Problem: Article: For instance, cats crave what veterinarians call "vertical challenges"; they will find counters less appealing if they have other objects to jump onto or climb. Cat trees, cat condos, or climbing posts give cats a place to climb, perch, and survey their surroundings. Being near the windows allows them to look at natural prey, which satisfies their curiosity and stimulates them to the point that they will be less likely to jump onto countertops and other surfaces. Cat shelves are padded surfaces attached to the insides of window sills. Like cat trees and other cat furniture, cat shelves satisfy curiosity while stimulating your pet at the same time. Choose windows with good sun exposure, as cats do like to lay in the sun, and the cat shelf is a great place to do so in a window that gets a lot of sunlight. The cat shelf gives your cat(s) an alternative place to sleep and/or watch what's happening outside, which can help keep them distracted from countertops. These toys may help use up their energy so they will be less inclined to jump on counters. If you can keep your cat interested enough in toys that stay on the floor in particular, you may also be able to keep them from becoming interested in jumping onto countertops. Change the available toys occasionally so they don't get bored and start jumping on counters for new stimulation. Many cats like simple toys, like small, fake mice that you can throw across the room for them to chasethey may even bring them back to you! Some cats will inevitably avoid expensive toys and play instead with empty plastic bags, boxes, laundry baskets, etc. Experiment with different types of toys to see what you cat likes before you buy an expensive toy. Many cat toys are now electronic, with toy mice that run around a track or even ones with wheels so they can roll across carpeting or other floors on their own. Still other toys incorporate LED lights and other technology. These toys can be very stimulating for cats, thereby keeping them off off-limits surfaces like countertops. Cats particularly enjoy beds in which they can "nest" or burrow. Cats sleep 16-20 hours per day, which is a lot of time they won't be interested in jumping on countertops. If you give them especially inviting spaces in which to sleep, you'll be encouraging them to sleep in these spaces and not on countertops. You'll also be helping to ensure they are taking full advantage of sleeping time and not seeking out new stimulation around the housesuch as on the countertops. This is so they don't become curious about what is on the counter from the smell of food coming from there. Cats' sense of smell is forty times stronger than that of humans. They will smell whatever you are cooking, and this can excite their sense of curiosity when you're not around, so they may jump onto the surface these smells emanate from. Cats might even have trouble controlling their curiosity and jump on the counter even while you are actively cooking. Putting cats in another room while you cook can minimize their curiosity about countertops and help keep them from jumping there. Be sure to provide a toy and comfortable place to sleep in whatever space you leave them while using the kitchen to cook or prepare meals so they are stimulated and comfortable. Confining cats to another room while you're cooking doesn't work with all cats, so don't be surprised if your cat whines from inside the room. If this happens, try not to leave them in there too long or you may cause them stress.
Summary: Give cats acceptable alternatives to satisfy their natural instincts to climb and jump. Place vertical cat furniture near windows. Install a cat shelf. Give cats an assortment of toys to play with on the floor. Provide a variety of cat beds in warm, sunny sites inside your home. Put your cats in another room while you're cooking.

Problem: Article: for easy communication with spirits. A spirit board usually has the alphabet and the words "yes," "no," and "maybe" printed on it. This allows the spirit to give more detailed responses so you can ask more than just yes-or-no questions. Additionally, anyone can use a spirit board. Include a spirit board in your seance if you want clearer answers. For instance, a Ouija board is a popular type of spirit board. Follow the instructions that came with your spirit board. Typically, everyone at the seance places their hands on a pointer, called a planchette, that moves across the board to indicate the spirit's answers. You can also make a spirit board by writing the alphabet and basic answers like "yes" and "no" on a piece of paper. A pendulum is a weighted object that's hanging by a cord or string. Hold the pendulum by the end of the cord. Then, tell the spirit to swing the pendulum back-and-forth for "yes," sideways for "no," or in a circle for "I don't know." You can find pendulums made from precious stones or wood. Sometimes they hang from a metal chain. You can also improvise a pendulum using a necklace. Rapping is a great option if you don't have any materials to use. This method of communication asks the spirit to make a noise or give a sign as a response. Ask the spirit to rap once for "yes" or twice for "no." Rapping works best for yes-or-no questions because they're easy to answer. Listen carefully for a noise after each question. It's believed that some people possess the ability to see and talk to spirits. These people are called mediums, and they're able to lead a seance for you. If you know a medium, ask them to attend your seance and contact the spirits. You may be able to hire a medium by searching for 1 online. However, be aware that some people may be frauds. Using a medium may help you have more success because they're generally more attuned to the spirit world. A medium may help you have a safer seance if you're worried about negative entities. Typically, a medium can tell what type of spirit they're talking with. Recordings often pick up sounds or images that aren't heard or seen by the people present. Consider setting up a video camera or tape player to record what happens. Later, you can listen to the recording to see if there are special messages or unseen movements. For instance, you might listen for an audio response to your questions that wasn't audible by ear. If you film the seance, you might look for signs of a spirit, such as an orb of light or a shadow.
Summary: Use a spirit board Use a pendulum if you're asking simple yes-or-no questions. Try spirit rapping as a basic option for yes-or-no questions. Ask a psychic medium to attend the seance and act as a conduit. Film or record the seance to pick up more responses.

Problem: Article: You can use Skype to text chat for free with any other Skype user. In order to do so, they must be on your contact list. Select their name from your contact list and start typing your message in the chat box. If the user is not online, your message will be delivered the next time they log in. You can voice chat with any Skype user for free. Select them from the contact list and then press the green Call button. A notification will appear on their screen letting them know that you are trying to reach them. You can only initiate voice calls with users that are online. You can video chat with any Skype user for free. Select them from the contact list and then press the green "Video call" button. A notification will appear on their screen letting them know that you are trying to reach them. You can only initiate video calls with users that are online. You can purchase a Skype phone number for $5 per month. This will allow anyone to call you from any phone. This is especially useful if you are traveling in another country or are moving to a new area. You can choose the area and country code when you set up your Skype number. The Skype number acts just like any telephone number. The caller will receive charges based on standard rates. For example, if the caller lives in New York, and your Skype number is in London, the caller will be charged standard international rates. You can use Skype to call any phone number, but you will need to purchase Skype credits in order to do so. Click the Phone icon above your contact list to open the phone dialer. Skype credits can be purchased either through the application, from the Skype website, or by purchasing Skype cards from retail outlets. Different calls will have different rates.
Summary:
Start a text chat. Start a voice chat. Start a video chat. Set up a Skype number. Call a mobile or landline with Skype.