Problem: Article: Roughly 12 inches by 6 inches should be fine. Make sure this is a heavier piece of cardboard, like from a packing box. If the cardboard is too light it will buckle when you wrap the lights around them. This should be big enough to tuck one end of the lights into. It doesn't matter if the notch is on the length or width side- this method will work either way. Do this neatly, working from one side to the other as needed. This will make unwrapping them much easier next year. Tuck the end into this notch just like you did with the first one. To protect the lights, wrap a layer or two of tissue paper around the cardboard. This will help protect them while they're in storage.
Summary: Cut a piece of cardboard into a rectangle. Cut a notch in one side of the cardboard. Wrap the lights around the rectangle. Cut another notch wherever the other end of the lights is when you're done. Wrap tissue paper around the lights.

Problem: Article: Food that gets caught in a wisdom teeth wound may be uncomfortable, but it alone should not cause an infection. Healing can still take place even if food gets caught, and it's more important to avoid touching or probing the wound. Clots in the gums may appear gray and fibrous, like food particles. Cleaning too vigorously in this case may remove the clot and cause further complications. This is especially important during the first 24 hours after surgery. Gradually move from soft foods to semi-soft foods as your wound heals. It's generally best to avoid hard, chewy, crunchy, and spicy foods, as these are most prone to pooling in the socket and causing irritation or infection. Chew on the opposite side or your mouth from the extraction site. Avoid eating foods that are too hot or cold foods. Go for room temperature foods during the first two days. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Don't shake hands with people for a week or so. Don't share toothbrushes or other implements with others. You want to make sure that you don't pick up a secondary infection that could tax your immune system. Some bleeding will be common over the first few days following a tooth extraction. If you experience any of the following symptoms, however, you should contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately. Excessive bleeding (more than a slow ooze) Pus in the wound Difficulty swallowing/breathing Fever Swelling that increases after two or three days Blood or pus in nasal mucus Throbbing, dull pain after the first 48 hours Bad breath after three days Pain that is not reduced after taking painkillers
Summary: Don't panic. Don't confuse a clot with food. Stick to soft foods. Avoid sources of contamination. Know when to seek professional help.

Problem: Article: Dermabond is appropriate for small cuts that would normally require 5-0 sutures. You can also use it in place of smaller sutures. Typically, 5-0 sutures are used on limb wounds. Sutures get smaller in size the larger the USP size. For instance, a 4-0 suture is bigger than a 5-0 suture. The 6-0 and 7-0 sutures are smaller than a 5-0 suture, and they are used for smaller cuts on the hands, face, and nail beds, for instance. Wounds like animal bites, contaminated wounds, ulcers, and punctures have more bacteria in them and shouldn't be closed up. Dermabond isn't a good choice for these types of wounds. Do not use Dermabond on a wound that is infected or contaminated, as it can make the problem worse. If the wound is painful to the patient or the patient requests it, you can use a local anesthetic. Ideally, choose one that contains 0.25% bupivacaine or 1% lidocaine. Apply the gel or cream to the area using sterile gauze. For Dermabond to heal effectively, you must dilute the bacteria in the wound first. Flush the wound with a 0.9% saline solution to help remove the bacteria. Use a 10 cc or 20 cc sterile syringe with a splash cover to apply the saline to the wound. If needed, you can remove debris at this point with a fine (small) pair of sterilized forceps. You cannot apply Dermabond while the wound is still bleeding freely. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile gauze until it begins to clot and the wound is dry. Once the wound stops bleeding, wipe up any excess blood. Pat it dry with sterile gauze. Try not to apply Dermabond to a wet wound, as it won't seal as well. Moisture on the wound can also stop up the applicator, making it more difficult to apply.
Summary: Use Dermabond in place of 5-0, 6-0, and 7-0 sutures. Avoid using Dermabond with more complicated wounds. Apply a local anesthetic if needed. Irrigate the wound thoroughly. Wait until the wound stops bleeding. Pat the area dry.

Problem: Article: You will mix 4 parts glaze to 1 part white paint in a paint pan. Play with cloud formation until you are confident you are ready to paint clouds on the actual wall. You do not want to paint it directly in the center of the room. Start by finding the exact center, then moving over and up 1 foot (30 cm). Dab any excess glaze off in the paint pan. Begin forming the clouds by dabbing the sponge in a straight line to form the bottom of the cloud. Continue up from the line, dabbing and twisting the sponge to form a cloud. You want the clouds to be denser toward the middle and thinner toward the edges. Wring out excess water. Use the cheesecloth to soften the edges of the cloud. You'll also want to add some wispy clouds in between larger clouds. Clouds should be light and airy looking. Try to be random with the placement of your clouds, just as they are in nature. Also, let some of your clouds continue around a corner.
Summary:
Prepare the white glaze for the clouds. Practice making clouds on the paint board you prepared earlier. Pick a spot on the wall to paint your first cloud. Dip a dampened sponge into the white glaze. Wet the cheesecloth and form it into a large ball. Vary the size of your clouds as you paint. Place a few clouds around light switches and plugs.