Extension poles are the key to successfully painting tall walls. Purchase or rent an extension pole from your local hardware store or online, and find a paint roller that will screw into it. Extension poles cost anywhere from $15-$30 with longer poles being more expensive. Paint rollers cost around $10. Borrowing an extension pole or roller from a friend is a good way to save money. For help figuring out which extension poles and rollers will work best together, ask an employee at a hardware store or do some research online. Place the bottom of the ladder firmly on the ground and position it against the wall carefully. How long the ladder needs to be will depend on how tall your walls are, but choosing an extension ladder is always a good idea. Make sure the ladder's safety features are working properly. If you don't have a tall ladder, ask friends, neighbors, or coworkers if they have one you can borrow. You can also call your local hardware store and ask them if you can rent a ladder for the day. If your walls have nail holes or other small imperfections, apply a spackling compound to the hole. For tiny holes, apply a small amount of spackle to the hole and smooth it with your finger. For larger holes, level the spackle with a putty knife. After the paste dries, gently sand the spot so that it's smooth. Use a tall ladder to spackle spots that are out of your reach. Read the tube of spackling paste to know how long it will take to dry. After you've sanded it down, you can use a damp rag to wipe off the dust. If you don't want to have to worry about painting in a straight line, put painter's tape along the edges of the wall. Use a tall ladder to tape the very top edges. Be careful and tape slowly, making sure the tape is even and firmly pressed down. Paint brushes, rollers, and edgers can all be messy, especially when attached to an extension pole. To ensure primer or paint doesn't get on the floor, spread out a drop cloth. Make sure the cloth reaches all the way to the wall's edge. You can also use a drop cloth to cover any furniture in the room that isn't able to be moved. Primer is useful when painting over a dark color or damaged wall, as well as in many other situations. There are many different primers made for certain scenarios, so go online or ask an employee at a hardware store if your walls need a primer. Attach your paint brush or roller to an extension pole to prime the tall parts of your wall. Let the primer dry before beginning the rest of the painting. Check your can of primer to see how long it will take to dry completely.

Summary: Find a paint extension pole and roller that are compatible. Set up your tall ladder. Use spackling paste if the wall has holes or rough spots. Apply painter's tape to edges of walls if desired. Put down a drop cloth to protect the floors. Prime your walls if necessary.

Once the birds have mated and the eggs are fertilized, the female will begin laying eggs in about 10 days. She will lay 1 egg at a time, so you'll see a single egg appear in the nesting box. Sometimes budgies need to breed several times before the female's eggs are fertilized. After the female lays her first egg, there will be a 1-2 day gap between each egg in her clutch. She will continue to lay an egg every day or 2 until they are all laid. In captivity, she'll likely lay 4-8 eggs in total. She will lay her eggs in the nesting box. Your female bird won't start incubating the eggs until she's laid at least 2 or 3. That means you'll likely see 1 or 2 eggs sitting neglected in the nest after she's first started laying. This is normal, so don't worry if your bird is not being attentive in those first few days. The female budgie will always be the one to sit on the eggs. The male shouldn't go into the nesting box. When they start to hatch, you'll notice cracks appearing on the egg shells. It may take awhile for the budgies to hatch, but don't help them. If they're healthy, they'll emerge from their shells after a few hours. If you have eggs that haven't hatched after 22 days, it's best to throw them out. They likely won't hatch. If they do, the babies won't be healthy. Budgies generally take good care of their young, but keep an eye on the little family to make sure none of the babies are being neglected. If there are several babies, the mother may neglect the littlest chicks. You may want to hand raise baby budgies that are being neglected.

Summary: Wait 10 days after a successful breeding for the first egg. Expect your female budgie to lay 4-8 eggs over about 2 weeks. Make sure your budgie sits on the eggs after the 3rd one is laid. Watch for hatching after 18-21 days of incubation. Make sure the mother is caring for her baby budgies.

A fever is a body's natural response to a foreign body. Breaking the fever before the body has had time to attack the foreign body may prolong the illness or mask other symptoms associated with the fever. An over the counter pain medication, such as an NSAID, could help treat some of the discomfort associated with fever. Often, low doses of NSAIDs produce good results. Aspirin is for adults only. Aspirin given to children has been linked to a dangerous condition called Reye's Syndrome. It is therefore advisable only to administer aspirin as an adult. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) are acceptable substitutes for all ages. If your temperature remains high even after the recommended dose, don't take more; instead, consult a doctor. Fluids are essential for fevers because they reduce the risk of dehydration, a serious concern during fevers. Stick mostly to water if experiencing a fever. Sodas and teas, in moderation, may help calm the stomach. Try to eat lukewarm soups and other liquid broths in addition to more solid foods. Popsicles may also help, and provide a cooling sensation in the process. Dehydration may exacerbate a fever if left untreated.
Summary: Understand that for low-grade (mild) fevers, some doctors recommend letting the fever run its course. Take an OTC pain medication. Drink plenty of fluids.