Problem: Article: If you're not going to reinstall carpet on the new floor, pull up the tackstrips by hand. They should come up relatively easily, as long as you're wearing your heavy gloves. Use the pry-bar if necessary. If you are going to reinstall carpeting, inspect the tackstrips for wear and determine whether or not they're reusable. If they're dull, loose, or otherwise worn out, consider pulling them up and replacing them anyway. It's also a good idea to keep an eye out for any extra carpet nails, screws, or tacks that might be on the floor after removing the carpet. Sweep them or gather them up by hand and throw them out. Sometimes there'll be a lot of staples, which can be a pain to remove. Use your pliers to pull them up, and make sure you get them all. Carpeting uses different types of adhesives, and some require a simple scraping while others will require a more thorough cleaning. Clean up the sub-floor as best as possible. Look for a floor cleaner that removes adhesives, if scraping doesn't the glue off like you want. You can find it in your local hardware store. It's very important, regardless of what you want to do with the room next, that you inspect the condition of the subfloor and make any repairs necessary while you've got the carpet off. It'd be a shame to install $800 worth of new carpet over a squeaky floor, or a floor showing signs of mold. Walk around the sub-floor and bounce on it. Subfloor panels should be attached to the wood joists with screws or nails, and if you find some panels that squeak, you can secure it to the joist with ring shank nails. These are grooved nails with more secure gripping power, decreasing the chances that this squeaky area will ever squeak again. About two or three inches from the previous nail or screw, hammer in a shank nail and you'll be set. If your carpeting was damaged or wet, it might have impacted the subfloor. Look for signs of rot or mold. If you see any signs of serious damage or rot, you need to have these panels replaced before installing new flooring. Once you're done making your repairs, sweep or shop-vac up the remaining debris and glue-scrapings from the job before moving forward with installation. Once you've removed old carpet, you can install new carpet, laminate, or other types of flooring.
Summary: Remove any tackstrips that have been left on the floor. Scrape the glue off the subfloor with your prybar or knife. Check the condition of the subfloor. Vacuum up the rest of the debris.

Problem: Article: Fruits contain many under-consumed nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, Vitamin C and folic acid. Fruits are naturally low in calories, fat and cholesterol. You can begin to add fruits back into your diet during OWL, starting with berries, melons and cherries. Many vegetables contain potassium, dietary fiber, folic acid, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Even during Induction, you should eat 12 to 15 grams of carbohydrates exclusively from foundation vegetables such as leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus. Whole grains are one of the last elements that you will add back to your diet during OWL, Pre-Maintenance or Maintenance. Whole grains contain crucial B-vitamins as well as minerals like iron, magnesium and selenium. Lean proteins like fish, chicken, soy and lean pork and beef contain B-vitamins, Vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium. These proteins can be consumed starting during the Induction phase. You can absolutely enjoy fattier meats like bacon that induce greater level of satiety, but make chicken and fish the foundation of your protein consumption. Dairy foods contain calcium, Vitamin D and potassium, which are important components of your dietary requirements. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, make sure that beverages that you drink, like soy milk or almond milk, contain supplemental nutrients like those found in dairy. You can begin to drink milk and eat yogurt again during OWL. Plant oils like olive oil and canola oil contain high amounts of monounsaturated fats, which are the types of fats you want to focus on during the Atkins plan. Foods like nuts, seeds, olives and avocados are also good sources of these beneficial fats. You can add nuts back into your diet during the second week of Induction.
Summary: Eat plenty of fruits. Consume a variety of vegetables. Eat whole grains. Enjoy lean protein. Consume dairy. Eat oils, nuts and seeds in moderation.

Problem: Article: A transformer is a small device that converts the high voltage power (120 V or 230 V, depending on your location) from your electric main to a lower voltage (usually 12 volts). There are many different varieties, so it is important to do your research. Some transformers have sensors that detect sunlight so that they automatically come on at dusk. However, many people have complained that the light sensors activate even when the sun goes behind a tree or cloud. So if you have many trees in your yard, you might want to consider getting a transformer where you manually set the time it will come on each evening. There are several things to consider when selecting a transformer. Make sure to buy a transformer that can handle the lighting load you need it to. A transformer will be rated at a certain wattage; make sure that the wattage of your transformer exceeds the sum of the wattages of all your lights. Consider what kind of power switches the transformer has. Some transformers will have built-in timing switches to help you create a schedule for the lights to turn on and off. Others will have a photo cell that can determine whether it is dark enough out to cycle the lights on. Make sure to get a transformer that fits your needs. Transformers are installed simply by plugging them into your outdoor outlet, though some larger ones must be mounted on the wall.
Summary: Choose a transformer. Consider the features you need in a transformer. Install the transformer.

Problem: Article: There are rescues for every kind of breed, including toy poodles. You can also use the Internet to find poodles up for adoption in local animal shelters. Websites like Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet may be able to link you to toy poodles in your area that are up for adoption. Animal Shelters can help you find rescue groups for specific breeds. Post on social media. Mention you're looking to adopt a toy poodle and would prefer to go through a rescue or shelter. Even if someone does not have a lead now, he may reach out to you in the event he sees a toy poodle in need of a home down the road. Professionals in the pet industry can also help you find a toy poodle. Veterinarians, boarders, groomers, and trainers often network or work with rescues. Reach out to any experts you know. Tell them you're looking to adopt a toy poodle from a rescue or shelter. They might be able to help with your search. When choosing your poodle, you want to ask the right questions. Poodles from a rescue often come with a very extensive history. You want to know as much information as you can to make sure the dog you're considering is right for you. Ask about any known health issues. Dogs are often given to a rescue if they have chronic health conditions owners had difficulty managing. Ask about the dog's personality. Are there any behavioral issues you should be aware of before adopting? Make sure you know his age, whether or not he's housebroken, and how he responds to other animals. Try to learn a bit about his overall energy level. If he's hyperactive, make sure you can accommodate his energy level. Adopting a rescue dog is a wonderful thing to do. You'll be giving a previously abandoned dog a second chance. However, there are some drawbacks. You might not know the animal's full history. She may be at high risk for inheritable disorders without your knowledge. Rescue dogs may also be prone to behavioral problems their whole lives. Before settling on a rescue dog, make sure you're ready for the commitment.
Summary:
Search the web. Talk to experts. Ask the right questions. Consider the drawbacks of adopting from a rescue.