Problem: Article: If you think you might say something mean, it may be best just to not say anything at all. Just smile at the baby and the parents and then move the conversation along, if possible. If you know you're going to see an ugly baby, then prepare yourself ahead of time. Have questions ready to go about the baby. You could ask about milestones, for instance. You could say, "Is she smiling yet?" One of the best ways to avoid having to make comments about the baby is to ask about the parents. Maintain eye contact with the parents and ask how the mom is feeling, how having a baby has changed their lives, and what they like most about being new parents. Often parents are so used to visitors talking about the baby, a discussion about how they are feeling may be welcomed and a good diversion from having to comment on the child. If you're not a parent, this step may be more difficult for you. However, just consider how it would make you feel if someone criticized something important to you. If you are a parent, how would you feel if someone called your child ugly? If you can learn to feel a little empathy for the parents, it can help you control what you say. That is, not everyone is going to find the same babies cute as everyone else. Plus, of course the parents are going to find their own baby adorable; it's at least partially genetic. There's no reason to muddy the waters by pointing out that you don't find the baby cute.
Summary: Don't say anything at all. Have small talk ready. Focus on the parents. Put yourself in their shoes. Remember not everyone has the same tastes.

Problem: Article: If you are trying to sleep when you are already exhausted, you will probably fall into a deep sleep and have trouble waking up and remembering your dreams. In addition, being exhausted will make it more difficult to be aware of the fact that you are dreaming while it is happening. Try to experiment with lucid dreaming on a night when you feel rested and mentally alert. Once you are ready to wake up, start thinking about the dream you were having. Don't move from your position in bed, start talking about something else, or any other activity. Just start thinking about your dream, and any details you remember about it. Doing so will keep you from forgetting the dream. A dream journal is a basic notebook or other tool that you use to record your dreams in. Keep it right beside your bed, along with a pen or pencil, so that you can record your dreams as soon as you wake up. Research suggests that getting in the habit of this increases the likelihood of having lucid dreams. However, even telling yourself in one night that you plan on writing down your dreams can help you achieve a greater awareness of them. Write down any dreams you recall, whether or not they seem interesting or coherent. If you can't remember a whole dream, write down whatever part you can remembereven if it is just a face, location, phrase, etc. It is important to write down whatever you remember about your dreams as soon as you wake up. The longer you are awake without writing them down, the more likely you are to forget them. Remaining in bed while writing down your dreams will increase the likelihood of remembering them.
Summary: Make sure that you are well-rested. Think about your dreams as soon as you wake up. Use a dream journal.

Problem: Article: The urine "ACR" stands for the "albumin to creatinine ratio." Albumin is a protein that is normally present in your blood, and that should generally NOT be filtered in excess quantities through your kidneys into your urine. It is for this reason that protein in your urine (such as albumin) can be indicative of kidney disease. If your urine ACR comes back "positive," the test should be repeated for confirmation. You need at least 3 measurements of elevated protein (albumin) in your urine over 3 or more months in order for it to be diagnostic of chronic (ongoing) kidney disease. If you and your doctor opt for a "random" sample, you will be asked to submit a one-time urine sample to the lab which can give a snapshot view as to the amount of protein present in your urine at that time. Technically, the 24-hour urine test is more accurate than just providing one sample, as it allows your doctor to calculate the average amount of protein in your urine over a full day. However, it is also more cumbersome as you will need to collect ALL of your urine over the course of 24 hours, every time you go. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of each option with your doctor. A random urine sample may be sufficient to diagnose protein in your urine. If your results are borderline, however, you may be asked to complete the 24-hour urine test for a more detailed assessment of the amount of protein in your urine over the course of a full day. In addition to the more basic test of looking for protein in your urine, a "urinalysis" also examines your urine under the microscope checking for any red blood cells, white blood cells, or other unusual things that may be present in your urine. If your urine is positive for red blood cells or white blood cells when the doctor looks under the microscope, this is oftentimes a sign of kidney damage. Blood cells are normally too large to be filtered through the kidneys. Therefore, their presence in the urine can indicate problems with the kidneys' filtering system that would allow such large cells to get through. The blood cells can also indicate problems with the bladder or ureters.
Summary: See your physician for a urine "ACR" to test your kidney function. Understand that you may receive a "random" urine test or a 24-hour test. Ask your doctor for a "urinalysis" to gain additional information about your kidney function.

Problem: Article: This is the plant that all the other options (called "cultivars") were cultivated from. It has a narrow reddish purple band around the edges of its green leaves. This plant has a yellowish white band on its leaves that separate the red from the green. It may even appear white or yellow from a distance. This is perhaps the most unique-looking of the cultivars. Its outer red band is very prominent, leading it to appear red or pink. This tree has the same color pattern as the original marginata, but its leaves are a bit different. The stems will produce growths that have wider and tougher leaf patterns than the other trees. Groups of leaves grow in dense sphere shapes.
Summary:
Pick the Dracaena marginata for the original variety. Choose the marginata tricolor cultivar for a greenish gold plant. Go for the marginata colorama cultivar for a reddish look. Grow the marginata Tarzan cultivar for spikier leaves.