Pruning tools, such as shears and loppers, can spread disease from tree to tree if they are not cleaned in between uses. Cover the edge of a rag in rubbing alcohol and rub it on all the cutting surfaces of the tool. This will remove most of the communicable diseases that could be spread between plants. However, no cleaning method is 100% effective for all diseases. There is no way to guarantee complete protection. Wear protective gloves while you clean your tools so you don't accidentally cut yourself. When trimming a branch leave less than 12 inch (1.3cm) sticking out of the trunk. However, you should leave the collar of the branch attached. This is the area where the branch attached to the tree that is rounded and wider than the branch. If you were to cut the collar off you would have a much bigger wound that the tree would have to heal. Leaving it intact allows the tree to heal more quickly. When pruning a white pine tree it is important to get a clean cut with a smooth surface. This will minimize the ability of diseases to enter the tree and will give the tree an attractive look. To accomplish this, do a first cut a few inches from the collar of the branch. This will ensure that any cracks and irregularities that occur while cutting won't go into the trunk. Then do a second clean cut next to the collar of the branch. Most older white pine trees self-prune, meaning they drop their lower branches as they grow taller. However, if your tree does not drop its lower branches or it has dead, unattractive pieces still attached, you should trim them off. Trimming lower branches also prevents blister rust, a fungus that infects and kills white pine trees. It is recommended that you trim all branches below 8 feet (2.4m) off the ground on established trees that are 25 feet (7.6m) or taller. Younger trees can be thinned so that their branches grow thick and strong. Start thinning a white pine tree by removing branches that are particularly thin or misshapen. Then look at the overall attractiveness of the tree and remove any remaining branches that make the tree look overcrowded or unsymmetrical. It can take some practice to get good at thinning a tree. It is a subjective process that is mostly about creating an attractive and symmetrical tree. Before trimming, think about how you want the tree to look and only make cuts that move the tree closer to that image. When trimming an older tree, most of your pruning should be focused on pruning out unhealthy branches. Any branch that is dead, diseased, or broken should be removed in order to keep the tree healthy and beautiful. White pines in particular are known for keeping dead branches attached for a year or two. Remember, if you are tired of looking at dead branches in your tree, you can take it out without injuring the tree.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Clean your tools before using them. Trim branches close to the trunk but leave the collar. Make clean cuts. Trim off lower branches of older trees. Thin a crowded tree. Cut off broken or diseased branches.

The foster care process is usually administered by the state, which means it changes based on where you live. Contact a local foster care agency to learn more about what it takes to adopt a foster child, and what it's like. There should be an orientation which you can attend which provides you with an overview of the process. There is no single prototype for the "perfect" foster parents. In fact, they come in many shapes and sizes. But there are several things that set outstanding foster parents apart from the pack: Family stability and personal maturity Being a steady advocate for children Being a "team player" with your family and your welfare worker There are several misconceptions about who you need to be or what you need to have in order to become a foster parent. You do not need to be married in order to become a foster parent You do not need to own or live in your own home You do not need to be wealthy You do not need to already be a parent or have kids of your own You do not need to be young You do not need to be a stay-at-home parent Before you officially begin the application process, states usually make you complete a pre-service training class designed to teach you about the sorts of challenges foster youth routinely face. These are free through your state agency and are usually scheduled at times that will work for people who work 9 to 5 jobs. These classes usually run 4 - 10 weeks, but states will vary. After you've completed your pre-service training, you'll be asked to start the (sometimes labor-intensive) process of filling out paperwork and due-diligence. During this phase, you may be asked to provide: Income verification through your employer. (Again, you do not need to be wealthy to become a foster parent, and many expenses associated with the raising of foster youth are reimbursable.) Criminal record screening at all three levels local, state, federal Letters of reference from your employer as well as from personal acquaintances Age verification by birth certificate or other legal means
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Contact your local or state agency that oversees the foster care system. Know some of the things that make a good foster parent. Know what is not needed to become a foster parent. Begin attending your pre-service parent training classes. Start the application process.

The key to cutting pounds is consistency. Consistently carving out time in your day to walk, play sports, or otherwise exercise will help you when it comes time to step on the scale, for two reasons: You'll shed weight a little at a time instead of in big bursts. It's easier to lose 1/4 pound per day and exercise every day to exercise twice a week and and lose 1 pound per day. It's easier to get into a routine. Once you're in a routine, it'll be easier to find the motivation to work out every day and harder to justify skipping a day. Exercising with a friend is a great way to keep your motivation running high. It's harder to skip a day when your friend is expecting you at the gym. Not only this, but it's an excellent opportunity to strengthen the relationship with your friend. Nothing makes buddies more than sweat and tears. . Interval training involves short bursts of fiendish activity spread out over a longer period of time, and has been found to be particularly effective in burning calories. For example, instead of running around a track the same speed four times to complete the mile, run around the track at regular speed three times, and for the fourth, sprint as fast as you can. Interval training is not only more effective at burning calories than traditional exercise, it's also more efficient. Interval trainers burn more calories quicker than traditional trainers. Some people perk up like birds in the morning; others are night-owls, and take a little longer to rev up. Whatever type person you are, try to exercise whenever you really start going. It doesn't make sense to work out when your tank is empty; you'll get far more return on your investment if you choose to work out at the right time. You want to lose weight, and you want to do it fast. Whatever your reason is, keep it close to your heart, and let it motivate you to keep on trying when you think you can't. Because there will come a time when you want to quit, when you feel like you've given it everything you got, and the desire to quit will be stronger than ever. That'll be when you need to summon up the motivation to continue. Your motivation can be: A friend or a family member; maybe you're losing weight because you were inspired by them. A professional athlete; maybe you've always looked up to them. An idea or cause; maybe you care deeply about improving your health and feeling better every day. The challenge itself, because you know you can. Researchers at the University of Chicago have found that people who sleep for 8.5 hours a night were able to lose 55% more body fat than those who only slept 5.5 hours. Getting insufficient sleep can increase the hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin makes individuals hungrier and can affect how fat is stored in the body. In order to get the most out of your workout routine, be sure to give yourself enough time catching zzzs.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Be consistent exercise a little, each and every day. Exercise with a friend. Try interval training Work out when you have the most energy. Keep your inspiration close to your heart. Make sure you sleep enough.