Some children with OCD have obsessions about cleanliness and become afraid of being contaminated, contracting diseases, and becoming ill. They may worry about close person-to-person contact or develop fears of dirt, food, or certain places or things they believe are unsanitary or infectious. Although it can be hard to observe an obsession, you can be on the look out for the compulsions that can result from an obsession with cleanliness: Your child may avoid certain locations, such as public restrooms, or certain situations, such as social events, because they fear contamination. Your child may become strangely habitual. For example, they may eat the same food over and over again because it is supposedly contamination-free. Your child may begin to impose cleansing rituals on you and other members of your family in an attempt to ensure complete sanitation. Your child may even develop compulsions that seem contrary to an obsession with cleanliness. For example, they may refuse to bathe due to a fear of contamination. Some children with OCD develop obsessions with symmetry and order; they need processes to be "done right" and items to be arranged "correctly." As a result: Your child may develop very precise ways of handling, arranging, or aligning objects; they may do this in a highly ritualized way. Your child may become very anxious when items are not arranged correctly; they may panic or believe something terrible will happen. Your child may have trouble concentrating on schoolwork or other things because they are so preoccupied with these matters, which seem so inessential to you. Children with OCD can obsess about themselves or others being harmed. This obsession may manifest itself in a variety of compulsive behaviors: Your child may become very overprotective toward family members and close friends. Your child may try to make sure everyone is safe by checking and rechecking that doors are locked, appliances are turned off, and no gas leaks are present. Your child may devote several hours a day to performing ritualized tasks aimed at making sure that everyone is safe. Children with OCD may have violent intrusive thoughts, and they might become very worried that they will give into these thoughts and hurt themselves or others intentionally. They may begin to hate themselves or believe that they are bad people. As a result: Your child may be overcome with guilty feelings. They may seek forgiveness, confessing their thoughts to others and seeking reassurances of their love and affection. Your child may become emotionally exhausted and preoccupied with these thoughts. Though the anxieties may be mostly internal, you can be alert for signs of increased anxiety, depression, or exhaustion. Your child may draw or write about the violent behaviors over and over.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Pay attention to fears of contamination. Note any excessive preoccupation with symmetry, order, and exactness. Watch for compulsions to keep loved ones safe. Notice any obsession about causing intentional harm.

The basic gravy recipe above tastes great on its own, but it's not the final word on hamburger gravy. For example, if you want to give your gravy a slightly more complex taste, try adding these dried herbs with the salt, pepper, etc. at the end of the recipe. The bitter aromatics of sage and the sweetness of basil pair well to make a gravy that's a little more filet mignon than hamburger. Bouillon is a common ingredient in gravy recipes. Its salty, meat-y flavor make for a mouthwatering gravy. To use bouillon, just stir it into the mixture along with the flour. Both beef and chicken bouillon make good choices. You can also use broth for a similar flavor. About one 14-ounce can of chicken or beef broth should be plenty. If you don't have any flour or you like a slightly thicker gravy, this is the way to go. However, since cornstarch can form unappetizing clumps if you add it directly to hot liquids, you need to prepare the recipe a little differently: While the beef cooks, combine the corn starch with the milk in a small bowl. You can also combine it with the broth if you're using it. Stir until well-combined. Add the liquid-cornstarch mixture gradually to the pan, stirring as you go. Steak sauce goes excellently with beef, so it only makes sense that it would go with hamburger gravy. The sour-savory taste of most steak sauces makes the perfect companion to the smooth taste of the basic gravy. Add your favorite steak sauce at the end of the recipe with the salt, pepper, etc. Barbecue sauce and hot sauce also work well here. Gravy is delicious, but it's not something that people usually associate with the word "spicy." If you have a bold palate, try adding red pepper flakes or cayenne to your gravy. The latter will give it a nice pinkish color in addition to plenty of heat. Don't forget to add gradually and taste the gravy often to avoid adding too much! Cutting down on the fat in your gravy is as simple as adding nonfat milk in place of 2% or whole milk in the recipe. Since nonfat milk is slightly more watery, you may need to heat the gravy for slightly longer to get the same thickness (or add a little extra flour/cornstarch). You can also use leaner grades of ground beef to reduce the fat in the dish even more.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Try seasoning with basil and sage. Add bouillon for savory flavor. Try thickening with cornstarch instead of flour. Add tangy steak sauce for a barbecue flavor. Heat the recipe up with red pepper. Use fat-free milk for a healthier alternative.

The best place to find wooden pallets for free is at independent nurseries and hardware stores, since they are less likely to have someone who comes and picks up their pallets. Therefore, they'll usually give them to you for free. You can also check out local construction sites. Always ask before removing a pallet. If it has spills on it, they could be hazardous. Therefore, choose one that looks relatively clean. Plus, clean ones will make a better finished product. The slates should be far enough apart that your shoes can slip through the slats but close enough together that it holds the shoes up. Be sure to wear gloves when picking up your pallet. It will have splinters. Some pallets are stamped with codes that describe how they were treated before use. One without codes is generally safe to use. However, if it has the codes EUR or MB or if the wood is colored, don't use it. If it has the codes DB, HT, or EPAL, it's generally acceptable to use. Most pallets are left untreated, which can mean splinters and uneven wood. Take the time to sand the wood. Use an 80 grit sandpaper. You can use a power sander to help get the job done. If desired, you can move up to finer sandpaper for a smoother finish. Some people recommend planning the surface if you prefer a new-wood look. You can use a standard brush-on stain, but if you want something quick, try spraying on a stain instead of brushing it on. When brushing on stain, apply it in long, even strokes with a wide brush. Use an ample amount, and then wipe away any excess once the stain has absorbed. When spraying on a stain, apply it in even coats. Read the directions to find out how far away you should hold the can from the project when spraying. Use light coats, and wait for each coat to at least partially dry before applying the next one. The finish will protect the wood. If you want the natural look of the wood to shine through, try a beeswax finish. Apply the finish in thin coats, waiting between coats. Once a coat is applied, run the brush over the whole length at a 45 degree angle to smooth it out. Let the pallet dry. You can put this in your closet or in your room. The beams should run parallel to the floor. Place all the fancier shoes on one level. Insert them between the slats. The top slat on each level should provide enough support to hold them up with the ends sticking out. Place the sneakers on the next level, the casual shoes on one level, and so on.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Find a wooden pallet. Pick a clean pallet. Pick one that will hold your shoes. Look for how the pallet was treated. Sand the pallet. Apply a stain. Apply a finish. Prop the shoe rack up on a wall. Divide your shoes by style.