INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Every time you book a flight through Delta Airlines, points will be awarded to your SkyMiles account. A few miles here and there can add up to some serious travel potential over time. You can also begin racking up travel points by signing up for an American Express Delta SkyMiles credit card. Check your account regularly to find out how many miles you have at your disposal. The miles you've built up can be used to supplement the ones your loved ones have already earned. If someone you know needs 40,000 miles (64,000km) to enjoy a dream getaway, for instance, but they only have 38,000 on their account, a 2,000 mile (3,000km) donation will get them there. A small expenditure can help someone else avoid a big one. This can be a big help for spur-of-the-moment trips or times when money is tight. Before parting with your hard-earned miles, do a little calculating to find out whether you're actually getting a good deal. The more miles you transfer, the higher the charge will be. For this reason, it may sometimes be more economical to simply buy a ticket out of pocket. While it would only cost $10 to transfer 1,000 miles (2,000km) (along with the processing fee, for a total of $40 plus tax), gifting someone 20,000 miles (32,000km) will drive the total up to $230. That's may not be much more than the price of standard airfare. By spending too much on a single transfer, you'll just be eating into the savings you would ordinarily get from cashing in your accumulated miles.

SUMMARY: Make frequent purchases to accumulate SkyMiles. Help your friends and family reach their travel goals. Decide whether the transfer is worth the cost.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Actively listening to someone will help you determine not only what someone is talking about, but potentially why they are talking so much. While some people talk a lot because of egos or aggression, some people talk because they are nervous, want to make friends, or have something on their chest. Knowing why people won't shut up will help you end the conversation gently. Ignoring people, creating conflict, or feigning interest will all create longer conversations. Being polite but honest is usually best. If you know someone is a known talker, and you will have a hard time getting away, state early on that you have somewhere to be. Example: "Great to see you, but I only have a few minutes to talk." When you are at work you often have your best opportunities to get some peace and quiet. Mentioning "that you have a deadline upcoming," you are "trying to focus more on work," or that "I would rather not talk about this at the office" can get you out of long or awkward conversations easily. If someone has a habit of pestering you, consider talking to HR or a supervisor. Example: "Great to see you, but I have only have 5 minutes!" Example: "I have to pick up the kids soon, so I need to run." When you spend most of your time with the same person, you will inevitably need some time away from their voice. Most likely, they need time away from yours, too. Find activities together, like reading, movies, or mediation, that require silence. "I need some time to relax and think, let's talk in an hour." Spending some alone time will allow both of you to focus on what is really important, and be able to talk about it later. Example: "Today was the longest day! I could use a few seconds for some peace and quiet." We all love our parents, but they have a knack for talking our ears off. While you should always be respectful, there are a couple ways to get free without causing family drama. Sending letters or emails, and inviting them to do the same, will help you catch up on your own time. Be brief talking about problems or stress as many parents will want to know every last thing that is wrong in their child's life. Don't be a brick wall -- give them some details! If you are sullen and silent, many parents will try to keep talking to figure out what your problem is. Communicate regularly. It may seem counter productive, but giving periodic updates to your parents can prevent an information overload if you only talk once a month or year. Example: "I'm so glad we had the chance to catch up Mom, but I have to run. I'll call you soon!" Getting a bully to leave you alone can be tough, but getting them to shut up is often as simple as eliminating their ammo. Laugh at their insults, ignore them, and resist the urge to get into a shouting match. Being coy or sarcastic takes the rug out from under their feet. "Would your poor mother approve of that language?" "Someone watched one too many R-rated movies," or "Sheesh, did someone treat you poorly as a child?" are sarcastic, but resist being too hostile.

SUMMARY: Listen for a reasonable amount of time. Set a time limit on the conversation. Getting a colleague to stop talking. Getting a friend or significant other to stop talking. Get your parents to stop talking. Get a bully to stop talking.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You'll need to dig deep enough to reach a stable surface beneath the topsoil, and often deeper to ensure the stones have solid support. Large installation projects may require an excavator, and a square shovel is always useful for creating the vertical walls. For a driveway or other area with heavy car or machinery traffic, dig 79 inches (1823 centimeters) deep, plus the height of the paving stones you'll be installing. For a walkway with only foot traffic, you only need to dig 45 inches (1013 cm) deep, plus the height of the stones. Use crushed rock or gravel sized at about of an inch (1.9 cm). This will provide a base for the paving stones, and allow water to drain through. Rent or purchase a plate compactor, and use it to compact the gravel to make a stable, sturdy base. You may need to pour in the gravel in stages, as each compactor has a maximum depth that it can compact at one time. The final layer should be 68 inches (1520 cm) deep for areas with car or machinery traffic, or up to 12 in. (30 cm) in wet soil. Use a layer 34 inches (7.510 cm) deep for walkways. Some people install landscape fabric or geotextiles over the gravel at this stage. This helps prevent weed growth, and may help keep the base above it in place. However, other installers prefer to skip this step, as it is not a permanent weed solution and may lead to drainage problems in the long term. Pour in a 1 inch (2.5 cm) layer of sand to keep the paving stones in place. This sand is sold as "bedding sand" or "paver sand." Place a bubble level on top of a flat 2 x 4 or screed board. Scrape it over the surface of the sand, taking care to avoid stepping on the sand layer. The sand should be flat, but along a slight slope, between 1/4" (6mm) per foot (0.3m) and 1/2" (12mm) per foot (0.3 m).

SUMMARY:
Excavate the area. Pour in and compact gravel in stages. Add landscape fabric (optional). Add a layer of sand. Screed the sand.