Problem: Article: Whether you are dealing with your own parents, a spouse's parents, or the parents of one of your students, you may at some point be given unsolicited advice. If this happens, it's important to restrain your frustration and refrain from getting angry. If you are getting unwanted advice from a spouse's parents, talk to your spouse. It's best if your spouse addresses his or her own parents, rather than you telling them to stop. Remember that unsolicited advice is, at heart, an effort at showing concern. If you're getting unwanted advice from your parents or from a student's parents, you may need to communicate (calmly) that you feel frustrated by the constant advice. Politely tell the parent that you understand he means well, but that constantly giving unsolicited advice makes you feel threatened in some ways. Bring the subject up when you're both calm and when you both have time to sit and talk. Once you've addressed the unsolicited advice you've been getting, you'll need to make your request for the advice to stop. Ask the parent to trust you and respect you enough to make your own decisions. Let him know that you share his concerns and will work toward the same goals, but that you need the freedom to do it in your own way.
Summary: Be patient with unsolicited advice. Talk calmly with the person giving advice. Ask for trust and respect.

Problem: Article: If you live in the United States, you'll notice blue USPS mailboxes in most cities and suburbs. Open the box near the top, place your letter in the slot, and close it. A postal worker will collect your letter at the time shown on the box and start the sorting-and-delivery process. Every blue collection box has a notice indicating when the mail gets picked up each day. If you place your letter in the box after the scheduled pick-up time, your letter will be picked up the next business day. If you have a mailbox on or near your home, you can place your letter there. Alert your mail carrier of its presence by moving the red flag out of the mailbox. This is usually done by rotating the flag up or by pulling the flag out. The mail carrier knows that if the flag is visible, then there is a letter that needs attention. If you need to buy postage, you can leave your letter with a postal clerk, and s/he will mail it for you. Even if you don't need to buy postage, you can still take your letter to the post office to be mailed. See www.usps.com for information on where to find the closest post office.
Summary: Place the letter in a blue collection box. Place the letter in your own mailbox. Take the letter to any post office.

Problem: Article: Cutting the butter will make it easier to add it to your recipe later on. It will also make it easier to mix. Place a heat-proof bowl over a pot filled with some water. The bottom of the bowl should not be touching the water. Set the pot on the stove and set the heat to medium. If you cannot tell whether or not the sugar has dissolved, you can rub the mixture between your fingers. If the mixture feels grainy, the sugar has not finished dissolving. This pasteurizes the egg whites and kills any salmonella-causing bacteria. Be sure to use an instant-read thermometer. At this point, you can use an electric mixer or transfer it to a food processor with a whisk attachment. Use a medium-high speed. After about ten minutes, the egg whites will start to form peaks and turn stiff and foamy. Turn the speed down to medium low, and add in the vanilla and butter. If you do not like vanilla, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of another extract, such as almond. Click here for more options. If you prefer your buttercream to be less sweet, then add a pinch of salt. Once the buttercream has achieved a smooth consistency, you can spread the buttercream over a cake or some cupcakes. You can also put it into a plastic Ziploc bag or an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Summary: Cut the butter into cubes and set it aside. Assemble a double-boiler and let the water begin to simmer. Add the egg whites and sugar and mix until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture heat until it reaches 160F (72C). Remove the mixture from the double-boiler and continue mixing it until the egg whites become stiff. Reduce the speed and add the vanilla and butter. Store or serve the buttercream.

Problem: Article: Though pay phones are disappearing from these locations as well, many still have them. Public transit stations and centers in many towns still have a pay phone or two. However, these are sometimes not in good condition due to heavy use and neglect by their owners. Subway stations and the largest local bus terminals often have pay phones. The stations of interstate bus companies, especially those of Greyhound, often still have pay phones.Greyhound stations are worth mentioning in particular because, in many larger cities, they are open 24 hours and have several pay phones that are in good repair. Major airports, and most smaller ones as well, usually have some pay phones around. Airport managers seem to realize that people traveling often leave certain vital things at home. International travelers are also in need of pay phones if they have not purchased special ones for the country they are traveling to. As a result, airports still have large numbers of pay phones. Government buildings, such as the county's courthouse, often have payphones. Every county in the United States has their own courthouse or some form of office, which are generally home to pay phones which are accessible to the community. Because people in courthouses often have important messages that they need to share with family members, there seems to be an understanding that pay phones can provide a needed service. Outside of courthouses, you might also want to try these: Post offices frequently have pay phones. Again, these are public use facilities, and pay phones can be a useful connection in such places. Public libraries often have pay phones as well, and most of those that do not usually offer internet service. If they do not have pay phones, you can at least use resources there to find one.
Summary:
Check gas stations and convenience stores. Search inside of transit hubs. Look for local government and community centers.