Problem: Article: Either ibuprofen or acetaminophen are good options and readily available at any pharmacy. As soon as you feel a headache developing, take the maximum dosage allowed on the label. Then, repeat the dosage, as directed, until the pain subsides. Experiment with various OTC medications to see which one works the best for you. Some evidence shows that ibuprofen relieves tension headaches faster than acetaminophen. If you find yourself taking OTC medications almost every day, talk with your doctor about other options. Too frequent use of OTC pain meds can actually cause an uptick in headaches. This is a prescription medication that helps to shrink blood vessels, which can lower your pain level during a headache. Triptan is usually prescribed to both migraine and hypertension headache sufferers. You'll usually take it in pill form, although nasal sprays and injections are options too. Triptan medications go by a variety of names, including Axert and Zomig. Talk with your doctor about whether or not it is safe to take OTC medications along with triptan. Some triptan medications can cause side effects such as dizziness or muscle lethargy. Sometimes simply removing yourself from your surroundings by feigning sleep can help to lower your blood pressure and reduce headache pain. Lie down on a bed, couch, or even on the floor (in a safe space). Close your eyes gently without clenching them and take deep breaths in and out.
Summary: Take over-the-counter pain relievers if your blood pressure is within normal limits. Take a dose of triptan medication at the first sign of a headache. Lie down in a dark room and close your eyes.

Problem: Article: Set a colander in the sink and put the frozen shrimp into it. Run cold tap water over the shrimp for 5 minutes so the cold water thaws the seafood. Use your fingers to break up the frozen shrimp halfway through the thawing time. If you're prepping the shrimp in advance and want a gentler thawing method, move your package of frozen shrimp to the refrigerator about 24 hours before you plan on cooking them. Once your shrimp are thawed and deveined, pat them firmly with a paper towel to remove all moisture. Do this on the other side of the shrimp as well. Drying the shrimp helps them fry instead of steam in the pan.
Summary: Run cold water over the shrimp if you want to quickly defrost them. Refrigerate the shrimp overnight for a hands-off thawing method. Pat the shrimp dry before you cook them.

Problem: Article: Cats learn about their environment via scent. Before you bring your cat home, give her a scent introduction. Swap scents by taking a t-shirt with your smell on it to her for her to use as bedding. Likewise, take a blanket she already uses at the shelter and put it in the bed of your established cat. This allows him to get used to the idea of another cat on his patch but without her physical presence challenging him. This machine gives off a synthetic version of a feline pheromone, which helps the cats feel secure and decreases stress levels. This helps to chill the established cats so they are more relaxed with any changes. There is a canine equivalent called Adaptil, containing canine pheromones. If you have a dog and are introducing a new cat, the Adaptil will help him feel safe and calm. To introduce a new cat, create a safe room for her. She will be overwhelmed by the sights, smells, and sounds of her new environment, make your new cat feel at ease with one room of the house that is just hers. This way, she can feel safe and take time to adjust to her new environment. Here's what you should put in the safe room: Ample food and water. A litter box. Position the litter box as far away from the food and water as possible so the cat has a distinction between the eating and bathroom areas of the home. Toys. Put in toy mice, dangly toys, little balls, feathered toys, and any other toys that can keep the cat active and entertained. A scratching post. Cats naturally love to scratch things to mark their territory, so it will help her feel more comfortable in her new environment and will keep her from scratching your furniture. An old blanket, bed, or toy from her previous home. This will make the cat feel at home and give her a designated sleeping area. Plenty of hiding places. She will want to hide to help her feel safe, which builds her confidence and will help her feel bold enough to explore. Cats tend to like thinly granulated litter, so make sure to bring home litter that doesn't overwhelm your cat with its scent or texture. Place her litter box in a quiet but accessible part of the safe room. This way, she will feel safe using it. If she is an older cat, she may have a preference for a certain litter. Ask her previous owner what litter she uses. Otherwise, she may reject your new litter. If the cat obviously dislikes the litter and spends time batting it out of the box, or if she circles the box nervously and shows an obvious distaste for it, you should try a different litter. Don't punish the cat for not using the box. If your new cat thinks the carpet is a new bathroom, don't put her face in the litter box or punish her by putting her in the box. This may make your cat even more reluctant to use the new box.
Summary: Make preparations before bringing the cat home. Consider a Feliway diffuser. Prepare a cat room. Get the right litter.

Problem: Article: Get your supplies together before you begin. To fix a lath and plaster wall you will need: A plaster patching compound A large joint or finishing trowel Sandpaper Coarse grade screws for wood and fine grade screws for metal. Choose screws that are 1-1/4" to 1-5/8". You will need to remove all of the damaged area while making sure to not expand the damage. Gently remove any cracked or loose plaster, moving out from the center damaged area until all the plaster you encounter is secure. Use sheetrock screws but if the lath is cracked add wide thin washers to the screws when screwing down the lath. If some of your lath is damaged so much that it will not hold up plaster, you will need to replace it. This is the rough in coat, so the surface of the patch should be a bit below the surface of the wall and does not need to be sooth. Allow this layer to dry for a bit, until the surface is slightly firm but not hard. The consistency of this layer of plater patch should be like peanut butter. This coat should stick to the first one but the goal here is to give the surface a smooth surface that is level with the wall. This layer of patching compound should be just slightly thinner than the one underneath. This will allow you to more easily smooth out the surface with you trowel. Sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper if you did not get the surface smooth enough with your trowel. Getting a completely smooth surface with a trowel will take a lot of practice, so don't be discouraged if you need to do a bit of sanding on your first try. Matching texture can be very difficult since it is usually machine blown. However, you can also get aerosol cans of texture in home improvement stores. To texture patches stick a stiff stipple brush in plaster and apply to finished and dry patch. If necessary, after it sets up a little, trowel over it to flatten high spots. Always use a good primer or a paint plus primer on plaster walls, as it will protect the wall and saves on cost of finish paint.
Summary:
Gather and purchase your materials. Remove loose plaster. Screw down any loose lath to the studs underneath. Apply your plaster patching compound to the hole. Apply a second coat with your trowel. Allow the patch to dry completely. Reproduce any wall texture if your walls are textured. Prime and paint your patch.