meanwhile, unfold your mouse and line up the locations for your ears and eyes. Place a tiny dab of glue where you want each of your eyes, and press the fabric down onto the glue. Then place a medium-sized dab of glue where you would like each of the ears. When you affix the ear fabric to the glue, pinch it a little at one end (the end closer to the head of the mouse). This will help give them the impression of mouse ears. If you do not have access to a hot glue gun, regular super glue can work. Use hot glue to attach the tail. Now flip the body of your mouse over. You are going to glue the tail to the seam of your fold. Place a line a hot glue about 1/4" (0.63 cm) long right along the fold in your mouse body, and press your tail into the glue. Once again, you can use super glue if you do not have a hot glue gun. Sew the mouse 3/4 of the way closed. Using your needle and embroidery thread, start at the tail and begin to sew the back of the mouse closed. Stop when you are about 3/4 of the way along the semi-circle. Stuff the mouse. Break off small pieces of stuffing (about the size of a silver dollar) and carefully press them down (one by one) into the mouse using your fingers. Continue this until the mouse is full. Add catnip (if using). If your cat enjoys catnip, you may want to add some to this toy. Sprinkle 1-3 teaspoons (5-15 ml) of catnip into the stuffing. You can purchase catnip at any pet store. Finish sewing the mouse closed. Take your needle and embroidery thread and continue sewing the mouse the rest of the way closed. Make sure that all glue is completely dry, and give your handmade gift to your feline friend.

Gather materials. Cut out a square of fabric. Use your fabric chalk to sketch a mouse shape. Cut out your semi-circle, maintaining the fold. Cut out two ears and two eyes. Create a tail. Use hot glue to attach ears and eyes. Use hot glue to attach the tail. Sew the mouse 3/4 of the way closed. Stuff the mouse. Add catnip (if using). Finish sewing the mouse closed.

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How to Be Thorough in Your Oral Hygiene Routine

The best way to keep your teeth healthy is to brush them for two full minutes at least twice every day. When you brush, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and move it back and forth in short, gentle strokes over each tooth. Remember to include your upper and lower teeth on both sides, and make sure you reach your back teeth. To keep your toothbrush clean, rinse it fully after each use, and replace it every 3-4 months. Additionally, floss your teeth at least once each day with dental floss or a water flosser. For extra protection, chew sugar-free gum with xylitol throughout the day.

Clean your teeth at least twice a day. The best oral hygiene habit to get into is to brush your teeth at least twice everyday — once when you wake up in the morning, and again before you go to bed at night. If you do absolutely nothing else for your teeth, at least do this. Wait at least one hour after eating to brush your teeth. When you eat and drink during a meal, the enamel on your teeth can soften temporarily. Brushing your teeth immediately after a meal means you may accidentally erode your enamel. Instead, wait for about an hour after you've eaten before you brush your teeth. This will allow the saliva in your mouth to help neutralize the acid content and return your enamel to its normal strength. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. While toothbrushes come in variety of bristle stiffness, you should always use a soft or sensitive bristled brush. If possible use an electric toothbrush instead of a manual toothbrush. The fast action of an electric toothbrush can actually remove twice as much plaque as manual brushing. Look for a sonic electric toothbrush — the head movement offers the correct movements of the brushing technique and they are more gentle on your teeth. Toothbrushes also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose the shape and size that fits best into your mouth and feels comfortable when brushing. The best brush is one that allows you to reach to the very back of your last molar without difficulty. Some toothbrushes will come with a tongue scraper which is very useful to remove bacteria on the surface of the tongue. This can be used at the end of your teeth brushing process, thus, preventing bad breath. Select a toothpaste that’s been approved by the ADA. The American Dental Association (ADA) has a seal of acceptance that can be found on dental products that meet their rigorous standards. When selecting a toothpaste, ensure it has the ADA seal of acceptance on the label. Among other things, the ADA seal of acceptance ensures the toothpaste contains the proper amount of fluoride for certain age groups. Look at the back label of the toothpaste and look for calcium carbonate which is an important ingredient to remove bacteria and stains. The best toothpastes provide enamel protection which is necessary to combat hypersensitivity due to acids in the body or food. Freshness and shiny teeth are desired by the consumers, thus, it's important to choose one that provides long-lasting and consistent results. If you do not live in North America, check to see if a national or regional dental organization reviews and provides seals of approval for dental products in your area. Then look for that specific seal on the toothpaste you buy. Brush your teeth with the proper technique. Brushing your teeth with the proper technique will help ensure removal of the most amount of plaque possible. The back-and-forth technique you see in movies and on TV will actually harm your enamel. The best brushing technique to use is as follows: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Move your toothbrush back and forth in short, gentle strokes. Brush each tooth surface 15 times and make sure you count them without applying too much force. The best way to clean the chewing surface of the molars (where is the highest risk of decay), is to apply a circular clockwise and anti clockwise movement so bacteria can be eliminated by the centrifugal force. Clean the back of your front teeth by placing the brush vertically against the back of your teeth and making up and down strokes with the brush. Don't forget to use your toothbrush to brush the surface of your tongue as well. Continue to brush your teeth for a full two minutes. Each time you brush your teeth, you should brush continuously for two minutes. Split the time between all areas of your mouth to ensure they all get equal treatment. Use a timer or stopwatch to ensure you don't stop early. Keep your toothbrush clean. Always rinse off your toothbrush when you're done brushing and make sure there's no toothpaste residue left on the brush. Store your toothbrush in a cup or toothbrush holder so that the brush is standing upwards. If you're away on vacation or a business trip, try to store your toothbrush in the same fashion in your hotel (or wherever you're staying). It's not a good idea to keep a toothbrush cooped up inside a toothbrush holder longer than absolutely necessary. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. At the very least you should replace your toothbrush, or electric toothbrush head, every three to four months. If the toothbrush looks like it's damaged or worn, replace it sooner than three months. Floss your teeth at least once a day. An awesome oral hygiene routine includes flossing your teeth once a day. Dentist's recommend you floss in the evening, before bed, as this will help to remove any food residue before it has a chance to sit on or between your teeth all night. While most people tend to floss after they've brushed, it is actually recommended that you try flossing before you brush. This helps to remove food particles stuck between your teeth and gums and then allows those areas of your mouth to be cleaned more effectively when you brush. Flossing is a good way to end your teeth brushing process by removing anything that is still stuck in between your teeth. It can also prevent gum disease. Pick a floss that has the right thickness for the spaces between your teeth. Make sure that the floss is ADA-approved. Use at least 18 in of floss. When pulling off a strand of floss from the roll, take about 18 in or 46 cm. Roll one end of the floss around the middle finger on your right hand, and roll the other end of the floss around the middle finger of your left hand. Leave enough floss between your middle fingers so you're able to grab the floss using your thumbs and index fingers on both hands. Be gentle while flossing your teeth. While you want to hold the floss between your hands tightly, you want to be as gentle as possible when you're actually flossing. The floss should be used to rub your tooth up and down while it's in-between two teeth. You should also attempt to curve the floss around the tooth for better results. As you move through your mouth, unwind one end of the floss and wind the opposite end, so you have fresh floss every one to two teeth. Try an alternative to floss if you have trouble. There are several alternative tools that can be used in place of floss, if you find it difficult to use floss. Floss picks have floss mounted between two ends so you don't have to wind and unwind floss yourself. They also have an easy-to-grip handle to manipulate the pick between your teeth. There are also electric flossing machines that spray a jet of water that can be used to clean between your tooth (sometimes referred to as a WaterPik). Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash or mouth rinse. Consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse or a fluoride-based mouthwash everyday. You can use the rinse/wash each time you brush, but you can also use it between brushing to keep your mouth fresh. If you don't like the idea of bringing a toothbrush and toothpaste to school or work with you, you can always bring a small jar of rinse/wash instead to use after a meal. Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing sugar-free gum throughout the day, specifically after a meal, can help protect your teeth. Chewing gum generates more saliva in your mouth, which in turn can balance the level of acidity. Plus, chewing gum can clean the plaque off your teeth, which will help prevent decay and erosion. Look for sugar-free gum that contains xylitol, as it helps maintain an neutral Ph balance in your mouth. Note that some people with jaw issues (such as TMJ) may be advised not to chew gum as it will cause more problems than it will solve. If you have been diagnosed with a jaw issue, ask your dentist if you should be chewing gum. Reduce the amount of sugar you eat and drink. Sugar can be very hard on teeth. Sugar can cause or worsen tooth decay, which in turn can lead to cavities. Reducing the amount of sugary food and drinks you consume will help keep your teeth healthy in the long-term. Keep in mind that this includes the sugar you put into items such as coffee, tea, lemonade, iced tea, and other drink mixes. Be careful of how much acidic foods and drinks you consume. Foods and drinks that have a high acidic value can also have a damaging effect on your teeth by eroding the enamel. Enamel protects protects the dentin, which contains the pulp with the nerves and blood vessels of your teeth. Without enamel you'll find yourself becoming very sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks and you'll also likely experience pain. Reducing or eliminating acidic foods and drinks will help to protect your enamel and keep your teeth healthy and strong. If you are drinking an acidic beverage, try drinking it with a straw. This methods help prevent the drink — and therefore the acid — from actually touching your teeth. Stop smoking. Smoking is terrible on your mouth. In addition to giving you bad breath and stained teeth, smoking can also increase your chances of losing your teeth and getting mouth cancer. If you currently smoke, seriously consider quitting. If you do not smoke, don't start. Quitting smoking can also have positive benefits on your overall health and wellbeing, not to mention your pocketbook. Avoid other bad oral habits to keep your mouth strong and healthy. There are several things you may do on a regular basis that have become habits, but are actually quite bad for your teeth and mouth. Reducing the amount of time you use the habit, or eliminating it altogether, will significantly help keep your mouth healthy and strong. The following bad habits should be avoided: Biting your nails. Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Massage, don't scrub, your teeth when you brush. Grinding or clenching your teeth. If you happen to do this while you sleep, ask your dentist about a mouthguard. Chewing ice cubes. Using your teeth as tools! This includes using your teeth to rip tape or open a plastic package. Use scissors instead. Schedule annual dental cleanings. Ideally you should have a professional cleaning and dental exam at least once a year, however some dentists (and insurance plans) may suggest as often as every six months. A professional cleaning will allow a dentist or dental hygienist to scrape off all the built-up plaque and tartar on your teeth that you are not able to remove with brushing or flossing. X-rays are often taken at annual dental exams in order to allow the dentist to determine if you have any cavities or other issues. You may need to get your teeth cleaned more than once a year depending on the condition of your teeth and gums. Some people need to get cleanings every 3 months or so! See a dentist immediately if you experience problems. If you find yourself experiencing any of the following problems, make an appointment to see your dentist right away. Many of these issues are symptoms for much more serious dental problems which, if caught early, may be simple to fix. If your dentist is already aware of these issues from an annual exam, follow their instructions as to how to handle the problem. Very red, swollen and tender gums. Gums that bleed a lot when you brush or floss. Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth (it looks like your teeth are getting bigger). Gums that seem to grow bigger and wider, slowly covering the surface of your teeth. Loose teeth (other than baby teeth). Changes in your bite — the way your top and bottom teeth align. Very high sensitivity to heat or cold. Constant bad breath or bad taste in your mouth. Get a fluoride treatment. Fluoride can help prevent tooth decay and, therefore, cavities. Fluoride is normally found in toothpastes and mouthwashes, but can also be applied as a varnish or treatment at your dentist's office. Annual fluoride treatments are normally recommended for children and teenagers, but adults can also benefit. Many cities throughout North America add fluoride to their drinking water, which is for your teeth. Check with your city to determine if fluoride is added to the water where you live.

Clean your teeth at least twice a day. Wait at least one hour after eating to brush your teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Select a toothpaste that’s been approved by the ADA. Brush your teeth with the proper technique. Continue to brush your teeth for a full two minutes. Keep your toothbrush clean. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Floss your teeth at least once a day. Use at least 18 in of floss. Be gentle while flossing your teeth. Try an alternative to floss if you have trouble. Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash or mouth rinse. Chew sugar-free gum. Reduce the amount of sugar you eat and drink. Be careful of how much acidic foods and drinks you consume. Stop smoking. Avoid other bad oral habits to keep your mouth strong and healthy. Schedule annual dental cleanings. See a dentist immediately if you experience problems. Get a fluoride treatment.

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How to Buy Flowers for a Funeral

Buying flowers for a funeral is a common way of expressing sympathy and respect to the family of the deceased. Before you go flower-shopping, check the funeral invite for any preferences about flowers and where you should send them. If you're immediate family, it's common to send a casket spray or wreath. If you're extended family, send a standing spray or informal arrangement. If you're a close friend or colleague, send a spray, wreath, basket arrangement, or bouquet. In general, choose white flowers to represent peace and reverence or blue for comfort and calm. Avoid green flowers for funerals. To buy your flowers, visit a local florist or search online if you're busy. Unless the family have a preference, you can send them to either the funeral home or their family home.

Recognize the wishes of the family. Some funeral announcements will say “In lieu of flowers…” and ask for a donation to be made to a favorite charity or a personal cause. Some people choose to send flowers in addition to making a donation. This decision is up to you, but when in doubt, respecting the wishes of the family is always appreciated. Consider the faith of the deceased. The most appropriate flower arrangements can vary depending on the faith, cultural beliefs, or religious traditions of the deceased and the bereaved. What is appropriate in one culture may not be so in another, so it is important to consider this before purchasing flowers for a funeral. Here are some suggestions for more common religious affiliations: Catholic and Protestant Christian: there are no specific recommendations or styles to avoid; nearly all colors and types flowers and floral arrangements are acceptable. Mormon: while most flowers are acceptable, avoid arrangements with crucifixes or crosses. Greek Orthodox: while most flowers are accepted, white flowers are often chosen as a preferred option. Jewish: flowers are not typically displayed at a funeral home where the service for the deceased is held; instead, it is more common to send flowers to the family members' homes. However, you should not take flowers to a Jewish home sitting Shiva. Baha'i: most types of flower arrangements are acceptable; there are no specific recommendations or styles to avoid. Buddhist: most types of flower arrangements are acceptable; there are no specific recommendations or styles to avoid. Hindu: instead of floral arrangements, garlands are more commonly seen at Hindu funerals. Ask the funeral home about the possibility of sending a garland instead. Muslim: the acceptability of flowers at an Islamic funeral varies across the faith, and therefore it is important to ask about the desires of the bereaved before sending them. Consider your relation to the deceased. Different types of floral arrangements are sent by individuals with different familial proximity to the deceased. Consider this when choosing an arrangement of flowers to send. Choose a casket spray or wreath if you are from the immediate family. Alternate arrangements from immediate family can include table arrangements, swags inside the casket lid, and heart-shaped arrangements. Choose a standing spray or informal arrangement if you are a member of the extended family. Send a spray, wreath, basket arrangement, bouquet in a vase, or a live plant if you are a close friend or colleague. Friends can send flowers directly to the funeral home or to the home of the family member that they wish to comfort, while business associates can have flowers delivered to the work of the family member. Make a tribute to the personality of the deceased. Flowers can be used as a way to subtly recognize that which the deceased loved to do in life. Choosing a unique bouquet with a special meaning to you is a great way to honor the life of the deceased. If the deceased loved the outdoors, send a basket of rustic wildflowers. If the deceased always dressed in yellow, consider sending a bouquet of yellow flowers. If the deceased was an avid gardener, consider sending a plant that can be planted by the family outdoors to honor their loved one. Potted plants have symbolic meaning because they will continue to live and grow. Choose your flowers carefully. While there is no hard and fast rule regarding the types of flowers that should be sent to funerals or homes of the bereaved, there are many traditional favorites. Here are a few suggestions of flowers with meanings that may be appropriate for the funeral setting: Apple Blossom: better things to come Lilies of the Valley: return of happiness Ivy: eternal fidelity Hybrid tea roses: “I'll remember you” Roses (red): love/respect/courage Roses (pink): grace/gentility Roses (light pink): admiration/sympathy In addition, certain flowers may be appreciated by certain cultures. For example, Chrysanthemums may be especially appreciated by Asian families. Consider color meanings. When choosing flowers, especially for an emotional event like a funeral, it is advisable to consider flower colors, as these may be noticed by some of the deceased's loved ones. Pick white flowers to represent peace and reverence. Choose blue flowers to represent comfort and calm. Avoid green flowers. These represent health and good fortune, a meaning which is not appropriate for the event at hand. Red flowers should be avoided at Buddhist funerals. Instead, white flowers are preferred. Consult the funeral home about any rules they may have regarding flowers. For example, many funeral homes have rules about sending floral arrangements in vases that may be prone to tip over and spill and/or break. This includes glass vases. If in doubt, call the funeral home to ask if there are any preferred ways to display flowers so that you can convey this when you place your flower order. Visit a local florist. Visiting a local florist can be a great way to make sure you are sending the right type and right arrangement of flowers. Florists will often be quite well-versed in composing various types of floral arrangements for funerals. If you are from a small town, the florist may know the deceased or bereaved personally and may be able to offer additional advice. Provide the florist with information about the deceased, including the name and the date, time, and location of the funeral service. Prepare your message for the card that will be sent with your arrangement. The most common and simple note is “I'm/We're sorry for your loss” or “With deepest sympathy.” However, you may choose to write a longer and more personalized message. Send flowers from an online website. Sending flowers from an online website has become increasingly common and may be more convenient than making a trip to a local florist. Most online flower ordering sites have a link to order sympathy and funeral arrangements online, where you can add in all the same information that you would tell your florist. Visit www.teleflora.com to order standing sprays and wreaths, funeral service bouquets, sympathy bouquets, photo and urn tributes, and flower arrangements for the caskets. This website will deliver to the location where the funeral service will be held or to the family's home. Try www.ftd.com to order plants as well as flowers, sprays, and wreaths. FTD has a very nice collection of potted plants to choose from if that is what you desire. Visit www.1800flowers.com and choose “Sympathy for Funeral Service” to choose an arrangement of funeral flowers that fits your taste and budget. Decide where to send your floral arrangement. While most floral arrangements are sent directly to the funeral home that will hold the viewing of the deceased, it is also appropriate to send flowers to the family's home. Consider including others in your floral commemoration. Many times, groups of friends, such as a social club, a luncheon group, or business colleagues, decide to send a floral tribute as a group. When a group of individuals go in together on the purchase of a floral arrangement, it can often be larger and potentially more noticeable than many small arrangements. Sign the card with the flowers as a group, for example, “The Accounting Group at X Business” or “The Smith Family.”

Recognize the wishes of the family. Consider the faith of the deceased. Consider your relation to the deceased. Make a tribute to the personality of the deceased. Choose your flowers carefully. Consider color meanings. Consult the funeral home about any rules they may have regarding flowers. Visit a local florist. Send flowers from an online website. Visit www.teleflora.com to order standing sprays and wreaths, funeral service bouquets, sympathy bouquets, photo and urn tributes, and flower arrangements for the caskets. Decide where to send your floral arrangement. Consider including others in your floral commemoration.

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How to Wear a Peacoat

If you want to wear a peacoat, make sure to select a color that will go well with your wardrobe. While women's peacoats come in a variety of bright and bold colors, including maroon, mustard, and white, men's peacoats tend to only come in black, brown, grey, and navy. To choose the right women's peacoat for you, opt for a double-breasted peacoat if you prefer a classic look, or consider a cropped peacoat for a more feminine cut. Alternatively, if you are looking for a men's peacoat, consider investing in a long peacoat with 8-10 buttons for a formal look. You could also style your peacoat by accessorizing with sunglasses or a beanie, depending on the weather.

Select a color that goes well with your wardrobe. Men's peacoats tend to come in black, brown, grey, and navy. All of these colors are versatile but provide different options for your wardrobe, and might have different functions depending on how you wear them. For example, brown peacoats are considered less formal and might be better for a casual outfit of jeans a t-shirt. Navy and black peacoats are more versatile and can be dressed up with slacks, a button down, and a tie, or dressed down with jeans, a beanie, and a sweater. Pair the coat with a complementary scarf for put-together look. For autumn and winter, the scarf is a natural accessory for your peacoat. You can choose one in a fun color like green or red, or a pattern that incorporates the color of your jacket with other colors. For a casual look, leave your scarf undone and let it drape over the front of your jacket. For a more formal look, tie the scarf in a simple knot and tuck it into the front of your coat. This will keep you warm and make you look coordinated. Wear your peacoat over a striped sweater for a nautical look. Since the peacoat was historically made for sailors, you might choose to run with the theme and pair yours with a striped sweater. Depending on the color of your jacket, look for a sweater that's blue and white or red and white striped. Invest in a long peacoat for a more formal look. Long men's peacoats often have 8-10 buttons, and provide a more formal look. You might choose this style if you wear suits often because it adds dimension to your outfit. Make sure your jacket still hits above your knees to avoid making your legs look unusually short. You can wear a long peacoat with most business and formal wear, including suits, slacks, button up-shirts with ties, and sweater vests. Accessorize with a hat or sunglasses, depending on the weather. Peacoats are a very stylish piece of clothing, and the addition of a simple hat or a pair of sunglasses can make your outfit go from bland to exciting. Depending on the weather or your mood, you might choose one or the other to accomplish a casual or formal look. Aviator sunglasses are great for a sunny day and can make your jacket look more formal when paired with slacks and a button down. A beanie is a great winter accessory that will keep you warm and complete your casual outfit when paired with your peacoat and a pair of jeans and a knit sweater. Select a double-breasted peacoat for a classic look. You can wear a double breasted peacoat buttoned up, or with the top and bottom button undone. On women, this can give a more masculine look and can make you appear authoritative and powerful. Avoid wearing your peacoat open, as it can look boxy and unflattering. A double-breasted peacoat tends to be tighter across the chest area, so pair it with a light knit sweater, blouse, and jeans or slacks. Wear a cropped peacoat with a scarf for a cozy and trendy statement. Cropped jackets are very trendy, and a cropped peacoat can give you a traditional look while being cozy and more feminine. You can tie a blanket scarf loosely around your neck to complement the coat. Tucking your scarf into your coat is also extremely fashionable and can help you stay warmer in the winter. Pair your cropped jacket and scarf with a mid-length dress or skirt for a comfortable and layered autumn-to-winter transition outfit. Belt your coat to make the jacket more fitted. Since the peacoat is more masculine, you might want to belt the coat to highlight your figure. Some women's peacoats come with a belt already, or you can select one that you already have. For a statement piece, you might choose a metal or chain belt fastened loosely around the coat. A medium-width braided belt looks great with any color jacket, especially with the loose end folded into the opposite side of the belt. A belted peacoat can be paired with business and professional clothing such as slacks, jackets, and blouses. Layer your peacoat atop a knit turtleneck sweater for added warmth. If you're wearing a short dress or skirt in the autumn or winter, you can layer up with a colored turtleneck and peacoat on top. You'll still look great while baring your legs, but you won't be as cold in the chilly air. Be careful, a turtleneck and peacoat with jeans might make you look bulky. If you're planning on wearing pants, you might opt for a lighter sweater. Try a bright color to stand out from the crowd. Women's peacoats come in a variety of colors in addition to the normal black, grey, brown, and navy. You might try a maroon, mustard, or green peacoat for the autumn months, or you might opt for a stylish “winter white” peacoat. If you opt for a neutral peacoat, you can still add color with accessories like scarves, jewelry, and belts. Patterns like plaid and herringbone are popular for peacoats and can make a different eye-catching statement.

Select a color that goes well with your wardrobe. Pair the coat with a complementary scarf for put-together look. Wear your peacoat over a striped sweater for a nautical look. Invest in a long peacoat for a more formal look. Accessorize with a hat or sunglasses, depending on the weather. Select a double-breasted peacoat for a classic look. Wear a cropped peacoat with a scarf for a cozy and trendy statement. Belt your coat to make the jacket more fitted. Layer your peacoat atop a knit turtleneck sweater for added warmth. Try a bright color to stand out from the crowd.

https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Mobile-Home

How to Buy a Mobile Home

To buy a mobile home, start by finding a piece of land to put your home on, making sure that there is enough flat ground to accommodate it. Additionally, look up local zoning ordinances at the county tax assessor's office to determine if you can put a mobile home on the property. Next, look for local companies that sell mobile homes to keep shipping costs low and compare prices between companies. Once you find a mobile home, look at your finances to decide on a down payment, then compare different banks for loan options that you can afford.

Decide how much space you need. Mobile homes come in different sizes with different amounts of bedrooms. Consider how many people will be living in your house and decide how many bedrooms you need. Mobile homes typically come in 3 different sizes, single wide, double wide, and triple wide. Single wides are typically long and narrow with their rooms connecting without hallways. Double wides are twice as wide as single wides and have hallways connecting some of its rooms. Triple wides are much larger and typically have 3 to 4 bedrooms with hallways and much more open space. Most mobile homes or trailers require a foundation. For a truly mobile experience, a recreational vehicle, or RV, or camper trailer will provide the greatest mobility. Look for new and used mobile homes. You can purchase a new mobile home from a mobile home company, or you can purchase a used mobile home. Buying a used mobile home can be much more affordable, but you have to do your research in inspecting the home to make sure you are getting a quality home. New or used, you need to research the conditions of the floors, walls, roof, plumbing, and the bottom of the home. Make sure a used home will pass all of the necessary codes in your area. You can find out the building codes in your area by contacting your local government's building division. If you're buying new, check to make sure you're buying from a reputable company that sells homes compliant with local building codes. Keep it local. Look for companies that sell mobile homes locally. This will reduce the shipping cost and distance traveled of your home. Buying locally also ensures you can easily return to the company if anything goes wrong with your home. Compare prices. Make sure you do your homework by researching different companies. You can find the same types of homes for different prices if you look around. Check for sales and specials being offered so you end up with the best deal. You can negotiate the price of a new mobile home just like you can a car. Most mobile home dealers have the price of the home marked up about 15 to 30 percent, so they have some room to lower the price for you. Check your finances to see how much of a down payment you can afford. A down payment is money you pay for the home before applying a loan. This will make your monthly loan payments smaller so the more you can put down the better. Many financial companies require a down payment of a certain amount, such as 5 percent. Decide what you can afford. Home loans include interest and can be paid back over different amounts of time depending on the terms, so the monthly payments can be very different with different loans. Decide what monthly payments you can afford, and then use a loan calculator to find out how much you can finance. It is a good rule to keep your home loan payment to under 30 percent of your net income. The payment should include money for the loan, the taxes, and any insurance on the home. The total of these should be under 30 percent of your net income. The total cost of a mobile home, land, delivery, and land preparation can cost between $75,000 to $300,000, and sometimes even more if you get all of the upgrades. Research financial institutions. Many different institutions offer loans to buy a mobile home, but they all will have different terms so make sure you do your research before committing. Some larger financial institutions don't do loans for mobile homes so you may have to look at smaller banks and credit unions. Local financial institutions might be best to get a good loan on a mobile home. The government issues loans for mobile homes for qualified individuals from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Visit their website to find out their qualifications for a loan. Consider rent to own loans. Some financial institutions will have the option of rent to own loans. Theses loans let you pay a higher rent payment that let's you end up owning the home. In a rent to own home, the buyer gets to move into the house before purchasing it. The buyer pays the seller monthly rent money while securing the money to purchase the home when the rent period is up. Some rent to own agreements let the buyer have the option of not buying the home when the lease contract is up, but some are binding agreements that the buyer will definitely purchase the home. Make sure you read the agreement thoroughly before getting a rent to own property. It's a good idea to have a lawyer look over the contract as well. Look up the local zoning ordinances. Make sure that the property where you want to place your home is zoned for mobile structures. Each county has different ordinances governing where mobile homes are permitted.Check your local zoning and tax laws to make sure you can put the home where you want. You can find out the zoning ordinances from your county tax assessor's office. Consider the size of the lot you want. Although mobile homes can fit on very small lots, you may want to purchase a large amount of land if you can afford it. Determine what you want to use the property for to know how much land you need. At minimum, you'll want enough land for your entire mobile home to fit on your property with an extra couple of feet around the perimeter as well. Evaluate the slope of the lot. Make sure that there is enough flat ground to place your mobile home on your lot. If the lot is not level you, expect to pay more in installation fees to excavate the lot and provide the proper grading to install a mobile home. You can hire a surveyor to provide you with a topographical map detailing the exact measurements of slopes on the land. Select a manufacturer for your mobile home. Look for home builders that are located close to where you are purchasing property. Choose a floorplan. Mobile and manufactured homes come with many different floor plans. Pick a plan that suits your lifestyle. Decide how many bedrooms you need. Think about how many people will be living in the home, and if you will want an extra bedroom for guests. Consider how the floorplan is divided. Think about whether you want the bedrooms next to each other or on opposite sides of the home. Some floor plans are better set up for roommates with one bedroom and one bathroom on either end of the home, and others lend themselves more to a family set up with a couple of rooms together on one end. Pick a floorplan that has enough space for you and your family. You will want enough sleeping space as well as living space for your family to move around in. Choose the finish level for your home. Different levels of fixtures and appliances can be chosen for a mobile home. When choosing your finish level, consider your budget and what items you need to include. Purchase a home warranty. Select a manufacturer that offers warranties on the interior, exterior and appliances. A warranty can protect you in case of defective craftsmanship or extreme situations. Apply for the necessary permits to install your home. File paperwork with the county to obtain building permits for your home. Be prepared to pay the necessary fees for your permits. Before constructing a permanent foundation on a land you will need a building permit. Some municipalities also require special permitting to connect to city utility lines. If you plan to use your land for any business or agricultural purposes, additional land use permits may also be required. Prepare the foundation for your mobile home. Hire a contractor to prepare the lot for the installation of the mobile home. Depending on the slope of your property, excavation may be required. Arrange a date for delivery. Contact the manufacturer of the home to learn how much advance notice they need in order to deliver your home. Be sure to schedule delivery for a day when you have a full day free. Delays may occur, causing your delivery to take longer than expected. Ask the company about any fees that may be associated with rescheduling your delivery due to unforeseen circumstances. Connect your utilities. Contact the utility companies in the area your home is being installed. Arrange a date to have the utilities connected after your home is delivered. Use registered contractors to connect your utilities to the city supply lines.

Decide how much space you need. Look for new and used mobile homes. Keep it local. Compare prices. Check your finances to see how much of a down payment you can afford. Decide what you can afford. Research financial institutions. Consider rent to own loans. Look up the local zoning ordinances. Consider the size of the lot you want. Evaluate the slope of the lot. Select a manufacturer for your mobile home. Choose a floorplan. Choose the finish level for your home. Purchase a home warranty. Apply for the necessary permits to install your home. Prepare the foundation for your mobile home. Arrange a date for delivery. Connect your utilities.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-Good-Friends-With-Someone

How to Become Good Friends With Someone

If you want to become good friends with someone, start by finding an opportunity to introduce yourself so you can get to know them. When you have a chance, ask them questions about themselves and give them an opportunity to know you better by answering their questions about you. Once you feel like you've gotten to know them well enough, exchange contact information with them so you can communicate easily. As you spend time with your new friend, don't be afraid to be yourself and reveal your quirky habits, hobbies, and sense of humor. After you've been friends for a while, you can strengthen your relationship and show your friend that you value them by being a reliable, honest, and supportive friend.

Introduce yourself to the person with whom you want to be friends. All friendships start somewhere, and that is with introducing yourself. Find an opportunity to say hello and share your name without being overly pushy. You could do this at school. It is especially helpful when you have mutual friends with this person, and you find yourself all in a group together. If you find yourself at a party, you can introduce yourself so that both of you have someone to talk to. Introduce yourself if you are assigned to work on a project together or to complete a task together. Ask questions about him/her. When you have the opportunity, take time to ask your new acquaintance questions about himself/herself. This shows him/her that you have an interest in getting to know him/her. “Do you have any brothers and sisters? How many?” “What do you like to do in your free time?” “What sports do you play?" " Do you like cooking?" “What are your hobbies?” “Have you always lived in this area?” “What is your favorite type of music/band/artist?” “Do you like to read? What is your favorite book?” Respond to his/her questions about you. It is almost expected that as you ask your new acquaintance questions, he/she will answer and then ask you the same question about yourself. Be sure to take the time to answer those questions and give him/her the opportunity to get to know you, too. Friendship is a two-way street, so it is important for both of you to feel that you know each other well in order to build a good friendship. Keep the talking balanced. When you do answer questions, try to take a similar amount of time as your acquaintance did so that you avoid talking more than him/her. Avoid heavy topics. While you are in this first stage of getting to know someone, it is best to avoid controversial and personal topics of conversation. Keep the chat light and upbeat, talking about things you have in common or things you want to know about each other. Redirect the conversation if it gets too personal: “I'm not comfortable talking about that right now. Have you ever been to a concert?” Excuse yourself from the conversation or redirect it if you begin discussing a controversial topic: “I understand that we both have our own beliefs about this, but let's talk about something more fun for now.” Take your time in getting to know your new acquaintance. Avoid bombarding him/her with a lot of questions all at once. You want to get to know this person, but you do not want him/her to feel like he/she is being interviewed. As you cross paths with your acquaintance on different occasions, like in school or at the mall, take the the opportunity to get to know a little more about him/her. You could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get to know your new acquaintance. It does not need to happen immediately or in just a few short hours. Exchange contact information when you feel ready. When you feel like you have gotten to know your acquaintance enough to pursue a friendship with him/her, ask if you can exchange contact information. You can share any of the following, based on how you like to keep in touch: Phone number for calling and/or text messaging Kik username for messaging without sharing your phone number Email address Social media profiles, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Know how to be a friend. In order to start becoming a good friend with someone, and therefore expecting that person to become a good friend, you need to be a good friend yourself. Reflect on your own personality and determine what your strengths and weaknesses are in being a friend. Create a goal to improve one of your friendship weaknesses to help you become a better friend. For example, maybe you sometimes forget to respond to your friends' text messages, so you could make a goal to respond within a few hours every time. Be yourself with your friend. You would not like it if you found out that your friend's true personality is completely different from what you thought it was. Therefore, you should be yourself around your friend. Show your quirky habits. Maybe they do the same things! Share your sense of humor and tell jokes that you think are funny. Share your hobbies and interests, even if others think they are “weird.” Your friend might be interested in them, too! Accept your friend for who he/she is. It is important to not try to force your friend to be someone that he/she is not. Your friend is a unique person, and just as you want to be accepted for who you are, so does your friend. Invite your friend to spend time with you. There is a wide variety of things that you can do with friends. Invite your friend to hang out with you so that you can build up your friendship. Go to the movies Go to an arcade Go shopping Invite your friend over for dinner Invite your friend to play at your house Invite your friend over to play board or video games Join in a neighborhood game, like soccer or basketball Remember special occasions for your friend and celebrate them. When it is your friend's birthday, be sure to give him/her a card or even a small gift. They will also appreciate if you acknowledge when they do really well at something, when they win something, and when they get accepted into a group or program. Be sure to show genuine excitement for your friend. He/She will likely be able to tell if you are not sincerely happy for him/her, which will damage the friendship. If you also made an attempt at the same thing (for example, you also applied to get into a certain program) but did not succeed, avoid being jealous of your friend. This is unhealthy and will not allow your friendship to grow. Make your friend aware that you are there for support. Friends rely on each other for support through hard times, so let your friend know that you will be there if he/she ever needs you. Follow through when those times arise. For example, if your friend gets into an argument with a sibling or another friend, make sure you help him/her through that. Be reliable for your friend. A big aspect of a successful friendship is reliability, so if you tell your friend that he/she can rely on you to always be there, then you need to prove that. Be open and honest with your friend. No relationship can withstand being built on secrets and lies, so it is extremely important to be open and honest. When your friend asks your opinion on something, give it politely and honestly. Share your perspective in a polite, friendly way. Avoid keeping secrets from your friend whenever possible, especially if the secrets are about him/her. Show your friend that you value his/her friendship. You can do this many different ways, and usually, lots of things you do will work together to prove to your friend that you consider him/her a good friend. The following are things you should always work to do: Be reliable and dependable. Be honest. Be yourself. Support your friend. Include your friend. Celebrate your friend's accomplishments. Help your friend when he/she needs it. Give a valid reason when you cannot spend time with your friend. If your friend asks you to hang out, but you already have other plans or an obligation, let him/her know. Then, suggest another day to hang out instead. Suggesting another opportunity to hang out proves to your friend that you do want to spend time with him/her and that you like doing so. Work to resolve any issues that arise. No matter how much you and your friend have in common, arguments and disagreements are bound to come up at some point. Work through these bumps in the road with your friend. Apologize when you need to do so. If you are in the wrong, then it is important to take responsibility for your actions. Offer ideas for how you and your friend can fix the problem instead of expecting him/her to fix it. View things from your friend's point of view. Even if you and your friend are very similar, you are not the same person. Sometimes, you might need to try to understand an issue or an event from his/her perspective. Try to understand why this issue bothers or upsets him/her. What about it is upsetting? Do not brush it off if it is something that does not bother you. Instead, try to talk your friend through it and come up with strategies for dealing with the situation. Respect your friend's boundaries. Sometimes, he/she might not want your help or want your involvement in every aspect of his/her life. It is important to respect that and to give your friend the space he/she needs. Even if you or your friend moves away, it is possible to maintain a good friendship. Keep in contact when you can and show your friend that you respect his/her needs. Let your friend know that you are still there for him/her, even while space is needed. Understand that you and your friend do not need to spend time together every day. You both have your own lives, schedules, and obligations. Trust your friend. Having a good friendship means trusting one another. You cannot expect your friend to trust you if you do not trust him/her. Always be honest and open with your friend so that he/she has no reason not to trust you. Talk through problems with your friend and come to a resolution so that you can continue to trust him/her. Share your feelings and dreams with your friend. This is something that lets him/her know that you have trust, because you chose to confide in him/her. Forgive your friend's mistakes. Holding grudges is emotionally unhealthy and will not allow your friendship to blossom into a good one.

Introduce yourself to the person with whom you want to be friends. Ask questions about him/her. Respond to his/her questions about you. Avoid heavy topics. Take your time in getting to know your new acquaintance. Exchange contact information when you feel ready. Know how to be a friend. Be yourself with your friend. Accept your friend for who he/she is. Invite your friend to spend time with you. Remember special occasions for your friend and celebrate them. Make your friend aware that you are there for support. Be open and honest with your friend. Show your friend that you value his/her friendship. Give a valid reason when you cannot spend time with your friend. Work to resolve any issues that arise. View things from your friend's point of view. Respect your friend's boundaries. Trust your friend.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-a-Cigar

How to Cut a Cigar

To cut a cigar with a double-guillotine cutter, start by locating the head of the cigar, which is the end that goes into your mouth and has a round cap on it. Then, identify the shoulder, which is where the curved end starts to straighten out. Once you've identified the shoulder, pick up the cigar cutter between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand. Next, position the head of the cigar into the cutter and line it up to make a cut right above the shoulder. Keeping a tight grip on the cigar, cut the head quickly and in one fluid motion all the way through.

Select the correct end of the cigar to cut. This is the end of the cigar that goes in your mouth and is called the head of a cigar. The opposite end of the cigar is known as the foot. The head is distinguishable by the fact that it has a cap on it, a round piece of tobacco that is stuck onto the head in order to keep the wrapper of the cigar together. The head is also usually easily distinguishable because it's the end closest to the logo sticker wrapped around the cigar. Identify where the "shoulder" of the cigar ends. The shoulder is where the curved end of the cigar starts to straighten out. Right above the shoulder, where the curve is still intact, is where you'll you want to cut. Pick up your cigar cutter between your thumb and forefinger using your dominant hand. Place the cigar into the cutter and close one eye in order to line up the cigar correctly. Line it up so that you're cutting right above the shoulder of the cigar. Remember that it's better to cut too little than too much. You can always go back and cut more cigar off, but it's impossible to go back and put already-cut cigar back on. Better to be safe than sorry. Cut the cigar quickly in one fluid motion, with as much force as you can. Keep a tight grip on the cigar with your other hand and try not to let it move until it is cut all the way through. Quickness is key here. You want the guillotine to slice through the cigar quickly, not tear through it slowly. Make sure to grab a sharp cutter. Like a kitchen knife, the sharper your guillotine the better. Unless disaster strikes (it won't), you'll never regret having a sharper implement. Get a cigar punch. A cigar punch just punches a hole through the head of the cigar. There are, however, three different kinds of cigar punches available: Bullet punch: Fits on a keychain, it twists to expose a circular blade that cuts into the head of the cigar. Havana punch: Safer than a bullet punch, it has a recessed tip that can be fitted into the cigar head, and which draws out the tobacco plug after a cut is made. Multi-punch: Offers more sizes for punching different sizes of cigars. Pick an appropriate punch size, if possible, and push the blade into the cap. After the blade is inserted into the cap, rotate it to fully cut a hole into the cap, then remove the blade. the cut portion will come out as well. Use a v-cutter for more draw on a cigar. A v-cutter will give the cigar smoker a bigger draw by cutting deeper into the head of the cigar. One drawback of the v-cutter is that it sometimes produces too big of a draw, making the cigar smoke too hot. A very good v-cutter will sit on a table, but is too big to carry with you. A small one is the same size as any other small cutter and can cost as little as $4.00. A v-cutter will not remove too much from the head of the cigar, which can result in the unwrapping of the cigar. Hold the cigar in one hand, and the v-cutter in your other (dominant) hand, with the ends pulled open. Put the cigar into the cutter's indentation. Take care not to wedge the head of the cigar too deep into the v-cutter, or the cut may be too big. Pushing the cigar toward the cutter, squeeze the two ends of the cutter together. Remove any loose tobacco by tapping the cigar on an ashtray or by blowing lightly into the wedge. Understand that biting is imprecise and may result in a poor smoke. While this method is often discouraged, it will work in a pinch. Even so, if you have a choice of a straight, punch, or wedge cut, opt for those instead of biting the cap off. Place your teeth in the same manner as with the guillotine cutter. Gently bite a few times while rotating the cigar. After a few bites while rotating the cigar, the cap will be separated and can be removed by hand or mouth.

Select the correct end of the cigar to cut. Identify where the "shoulder" of the cigar ends. Pick up your cigar cutter between your thumb and forefinger using your dominant hand. Place the cigar into the cutter and close one eye in order to line up the cigar correctly. Cut the cigar quickly in one fluid motion, with as much force as you can. Get a cigar punch. Pick an appropriate punch size, if possible, and push the blade into the cap. After the blade is inserted into the cap, rotate it to fully cut a hole into the cap, then remove the blade. Use a v-cutter for more draw on a cigar. Hold the cigar in one hand, and the v-cutter in your other (dominant) hand, with the ends pulled open. Put the cigar into the cutter's indentation. Pushing the cigar toward the cutter, squeeze the two ends of the cutter together. Understand that biting is imprecise and may result in a poor smoke. Place your teeth in the same manner as with the guillotine cutter. Gently bite a few times while rotating the cigar. After a few bites while rotating the cigar, the cap will be separated and can be removed by hand or mouth.

https://www.wikihow.com/Drive-Long-Distance-With-a-Cat

How to Drive Long Distance With a Cat

To drive long distance with your cat, first get a sturdy carrier that's big enough for your cat to sit, stand, and turn around in, and leave it out in your home for a few days so your cat gets used to it. You can also take your cat on a few short trips in the carrier before your long drive. When it's time for your long-distance drive, put a collar on your cat with a tag containing your contact information in case it escapes. You should also pack toys, blankets, food, water, a litter box, and litter.

Make sure that your cat is healthy enough for travel. Trips in a car can be physically and emotionally stressful on cats. Before you embark on yours, have your veterinarian review your cat's health and make sure it is healthy enough to travel. You can also discuss with your vet whether or not feline sedatives are a good idea while traveling with your cat. These can calm some felines, but your cat may react badly to the medicines, or it may wear off during the trip. Never give your cat a sedative designed for humans. Get a carrier. The safest place for your cat to be while traveling in a car is in a designated cat carrier. You cat may not enjoy being in the carrier, but it will protect it from harm while you are on the road. Choose one that is: Well-ventilated Large enough for your cat to sit, stand, turn around, and lay down in Made of a sturdy material, whether soft (cloth or mesh) or hard (plastic or wire) Get your cat used to its carrier. Leave the carrier in your home near one of your cat's favorite places, with its door or flap open so that your cat can enter. If your cat has time beforehand to inspect the carrier, nap in it, etc., it might feel more comfortable and less stressed in it later on. Try short trips first. If you know that your cat will accompany you on an upcoming long drive, take it on some short trips first. Gradually increase the length of time you are on the road. Hopefully, these short trips will acclimate your cat to being in its carrier and in your car, so that the longer trip goes more smoothly. Pack a cat traveling kit. When traveling, you'll want to make sure that your cat has all of its regular essentials, as well as any supplies specifically needed for traveling. Before you leave on your trip, make sure to pack: Favorite toys, pillows, blankets, etc. Food and water Bowls A litterbox and litter A waste scoop and/or plastic bags Brushes, combs, and other grooming supplies Any medications your cat takes A pet first-aid kit (ask your veterinarian about getting one) Travel papers (showing vaccinations, health records, etc.), if needed in your destination Collar your cat. As a precaution, get a tag made for your cat that lists your phone number, and your home and destination addresses. If you don't want your cat to wear a collar and tag normally, this only has to be a temporary one. It is invaluable as a precaution in the event that you and your cat are separated during the trip. If you wish, you can also have an identifying microchip placed in your cat. Feed your cat before starting the trip. Your cat should have a light meal three to four hours before your trip begins. That way, your cat won't go hungry, but won't be overfed, either. If you and your veterinarian have decided to give your cat sedatives, make sure to give it a dose prior to your trip, according to instructions. For trips under 2 hours, you won't need to feed your cat on the road. Otherwise, feed it every 2 to 3 hours. Your cat may not want to eat or drink while traveling. Don't feed your cat while moving in your vehicle, as there are risks that it could choke, become sick, or get loose in the vehicle. If you need to feed your cat en route, stop first. Place your cat in its carrier. Make sure that your cat is securely in its carrier before you place it in your car. It may take some coaxing to get your cat to enter and stay in the carrier, so offer it some treats or a favorite toy, and be patient. Letting your cat loose in the car while traveling is not safe. If your cat is not safely in its carrier, it may crawl to a dangerous place (such as under your feet), or it may become even more stressed. Only let your cat out of its carrier when you are safely at your destination or a stopping point. Keep your cat comfortable. During your journey, make sure that your car stays at a comfortable temperature, and that your cat's carrier stays out of direct sunlight. The safest place to keep your cat's carrier is in the backseat. Don't leave a car window window down while traveling with your cat. It might try to escape, the noise might bother it, or the wind might make it cold. Consider using pheromones. Pheromones can help a cat to settle and feel content. Pheromones are signal-carrying hormones that are released to promote a specific response by another member of the same species. In cats, 1 of these is the feline facial pheromone. A product that mimics this feline facial pheromone is called Feliway. You can spray it in your car to make your cat feel more comfortable. Consider nutraceuticals supplements. Zylkene is a nutraceutical, which is a food supplement that has a pharmaceutical-like action on the body. Because nutraceuticals are not drugs, they are much safer and rarely have side effects. The active ingredient in Zylkene is derived from milk protein and it acts on the same part of the brain as diazepam. This calms the cat and removes some of her anxiety. Zylkene is available without prescription and comes in 75 mg capsules. The dose for a cat is a 75 mg capsule once a day, given with or after food. It can take a couple of days to take effect, but if there is no noticeable difference after 7 days, it is unlikely to help your cat. Consider using pharmaceutical sedatives. Sedatives are prescription medications that should only be administered to healthy animals. If your cat's veterinary appointment is for a routine wellness examination, your veterinarian may prescribe a sedative if your cat's stress is severe. Do not administer sedatives if you are not sure that your cat is in healthy condition. Buprenorphine, gabapentin and alprazolam are examples of medications that have recently begun to be used to reduce the anxiety associated with car travel or veterinary visits. If one of these medications is appropriate for your cat's situation, your veterinarian will prescribe it. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about the potential side effects in order to properly weigh the pros and cons. Keep it quiet. Most cats will appreciate you keeping it quiet in the car when traveling. If you have a stereo on, keep it at a low volume. Keep the windows rolled up to reduce road noise, and try to avoid any excessive traffic noises (such as honking your horn), as these may startle your cat. Make periodic rest stops. Stop every now and then to check and make sure that your cat is comfortable, and to see if it needs food or water. Many rest stops have enclosures for you to let your pet out without having to worry that they will run off. It may also need to use its litterbox. You can also stop and let your cat stretch its legs, as long as you use a harness and leash. Stay with your cat. Never leave your cat unattended in a car. During hot weather, a parked car can quickly become overheated (even if you crack the windows), which can cause heatstroke or worse. In cold weather, a parked car can become frigid, and your cat could freeze. Reward your cat at the end of the journey. Once you arrive at your destination, don't be surprised if it takes your cat a while to get back to normal; at first, it may only want to run and hide. Give your cat plenty of treats and attention after it calms down.

Make sure that your cat is healthy enough for travel. Get a carrier. Get your cat used to its carrier. Try short trips first. Pack a cat traveling kit. Collar your cat. Feed your cat before starting the trip. Place your cat in its carrier. Keep your cat comfortable. Consider using pheromones. Consider nutraceuticals supplements. Consider using pharmaceutical sedatives. Keep it quiet. Make periodic rest stops. Stay with your cat. Reward your cat at the end of the journey.

https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Tongkat-Ali

How to Take Tongkat Ali

If you want to take tongkat ali, make sure you purchase your supplement from a trusted supplier, as some preparations may contain mercury or may not be made from tongkat ali root at all. Choose a 100:1 strength extract that is made with water rather than ethanol, as ethanol extracts may be toxic, and taste it to make sure that it is bitter, which is a sign of true tongkat ali. Take your tongkat ali capsules between meals, and avoid taking more than 300 mg a day.

Purchase your tongkat ali from a trusted manufacturer. It's important to research your sources thoroughly before you take this supplement. Some preparations of tongkat ali have been found to contain dangerous amounts of mercury, while other supplements claiming to contain tongkat ali have been shown to actually be spiked with prescription erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra and Levitra. If you already purchase supplements from a store or online shop, ask them if they carry tongkat ali. To find a reliable supplement provider, ask your family and friends for recommendations, reach out on social media, and read customer reviews online. Look for a 100:1-strength extract. This means that 100 kg of the root was used to obtain 1 kg of extract. Manufacturers of tongkat ali extract can use very different concentrations in their preparation of this supplement, ranging from 20:1 to 200:1. However, a ratio 100:1 is considered standard. If you do opt to take a stronger concentration, lower your dose accordingly. For instance, if you choose a 200:1 concentration, you would take half the dose recommended for 100:1 concentrations. If you take a lower dose, you can increase your dosage as well, but you may not get the full effect of the supplement. Look for a supplement that was extracted with water rather than ethanol. Ethanol extract of tongkat ali has been shown to be toxic at high doses, but extracts made with hot water have been shown to be safe in high doses as well as for long-term use. You should be able to find the extraction method listed on the packaging or on the manufacturer's website. Taste the extract to make sure it tastes bitter. Tongkat ali extract contains quassinoids, which are extremely bitter. If your extract doesn't taste bitter, it may not be made of true tongkat ali, or it may not be a sufficient strength to produce an effect. Quassinoids are among the bitterest compounds which are found in nature, so the bitter taste in your tongkat ali supplement should be immediately obvious. Take no more than 200-300mg of tongkat ali per day. Tongkat ali supplements typically come in 100-200mg capsules. Since there is little research supporting the optimal dose of tongkat ali, you should stick to a dosage which is considered safe yet effective. You can take 200-300mg of tongkat ali in one dose, or you can split it into 2 doses throughout the day if you prefer. Take tongkat ali capsules between meals. Although there is little evidence to indicate the best time of day to take tongkat ali, herbal supplements should usually be taken between meals. This is because fiber from foods can slow the absorption of the supplement into your body. You will probably want a glass of water to help you swallow the capsule, since it's bitter. Avoid taking herbal supplements with juice, as the acidity can affect the way the extract is absorbed into your body. Choose a mature plant that is flowering or bearing fruit. If live in Southeast Asia and you want to harvest your own tongkat ali plant, you need to find one which is mature. Tongkat ali plants usually bear fruit when they are 2-3 years old, and you should harvest the plant when it is no more than 4 years old. When a Tongkat ali plant is ready to harvest, it may have small red or pink flowers, or it may have fruit which starts out green and darkens to red. Pull up the whole tongkat ali plant to access the root. You may have to dig a hole in order to get the whole root without it breaking, since tongkat ali roots usually grow straight down into the ground. If you want to make your own extract but you don't live in an area where tongkat ali grows naturally, you can order whole roots online. Wash the roots thoroughly. Even if you order your plants online, it's a good idea to wash the root in cool water before you use it, just as with any other vegetable or herb you intend to consume. Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables can cause severe diarrhea and other illnesses, especially if you are visiting from another country. Dry your tongkat ali roots by placing them in a 100–120 °F (38–49 °C) oven. Traditionally, tongkat ali roots are dried in the sun for several days. However, you can get the same effect by drying the roots in an oven set to 100–120 °F (38–49 °C) for about 72 hours. To dry your tongkat ali in the sun, lay it flat in a warm, dry place that receives at least 5-6 hours of full sun a day. It may take 3-5 days for the root to dry, or a week or more if you live in a place with high humidity. Slice the tongkat ali root thinly then boil it. Once the root is thoroughly dried, slice it into rounds as thinly as possible. Place several slices into 2–3 cups (470–710 mL) of water, then boil the mixture for about 20 minutes. Although you can slice your tongkat ali before the drying process, it's easier to cut evenly once it has been dried. Drink the mixture as soon as it has cooled. Discard whatever you don't drink. You can repeat this up to 4 times a week. Traditionally, the same tongkat ali root may be boiled up to 3 times.

Purchase your tongkat ali from a trusted manufacturer. Look for a 100:1-strength extract. Look for a supplement that was extracted with water rather than ethanol. Taste the extract to make sure it tastes bitter. Take no more than 200-300mg of tongkat ali per day. Take tongkat ali capsules between meals. Choose a mature plant that is flowering or bearing fruit. Pull up the whole tongkat ali plant to access the root. Wash the roots thoroughly. Dry your tongkat ali roots by placing them in a 100–120 °F (38–49 °C) oven. Slice the tongkat ali root thinly then boil it. Drink the mixture as soon as it has cooled.

https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Scratched-Glasses

How to Fix Scratched Glasses

To fix scratched glasses, start by holding the lens under running water for 1 minute. Then, wipe it with a microfiber cloth using a side-to-side motion to prevent swirls and smudges. If that doesn't work, try buffing away the scratches by rubbing the lens with some toothpaste dabbed onto a microfiber cloth. Make sure to rub the lens for no more than 10 seconds using a side-to-side motion to avoid leaving additional scratches. Afterwards, wash off the toothpaste with warm water and remove any remaining residue with a clean, soft cloth.

Apply liquid to the lenses. You can run the lenses under water for a minute, or you can use specialized cleaning solution designed for use with glasses. Window cleaning sprays also work well. Do not yet apply any chemical that contains abrasive materials or has a high acid content (as will be mentioned in later examples). Glasses typically have layers or coatings over the lens itself. As you are polishing or cleaning, you are really just wiping this exterior coating. When you remove scratches, you are buffing or removing a small amount of the exterior layers. It is best to keep this to a minimum in the initial phases of scratch removal. Find a soft, microfiber cloth specifically designed for cleaning. You will use it to clean the lenses. Do not use rough fabric. Though these may seem better designed to peel off layers of material, you really want to keep it to a minimum. It is essential to use microfiber cloth because the incredibly small size of the fibers makes any new scratches or buffing marks so small that they are invisible to the naked eye. Use side-to-side wiping motions to go over the lenses with the cloth. Do not use swirling or circular motions, as these can create circular smudges on the exterior of the glasses. Apply toothpaste to the scratched lens. Toothpaste contains microscopic abrasive particles that can polish and grind down the exterior layers. Use a piece of soft fabric to rub the toothpaste over the lens. Again, do not use any fabrics that are coarse or abrasive on their own; they will leave additional scratches in the lens. Rub the toothpaste over the lens using a side-to-side motion. Do not use circular motions as they can create circular scuff marks. The abrasives in toothpaste are harsher than microfiber cloth alone. Concentrating on a single area for too long could penetrate the exterior layers and damage the interior lens. Wash off the toothpaste. You can use warm water or glass cleaners, or a combination of the two. Perform a final cleaning with a microfiber cloth. Remove any remaining smudge marks from fingers or traces of residue from the toothpaste. Purchase the necessary materials. Normally, glass etching involves the use a fairly powerful acid to cut or burn an image into glass. In this particular context, it will be used to burn off the exterior layer of the glasses. You will need: A glass etching substance. A brand known as Armor Etch produces one popular variety of the material, but there are others as well. High quality rubber gloves to protect your hands. Cotton swabs or some other material to use for applying the substance to the glasses. Apply the glass etching substance using the cotton swabs. Do not rub the substance in, but merely apply it to the surface. Because of the strength of the acid in glass etching substances, you must work quickly. Only apply enough of the substance to cover the lens. Let the substance remain on the lenses for no more than 5 minutes. Again, etching solution contains powerful acids. Over-exposure to these acids will likely damage the lenses. Wash off the etching substance. Use water to wash off the etching substance, unless the instructions call for alternatives. Wash thoroughly to guarantee that no residue from the substance remains. Clean the glasses using a microfiber cloth. Use this to wipe and dry the lens, again using only side-to-side motions.

Apply liquid to the lenses. Find a soft, microfiber cloth specifically designed for cleaning. Use side-to-side wiping motions to go over the lenses with the cloth. Apply toothpaste to the scratched lens. Use a piece of soft fabric to rub the toothpaste over the lens. Rub the toothpaste over the lens using a side-to-side motion. Wash off the toothpaste. Perform a final cleaning with a microfiber cloth. Purchase the necessary materials. Apply the glass etching substance using the cotton swabs. Let the substance remain on the lenses for no more than 5 minutes. Wash off the etching substance. Clean the glasses using a microfiber cloth.

https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Act-Like-You%27re-Possessed

How to Act Like You're Possessed

To act like you're possessed, try to appear sullen, exhausted, and withdrawn around other people. When you do talk to others, make angry and unexpected comments, recite Latin phrases, and even babble incoherently in a sinister tone of voice. You can incorporate other vocalizations like wheezing, hissing, and growling to really freak people out! Leaving books about the occult and drawings of strange symbols strewn around can also indicate something is amiss.

Become withdrawn, quiet and defensive. One of the most tell-tale signs of demonic possession is a sudden change in personality. A usually happy and social person might become quiet and withdrawn, followed by negativity and hostility. Be very quiet and only speak when you are spoken to. Reply in a monotone, emotionless voice and act defensively when you are asked any questions about your behavior. You can also mimic people in a sarcastic voice when they talk to you, repeating whatever they say in an eerie tone before abruptly walking away. Show a lack of interest in all of your hobbies. Appear listless at all times and don't visibly enjoy anything. When asked your opinion or when friends and family try to otherwise draw you into a conversation, respond with a sullen “I don't care” and stare off into the distance. Develop sudden and violent verbal outbursts. Make angry, unexpected comments in the midst of a casual conversation or a quiet dinner. Have explosive, violent reactions to benign, random things. Make it seem like these comments and reactions are happening without your control. Look disoriented and confused after a sudden outburst. It should be over almost as quickly as it began, leaving everyone around you feeling jolted and confused. Project your voice loudly, give it a sharp edge, and speak more quickly than you normally would during these verbal outbursts. Twitch a bit, like you're experiencing muscle spasms. Keep a blank, exhausted look on your face. Walk around in a sort of fugue state, almost like you're sleepwalking. Look exhausted and completely without energy, as though you haven't been sleeping well or eating enough. When someone does stop you or tries to get your attention, narrow your eyes a bit and stare at them wordlessly before returning to your blank, empty facial expression. Don't overdo it. You want to look exhausted and even a little bored. If you're too dramatic, it won't be believable. Leave incriminating books and images lying around. Place books about the occult and drawings of strange symbols in places where people will see them. Be seen tracing over a symbol on a piece of paper over and over again, as though you're in a trance, until your pen tears through the paper. Look perplexed by this. Keep these incidents to a minimum – maybe one or two instances. If your room is suddenly littered with crystals, tarot cards, and other occult tools, it won't be quite as believable. Such incidents will plant the idea in the minds of your friends and family that something very sinister is going on with you, but it won't be so over the top that it reveals your ruse. Do unnerving things in public. Sit in a chair facing the wall and laugh hysterically to yourself. Be seen having furtive conversations with no one in dark corners. Rock back and forth catatonically while repeating a phrase under your breath. Hiss at people suddenly as you walk by them. This is another area in which you don't want to overdo it to be believable. Start with an isolated incident and have them grow more frequent and weirder as time goes by. You also want to avoid being too dramatic with these incidents because it might get you into trouble at school or work. This takes all the fun out of your prank. Apply a pale concealer to your face, neck, and lips. Choose a concealer that is at least a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Make sure to apply the makeup evenly to create the right pallor. You can also add a white face cream or powder — the kind sold at Halloween — over the concealer to lighten it up even more. To make your skin tone look more even and convincingly pale, apply the concealer/white makeup to your chest, hands and any other skin that's showing. Lightly dust all of the areas where you've applied the white makeup with a translucent powder. This will “set” the makeup and make it last longer. Apply matte brown, gray or purple eyeshadow under your eyes. Use an eyeshadow brush to apply matte brown and purple eye shadow beneath your eyes to make them look hollow and sunken in. Add a little bit of gray eyeshadow beneath your eyes to give the look dimension. For a slightly more extreme look, apply the eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes, your eyelids and creases of your eyes. Apply a very small amount of black eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes, in addition to the purples, browns and grays, for an extremely dramatic look. Contour your cheekbones. Dust a brown or gray matte eyeshadow beneath your cheekbones in a straight line. This will give your face a gaunt, malnourished look. Blend the makeup well. The goal is to look very unhealthy, but not to look like you're wearing any makeup to achieve that look. The contour line you create should begin at your hairline at the top of your cheeks and follow the cheekbone down, stopping about 1 inch from your mouth on each side. Color your eyes, cheeks and nose with red makeup. Apply a pink, maroon or red lip stain or eyeshadow to your eyelids, the inner corners of your eyes, and beneath your eyes. Add a little of the red color to the tip of your nose. Use a red lipliner pencil to redden your lower waterline (the inner edge of your lower eyelid, above your lashes), which will make you look sickly and exhausted. Blend the red makeup on your face well so that it looks a little more natural. You don't want it to look too obvious that you've applied makeup. Once you've applied the red lipliner to your waterline, use the end of a Q-tip to smudge it slightly. This will blend it a bit and give it a more natural appearance. Define and deepen your facial lines. Using a small angle brush, apply matte brown (or gray) eyeshadow to the lines and creases in your face. Focus particularly on the lines that run from the sides of your nose to the sides of your mouth and the lines that run down from the ends of your mouth when you frown. Don't forget to darken the lines that appear between your eyebrows when you push them together, as well as the lines that appear on your forehead when you raise your eyebrows as high as you can. Defining and deepening your facial lines with dark makeup will make you look haggard, exhausted and angry. Apply it so that the makeup doesn't look too dark or obvious. Draw veins on your cheeks and forehead. Use small angle brush and blue or green eyeshadow to lightly draw veins on your cheeks and forehead. For a creepy flair, let your hand wobble a bit as you draw the veins in. If you want the color to really pop, wet the angle brush slightly before dipping it in the eyeshadow. Blue or green gel eyeliner or cream eyeshadow are also great options to draw the veins. Dust your face lightly with a sheer or white powder. This will make your newly drawn “veins” look like they're sitting beneath your skin. The powder will also help set the rest of your makeup and remove any shine from your face. Use a large, fluffy powder puff or blush brush to apply the powder to ensure you get a very light, even dusting. Make your lips look dry and cracked. Pucker your lips and fill in the lines with a dark eyeshadow or eyeliner pencil. Apply some pink/red/maroon eyeshadow to the inner edge of your lips. This will enhance the dehydrated look of your lips, and it will also make the inside of your mouth look a bit bloody and mottled. Make your hair look greasy and stringy. Spritz your hair with water/hairspray and/or gel, and work it into sections with your fingers so that your hair looks messy and hangs down in your face. Wear your hair as long and messy as possible. If you can go a few days without washing it, this will definitely help further the illusion. Darken your fingernails and fingertips to look dirty. Pat black eyeshadow under your fingernails and around your nail beds. Drag the eyeshadow down your fingers so that the “dirt” is heaviest at the fingernail and gets lighter as it moves down your finger. Paint a small amount of reddish brown liquid lipstick around a few of your cuticles for a slightly bloody look. Wake up screaming. Frequent nightmares are another common sign of demonic possession, so pretend to have them fairly consistently. Scream unintelligibly and thrash around so that you'll look unkempt and sweaty when someone inevitably comes to check on you. Open your eyes as wide as you can and make sure your facial expression shows that you are terrified. When asked about the nature of your nightmares, get upset and shake your head hysterically, as though you can't even fathom verbalizing what you've seen. The most effective time to do this is between midnight and around 2am. Others in the house won't be deeply asleep yet, so they will be easier to wake and more on edge when they do. Practice yoga, strength and flexibility training. Possessed people are often depicted in popular cinema as being able to contort their bodies. It is also common for them to display superhuman strength. You can increase your strength and flexibility through yoga, light stretching and weight training. Arrange yourself in contorted looking positions after your “nightmares." Maintain a completely straight face. To prevent injury, stretch your muscles out in private before attempting a contortion incident. Keep your contortions simple. It won't take much on your part to unnerve the person that witnesses this. Act catatonic and go long periods without blinking. When others attempt to talk to you or move you, remain silent, keep your body rigid and your eyes unfocused. Make it difficult for anyone to physically move you while you're “catatonic.” Pretend to black out. Once you snap out of it, act as though nothing happened. Argue defensively with anyone who wants to talk about it. Show signs of memory loss around others, and hint that you've been losing stretches of time. Practice rolling your eyes so that only the whites show. Keep your head facing forward, then look up as far as you can using only your eyes — don't move your head. Move your eyes upward until you can't move them any further, then lower your eyelids slightly to hide whatever is left of your iris. Make sure you aren't completely closing your eyes when you do this. Practice getting it right with the camera on your phone. Take video and stills. Some people find it helpful to close their eyes first. Close your eyes, look up at the ceiling (with your eyes still closed), then open your eyes while still looking upward. Rehearse extreme facial contortions and pained expressions. Exorcists say that possessed people often contort their faces in extreme, frightening ways. Their facial expressions also communicate that they are in pain. Sit in front of a mirror and practice contorted and pained facial expressions. Once you get a few choice facial expressions down, use them after your “nightmares” and other weird incidents that you've staged. If possible, use props to enhance your contortions and expressions. The classic vomiting scene in The Exorcist movie is widely recognized, so it would be pretty hilarious to incorporate some thick pea soup into one of your incidents. Learn a new language or a few Latin phrases. In horror movies, possessed people often speak in Latin, but any foreign language will probably disturb your friends and family if you suddenly start speaking it. If you don't have time to learn a new language, simply learn a few Latin phrases. A common phrase the possessed use in horror movies is “Legio mihi nomen est, quia multi sumus” which means “I am Legion, for we are many.” Even saying this in English will probably be extremely scary to others. Be cautious about foreign languages if your loved ones study them. You don't want your sister announcing that your Latin has a very poor accent, with bad grammar. Another option is simply incoherent babbling. If you go this route, try to make it sound like you are speaking another language by inserting pauses and using inflection on some of your “words”. Develop a creepy voice. In film, when a demon speaks through the possessed person, its voice is often very low, sinister and a bit raspy. Play around with your voice to see what sorts of strange and frightening sounds you can make. Check out a few online instructional videos to increase your vocal range — particularly moving into deeper registers. Record yourself speaking in your creepy voice with your phone. Use an app to make your voice sound deeper and scarier, then play the recording late at night or when you're around other people. Incorporate other vocalizations like wheezing, hissing, growling, and screaming. Use these sounds in between sentences or words.

Become withdrawn, quiet and defensive. Show a lack of interest in all of your hobbies. Develop sudden and violent verbal outbursts. Keep a blank, exhausted look on your face. Leave incriminating books and images lying around. Do unnerving things in public. Apply a pale concealer to your face, neck, and lips. Apply matte brown, gray or purple eyeshadow under your eyes. Contour your cheekbones. Color your eyes, cheeks and nose with red makeup. Define and deepen your facial lines. Draw veins on your cheeks and forehead. Dust your face lightly with a sheer or white powder. Make your lips look dry and cracked. Make your hair look greasy and stringy. Darken your fingernails and fingertips to look dirty. Wake up screaming. Practice yoga, strength and flexibility training. Act catatonic and go long periods without blinking. Practice rolling your eyes so that only the whites show. Rehearse extreme facial contortions and pained expressions. Learn a new language or a few Latin phrases. Develop a creepy voice.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Litter-Box

How to Clean a Litter Box

To clean a litter box, start by scooping out solid waste from the box every day using a scooper with a grated bottom. Next, use the same scooper to remove clumps of urine from the litter. When you've removed all the waste, replace any litter that was lost while cleaning the box. Then, once a week, empty out the entire box of litter into the garbage and scrub the empty box with warm water and mild dish soap. Finally, rinse the soap off and let the box dry completely before adding new litter.

Set up a trash can close by. If you don't want to use a whole trash can, you can use an empty bucket or an empty cat litter container, and make it a designated cat waste can. It's important that you remember to set up the trash receptacle close to the litter box, so that you don't risk scattering waste or litter across the floor. Wear disposable gloves and consider wearing a mask. Some experts recommend wearing disposable gloves and a dust mask to prevent the spread of toxoplasmosis, a coccidial organism that some cats carry and transmit through fecal matter. Even if you don't directly handle the feces, cleaning the litter box can cause dust to fly in the air, which can irritate the lungs and may lead to transmission of toxoplasmosis. Scoop out solids. Cat feces should be scooped out at least once every day. Some experts even recommend scooping out solid wastes twice a day for a really clean box. If you let solid wastes build up in the litter box, your cat may refuse to use the litter box, even if the litter was only changed a few days ago. Use a special scooper, available at most pet stores. These scoopers have a grated bottom, so you can collect solid waste while the surrounding litter falls through the grates and back into the litter box. Scoop out urine clumps. If you use clumping litter, your cat's urine should form solid clumps of litter. These should be scooped on a daily basis, just like feces. If you don't use clumping litter, sprinkle a layer of baking soda at the bottom of the litter box, before you pour in the litter. This can help absorb the odors from cat urine that might get missed during daily scooping. Replace any lost litter. If you're scooping the box out on a daily basis, there's a chance you might have lost some of the litter, either because it stuck to your cat's waste or because it simply spilled out during cleaning or use. Topping off your cat's litter every few days can help keep the box clean and appealing to your cat. Empty out the old litter. While scooping will do on a day-to-day basis, you'll need to completely empty the litter and scrub the box at least once every week. Some cat owners may have to clean the litter box 2 or more times each week if there are multiple cats using the same litter box. Keep a waste basket or trash bag close by, and dump everything out of the litter box before cleaning it. Scrub the empty litter box. Once the litter is removed, you'll need to scrub the litter box, either in a sink or with a hose outside. Some experts recommend scrubbing the box at least once every week, while other experts recommend scrubbing at least once each month. How often you wash your cat's litter box will depend on how many cats use the box and what kind of litter you use. Use warm water and a mild detergent, like dish soap, that won't leave any harsh chemical smells or residue behind. You can make an effective cleaning agent by scrubbing baking soda and a little warm water on all inside surfaces of the litter box. Make sure that you rinse away all of the soap. Your cat may not use the box if it smells like soap or detergent. Note that any cleaning agents that smell like ammonia or citrus will repel cats. Using a cleaning agent with these smells may result in your cat being reluctant to use the litter box after you've cleaned it. Dry the litter box thoroughly. It's important to ensure that the box is completely dry before you add new litter, as the litter will stick to the wet sides and bottom of the box. If you use clumping litter and fail to dry the box, it might even render the whole box full of litter unusable. You can let the box air dry, or use paper towels or napkins to wipe the box dry. Consider adding baking soda. Some experts recommend sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the box, before pouring on the clean litter. This can help absorb smells, and may help absorb some of the urine, if you don't use clumping litter. Choose the right litter. Cats generally prefer clumping litter over non-clumping litter. Most cats find that it's more comfortable to walk on clumping litter because it's made of finer-grained material, and it's generally easier for your cat to bury his waste in. Plus, clumping litter will make it much easier for you to keep the litter box clean. However, some cats do prefer traditional, non-clumping clay litter. Take note of what your cat seems to prefer, and try to cater to his choice in litter. Do not use a clumping litter if you have a kitten. The curious kitten may investigate the litter with their mouth and accidentally swallow some. Clumping litter can cause a dangerous bowel obstruction in your kitten's intestines, requiring emergency care. The Humane Society cautions against using litter with perfume or deodorizer added to it, as this may irritate your cat or trigger an allergic reaction. If odor is a concern, adding baking soda to the litter box is a safe, odor-absorbing alternative to scented litter. Pour in clean litter. Once the box is completely dry, you'll need to refill the litter. However, you'll want to be sure to add the correct amount of litter. Too much litter will make a mess when your cat steps in and out of the box, and some cats (especially long-haired cats) are actually reluctant to use a box that is too full of litter. But using too little litter can make your cat feel like he won't be able to bury his waste, which can lead to out-of-box elimination. Insufficient litter can also lead to odor problems in your home. Most cats only need about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of litter. Don't pour more than 4 inches (10 cm) of litter, or your cat may not use the box. Whatever depth you choose to use, be consistent. Your cat may become stressed or confused if he suddenly has a lot more or less litter than he's used to. Learn your cat's preferences. If your cat is eliminating outside the box, he may not like something about his litter box situation. Whether it's the wrong kind of litter, the wrong depth of litter, an unclean litter box, or even a poorly placed litter box, your cat may be trying to send you a message. If your cat doesn't like traditional clay litter, try a clumping litter. If he doesn't like scented litter, try unscented litter. With a little trial and error, you'll be able to figure out your cat's preferences. Be sure your cat's litter box is in a quiet, low-traffic area. If there's a lot of noise, like in a laundry room, or a lot of traffic coming through, like your home's living room, your cat may become reluctant to use the litter box. Choose a place that's quiet and relatively undisturbed, but not so undisturbed that your cat has to make a long journey through the house to get there. Clean out-of-box waste thoroughly. Use an enzyme-based cleaning product to treat any household furniture or carpeting that your cat has eliminated on. This will break down any residual odor on the furniture, ensuring that your cat won't come to see it as an acceptable place to relieve himself. If your cat leaves solid waste on the floor or on any furniture, use a paper towel to move the feces to his litter box, rather than throwing it in the trash. This will help remind him to use the litter box next time. Keep track of your cat's bathroom habits. If your cat isn't using the litter box, it's important to check around the house to look for out-of-box elimination. If he isn't urinating anywhere, it's a sign that he may have a urinary tract infection, bladder/kidney stones, or a partially- or fully-blocked urethra. If you believe your cat is not eliminating, or if he is eliminating with blood in his urine or stool, take him to a veterinary emergency clinic immediately. This is another reason why it's a good idea to scoop the box on a daily basis. Scooping your cat's waste allows you to monitor his health, as you'll see signs of digestive or urinary problems right away and be able to act fast.

Set up a trash can close by. Wear disposable gloves and consider wearing a mask. Scoop out solids. Scoop out urine clumps. Replace any lost litter. Empty out the old litter. Scrub the empty litter box. Dry the litter box thoroughly. Consider adding baking soda. Choose the right litter. Pour in clean litter. Learn your cat's preferences. Clean out-of-box waste thoroughly. Keep track of your cat's bathroom habits.

https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Thyroid-Test-Results

How to Read Thyroid Test Results

There are a few common thyroid tests that can help determine if you have an overactive or an underactive thyroid. A Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, is a hormone that is commonly tested by doctors to check the health of your thyroid. A normal TSH test result is between.4 and 4.0. Another hormone that your doctor may test is your T4, which is produced directly by your thyroid. Look to see if your results fall between.8 and 2.8 for them to be in a normal range. Your doctor may also test your T3 hormone levels if they believe you may have hyperthyroidism. In that case, a normal T3 falls between the range of 2.3 and 4.2. Other indications of an abnormal thyroid include unexplained weight gain or less, joint pain and swelling, and fatigue.

Check to see if your TSH reading is in the normal range. The first thyroid test that is generally taken by physicians is the TSH. TSH stands for "Thyroid Stimulating Hormone," which is created by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid to create and release hormones T4 and T3. TSH can be thought of as the metaphorical "engine" of the thyroid gland, in that it determines the amount of thyroid hormone that is synthesized and then released from the thyroid into the body. A normal value for TSH is between 0.4 – 4.0 mIU/L. If your TSH is in this range, that is a good sign; however, a normal TSH value does not completely rule out thyroid problems. TSH values on the high end of normal can indicate potential thyroid problems that are evolving. Most thyroid problems require two or more tests to detect and diagnose, given the complex interplay of the various hormones that contribute to thyroid function. Your doctor may order more tests, even if your TSH is normal, if he still suspects that you may have a thyroid problem. Interpret the possible meanings of a high TSH reading. TSH tells the thyroid to produce more T4 and T3, which are the hormones released from the thyroid (at the command of TSH) to act throughout the body. If your thyroid is underactive, then it is not releasing enough much T4 and T3, and so your pituitary gland will release more TSH to try and compensate. Thus, a high TSH may be a sign of hypothyroidism (a condition in which your thyroid gland is producing insufficient amounts of hormones). You will need further testing, however, to further investigate and to confirm such a diagnosis. Look out for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. In addition to a high TSH reading, hypothyroidism also presents with many clinical indications. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms, which may be suspicious for hypothyroidism: Increased cold sensitivity Fatigue Unexplained weight gain Unusually dry skin Constipation Muscle aches and stiffness Joint pain and swelling Depression and/or other mood changes A slower than normal heart rate Thinning hair Changes to your menstrual cycle Slowed thinking or speaking Evaluate the possible meaning of a very low TSH reading. On the other hand, if you have a very low TSH reading, it may be your body's response for your pituitary to produce less TSH due to an excess of thyroid hormone in the body (T3 and T4). As such, a low TSH may be an indication of hyperthyroidism (excess production of thyroid hormone). Again, further blood tests will be required to confirm such a diagnosis. A TSH reading alone can point your physician down a certain path, but in itself it is usually not diagnostic. Take note of signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism presents with many clinical indications, in addition to a low TSH reading. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms that may be indicative of hyperthyroidism: A faster than normal heart rate Unexplained weight loss Increased appetite Sweating A tremor, often in your hands Anxiety, irritability, and/or other mood changes Fatigue More frequent bowel movements An enlarged thyroid gland (which can be felt in your neck, and is called a "goiter") Trouble sleeping Eyes that bulge or protrude more than they normally do (this sign is present in a certain type of hyperthyroidism called Grave's disease — specifically, the eye abnormality is called "Grave's ophthalmopathy") Use your TSH value to monitor ongoing thyroid treatment. If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and are receiving ongoing treatment for it, your doctor will likely advise that you receive regular TSH tests to check in on and confirm the effectiveness of your treatment. Ongoing monitoring can also ensure that your TSH level is within the target range. The treatment for hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions are very different. The target range for thyroid treatment is normally a TSH between 0.4.–4.0 mIU/L, although this may vary depending upon the type of thyroid disorder you have. You will likely receive more frequent monitoring at the start of your treatment, until you settle into a routine where your TSH becomes quite consistent (at which point less frequent monitoring may be appropriate, usually about once every 12 months). Check to see if your T4 reading is in the normal range. T4 is the most commonly measured hormone that is produced directly by the thyroid gland, and is subsequently released to circulate throughout the body. The normal range for free T4 is between 0.8 – 2.8 ng/dL. The exact numbers may vary depending on the lab and the specific form of test that is performed. However, most laboratory results have, next to your reading, a designated normal range so that you can easily see whether your T4 is low, normal, or elevated. Interpret your T4 value in relationship to your TSH value. If your TSH value is abnormally high (indicative of possible hypothyroidism), a low T4 would support the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. On the other hand, if your TSH value is abnormally low (indicative of possible hyperthyroidism), a high T4 would support the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. As previously mentioned, the results are best interpreted in conjunction with the TSH value and under the guidance of the medical professional. Assess the T3 value in cases of possible hyperthyroidism. T3 is another hormone produced by the thyroid gland, but generally in significantly lesser quantities than T4. T4 is the main thyroid hormone used in the diagnosis of thyroid conditions. There are certain cases of hyperthyroidism, however, when the T3 becomes significantly elevated and the T4 remains normal (in certain disease states), and this is when the T3 measurement becomes particularly important. If the T4 is normal but the TSH is low, a high T3 can confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. While the T3 can provide valuable information in diagnosing hyperthyroidism, it does not help to diagnose hypothyroidism. Free T3 is normally between 2.3–4.2 pg/mL in adults over 18 years old. Again, the exact numbers may vary depending on the lab and the specific form of test that is performed. Most laboratory results have, next to your reading, a designated normal range so that you can easily see whether your T3 is low, normal, or elevated. Include your doctor. The beauty of our medical system is that patients do not have to interpret their own results. Your doctor will order tests and interpret your results. She can provide a diagnosis and begin a treatment plan, which likely will include a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Having a general working knowledge of the results and what they mean can help you understand the disorder and help understand the treatment for the condition. Ordering your own tests can be very dangerous and often lead to misguided treatment. You would not try to fix an engine if you did not have training — this is no different. Interpret thyroid antibody testing to differentiate between various types of thyroid diseases. If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, your doctor will likely order a series of other thyroid investigations in order to more thoroughly investigate and confirm your diagnosis. Antibody testing is commonly performed, and may lead to important clues as to what is going on with your thyroid. Thyroid antibody testing can help to differentiate between types of thyroiditis and also autoimmune conditions of the thyroid. TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibody) may be elevated in autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Grave's Disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. TG (thyroglobulin antibody) may also be elevated in Grave's Disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. TSHR (TSH receptor antibodies) may be elevated in Grave's Disease. Have your calcitonin measured. A calcitonin test may be performed to further investigate thyroid problems. Calcitonin may be elevated in cases of thyroid cancer (which may be the underlying cause behind various forms of thyroid dysfunction). The calcitonin value may also be high in cases of C-cell hyperplasia, which is another form of abnormal growth of cells in the thyroid gland. Receive an ultrasound, a biopsy, or an iodine test to confirm certain thyroid diagnoses. While blood tests can provide physicians with valuable information to detect and diagnose thyroid problems, there are cases where more extensive investigations are required to determine exactly what is going on. Your physician will let you know if he or she recommends further testing, such as a thyroid ultrasound, a biopsy, or an iodine test. A thyroid ultrasound may be used to identify thyroid nodules. If any nodules are found, the ultrasound can provide insight as to whether they are solid or cystic (fluid-filled) nodules, both of which are require different modes of treatment. Ultrasound can also be used to monitor any growth or changes to the nodules over time. A thyroid biopsy can take a sample of a suspicious nodule and rule in or rule out the possibility of cancer. An iodine uptake scan can measure which areas of the thyroid are appropriately active (i.e. functional). It can also identify which areas are inactive (non-functional) or hyperactive (excessively functional).

Check to see if your TSH reading is in the normal range. Interpret the possible meanings of a high TSH reading. Look out for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Evaluate the possible meaning of a very low TSH reading. Take note of signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Use your TSH value to monitor ongoing thyroid treatment. Check to see if your T4 reading is in the normal range. Interpret your T4 value in relationship to your TSH value. Assess the T3 value in cases of possible hyperthyroidism. Include your doctor. Interpret thyroid antibody testing to differentiate between various types of thyroid diseases. Have your calcitonin measured. Receive an ultrasound, a biopsy, or an iodine test to confirm certain thyroid diagnoses.

https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Horse-(the-Basketball-Game)

How to Play Horse (the Basketball Game)

To play HORSE, the first player shoots at the basket from anywhere on the court. If they make the basket, the second player must attempt the same shot. If the first player misses, the second player can shoot from anywhere. Continue this pattern for the duration of the game. If a player misses, give them the letter H. Each miss gains the player a new letter, eventually spelling out "HORSE." When you complete "HORSE," you lose the game. Keep playing until there's only one player left!

Decide on an order of play. You can play horse with two or more players but you must agree on an order for who plays first, then second, and so on. Try flipping a coin or playing rock, paper, scissors to figure out who gets to choose the order. If you can't decide, take turns shooting from the same spot. The first person to make a basket can choose their position. Continue this process until the order has been sorted. Start with the first player taking a shot at the hoop. The first player can take a shot from anywhere on the court or even from out of bounds! They can add "extra rules" to this shot too, but they have to announce them before shooting. For example, the player can say "I'm shooting with my eyes closed" or "I'm shooting behind my back." They get one attempt to make the basket. If a rule is called and the player succeeds in shooting the ball in but they don't satisfy all the rules of the shot they stated, the shot doesn't count. Let the next player attempt to either match the shot or create a new one. The second player in the order is now given the opportunity to shoot. They either have to create a new shot or attempt to copy the shot that was just made by the player in front of them. If the first player made a basket then the second player has to copy whatever the first player did, including where they were standing. If the first player missed the basket then the second player can shoot from anywhere, using any rules they want to invent. Keep playing through and attempting new shots. Whenever it's your turn, if the person before you made a basket, you have to copy their shot exactly. If the person before you missed, it's your turn to invent a new shot. The order works in a loop so once the final player has taken their shot, the ball goes back to the first player. Get a letter when you fail a shot challenge. If someone attempts the shot made by the person before them and they miss the basket, they get the letter H. Each time someone makes this mistake, they get a new letter, eventually spelling out H—O—R—S—E. When you spell out the full "HORSE," you lose the game. When attempting a shot after a letter has been given, you do not receive a letter for missing. If you miss the basket, play just passes to the next player with no penalty. You can also play so that a player gains a letter each time everyone else fails a challenge. In this version, the first to get the word 'HORSE' wins. Invent a new shot if everyone succeeds. If you invent a shot, and every other player successfully makes the basket, you get to invent a new shot. Here, it's a great idea to try and make the shots more challenging if everyone made the shot the first time around. Play until there's one person left. When someone spells out the word "HORSE" with their letters, that player leaves the game. The other players keep playing in the same order but skip the eliminated player's turn. Eventually there will be one player left in the game after everyone else has been eliminated. This person is the winner. Take a no-look shot. If things are a bit too easy and no one is receiving letters, you can kick things up a notch by attempting some crazy shots. One of the best ways to start this off is with a no-look shot. To get this shot in, take a good look at the hoop and visualize where you plan on shooting the ball before you close your eyes. If you manage to get it in, you'll have a very high chance of putting a letter on your opponents. Shoot while sitting down. This shot is really difficult because you use your lower body to assist you when you shoot normally. This means that when sitting down, the only power you can get is from your arms. There isn't a whole lot you can do to give yourself a better chance of shooting it in here, simply aim for a nice regular arc, and use the backboard. Perform a behind-the-back shot. This shot is fairly straightforward to attempt, but very difficult to succeed at. With one arm, wrap the ball around your back and flick it up towards the hoop. Try and use your legs to assist you in getting some power for this shot as otherwise you are only using your hands/arms and it becomes even more difficult. Try shooting with the opposite hand. Most people favor one hand over the other and this trick shot tests your ability with your weaker hand. Set up like you normally would and give your best attempt, but it's usually very difficult!

Decide on an order of play. Start with the first player taking a shot at the hoop. Let the next player attempt to either match the shot or create a new one. Keep playing through and attempting new shots. Get a letter when you fail a shot challenge. Invent a new shot if everyone succeeds. Play until there's one person left. Take a no-look shot. Shoot while sitting down. Perform a behind-the-back shot. Try shooting with the opposite hand.

https://www.wikihow.com/Tighten-Skin

How to Tighten Skin

The best way to tighten your skin is to exfoliate loose skin before you shower. Use a moisturizer with vitamins and soy protein every day and apply a firming cream that contains collagen and elastin for more targeted tightening. For a natural solution, rub egg whites onto your skin and use coconut oil instead of moisturizer.

Exfoliate daily. Exfoliation is a process in which you use grainy scrubs or an exfoliation tool to remove dead skin cells and improve blood flow. This may help the appearance of saggy, loose skin. Exfoliate the skin you're trying to tighten each day and you may eventually see results. Use an exfoliating brush or rag to brush your skin in the morning before you take a shower. Use long strokes to brush your legs and arms. Work your way from your feet to your thighs, then from your hands to your shoulders, always brushing toward your heart. Concentrate on areas where your skin is loose. You can also try an at home chemical peel , though these should not be done daily. Follow the directions on the packaging to determine how often you should do them. Most are done every two weeks, and never more than once a week. Try firming creams that boost collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are skin proteins that contribute to skin elasticity. If you're worried about your skin sagging, look for firming creams at a department, salon, or online. Opt for creams that boost collagen and/or elastin and apply them to the areas that need tightening according to package directions. Collagen must be made by your body in order to help tighten skin, as collagen molecules are too large to pass through the skin externally. This is why you want boosting creams rather than creams that contain collagen. Look for creams that include retinoids, which are readily available. Hyaluronic acid is also a great option for maintaining youthful skin that is readily available in lotions and creams. Look for the ingredient 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), which has both an anti-inflammatory effect and can increase skin firmness. Aloe may also stimulate collagen. Moisturize your skin with fortified moisturizers. Find a skin moisturizer at a drug store or online that's fortified with vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, or soy protein. These vitamins and proteins may help skin tighten and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Apply your moisturizer daily to problem areas. If you prefer something more natural, many people find moisturizing with coconut oil helps. Rub egg whites onto your skin. For a simple, natural approach, try egg whites. Some people find the nutrients in egg whites are helpful for skin and can tighten problem areas. Simply rub egg whites onto your skin, let them dry, and then rinse. Do this daily and see if you notice your skin tightening. Engage in weight training. One of the best forms of exercise to treat tight skin is weight training. Doing deadlifts and bench presses builds muscle that can help skin look tighter around your stomach, arms, back, and thighs. Starting at about one or two pounds, lift regularly at the gym or at home. Aim for five sets of six to eight reps and make sure to engage in some light lifting and cardio to warm up. Make sure to ease into a routine. Start with only light amounts of weight and work your way up. If you feel strained, take a break. It's a good idea to talk to a doctor before engaging in weight resistance training. Stay hydrated. If you're not already drinking plenty of water , start. Aim to drink roughly two liters of water a day. This will promote skin elasticity and help tighten up loose skin. You can determine if you're dehydrated by checking how fast your skin tightens back after being pinched, which is called skin turgor. Pinch an area of skin on your forearm or abdomen between your thumb and index finger. Hold it for a few seconds, then release. Hydrated skin will return to normal immediately, while dehydrated skin will take a few extra seconds. Avoid smoking. If you smoke, even only occasionally, quit. In addition to having a poor effect on skin elasticity, smoking comes with a range of risks to your health. Talk to a doctor about quitting smoking if you're looking to tighten your skin. As quitting any addictive substance is hard, seek support. Join a support group in your area or online and let friends and families members know you would appreciate support as you try to quit smoking. Eat more protein. Protein-rich foods are vital to tighten skin. Go for healthy protein choices, like cottage cheese, tofu, milk, legumes, beans, seeds, nuts, and fish. These contain nutrients that help your body form collagen and elastin. Stay out of the sun. Sun exposure can cause skin to wrinkle and loosen. In order to combat loose skin, try to minimize your daily sun exposure. Stay inside during peaks hours and, if you do go out, use sunscreen and wear hats and long sleeves. Avoid tanning beds and tanning salons altogether. In addition to worsening loose skin, they can damage skin cells. Limit your exposure to sulfate soaps. Sulfate soaps are found in harsh laundry detergents, shampoos, body washes, and dish detergents. Avoid purchasing soaps that contain sulfate, as these are very hard on skin and can contribute to loosening and wrinkling. Remove chlorine from your skin after swimming. If you swim, chlorine can be very harmful. It can contribute to skin wrinkling, drying out, and loosening. After swimming, wash yourself with soap and shampoos specifically designed to remove chlorine from skin and hair. You can buy such products online or at a local drugstore. Do facial exercises. Facial exercises can help you keep your skin looking tight and well proportioned. You should do the exercises every day after applying lotion, which helps prevent you from stretching your skin. Stretch your jaw by smiling without moving your cheeks. Smile, then hold for a few seconds. Repeat 10 times. To stretch your cheeks, smile through your cheeks, then press down on your cheek bones for 10 seconds. Release, then repeat 5 times. You can stretch your neck by tilting your head back as comfortably as you can, then trying to move your lower lip over your upper lip. You can also try saying the letters "E" and "O." Hold for 10 seconds, and do it just once a day. Consider medical intervention as a last resort. Sometimes, natural treatments are not enough to tighten skin. If your skin is not tightening on its own, talk to a doctor about surgical or medical procedures. Things like chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion , microneedling, and even cosmetic surgery can help tighten skin. Laser tightening involves a physician applying laser light to loose skin. This usually requires several sessions. Deep chemicals peels can be somewhat painful but can be an effective means for tightening skin. Chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to loose skin. Cosmetic surgery is a fairly major procedure and usually only used in extreme cases. Talk things over carefully with your doctor before opting for cosmetic surgery.

Exfoliate daily. Try firming creams that boost collagen and elastin. Moisturize your skin with fortified moisturizers. Rub egg whites onto your skin. Engage in weight training. Stay hydrated. Avoid smoking. Eat more protein. Stay out of the sun. Limit your exposure to sulfate soaps. Remove chlorine from your skin after swimming. Do facial exercises. Consider medical intervention as a last resort.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Brochures

How to Write Brochures

To write a brochure, first focus on a specific product or service you offer, such as decorating kitchens. For your front cover, choose an eye-catching image that sums up your product and include a few lines of text to draw in the reader. Then, decide what kind of information your audience would want to read in the inside sections, like hard facts for B2B brochures or a more light-hearted tone for domestic customers. Finally, break up text using headings to make it easier to read and include your contact information on the back.

Get specific. A brochure is a valuable, tangible piece of marketing material that is ultimately used to sell. Unlike a website, you have a limited amount of space on which to provide information. When writing a brochure be specific with what you are selling. Don't try to cover too many topics in one brochure. While a brochure can be used to highlight your overall offerings, it's often good to have multiple brochures. You should have a brochure for each individual product or service. For example, if you're a company that builds beautiful custom rooms in people's homes, like kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, you may have more success in your brochure if you only cover one room. Instead of offering a lot of broad information, you want your brochure to focus on one topic. Perhaps you write one brochure on only kitchens. Get specific to one room so you can explain every detail from the type of tile you offer to the colors of the cabinet handles. Put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Pretend you've come across your own brochure. When looking at the front ask yourself what kind of information you would want to find inside. Write down and answer any questions you may have. You can use these in your brochure. Identify your target audience. You want to think about where people will pick up this brochure. Who these people are. Are you writing your brochure to an individual consumer who is looking for a product or service? Or are you writing your brochure for a team of investors and board members? Your voice and tone and even the information you provide will be different based on who is going to be reading your brochure. If you're writing about all the ways you can customize a kitchen to a potential customer, your tone may be more lighthearted and include more lifestyle information. Include info for options on materials and different builds. Focus on how what you offer will make your customers feel. You want to create content that the benefits you can provide. If you're writing to more of a corporate crowd, or in a B2B (business to business) setting, you might want to include more hard facts and numbers. Focus on information that shows investors or other businesses how your product will have a positive monetary impact. Stress the benefits of your product. Instead of just providing an overview of the basic features, you want to focus on a specific topic that lets you get detailed. Features describe the product or service; benefits describe how the features will help the reader. Consider including an FAQ section of common questions that you've gotten before and provide answers. Your brochure is a product someone will take away. Therefore, you need to provide enough relevant information quickly and effectively. Your brochure will serve as a salesperson of sorts. Exclude any information that’s not relevant. You won't be able to fit everything you might want to say into one brochure. Since you have limited space, it's important to remember that not all your information is relevant. Leave out information that doesn't directly impact the main product or service. Leaving out information doesn't necessarily mean leaving out core marketing materials. You should still include your company's logo or image, a blurb about the company, and a section on where to find more information and who to contact. For example, if you are writing a brochure on designing custom kitchens, you don't need information on what you can do in other rooms. You may simply want to include in your about section the other rooms you offer. Don't waste space going into detail on those rooms in this brochure. Choose a layout. Brochures come in many styles and layouts. The most common is the tri-fold brochure. However, you should free to choose a different layout depending on the information you are providing. Now that you have a topic narrowed down, you can begin writing copy. Pay attention to how many sections you need. Create an outline to help you discover how much room you'll need. In a typical tri-fold brochure, a piece of landscape paper is divided into 6 sections. Sections 2, 3, and 4 are your inside sections and usually contain the most valuable information. Section 2 is the inside flap and usually contains broad information with questions and answers. This information compels the reader to believe that the product will be the answer to any problems the reader has. Sections 3, and 4 typically expand and go deeper. These sections explain the information, affirming the reader that a solution is contained within your brochure. Section 1 is the front cover. This area entices readers to pick up your brochure. It often depicts an image that conjures up positive feelings. The aim of your front flap is to make the reader open your brochure. There should also be a line or two of copy that promises the reader a benefit. Section 5 is the back flap and usually contains testimonials and coupons. Section 6, which is the middle back third, usually contains contact information like a phone number, website, and map. There are plenty of folding types and layouts when it comes to brochures. Some brochures are more like books or pamphlets. Some include inserts or cutouts. Don't feel like your brochure has to be a typical tri-fold. The organization of information is essentially the same whatever your layout. The front is used to depict a lifestyle that can be achieved by the product or service within the brochure. The next pages contain answers and offers. And the last sections provide incentives to move forward and contact information. Capitalize your real estate. Whatever style or layout you choose, you need to make the most of the physical space. This means finding a balance between words and images. While your copy provides readers with valuable information, you don't want to fill entire pages or sections with blocks of text. No one will read your brochures if you write too much. This is where pictures and graphs help you. Don't make your text size smaller to accommodate more words. If you can't fit what you want to say on a page or section, you're saying too much. Pictures and graphs are a great visual way to provide valuable information. You can also include little blurbs of text that explain a photo or graph. Use the front cover or panel to entice readers. Your front cover is what will get people to pick up your brochure. An eye-catching photo or graphic is more effective than a bunch of text. Use a photo that showcases the product or service you are selling. Depict people enjoying your products or services. Along with a great photo, be sure to include text that speaks directly to the reader. Ask a question or state a benefit that someone picking up your brochure will want. A tagline and a line or two of text on your cover give readers enough information to pick up your brochure. It also creates just enough mystery to entice readers to flip to the next page or section. Break up information by sections. On the inner panels, use headings to break up long blocks of text. Brochures have limited space and you don't want to use up all the space with long blocks of text. Too much text looks intimidating to the reader. Instead of long paragraphs or sections, keep sections and sentences short. Bulleted or numbered lists further separate the text and make information easy to digest. These elements will also bring the readers' eyes into the brochure. Use bold headers to separate sections and break up your brochure. Provide different types of content and information for different sections. If you talk about appliances in one section of your custom built kitchen brochure, use another panel or section to showcase another aspect of your offerings like lighting or cabinets. Breaking up your brochure into sections allows readers to compartmentalize information. Sections help the flow of information and keep readers interested without getting overwhelmed. Speak directly to your readers. Address the reader as “you” to establish a relationship with the reader. Making your copy personal creates a relationship between you and your customer. Talking directly to the reader as an intelligent person will help to keep your potential customers interested. Your brochure should begin and end with your customer. Before you get into the meat of your brochure explaining all the great things you offer, you should entice your customer by answering questions and overcoming potential objections. Focus your content on providing information which sells your features through benefits. Cite real-world examples or case studies. Aim to answer the question of how your customer will benefit from your product or service. Keep your brochure content focused. Your goal is to keep earning your reader's focus and attention. Cater your content to the type of reader you are hoping to attract with your brochure. If you're writing a brochure to generate leads include info that prospects don't know about your company. Give a brief blurb on the history of your company and why you are different and better than the competition. However, if your brochure is a sales closer your customers already know your company's history. Don't bore readers with information that gives a potential customer a reason to stop continuing on to the next section. Keep the content relevant to your brochure's purpose. But also brief enough to not run out your reader's interest.. Your content should highlight the benefits of what you are offering, not just features. Instead of only providing content that shows your product, include a lifestyle atmosphere. Show how your product will benefit your customer's life. You can do this with pictures and copy that show people enjoying your product. Explain why current customers are satisfied. Leave boring specifics out. In your brochure, your readers don't need to know right away every small detail of how you build a custom kitchen. Your readers will benefit more from how your premiere craftsmanship and design expertise creates reliable products and the right atmosphere. Use testimonials. Get quotes from satisfied customers to include in the brochure. Be sure to include the customer's full name, as well as any other relevant information that helps to make the testimonial seem legitimate. Testimonials are a great way to further provide potential customers with a reason to keep reading. They also back up the lifestyle and solutions you are promising throughout your brochure. End the brochure with a call to action. Direct your reader to the next step. This could be done by asking your reader to visit your showroom or call your office to schedule an appointment. Try to create an emotional call to action. Once again, consider using words and pictures to elicit an emotion. People are more likely to act if you can create empathy. If your brochure is selling custom kitchens, use a picture that shows a happy family sharing a delicious meal in a beautiful kitchen. Then, in your call to action, invite readers to contact you to get a kitchen that will make every night as perfect as the one in your photo.

Get specific. Put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Stress the benefits of your product. Exclude any information that’s not relevant. Choose a layout. Capitalize your real estate. Use the front cover or panel to entice readers. Break up information by sections. Speak directly to your readers. Keep your brochure content focused. Use testimonials. End the brochure with a call to action.

https://www.wikihow.com/Hold-a-Sleepover-with-Boys-and-Girls

How to Hold a Sleepover with Boys and Girls

Holding a sleepover with both boys and girls can be a lot of fun as long as you ask your parents ahead of time and plan out what you're all going to do. Ask your parents about the sleepover when they're in a good mood so they'll be more likely to say yes. Although it might be frustrating, agree to any conditions your parents have, like sleeping in different rooms or not having any couples over. Your parents might also want to contact your friends' parents to check if it's okay with them. Once you've gotten the green light from your parents, it's time to start planning fun activities for your sleepover! You can all have a movie marathon, play board games, or play outside.

Act responsibly for a few weeks before you ask. Your parents are much more likely to agree with your sleepover plans if they feel that you're responsible enough to host a mixed-gender sleepover. Get them in the right frame of mind to agree by acting as responsibly as you can for a few weeks before you ask. Do your chores without being told, listen to what your parents say, and keep your grades up. Mention your idea to your parents to see how they react. Give your parents time to think about the idea of a mixed-gender sleepover before you ask by mentioning it casually beforehand. They're much less likely to reject the idea immediately if they've already given it some thought. You can say something like “My friend Sarah was telling me that she went to a co-ed sleepover a few weeks ago, and it was really fun and nothing got out of hand.” If they react badly to the idea, don't argue with them. Just say that you understand why they're worried, but that you still think it can be done responsibly. Ask your parents directly if you can have a mixed-gender sleepover. A few days later, ask your parents directly if they would be okay with you hosting a mixed-gender sleepover. You can say something like “Remember the sleepover I was telling you about the other day? I was thinking it might be fun to have one here. What do you think?” Don't be afraid to talk about ways that you and your friends have proved your maturity and responsibility. Point out that single-gender sleepovers have many of the same risks as mixed-gender ones--not everyone is cisgender and heterosexual! If you're planning to only invite platonic friends, reassure your parents that this is just a chance for friends to hang out. Offer to take on more responsibilities if they agree. If they absolutely refuse to consider it, accept it. Agree with any requests they make. If your parents agree, but want you to abide by certain rules and conditions, don't argue with them. It won't ruin your party if your parents want people to sleep in separate rooms or want veto power over the guest list. Your friends will understand that you can't change your house rules. Let your parents talk to your friends’ parents. It will be a lot easier to get everyone's permission if you let your parents talk to your friends' parents. Make sure they have phone numbers or Facebook profiles for the parents of anyone you know you want to invite. Make a guest list. Invite friends that you know will get along with everyone and won't cause any trouble. It's probably best to invite people you already know very well--it will be easier to get permission. Talk to your parents about how many people you can invite over before you ask anyone. If you don't have a limit, between six and ten people is usually best for sleepovers. If you're worried about sexual activity, it might be best to avoid inviting people who are dating or hooking up with each other. Plan your sleeping arrangements. Decide if you want everyone to sleep in the same room, or if you'd rather divide people by gender, orientation, or by couples. This might be predetermined by your parents' rules or your home's layout! Make sure that every guest has a place to sleep and that you ask guests to bring sleeping bags if you don't have enough bedding. Make sure you have backup sleeping arrangements. It's possible that some of your friends may be uncomfortable with your sleeping arrangement plan. For example, if someone is uncomfortable sharing a room with boys, make sure they have somewhere else to sleep. Buy food and drinks for everyone. Plan what to serve at your sleepover. Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser, but you can also try takeout or even a home-cooked meal. Make sure you provide snacks too--try popcorn, chips, and cookies. Plan for each person to have about two pounds of food. If you serve alcohol, make sure you also provide non-alcoholic drinks like soda, water, or juice--even people who drink will need a break. Make sure people drink responsibly. Plan some gender-neutral activities. Traditional sleepover activities are usually geared to one gender, but if you're having a mixed-gender sleepover, try some fun that everyone can enjoy. Try watching movies, playing popular video games, or even just talking and hanging out. Ask your friends what they like to do at sleepovers. Talk to your friends about any rules or expectations you have. If you or your parents have any specific rules or expectations, talk to your friends about them when they're invited. Let them know ahead of time if you don't want any sexual situations at all, if you expect people to sleep divided by gender, if you won't allow drinking, or anything like that. Be prepared for sexual situations. Even if you don't want sex at your sleepover, it's possible that there will be sexual situations. Be prepared by talking to your friends about house rules, consent, and protection. You don't have to provide condoms or lecture your friends, but you should be prepared. For example, you could say "I don't want anything to get out of hand, but if you guys decide to hook up, can you make sure you go somewhere private and use protection?" Clean your house. Make sure your house is clean before the sleepover starts. Vacuum, wipe off countertops and tables, and put away anything lying out. Be sure to clean up the entire house--you never know where guests will go! Set out food and drinks. Make sure everyone knows where to get food and drinks. Put hot food and snacks out on the counter or a table. If you have to leave something in the fridge or a cooler, let them know where to find it. Make sure everyone feels included. A good host makes sure everybody is having a good time. If you notice anyone sitting by themselves or being left out of activities, help them feel included by going over and spending some time with them yourself. Let your friends know they don’t need to do anything they’re uncomfortable with. If some of your friends are uncomfortable with anything that's going on, don't just ignore them. Talk to them and let them know they don't have to do or watch anything they aren't comfortable with. It might be a good idea to have a backup movie or video game handy. Keep everyone entertained. Don't expect your guests to entertain themselves. Make sure you keep streaming services or video games on and ready to go, movies out, and games set up for everybody to enjoy. If you notice people acting bored, ask them what they'd like to do. Don't worry too much about sticking to plans. If everybody's having a good time, it's okay if you don't watch the movie. Check in with your parents. Make sure you check in with them to reassure them that everything is going well. If they're at home, let them come in and say hi. If they aren't, text them every couple of hours so they don't worry. You don't have to provide detailed updates or anything--just let them know if there's a problem. Tell people to stop if things get out of hand. If people start behaving in ways you aren't comfortable with (or that you might get in trouble for!), don't be afraid to tell them to stop. You don't have to yell at them in front of everyone--just take them aside and ask them to calm down. You could say something like "Hey, this is getting out of hand. You're making everyone feel uncomfortable and I'm going to get in trouble if my parents walk in. Can you stop?" Spend quality time with your friends. The most important part of the sleepover is having fun! Don't get so focused on being a good host that you forget to have a good time. Join in on the fun, talk to your friends, and make sure you have a great time.

Act responsibly for a few weeks before you ask. Mention your idea to your parents to see how they react. Ask your parents directly if you can have a mixed-gender sleepover. Agree with any requests they make. Let your parents talk to your friends’ parents. Make a guest list. Plan your sleeping arrangements. Buy food and drinks for everyone. Plan some gender-neutral activities. Talk to your friends about any rules or expectations you have. Be prepared for sexual situations. Clean your house. Set out food and drinks. Make sure everyone feels included. Let your friends know they don’t need to do anything they’re uncomfortable with. Keep everyone entertained. Check in with your parents. Tell people to stop if things get out of hand. Spend quality time with your friends.

https://www.wikihow.com/Zoom-Out-on-a-PC

How to Zoom Out on a PC

Click on the page you want to zoom out of. Press and hold the Ctrl key. Press the - character in between the number zero and the equal sign at the top of your keyboard. You can also scroll up with your mouse wheel or trackpad while pressing down on the Ctrl key.

Select the page you want to zoom out of by clicking on it. This method is best for most users. It's the quickest and easiest, especially for laptop users without a mouse. Press and hold the Ctrl key. Hit the -, at the top of the keyboard between the number zero and the equal sign. Alternatively, press and hold Ctrl and scroll down. Select the page you want to zoom out of by clicking on it. This can be more challenging on a laptop's trackpad as it's difficult to control, but mouse users may prefer this method. Press and hold the Ctrl key. Scroll the mouse wheel or trackpad down. Find the menu icon. It is three horizontal lines in the top right of the window, by default. Unless you've moved it, it should be on the same line as your URL bar. Locate “Zoom. ” It is halfway down the menu, with a - and a + surrounding the current zoom percentage. Hit the - until you’ve zoomed sufficiently. Click on the menu button. It's three horizontal lines on the top right, by default. Unless you've moved anything, it'll be adjacent to your URL bar. Locate the zoom function. Directly underneath copy, you'll see a percentage amount surrounded by a - and a + sign. Hit the - sign to zoom out. Find the menu icon. By default, it'll be three dots in the top right corner of the screen. Unless you've moved it, it should be parallel to your URL. Locate the zoom function. It'll say “zoom” and will have a + and - sign to the right. Hit the - button to zoom out until content. Open your start menu. Click the ⊞ Win near the bottom left of your keyboard. This will cause your entire desktop to seem zoomed out, making all the windows appear smaller-scale on a larger working surface. This can seem less crowded. Open your settings. Click settings. Click System> Display > Advanced Display settings. Advanced Display Settings will be on the bottom of the Display options menu. Change your resolution. You can do this by clicking the drop-down arrow under “Resolution.” The higher you make the numbers, the more “zoomed out” it will appear. You will have to confirm that you want to keep the settings after they have changed.

Select the page you want to zoom out of by clicking on it. Press and hold the Ctrl key. Hit the -, at the top of the keyboard between the number zero and the equal sign. Select the page you want to zoom out of by clicking on it. Press and hold the Ctrl key. Scroll the mouse wheel or trackpad down. Find the menu icon. Locate “Zoom. Hit the - until you’ve zoomed sufficiently. Click on the menu button. Locate the zoom function. Hit the - sign to zoom out. Find the menu icon. Locate the zoom function. Hit the - button to zoom out until content. Open your start menu. Open your settings. Click System> Display > Advanced Display settings. Change your resolution.

https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-a-Lemon

How to Eat a Lemon

There are tons of ways to eat lemons, and usually, all you need is a little sugar to balance out their flavor. Lemons are quite sour, but if you like the flavor, you can simply peel a lemon and eat the wedges on their own. To make lemonade, first, you'll need to heat equal parts water and sugar on the stove until the sugar is totally dissolved. Then, squeeze the juice from 5-8 lemons and mix it together with 4 cups of water. After the sugar water has cooled, you can add it to taste. You can also use lemons to make lemon icing, lemon pepper seasoning, or lemon cake.

Peel the lemon. Lemon zest is great as an addition to many dishes, but you don't want to eat the entire lemon rind raw. To start, take a sharp knife and cut off the top and tail of the lemon. Stand the lemon up on one of those cut sides. With your knife, peel off strips from the lemon until all the skin has been removed. When you're peeling, try to remove as much of the white pith as possible, as this is very bitter. Once you've peeled the lemon, go around and remove any leftover pith by peeling it away with your fingers or cutting it off. When possible, eat only Meyer lemons raw. They are sweeter and less acidic than other lemon varieties, and are much more pleasant to eat like this. Cut wedges from the lemon. Insert the tip of your knife in between two wedges of the lemon, cutting to the inside of the membrane that encases the wedge. Cut the full length of the wedge, then move to the other side to separate the second side from the lemon. Remove the wedge of lemon and place it into a bowl. Always cut to the inside of the membrane, so that the lemon wedge doesn't have the membrane attached. This part of the lemon is sour and bitter. Repeat until you have removed all the individual wedges from the lemon. Cut the wedges into bites. Cut each lemon wedge in half so you get two bite-sized halves from each wedge. Return the cut wedges to the bowl. You can leave the lemon wedges whole, if you prefer. Serve and enjoy. You can sprinkle the lemon with some sugar if you want to take away some of the sourness and add some sweetness. Sprinkle one to two teaspoons (5 to 10 g) of sugar over the lemon bites and stir to coat them. You can either eat the lemons plain, with sugar, or you can add them to a salad, a fruit cocktail, or another dish. Make a simple syrup. Simple syrup is made by dissolving sugar in equal amounts of water. It's ideal for cold recipes because the sugar stays liquid after it dissolves. To make it, combine the sugar and 1 cup (237 ml) of the water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and bring the mixture to a low simmer. Once the sugar is fully dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for several weeks. To make extra for later, add double the water and sugar and divide when cool. Get your lemon juice. While the simple syrup is cooling, squeeze the juice from between five and eight lemons, until you have a full cup (237 ml) of juice. You can either peel the lemons and run them through a juicer, or cut them in half and use a manual juicer to push out the juice. You can also substitute in lime juice for any or all of the lemon juice if you want to make limeade or lemon-limeade instead. You can use bottled lemon juice if you don't want to go through the trouble of squeezing your own, but the results won't be quite the same because bottled lemon juice doesn't taste the same as fresh lemon juice. Combine all the ingredients. In a large pitcher or juice jug, stir together the syrup, the lemon juice, and the last 4 cups (948 ml) of water. Once fully combined, the lemonade is ready. You can also garnish it with: Sprigs of fresh herbs and flowers, such as thyme, basil, rosemary, and lavender Fresh lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit slices Pineapple wedges Refrigerate and serve over ice. Transfer the pitcher of lemonade to the fridge and let it chill for about half an hour. To serve, fill a highball glass with ice and pour the lemonade over the ice. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to a few days. To turn the lemonade into a lemon soda, mix equal parts lemonade and sparkling water and serve with an extra shot of lemon juice. Gather your supplies. Preserved lemons are made by adding salt to lemons and letting them sit in the salt for several weeks. Preserved lemons are ideal for making salads, dressings, soups, sauces, for cooking with vegetables, and for other dishes. To make them, you will need: Your ingredients Some fresh lemon juice Knife A one-quart (946-ml) canning jar with lid Sterilize the canning jar. Run your canning jar through the dishwasher, and leave it in there until you're ready to pack the lemons. Wash the lid and ring by hand in hot, soapy water. If you don't have a dishwasher, wash the jar by hand in hot, soapy water. Then place it on a baking sheet and into a 225 F (107 C) oven until you're ready to use it. Clean and trim the lemons. Wash and scrub the lemons with a vegetable brush to clean the rinds. Pat the fruit dry. Cut off the stems and tops (where the stems were) from each of the lemons, but leave the bottom nub intact. When you cut the lemons, you won't quarter them the entire way, which is why you leave the bottom nub uncut. Cut the lemons. Cut each lemon in half, starting at the top. Stop cutting about a half inch (1.3 cm) from the bottom, so that the two halves are still joined at the bottom of the lemon. Then cut each lemon in half again to quarter it, leaving the bottom half-inch of the quarters joined as well. Keeping the lemon quarters attached will help to keep the salt packed inside evenly, and this will ensure they preserve properly. Salt the lemons. Reserve 4 tablespoons (72 g) of the salt. Peel open the lemon quarters and sprinkle the remaining salt over the juicy flesh. When all the lemons have been salted, press the quarters back together. Salt works as a preservative because it doesn't allow microbes and bacteria to survive, and these are what would cause the fruit to rot. Prepare your canning jar. Remove your canning jar from the dishwasher or oven. If there's any leftover water, dry it with a freshly cleaned towel. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons (36 g) of salt into the bottom of the jar, enough to create a generous layer. Pack the lemons. Place two or three salted lemons into the canning jar. Press them down firmly so they release their juices. Continue adding more lemons, packing them down as you go to make room, and to juice the lemons. When you've added all your preserved lemons, make sure that the lemons are covered with juice. Add the cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the jar if you need more juice to cover the lemons. Sprinkle the tops of the lemons with the remaining salt and put on the lid. Set the lemons aside to pickle. Transfer the jar of lemons to a warm place, such as a countertop, and let them ripen for 30 days. Turn the jar upside down once or twice every few days to shake up the salt and juices, and prevent everything from settling on the bottom. After 30 days, the preserved lemons are ready to use. Use in your favorite dishes. When the lemons are ready, you can remove individual wedges or whole lemons and use them for cooking. Remove a wedge or lemon and rinse off the salt. Remove and discard the seeds and pulp, and use the rind and juices in salads and other recipes. Preserved lemons will keep for up to a year, unrefrigerated. Try lemon curd. Lemon curd is a tart and tangy dessert that can be used as a spread, a topping, or eaten on its own. It goes great with other fruit, can be used as a pie filling, and is an incredible way to enjoy a taste of summer any time of year as long as you store it properly. Make some lemon sugar. As the name suggest, lemon sugar is regular sugar that's been infused with fresh lemon flavor. You can use lemon sugar anywhere you'd use a regular sweetener, but it's particularly delicious as a topping for cookies and baked goods. Whip up some lemon icing. There are plenty of baked goods that pair well with lemon icing, such as poppy seed cakes, muffins, biscotti, and even fresh fruit or ice cream. Use fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice is packed with vitamins and is very healthy to consume. There are plenty of ways you can use fresh lemon juice in your everyday meals and drinks, including: Add it to smoothies Squeeze it on fresh fruit for extra flavor and to prevent browning Drink it with hot or cold water Sprinkle it on fish Add it to salad dressings and sauces Add lemon juice to baked goods Bake a lemon cake. Lemon poke cake is a delicious, fresh, and citrusy treat that's great for celebrating occasions like Easter, birthdays, Mother's or Father's Day, or other holidays. A poke cake is particularly flavorful because you poke holes in the cake that get saturated with frosting, cream, or in the case of this cake, a lemon glaze. Try some lemon pepper seasoning. This seasoning is quick and easy to make, it's tasty, and it goes great on lots of dishes. You can use lemon pepper seasoning on meat, fish, vegetables, or in soups, salads, and other side dishes. To change up the flavor of the seasoning for other recipes, you can also use orange or lime zest in the mix. Infuse lemons and olive oil. Olive oil is a light and flavorful oil that works great as a drizzle or sauce for dishes like salads and pastas. And when you infuse olive oil with lemon, it creates a beautiful and fresh citrusy oil that brings dishes to life. Lemon olive oil is wonderful in the winter because it brings a taste of summer to your meals.

Peel the lemon. Cut wedges from the lemon. Cut the wedges into bites. Serve and enjoy. Make a simple syrup. Get your lemon juice. Combine all the ingredients. Refrigerate and serve over ice. Gather your supplies. Sterilize the canning jar. Clean and trim the lemons. Cut the lemons. Salt the lemons. Prepare your canning jar. Pack the lemons. Set the lemons aside to pickle. Use in your favorite dishes. Try lemon curd. Make some lemon sugar. Whip up some lemon icing. Use fresh lemon juice. Bake a lemon cake. Try some lemon pepper seasoning. Infuse lemons and olive oil.

https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Chimney

How to Build a Chimney

If you want to build a chimney, start building from the ground up. For example, if you're building a chimney for a fireplace, you would start building right on top of the fireplace hearth. Lay your bricks, spreading them with mortar and leveling them both horizontally and vertically as you go. Next, construct the flue, liner, and the outside of the chimney. Wherever the chimney crosses a wall, install metal flashing sealed with waterproof silicone caulk to keep water from leaking into the house around the chimney. Finish the job by installing a chimney cap!

Consult your local construction codes when designing your chimney. While each community has its own codes for building chimneys, most codes are based on the National Fire Protection Agencies 211 standard. Go to the NFPA website to review national fire code associated with chimneys. The code is available online for free. This code should guide all aspects of the function of your chimney. Two general requirements of the 211 standard are that chimneys be at least 3 feet (90 centimeters) taller than the highest point where it goes through the roof of a single structure and 2 feet (60 centimeters) taller than any portion of the building or any adjacent building within 10 feet (3 meters) of the chimney. The taller the chimney, the better it drafts. A chimney also needs at least a 2-inch (5-centimeter) clearance from combustible material if it is built in or through the walls of a house and a 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) clearance if built alongside the house. Decide what material the chimney will be made of. The most common material for a chimney is brick or masonry, but prefabricated metal chimneys are also widely available. If building a masonry or brick chimney, you will need to figure out how big it will be to estimate how many bricks to order. If using a prefab metal chimney, you will need to measure the distance from your stove, or other appliance, to the location where it is exiting the house. Masonry chimneys are usually required to have walls at least 4-inches (10-centimeters) thick. Standard chimney bricks should come in this thickness. Determine what waste products the chimney is going to vent. This will determine whether your chimney can vent multiple appliances or if it will vent only one. It is possible to build chimneys for several appliances and connect them to a main discharge flue, sized to handle the combined output, provided the subordinate flues for the individual chimneys are not angled more than 30 degrees off vertical and they vent the same type of by-product. In other words, a chimney for a gas range can be combined with one for a gas furnace, but not a wood-burning fireplace. Flues also must not change in shape or size within 6 inches (15 centimeters) above or below a floor, ceiling or roof made of combustible materials. Determine the width of the chimney flue. This is mostly determined by what appliance(s) the chimney is built to vent. Metal chimneys are usually round flue pipes, while masonry chimneys usually have square or rectangular flues. Each type has different diameter requirements depending on what they are venting. Consult local and national fire code to determine the diameter you should use. Masonry chimneys are typically lined with a clay or ceramic tile flue, which goes up the center of the brick chimney with a gap between the outside brick and the inside flue, so that the ceramic or clay flue is able to expand and contract without moving the brick. However, stainless steel pipe or concrete may also be used in some cases, depending on what the chimney is designed to vent. Look at local building code to determine the size flue that is required for the appliance you are venting. These differ, so make sure to check for your specific need. Buy all supplies needed for building your chimney. While this will vary a bit, depending on the type and location of your chimney, you should have all supplies on hand when starting your project. When installing a metal chimney you will need flashing, prefab chimney box, chimney cap, prefab chimney sections, and chimney roof braces. When passing through a wall or ceiling, you should use a section of chimney that is rated as a wall pass through, so that there is no risk of your wall or roof catching on fire. When building a masonry chimney you will need to buy the brick and masonry, mortar, support pieces (such as rebar), flashing, a cap, and specialty masonry tools. Build the smoke chamber. You will need to start building your chimney from the ground up. For a masonry chimney, this usually means that you will be building your chimney right off the top of a fireplace (if the chimney is designed to vent a fireplace), using a brick that is similar to that used to build the hearth. You will need to mix your mortar mix with water, making it the consistency of thick peanut butter. Once it is the right consistency, you will use a mason's trowel to load mortar onto each brick before you set it in place. You need to put enough mortar on each brick so that it oozes out the joints a bit, which guarantees that the entire area between the bricks is filled with mortar. As you build up the walls of the chimney with bricks, make sure that it is level on all planes. Take a level and check that all walls are level on their vertical and horizontal planes, and that in each line of bricks all the bricks are lined up with the other. For a prefabricated metal fireplace, the smoke chamber is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the chimney. The chimney should be built on a very solid base. If you are not building on an existing fireplace or base, you may need to pour a reinforced concrete pad for the chimney to be built upon. Consult local code to determine if it is required and what specifications it should be built to. Construct the flue and outside of chimney. The flue connects the top of the smoke chamber to the roof through the middle of the chimney. As noted in the previous section, it may be made of either brick or metal pipe. If clay or ceramic tiles are used to create the flue in a brick chimney, they are laid as the exterior of the chimney is put up. Metal liners can be dropped into place, while concrete liners are cast in place by pouring concrete through a flexible hose. For more information on how to install a chimney liner see: How to Install a Chimney Liner. Surround the chimney with flashing where it goes through any walls. You'll want to put metal flashing around the chimney in 2 places: around the chimney where it meets the roof and as a lining underneath the chimney cap. Use a waterproof silicone caulk or polyurethane caulk underneath the flashing to keep water from leaking into the house around the chimney. Cap the chimney. The chimney cap goes over the top of the brick flue housing. It should extend past the chimney wall by at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) and have a drip edge to channel water away from the chimney. Recommended chimney cap materials include stone and concrete either pre-cast or cast in place. For more information on how to cap a chimney see: How to Cap a Chimney. A chimney cap is important because it will reduce the amount of moisture that can get down your chimney, keep out animals, block downdrafts, stop sparks from leaving your chimney and also block debris, like leaves and branches, from going down your chimney.

Consult your local construction codes when designing your chimney. Decide what material the chimney will be made of. Determine what waste products the chimney is going to vent. Determine the width of the chimney flue. Buy all supplies needed for building your chimney. Build the smoke chamber. Construct the flue and outside of chimney. Surround the chimney with flashing where it goes through any walls. Cap the chimney.

https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-a-Driving-Phobia

How to Overcome a Driving Phobia

To overcome your driving phobia, start by sitting in your car while it's turned off, so you can get more comfortable with the environment before actually driving. Try wearing comfortable clothes and playing some soothing music while you sit to help yourself relax. When you feel ready to start driving, say positive affirmations out loud to keep yourself calm. For example you can say, “I am driving carefully and within the speed limit. Careful driving is safe driving.” If you feel a panic attack coming on, find a spot to pull over. Then, take some deep breaths, focusing on slowly inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth to help your whole body relax.

Create a calm environment in the car. You should feel comfortable just sitting in the car regardless of whether or not it's moving. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Practice sitting in the car and becoming relaxed before you begin driving. Consider playing soothing music. It may help you overcome a sense of rising panic and can drown out the noise of other cars. Even the most confident driver can become anxious if there are noisy passengers in the car. Make sure the car is quiet and free of trash or clutter. Increase your sense of safety in the car by making sure your car gets any needed repairs. Practice abdominal breathing. If you begin to feel a panic attack come on or your neck and chest muscles tighten, begin breathing deep into your lungs. Inhale slowly through your nose with the focus of getting air to the bottom of your lungs. Let your belly expand and pause for a moment while you hold your breath. Slowly exhale and let your whole body relax. You can repeat this process 10 times counting backwards from ten on each exhale. Try to complete three sets of 10. Try progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Tighten and relax muscle groups in your body so that you become aware of how to hold and release tension. Begin by clenching your fists for 7-10 seconds. Release your fist for 15 to 20 seconds while you focus on how the tension is leaving the muscles in your hands. Repeat the exercise with other muscle groups, moving up your arms, to your head, then down the back of your body to your feet and toes. You can even practice PMR every day for 20 minutes even if you are not experiencing panic. This can improve your sense of control over your mood, reduce the frequency of panic attacks, and increase your concentration. Use positive affirmations. Affirmations are short positive statements that remind you that you can make changes. With driving, the type of affirmations that you might want to use include: I am driving carefully and within the speed limit. Careful driving is safe driving. Driving is a common, everyday activity. I am an alert driver participating in a common activity with care. I do not have to drive fast. I can drive in the right-hand lane if I want to travel slower than other cars. I do not have to risk switching lanes at the last minute. If I miss a turn-off, I can safely double back. I have planned this journey from start to finish. I know where I am headed and when I have to make lane changes and turn-offs. I am well prepared. Even though I am a passenger, I can control my reactions to riding in the car. If I feel uncomfortable at any time, I can ask the driver to pull over. Consider confronting your phobia. You've probably been told that you need to face your fear. Exposing yourself to the fear is especially important if you've been avoiding driving for fear that you'll have a panic attack. Exposure therapy remains one of the most important ways to get over a phobia, although you should know and be able to use relaxation techniques before you start. This way, you'll have some sense of control during the session. Avoiding your phobia will actually make the fear worse over time and can create other phobias. It may help to try driving in an area that you know really well so you don't feel nervous or have to check navigation. Create an anxiety scale. Become familiar with your anxiety levels so you can take action before you reach a full-scale panic attack. Having a scale of anxiety will also help you know when to stop exposure before you reach moderate panic. Your scale should describe the physical and mental characteristics of anxiety. An example scale might look like this: 0 - Fully Relaxed: no tension, calm, feeling peaceful 1 - Minimal Anxiety: feeling slightly nervousness, more alert or aware 2 - Mild Anxiety: muscle tension, tingling or butterflies in the stomach 3- Moderate Anxiety: heart and breathing increase, feeling slightly uncomfortable but still in control 4 - Marked Anxiety: clear muscle tension, increased feelings of being uncomfortable, starting to wonder about staying in control 5- Beginning Panic: heart is starting to race or beat irregularly, dizziness, clear fear of losing control, wanting to escape 6 - Moderate Panic: heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, feeling disoriented 7 to10 - Full Panic Attack: feelings of terror, fear of dying, and increased feelings of moderate panic Write down your fears. Be specific and write down what things you fear about driving. Then, go through and rank these fears from what you fear the least to what causes a full panic attack. This will help you gradually expose yourself to your fears. But, you'll slowly work your way through your fears so that you never feel truly out of control. For example, holding the keys in your driveway might be something you fear the least while driving on the highway can cause you to have a panic attack. Take gradual steps. Start with the least feared item on your list and gradually expose yourself until you no longer feel anxious. Once you've mastered an item on your list, move on to the next thing on your list or scale. For example, you list might expose yourself to fears like these (ranked from least to greatest feared): Hold your car keys and look at your car in the driveway Sit inside of your car, working up to 5 minutes Drive around the block Drive in your neighborhood making right turns, then left turns Drive on a main street taking left turns at traffic lights or stop signs Drive on a highway in the right lane for 1 to 2 exits Drive on a highway in the left lane for 2 exits Drive on the highway changing lanes past cars for 3 to 5 exits Ride with drivers you trust. If you find that you can't even stand being a passenger in a car, follow the exposure therapy steps. Instead of driving, you may want to gradually face your fear by riding in a car with a driver you trust. Choose someone you know will drive with the greatest of care. Once you're comfortable riding with that person, try to ride with other drivers or ride along on more challenging drives (like on the highway). Find what feels the most comfortable for you when you begin riding as a passenger. You might find that you prefer to sit in the backseat. Or, maybe you find it less stressful to sit next to the driver. Experiment to find what works for you. Commit to learning how to drive. Most people are afraid of getting behind the wheel for the first time. To ease your fear, choose a knowledgeable driving instructor who has a lot of experience teaching new drivers. A good driver can reassure you and make you feel comfortable in the driver's seat. Consider working with a driving school instructor. You might realize that the anxiety you had been feeling about learning to drive actually stemmed from your previous instructor, especially if it was a relative trying to teach you how to drive. Know when to see your doctor. If your fear of driving is disrupting your life, you should get medical or psychological treatment. If you're unsure who to ask for help, contact your doctor who should be able to put you in touch with trained professionals. You may work with your doctor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a counselor trained in phobias. If you're increasingly depressed by your inability to drive, make sure to seek help. Don't simply adjust to the fear that prevents you from driving this can cause other phobias to develop. Try therapy. You may work with a counselor or therapist on a one-on-one basis. In addition to relaxation techniques and exposure therapy, your counselor may simply want you to talk. Talking is an important way for your brain to learn how to handle fear. It will give you a chance to think about what's behind the fear and can treat your driving phobia. Don't expect your counselor to offer you advice. Many counselors simply listen and ask questions so you can give thoughtful answers and explore your fear. Join a support group. If you'd rather talk about your phobia with a group, find a local driving phobia support group to talk with. You may also find an online support group with people who experience similar symptoms. Just knowing that you're not alone can be helpful in overcoming your fear. You can also talk with friends and family. Share your fears with them and explain the challenges you face. It can help to know that you have friends and family who understand what you're going through.

Create a calm environment in the car. Practice abdominal breathing. Try progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Use positive affirmations. Consider confronting your phobia. Create an anxiety scale. Write down your fears. Take gradual steps. Ride with drivers you trust. Commit to learning how to drive. Know when to see your doctor. Try therapy. Join a support group.

https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Nasty-People

How to Deal With Nasty People

Learning how to deal with nasty people is a valuable skill, since you can't always avoid them. Try to stay calm and be kind to the person, which will help deescalate the situation. Unfortunately, you can't control their behavior, but you can control your own reaction. Try telling a lighthearted joke to lighten the mood. Just make sure it doesn't seem like you're laughing at the other person, since this could make things worse. Alternatively, change the subject and try to distract them from their anger or frustration. If you have to work or hang out with someone who's nasty, try to keep as much distance as possible and avoid talking to them. If they're routinely nasty to you, ask for help from your boss, a family member, or someone else who can mediate the situation.

Try to empathize with someone who treats you poorly. Though this may be difficult to do, showing empathy towards the person can help to turn a potential conflict into a more friendly discussion. Rather than react with anger or annoyance, you can try asking the person questions that are empathetic. Showing concern toward the person could be disarming and make them feel they actually have someone they can talk to, rather than simply be mean to. For example, you may be around a person who asks hurtful, pointed questions at work. They may do this to you or to others. Rather than get upset or angry at them, you may pull them aside and ask, “Are you okay?” or “What's going on with you?” Getting sincere attention and concern from someone could be what they need to actually open up and be less aggressive or mean. Take deep breaths and stay calm. If you are around someone who treats you poorly on a constant basis, then try to learn techniques for maintaining your cool around the person. Take deep, cleansing breaths when you start to get annoyed or frustrated. Focus on staying calm because getting upset or angry may give the unkind person more motivation to be mean. You may try doing five minutes of silent meditation in a quiet place at home or in your office to relax and calm down. Or, you can try deep breathing. Close your eyes and take a deep breath from your diaphragm for a count of five. Then, exhale slowly for a count of five. Repeat this several times until you feel calm and refreshed. Try to maintain relaxed body language. Focus on maintaining relaxed body language when you are around someone who treats you poorly. Getting tense and anxious around the person will only make you more upset and unsettled. Keep your hands at your sides and stand with your shoulders rolled back. Also, try to maintain eye contact with the person, though you may not want to stare or pay too much attention to the person. Maintaining eye contact can cause the person to engage with you for a longer period of time. Be a good listener, to a point. Make an effort to be a good listener when the mean person speaks. Showing attention to the person could help to avoid a conflict by showing them that you are interested in what they have to say. However, if the person continues to be nasty toward you or toward others, you may eventually decide to keep your distance and tune them out. For example, if the person makes a mean comment about someone or complains about their day, you may ask, "Why do you feel that way?" or "Is there anything that went well during your day? Tell me about it." Set limits and boundaries around how often you listen to someone who treats you poorly or engage with them. You may have a particular subject that you are sensitive about and choose to leave the conversation if the person who treats you poorly starts being mean or unkind about that subject. Or you may tune out once the person starts to speak unkindly about someone you know. Stay away from the person who treats you poorly. Perhaps the easiest way to avoid conflicts with someone who treats you poorly is to make an effort to stay away from them. You may avoid them by taking a different route to school or by spending time in a different lunchroom at work. You may also keep your door closed at home if the person who treats you poorly lives with you. If you cannot simply stay away from the person on a daily basis, make an effort to keep your distance. Putting some space between you and the person could reduce the likelihood of you having to deal with the nasty person. Pick your battles. You should also take a moment to consider if it is worth having a discussion with the person before you launch right in. Picking your battles will ensure that if you do end up in a conflict with the person, it feels worthwhile and important. Ask yourself, is what the nasty person all that important, in the grand scheme of things? Is it worth confronting the person over this issue? If the answer is “no” to these questions, you may be better off avoiding the conflict all together. Use humor. Humor can help to diffuse and disarm a conflict with someone who treats you poorly. Making a joke to lighten the mood can force the person to pause and consider their actions. It can also relieve any tension in the room due to the presence of someone who treats you poorly. You may tell a joke to respond to the person in a light, funny way. Or you may tell a funny story if the person who treats you poorly asks a mean question in a group or says something unkind. Humor can act as a distraction and a deflection, especially around people who treat you poorly. For example, maybe the person makes a snide or rude comment about a co-worker to you. You may then use humor to deflect the poor attitude of the person by saying, "Well, I think we all have a rough time on Mondays", or you may simply make a joke about yourself to diffuse the situation by saying, "I know I struggle with clients, especially the quiet ones." Be careful not to direct the humor at the person who is treating you poorly. This may cause the person to feel threatened and lash out at you. Change the subject. You can also diffuse conflicts with the person by quickly changing the subject or discussing another topic. Avoid getting defensive or angry at the person's remark. Instead, shift the conversation to a new topic or ignore the person and discuss a different subject with someone else in the group. Ignoring the person will deny them the attention they are seeking and signal to the person that their behavior is not acceptable. For example, if the person who treats you poorly asks you a pointed question, such as “What is up with your hair today?” or “Your outfit is a mess”, you may ignore them and turn to the person next to you. Doing this will signal to someone who treats you poorly that you do not wish to get into a conflict with them and do not appreciate their attitude towards you. Be proactive, rather than reactive. Rather than get upset or angry at the person, a reactive response, consider how you can be proactive about the situation. Being proactive can give you more power in the situation and show the person who treats you poorly that you are not rattled by their attitude. You can be proactive by standing your ground in an argument or conflict and letting the person know you are not okay with their tone or attitude towards you. For example, if the person who treats you poorly starts to analogize you with mean comments or questions, you may say, “I am not going to put up with your tone of voice or your attitude. I don't appreciate being spoken to in a nasty way. Let me know when you are able to be civil and we can continue this discussion then.” Get help from others if the conflict gets out of control. If the person who treats you poorly continues to be mean or unkind to you, or to others around you, you may need to reach out for help from others. You may need to enlist the help of other co-workers, other peers, or other family members. You may also reach out for professional help, such as a counselor at your school or a family therapist. Getting help will ensure you have the support you need to deal with someone who treats you poorly in a healthy way. For example, you may decide to talk to your co-workers about a worker who is acting nasty or mean. You may say, "Have you all noticed that Barb is acting inappropriately?" You may also lodge a complaint about the person with your company's HR representative so you can get support and help when dealing with this person.

Try to empathize with someone who treats you poorly. Take deep breaths and stay calm. Try to maintain relaxed body language. Be a good listener, to a point. Stay away from the person who treats you poorly. Pick your battles. Use humor. Change the subject. Be proactive, rather than reactive. Get help from others if the conflict gets out of control.

https://www.wikihow.com/Talk-to-Your-Girlfriend-on-the-Phone

How to Talk to Your Girlfriend on the Phone

If you want to talk to your girlfriend on the phone, text her a few hours before you call her so you can find out if she'll be free. When you call her, greet her cheerfully, so she knows you're excited to talk to her. If you don't know what to say, start with some small talk to warm up the conversation. For example, ask her how her day was or talk about a TV show you both enjoy. Make sure to be a good listener and ask plenty of questions to keep the conversation going. For instance, if she says she drank a milk-shake earlier, ask her what kind it was and where she got it from!

Work around her schedule. Arrange a time to chat over text, or wait to call until you think she will be free. Don't inconvenience her or make her choose between you and her friends or family. Call after drama club, soccer practice, her shift at the coffee shop, or family dinner. Text her a few hours before you want to talk: Hey, will you be free to chat tonight? or Can I call you at 7? Be flexible and work out a mutually convenient time. If she's busy: Don't: get irritated or sullen. Do: say How about tomorrow night? or Good luck on your midterm! Talk this weekend? Call from a quiet, private place. Girls will be more open and honest with you if they know no one can overhear your conversation. Don't call when you are hanging out with other people, and don't put her on speaker phone without her permission. Give her your undivided attention. She is giving you the gift of her time, and you should do the same. Most young people believe that multitasking takes away from conversation. Let her know that her conversation is the most important thing in the world. Don't text, chat online, watch TV, or talk to other people while you are talking with your girlfriend. Greet her cheerfully. Emotions are contagious. If you sound friendly and eager to talk, she will likely respond in the same way. When she answers the phone, greet her in a way that opens up the conversation and tells her you want to listen. Use words that are appropriate for how close you are: Hey! How's my girl doing? Hi beautiful! How was your day? I've been looking forward to hearing your voice all day! What have you been up to? Leave a sweet voicemail. If she doesn't answer and your call goes to voicemail, leave her a short and cute message. She will appreciate that you were thinking of her and enjoy hearing your voice. If you have been dating for a while, you can say: Just calling to tell you I love you! If you are in a new relationship, leave a more casual voicemail: I just wanted to see how you're doing! I miss you! Let her know the best time to call you back, so you don't wind up in a game of telephone tag: I'll be home from soccer practice at 7. Maybe talk to you then? Warm up with casual conversation. People are social animals and are hardwired to crave small talk with strangers. Small talk creates a sense of connection as people get to know one another. Even superficial conversation can be meaningful in new relationships. Stick to easy topics that will put her at ease: Share a story from your day. Ask her about her favorite sports team. Talk about events at your school. Discuss a TV show or movie you have both seen. If the conversation gets boring: Don't: interrupt or abruptly end the call. Do: ask questions that lead to an interesting topic. Compliment her. Let her know you enjoy her conversation and her company. Without coming on too strong, say things that will encourage her to open up to you: You tell the best stories! That's hilarious! I'm dying to hear what happened next! You are so easy to talk to. Don't: repeat the same generic compliments every conversation. Do: say I love how excited you get talking about __. Let the conversation develop naturally. If you two have chemistry, small talk will flow into deeper conversation. Allow yourself to shift from casual banter to more personal subjects. Take advantage of openings that allow you to get to know each other better: I take guitar lessons too! Why did you pick guitar over all the other instruments in the world? You get your license in three months? Where would you go if you had a car? School break is only two weeks away! Where are you going for the holidays? Be emotionally open. She will only be as honest and revealing as you are. Most people don't express their true feelings because they fear rejection, not because they aren't interested. If you tell her know how much she means to you, she will feel safe to tell you the same. Every time I see you my world lights up. You are the most beautiful girl in this city. I feel like you understand me better than anyone else. Ask open-ended questions. Frame questions so your girlfriend feels free to elaborate, provide backstory, and express feelings. Don't stall the conversation with questions that she will likely answer with just yes or no. Don't: start with leading phrases like I bet you... or You must have... Do: use How... , Why... , and What... openers. Be a good listener. Conversations are two-sided, and listening is as important as speaking. Don't interrupt or talk over your girlfriend. Pay attention to what she says, and wait until she has finished her thoughts to ask questions. Encourage her to share more. What happened next? How did that make you feel? Why do like In-N-Out milkshakes best? Avoid topics that stall conversation. You want to be honest with your girlfriend, but you don't want to offend her or make her feel uncomfortable. Gauge her enthusiasm throughout the conversation. If she sounds excited about a topic, explore it more. If she becomes quiet or unsure and says I don't know , Maybe or I guess a lot, steer the conversation to more enjoyable territory. Identify sensitive subjects as you get to know your girlfriend better and stay clear. You want your conversations to be positive experiences. Dredging up bad memories (her parents' divorce, an ex-boyfriend, her deceased grandmother) is not a shortcut to intimacy. Let her know she can tell you anything, but don't stir up unhappy emotions deliberately. Coming on too strong may scare her off. Don't sound obsessed or overly needy. Don't make comments about her body that are too forward and that she would not appreciate. Don't: be afraid to open up about your own emotions and life experiences. Do: pay attention to her comfort level, and adjust for future conversations. Make plans about your future. Making plans together, whether for a night out or for a lifetime, creates closeness in a couple. Discuss where you would live and travel if you could go anywhere, what kind of dog you want, or what your dream home looks like. Have fun and use your imagination. Keep the conversation light and flirty: you don't need to come up with a road map for your lives. Tell your girlfriend how much you look forward to your adventures together. Don't: start talking about marriage or moving in together before the topic has come up in person. Do: talk about your future in a playful way. End the conversation before you lose steam. It is always better to say goodbye while you still have things to stay to one another. You will look forward to your next conversation. Suggest what you can talk about on your next phone call. Tell her you enjoyed talking. Let her know she is special and you appreciate her conversation. She will be more inclined to call you if she knows you want to hear her voice. I look forward to chatting with you soon! Call me anytime. I'll be thinking of your sweet voice all night. Don't be a stranger. I'll text you tomorrow morning! Make her smile when you say goodbye. Say something sweet just before you hang up that you know will make her happy. Share an inside joke, tease her with a nickname she likes, or compliment her so she blushes. Bye, beautiful. Goodnight, gorgeous! Mwahh! Goodnight kiss!

Work around her schedule. Call from a quiet, private place. Give her your undivided attention. Greet her cheerfully. Leave a sweet voicemail. Warm up with casual conversation. Compliment her. Let the conversation develop naturally. Be emotionally open. Ask open-ended questions. Be a good listener. Avoid topics that stall conversation. Make plans about your future. End the conversation before you lose steam. Tell her you enjoyed talking. Make her smile when you say goodbye.

https://www.wikihow.com/Print-Uber-Receipts

How to Print Uber Receipts

To print an Uber receipt, first check you email, which is where your trip summary and receipt will be sent. If you don't see an email from Uber in your inbox, try looking in your spam or junk mail folder. Once you find the email, open it up and make sure it's for the trip you need to print a receipt for. Then, click the icon that resembles a printer in the top-right corner of the email, and click “Print.” From here, click “Print” again in the box that opens up.

Check your email. After each trip your take with Uber, the summary and receipt is sent to the email address Open the email receipt. Click the email from Uber that matches the trip you want to print a receipt for. If you don't see the Uber receipt in your email, check your spam or junk mail folder. If you're having trouble locating the email, try searching for "Uber" in your mail program to view all the emails you've received from Uber. Print the email. Depending on your email program and computer, the option to print the email may differ. This will open a preview of the page to print as well as printer options for your printer: Gmail: , Click the icon that resembles a printer in the top-right corner of the email. Outlook: , Open the email, right-click the text and select "Print". Apple Mail: , Click "File" in the menu bar and then select "Print". Click Print. It's the large blue button either located left column or in the lower-right corner of the pop-up window. Go to https://riders.uber.com in a web browser. Using your preferred web browser, open the official Uber rider's website. Log in to Uber. Use the email address or phone number and password associated with your Uber account to log in. Click My Trips. It's the first option in the menu to the left. It will display all the trips you have taken. Select a trip. Tap or click the trip you want a receipt for. Click Resend. A receipt for the trip will be resent to your email.

Check your email. Open the email receipt. Print the email. Click Print. Go to https://riders.uber.com in a web browser. Log in to Uber. Click My Trips. Select a trip. Click Resend.

https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Eggplant

How to Prepare Eggplant

To prepare eggplant, start by cutting off and disposing of the top and bottom of the vegetable. If you want to remove the skin, use a vegetable peeler to do this. Then, cut the eggplant in whatever way you'd like, whether that's round slices, cubes, or strips. Once you've chopped the eggplant, place the pieces on top of paper towels and cover them in salt. Allow the eggplant to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, which will give the salt time to remove any bitterness. You could also rinse the eggplant pieces under water if you don't want them to have a salty flavor.

Look for smooth and shiny skin. If an eggplant is wrinkled, it means it was harvested a while ago and isn't as fresh. Choose one that has taut skin and a slight sheen rather than one that's dull. Avoid eggplants that have bruises or blemishes, too, which make the vegetable more vulnerable to bacteria and can form mold. Opt for small- to medium-sized eggplants if you want better flavor. Stay away from the biggest eggplants on the shelf, as the larger the vegetable, the more bitter and stringy it is. Pick the smaller ones to get the best taste. A good rule of thumb is to choose an eggplant that's slightly larger than your hand. Pick an eggplant that has a green, firm stem. Pay attention to the stem of the eggplant. Select one that is a bright green and that isn't soft or mushy. If you notice any mold or signs of decay around the stem, don't choose that vegetable. Stay away from eggplant that has a brown or visibly dried out stem. Store your eggplant at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. Once you pick out your eggplant, keep it somewhere that's room temperature, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Use it within 5 days while it's still fresh. Throw the eggplant away if you notice any mold or rotting. Keep the eggplant separate from other fruits and vegetables, like apples or bananas, because it's very sensitive to ethylene, which is the gas produce gives off as it ripens. If you don't separate the eggplant, it will go bad faster. Trim off the top and bottom of the eggplant. Place the eggplant on a cutting board and hold it securely with one hand. Then use a sharp knife to slice off the top where the leaves are and the bottom of the vegetable. Cut as little as possible off the eggplant. Only trim off enough to remove the leaves and stem. Peel the eggplant if you want to remove the bitter skin. Run a vegetable peeler in long strokes down the length of the eggplant. Press firmly as you go to ensure the blade of the peeler is removing the thick outer skin. Continue until all of the skin is gone from the vegetable. If you don't have a vegetable peeler, you can use a paring knife to carefully shave off the skin. Peel the eggplant right before you plan on using it since the inside will discolor once it's peeled if you let it sit out. Slice the eggplant into the shape of your choice. With the same knife you used to trim the ends, cut the eggplant into whatever shape and size your recipe calls for. If a recipe doesn't require a specific cut, choose from round slices, cubes, or strips, for example. Make the pieces as equal in width as possible. For instance, you don't want one slice to be very thin while another is very thick. Choose one width and stick to it. If you're cutting rounds, which are the easiest to slice, keep them ⁄ 2 to 1 in (1.3 to 2.5 cm) thick so they cook evenly. Place the eggplant pieces in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Lay paper towels over a flat baking sheet. Then, arrange the slices of eggplant on top of the paper towels so that none of the pieces overlap. You can also use parchment paper or a clean cotton cloth instead of paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of the slices with 1/2 tbsp (9 g) of kosher salt. Make sure one side is completely coated in salt before flipping the rounds over. Then sprinkle on the rest of the salt so that both sides are covered. Use more than 1/2 tbsp (9 g) of salt if you have an eggplant that's larger than about 8 inches (20 cm) long. Let the eggplant sit for at least 30 minutes. After salting the slices, leave them for about 20 minutes so the salt can draw out any bitterness. Don't let the eggplant soak for more than 1.5 hours. Place the baking sheet somewhere room temperature and out of reach of any pets or young children. It's normal if you notice beads of “sweat” on top of the slices as they soak or if you see them shrivel slightly. Dab the eggplant slices with a paper towel to remove extra liquid and salt. When the 20 minutes is up, take a paper towel and pat down both sides of each round. Use gentle pressure so you soak up the excess salt and sweat without drying out the eggplant. If you don't want any salt remaining on your eggplant after it has drawn out the excess liquid, you can rinse the slices in the sink and drain them before cooking.

Look for smooth and shiny skin. Opt for small- to medium-sized eggplants if you want better flavor. Pick an eggplant that has a green, firm stem. Store your eggplant at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. Trim off the top and bottom of the eggplant. Peel the eggplant if you want to remove the bitter skin. Slice the eggplant into the shape of your choice. Place the eggplant pieces in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides of the slices with 1/2 tbsp (9 g) of kosher salt. Let the eggplant sit for at least 30 minutes. Dab the eggplant slices with a paper towel to remove extra liquid and salt.

https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Any-Subject-Without-Teachers

How to Learn Any Subject Without Teachers

No matter what subject you want to learn, you can learn without teachers by reading books and scholarly articles about your topic. Alternatively, try watching instructional videos or documentaries, which you can find on the internet or via streaming services. If you prefer a more traditional learning structure, look for free online classes or follow a posted syllabus for a course on your topic. As another option, look for a mentor in the field you're studying, who can help you gain a more in-depth understanding.

Learn to identify reputable sources. If you are going to be teaching yourself, you will need to know how to find good learning resources. There is a lot of information available that is not reliable, so be very careful about where you look. These guidelines apply to all media, including articles and videos. Academic journals are a great source of reliable information. If you don't have access to any other databases, try doing a search on Google Scholar to find articles. Look for websites that are published by reputable organizations, including major new outlets, government agencies, and professional associations. Avoid relying on personal blogs and web forums for information. If you have any doubts about the quality of your source, always verify the information by looking for another source. Look for non-biased sources. A source that appears to be selling a product may not provide objective information. Read books and other materials about your subject. There is a plethora of information out there for anyone who is willing to read it. No matter what you want to learn about, chances are there is a book or website that can teach you everything you need to know. You can find information about pretty much anything online, so start searching for answers to the questions that interest you. You can access peer-reviewed published work through journal databases like LexisNexis and JSTOR. You need a subscription to access these databases, but they may be free for you if you are a student. Many classic works of literature are available for free on websites like Project Gutenberg. Your local library is a great resource for free reading material, so take advantage of it. While a lot of information is available online, not everything is. Watch educational videos on your subject. Reading isn't a great way to learn for everyone, but luckily it's not the only way to learn. There are tons of educational videos available online that can teach you how to do all sorts of things. Whether you'd like to listen to someone explain a concept or watch someone perform a task, videos can be very helpful learning resources. YouTube is a great resource for learning new skills. Many of the videos you will find are made by amateurs, but there are also tons of educational channels available. If you want to learn about anything from technology to philosophy, consider watching some TED talks. These are short presentations given by professionals from a variety of different backgrounds on many fascinating subjects. Documentaries are also very informative and can help you learn about many different topics. Some are available on cable or on the internet, while others you may have to purchase. Learn by observing your surroundings. You can learn a lot from observing the world around you, so don't neglect this vital resource. Look for ways that you can expose yourself to your topic of interest on a regular basis. It may not feel like you are learning, but you are! For example, if you are trying to learn a language, consider watching television shows or movies in that language or with subtitles in that language. If you want to learn more about art, try visiting your local art museum and just observing what there is to see, rather than trying to commit anything to memory. Get hands-on experience in the field. Reading and watching are both great, but eventually you will need to become more actively involved in your own learning. If you want to take your studies to the next level and gain a deeper understanding of your subject, you will need to start doing. There are some things that it is simply not possible to learn without trying it yourself. For example, you can read every book and watch every video that you can find on knitting, but until you pick up the needles and the yarn and try it, you will never truly understand how to do it. You can benefit from hands-on experience with less concrete skills as well. For example, if you want to teach yourself about Shakespeare, you may be able to gain a very good understanding by reading criticism or listening to others' opinions. However, you will have an even greater understanding when you begin to make observations for yourself. Look for guided learning programs. There are lots of internet resources out there for people who want to learn new skills, so start searching online for one that is relevant to you. These programs offer you the structure of different levels on learning, but the flexibility to proceed at your own pace. Some are available as software programs that guide you through different lessons, while others provide lecture-style videos that you can watch at your own pace. If you want to learn a language, there are many different resources available to you. Some learning software requires a subscription, but there are also lots of language-learning games and quizzes available online for free. These resources are available for other skills as well, and the offerings are expanding each day. For example, you can now learn how to play an instrument online. It's important to choose quality learning materials, especially if you are paying for them. Look for products sold by reputable companies. If you have never heard of the company or the product, it's a good idea to search online for customer reviews. Find a mentor. If you want more insight into your field of interest, it helps to spend time with other people who share your passion. If possible, find someone who has the knowledge that you are looking for and ask this person to mentor you. Letting them know that it will not require a huge time commitment may encourage them to accept. If you already know someone who is knowledgeable about the subject you want to learn, ask this person for some guidance. Share what you have already learned and get input on what you still need to know. Just spending a little time with this person may help you learn much more. Consider reaching out to people you admire and asking them questions. This can be someone you know casually or an industry expert to whom you have no connection whatsoever. Not everyone will answer you, but you may find someone who is more than willing to foster your curiosity and help you learn. Make sure you choose a mentor who is willing to tell you what you need to hear and not just what you want to hear. Consider taking a class. Even if you don't want to take a tradition classroom course, there are still lots of learning opportunities available to you. There are many different free online courses to choose from that can teach you about nearly anything. Many major universities, including Yale, now offer people the opportunity to download video and audio recordings of their lectures. This gives you the advantage of learning from some of the best and brightest minds without the expense of attending a traditional class or the homework. A lot of industry experts also offer webinars and online classes. If a university class isn't for you, that doesn't mean there isn't a free course out there that you would enjoy. You can also consider attending professional conferences to hear live lectures on your subject. This will also give you the opportunity to network with other people who are interested in this field. Follow a syllabus. Even if you are not taking a traditional course with a teacher, you can still use traditional lesson plans to help you learn on your own. Many teachers post their syllabi and even their course notes online, and they may be available to you even if you are not a student at that school. You can use these materials to help guide yourself through your independent learning, so you will be sure that you learn all of the same material that you would have if you had taken the course. Syllabi are very helpful because they will give you a good idea of what order you should tackle different subtopics in. They will also give you a good idea of how much time you should be spending on each topic. Syllabi can also help by providing additional resources. They often include a mandatory and/or suggested reading list, so be sure to take a look at these materials. If there are notes available, you can use them to double check that you have covered all of the material. If you see something in the notes that does not look familiar to you, chances are you still have some more research to do on that topic. List your goals. Before you begin devising your learning strategy, it helps to have a clear understanding of exactly what you want to learn and why. If you have a specific goal in mind, such as passing an exam, be sure that you understand what you are required to know. If you are just learning for your own enjoyment, think about things you would like to know. When you take a traditional class, teachers outline your goals for you. If you want to go at it on your own without losing the structure that you need to succeed, it's a good idea to emulate this. Consider brainstorming a list of questions you want to know the answers to, if this applies to your subject. For example, if you want to be an expert on trains, you may want to know what kinds of trains there are, what is the fastest kind of train, what is the most energy efficient train, etc. If you can't break your goals down into answerable questions, find another way of quantifying them. For example, if you want to learn to speak Spanish, write down some topics that you would like to be able to converse about. Create a timeline. Once you know what you want to learn, you must decide when you want to learn it. Depending on whether you are studying for a specific reason or just for your own enjoyment, you may have different time restraints. It will help you tackle the monumental task of learning about a new subject if you break it down into small sections. Try setting a goal for yourself to learn each subsection of material by a specific date. If you need some help planning out your timeline for studying different topics, consider consulting a text book on your subject. These are typically broken up into logical sections, which can give you a good idea of what the main topics are, how much time you should spend on each, and what order you should attempt to learn them in, even if you don't end up reading the whole book. Set aside time. The only way to learn something new is to spend some time studying it. If you can't commit the time, you will not learn, no matter what methods you use. Try to come up with a schedule for studying. Doing it at the same time each day can help you stay committed. Consider how much you need to learn in what period of time. If you are in no rush, you may want to commit only a small amount of time to start with. Committing too much time can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated. Understand your learning style. Everyone is different when it comes to which techniques work the best to help them learn. If you want to successfully teach yourself something, you will need to understand how your brain learns. Keep in mind that for many people, a combination of several techniques is ideal. Visual learners learn best by reading information and writing it down. They may also find tools like flashcards and checklists very helpful. Auditory learners learn best by listening to information and repeating it out loud. They may also benefit from recording themselves and replaying it. Kinesthetic learners learn best by trying things for themselves. They often find hands-on experiments to be the most helpful learning tool. Keep seeking out learning opportunities. As you learn, keep your initial goals in mind and congratulate yourself for meeting them. Don't feel, however, that you need to stop learning just because you meet your goals. If you find that you become interested in something tangential, don't be afraid to explore it. You have the power to decide what you will learn next. Consider setting new goals for yourself when you have accomplished the original ones. This will help keep you motivated to continue learning.

Learn to identify reputable sources. Read books and other materials about your subject. Watch educational videos on your subject. Learn by observing your surroundings. Get hands-on experience in the field. Look for guided learning programs. Find a mentor. Consider taking a class. Follow a syllabus. List your goals. Create a timeline. Set aside time. Understand your learning style. Keep seeking out learning opportunities.

https://www.wikihow.com/File-for-Divorce-in-Texas-Without-a-Lawyer

How to File for Divorce in Texas Without a Lawyer

Filing for divorce in Texas without a lawyer is relatively simple. You'll need to get a divorce packet from the Supreme Court of Texas. The exact forms you need will depend on whether you have kids and what kind of assets you own together, but you'll need an original petition for divorce and a case information sheet. Once you've filled out the forms, file them with the clerk's office and pay the filing fee, which will be at least 200 dollars. You'll also need to provide your spouse with copies of the forms and they'll need to complete their Waiver of Service to approve the divorce. After they've filed their waiver, you should both complete the Final Decree of Divorce and file it with your court to confirm the terms of your divorce. Then, you'll need to attend a hearing in court, which should be quick and easy if you both agree on everything.

Determine if you qualify to file for divorce in Texas. Under Texas law, at least one party to the divorce must have resided in Texas for at least six months prior to the filing of the divorce. In addition, either you or your spouse must have lived in the county where you file for 90 days prior to the date of filing. Also, a divorce in Texas cannot be finalized if the wife is pregnant. If your wife is pregnant, be sure to keep this in mind. Determine the grounds upon which you will divorce. In Texas, you can file for divorce with or without assigning fault to one party or the other. The only grounds for a no-fault divorce in Texas are "insupportability," which means that for whatever reason, the marriage is no longer viable. If you wish to file for some other reason, such as adultery, criminality, or abandonment (among others), you need to speak with an attorney. Furthermore, if you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement with respect to the division of property and child custody and support, you need to speak with an attorney. Texas is a community property state, which means that it views the property of either spouse acquired during the marriage as the property of both spouses, and the default division of that property is an even split. However, if the court finds that one spouse is at fault for the dissolution of the marriage, then it can and will assign more property to the innocent spouse. For this reason, if you plan to sue for divorce on specific grounds, you need to speak with an attorney. If you cannot afford one, go to texaslawhelp.org for help finding a Legal Aid attorney. Determine where to file the divorce. In Texas, state District Courts have jurisdiction over divorces. District Courts are courts of general jurisdiction. That means that they have jurisdiction over all legal matters unless specifically designated otherwise. In very small counties, or judicial districts that preside over multiple small counties, there may only be one District Court. If you live in a county like this, you would file there. In districts of larger size, the District Courts are divided into subdivisions that give preference to certain areas, like family law. These are called Family District Courts. If you live in one of these Districts, then you should file with the Family District Court. To find out whether you should file with a District Court or a Family District Court, simply go look in the directory in the Texas Pro Se Divorce Handbook. Alternatively, go to courts.texaslawhelp.org and fill in the required information. Obtain the proper forms. The forms you use will depend on whether you and your spouse have children together and if you own real property (land, houses, or other structures). The Supreme Court of Texas has approved a set of forms for filers with children, without children, and without children or property. Once you find the right category for you and your spouse, simply click on the link provided. Almost all of the forms you will need are in the packet. Fill out the case information sheet. Everyone in Texas who files a civil case must submit a Civil Case Information Sheet. In order to fill the form out properly, you will need to know your name, address, telephone number, and email, along with the full names of both spouses. After you have entered in that information, simply check the box in the "Family Law" section that says "divorce." Complete the Original Petition for Divorce. The contents of the Petition are going to differ drastically depending on whether or not you and your spouse have children. The Petition for couples without children is four pages. The petition for couples with children is more than twice as long. You may leave the cause or cause number blank, the Court Clerk will fill this in when you file the documents with the Court. The addendum for custodial arrangements is extremely detailed, going so far as to specify when the weekend begins, what happens on three day weekends, and who shall have custody of the child on any and all major and minor holidays. It might be best for you each to come up with some idea of how you would like to make arrangements separately, and then come to a compromise agreement afterwards. If you have trouble coming to an agreement, consider a mediator.You can browse a national directory of mediators by going to www.mediate.com and looking at the listing for your state. Complete the Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship form. You can find the form on the texaslawhelp.org website under their section on filing for divorce. File Original Petition for Divorce. File the form with the Clerk's Office in the District Court that has jurisdiction. Your divorce does not actually begin until you file this form. Expect to pay filing fees with the county where you file. The exact amount of the fees will vary by locality, but you should expect to pay at least $200 in fees. If you qualify as indigent (poor), the filing fees will be greatly reduced or waived altogether. You can make an affirmation of indigency by filling out a form and filing it with the clerk of court. Provide your spouse with a copy or the Petition. Your spouse must receive a copy of the petition. If your spouse agrees to waive service of process, you can just send the Petition by mail or drop it off in person. If you are unsure, then pay a process server to perform an in-person service. Have your spouse complete the Waiver of Service form or Answer. Your spouse needs to complete a Waiver of Service or an Answer. For most people pursuing an uncontested divorce, a Waiver of Service will do. If you expect them to waive service, then just send the form along with the Petition. If your spouse signs a Waiver of Service, you are not required to provide him or her with a copy of the divorce petition, or any other filings, and he or she will not be required to attend any hearings. This is generally used only when divorcing parties are in complete agreement on all issues and will not ask for any hearings. You may file the Waiver yourself. If your spouse wishes to receive copies of your filings and attend any hearings, he or she may file an answer to your divorce petition instead of a Waiver of Service. This is generally not used in an uncontested divorce, but your situation may differ. Your spouse must file the Answer. Along with your spouse, complete the Final Decree of Divorce. Once the Answer or the Waiver have been completed, you and your spouse should complete the final decree of divorce. In it you will confirm the division of property, child support, and custody arrangements. Calculate Child Support correctly. To determine what child support should be, use the child support calculator provided by the Travis County Court. Have an attorney look over your forms. Anyone considering a divorce should get an attorney to at least look over the final versions of the forms. A mistake on one of these forms could lead to years of problems. Provide clear and complete information. Type or print all information in blue or black ink. Be sure to answer each questions completely and fill in every blank that applies to your situation. File the divorce forms. Call the Clerk's Office at the proper court and ask how many copies of each form you will need and what the filing fee will be. Make the appropriate number of copies and take to the Clerk's office along with the filing fee, which should be in cash, as the Courts do not accept personal checks or debit cards. Provide your spouse with notice of the divorce filing. If your spouse did not waive service of process but is still not contesting any points of the divorce, hire a process serves or another disinterested third party to serve your spouse with any remaining paperwork. However, if your divorce is uncontested because your spouse is missing, try service by publication. If you are not able to find your spouse, you may wish to serve him or her by publication. This means publishing notice of the divorce filing in a newspaper of general circulation in the last city or town where he or she was known to reside. To serve a party by publication in Texas, you must obtain the permission of the Court. In order to do this, you will need to file an affidavit with the Court stating that you are unable to find your spouse, after making an honest effort to do so. Attend your hearing. Whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, the filing party must appear at a hearing. If you and your spouse are in agreement on all issues, you may appear without your spouse at an uncontested docket hearing, which will take approximately ten minutes. You should bring all of your Court filings to the hearing. Wait. Texas has a mandatory 60 day waiting period for divorces. The waiting period begins when you file the Petition. Attend any required pre-divorce classes. During the 60 day waiting period and before you attend the court hearing to get your divorce decree signed, you must complete any parenting classes that are required if you have a child with your spouse. Make sure you do not blow these off as it may delay your divorce and cause the judge to impose other requirements. During these parenting classes, you will learn about the responsibilities and hardships of co-parenting after a divorce. For example, part of the course may teach you about how to handle problems that arise while parenting without your spouse around (i.e., how to be a good single parent). File your Final Divorce Decree and remaining forms. The Court will not prepare your Divorce Decree for you. It is up to you to prepare this document, according to the orders of the Court, and file it for the Judge to sign. The Judge will not sign the Decree until it has been 61 days from the date of filing of the Petition for Divorce. If you have children, you will need to file the Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship form. If support is ordered, you will also need to file the Income Withholding for Support Order, which can be found with the packet of forms for uncontested divorces with children. You will most likely need to fill this out with your employer, as there are certain pieces of information on the form not usually known to employees.

Determine if you qualify to file for divorce in Texas. Determine the grounds upon which you will divorce. Determine where to file the divorce. Obtain the proper forms. Fill out the case information sheet. Complete the Original Petition for Divorce. Complete the Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship form. File Original Petition for Divorce. Provide your spouse with a copy or the Petition. Have your spouse complete the Waiver of Service form or Answer. Along with your spouse, complete the Final Decree of Divorce. Have an attorney look over your forms. File the divorce forms. Provide your spouse with notice of the divorce filing. Attend your hearing. Wait. Attend any required pre-divorce classes. File your Final Divorce Decree and remaining forms.