Problem: Article: Measure the approximate length, width, and height of your future porch's area. Record each number in a notebook. When you've finished measuring, create a system for scaling your drawing and use graphing paper to make the drawing accurate. You might decide, for example, that one inch or centimeter is equal to one square on your graphing paper. Draw in any supports, columns, fences, steps, or other characteristics of your porch. Include defining traits for your porch's style that you wish to include. If you're designing a Queen Anne front porch, for example, you might sketch ornate railing and woodwork. When you're ready to plan decorations for your front porch, determining your fixture placement early on will make the process simpler. Refer to your labels as you or your contractor build the porch to optimize your porch's function. Record the front porch's directional orientation on your blueprints. Even if you know the general design you want for your front porch, designing may leave you overwhelmed. Employ a professional architect if you have a dream for your front porch but are uncomfortable bringing it to life alone. Your architect can create a blueprint and help you turn it into a finished project. Ask local architects for references so you can decide which one's style best fits your vision. When your blueprints are finished and you're set on a porch design, bring your blueprints to a landscaping contractor who can construct your front porch for a fee. If you'd prefer to build the porch yourself, use your designs as a guide map as you purchase and prepare the materials.
Summary: Measure the intended area of your porch to make a scalable drawing. Sketch in the porch's major areas. Label your drawing's fixtures, entrances, and electrical outlets. Hire an architect if you would prefer professional help. Build the front porch yourself or hire a contractor for assistance.

Problem: Article: Though there are several ways to grow plants hydroponically, using the wicking system is the easiest method and requires the least amount of materials. It is also well-suited for small plants, such as strawberries. Other hydroponic methods include a deep water culture system, a nutrient film technique system, an ebb and flow system, an aeroponics system, and a drip system. You'll want to select a temperate, well-lit location for your hydroponic system. Hydroponic strawberries need a temperature range of 57 F to 70 F (13.8 C to 21.1 C). If you don't have an area with lots of natural light, you'll need to install artificial growing lights. It is recommended that beginners purchase a nutrient solution rather than making their own. This will ensure the ratios of the nutrients are fit for the specific plant you intend to grow. Strawberries require nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium to grow properly. You can find nutrient solutions at hydroponic and garden shops. Pick a large tub or bucket to act as your reservoir. Ensure it is deep enough to hold a lot of the nutrient solution, otherwise you will spend lots of time refilling it. You should also make sure your growing containers will fit on top of the reservoir. Mix your hydroponic nutrients with water according to the package directions. Be sure to use the amount of water directed; too much or too little and your strawberries will not grow correctly. You can use one large trough in which all your plants will sit, or individual pots for each plant. The growing container should rest sturdily on top of the reservoir; be sure to hang or anchor it if it does not. This is the most important part of the system, as the wicks deliver the nutrients to the plant. Choose something that is absorbent yet resistant to rotting. You may want to experiment and see which type of wick works best for your set-up. Fibrous rope, rayon rope, nylon rope, cotton rope, tiki torch wicks, polyurethane yarn, wool felt strips, or polyurethane felt strips are all commonly used for wicks. Be sure to clean and rinse all wicks before using to remove any chemicals that could damage your plants. The wicks need to deliver water from the reservoir to growing containers. If you use separate pots, you will also need to use a wick for each one. If you use a trough, add three or more wicks to ensure enough liquid will be able to reach your strawberry plants. Place each wick with one end in the reservoir and one end in the growing container. This medium will replace the soil that is typically used for growing plants. You'll want to choose a growing medium like perlite or vermiculite for strawberries. Avoid using mediums that are too absorbent, like coconut coir or peat moss, as they may soak up too much of your nutrient solution and suffocate the plant. It is important to soak your growing medium in pH-balanced water prior to adding it to the growing container. Soak your medium for at least 30 minutes before filling the container to ensure the medium doesn't act like a sponge and suck all the nutrients from the root of your plant. Fill the container only full, as you need to leave room for your rootstock.
Summary: Grow strawberries with the wicking system. Choose a well-lit location. Pick a nutrient solution specific to strawberries. Choose a reservoir. Fill the reservoir with water and your nutrient solution. Set up the growing container. Prepare your wicks. Place your wicks between the reservoir and the growing container. Choose a growing medium. Saturate your growing medium before filling the container.

Problem: Article: Whenever you're trying to lose weight, even in a short amount of time, having a support group is helpful. Studies have shown that those people with support groups have better success with their weight loss long-term. Try asking friends or family members to help support you through your weight loss. They can be there to be motivating or to hold you accountable. Also consider asking them to join you on your weight loss diet. Many people are looking to lose some extra weight and it can be more fun to do it together. Compare against the measurements you took during the first week. Keep track of your results, and let the small victories keep you going. Keep weighing yourself as well. After one month, you might decide to lose another 5 pounds or to continue on with your diet for another month to see how much additional weight you can lose. Also keep track of your measurements. You might have toned down all over, but now want to focus on toning and building muscle in your body. A fun way to stay on track and to keep up motivation is by rewarding yourself. Setting up small incentives may help you stay on track or help you maintain your weight loss long-term. Set up small rewards when you meet smaller goals. For example, when you follow the first week of your new diet and exercise program, you might reward yourself with a few new workout songs. Set up bigger rewards when you meet larger goals. For example, you might buy yourself a new outfit when you lose the first 5 pounds. It's generally not recommended to reward yourself with food or dinners out when you're trying to lose weight. These types of rewards may work against your long-term goal. So your month is up. You've probably lost some weight and maybe even have gotten into better shape. Revisit your weight goal to see if you want to continue your current diet. Although you can make significant progress during one month's time frame, if you have more than 10 pounds to lose, you'll most likely need to continue your diet and exercise plan to see further weight loss. If you have met your goal, you may also consider continuing your healthy eating plan to maintain your results. Even if you've met your weight goal, you might want to consider keeping up with increased activity to help maintain your weight loss and physical fitness level. If you haven't met your weight goal yet, keep on going. Or, if you need to, make some changes to your diet and exercise plan to help induce more weight loss or make the plan fit better into your lifestyle.
Summary:
Build a support group. Retake measurements. Reward yourself. Revisit your goals.