INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Many tropical houseplants in their native tropical habitat don't go dormant at all and keep growing. Others, however, have distinct sleeping seasons that need to be provided for proper growth. You'll need to provide less water and warmth for a period of weeks or months. During the winter, almost any plant can get by with less water or warmth, which results in vigorous spring growth or even flowers and fruit. Signs of dormancy vary among plant species. Evergreen species just stop growing. Deciduous plants drop all their leaves. Most bulbs like caladiums simply appear to go dead above ground while the bulb lives on. In fact, the calla lily unusually falls asleep during the growing season in northern climates due to the opposite seasons of its South African home. Cacti and leafless succulents don't display dormancy but appreciate cold dryness in winter. Do not fertilize a plant during winter or dormant season unless it's required for the species. The plant's roots will not be using the nutrients, and it will damage roots or force the plant into active growth, which results in weak foliage and flower performance. Compacted soil results in water and nutrients draining too fast into the draining dish. The soil should bubble and make soaking sounds when you water it. In soil that is too heavy, plants will have symptoms of weak brittle stems and normal leaves. Sometimes the plant will snap off the root ball with a slight tug, or stronger species will be less vigorous. Plants with taproots and some indoor trees will topple over in soil that's too light.

SUMMARY: Provide the proper dormant season for the plants. Watch for the signs of poor soil conditions.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You don't need to use curtains with Santas and snowmen on them, but red ones might look more festive than pink ones. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Use colors such as red or green. Darker shades might look better than brighter ones. For a rustic cabin feel, switch out your throw or blanket for a cozy quilt or sweater/knitted blanket. Anything made from plaid flannel will also work. Make an easy sweater pillow by slipping a square-shaped pillow inside a bulky sweater and tying the sleeves in the back. If you can't put up a lot of decorations, you can still make your room feel more festive by bringing in scented candles, wax melts, or potpourri. You don't even have to light candles; many scented candles are potent enough on their own. If you are getting candles, consider displaying three different-sized ones on a red, green, gold, or silver candle charger/plate. Listed below are a few Christmas scents: Gingerbread Peppermint and Candy Cane Winter Wonderland Fireplace Pine, Spruce, Balsam, and Cedar Shelves, dressers, and desks are great for displaying trinkets such as snow globes, nutcrackers, and figurines. If you already have some on your shelves, consider switching them out for Christmasy ones instead. Here are a few ideas to get you started: If you like nature, put up some pine tree or reindeer figurines. If you are religious, put up figurines related to the Nativity. If you like the classical look, put up a snowman, a Santa Clause, or even a nutcracker. If you don't want to put away any of your existing decorations, consider decorating them instead. For example, if you have a figurine of a cat, try putting a little Santa hat on it. If you don't have a lot of room for a tree, you can hang small decorations using thread or clear thread/fishing line instead. Here are some ideas to get you started: Candy canes and jingle bells can be slung over doorknobs or strung from ribbon. Christmas cards can be clipped to yarn, jute cord, or ribbon using wooden clothespins. Christmas stockings can be tacked to your wall using nails or thumbtacks/pushpins. Ornaments, plastic icicles, and snowflakes (plastic or paper) can be suspended from thread. They'll look delightful against a wall or window. If you like to collect things, setting up a Nativity or Christmas Village scene on your desk or dresser can be just the thing for you. You'll have lots of fun buying figurines and arranging them. You can find them at most arts and crafts stores. You can also make a Nativity scene at home using popsicle sticks, straw, and wood or clay figurines. Try to spray the frost towards the bottom corners of your window to make it look more realistic. Fake frost usually comes in a spray can, like spray paint, and washes off your window with soap and water. They are great for those who don't get snow for Christmas. Not all Christmas decorations have to be store-bought. Homemade ones can have their charm too. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, or just like to be crafty, you can make some of your own decorations and display them in your room. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Find some pinecones outside and paint them with acrylic paint or glitter. Display them on your windowsill. String cranberries and popcorn into thread to make garlands. Make some paper chains using construction paper. Cut out some paper snowflakes from white printer paper. Make a gingerbread house and display it on your dresser or desk. Cut out some letters from glitter paper to spell "Merry Christmas" and tack them to your wall.

SUMMARY: Switch out curtains, blankets, bedspreads, and pillowcases. Buy scented candles, wax melts, or potpourri. Bring out snow globes, nutcrackers, and figurines. Hang some decorations from your window, shelves, or walls. Set up a Nativity or Christmas Village scene. Spray some fake frost onto your windows. Make your own Christmas decorations.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A prom queen would be nothing without the perfect prom dress. Ideally it is great for your shape, your color, and no one else is wearing it. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be perfect for you. Consider getting a color that pops. You'll feel like the belle of the ball knowing all eyes are on you. Get a cut that flatters your shape. Take whatever body parts you're nervous about make them work for you, not against you. Get a dress that matches your personality. Who said you couldn't be a pig-in-a-blanket for prom? More pictures will be taken tonight than any other night of the school year, so get your hair and makeup perfect for the memories that are about to be made. Pile on the hairspray, too; it's not going to be a short night. As for your makeup, it's no shame in doing it yourself. In fact, you probably know what looks better on you than a stranger does. Wear it a bit darker than what you normally wear. Smokey tones with light lips work great for prom. It's the night you've been waiting for. Instead of spending the hours beforehand being so nervous you constantly need to pee, try to concentrate on this being one of the most exciting nights of the year. You're going to have a good time and you know it. All your friends, food, and music; what's not to like? If you win the title, remember that you're prom queen; a prom queen is gracious, friendly, and humble. Show everyone how much you appreciate their votes and that this means the world to you. In other words, let them know they voted for the right person! Don't hesitate to thank those that you know voted for you. They'll know they made the right decision by how kind and genuine you are. Regardless of the turnout of events, it's important to be all smiles whether you win or lose; after all, this is your prom! It's fun just being there, getting dressed up, and dancing with your friends. You'll remember this day whether or not the title is yours, and you'll remember it as a rocking good time. Besides, aren't there a couple of other high schools' proms you could crash? Hmm...

SUMMARY:
Find the perfect dress. Get your hair and makeup just right. Have a great time! Be a gracious, deserving prom queen. Be gracious, whether you win or lose.