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https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Rope-Ladder

How to Make a Rope Ladder

To make a rope ladder, first put your rope on a flat surface and make it into a “U” shape. Then, take 1 foot of rope from the right side and make it into a flattened “S” shape. Next, make your first rung by threading the left end of the rope through the first, left bend of the “S.” Bring the end of the rope under the bottom curve and wrap it around the whole “S” 4 times. You can then feed the end of the rope through the second, right bend of the “S” to secure the tie on your first rung. Continue measuring out “U” shapes and making new rungs until the ladder is the length you want.

Set a single length of rope down on a flat surface and form it into a "U" shape. Take hold of the rope on the end of the right side of the "U" and slide your hand down the rope to measure out 1 foot (30 cm) of rope. Position the rope between your two hands into an "S" shape. Bring your hands together to squish the "S" down horizontally. Make the first rung of the ladder by taking the left end of the rope and threading it through the first, left bend of the "S. " Bring the end of the rope under the bottom curve, wrapping it around the whole "S" four times. Feed the end of the rope through the second, right bend of the "S" to secure the tie and complete the first rung. Repeat this as many times as you need to create the rope ladder to your desired length. Prepare two lengths of rope by binding or melting them at the ends. Do this to prevent your newly cut rope from fraying or unraveling. Binding the ends of a rope is called whipping. Take some twine and run it along the length of the rope until you almost get to the rope's end. Double back when the length of the twine is equal to around one and a half times the diameter of the rope. The twine should form an upside down “U” shape. Wrap the twine tightly along the “U”, and put the end of the twine through the loop at the top. Now, pull both ends of the twine until the loop is pulled underneath the whipping. Cut the ends of the twine so that they don't stick out and the whipping looks neat. It is best to use natural fibre twine when whipping natural fibre rope as it will be less likely to slip off. If you are using a synthetic rope, wrap the ends with some tape, then melt them over a flame. Lay the rope flat on the ground, and make an overhand loop around 15 inches (38 cm) from the top-end of your rope. To make an overhand loop, take the working end of the rope and place it over the standing part. This loop is the first step of forming the knot which will hold the first wooden rung. The working end of the rope is the part of the rope which is being actively used to form a knot. The standing part of the rope is the portion of the rope which is not being actively used to form a knot. It is all of the rope in the opposite direction of the working end. Pull the standing part through the overhead loop. To do this, first put your fingers through the underside of the loop, and grasp the standing part. Now, pull the standing part through the overhead loop. This should form a new loop. Insert a wooden rung into the new loop formed by the standing part and tighten the rope. Move the rung into the desired position, and tighten the rope. The resulting knot should be visible on the top and the bottom of the rung. The rung will be fairly secure at this point, but tying an overhand knot beneath it will greatly decrease any likelihood of the rung moving down the rope. To tie an overhead knot, make an overhand loop, then pass the working end over, then through the loop. Make sure the overhand knot is directly below the knot supporting the rung. Repeat the process on the other length of rope. Take care to make sure that your rungs are level. Crooked ladder rungs will increase the likelihood of a fall. Start the next overhand loop anywhere from 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38cm) from the previous wooden rung. Space your rungs uniformly, and in a manner that will allow you to climb comfortably. Keep adding rungs until your ladder reaches the desired length. Secure your ladder at the top. To do this, use either a timber hitch or a rolling hitch knot. To tie a timber hitch, wrap the working end around the pole or branch you intend to attach your ladder to all the way around once. Cross the working end over the standing part and continue to wrap the working end around the pole at least twice more. Pull the rope taut to tighten it. If you need more grip, wrap the working end around the standing part a few more times. A timber hitch is ideal for attaching a rope ladder because the greater the amount of pulling force exerted on the knot, the tighter it becomes. To tie a rolling hitch, take the working end of the rope and wrap it completely around your stake at least three times. Take the working end and place it over the standing part. Now wrap the rope around the stake on the other side of the standing part a few times. Tuck the working end underneath the bit of rope which crossed over the standing part and pull it tight. A rolling hitch holds up very well against a horizontal pulling force, so it is ideal if you are attaching your ladder to horizontal stakes or poles. As with the timber hitch, if more grip is required, wrap the working end around the pole a few more times. Secure your ladder at the bottom. This is optional, but securing your ladder to the ground will greatly increase its stability and make it easier to climb. If you are going to secure your ladder to the ground, be sure to leave enough rope to do so; 15 inches (38cm) or more should do the trick. Wrap each leg of your ladder to a stake at a 45-degree angle and secure it with a rolling hitch.

Set a single length of rope down on a flat surface and form it into a "U" shape. Position the rope between your two hands into an "S" shape. Make the first rung of the ladder by taking the left end of the rope and threading it through the first, left bend of the "S. Repeat this as many times as you need to create the rope ladder to your desired length. Prepare two lengths of rope by binding or melting them at the ends. Lay the rope flat on the ground, and make an overhand loop around 15 inches (38 cm) from the top-end of your rope. Pull the standing part through the overhead loop. Insert a wooden rung into the new loop formed by the standing part and tighten the rope. Repeat the process on the other length of rope. Start the next overhand loop anywhere from 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38cm) from the previous wooden rung. Secure your ladder at the top. Secure your ladder at the bottom.

https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Annoy-Your-Boyfriend

How to Annoy Your Boyfriend

Annoying your boyfriend too much can put your relationship at risk, so keep things playful and avoid doing things that can really hurt his feelings. For example, text him repeatedly when you know he's busy, and add something like “just wanted to annoy you” with a smiley face so he knows you're joking around. If you want to keep things simple, do something silly, like tickling him or talking in an accent that annoys him. On the other hand, if you're annoying him to make a point or get him back for something, you can try being a bit more devious. If he hasn't been spending enough time with you, for example, cancel a date with him last minute and tell him you already have plans with your friends.

Make a list of things you know annoy him. Does he get annoyed by a particular accent? Does he dislike particular bands or genres of music? Does he feel annoyed being tickled? These are simple ones, but the list goes on and on. Brush up on your list and prepare for the next time you see him. Especially if you are around each other regularly, annoying him on a consistent basis is easy, so long as you remember your list and are prepared to imitate that accent, blast that music, and tickle him to your heart's content. Just remember to annoy him for a laugh and not cross the boundary into anger. Be rude. If you're cold-hearted and cruel, this should come natural. Forget every bit of manners even exist for a few minutes. Talk over him, be obnoxious, pester him, nag constantly, and play keep away with his things. See if you can get a laugh out of him. Be wary if he has a temper and try not to really hurt his feelings or you may come off as more a bully than an annoying girlfriend. Be indecisive. For example, ask where you should eat out, veto his suggestions, then have no suggestions of your own. Better yet, offer something he suggested earlier in the conversation. Be aware of the time and place. Don't make yourselves late for a reservation or try this when he is already having a long day. Play dumb. Fiddle with your hair and gaze at him with a slightly glazed expression as you fixate on his lips. When asked for an opinion, giggle and say you don't know anything about that. Pretend to give up all of your hobbies and interests to focus on him. Who cares if you were a state champion volleyball player before? He loves video games so the only workout you should get is from playing FIFA online. It can be cute and endearing to pretend you're just like one of the guys. Always ask him what he's thinking. The more you ask, the more annoyed he will be. Take the approach of being an inquisitive child. The more you ask "why", the shorter your conversation will be. Pepper in some sarcasm to punctuate that you are just trying to make him laugh. Arrive late. Note the appropriate time to execute this strategy. Don't be late for a work function but you can be late for a social outing with your friends or family to make him squirm at any awkwardness. You don't have to say sorry but show up in time so any awkwardness is bearable and can be laughed at after the fact. Talk, ask questions, and make a lot of comments while he watches tv or a movie. Try to do this especially during an action sequences or important parts in the story. Better yet, do it while he watches sports and the score is close. Some guys are more intense when watching their favourite programs so be sure to gage the context. Use, or don’t use, your words. Correct him about his inaccurate facts or ways of doing things. Employ the silent treatment to get whatever you want. Don't give him the silent treatment too long or you could create a volatile situation. Make sure to laugh once he understands that it's a joke. Be as needy as possible. Look to gain his approval or pretend to suffocate him for a short period of time. For example, try to help him with stuff after he says he doesn't need any help. Pretend to change him. Complain about what he does and tell him that you want him to change. Make him laugh by acting out a parody of how he should be doing things correctly. Exaggerate movements and tell him to do things incorrectly so he knows that you are joking. Be immature. The little things always count. Do annoying things such as calling his name multiple times, keep touching him when he's trying to concentrate etc. Try to have conversations over text while he's working or with friends. It is also funny to make him squirm with sexual innuendo when he can't talk. You can also send nonsensical emoticons in response to his texts. Don't tailor the type of communication channel to the content of the message. Call him repeatedly. Pay attention to his schedule and, when it is appropriate, call him 2 or 3 times in a row even if you no longer have anything to talk about the second and third time. This can be funny as long as he is not driving or needing to keep a tight schedule. Message him whenever you're free. You can even say something like "just wanted to annoy you", to let him know that you are being playful. If he says he's busy then you can say that will just annoy him when he's free. Texting random facts or pictures can be both fun and annoying depending on the dynamic of your relationship. Never put your phone down. Whether you're texting with your friends or playing a game, constantly using your phone is definitely irritating when your boyfriend wants to spend time with you. Taking selfies and using social media every chance you get allows you to detach from the situation so be sure to reengage when the joke is over. Be self conscious. Talk about how 'ugly' or 'fat' you think you look, even if you don't feel this way. Ask him if you look fat. When he tells you, 'no', be sure to continue pestering him but don't make him too uncomfortable. Fish for compliments. Never ask directly for acknowledgement, rather user sarcasm or the tone of your voice to let him know that he should compliment you. Limit his time with his friends. Anytime he wants to go out without you, pretend to whine and pout. Playfully, ask him if he's going out to pick up chicks but reassure him once the joke is over. Make him choose between hanging with his guy friends or hanging out with you. You can make the choice obvious by saying something obviously playful like, "you can either play poker with your friends or you can stay home with me and clean the garage." Play the crazy jealous girlfriend. Men absolutely hate it when their girlfriend asks who they were with and what they were doing. Suspicion is not an aphrodisiac so only pretend to be a crazy jealous girlfriend and don't go too far into the role. Stick to light suspicious questioning. If you start checking his phone and computer for evidence of what he's up to when you aren't around, you may have bigger issues in the relationship. Lightly tease him if he hangs out with other females. Ask him what he'd do in 'hypothetical' situations. Female mini-tests of getting proof that he loves you or will choose you over something/one or (god, forbid) will die for you. Be insecure. Question things he does and pretend that he is doing it intentionally to slight you. Tell him that you’re a princess and deserved to be treated that way. Scare him by pretending to go shopping for expensive gifts you want him to buy for you. This is especially effective if your relationship is still new. When you plan dates with your boyfriend, tell him to take you to a fancy restaurant. Act like you aren't being spoiled but it's your right to demand expensive dinners. Get him to drive you around. Make him your personal chauffeur for a few hours or a day. Get him to wait for you in the car and not do anything else but be at your beck and call. Just when you know he's about to reach his limit, text or call him and let him know that it was a joke. Don't go overboard and make him resent you. End your time with him abruptly. After a long day of getting him to run around for you, don't give him a chance to get romantic or close to you. Tell him to take you home so that you can sleep. Once you see that he's annoyed, show him that you are considerate of him. Go out with your friends. Cancel plans with your boyfriend and tell him that it's because you have to go out with your friends. Make sure that you don't cancel anything important and that you don't go too far and make him feel alienated. Make a fuss about everything. Pretend to get irritated for the smallest reasons and be bitchy. If he thinks it's PMS affecting you, pretend to pick a fight about how he doesn't understand you and knows nothing about women. Don't go over the top and make him question your character. Make it clear that you are exaggerating. Always want more. Nothing can ever be enough for you. He buys you roses, you want chocolate. He hugs you twice a day, you want him to hug you 3 times a day. He talks to you for 1 hour, you want him for 3. Sarcasm and tone are effective to convey feign displeasure.

Make a list of things you know annoy him. Brush up on your list and prepare for the next time you see him. Be rude. Be indecisive. Play dumb. Pretend to give up all of your hobbies and interests to focus on him. Always ask him what he's thinking. Arrive late. Talk, ask questions, and make a lot of comments while he watches tv or a movie. Use, or don’t use, your words. Be as needy as possible. Pretend to change him. Be immature. Try to have conversations over text while he's working or with friends. Call him repeatedly. Message him whenever you're free. Never put your phone down. Be self conscious. Limit his time with his friends. Play the crazy jealous girlfriend. Ask him what he'd do in 'hypothetical' situations. Tell him that you’re a princess and deserved to be treated that way. Get him to drive you around. End your time with him abruptly. Go out with your friends. Make a fuss about everything. Always want more.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Five-Paragraph-Essay

How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay

To write a five paragraph essay, start with an introductory paragraph that includes a hook to capture your audience's attention, and a thesis that explains the main point you're trying to make. Then, use the next 3 paragraphs to explain 3 separate points that support your thesis. As you explain each point, use evidence from your research or examples in the text you're discussing. Finally, conclude your essay with a paragraph summing up the points you've made and telling the reader how those points support your thesis.

Start with a hook. Your hook should capture your audience's attention, so choose a creative way to introduce your topic. This sentence should be a generalized statement about your topic that gives the reader a basic idea about your paper's topic. Quotes, anecdotes, and quips all make great hooks for an essay. For example, you could phrase your hook like this: Nature's life cycle is often used as a metaphor to convey ideas about the passage of life. If you are writing a persuasive essay, don't include your stance in your hook. Don't say “In this essay” or “I am going to show.” Instead, use the “show, don't tell” technique using descriptive language. It's often easiest to come up with your hook after you write the rest of your essay. If you're struggling to come up with one, use a basic placeholder and then create a better hook when you revise your essay. Include a sentence about your topic that provides more information. Your second sentence should tell the reader more about your topic, while still remaining generalized. Provide necessary background information and define your topic. Don't reveal your main points yet. For example, you could say something like this: While spring compares with birth, summer can symbolize maturity, with fall and winter showing a descent toward death. Write another sentence about your topic that leads to your thesis. Continue to provide background information, but start to narrow down toward your thesis. The reader should begin to see the focus of your essay start to take shape. This sentence depends on what type of paper you're writing. If it's an argumentative paper, introduce both sides of the argument. In an informative paper, mention the central idea and focus. As an example, you could narrow your topic like this: Writers often use nature metaphors in their work to show themes about life, such as the blossoming of youth. Finish the introduction with your thesis. Your thesis should be the last sentence of your introduction, setting up the rest of your essay. Your thesis should contain your stance, your supporting points, or the theme for your points. Each of your paragraphs will connect back to your thesis, so think of it as a road map for your paper. For example, your thesis could read like this: In the poem “Raspberries,” the author shows youth through the ripening berries, summer blossoming, and blushing color of the fruit. Each of the three examples provided in the thesis will become the topic of a body paragraph. For the example thesis, you would have body paragraphs about ripening berries, summer blossoming, and the blushing color of the fruit. Arrange your points to sandwich your weakest. You should have three points, and you want your reader to view them as being strong. Starting off with your strongest point will show the reader that your stance is right, and ending with your second strongest point will create strong support for your thesis. This means that your weakest point needs to be in the middle. You should include three body paragraphs, one for each supporting point. Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence. A topic sentence will state your point and connect it back to the thesis. This shows the reader why your point supports the idea(s) you presented in your thesis. The topic sentence will control the rest of your body paragraph, just like your thesis controls your essay. Your topic sentence is like a mini-thesis for just that paragraph. Use a quote related to your thesis and analyze it in the body paragraph. If you use a topic sentence, put the quote next. For example, your topic sentence could look like this: Ripening berries show youth in the poem “Raspberries” by reaching maturity and becoming ready for picking. Provide your evidence or examples. Depending on the type of essay that you are writing, you may pull evidence from a text or research that you did about your topic. Alternatively, you may use examples to back up your points, especially if you're writing your essay in class. Each paragraph should contain two to three examples or pieces of evidence. If you use research, cite your sources in the appropriate format that your instructor specifies. Add your own commentary. Your commentary is where you show your reader how your evidence or examples support your points and connect back to your topic sentence and thesis. Explain in your own words how your example or evidence proves your ideas, making your stance correct. In your mind, it may seem like you've made your point with just your examples. However, commentary is essential to a successful essay. Include two to three sentences of commentary for each example or piece of evidence. Depending on the type of evidence or examples, it's often best to alternate your evidence and commentary throughout the paragraph. For example, provide one example, then provide the commentary. Conclude your paragraph by linking back to your thesis. Summarize the points you've made in this paragraph, connecting back to your topic sentence and thesis. Show the reader how the points you expressed in this paragraph provide support. For example, you could wrap up your paragraph like this: As the girl plucks the ripe raspberries from the bush and eats them, her actions represent her own youth and readiness to be “plucked” by someone. Restate your thesis. You should start your conclusion with the ideas you expressed in your thesis. Don't just copy-and-paste your thesis. Instead, rewrite your thesis with the weight of your argument behind it. Your reader has now read all of your points and evidence, and your thesis should reflect this. For example, you could restate your thesis like this: The poem “Raspberries” provides an allegorical representation of youth through a metaphor of ripening berries, summer blossoming, and blushing color of the fruit. If you're a beginning writer, it's okay to start your conclusion with "In conclusion." However, if you're an advanced writer, avoid starting your conclusion with statements like “In conclusion,” “To conclude,” or “In the end.” Summarize how your points supported your thesis. Include a review of how each body paragraph supported your thesis, reminding the reader of your arguments. You should write two to three sentences that briefly explain what you've said. Use an authoritative tone as you restate your arguments so that your reader walks away knowing that you are correct. Avoid introducing new information. Providing new information in your thesis can result in lost points on your essay. This will cause your reader to walk away with questions instead of confidence in your ideas. In a conclusion, you should only be restating what you've already said. Tie up your essay with a concluding sentence. Your concluding sentence should leave the reader with a lasting impression of your topic. Use this statement to ensure that your reader keeps thinking about your essay after they have finished reading it. The following are great ideas for writing a good concluding sentence: Include a call to action. Provide a warning about what could happen if your stance is ignored. Create an image in the reader's mind. Include a quote. Make a universal statement about life. Use spell check. Spell check can easily save you lost points for misspellings. This should be your first step in editing your essay because you can have your word processor do your spell check and then take the provided suggestions. Always reread your sentence to make sure that the word processor is suggesting the right word. If you've misspelled a word that is similar to another word, then it's possible that your spell check could suggest the wrong spelling, such as “then” instead of “than.” Proofread your essay. Take a break from working on your paper. It's a good idea to give your mind a break, so consider taking a walk, stretching, or taking a bath. Then reread your essay looking for misspelled words, grammar errors, or typos. Look for errors that your spell checker missed. If you can, ask someone else to proofread your paper. They will usually spot errors that you overlooked. Revise your essay to improve the flow. As you reread your essay, make sure that your ideas flow well. You may need to add additional commentary or rewrite sentences to make it flow better. You may also decide to add in additional transitions, such as “additionally,” “also,” “at the same time,” or “similarly.” As you revise your essay, double-check that you've addressed your thesis throughout. Combine choppy sentences. Breakup long, convoluted sentences into shorter sentences. Rewrite fragments and run-on sentences. Fix your formatting. Consult your assignment sheet or syllabus to see what formatting conventions your instructor prefers. Adjust your margins, font size, and spacing accordingly. Add your heading and page numbers. If you have cited sources, make sure that you include a reference page in the style chosen by your instructor.

Start with a hook. Include a sentence about your topic that provides more information. Write another sentence about your topic that leads to your thesis. Finish the introduction with your thesis. Arrange your points to sandwich your weakest. Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence. Provide your evidence or examples. Add your own commentary. Conclude your paragraph by linking back to your thesis. Restate your thesis. Summarize how your points supported your thesis. Avoid introducing new information. Tie up your essay with a concluding sentence. Use spell check. Proofread your essay. Revise your essay to improve the flow. Fix your formatting.

https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Smoked-Salmon

How to Eat Smoked Salmon

To eat smoked salmon, try scrambled eggs and salmon. Simply toast half a bagel and top it with slices of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. Or, make a fast and simple appetizer by cutting the salmon into 1-inch strips and seasoning them with lemon juice and black pepper. Roll up each strip of salmon and spear it with a toothpick. You can also add smoked salmon to a salad of greens, fresh peas, and red onion. If you have salmon left over, wrap it tightly in plastic and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Make scrambled eggs and salmon. The number of eggs you should scramble will depend on how many people you want to feed. Scramble 2 per person. Make the scrambled eggs in a hot pan. Then cut a bagel in half and toast it. Drape a slice or two of salmon over each bagel half and then top with the scrambled eggs. You can also cut 2 slices of smoked salmon into bite-size pieces and add them to the scrambled egg mixture before you cook it. Add smoked salmon to eggs Benedict. Toast 2 halves of an English muffin. Lay a slice of smoked salmon on each half. Then top each half with a poached egg and spoon a spoonful of hollandaise sauce over the top. You can season the eggs with salt and pepper to taste. Make smoked salmon avocado toast. Mash ½ an avocado in a small bowl until it's mostly smooth (a few chunks are okay). Brush some olive oil onto 2 slices of sourdough bread and set them on a cooking sheet. Place the sheet in a 350° F (177° C) oven and toast for 5 minutes. Divide the avocado between the 2 slices of bread and top with the smoked salmon and a dollop of sour cream. Top sliced cucumber with smoked salmon and brie cheese. Cut ½ of a wheel of brie cheese into chunks and layer them into the bottom of oven-proof skillet. Bake the skillet at 375° F (191° C) for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Add 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (0.5 ounces) capers, ¼ cup (2 ounces) finely diced scallions, and 1 minced clove of garlic to the cheese and mix it well. Then bake it for another 2 to 3 minutes. Slice 3 cucumbers into 8 pieces each. Top each slice with a spoonful of cheese mixture and top with a small slice of salmon. Add smoked salmon to a baked potato. Slice 2 baked potatoes down the middle. Fill each potato with 1 full slice of smoked salmon, 2 spoonfuls of tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. Season with salt and pepper if you like. Top crusty bread with salmon. Tear a loaf of warm crusty bread into chunks. Drape thin slices of smoked salmon, slightly bigger than the chunk of bread, over each chunk. Then top with a dab of sour cream and a pinch of black pepper. Make rye and salmon squares. Cut rye bread slices into 2 inch (5 cm) squares. Spoon ½ teaspoon of horseradish onto each square, and then top with a thin slice of salmon. Garnish with dill. Serve simple smoked salmon. Cut each slice of smoke salmon into 1-inch (2.5 cm) strips. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each strip and then add black pepper to taste. Roll each strip of salmon up and then spear it with a toothpick. Toss smoked salmon with pasta. Cut 2 slices of smoked salmon into small, bite-size pieces. Boil your favorite pasta and then drain. Toss the pasta with the salmon, fresh herbs, lemon juice, and a dollop of crème fraiche. Add salmon to your favorite salad. Fill a bowl with spinach or your favorite greens. Add bite-size pieces of smoked salmon, fresh peas, and thin slices of red onion to the salad. Add 2 teaspoons of your favorite dressing and toss the salad. Make smoked salmon cakes. Peel and dice 2 medium potatoes. Bring them to boil in a pot of water. Lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes are soft. When the potatoes are cool, add ½ cup (4 ounces) chopped smoked salmon, 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (1 ounce) of mayonnaise, and ½ teaspoon lemon juice to them and mix with a fork. Form the mixture into 3-inch (7.5 cm) patties. Dip each patty in a whisked egg, then in panko bread crumbs. Bake the cakes for 8 minutes in a warm skillet with 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (1 ounce) of oil in the bottom, flipping halfway through. Keep the salmon in the original packaging. If you're not going to use the salmon right away, keep it in the original packaging. It should come vacuum-sealed, which will keep the fish fresher longer. Wrap opened salmon tightly in plastic. If you do open the package to use some salmon, wrap the remainder tightly in plastic wrap. Make sure it's wrapped tightly enough to prevent air from getting in. If air does get in and the edges get dry and flaky, just cut that part away with a sharp knife. Refrigerate unopened salmon for up to 2 to 3 weeks. If you've already opened the salmon, it should stay fresh in your fridge for a week. Freeze the salmon for up to 3 months. As long as you keep your smoked salmon in its original packaging, you can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you open the salmon and want to freeze part of it, put the remainder in a freezer-proof bag.

Make scrambled eggs and salmon. Add smoked salmon to eggs Benedict. Make smoked salmon avocado toast. Top sliced cucumber with smoked salmon and brie cheese. Add smoked salmon to a baked potato. Top crusty bread with salmon. Make rye and salmon squares. Serve simple smoked salmon. Toss smoked salmon with pasta. Add salmon to your favorite salad. Make smoked salmon cakes. Keep the salmon in the original packaging. Wrap opened salmon tightly in plastic. Refrigerate unopened salmon for up to 2 to 3 weeks. Freeze the salmon for up to 3 months.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Tennis-Elbow

How to Treat Tennis Elbow

If you have tennis elbow, you may be able to treat it by resting the injury for several days. Apply an ice pack to your elbow for about 15 minutes, 3-4 times a day while the injury persists, which may help with swelling and pain. In addition, you can wear a brace just below the painful area to help protect the damaged tendon. If the pain doesn't subside, see your doctor, as serious cases of tennis elbow may require surgery.

Stop doing the activity that caused the injury. Immediately stop doing any activity that involves your elbow if you've just been injured. If you're not sure how you hurt your elbow, avoid all activities that cause you pain or discomfort in your elbow. Try to use the affected elbow as little as possible and avoid any movement that irritates it. Examples of activities to avoid include: Sports where you throw, catch, or hit a ball with a racket Repetitive motions, such as hammering Lifting heavy objects Supporting your bodyweight with your arms, such as doing push-ups Apply ice to the affected elbow for 15 minutes 3 to 4 times daily. Wrap an ice pack with a clean dish towel or paper towel and press it against your affected elbow. Hold the ice pack in place for about 10 to 15 minutes and then remove it. Allow your skin temperature to return to normal before using another ice pack. Don't apply ice to your bare skin. Doing this can cause frostbite and skin damage. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If your elbow is causing you pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for how much to take and how often to take it. Do not exceed the recommended dose. If an over-the-counter pain reliever does not help, call your doctor. You may have a more severe injury, such as a ligament tear. Wear an elbow brace or splint to limit your movement. It can be difficult to remember not to move your elbow in a certain way, so wearing a counter-force brace that restricts your movement can be helpful in some cases. A brace may help to reduce muscle and tendon strain at the origin of the injury. Your doctor may recommend this if the injury is causing you severe pain or if you cannot avoid using your elbow and need to restrict its movement, such as on the job or while doing household chores. A brace is most helpful in the first 6 weeks after an injury. Make sure to position the brace 6–10 in (15–25 cm) from your elbow joint so it is closer to your hand than your elbow. Get a diagnosis from your doctor to confirm that you have tennis elbow. It's best to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis. If you have a break or tear, it may not heal correctly without proper treatment. Tennis elbow's main symptom is pain in the outer part of the elbow joint that radiates down the back of your arm. The pain may extend into your wrist in severe cases. Your elbow may also look red. If your pain is severe, see a doctor right away to determine if you have a break or tear. Pain caused by tennis elbow may be worse when you do certain activities, such as: Gripping an object Turning something Holding an item Shaking hands Go for physiotherapy to restore movement to the injured area. Your doctor may recommend that you see a physical therapist to learn exercises and stretches. These may help your elbow heal faster and allow you to resume your normal activities sooner. If your doctor recommends it, you'll need to see a physiotherapist once or more per week and do the exercises and stretches that they teach you at home. Continuing to do the exercises that your physiotherapist teaches you after your injury heals may also help to protect you from repeat injuries. Physiotherapy provides the most benefit over the long-term compared with other treatments, such as steroid injections. Ask your doctor about steroid injections to reduce inflammation. Steroid injections can help to reduce inflammation in your elbow joint, which may help you to resume your normal activities faster. Injections are not usually necessary since tennis elbow heals on its own within a couple of weeks. However, you may ask your doctor about injections if you're not seeing an improvement in your condition from physical therapy and home care strategies. The injection is delivered directly into the affected joint, which can be quite painful. However, your doctor can anesthetize the area before delivering the injection. Keep in mind that the effects of a steroid injection will last for 3 to 6 months and then they wear off, so repeat injections may be necessary for ongoing issues. Be aware that these injections will not prevent a future injury and usually only provide short-term improvement. Look into shockwave therapy to reduce pain and promote movement. Shockwave therapy is helpful for some people and it's a non-invasive option. The shockwaves are delivered to the affected area and pass through the skin to penetrate the joint. This can be painful, so you may receive a local anesthetic before your treatment begins. Although it's generally considered a safe treatment option, you may experience some bruising and redness following shockwave therapy. Ask about platelet-rich plasma injections to speed up healing. For this treatment, a doctor will remove a blood sample from your body, place it into a machine to separate the healing platelets, and then inject them directly into the affected joint. The whole treatment only takes about 15 minutes and it may help to speed healing. This might be a good option if you've had repeat injuries or if your injury isn't healing well on its own. However, keep in mind that the results of this therapy are uncertain, so it might not be helpful. Make sure to see an orthopedic specialist who has done many of these procedures. Check with your insurance first to see if this treatment will be covered. Many insurances do not cover it. Discuss surgery as a last resort if other treatments have failed. Surgery is rarely necessary for tennis elbow, but you may discuss it with your doctor if all other treatment methods have failed. They can refer you to a surgeon who can advise you on your options. This is usually only necessary if you have a severe injury that isn't healing on its own. For example, if you have a tear, then you may require surgery to repair it if it's not healing on its own. Get clearance from your doctor before beginning an exercise routine. Before you start an exercise program, make sure to check with your doctor and ask if it's safe for you to stretch and strengthen your elbow and the connecting muscles and tendons. Otherwise, you may delay your healing or injure yourself further. Perform a wrist extensor stretch to stretch the back of your forearm. To do this, straighten out your affected arm so that it is perpendicular to your torso and hold your hand and fingers out straight as well. Turn your arm so that your palm is facing the ground. Use your opposite hand to grasp your fingertips and gently pull them down towards the ground until you feel a slight stretch in your forearm. Hold this for 15 seconds. Repeat the stretch 2 to 4 times daily. Do a wrist flexor stretch to stretch the underside of your forearm. To do this, straighten out your affected arm perpendicular to your torso with your hand and fingers out straight as well. Turn your arm so that your palm is facing up. Use your opposite hand to grasp your fingertips and gently pull them down towards the ground until you feel a slight stretch on the underside of your forearm. Hold this for 15 seconds. Repeat this stretch 2 to 4 times daily. Squeeze a tennis ball or sock to strengthen your forearm muscles. Grasp the tennis ball or sock in the hand of your affected arm. Squeeze the ball and hold the squeeze for 6 seconds. Then, release the squeeze and relax your hand for 10 seconds. Do 8 to 12 repetitions 2 to 4 times daily. Move your hand up and down with your arm flat against a table to strengthen your wrist. Sit down and lay your affected arm flat on a table or desk. Position your wrist and hand so they're hanging over the edge of the surface. Then, turn your forearm on its side, so that you're positioned to shake someone's hand. With your fingers out straight, move your hand up and down. Repeat the up and down motion 8 to 12 times 2 to 4 times daily. Don't lift your forearm off of the table while you do this. Do bicep curls to build muscle in your arm and around your elbow. While seated or standing, hold a dumbbell in your hand with your arm down at your side. Position your hand so that your palm is facing forward. Then, slowly raise the dumbbell up towards your chest. Hold for 3 seconds, then slowly lower it back down to the start position. Repeat this 8 to 12 times and do 2 to 4 sets twice per week. Make sure to get your doctor or physical therapist's clearance before you do bicep curls. Change up your movements to avoid injury from repetition. Repetitive movements can irritate an old tennis elbow injury and lead to new injuries as well. If you work in a profession or participate in a sport where you need to move your arm in a certain way many times in a row, try to give yourself breaks and look for ways to change up your movement. For example, if you play tennis, vary your practices by hitting the ball from different positions and take breaks throughout your workout. Get your form evaluated by a professional if the injury is from a sport. Poor form can lead to repeat injury, so you may want to have your form evaluated by a personal trainer or coach if that's how you got your original injury. Ask them to watch you and give you feedback and use their feedback to correct your form. For example, if you're a tennis player, having a tennis coach watch you and evaluate your form may help you to avoid a repeat injury. Warm up before you participate in activities that might strain your elbow. Always take at least 5 minutes to warm up your muscles before you engage in physical activity. Perform a light version of the exercise or movement you'll be doing, such as walking while moving your arms at your sides or doing some gentle practice swings with a tennis racket. Even gently swinging your arms back and forth for a few minutes can help to warm up your muscles and prepare your joints for activity. Use equipment that works well for you. If the equipment you're using is too heavy or otherwise ill-suited to you, this may lead to re-injury. Try using a different item to see if it's more comfortable for you, or ask a coach or trainer for a recommendation. For example, if you're using a baseball bat that's too heavy, this could irritate your elbow and lead to re-injury.

Stop doing the activity that caused the injury. Apply ice to the affected elbow for 15 minutes 3 to 4 times daily. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Wear an elbow brace or splint to limit your movement. Get a diagnosis from your doctor to confirm that you have tennis elbow. Go for physiotherapy to restore movement to the injured area. Ask your doctor about steroid injections to reduce inflammation. Look into shockwave therapy to reduce pain and promote movement. Ask about platelet-rich plasma injections to speed up healing. Discuss surgery as a last resort if other treatments have failed. Get clearance from your doctor before beginning an exercise routine. Perform a wrist extensor stretch to stretch the back of your forearm. Do a wrist flexor stretch to stretch the underside of your forearm. Squeeze a tennis ball or sock to strengthen your forearm muscles. Move your hand up and down with your arm flat against a table to strengthen your wrist. Do bicep curls to build muscle in your arm and around your elbow. Change up your movements to avoid injury from repetition. Get your form evaluated by a professional if the injury is from a sport. Warm up before you participate in activities that might strain your elbow. Use equipment that works well for you.

https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Grammar

How to Teach Grammar

To teach grammar, explain a new concept to your students and then give them a variety of examples so they can see the rule put into practice. Also, build off of grammatical concepts that your students already know when you're introducing a new concept. For example, you could briefly review the past, present, and future tenses before introducing more complicated verb tenses. You can also use games and fun activities to make learning grammar more enjoyable.

Know who your students are. In order to teach effectively , you need to know who your students are. You should also know what they want or need to learn from you. This will affect your teaching approach, as well as what you actually teach. For example, if you are teaching elementary school kids, you might focus on basic grammar rules that are easy to grasp. If you are teaching adults who are learning English as a second language, you might find these students to be older and highly motivated. They also may need immediate language skills. Understand different learning styles. People learn in different ways depending on how they process information most effectively. Think about different styles of learning as you begin to plan how to teach grammar. Some of these learning styles include: Visual learning: These learners prefer reading and want to see what they're learning. Auditory learning: These learners prefer to listen to instruction. Conversations and interactions are effective ways of teaching this learning style. Tactile learning: These learners prefer to touch and manipulate objects in order to learn about something. Kinesthetic learning: These learners move around a lot and benefit from getting up from a desk frequently. Refresh your understanding of grammar rules. Take some time to go through a grammar guide or textbook. Even if you think you know grammar really well, spend some time refreshing your memory about different rules. Pick out a textbook. You might choose to use a textbook as a guide for teaching. Choose one that is geared toward the same type of students that you will be teaching. Use the deductive approach if you want to explain quickly. The deductive approach of teaching grammar focuses on teaching certain grammar rules and then giving examples of that rule. It can be useful if you want to quickly explain grammar. It may be more useful with adult students. This approach can minimize student interaction and involvement. Clearly state what the rule allows and limits. Give a clear and brief explanation about what the grammar rule allows. Also describe what the rule does not allow. For example, always use “you were” and never use “you was.” Then follow up with an example of the rule. Illustrate the grammar rule with an example. You can use a simple sentence to illustrate it once. Then you might choose a more complicated sentence to demonstrate how the rule applies. Describe the rules with simplicity. Boil down the grammatical rules to simple terms. Try not to point out too many exceptions to the rule when you first introduce the rule. Choose the inductive approach to allow students to explore language. The inductive approach allows students to discover how language and grammar works. Students learn grammar by making connections with their pre-existing understanding of language. For example, students learning English as a second language will learn to link English grammar rules to their native language grammar rules. This approach may allow for better memory retention of grammar. In addition, students are more autonomous learners. Don't choose the inductive approach if you don't have lots of time. Students need to work out a rule on their own by going through examples. Figuring out the rule may be at the expense of using the rule in practice. Give sentence examples that demonstrate differences. In order to help students pick out the rules, start with two sentences that have slightly different meanings. For example, write: “I have read every Stephen King book,” and “I read Stephen King's latest book last week.” Ask the student to identify the difference between these two sentences. Choose a functional approach to give students tools to communicate. The functional approach focuses on teaching grammar so that the students can function in their everyday lives. For example, what will they need to know so that they can go grocery shopping? How will they greet someone? Beginning students can learn complex concepts and use them in conversation. In this approach, it can be difficult to determine what aspects to focus on first. Teach grammar through texts, stories and songs. Use examples of literature and popular writing to illustrate how grammar is used. This can be an effective way to teach grammar. Students can choose their own texts or stories that they'd like to use. This will make the lesson more interesting for the students. Students will also benefit from increased vocabulary. The texts can be difficult if they are too advanced for the student's language level. Teach singular and plural nouns. A singular noun is a word that describes one thing. Plural means that there are more than one thing. In most instances, add an 's' to the end of the singular noun to make it plural. When teaching basic rules, mention that there are exceptions. But you don't need to go into them at this point. Teach pronouns. Pronouns are words that replace someone's name. For example, Mary will become “she” and Harry will become “he.” These two together will become “they.” Continue with the other pronouns, such as “I,” “you,” “we,” “us,” and so on. Teach how to conjugate verbs. Conjugating verbs is an essential skill to understanding how to make sentences match up. This involves making a verb match the subject. For example, when you have the verb “jump,” it will be conjugated as: “I jump,” “you jump,” he jumps,” and so on. Start with the present tense first and give the student lots of practice using this tense. Move onto past and future tense one at a time. Teach a few irregular verbs. There are some irregular verbs that don't follow the regular verb conjugation rules. One of these is “to be.” Teach this as: “I am,” “you are,” “he is,” and so on. Start with teaching the present tense first. Irregular verbs can be tricky. In addition, “to be” serves as a foundation for many other types of verb phrases. It's important to master it before moving on. Teach how to respond in the negative. If the student wants to disagree with something or say she did not do something, she will need to know how to construct that sentence. Show the student where to add “not” in a sentence. For example, you might say, “I am not jumping” or “I am not eating.” Teach how to diagram a sentence. Diagramming a sentence is a useful exercise to help students understand how sentences are constructed. Find the subject and predicate (verb) of the sentence. Find direct objects and indirect objects. Discuss which words alter the meaning of other words. Identify dependent and independent clauses. Teach complex verb tenses. Once your students have grasped present, past and future verb tenses, introduce them to other types of verb conjugations. These might include present perfect simple, past progressive, present progressive, present conditional, past conditional, and so on. Teach proper terminology. When you're teaching beginning grammar, it might be better to use simple terms to describe concepts. As you teach more advanced grammar, you may choose to start introducing the proper terms that describe grammatical concepts. Give quizzes that test students’ understanding. Periodically, assess your students' learning with quizzes. This will give them a chance to put their knowledge to the test. This also gives you a chance to see how well they are learning the concepts. You will also see if concepts are confusing to students. Use examples to teach grammar. Take examples from sentences so that they make sense to the student. It is helpful to see how grammar rules are put into practice in different types of conversations or writings. Build upon concepts that are familiar to the student. Explain grammatical rules by using concepts that the student already knows. For example, students will likely be familiar with verb tenses, such as past, present and future. Use these as ways to explain more complicated verb tenses. Give students plenty of time to practice. Reinforce your lesson by giving the students lots of time to put their grammar knowledge to use. The point of learning grammar is to improve communication skills. Give your students the opportunity to practice frequently. Make the instruction appropriate for your students. It is important to take note of your students' learning levels, interests and styles. When you tailor your instruction to their level, they will be more invested in learning grammar. This will also reduce frustration and confusion for both the students and yourself. Plan games and interesting activities. Grammar can be a dry subject if the teacher doesn't engage the students effectively. Play games, plan conversation scenarios and do other activities that are appropriate and fun for the students. Correct students in a positive way. Do not discourage your students by correcting their grammar in a way that reduces their desire to speak. Instead, correct errors by continuing the conversation and asking questions using the correct grammar. For example, your student says, “I catched the ball.” Don't respond with “You mean, you caught the ball.” Instead, say, “You caught the ball? Did you score a point?” Continue the conversation with a gentle correction and an added question or comment.

Know who your students are. Understand different learning styles. Refresh your understanding of grammar rules. Pick out a textbook. Use the deductive approach if you want to explain quickly. Choose the inductive approach to allow students to explore language. Choose a functional approach to give students tools to communicate. Teach grammar through texts, stories and songs. Teach singular and plural nouns. Teach pronouns. Teach how to conjugate verbs. Teach a few irregular verbs. Teach how to respond in the negative. Teach how to diagram a sentence. Teach complex verb tenses. Teach proper terminology. Give quizzes that test students’ understanding. Use examples to teach grammar. Build upon concepts that are familiar to the student. Give students plenty of time to practice. Make the instruction appropriate for your students. Plan games and interesting activities. Correct students in a positive way.

https://www.wikihow.com/Convert-PowerPoint-to-Word

How to Convert PowerPoint to Word

To convert a PowerPoint presentation into a Word document, start by opening your PowerPoint presentation and clicking “File” in the menu bar at the top of the screen. From the drop-down menu, click “Export” and “Create Handouts.” When prompted by the computer, pick “Create Handouts in Microsoft Word.” Select a layout from the options menu, like “Paste Link,” if you want it to update whenever the original PowerPoint presentation is changed. Alternatively, if you want the document to remain unchanged, click “Paste.” In order to finalize your preferences and open your PowerPoint as a Word document, click “OK.”

Open a PowerPoint presentation. To open the PowerPoint presentation file you want to convert, click File , Open... and select the file. Click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Export… in the drop-down menu. Click Create Handouts. Click Create Handouts in Microsoft Word. Click Create Handouts. Select a layout for the Word document. If you want the Word document to update whenever the original PowerPoint presentation is changed, click on Paste link. If you want the Word document to remain unchanged whenever the original PowerPoint presentation is updated, click on Paste. Click on OK. The PowerPoint presentation will open as a Word document. Open a PowerPoint presentation. To open the PowerPoint presentation file you want to convert, click File , Open... and select the file. Click File in the menu bar, then Export…. Type a filename in the "Export As" field and a save location in the "Where" drop-down menu. Click on the "File Format" drop-down menu and select Rich Text Format (.rtf). Click Export. The PowerPoint presentation will be saved as a Rich Text Format (.rtf) document in the location you specified. Open Microsoft Word. It's the blue app that's shaped like or contains a W. Open the RTF file. Click File then Open… and select the RTF file you just exported from PowerPoint. This will open the RTF file in Microsoft Word. Click File and then click Save As…. This will open the Save window which will allow you to save the document as a Word file. Click on the "Format" drop-down menu and select Word Document (.docx). Click Save. The PowerPoint presentation is now saved as a Microsoft Word document In most instances, the formatting and pagination will not match the original PowerPoint presentation and many pictures or backgrounds may not be supported by the RTF format. Be sure to go through the Word document and adjust it to your liking.

Open a PowerPoint presentation. Click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Export… in the drop-down menu. Click Create Handouts. Click Create Handouts in Microsoft Word. Click Create Handouts. Select a layout for the Word document. Click on OK. Open a PowerPoint presentation. Click File in the menu bar, then Export…. Type a filename in the "Export As" field and a save location in the "Where" drop-down menu. Click on the "File Format" drop-down menu and select Rich Text Format (.rtf). Click Export. Open Microsoft Word. Open the RTF file. Click File and then click Save As…. Click on the "Format" drop-down menu and select Word Document (.docx). Click Save.

https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Teeth-White-While-Smoking

How to Keep Teeth White While Smoking

To keep your teeth white while smoking, try brushing your teeth with baking soda, which can make your teeth whiter and help counteract the effect that smoking has on them. You can also mix some hydrogen peroxide or mashed-up strawberries with the baking soda for even more whitening power. You should also try to brush your teeth right after you smoke so the tar doesn't sit on them and stain them. Also, consider using mouthwash and toothpaste designed specifically for smokers, which can help prevent staining.

Brush your teeth. Although this is important for everyone's dental health, tooth brushing is especially important for keeping a smoker's teeth white. Brush your teeth twice to three times a day, being sure to brush for at least two minutes each time. Use a whitening toothpaste if you would like to get an extra level of whitening action. Smokers tend to have poorer oral health and a higher risk of periodontal disease, so it's important to focus on keeping your mouth healthy. In addition to reducing the risk of problems in your mouth, like gum disease, brushing will whiten your smile. Try brushing right after you smoke. This will remove the tar and other chemicals deposited on the teeth quickly instead of letting them set it. Consider using a special smoker's toothpaste. There are special toothpastes for smokers. These toothpastes contain more abrasive ingredients, such as baking soda or alumina than normal toothpastes. This helps to get at the tar and nicotine embedded in the teeth. Because these toothpastes have additional abrasive, they can wear down your enamel faster. If you are concerned about your enamel wearing down, consider using smoker's toothpaste some of the time and regular toothpaste the rest of the time. Use anti-tar mouthwash for smokers. There are specialty mouthwash products that are made to reduce the amount of tar and chemicals in your mouth after smoking. They are made to be used after each time you smoke. Using a normal mouthwash won't keep your teeth white but it will improve your overall oral health. Use a regular mouthwash even if you can't get your hands on an anti-tar mouthwash. Just be sure to pick a therapeutic mouthwash that actually fights gingivitis and freshens your breath at the same time, as opposed to a mouthwash that just freshens your breath. You should be able to tell the difference because therapeutic mouthwashes include fluoride and antimicrobial agents. Floss your teeth. It's important to floss your teeth before you sleep or after brushing. In addition to improving your general oral health, it will also help to remove nicotine and tar from your teeth. This will decrease the risk of staining in the areas between teeth. Pick whatever type of floss you like. The type of floss matters less than how you use it to clean between your teeth. Floss your teeth once a day. It does not matter when you do it, just do it. Go to the dentist regularly. If you are a smoker you should schedule dentist appointments more often than if you didn't smoke. Consult with your dentist about how often he or she thinks you should come in. Your dentist will give your teeth a thorough cleaning during your regular visit, which should take away any light staining and lessen any deep staining. If you are interested, your dentist can also give you information about smoking cessation, including giving you information on the ill effects smoking has on oral health. Clean your teeth with baking soda. It may sound or taste weird, but for the sake of white teeth, you should try it. Brushing with baking soda will make a visible difference in the whiteness of your teeth. To clean your teeth with baking soda, sprinkle some baking soda on your toothbrush and brush as normal. Don't leave the baking soda on your teeth for too long and also you shouldn't brush too hard. Baking soda left on too long or scrubbed on too hard can erode the enamel on your teeth, causing more harm than good. Use a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Just add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to baking soda until it creates a paste. Then use the paste as you would commercial toothpaste. The addition of hydrogen peroxide whitens your teeth even more than baking soda alone. Because this combination can be very abrasive, you should only use it for a few days and then discontinue use for a few months. This will assure that you don't damage your tooth enamel. Use over-the-counter oral whitening products. The simplest to use is whitening toothpaste , as it can be used like normal toothpaste. However, there are a wide variety of other teeth whitening products. They usually come in the form of teeth whitening gels, strips, or bleaches that are applied with teeth trays. These products are very effective for getting rid of smoking stains. Use gels and bleaches sparingly. Stripes are okay to use on a regular basis. Try products you have in your home for teeth whitening. There are a variety of natural products that are said to whiten teeth. These include banana peels, strawberries, and apple cider vinegar. You can even swish coconut oil around in your teeth. To use strawberries, mash several strawberries up and mix with some baking soda. Use as a toothpaste. This may be effective because of the malic acid in strawberries. Rub the inside of banana peels on your teeth to whiten them. The inside of the peel has a variety of minerals that can help the health of your teeth. One part apple cider vinegar can be mixed with three parts water and then mixed into your normal toothpaste. If you then brush as normal, the stain-fighting power of your toothpaste will be enhanced. To use coconut oil put a tablespoon of the oil in your mouth and swish it around for up to 15 minutes. You may need to do it for less time at first, in order to get used to the feeling. Be sure not to swallow the oil, which can take some focus on your part. This process with help promote saliva production and eliminates bacteria in the mouth. Get a professional teeth whitening. This is a very effective way to get rid of stains. A cosmetic cleaning can get out more staining than your normal dental cleaning. This can be done between your regular dental cleanings, but should not be used as a replacement for them. Professional teeth whitening uses harsh chemicals to brighten your teeth. After this type of cleaning, your teeth will be very sensitive for a period of time. Quit smoking. This is the most effective way of eliminating staining from smoking but it is by no means the easiest. If you stop smoking, the staining caused by the nicotine and tar staining should fade over time. If you want to stop smoking, consider seeking help in doing it. Smoking is addictive and you can use as much help and support as you can get.

Brush your teeth. Consider using a special smoker's toothpaste. Use anti-tar mouthwash for smokers. Floss your teeth. Go to the dentist regularly. Clean your teeth with baking soda. Use a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Use over-the-counter oral whitening products. Try products you have in your home for teeth whitening. Get a professional teeth whitening. Quit smoking.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Real-Estate-Agent-in-California

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in California

To become a real estate agent in California, start by choosing the area you'd like to work in, such as Malibu or Napa Valley. Additionally, decide whether you want to sell residential or commercial properties. You'll also need to complete high school and take college real estate courses, including Real Estate Principles and Real Estate Practice. Once you've completed the classes, take the California Salesperson License Exam and earn a score of 70 percent or higher to become a licensed agent.

Get your high school diploma or GED. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required by the California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) in order to obtain a real estate license in California. In addition, you must be at least 18 years of age. Research colleges and enroll in a real estate program. To become licensed as a real estate agent in California, you must complete 3 college courses for a total of 135 credit hours at a school approved by CalBRE. These courses must include Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and an approved elective. When researching colleges, look for one that is respected in the real estate industry. Choose courses taught by instructors who are experienced in the real estate field. Submit to a background check and fingerprinting. Real estate agents are expected to be trustworthy, so you will need to have a clean and honest record. If you are dishonest about your past, you may be denied a license. You must report all misdemeanor or felony convictions, with the exception of rulings from a juvenile court, sealed convictions, or marijuana convictions more than 2 years old. CalBRE is responsible for determining if certain crimes are related to your ability to perform real estate. Related crimes include fraudulent behavior, counterfeiting, willful nonpayment or underpayment of taxes, or bribery and fraud. Other crimes which will disqualify you from a license include murder, burglary, perjury, petty theft, extortion, forgery, and grand theft. If you have one of these crimes on your record, try petitioning the court for an expungement or a Certificate of Rehabilitation. A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a special order from the state of California stating that you have been rehabilitated of your crimes. If you have either an expungement or a Certificate of Rehabilitation, CalBRE can not deny you a license based only on your past crimes. Pass the California Salesperson License Exam with a score of 70% or higher. The California Salesperson License Exam is a multiple-choice exam with about 150 questions, lasting 3 hours and 15 minutes. The questions test applicants on English language and basic math skills, as well as subjects which relate directly to becoming a real estate agent. These include real estate principles and practices, financing and economics, laws of agency, and contracts. Prepare for the exam by taking a study course at your college or by studying the Real Estate Guide issued by CalBRE. This guide can be found online or can be purchased at any CalBRE office. Salesperson exams are usually given on weekdays in Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego. Exams are scheduled based on the number of applications received by CalBRE. You can find test times and dates on CalBRE's website. Apply for your 4-year license. Submit your application to the CalBRE along with evidence that you have completed your college courses and licensing exam and any applicable fees, as well as your background check information. You must have this license in order to practice real estate in the state of California. You will have to renew your license every 4 years. CalBRE requires that you participate in continuing education in order to obtain a renewal. Submit your fingerprint card and consent form if you live out-of-state. If you do not live in California, there are additional steps involved in the application process. In addition to the in-state requirements for a license, you will also be required to submit a Consent to Service of Process form to CalBRE, along with a fingerprint card which has been completed by your local law enforcement agency. You must also be licensed with a California broker before you can conduct business in the state. Study the real estate market in different areas of California. Think about where you want to live, and decide what specialty will help you most in that area. If you choose to work in Malibu, you will need to be comfortable with buying and selling luxury homes, but if you want to work in Napa Valley you might need to be adept in the particulars of dealing in vineyards. Decide whether you want to work in residential or commercial real estate. If you are interested in commercial real estate, your location will also make a difference. Commercial real estate in Silicon Valley will often involve dealing with startup companies, while commercial real estate in Los Angeles is likely to revolve around upscale clients. Be mindful of challenges unique to the California real estate market. For instance, the housing market in Orange County has continued to rise steadily for several years, so even starter homes are averaging around half a million dollars. This creates challenges for young families who are just starting out and want to buy a home, so a real estate agent would need to know how to address these challenges. Find a brokerage in California. A brokerage is an agency or office which supervises real estate agents. Finding the right brokerage will give you the resources to learn the industry. You can get a real estate license in California without having a broker, but you can not practice real estate without one. Check online directories, trade publications, and job fairs for potential brokerages to work with. Look for a brokerage with a solid reputation and which offers additional training in the field. Some brokerages will take a smaller percent of a commission while offering less agent support, while others will have a higher fee but will offer you more resources (and possibly more clients). Find a mentor. When you are just starting out, a mentor can help you build a contact list of buyers and sellers in California. Your mentor can help you grow as you learn to apply what you learned in school to the real world. Your brokerage may be able to connect you with an experienced real estate agent to become your mentor, or you might ask the professors at your school for recommendations. Be aware that it is standard practice for you and your mentor to split commissions. Use your personal network to help you find clients. If you have friends or family in California, chances are you know someone who is looking to buy or sell their home. Reach out to your personal network to find leads. Advertise with business cards, signs, and television ads. If you want to boost your portfolio, get your name out there. Plan to spend between $1500-$2000 on professional advertising, including business cards, signs, and even television or internet ads. Pay a photographer for a good headshot that captures your personality to use in your ad.

Get your high school diploma or GED. Research colleges and enroll in a real estate program. Submit to a background check and fingerprinting. Pass the California Salesperson License Exam with a score of 70% or higher. Apply for your 4-year license. Submit your fingerprint card and consent form if you live out-of-state. Study the real estate market in different areas of California. Decide whether you want to work in residential or commercial real estate. Be mindful of challenges unique to the California real estate market. Find a brokerage in California. Find a mentor. Use your personal network to help you find clients. Advertise with business cards, signs, and television ads.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Toy-Bow-and-Arrow

How to Make a Toy Bow and Arrow

Making a toy bow and arrow is a great way to do some target practice in your yard and role play your favorite archers. First, find a sturdy plastic coat hanger and cut the hook off of it with a sharp knife or scissors. Wrap the rest of the hanger in duct tape to make it look more realistic and nicer to grip. Once you've wrapped the whole coat hanger, tie string to the corners so the bowstring's parallel with the straight side of the hanger. To make the arrows, wrap pencils in duct tape, then cut the arrowheads out of cardstock and glue or tape them to the end of each pencil.

Choose a sturdy hanger. You'll want to use a hanger that will not easily snap. Test the strength of the hanger with your hands by tugging on it in various directions. If it feels brittle or like it might break, it may not be strong enough to be used for a bow Cut the hanger. The traditional shape of a bow is a smooth arc. To make this, you'll need to remove the hook with a sturdy pair of scissors or a sharp, durable knife. Then, if any sharp edges remain, use a file to blunt the edges. For stubborn hangers that refuse to cut, you may need to notch the attitude with your knife first, and then cut it with your scissors. For more authentic bows, you might also remove the plastic connector running between the ends of the arc of your hanger. Wrap your bow in duct tape. Take your duct tape and wrap it smoothly around your coat hanger until all surfaces are covered. Be sure your tape is wrapped thickly enough so that no edges of plastic protrude. Colored duct tape can be used to add a personal touch to your bow. Silver, gold, black, and brown duct tape are good duct tape colors to consider for giving your bow some character. Fashion your bowstring. The string of your bow should be made of thick, sturdy rubber bands. Depending on the length of your bow and the size of your hanger, three to five bands should be enough to make your string. Cut each in half with your scissors and tie the ends together with simple knots. You can strengthen your bowstring by doubling or tripling the single string with more bands. Tie your bowstring to your bow. Now that you have your bowstring made, you can tie it to the end of the arc of your coat hanger to complete the bow. If you find that the bowstring doesn't stay in place, take a knife and cut V shaped notches into the plastic at either end. Then you can re-tie your bowstring so that it's seated securely in the notches. Wrap your arrows in duct tape. You'll be using pencils to make your arrows. Wrap these completely in a layer of duct tape to give them a more realistic appearance. You may want to use a different color of duct tape for your arrows than you used for your bow, though this is a matter of preference. Draw your arrowheads. Draw two triangles on a piece of card stock or rigid cardboard for each arrowhead you plan on making. To make your arrowheads uniform, you can draw an arrowhead stencil, cut it free, and then use this to trace the shapes of the rest of your arrowheads. Your arrowheads can be as large or as small as you like, but for more polished looking arrowheads, measure out 2-inch (5 cm) sides for all three sides of your triangular arrowhead. Glue your arrowheads together. Take the two pieces of card stock that you have cut into the shape of arrowheads and use your glue to attach these to the tip of your arrow. If the card stock you are using is a little on the flimsy side, you might want to reinforce your arrowheads by putting small pieces toothpicks, cake pop sticks, or kebab sticks between pieces, gluing the supports in place as you glue the pieces together. Attach the arrowhead to your arrow. Use your thumb to hold your arrowhead to one of the ends of your arrow. With your free hand, take your duct tape and wrap it around the arrowhead and arrow, connecting the two together firmly. Make a quiver to hold arrows. Use your ruler to measure the length of you arrows and then subtract an inch (2½ cm) from that length. Mark your cardboard tube with the shorter length and use your scissors to cut the tube so it is an inch shorter than your arrows. Then, use your duct tape to cover the outside of your tube and close off one of the ends. Test your bow and arrow. Once your arrows are finished, put them in the quiver and take up your bow. Remove an arrow from the quiver and draw it back with the string of your bow. Release to shoot - you and your bow are now ready for adventure. Use PVC pipe to make a better bow. A PVC pipe bow will be more authentic than cardboard models or bows made of light plastic. PVC is more ideal for bow-making, as it is rigid enough to provide the tension necessary for firing an arrow, but is not so weak that it will break after a few uses. CPVC inserts at either end of your PVC bow will serve to reinforce the ends by adding thickness. This will result in a sturdier construction and will also help prevent cracking. Insert your CPVC into your four foot PVC piece. Gather your long PVC piece and your two 1½-inch long CPVC pieces to begin making your bow. Insert one 1½-inch CPVC piece into the long PVC piece until it is nested completely inside the long PVC piece. The fit will be tight and might require you to twist the smaller piece back and forth, or you may need to tap the small CPVC piece into place gently with a hammer. Do this for both sides. The ends of your short CPVC pieces and your long PVC piece should be even when you finish this. Cut slots into the ends of your long PVC piece with your saw. You'll also be cutting into the CPVC piece you have nested inside the larger piece. Decide which side of your pipe will be the back of your bow. The back of your bow is the side your string will run along, so your slots will need to be on this side on either end of your long piece. Your slots should be about ½-inch (1¼ cm) long. Cut your ¾-inch (1.9 cm) thick piece along one side. Being careful not to cut yourself while doing so, use your saw to cut a straight line from top to bottom on one side of your ¾-inch (1.9 cm) thick piece. This piece will form the handle for your bow. Attach your handle to your four foot PVC piece. Now that your ¾-inch thick eight inch long piece has a cut from top to bottom, you should be able to feed your long four foot PVC pipe inside of it. Slide your eight inch long handle to the middle of your four foot piece. Wrap your handle with duct tape. Arrange your handle so that the cut in it faces the front of your bow, which will be the side opposite the slots you've cut in the ends of your four foot PVC piece. Then use your electrical tape to wrap and reinforce the handle. Add your arrow holder. Take your paper clip and bend it into the shape of a C, with the bottom end about a ¼-inch (.6 cm) longer than the top. After this is done, bend the top of the C so that it faces you while the bottom points off to the side. Now you can: Measure the middle point of the left side of your handle with your tape measure. Place the bottom of your paper clip at the midpoint with the bottom of the paper clip facing away from the bow and your offset top piece flat against the bow. Use your electrical tape to attach your paperclip to firmly to the bow. Note: the top of your paper clip will act as a stopper so your arrow holder does not get pushed back against the bow, but it will allow your holder to move forward and out of the way of arrows when shooting. Measure out your bowstring. Use your tape measure and cut free a length of paracord that is slightly longer than four feet long. Two to four inches (5 - 10 cm) extra should be ample for the purposes of stringing your bowline and tying knots. Cutting paracord can leave frayed edges. You can "re-seal" the ends of your cord by holding it in the flame of a match or lighter for a few moments until the ends melt closed. Allow at least a minute to pass for the ends to cool. String your bow. Place one end of your paracord in the upper slot and knot it so that it cannot slip through the slot. Now you can take the other end and pull it through the bottom slot until the line is taut. Knot the bottom end the same as you did the top to fix the bowline in place. If it feels like your knots might come loose, you can add zip-ties around the knot to reinforce it. Cap your arrows. Your 24-inch long wooden dowels will each become a single arrow. Take your dowels one at a time and put an eraser cap on each to give it the appearance of a pointed arrow head. To create a sturdier arrow, you might use glue on the end of your dowel. Do this before putting on the eraser cap to create a seal between the arrowhead and arrow. If you use glue, be sure to allow your arrows to dry completely. Rest an arrow on your sight and check your handiwork. Take your finished bow and hold it in your left hand. With your right hand, take an arrow and rest it on the paperclip holder on your handle. Line up the flat base of your arrow with your bowstring, pull back arrow and string, and release to shoot.

Choose a sturdy hanger. Cut the hanger. Wrap your bow in duct tape. Fashion your bowstring. Tie your bowstring to your bow. Wrap your arrows in duct tape. Draw your arrowheads. Glue your arrowheads together. Attach the arrowhead to your arrow. Make a quiver to hold arrows. Test your bow and arrow. Use PVC pipe to make a better bow. Insert your CPVC into your four foot PVC piece. Cut slots into the ends of your long PVC piece with your saw. Cut your ¾-inch (1.9 cm) thick piece along one side. Attach your handle to your four foot PVC piece. Wrap your handle with duct tape. Add your arrow holder. Measure out your bowstring. String your bow. Cap your arrows. Rest an arrow on your sight and check your handiwork.

https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Body-Piercer

How to Become a Body Piercer

If you want to become a body piercer, attend medical classes on first aid and diseases. Then, get vaccinated against transferable diseases, and purchase your tools to begin your apprenticeship. Find a studio where you want to train, and submit an application to begin working there part time to learn the trade, which takes 1-3 years. Learn how to do a variety of different types of piercings, and follow all sanitation rules closely while you work. Once you have finished your apprenticeship, apply for licensure by the state to be a professional piercer.

Make sure that you are a suitable candidate. Before you go forward with your training, first consider whether piercing is the right option for you. Body piercers must be at least 18 years old. Body piercers also need to have exceptional hand-eye coordination. If you have unsteady or shaky hands, keep in mind that this could be a hurdle you may be unable to overcome. Piercers cannot be squeamish about regularly seeing bodily fluids and body parts, and should be able to perform well under pressure. Finally, ideal piercers are outgoing and have great customer service. Familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade. If you aren't very familiar with piercing tools and procedure, take some time to learn more about body piercing. It's important to have some familiarity with piercing before going on to do training or look for an apprenticeship. Use the Internet to find reputable articles and videos that discuss piercing basics. Make sure that the Internet resources are up to date and reputable so that you don't get any misinformation. Check your state or country’s requirements. Different states and countries have slightly different requirements for becoming a piercer. Though the requirements are generally similar, read over the requirements in your area to make sure that you are on the right path before enrolling in training classes or starting an apprenticeship. Attend a bloodborne pathogens training class. Before you get licensed to be a body piercer, you will need to attend several training classes. One of these is a bloodborne pathogens class, which will teach you how to protect yourself and your patrons from diseases that can be passed through needles. Make sure that the class you're taking is given by the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) , or meets their regulations. Technically you can take this course after your apprenticeship, but you may want to take it before because you will be put in situations where this type of knowledge is useful. Attend a First Aid/CPR class. Body piercers sometimes encounter stressful situations where patrons need medical assistance. Because of this, anyone who wishes to be a piercer is required to take a First Aid/CPR class. Try to take one given by Red Cross, the YMCA, or another reputable organization. You may decide to take this course after your apprenticeship. Do whatever works best for you. Get a series of injections against transferable diseases. Before you do any kind of piercings, so need to get several injections against different kinds of diseases. These injections will help keep you safe and out of harms way once you start your apprenticeship. Research studios. The majority of your training and learning will happen through an apprenticeship at a body piercing studio. Research different body piercing studios in your area that you would be interested in learning at. Make sure to consider whether or not the studio also does tattooing, and if they do, whether they require all employees to know both skills. Decide if you want to learn tattooing. Some studios require their piercers to also know how to do tattooing, while other studios only do piercing. Consider whether you would like to learn both skills or if you are solely interested in piercing. Learning to do both will make your training considerably longer. Compile a list of studios to visit. Decide on a few studios to visit to ask about an apprenticeship. Only consider established, professional piercing studios, and stay away from mall kiosks or studios where they only use piercing guns. Go door to door. Most body piercing studios don't advertise their apprenticeships online, so the most common way to find an apprenticeship is to visit different studios and ask if they are willing to take on apprentices. Even if you are visiting several studios, make each request personalized, and try to let your passion and interest shine through. You could say something like, “I was wondering if you take on apprentices here at Dragon Piercing. I think that you do really great work, and it would be great to be able to learn from such a professional studio.” Don't feel like you have speak or dress formally. A lot of piercing studios have a causal, independent environment, so while you should come across as driven and articulate, you don't have to be overly formal. Studios will be looking for apprentices with confidence and strong people skills. Remember to stand up straight, smile and speak clearly and with confidence. Find a part time job. You will likely not receive compensation as an apprentice, so you should make sure that you will be able to support yourself financially before you begin. Either expect to use money that you've saved, or try to secure a part time job that can work around your schedule at the piercing studio. Start your apprenticeship. Once you have found a studio that will take you on as an apprentice, ask them how the apprenticeship will work. Find out how long they expect to have you on as an apprentice, and if you will get compensation for your work. Also ask about whether or not you will need to buy any tools or equipment. Typical apprenticeships take 1-3 years. Learn the sterilization and safety procedures of the studio. Creating and maintaining a safe environment is an enormous part of learning how to be a body piercer. Learn the measures the studio you're training at takes to ensure their clients' piercings will be infection-free. Learn how to do each type of piercing. Piercing procedure varies greatly depending on what part of the body you're piercing, and what kind of piercing your client wants. Learn all the basic piercings like septum and earlobe piercings, as well as the more obscure ones like rook and snake bite piercings. Ask questions throughout your time as an apprentice. Your apprenticeship will cover a lot of ground, so try to constantly assess whether or not you need more training in certain areas. This can make you feel more confident as you leave your apprenticeship and become a professional piercer. In addition to how to actually do a piercing, you apprenticeship should cover: sterilization and disinfection, cross-contamination, piercing aftercare, piercing safety issues, and how to recognize when a piercing isn't suitable for a patron. If you feel hazy on any of these points, let the studio know you need to brush up. Get licensed. Check the way that your state or country certifies body piercers. You will likely have to submit the certificates for your blood pathogens and CPR/First Aid classes, as well as prove that you have completed an apprenticeship. You may have to pay a small fee to get certified. See if your apprenticeship can turn into a job. Now that you are certified, you're ready to work as a body piercer! The easiest way to find a job is to check in with the studio you finished your apprenticeship with and see if they are willing to hire you. This is a great first place to work since you are already familiar with their procedures and their staff. Assemble a portfolio. If the studio can't hire you, you will have to apply to other studios. Before you do, put together a print portfolio that has pictures of your past work. This is a good way for studios to make sure that you are an able and qualified piercer, and will improve your chances of getting hired. Also ask the mentor or shop owner at the studio your were an apprentice at for a letter of recommendation. Look up studios. Research studios that interest you. Now that you know more about piercing, you should be able to look at galleries of their work online and see if they do high-quality work. Make a list of studios that you want approach and apply to. Some studios are very polished and professional, while others are more grungy and alternative. Try to pick a studio that aligns with your own personality. Go door to door at piercing studios. After assembling your portfolio, go door to door and speak to the managers of the studios. Explain that that you have recently finished your apprenticeship and are eager to get a job as a piercer. Show them your portfolio and tell them why you are interested in their particular studio. It's always best to go and talk in person instead of calling on the phone. This gives studios a better idea of your image and your personality. Find opportunities online. After you have approached studios that interest you, go online to sites like Craigslist and see if there are studios that are actively looking for piercers. Many of them will likely request that you come in person to apply. Even if they don't, assemble your portfolio, resume and letter of recommendation and go in to express your interest. Keep track of your work. After you have found a job, keep track of your work. Take pictures of your finished piercings and save them for whenever you look for a new job in the future. Recording your work is important for building your career, and for reminding yourself of how far you've come!

Make sure that you are a suitable candidate. Familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade. Check your state or country’s requirements. Attend a bloodborne pathogens training class. Attend a First Aid/CPR class. Get a series of injections against transferable diseases. Research studios. Decide if you want to learn tattooing. Compile a list of studios to visit. Go door to door. Find a part time job. Start your apprenticeship. Learn the sterilization and safety procedures of the studio. Learn how to do each type of piercing. Ask questions throughout your time as an apprentice. Get licensed. See if your apprenticeship can turn into a job. Assemble a portfolio. Look up studios. Go door to door at piercing studios. Find opportunities online. Keep track of your work.

https://www.wikihow.com/Safely-Keep-Multiple-Hamsters

How to Safely Keep Multiple Hamsters

If you want to keep multiple hamsters, buy dwarf hamsters since they enjoy company and can be kept in the same cage. Ideally, you'll want to introduce your hamsters before they reach 2 months old so they have enough time to socialize and bond with each other. To prevent fights between your hamsters, keep them in pairs and never keep more than 2 in the same cage. Additionally, you should put 2 of everything in each cage, since your hamsters may get aggressive if they have to compete for toys, food, or sleeping areas.

Know your species. Only certain hamsters should be kept in a cage together. Dwarf hamsters, which include Russian, Chinese, and Djungarian hamsters, are very social and enjoy the company of a friend. Syrian hamsters and other large breeds, though, prefer to live alone. Most pet stores sell dwarf hamsters. If you are unsure of your fuzzy friends' particular breed, contact the store or breeder where you got them to ask. Start young. Hamsters form strong bonds with the people and animals around them. They don't like intruders invading their established social groups. Introduce cage mates while they are young and before they have the chance to bond too much with you and your family. Ideally, this should be before they reach two months old. This way, they will socialize and bond with each other, as well. Hamsters from the same litter get along best. Ask the pet store or breeder where you get your hamsters about whether or not your intended pair shares the same parents. Check their sex. Unless you want a bunch of little hamsters, try to keep only same-sex pairs in a cage. Look on your hamster's belly to determine the sex. In males, the sex organs and the anus are further apart, whereas in females they are very close together. Males also have large, prominent scent glands in the middle of their stomachs and testicles between their back legs. You may ask a vet or breeder to double check the sex. Do not rely on pet store employees, though. They often have little to no training in this area. Limit a cage to a single hamster pair. Even social hamsters don't do well in a crowd. Too many hamsters in a cage increases the chances of disagreement, which can turn violent or even deadly. To avoid harmful disagreements, limit the number of hamsters in a single cage to no more than two. If you have more than two hamsters, consider separating them up into multiple pairs. Then, get a separate cage for each pair. This gives your hamsters the best chance of getting along. Put two of everything in the cage. Hamsters can get aggressive when they think they need to compete for resources. To prevent this, get a large cage and equip it with two of everything, including food and water dishes, exercise wheels, sleeping areas, and any other toys or accessories. Each hamster needs to know that they have their own set of stuff. Ideally, you want a cage that offers your hamsters a minimum of two square feet (0.18 square meters), though a larger cage is preferable if you have the space. Watch them carefully. Introduce your hamsters on a day when you will be home to observe them. Start them on opposite sides of the cage and let them come to each other. If you notice your hamsters fighting, or if one bullies and injures the other, they will need to be separated immediately and permanently. There is no guarantee that a hamster introduction will be successful long term. You should check on your hamsters at regular intervals every day. Check for signs that one of your hamsters is panicked. If you are currently housing two hamsters together but think they need to be separated, first check for panic. Visible injuries are the most obvious sign that there is a problem, but other indicators could include: Rapid weight loss. One hamster hiding while the other eats. Excessive squealing. A hamster that is jumpy when handled. Separate different species. Syrian and dwarf hamsters should not be kept together in the same cage under any circumstances. If you have different hamster species, separate them into different cages, or one species will become dominant and act as a threat to the other hamsters. Different species can be kept close together, just not in the same cage. Syrian hamsters are often curious about neighbor dwarf hamsters. As long as they do not feel their territory is threatened, they do not typically mind their cage set directly next to another species. Get secure cages. Whether you are separating fighting hamsters or starting off multiple hamsters in separate cages, you need to research your habitats thoroughly. Even cages made specifically for small pets can be easy to break out of for some hamsters. Read reviews to check for security features such as latches and tightly spaced bars, and check with other hamster owners for recommendations. More territorial species may be inclined to try to get to other hamster's possessions, even when they are separated by their habitats. Avoid handling the babies. Handling newborn hamsters can leave your scent behind on the babies. If this happens, their mother may become confused and abandon her litter. This could lead to starvation, or to the mother turning aggressive toward her babies later on. To avoid this, avoid handling the baby hamsters unless absolutely necessary until they are about three weeks old. Watch the mother carefully. Typically, mother hamsters have an instinct that makes them naturally inclined to care for their babies. However, some mothers will abandon their litter for seemingly no reason. If you notice a mother ignoring her newborns, contact a vet immediately. You may have to begin the hand-raising process. Hand raising hamsters is a difficult task that should only be undertaken under the supervision of a vet. Talk to a vet about if hand raising is the right approach. If it is, get their recommendations regarding food formulas and equipment for the newborns. Move the babies at three to four weeks old. Once the newborn hamsters have reached 21 to 28 days old, their mother will begin to chase them out. To keep the newborn hamsters safe, remove them and put them in their own cages either individually or as pairs. Remember to separate them by sex to avoid any more hamster babies. Note that hamsters become sexually mature and can reproduce from around 6 weeks of age on.

Know your species. Start young. Check their sex. Limit a cage to a single hamster pair. Put two of everything in the cage. Watch them carefully. Check for signs that one of your hamsters is panicked. Separate different species. Get secure cages. Avoid handling the babies. Watch the mother carefully. Move the babies at three to four weeks old.

https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Milk-Glass

How to Identify Milk Glass

Milk glass is glass that's slightly opaque with a white, blue, black, or pink color and a smooth surface. It's often used to make cups, plates, and small figurines. To tell for sure if glass is milk glass, try holding it up to the light. If the light shines through it, it might be milk glass. If it doesn't, it might be porcelain instead. Alternatively, if your glass has a deep white color, it might be a 19th century piece, which are the oldest and most valuable items. Look online for milk glass manufacturer catalogs and compare their products to your own. If you're still unsure, get your piece appraised by a professional, who will tell you if it's milk glass and how much it's worth.

Look for a creamy-textured glass. Unlike typical glass, milk glass isn't completely translucent and is only slightly opaque. The color should look smooth and not painted on. Milk glass typically comes as a creamy white, light blue, pink, or black. Milk glass that is any color other than white was most likely produced in the 20th or 21st century. Hold the glass up to the light to see if it looks slightly translucent. The light should shine through milk glass. If the light doesn't shine through whatsoever, it's possible that the item is porcelain. Milk glass was originally made as a low-cost alternative to porcelain. Look for ornate patterns and decorations. Milk glass will typically have raised bumps, frills, and complex engravings. The engravings typically include things like birds, leaves, and grapes. If your piece is missing these things, it's possible that it's just regular white glass or porcelain. Milk glass isn't typically utilized for everyday use. Usually, milk glass is used during special occasions. Look for a deep white color to distinguish 19th-century glass. The oldest and most valuable pieces of milk glass are often a deep white color. Towards the end of the 19th century, milk glass started to look more dull and translucent. If you have a deep white color in your milk glass, it's possible that it's from the 1800s and could be valuable. It's best to get expensive or old pieces appraised by a professional. Being able to determine how old the glass is will help you price it. Look for an engraved "F" or "Fenton" on the bottom of the piece. Fenton milk glass is known for its ornate pieces with raised bumps and frilled edges. Most Fenton pieces will have an "F" or "Fenton" engraved inside of an oval on the bottom side of the item. If your item has this engraving, it could be genuine. After 1980, Fenton started to put a single number after the "F" or "Fenton" engraving, to denote the first number in the decade. Therefore, all Fenton glassware made in the 80's has an "8" after the "F" or "Fenton." Fenton has been making glassware since 1905. Search for a "Vallerysthal" or "PV" engraved on the bottom. If "PV" or "Vallerysthal" is a raised engraving on the bottom of the piece, it may be a genuine item from Vallerysthal Glassworks of France. Typically, these pieces are a bluish-white color and are made into glass animals or shells. Some newer Vallerysthal pieces have a sticker that says "PV France" on the bottom of the item instead of an engraving. Vallerysthal Glassworks was founded in 1836 in France and still makes glassware today. Check for a "WG" engraving or fruits, birds, and/or flowers on the piece. An engraving of "WG" on the bottom of the item means that the product was produced by Westmoreland in America. They are known for their rimmed edges and grape and floral designs. If the "G" overlays the "W" in the logo, there's a good chance that the item was produced before the 1980s. Westmoreland made glassware from 1889-1984. Identify Fostoria pieces by its etching or paper label. Fostoria pieces typically have a paper label that denotes the brand; however, older pieces may be missing the label. Luckily, most Fostoria pieces have the same sort of engraving--an ornate crossing pattern that creates raised triangles on the surface of the piece. Not all Fostoria pieces have its famous pattern. Fostoria usually makes vases, cups, and bowls. Fostoria made glass from 1887-1986. Purchase a milk glass collectors manual. Manuals like The Milk Glass Book , Yesterday's Milk Glass , and Collectors Encyclopedia of Milk have hundreds of examples and photographs that you can look through to improve your milk glass identification skills. Get the manual and compare photos of authentic milk glass with the items that you own. You can purchase these books online. Look at milk glass manufacturer catalogs and websites. You can find authentic examples of milk glass items online or in specific catalogs. If you think you may have an expensive milk glass piece, compare it to an authentic photograph of the item. If it looks the same, there's a good chance that it's the same item. Get the item appraised by a professional. If you're unsure if you have milk glass or if your piece is valuable, you should take it to an appraiser to get it professionally evaluated. Search online for antique appraisers near you. A professional appraisal can cost anywhere from $100-$400. You can use websites like What's It Worth to You, Value My Stuff, and WorthPoint as a more affordable alternative to an in-person professional appraisal. These sites cost anywhere from $20-$40 for an appraisal. Appraisers will sometimes be able to award the item with a certificate of authenticity and can sometimes give you the background or history of your item.

Look for a creamy-textured glass. Hold the glass up to the light to see if it looks slightly translucent. Look for ornate patterns and decorations. Look for a deep white color to distinguish 19th-century glass. Look for an engraved "F" or "Fenton" on the bottom of the piece. Search for a "Vallerysthal" or "PV" engraved on the bottom. Check for a "WG" engraving or fruits, birds, and/or flowers on the piece. Identify Fostoria pieces by its etching or paper label. Purchase a milk glass collectors manual. Look at milk glass manufacturer catalogs and websites. Get the item appraised by a professional.

https://www.wikihow.com/Blacken-Chicken

How to Blacken Chicken

To blacken chicken, start by preheating a skillet over high heat. Then, while that's heating up, pound some chicken with a meat tenderizer and coat it with melted butter and spices, including paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, and sugar. Finally, put the chicken in the heated skillet and cook it for 2-3 minutes per side.

Preheat the cast iron skillet on top of the stove over high heat. Mix the paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne and sugar in a medium bowl. Rinse the chicken breasts with water and pat them dry with paper towels. Pound the chicken with a meat tenderizer until they are 1/2 inch (1.77 cm) thick. Coat the chicken breasts in the melted butter. Place the chicken into the spice rub and coat both sides well. Put the chicken breasts into the cast iron skillet. The sizzle will be loud and it should start smoking. Turn on the stove fan or open a window to help ventilate the smoke. Cook the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on one side, turn the chicken breasts over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Check the blackened chicken with a meat thermometer to be sure it is done. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Finished.

Preheat the cast iron skillet on top of the stove over high heat. Mix the paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne and sugar in a medium bowl. Rinse the chicken breasts with water and pat them dry with paper towels. Pound the chicken with a meat tenderizer until they are 1/2 inch (1.77 cm) thick. Coat the chicken breasts in the melted butter. Place the chicken into the spice rub and coat both sides well. Put the chicken breasts into the cast iron skillet. Cook the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on one side, turn the chicken breasts over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Check the blackened chicken with a meat thermometer to be sure it is done. Finished.

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How to Re‐Pack a Pop Up Tent

Pop up tents can make camping easy, but you'll want to follow a few simple tips to re-pack it properly. If your tent got wet or dirty, wipe it down with a cloth, brush it off, or use some mild soap and water. Once you've cleaned your tent, open it up so it can air out to avoid musty odors. After you remove the stakes and any tarps over your tent, you can start folding it up. Gather the 2 top points of the tent and bring them together. Then, grab the back end of your tent and fold it and the front arch to meet the middle. When your tent is in a taco shape, stand it upright and fold it inwards. Twist it slightly so the arches make 2 circular shapes, then fold them over each other. You can now put the tent back in its bag.

Make sure your tent is completely dry. If it has rained on your tent, let the tent air dry before packing it up. If you do not have time to wait, remove wetness from the tent with a clean, dry cloth. Be sure to dry the underside of the tent before packing it up as well. If your tent is caked with mud or stubborn dirt, you can use a sponge with water and mild soap to clean it off. If you have to pack up your tent while it is still wet or damp, be sure to open it up and dry it properly as soon as you get home. Brush off dirt and debris. Clean the outside of your tent as much as possible before packing it away. Use a small brush or dry cloth to remove dirt, small rocks, sticks, insects, and other debris from the tent. You can also use a broom or snow brush to get to hard-to-reach points of the tent. Air out your tent for an hour before packing it up. A closed tent can become musty or damp over the duration of a camping trip. To avoid odors or mold, open the tent door and let it air out for at least an hour before you pack it up. This will also allow your sleeping bag, pillow, or other belongings inside to air out. Pull the stakes out of the ground. Before you can put away your tent, you will have to untether it. Remove the metal stakes that are securing it to the ground around its perimeter. Wipe them with a clean, wet cloth and put them away in your tent bag or a small zip lock bag. Remove the tarp, if your tent has one. Most tents come with a tarp that helps to protect them from rainfall or create additional shade. Once you have removed the grounding stakes, pull the tarp off of the tent. Fold it up neatly and put it to the side. Grab the two top points of the tent and bring them together. Stand on one side of your pop up tent, perpendicular to the tent door. Locate the two high arches that create the top point of your tent. Grab the two top points and bring them together, holding them in one hand. Grab the back end of your tent and fold it to meet the middle. With your free hand, grab the smaller arch at the top of the back of your tent. Bring it up to meet the two points you are already holding together. Grab all three points with your other hand. Bring the front arch together to meet the other points. Make sure that your tent door is unzipped so that air can be released as you fold. With your free hand, grab the top of the arch that sits over the door. Fold the front of the tent inwards towards the rest of the tent. At this point, your pop up tent should be in a taco shape. Stand your tent upright and fold it inwards. Turn your tent upwards, keeping a grip on the arches with one hand. Once it is upright, use your free arm to push the highest point of the tent downwards. The tent should be closing in on itself with the arches in your other hand remaining on the outside. Twist the tent to form two circles, then fold them over each other. After you have folded the tent downwards, twist it slightly so the arches produce two circular shapes, side by side. Pull one circle over the other to overlap them. Line up the edges so that the tent is folded as neatly as possible. Secure the tent if it has such features. Many models of pop up tents will have an attachment to keep it from popping open once it has been folded. Secure the tent by snapping, velcro-ing, or tying it shut. If your tent does not have any of these features, hold it firmly until you are done putting it away. Place the tent back into its bag. Carefully insert your folded tent into its circular tent bag. If it is folded tightly enough, the tent should fit in easily. Zip up the bag and you're done!

Make sure your tent is completely dry. Brush off dirt and debris. Air out your tent for an hour before packing it up. Pull the stakes out of the ground. Remove the tarp, if your tent has one. Grab the two top points of the tent and bring them together. Grab the back end of your tent and fold it to meet the middle. Bring the front arch together to meet the other points. Stand your tent upright and fold it inwards. Twist the tent to form two circles, then fold them over each other. Secure the tent if it has such features. Place the tent back into its bag.

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Home-Bakery

How to Start a Home Bakery

To start a home bakery, begin by creating a business plan that outlines start-up and operation costs, projected sales, business goals, and how long you estimate it will take for you to start turning a profit. Next, research local laws for home-based operations and complete any paperwork required by your state or region. Then, buy the equipment you need and locate reliable suppliers that sell in bulk. Once your products are tested and ready to sell, invest in advertising and use social media to market your business!

Determine the legality of home-based bakeries in your area. While opening a home-based bakery might seem easy, you should be aware that there can be limitations involved. Check with your state's health department or food and agriculture agency to determine if starting a home-based bakery is legal in your area. For example, in some U.S. states, home-based bakeries are prohibited. In others, there are many permits and insurance requirements that you'll have to meet before opening your bakery's doors. You may find some very interesting laws that might stop you from baking some of your delicious treats. For example, many states do not allow any foods in need of refrigeration for a home-run bakery. Look into certifying your kitchen. Research what modifications you have to make and complete them before an inspector makes their first visit. If you want to keep going with this bakery, an inspector will come to your kitchen every year to recertify it. After you've determined that you can open a home-based bakery, you'll want to modify your home kitchen into a commercial kitchen area. This will allow you to sell baked goods to customers. There's a good chance that you'll have to modify your kitchen somehow before inspectors will certify your kitchen. Get all your paperwork in order. Home-based bakeries can require that their owners have food preparation certificates. In addition, liability insurance and permits can be required of a home bakery's owner, like they would be of any other business owner. Check with your local government to find out what state ordinances apply to you in your area. Come up with a business plan. A home-based bakery takes as much planning as a business located in a downtown shop. Include information about start-up costs, cost analysis, and the costs of your ongoing business operations in your plan. Set clear goals for your business and aim to complete them. You'll need to consider your finances (including startup costs), your projected sales and costs, and how long you estimate it will take for you to start turning a profit. Put some thought into what you might name your business and what brand you select to identify your goods or services. Make sure they are not similar to anything already in use or registered in your target area. Research your target market. You need to know to whom you plan to sell your baked goods so that you can direct your advertising and marketing efforts accordingly. Decide who will make good customers and aim to sell your products to them. For a home bakery, your target audience will probably be related to the demographics of the area in which you live. If you live in an area with a large older population, you might want to cater to them. If you live in an area full of immigrants, you could consider specializing in various ethnic pastries. Make sure you stand out from the crowd. Try to think of a gimmick that makes your home bakery different from other bakeries. You need a way to make your business stand out from the crowd. Maybe your gimmick is related to the products you bake and serve, or maybe it has to do with the atmosphere at your home bakery. Whatever you choose, just make sure it's at least a little original. Offer baked products that are new, different, or special somehow. This can be something that can get you an edge on competing bakery businesses. Decide where to sell your products. To run a successful home bakery, you'll need to make your products available to your customers. You may want to establish an area of your home bakery for displaying your products and allowing customers to browse and purchase your wares. You could also consider asking some local stores if they would be interested in selling your baked goods, or become involved in a local farmer's market where you can set up a table to sell your products. Keep your customers satisfied with consistent-quality products. Customers may want to occasionally try something new, but the thing that will keep them coming back to your home bakery will be the consistently reliable quality of your products. Experimenting with recipes and offering different batches of baked goods under the same name will likely hurt your business. If you must experiment with recipes, make sure to clearly advertise deviations from the normal recipes. For example, you can market a cookie with a different icing than you normally put on top of the cookie as a seasonal cookie. Gather the necessary equipment. To start a successful home bakery, you'll need to make sure you have all of the necessary equipment and supplies. Consider purchasing many of these items second-hand at thrift stores to cut down on your initial startup costs. Make sure you purchase plenty of sheet pans, spatulas, mixing bowls, cake molds, spoons, and an electric mixer. You'll also need to make sure you have a working oven, stove, and freezer/refrigerator at your home. Find suitable suppliers. To ensure the smooth running of your home bakery, you'll need to make sure you have reliable suppliers for your baking supplies and ingredients. Consider purchasing your baking ingredients in bulk from a local farmer's market. This is usually a much cheaper option than purchasing ingredients from a supermarket, and usually yields higher quality ingredients. Saving money on ingredients (without sacrificing quality) is especially important in the beginning because you have less capital to work with. Be sure to compare prices on several different suppliers to make sure you're getting a reasonable deal. Set up a storage area. In order to make fresh baked goods, you'll need to create some kind of storage system for your products and supplies. Without this crucial element, your supplies may go bad or become tainted, leading to less than desirable finished products. You'll need a large refrigerator to hold all of the dairy products (milk, cream, butter) and eggs that you'll need for baking. You'll also need a safe area to keep all of your finished products so that they don't become stale or get damaged. Spend money on advertising your products. There will likely be many bakeries with which you will have to compete. Don't scrimp on advertising and marketing. Invest in professional photographers and advertising companies. Your advertising efforts can have a big effect on how successful your business will be. The best advertising for a new company is always word of mouth. But to attract those initial customers that will spread the good news, you'll need to spend some money on advertising. Put a sign in your yard. If you have a home bakery, you will probably want to advertise your company at the actual location (your home). Consider putting up a sign in your yard with your company name, or even attaching a larger sign to the side of your home. Be sure to check the legality of putting up a sign in your area. Many regions have specific zoning laws for home-based businesses that restrict or prohibit adding signage to the property. Create coupons. A great way to lure new clients into your home bakery is to offer coupons. You can list them in the local newspaper or create online advertisements that include coupons. The prospect of a good deal will entice your customers to come and try your goods. Consider offering “Buy One Get One Free” coupons or “50% Off Your First Purchase” coupons. Use social media. The internet is an effective advertising tool for businesses if used appropriately. Consider creating a Facebook page for your new home bakery. Ask your friends to “like” your business' page and start spreading the word. Be sure to include tempting photos of your delicious baked goods to entice more customers to come to your establishment.

Determine the legality of home-based bakeries in your area. Look into certifying your kitchen. Get all your paperwork in order. Come up with a business plan. Research your target market. Make sure you stand out from the crowd. Decide where to sell your products. Keep your customers satisfied with consistent-quality products. Gather the necessary equipment. Find suitable suppliers. Set up a storage area. Spend money on advertising your products. Put a sign in your yard. Create coupons. Use social media.

https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Good-for-Your-Passport-Photo

How to Look Good for Your Passport Photo

If you want to look good for your passport photo, you can prepare by putting on a little makeup and styling your hair so your face is visible. Also, make sure to dress appropriately by wearing something that isn't too flashy and that will look good against a white or black background. For the best results, wear solid colored clothing in muted tones and opt for a scoop neck or v-neck top, since a low neckline could make you look naked. Before you take your photo, don't forget to check your teeth for food and adjust your posture, so your shoulders are down and back. Additionally, remember to remove your glasses and avoid smiling with your teeth, or your photo could be rejected by the passport office.

Style your hair. Don't do anything you wouldn't ordinarily do to your hair for a passport photo. Passport photos should be a good representation of what you usually look like so that you don't get detained. Do not wear a hat or any other head covering unless you already do so on a daily basis for religious purposes. If you do wear a head covering, for a U.S. passport, your face has to be visible. The covering can't hide your hairline or cast shadows over any part of your face. Put on approximately the same amount of makeup as usual. If you usually wear makeup, go ahead and put it on as usual. If you never wear makeup, you probably don't want to put on a ton of it for the photo. You won't look like yourself, and you could get detained. Wear a little oil-absorbing powder to prevent shine if you want to. This will be most useful on your forehead or nose. Even if you don't usually wear makeup, you may want to put a bit of concealer or powder over any dark circles under your eyes. These dark places can cause a glare (and make you look sick or tired). Dress appropriately. Remember that you may need to use your passport for many occasions other than traveling. (For example, sometimes you can use it to get a background check when you apply for a job.) Try to wear solid colored clothing in muted tones. Wear something flattering and reasonably comfortable. Don't wear anything too flashy, or it will cause people to look at your outfit instead of your face. Pay most attention to your shirt, since that's what will be in the photo. Scoop or v-necks work nicely. If it's too low cut or if it's a tank top, you might look naked, so check the neckline. Since you will be in front of a white or black background, avoid those colors. Choose colors that flatter your skin tone. Wear a minimal amount of jewelry. Uniforms or anything that resembles a uniform (including camouflage) are not allowed unless they are religious attire that you wear every day. Some people have reported that the passport office rejected their photo because it looked too much like previous photos (which means that the passport office couldn't confirm that it was a recent picture), so you should dress a bit differently than you did in your last photo if this is an update. Check your teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth the morning of your photo so that they're pearly white. Right before the photo, you should also duck into the bathroom or pull out a compact to be sure there is nothing in them. Take your glasses off. This is a requirement. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application. Reapply makeup. In particular, if you tend to look shiny in photos, you may want to add a bit of oil-absorbing powder at the last minute. Be sure to also check for lipstick smears or eye makeup that has smudged. Check your hair. If you're wearing your hair down (especially if it's long), arrange it over your shoulders if you want. If your hair is short, make sure that it's laying the way you want it to. Rub a tiny bit of gel or mousse between your fingers and run it over your hair at the last minute to keep flyaways at bay. If your hair is very long, you may want to only arrange one side of it over your shoulders. If it covers the straps of your shirt or hides the sleeves, you might look naked. Follow directions. Assuming you're not taking your own photo, listen carefully to the person who is. The photographer wants to capture you from your most flattering angle. Follow his or her directions accurately and don't move from one pose to the next unless he or she asks you to. There are strict requirements about headspace in a passport photo, so you don't want to ruin their shot.. The photographer will ask you to face the camera directly, since this is a government requirement. If you're taking your own photo, be sure to square your shoulders and look directly into the camera. Your head must be between 50% and 69% of the total height of the photo. Measure from the top of your head (including your hair and any headwear) to the bottom of your chin. Stand tall. Be sure that your posture looks nice and confident. Keep your shoulders down and back. Don't hold your head up high to avoid a double chin, because it will make your neck look large. Instead, thrust your chin forward very slightly (a little farther out than you would normally hold it, but not much). Smile if smiling is permitted in passport photos in your country. In general, either a “natural smile” (one that doesn't show your teeth) or a neutral expression are permitted for passport photos. Choose an expression that you think flatters your face, but listen carefully to the photographer's instructions if they tell you you look unnatural. If your expression looks “unusual” or you are squinting at all, the passport office may reject the photo, which will delay the process of getting your passport. If you choose not to smile at all, think of a happy thought so that your eyes will still appear friendly and pleasant. Get involved in the selection process. A good photographer will look at the pictures with you and recommend the ones he or she thinks turned out best from a professional point of view. Be assertive and choose the one you like best if you disagree with the photographer, but be sure that your photo meets the requirements. Decide where to get your picture taken. There are dozens of options, and they all have different benefits. Choose one that's conveniently located and fits your budget. You can get a good photo without shelling out a lot of cash, but of course a professional photographer will offer the highest quality photo. Some places require appointments, so plan ahead. Some options include shipping centers (in the U.S., this includes Fedex and UPS) places with memberships (such as Costco and AAA) Costco offers some of the cheapest passport photos. AAA will sometimes do it for free if you've booked a trip through their travel services. pharmacies and retail stores (CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart all offer this service) professional photography studios passport offices (many offer this service, but not all, so call ahead) registered passport expediters (if you need it in under two weeks) in your own home (but be sure to follow the strict requirements) Get a haircut about one to two weeks in advance. Give your hair a little time to get over that fresh cut look by planning a haircut in advance if you need one. About a week or two should still leave your hair looking neat and tidy by picture time. Of course, if you want the fresh cut look and trust your stylist not to botch it, you can wait until the last minute. Pluck your eyebrows if that’s your thing. If you like to shape your eyebrows, it's best to do it about a day in advance to get rid of any redness before the photo but not give strays enough time to return. You could also get them waxed if you want to shell out a few bucks for this special occasion. If you find that the skin around your eyebrows gets red after you pluck them, try applying cool, wet tea bags or a bit of aloe. Get enough sleep. To prevent dark shadows under your eyes and redness in your eyes, try to get enough sleep for several days before you take your passport photo. This will also help brighten your skin and make you look healthier.

Style your hair. Put on approximately the same amount of makeup as usual. Dress appropriately. Check your teeth. Take your glasses off. Check your hair. Follow directions. Stand tall. Smile if smiling is permitted in passport photos in your country. Get involved in the selection process. Decide where to get your picture taken. Get a haircut about one to two weeks in advance. Pluck your eyebrows if that’s your thing. Get enough sleep.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Good-Travel-Video

How to Make a Good Travel Video

To make a good travel video, start by getting lots of high-quality footage, including a mixture of landscape and detail shots, along with pictures and interviews of locals or people you're traveling with. Additionally, come up with a signature transition, like a camera spin or your hand closing in on the camera, and use it at the beginning and end of each video clip. Once you get home, use a video editing software package, like Lightworks or Windows Movie Maker, to put it all together, adding background music or voiceovers for a more professional effect.

Plan where you’re going. Try to plan out your trip as much as possible beforehand so you have a good idea of what kind of video you'll be making. Knowing your destination will help you plan out important elements of your video ahead of time and start to build an engaging narrative. For example, you could plan a trip to Paris with all of the different shots you want, such as clips of a street market, food, exploring the city, and looking up at the Eiffel Tower at night. If you're traveling to India and you want to focus on local cuisine, plan out some of the main places you'll be eating at and what order they should go in. You could start small with street food and work your way up to a fancy full meal. Make a vlog if you want a more personal and informal video. In vlogs, you act as the host of the trip, talking directly to the audience and giving commentary and updates from time to time. You'll need a camera with a front-facing screen so you can tell where you are in the frame. Film a travel guide if you prefer more informative videos. This style is usually a bit more distanced and professional than a vlog. You'll show off the destination rather than the personal details of your specific trip. You'll probably want a higher quality camera, as the quality informs your authority as a guide. Viewers are less likely to watch a travel guide filmed on a cell phone camera. Make a niche video if you just want to focus on one aspect of travel. This could include food, historical events, adventure activities, or fashion. Consider your destination and what it's known for, such as surf culture in Hawaii, wine country in the South of France, or the fashion industry in New York. Follow any directions from your sponsor if your video is made for a company. If your video is sponsored for marketing purposes, you'll need to follow certain requirements set up by the company. Make sure to come to an official agreement with the company that works for both of you. Make sure you know any specific shots they want and whether they want product placement. This could involve you using the product or otherwise incorporating the product into the shot. You should also find out how you'll need to brand the video. For vlogs, some companies ask that you give them a verbal thank-you and acknowledgment. For promotional content, they may ask that you include their logo at the end of the video. Use your smartphone if you don’t have anything else. If you want to make a travel video but you don't have any equipment, don't worry—you can still make a great video with your smartphone! Your footage likely won't look professional, but you can still get some clear, vibrant shots with your phone camera. This option works best with vlogs, as they're more informal and personal. Make sure to set your video quality to its highest setting, such as “1080p HD at 60 fps” on an iPhone. Smartphones generally don't capture low light well, so try to film during the day as much as possible. Use a point and shoot camera for quality at a lower cost. If you're nervous about your equipment getting damaged or stolen, bring a less expensive point and shoot camera. This will still give you clear, higher-quality footage but won't break the bank if something happens to this camera. Some of the most popular point and shoot cameras are currently the Canon Powershot G7 X and the Sony RX100. These are around $400-600 USD and also have front-facing screens that are perfect for vlogging. This type of camera will record quality video as well as take great photos. You should also pack a case so the camera doesn't get damaged. Shoot with a DSLR camera for high-quality footage. For beautiful, professional footage, bring a DSLR camera and some good lenses. Although this equipment will definitely be heavier and bulkier than the other options, it will likely give you the best results for videos as well as photos. Some of the most popular DSLR camera bodies for videoing are the Canon 70D for around $600 USD, or the Nikon D3300 for around $375 USD. For lenses, some great options are an 18-35 mm lens or a 70-200 mm lens. These will allow you to film a variety of shots, whether far away or up close. You'll also need to bring a case to protect the camera. Use a GoPro for adventure activities. If you'll be filming activities like surfing, skiing, or motorcycling, you'll want a hardy camera that mounts easily to your equipment. Use a GoPro and make sure to buy any accessories you may need, such as straps, mounts, and protective cases. The basic GoPro model starts at $150 USD, but the company also makes a wide variety of accessories and higher-end GoPro cameras. GoPro footage tends to look more washed out, so make sure to bring back the colors when you edit the video. Use a drone for some dramatic, high-quality footage. Drones are great for travel guides and sponsored videos. You'll be able to capture sweeping, dramatic views of your location that not many people would normally get to see. If you want to start making travel videos professionally, a drone is a great piece of equipment to have. You can find a simple drone for around $50-100 USD, or a high-end model for $1,000-1,500 USD. You'll definitely want to bring a case for your drone to protect it. Plan for any extra gear and supplies you’ll need. Pack any extra gear you may need for specific conditions as well as any documents and food supplies you may need. Remember to travel as light as possible. Your trip should still be fun and exciting—don't get too bogged down with worrying about tons of equipment. For example, if you'll be traveling to somewhere windy or a destination that requires shaky transportation such as boats and jeeps, you may want to bring a monopod or tripod. These will help keep your footage steady and smooth. You may also want to bring a microphone cover to protect the audio and block the microphone from strong wind, or a water-tight case for your camera if you want underwater shots. If you're traveling across the border, you'll need proper documentation and identification. Check ahead of time for what you'll need, such as a travel visa, driver's license, or green card. Pack some snacks like granola bars, veggies and dip, chips, and cheese sticks, as well as a water bottle. Avoid shaking the camera or zooming while filming. This lowers the quality of the footage and tends to look amateurish. Try to keep the camera as steady as possible for smooth, professional footage. Include people in your video. Travel videos aren't just about beautiful landscape and detail shots. Inserting shots of people's enjoying and reacting to a location can also really connect with viewers' emotions. Dialogue and interviews with people can also make your video even more compelling. Including people in your shots may also help show the scale of the place you're exploring. For some dialogue, ask people how they feel looking at a location. Try to capture their genuine reaction—ask them if it's like how they imagined or different. You could also ask “What are we doing right now?” and have them narrate activities or excursions. For interviews with locals, ask them for some basic information and what an average day would look like for them. In some cases, the language barrier may make this more difficult, so stick to questions in basic English like “What is your name?” and “What do you do?” Remember to film consistent transitions. Transitions are physical or digital effects that help you move smoothly from one clip to the next. Most popular travel videographers have a consistent signature transition, such as a spin or a high-five. Choose one of these moves to do at the beginning and end of each video clip and stick with it. For the spin transition, move the camera so it pans or spins quickly to the side at the beginning and end of your clips. This will create a blurred effect, which will give the illusion that your clips are blending together. For the high-five transition, use your hand to block the lens at the beginning and end of each clip, as if you were high-fiving the camera. If you cover the entire lens and the frame is completely dark, it will create a fun and exciting transition from one location to the next. You can also manually add in transitions when editing, such as a fade to black or dissolve. However, having your own signature transition can make your video look even more professional and add some personality. Choose and learn a video editing software. To put all your footage together, make it look professional, and add creative flair, you'll need video editing software. Some high-quality options include Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X. If you have a Mac, you could buy iMovie, a basic video editing software, for a low price in the App store. Some free options are Lightworks and Windows Movie Maker for PC users. YouTube is a great resource for learning how to use these different programs. Watch tutorials to learn basic use as well as specialized skills. Pick great background music. Music is one of the most important elements of a good travel video. Find a song that matches the mood of the video, preferably with some good dynamics like a breakdown and build. If you monetize your video on YouTube or Vimeo, remember to get the artist's permission first or use royalty-free music. You'll also need to credit the artists when you post your video. The FMA Archive also has an extensive library of songs you can browse by genre and use for free. Consider the content and goal of your travel video when choosing music. If your video is full of adventure and excitement and your goal is to get people excited and active, choose an upbeat, fun song with a good beat. If your video is calm and thoughtful, featuring shots of fog, the ocean, or religious locations like monasteries and temples, use slower, more introspective music. Some simple strings or guitar can create a really beautiful effect. Keep some natural background sounds. Viewers love hearing the natural sounds that create atmosphere in travel videos. Although they may seem boring to you, including some natural background sounds like rain falling in the jungle or cars honking on a city street can help the viewer feel like they're really in that location. Add in a voiceover for a personal touch. Recording additional audio over your video is a great way to add engaging information and enhance your story. You can record voiceovers while you're editing with your computer's built-in speakers in a pinch, or a microphone for a more professional effect. Adding narration after the trip is over can be helpful. You can wait and see how the narrative forms as you edit, then fill in any gaps with voiceover audio. Stick to the ideal travel video length, which is between two to three minutes. The closer to two minutes you make it, the better. After the three-minute mark, viewers start to lose interest. This is another reason why story becomes so important—if you include a compelling story, you can hold viewers' attention longer. An easy way to internalize this advice is to remember that your video should generally be the length of a song or shorter. Post your video on social media. Once your video is finished and saved, you can post it to your personal social media accounts, such as Facebook or Twitter. You could also post it to some popular platforms specifically for video sharing, such as YouTube or Vimeo. To publicize your video, tell your family and friends about it and have them share it with their followers. This is a great way to build an audience if you plan on making more videos!

Plan where you’re going. Make a vlog if you want a more personal and informal video. Film a travel guide if you prefer more informative videos. Make a niche video if you just want to focus on one aspect of travel. Follow any directions from your sponsor if your video is made for a company. Use your smartphone if you don’t have anything else. Use a point and shoot camera for quality at a lower cost. Shoot with a DSLR camera for high-quality footage. Use a GoPro for adventure activities. Use a drone for some dramatic, high-quality footage. Plan for any extra gear and supplies you’ll need. Avoid shaking the camera or zooming while filming. Include people in your video. Remember to film consistent transitions. Choose and learn a video editing software. Pick great background music. Keep some natural background sounds. Add in a voiceover for a personal touch. Stick to the ideal travel video length, which is between two to three minutes. Post your video on social media.

https://www.wikihow.com/Analyze-Handwriting-(Graphology)

How to Analyze Handwriting (Graphology)

To learn graphology, or how to analyze handwriting, look at the pressure of the stroke. High pressure means high emotional energy, average pressure means a calm but anchored person, and light pressure could mean the person is an introvert. Next, examine the slant of the strokes—a right slant shows confidence, a left slant could mean a desire to hide emotions, and no slant could mean the person tries to keep emotions in check. Also, upward writing means optimism and downward writing could mean discouragement.

Don't take graphology too seriously. Graphologists claim to find traces of personality in handwriting. There's probably a grain of truth in this — we can all imagine what "energetic" or "careless" handwriting looks like, for instance. However, since these claims have failed every scientific test, scientists consider graphology pseudoscientific and ineffective. At best these correlations are informed guesses with many exceptions. They're fun to find, but don't use them to judge job applicants or alter friendships. Never trust anyone who claims they can tell a criminal or adulterer from the handwriting. This is not possible, and the accusations cause unjustified harm to their victims. Get a good sample. If possible, ask for a cursive writing sample on unlined paper. This tends to be easier to analyze than printed words or lined paper. Even better, get several handwriting samples at least a few hours apart. Handwriting changes with mood and circumstance, so a feature in one sample could just be a temporary artifact. Look at the pressure of the strokes. Some people press hard into the paper, while others use a light touch. You can see this by how dark the writing turned out, and by pressure marks on the backside of the paper. Here's what graphologists say this means: High pressure indicates high emotional energy. The writer may be intense, sensual, or vigorous. Average pressure indicates a relatively calm but anchored person. They might have good perception or memory skills. Light pressure is a sign of introversion, or someone who prefers low-energy situations. Check the slant of the strokes. Writing, especially cursive writing, tends to slant to the left or right. Try analyzing it like this, paying special attention to cursive letters with upper loops (such as b, d, or h): A right slant shows up when the writer is eager to write, or writing quickly and energetically. If this happens often, the writer might be assertive and confident. A left slant could mean an unwillingness to write, or a desire to hide emotions. Some say these writers are less cooperative than people who slant to the right. A straight vertical slant might mean the writer keeps her emotions in check. Note —This may not apply to left-handed people. Look at the baseline. When writing on unlined paper, people tend not to write in a perfect straight line. Put a ruler down straight across the paper, and compare it to the angle of the sentences: Upward writing is said to show optimism and a happy mood. Downward writing may be a sign of discouragement or fatigue. Wavy writing that moves up and down could mean an unstable or uncertain person, or an unskilled writer. Look at the size of the letters. Large letters mean the person is outgoing and extroverted. Small letters mean the person is reclusive, introverted, or thrifty. Compare the spacing between letters and words. Does your friend cram letters close together? If so, he could be self conscious or introverted. If he drags the letters out, he might be generous and independent. Graphologists also like to look at gaps between words; the closer they are, the more the writer enjoys crowds. Others take a different approach and claim that more spacing between words shows clearer, more organized thought. Watch how the writer strings letters together. Connections between cursive letters is a rich source of analysis, since there are so many possible variations. Graphologists rarely agree on these, but here are a few common interpretations: Garlands: these curves are cup-shaped, open at the top. It may show people strength and warmth. Arcades: downward-facing curves are slower and more dignified, but also associated with creative types. Threads: the pen stroke becomes lighter and lighter at the end of a word, sometimes trailing dots on the page. It's usually a rushed and sloppy style, though there are other variations. Understand forensic document analysis. This field is often mistaken for graphology, especially in Europe where graphology has more of a following in courts. Document analysis can occasionally reveal small hints about age and sex, but it does not try to identify personality. Its main purposes are to identify forgeries, and to compare a suspect's handwriting with a ransom note or other piece of evidence. Request writing samples. All samples should be written voluntarily, with similar ink and paper. To practice your first analysis, ask a group of friends to write the same long paragraph of text. Have each person write it twice, on different pieces of paper. When they're done, shuffle them all together and use the techniques below to match each pair. Criminal investigators like to use at least 3 copies of a full letter, or 20+ copies of a signature. Look for differences first. A common mistake is to find a couple similarities between the samples, conclude they're the same writer, and stop looking. Challenge yourself to find differences first, then move on to similarities. With that in mind, continue on to find out what to look for. Compare baseline alignment. Look at the line on the paper, or put a ruler down underneath the writing if the paper is unlined. Different writers tend to write above or below the line. Some will stay level and even the whole way, while others are sloppier and move up and down. Measure the space between letters. This is a little finicky, but also more objective than most comparisons. Take a ruler with millimeters and measure the space between letters or words. A significant difference in spacing could mean different writers. This is especially likely if one writing sample connects words with pen strokes, and the other separates them with gaps. Check height relationships between letters. Does the writer write the cursive l or k high above the other letters, or compressed down to the same height? This is a more consistent characteristic than the width of the loop or the slant of the letter. Compare letter shapes. There are dozens of curves, loops, connectors, and letter endings that distinguish a writer. Without taking a formal course, the best way to learn these is to inspect a single, long writing sample, then compare it to someone else's. Here are a couple examples to get you started: No writer writes like a machine. Look for different versions of a letter within the same sample to find out what kind of difference is unreliable. For example, if someone writes two f s with a fat loop and a thin loop, you can't rely on that shape for identification. Now look for a letter with similar characteristics every time it shows up. For example, in cursive writing a person generally sticks to either a cursive capital I, or a simple vertical line stroke, or a line with crossbars. It's rare to see one writer use more than one of these. Find signs of forgery. If you want another exercise, have your friends try to copy each other's signatures and present them in a pile along with the real thing. Here are a few telltale signs: Forgers have to write slowly to copy the writing. This can lead to slight tremors (wiggly lines) and a constant line thickness and shading. (Real signatures usually have lighter and darker shading as the speed changes.) If the forger hesitates or pauses, you might see ink blots or pen lifts (small gaps in the signature). These are especially common at the start and end of the signature, or between letters. Try writing your own signature five times, and you'll probably see significant variation. If two signature are extremely similar, down to every curve and line, one of them could be a forgery.

Don't take graphology too seriously. Get a good sample. Look at the pressure of the strokes. Check the slant of the strokes. Look at the baseline. Look at the size of the letters. Compare the spacing between letters and words. Watch how the writer strings letters together. Understand forensic document analysis. Request writing samples. Look for differences first. Compare baseline alignment. Measure the space between letters. Check height relationships between letters. Compare letter shapes. Find signs of forgery.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Computer-Monitor

How to Clean a Computer Monitor

To clean a computer monitor, start by turning it off and unplugging it so you don't accidentally damage the screen. Then, spray Windex or a gentle cleaner on a clean cloth and use it to wipe down the plastic casing around the monitor. Next, use a clean, soft piece of fabric, like a microfiber cloth, to gently wipe down the screen itself. For stubborn stains, take a slightly damp cloth and gently rub them in a circular motion until they come off. Avoid using products that contain ammonia, alcohol, or acetone since they can damage the screen on your monitor.

Turn off and unplug the monitor. It's easier to see the dust and dirt when the monitor is off, and safer for you and your computer. Make sure that you let the screen cool down before you start if you're cleaning a plasma TV. If you try to clean the monitor while the pixels are firing you may end up damaging the screen. While the risk is small, there is the possibility of an electric shock if you clean the monitor while it's on. Do not use ammonia, alcohol or acetone-based and other corrosive products. These can easily damage your screen, especially if it has a matte, anti-glare finish. If necessary, use distilled water. No tap water since it can leave mineral deposits on the screen. Make sure that your microfiber cloth is just barely damp. Consider buying a specifically formulated screen cleaning fluid. Read reviews and check your users manual to make sure which are safe for your particular monitor. For a mild homemade cleaner, mix water and white vinegar in equal proportions. Use this to dampen (not wet) your cleaning cloth. Always apply any liquid to the cloth, not directly to the screen, to prevent dripping (if even one drip reaches the bezel, it will immediately ruin your monitor). Don't use anything soapy that can leave a residue. Consider using screen wipes. These are convenient and specifically designed for monitors. Make sure they are gentle enough for anti-glare screens, if you have one. Read reviews online or ask a salesperson to find a good brand. Clean the frame. Spray windex or another gentle cleaning solution onto a clean cloth and use it to wipe the casing around the screen (MAKE SURE TO NOT GET ANY OF IT ON THE PANEL ITSELF, as that will ruin the anti-glare coating). The casing is made with durable plastic, so it's fine to scrub a little if you need to remove bits of grime. Don't spray the cleaner directly onto the casing, since you might accidentally get some on the screen, and some of it might drip into crevices and get inside, ruining your monitor. Clean the monitor's base, the buttons, and the back of the monitor. Wrap a corner of the cloth around your finger or a toothpick to clean out the hard-to-reach crevices. If your monitor has any cords attaching it to the CPU or power, unplug these and give them a good cleaning too. Wipe the monitor with a clean, soft piece of fabric. Microfiber cloth is ideal. This type of anti-static cloth doesn't leave a lint residue on the screen, and it's soft enough that it won't scratch the surface. Wipe off any visible dust, dirt and grime with the cloth. Don't use towels, paper products or other scratchy cloth to wipe the screen. These will leave lint and may cause scratches. Disposable dusting cloths, such as Swiffer cloths also work well. Don't press hard on the screen or try to scrub it. You might damage it and cause discoloration to occur next time you turn it on. If your screen is very dirty, rinse or change the cloth in-between passes. Clean gently and gradually. For stubborn stains, gently wipe the spot on the screen moving in as broad a motion as you can either left to right or up and down across the screen. Remember to avoid using circular motions as that might create buffed out spots. Don't rub or scrub too hard. Just rub in small circle to avoid more damage. Be patient; it might take a few moments for the solution to soak into the spot enough to adequately remove it. To help the solution soak in, hold the dampened cloth over the spot for a little while. Avoid the temptation to spray the solution directly onto the screen if the spot is stubborn. When the spot has been removed, wipe the area dry with a clean part of the cloth. Make sure everything is dry before turning on your monitor. This prevents any moisture that may have gotten into your monitor from causing damage, or electrical shock. Check your warranty. If your monitor has a scratch, you may be able to get it replaced. Check the warranty that came with your monitor to find out what your options are. Once you start trying to repair the scratch yourself, further damage may no longer be covered by your warranty. Buy a scratch repair kit. Computer stores and computer sections of department stores sell scratch repair kits for LCD monitors. Check online reviews to find out the best formulation for your particular scratch. Follow the instructions for applying the scratch solution to your screen. Try petroleum jelly for a temporary fix. Use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of jelly over the scratch. If the scratch is small, a bit of petroleum jelly is a safe option. It won't repair the scratch, but it will make it look more discreet. Use a bit of toothpaste to buff out the scratch. Make sure it is not the gel-type, as this will not work. Work the toothpaste over the scratch with a microfiber or other soft cloth. Let it dry, then wipe off with a clean, barely damp cloth. Use baking soda to buff out the scratch. A paste of baking soda and water may also be used to remove small scratches. Mix two parts baking soda with one part water. Add more baking soda if needed to make a thick paste. Work the paste over the scratch with a microfiber or other soft cloth. Let it dry, then wipe off with a clean, barely damp cloth. Try rubbing compound for severe scratches. Rubbing compound can be found online or at auto supply stores. Be very careful when using this. Limit it to the damaged area only, and consider doing a spot test on the corner of your screen. Rub a very small amount on your screen with a q-tip, and work back and forth until the scratch is minimized. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe off carefully. Clean the screen very well afterwards with a clean cloth and screen cleaning fluid or dilute vinegar. Use clear lacquer. Consider this option for very old monitors, or where the scratch might get bigger if not addressed. This will cause a bit of haziness on the screen where the lacquer was applied. Cut a hole in a piece of paper. The hole should be slightly larger than the scratch. Use this to mask off the screen. and make sure everything is covered (keyboard, buttons, etc.) except the scratch. Spray a thin coat of lacquer onto the paper, over the hole, to “stencil” the lacquer onto the scratch. Remove the paper carefully afterwards, to avoid smearing. Alternately, clear nail polish applied to the scratch may also prevent it from becoming larger. Use a small brush or toothpick to carefully apply the lacquer to the scratch. Clear lacquer may be found in craft stores and places where spray paint is sold. Make sure the lacquer is completely dry before you turn on your screen. Always use lacquer in a well-ventilated area. Make sure your screen is completely clean before applying lacquer. Know that these methods are to be used at your own risk, and may damage your screen. For glare-reducing screens, this can create a “shiny spot” on the screen. Consider the risk of these options as trade-offs, rather than having an annoying scratch. Remember to use your best judgement and apply these methods conservatively. Consider investing in a screen protector to prevent future scratches. It's a small price to pay for a scratch-free screen!

Turn off and unplug the monitor. Do not use ammonia, alcohol or acetone-based and other corrosive products. Consider using screen wipes. Clean the frame. Wipe the monitor with a clean, soft piece of fabric. For stubborn stains, gently wipe the spot on the screen moving in as broad a motion as you can either left to right or up and down across the screen. Make sure everything is dry before turning on your monitor. Check your warranty. Buy a scratch repair kit. Try petroleum jelly for a temporary fix. Use a bit of toothpaste to buff out the scratch. Use baking soda to buff out the scratch. Try rubbing compound for severe scratches. Use clear lacquer. Know that these methods are to be used at your own risk, and may damage your screen. Consider investing in a screen protector to prevent future scratches.

https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-an-Avalanche

How to Survive an Avalanche

To survive an avalanche, start by trying to jump up the slope beyond the fracture line, or moving as far to the side as possible. If you're unable to escape the path of the avalanche, try to grab on to a boulder or sturdy tree. Alternatively, work to stay toward the surface of the snow by kicking your feet and trashing your arms as if you're swimming. In order to survive if you have been buried, dig a pocket around your face to breath into. Additionally, try to stick one arm straight up toward the snow's surface to orient yourself and to hopefully be seen by rescuers.

Jump up the slope. Most avalanche victims trigger the avalanche themselves, and sometimes the avalanche will start right beneath their feet. If this happens, try to jump up the slope, beyond the fracture line. An avalanche happens so quickly that it's almost impossible to react fast enough to do this, but it has been done. Move to the side of the avalanche. Whether the avalanche starts above you or beneath you, you may be able to make your way toward the side. Don't hesitate: move as quickly as possible to the side of the avalanche slope. If the avalanche begins well above you, you may be able to get out of its path before it reaches you. The snow will be moving fastest near the center of the flow, and that's also where the highest volume of snow will be. Let go of your heavy equipment. You want your body to be as lightweight as possible, so let of your gear, but keep your backpack, it may protect your neck and back. This raises the chances that you'll be able to stay toward the surface of the snow. It goes without saying that you should not let go of survival equipment, such as a transceiver and probe or snow shovel; you'll need these if you get buried. People searching for you later may be able to find you if they see some pieces of equipment on the surface of the snow, so you could let go of a glove or something else that's light to increase the chances they'll find you. Hold on to something. If you're unable to escape the avalanche, try to grab on to a boulder or sturdy tree. If it's a small avalanche, or if you're near the edge of the avalanche, you may be able to hold on until the flow of snow passes you. Even if you get ripped away from the object you're holding, if you can succeed in delaying your departure downhill, you have a better chance of not being buried or, at least, of not being buried as deeply. Keep in mind that a very powerful avalanche can carry away even large rocks and trees... Start swimming. This is essential to helping you stay near the surface of the snow. The human body is much denser than snow, so you'll tend to sink as you get carried downhill. Try to stay afloat by kicking your feet and thrashing your arms in a swimming motion. Swim on your back. This way your face is turned toward the surface, giving you a better chance of getting oxygen more quickly if you get buried. Swim uphill. Swimming up will get you closer to the surface of the snow. Hold one arm straight above your head. It should be pointed in the direction of the snow's surface. This will help you figure out which way is up since it's easy to get disoriented once you're buried. It may also help rescuers locate you. Spitting out a small amount of your saliva can also help with figuring out which way is up because the fluid will run down. Dig a pocket around your face. Once the avalanche stops, the snow settles in as heavily as concrete. If you're buried deeper than a foot or so when it sets, it will be impossible to get out on your own. Your only hope then is to ward off asphyxiation long enough for people to dig you out. Use either your free hand or an avalanche shovel to dig an air pocket near your nose and mouth. When the avalanche slows down. With a small air pocket to breathe from, you should have enough air to last at least 30 minutes. Take a deep breath before the snow settles. Right before the snow settles, inhale deeply and hold your breath for a few seconds. This causes your chest to expand, which will give you some breathing room when the snow hardens around you. If you don't have this breathing room, you may not even be able to expand your chest to breathe while you're buried. Conserve air and energy. Try to move once the snow settles, but don't jeopardize your air pocket. If you're very near the surface, you may be able to dig your way out, but otherwise, you aren't going anywhere. Don't waste precious breath by struggling against the snow. Remain calm and wait to be rescued. If you hear people nearby, try to call them, but don't keep it up if they don't seem to hear you. You can probably hear them better than they can hear you, and shouting just wastes your limited air supply. Wait for rescuers to come. If you hit the slopes with an avalanche beacon and probe, and your fellow skiers did the same, someone will be able to find you and dig you out. Stay calm and wait. Take survival equipment, in case of an avalanche, always. Never hit the slopes without it. There are a few pieces of equipment that greatly reduce people's risk of dying in an avalanche. Invest in the following items: An avalanche receiver and probe. The receiver puts out a signal to show where the person is buried, and the probe is used to locate the person and start digging. Every person in your party should carry both. A small shovel. This is used to dig an air pocket around the face. A helmet. Many avalanche-related fatalities happen because of the initial impact of the snow knocking people off of their feet. Skier's airbags have become more popular in recent years. They help to keep your body toward the surface of the snow, so you're less likely to get buried. Take an avalanche training course. Avalanches happen frequently enough that many organizations provide intensive training courses to coach skiers and snowboarders on how to avoid avalanches, save themselves, and rescue each other. If you're traveling to avalanche country, it's worth taking a course.

Jump up the slope. Move to the side of the avalanche. Let go of your heavy equipment. Hold on to something. Start swimming. Hold one arm straight above your head. Dig a pocket around your face. Conserve air and energy. Wait for rescuers to come. Take survival equipment, in case of an avalanche, always. Take an avalanche training course.

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Tea-Infuser

How to Use a Tea Infuser

To use a tea infuser, start by putting 1 to 2 teaspoons of loose tea into the infuser. Then, place the infuser in your mug and pour hot water over it. Next, wait 2 minutes for the tea to steep before removing the infuser from the mug. Finally, discard the tea and rinse out the infuser. Alternatively, reuse the tea leaves to make another cup by steeping it in the hot water for an extra couple of minutes.

Choose your infuser. A tea infuser is a container used to steep loose leaf tea (taking the place of a traditional tea bag). All tea infusers have some place to hold the tea (a basket) and some kind of handle or cord. Select the infuser of your choice. Some common styles include: Tea ball with chain Tea ball with long handle Tea strainer (that sits on the edge of a mug) Novelty infusers shaped like robots, deep sea divers, or anything else. Measure your tea. Depending on the type of tea you are using, add 1-3 tsp. (4.8-14.7 ml) of loose leaf tea to your infuser. It is important not to overstuff the infuser, as this can cause tea leaves to spill out into your tea. Many loose leaf teas will include recommended measurements, but here are some general guidelines: Green tea: 1-2 tsp. (4.8-9.8 ml) White tea: 2-3 tsp. (9.8-14.7 ml) Black tea: 1-2 tsp. (4.9-9.8 ml) Place the infuser in your mug. Once you have measured your loose leaf tea and placed it inside your tea infuser, simply place the infuser inside your mug. Affix your infuser to the edge of your mug, or allow the chain/handle to hang over the edge. Boil some water. In order to brew tea, you should always use freshly drawn, cold water. If you have access to filtered water, this is even better. You will need about 8 oz. (1 cup) of water for one cup of tea. Place your water in a kettle and heat it until boiling. Measure the water temperature. Once the water has reached a boiling point, remove it from the heat. Use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature of the water. If the water is too hot for the type of tea you are brewing, allow it to cool down for a few minutes and check it again. Once again, you can follow the instructions included with your tea, but here are some general guidelines: White tea: 176-185 F (80-85 C) Green tea (Japanese): 158-176 F (70-80 C) Green tea (Chinese): 176-185 F (80-85 C) Black tea: 203 degree F (95 C) Add hot water to your mug. Once your water reaches the appropriate temperature, and your infuser is in place, add the hot water to your mug. Then wait the specified length of time (you may want to set a timer). Follow the instructions included with your tea, or follow these guidelines: White tea: 3 minutes Green tea (Japanese): 1-2 minutes Green tea (Chinese): 2-3 minutes Black tea: 2-3 minutes Remove the infuser. After the steeping time is up, remove your infuser. If you are finished making tea, you can discard the tea leaves and rinse your infuser under warm water. Otherwise, you can reuse the tea for another cup. Simply increase the steep time by 1-2 minutes. If you compost food waste, you can add tea leaves to your compost pile.

Choose your infuser. Measure your tea. Place the infuser in your mug. Boil some water. Measure the water temperature. Add hot water to your mug. Remove the infuser.

https://www.wikihow.com/Add-New-Chickens-to-a-Flock

How to Add New Chickens to a Flock

Before you add new chickens to a flock, quarantine them for several weeks to make sure they don't spread any illnesses to the old flock. Then, place the chickens in a pen inside of the old chickens' coop so they can get used to each other without direct contact. You may want to put some treats in the coop to distract your old chickens while the new chickens get adjusted. Finally, once your chickens seem comfortable with each other, let the new chickens into the coop at night so the flock wakes up together.

Add at least 2 new chickens of the same breed at a time. If you only introduce a single chicken into the flock you already have, then it may be bullied or attacked by the other birds. Always add at least 2 chickens to your flock at a time so they aren't as likely to get hurt. Different breeds of chicken may also try to assert their dominance, so choose birds that are the same breed to avoid any fights. Avoid trying to introduce any roosters to the flock if you already have one since they may fight and seriously hurt one another Make sure the new chickens are a similar size and age as the rest of the flock, or else more dominant birds may bully them. Extend the coop and run so there’s enough room for all the chickens. Each chicken you have needs 2–3 square feet (0.19–0.28 m ) of space inside the coop and 8–10 square feet (0.74–0.93 m ) of outside space inside the run. If your coop or run isn't big enough for the new chickens you're adding, build an extension onto it so you have enough space to house them. Add a little more space than what you need for the birds you're adding to the flock so you have the option to get more if you need to. If you're raising free-range chickens, then you don't need to worry about increasing the size of the run. Chickens need enough space in their coop or else they will get territorial and start fighting one another. Quarantine new chickens in a separate coop for 30 days to check for illnesses. New chickens could have diseases or bacteria that could spread to the rest of your flock. Keep the new chickens in a separate coop and enclosure for 30 days so you can inspect them and watch them for any illnesses. If you notice any problems, contact a veterinarian to look at the birds and determine if they can be treated. Once you confirm the birds are healthy, then you can continue adding them to the flock. Common signs of illness could be lice, mites, shriveled combs, blocked nostrils, and scaly legs. Place new chickens in a pen that’s next to your existing flock for 7 days. After you've ensured that your new chickens are disease-free, place their pen next to the flock so your birds can see each other. This helps all of your chickens get familiar with one another without the risk of them attacking each other. Keep the pens separated for at least 7 days so the birds have some time to get used to one another. Leave a small gap between the pens since the chickens could peck through the fences. You can try putting the new chickens in another pen that's inside the current run you have, but your birds may be more aggressive. Set up separate food and water stations for your new birds. Your flock may get territorial of their food and water dishes since they will feel more dominant in the run. Add at least 1 additional food and water station inside the pen when you plan on bringing in your new chickens. Keep the new stations away from the existing ones so your chickens don't fight one another when you introduce them. Let your new chickens into the pen first. After your chickens are familiarized with one another, try letting the new chickens into the run while the rest of the flock is inside the coop. Let the new birds explore the chicken run for 10-15 minutes so they can get accustomed to the new space. Keep watching the chickens to see how they interact with the space to make sure they're comfortable in the new pen. It doesn't matter if you raise your chickens in a pen or free-range. Always let the new chickens explore the area first so they get used to the space. Release your existing flock to greet the new chickens. After your new chickens have spent a little bit of time in the run, let the rest of the flock out of the chicken coop so your birds can intermingle with one another. Make sure to watch your birds the whole time to make sure they interact well with each other. Let the birds act naturally and don't try to force them together since they could get aggressive. It's normal for your chickens to get into small fights with one another since they need to establish a new pecking order to determine which bird is dominant. Isolate any birds that are bullying or attacking others. While it's normal for your chickens to get into small fights with one another, they can get more aggressive if the fights escalate. If you notice any birds that are bleeding, take them out of the run so they don't get any permanent injuries. Take the chickens that attack any other birds and keep them alone in separate pens so they don't hurt one another again. Keep the birds in isolation for 1-2 days before reintroducing them. Distract the chickens with treats so you can break up any fights before they even happen. Let the new chickens join the flock in the coop. After your chickens are comfortable around one another, they may join the rest of the flock in the coop at night. If the new chickens follow the flock into the coop, let them stay there for the night so they can continue familiarizing themselves with one another. If the chickens return back to their own pen or crate, then allow them to get comfortable on their own. It may take 4-5 times for your new chickens to feel comfortable with the rest of the flock. If the chickens return to their own crate, then you can transfer them into the coop at night so they wake up with the rest of the flock.

Add at least 2 new chickens of the same breed at a time. Extend the coop and run so there’s enough room for all the chickens. Quarantine new chickens in a separate coop for 30 days to check for illnesses. Place new chickens in a pen that’s next to your existing flock for 7 days. Set up separate food and water stations for your new birds. Let your new chickens into the pen first. Release your existing flock to greet the new chickens. Isolate any birds that are bullying or attacking others. Let the new chickens join the flock in the coop.

https://www.wikihow.com/Heat-Milk

How to Heat Milk

To heat milk to a boil easily, pour it into a microwave-safe container and heat it for about 2 1/2 minutes, stirring every 15 seconds so it doesn't scorch. You can also pour the milk into a large, deep pot and warm it over medium heat until it boils. Stir the milk every few minutes so it doesn't boil over, and lower the heat when the milk starts to boil to avoid scorching it. If you're heating the milk for a baby, pour the milk into a bottle, then place the bottle into a pot of warm water until the milk has reached room temperature.

Heat it in the microwave. The easiest way to heat milk is in the microwave, but you'll have to keep an eye on it. One cup (250 mL) of milk should reach room temperature within 45 seconds and boil within two and a half minutes. Stir it every 15 seconds to keep it from boiling over. You can also try setting your microwave to 70 percent power for a slower boil. You should still stir the milk every 15 seconds. Boil milk on the stovetop in a large, deep pot. When boiling milk on the stovetop, use a deep pot so the milk has room to bubble and crawl up the sides. If you're making a sauce or a glass of warm milk, set the heat to medium. To keep the milk from boiling over, don't turn your back on it and stir it every few minutes. Lower the heat when the milk starts to boil to avoid scorching it. Try keeping a long-handled spoon in the pot. Milk boils over when a layer of protein and fat forms at the top and prevents steam below from escaping as it heats. Eventually, the steam breaks through violently and the milk boils over the sides of the pot. Keeping a long-handled spoon gives the steam a way out before too much pressure builds. You should still put the spoon to use every few minutes and stir the milk to release steam. Heat milk for culturing slowly. If you're making cheese or yogurt, you should heat milk by one degree per minute. Heat it at low to medium-low for 30 to 40 minutes and stir it every few minutes. When you see tiny bubbles and steam, the milk has met its boiling point of 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). If your stove runs hot and you can't boil milk slowly enough directly over a flame, you could use the double boiler method. Bring a small amount of water to a simmer. You'll only need to add a couple inches (three or four centimeters) of water to a saucepan. Put it on the stove and set the heat to low. Heat it slowly until it starts to simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the simmering water. Use a glass or stainless steel bowl, and place it into the saucepan so that it sits within the pot but doesn't touch the simmering water. There should be at least an inch of space between the bottom of the bowl and the top of the water. Indirectly heating the milk in the glass or stainless steel bowl will ensure a slower, more even boil. Add the milk to the heatproof bowl. Keep the heat on low so the water in the saucepan continues to simmer. Carefully pour the milk into the glass or stainless steel bowl. Stir frequently, and heat it until you see tiny bubbles around the edge of the bowl and steam rising from the milk. When the milk boils, turn the heat off and either use it or cool it according to your recipe. Submerge a bottle in warm water to heat it evenly. Place the bottle in a bowl filled with warm water, or hold it under running warm water. As the water in the bowl cools, you might need to replace it with more warm water. Warm the bottle until it's reached room or body temperature, depending on your baby's preferences. You don't want to get the milk or formula too hot. If it's too hot, it'll lose nutritional value and could burn your infant's mouth. Avoid using the microwave or stovetop. You can run warm water from a faucet or heat milk over the stove, but you should avoid heating the bottle itself in a microwave or directly over the stove. A microwave can heat the milk or formula unevenly, causing dangerous hot spots. Heating a bottle over the stove can have the same effect and could melt the bottle if it's made of plastic. Invest in a bottle warmer. A bottle warmer is the quickest and most convenient way to warm milk or formula for an infant. They'll evenly heat a bottle to room temperature in two to four minutes, depending on the model. A bottle warmer can make late night feedings a bit easier. Instead of heating water on the stove or holding a bottle under warm running water, you could just pop it in the warmer and wait a couple minutes.

Heat it in the microwave. Boil milk on the stovetop in a large, deep pot. Try keeping a long-handled spoon in the pot. Heat milk for culturing slowly. Bring a small amount of water to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the simmering water. Add the milk to the heatproof bowl. Submerge a bottle in warm water to heat it evenly. Avoid using the microwave or stovetop. Invest in a bottle warmer.

https://www.wikihow.com/Snake-a-Drain

How to Snake a Drain

To snake a sink, tub, or shower drain, put on a pair of rubber gloves and remove anything that is obstructing the drain, like a drain stopper or hair trap. Next, insert the auger wire into the drain and twist it while pushing it into the drain until you feel resistance. Then, when you hit the clog, keep turning the snake while pushing and prodding the clog until you break it up. Finally, slowly pull the snake out and flush the drain with water to confirm the clog is gone.

Choose a small auger that is made to snake sink drains. Small sink augers are hand-held tools that have a handle and a round compartment that houses a spool of wire with a corkscrew-like tip. They are often called "drain augers" and are available at all home improvement and hardware stores. There are several types of augers that are commonly available. Choose one that has the round compartment on it, as these contain enough wire to get down into your drain. There are augers with shorter wires, which are called closet augers, but these are made exclusively for snaking toilets. Gather the additional supplies you'll need. In order to snake a sink drain, you will need a bucket, towels, a wrench, a screwdriver, and gloves, in addition to a snake. The bucket and towels will help you keep your sink area clean and dry while you work. The wrench and screwdriver will help you take apart your drain if it becomes necessary. Wearing gloves while you work on your drain will help to keep your hand clean and will help prevent injuries from occurring. Remove the P-trap in order to access the drain pipe. Use your wrench or screwdriver to loosen the slip nuts on both sides of the P-trap. Once they are loose, you should be able to pull off the P-trap piece with just a bit of wiggling and force. The p trap is the curved piece of pipe directly under the drain on your sink. Its purpose is to keep sewer smells out of your house and to catch debris that might get lodged further along in your pipes. Place a bucket under the sink to catch water and other debris that will pour out when you detach the trap. Some P-traps require a screwdriver to remove and some require a wrench. You will know which you need by looking at the attachments on the P-trap under the sink. Push the auger cable into the pipe coming out of the wall. Push it in slowly and keep pushing until you feel strong resistance. When you do feel resistance, pull the wire back just slightly and then try pushing it in again. If you are hitting a turn in the pipe instead of a clog, you may be able to get past it by pushing it through again. In general, a bend in the pipe will give your wire a complete and solid stop. On the other hand, hitting a clog will feel a bit spongy. Turn the handle on the snake to break up and grab the clog. Once you have hit a stopping point, its time for the corkscrew at the end of the wire to do its job. By turning the handle on your auger you will turn the wire in the pipe and hopefully dislodge some of the clog. Additionally, you may hook the clog onto the end of the snake. Turn the handle slowly. You don't need to move the snake quickly. Keep pressure on the snake as you turn it. Pressure on the wire will help push the corkscrew end into the clog. Pull the snake out of the drain slowly. If you have successfully hooked the clog onto the end of the wire, you want to keep it hooked so that it can be removed. To make this happen, be slow and gentle as you remove the wire. If you can feel a slight sensation of resistance on the wire as you pull it out, that is likely the clog hooked onto the end. If the end of the snake has a clog attached to it, move on to putting the drain back together. However, if it doesn't, push the snake back down the pipe and try to hook it once again. Put the P-trap back together. Once you suspect that you have removed the clog you can put the P-trap back in place. Put it in its original position and retighten the nuts. Keep the bucket under this area of the drain pipe so that if there are any leaks while you are testing the drain the bucket will catch them. Test the drain by running water down it. Run a steady stream of water down the drain to determine if you have cleared out your pipe. If the water starts to back up, turn off the water before it fills your sink. It may take a few seconds to clear out debris in the pipe once you start running water. However, the water should begin to run freely pretty quickly if you have dislodged the clog. If you still have a clogged or slow drain, you can either try to snake the pipe again or call a plumber. Choose a small auger made to snake tub and shower drains. Most tub and shower pipes are small and easiest to unclog with a small, hand-held auger. These augers are easy to handle and flexible, which makes them great for pushing through narrow and angled pipes. These are available at all home improvement and hardware stores. There are two types of small plumbing snakes: drain augers, which are common small augers that have a round compartment with a long coil of wire in it, and closet augers, which are shorter and mostly used by plumbers to unclog toilets. A closet auger does not have the round compartment on it and so the wire length is much shorter. Choose a drain auger when getting a clog out of your tub or shower drain. Gather the additional supplies you'll need. In addition to an auger, you'll need supplies to open up the drain and to clean up any water or debris that is in the drain. Get a bucket, screwdriver, wrench, and rubber cleaning gloves and put them near the drain. Also, have a few old towels around to clean up dirty water. Remove any drain stoppers and screens in the drain. Many tub and shower drains have built in stoppers and screens that need to be removed in order to access the pipes. Unscrew any cover plates and disassemble any stoppers in your way. Every tub and shower stopper is different and thus comes apart differently. If you can't figure out how to take your stopper apart, do some internet research about your specific type of stopper. Insert the auger wire into the drain. When inserting a snake, push the snake wire into the drain while simultaneously turning the handle on the back of the tool. This will turn the wire as you push, allowing it to move further down the drain through any clogs. Some snakes only turn when the wire is in a locked position and can't be advanced. If this is the case with your snake, push the wire in a few inches and then lock the tool and rotate the wire. Repeat this by unlocking the wire, pushing it in a few more inches and then relocking and turning it. As you lower the cable, move your grip down until it's about 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the drain opening. This close grip allows you to control your motions and feel for the clog easier. Turn the handle on the snake to break up the clog. Once the end of the snake hits the clog, turning the handle will push the hook at the end of the cable into the clog so that it can be grabbed. There is no need to turn the handle quickly. Slow and steady pressure on the clog will work most effectively. Pull the snake out of the drain slowly. As you pull the cable out, turn the handle on the snake so that the cable rotates. This will help the cable move around bends in the pipe. Pulling the cable out of the pipe slowly will help to keep the clog hooked to the end. Determine if the drain is still clogged by pouring water down it. Run the water through the drain. It may take a few seconds to wash away the remnants of the clog, but it should begin to flow quickly. If the drain is still obstructed, snake the drain one more time. Insert the wire into the pipe once again and spend more time trying to hook the clog to remove it. If water still won't run through the drain after you've snaked it several times, it may have been pushed further down into your pipes. In this case, it's time to call the plumber. Choose an auger that's made to snake toilets. All hardware and home improvement stores stock small hand-operated snakes that are made especially to get through the curves in a toilet drain. The snake may be called a toilet snake or a closet auger. The auger will consist of a long cable and case with a handle that moves the cable in and out. The cable will have a hook on the end to grab clogs. Push the auger cable into the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. For most snakes, you will rotate the handle as you push the cable out of the snake tool and into the drain. There will be areas that are difficult to push through but at some point you will likely feel strong resistance from the obstruction in your pipe. Stop pushing the wire in when it hits the clog. It might seem as if the cable has hit a wall when you hit a curve in the pipe but keep pushing to snake the pipe to see if it will go past the curve. You should be able to determine that what you've hit is the clog if you sense the clump giving way slightly as you press the cable it. Put on a pair of gloves and grip the handle with both hands if you have trouble pushing it down the pipe. Rotate the handle on the auger to break up the clog. The hook on the end of the auger cable is designed to grab items clogging the toilet. By turning the handle on the auger, the hook will rotate and dig into the clog. There is no need to rotate the handle quickly. Simply keep pressure on the cable as you turn the handle slowly. Pull out the cable and use a plunger to get the clog moving. Retract the auger cable slowly so that anything hooked on the end of it will be pulled out of the drain. Then plunge the toilet and watch for water to flow down the drain. Place the plunger over the drain. Make sure the rubber head is flush against the toilet around the drain so that it creates a seal. Then push the plunger so the rubber head inverts. Let it pop back up and push down again. Do this several times until water starts draining through the drain. If the water doesn't drain, put the plunger away and snake the drain again. Get an auger designed for snaking floor drains. This is typically a small, manual hand-held auger that is called a “drain auger” on its packaging. These are available at all home improvement and hardware stores. Plumbers often use electric augers, but those are typically not worth the financial investment for fixing your own drain clogs that only happen once in awhile. Remove all covers and backflow valves from the drain. In most cases, you will have a cover on the drain that can be removed simply by unscrewing it. Once you unscrew it, look down into the drain. If you see an item that looks like a ball locked under a ring, this needs to be removed as well. Push a flat-head screwdriver between the edge of the pipe and the ring and pry it out of the drain. When working on the floor drain it's a good idea to wear rubber gloves. This will keep all dirt and debris in the drain off of your hands. Start pushing the cable down into the drain. Feed the cable out of the tool and into the drain until you hit the clog. To feed the cable you my need to release a handle on the tool, but each auger will be slightly different. Keep pushing the cable down into the drain even when you feel a bit of resistance, as this may simply be a bend in the pipe. When you have tried to push past an area of resistance several times to no avail, you have likely hit the clog. In some cases you can tell that you are at a clog because the cable won't advance any further but it gives a little every time you push on it. If it's stuck at a bend in the pipe, it won't budge with pressure. Hook the clog by rotating the cable in the pipe. Turn the cable by rotating the handle on the auger. Once you've rotated the cable several times, pull up slightly on it to see if you've captured any of the clogged matter. Push and prod the clog so you can begin to break it up while trying to hook it. Work on the clog until you can feel that you've punctured through the other end. Continue turning the handle to break up the clog into smaller pieces. If the clog won't seem to budge, it may be a solid object that you've hooked. Pull the clog out slowly. Pull the snake out of the drain with care by winding it back into the container. Be gentle so you don't lose the clog if it's hooked on the end of the snake. Clean the mess off the snake with a towel as it emerges. Dump the drain matter into a bucket. Keep pulling up as much of the clog as you can until the snake is free.

Choose a small auger that is made to snake sink drains. Gather the additional supplies you'll need. Remove the P-trap in order to access the drain pipe. Push the auger cable into the pipe coming out of the wall. Turn the handle on the snake to break up and grab the clog. Pull the snake out of the drain slowly. Put the P-trap back together. Test the drain by running water down it. Choose a small auger made to snake tub and shower drains. Gather the additional supplies you'll need. Remove any drain stoppers and screens in the drain. Insert the auger wire into the drain. Turn the handle on the snake to break up the clog. Pull the snake out of the drain slowly. Determine if the drain is still clogged by pouring water down it. Choose an auger that's made to snake toilets. Push the auger cable into the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. Rotate the handle on the auger to break up the clog. Pull out the cable and use a plunger to get the clog moving. Get an auger designed for snaking floor drains. Remove all covers and backflow valves from the drain. Start pushing the cable down into the drain. Hook the clog by rotating the cable in the pipe. Pull the clog out slowly.

https://www.wikihow.com/Remember-Names

How to Remember Names

To remember names, repeat them out loud when people introduce themselves to you. For example, you could say, "Hi Kira, it's nice to meet you." You can also repeat their name in your head a few times so it sticks. Alternatively, try to associate the person's name with an interesting fact about them, which will make it easier to recall later. For example, if you meet someone who mentions they like skydiving, you could say to yourself "Tyler the skydiver."

Repeat the person's name as soon as he or she introduces it to you. Saying it out loud a few times will help you commit to memory. Apply this method during introductions. As you shake the person's hand, you can say, "Hello, [insert name]." If a conversation follows, repeat her name throughout the time. If you are unable to speak to the person for long, bid her goodbye and repeat her name again before she leaves. Attempt to use the person's name two or three times throughout the conversation so that you remember it better. For example, when meeting a new colleague at work named Kira, shake her hand and say, "Hello, [insert name]. Welcome to the office!" Include her name when asking her questions, such as, "What made you interested in working in technology, [insert name]?" The more often you repeat the person's name right away, the more likely you are to remember it later. Ask him to spell his name. If his name is difficult to remember, asking for the correct spelling will give you a visual image. This also works for names you have never heard before, such as "Honghui" and "Kichiro". As they spell it out, you will be able to envision the way the name in spelled in your head. Also, this method will give you the chance to hear the correct pronunciation of his name again. This method can be applied to names with different spellings as well. For example, the name "Shawn" could also be spelled "Sean" or even "Shon". By clarifying the spelling of the person's name, you will be able to correctly identify his name. This method cannot be applied to common names, such as "Harry." If you are unable to ask the person to spell his or her name, see if he has a business card. Having a visual image and physical reminder of his name will help you recall it. Ask the person to repeat her name. If it's near the start of the conversation and you forget her name, say, "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name." If you're asking later on towards the end of the conversation, in order to sound polite, say something along the lines of, "I've enjoyed talking to you, but I can't seem to remember your name. Please repeat it for me". The compliment will soften the blow of having forgotten her name. Although you may feel embarrassed when asking for her name again, following this step will prevent awkward situations from occurring in the future. It is best to apply this method early in the relationship rather than later. Make associations. Identify a person's name with a fact about him. By doing this, you will be able to recall his name by viewing a mental image of the person and his personality or job. For example, if you meet a client named Tyler who sells printer toner, say to yourself, "Tyler sells toner." Although this sentence may sound simple, it will help you remember his name in the long run. If there isn't a catchy phrase associated with the person's name, create a mental image of him performing an activity that he enjoys. For example, if you meet a man named Dylan who is a fan of baseball, imagine him wearing a baseball cap. When you meet him again, you will have an image to associate with him. Repeat the name in your head. By repeating it a few times, you will plant it into your memory. Although you should actively participate in the conversation, focus on recalling his name. When listening to him speak, think, "Danny told me about his new car." Mentally play with the name to help it stick. Over exaggerate the syllables, break it into parts, or associate a bit of it with other words. For example, the name Natalie can be exaggerated to sound like "Naaat-ahhh-leee." Also, it can be made into nonsense words, such as, "Nat-Tall-Lee," "Nat-bat," or "Lee-key." Different combinations will help ingrain her name into your memory. Make connections. Connect the name of the person with someone in your life, such as a celebrity, a friend, or a family member. You can do this by noting that he has the same hair color, style, etc. Make the connection as close as possible in order to remember why you associated them. For example, you meet a new classmate. You could connect him with your high school lab partner because they both have the same name and hair color. You could also associate him with a movie character because they both have the same appearance. Note that the connection doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you. State your connection out loud. For example, once the person introduces himself, you could say, "My sister just named her son [insert name]!" You will not only contribute to the conversation but also help you recall his name. Care enough about the person to remember. Often, people forget names because their attentions are divided. Meeting someone with the intention to remember the name will increase your chances of doing so. Focus your attention on the person to whom you are being introduced to. Consciously think about how you care about the introduction, as well as the goal to remember his name. Make a mnemonic device. A mnemonic device is a verbal phrase or visual cue that helps you remember information. Apply this method using the person's name. For example, if you meet a man named Derek who likes to workout, create a phrase such as, "Dude Enjoys Really Energetic Kickboxing." This associates his name with words that describe a fact that you learned about him. You can make the phrases as simple or as hard as you want. As long as they stick in your head, they will help you remember the person's name. Write down the name. As soon as you meet a new person, jot it down. Also, include other facts about him or her that you recall. List the time and place that you met him or her, as well as actions he completes or interesting information that she mentioned in your conversation. Writing down these facts will help you recall her name, especially since you have a physical reminder. Also, it will also give you a source to refer to if you meet her again. Large events may not give you the chance to instantly write down names, especially since many introductions may be made. Instead, insert important names into your phone. Later, you can refer to them and add interesting facts that will help you recall them. Another excellent method is to leave yourself an audio message. You could also create a virtual file. Create a document or table with people's names on it. Add to it each time you meet a new person. Share the file with all your devices in order to always keep a physical reminder with you. Create a mental picture. Take the person's name, and turn it into a picture in your mind. Associate the name with an object. For example, the name Crystal could be identified with a large crystal vase or bowl. A visual connection can be a powerful tool when recalling names. This also works with names that sound similar to a concept. For example, you have a new man at work named Miles. You can associate him with a picture of a a long road that goes on for miles. Find an unusual feature. When you first meet someone, study her face. Look for a feature that is unique and associate her name with it. For example, you could identify the new employee in your office by her dimples. This method will put her face into your head and help you remember her name. Imagine a ridiculous scenario. An excellent method to remember a person is to think of an absurd scene in relation to him. For example, if you meet someone who owns a pet grooming business, think of him surrounded by dogs in crazy hairstyles. A humorous image will help you recall his name, as well as a specific fact about him. The more ridiculous the image, the more likely you are to remember it.

Repeat the person's name as soon as he or she introduces it to you. Ask him to spell his name. Ask the person to repeat her name. Make associations. Repeat the name in your head. Make connections. Care enough about the person to remember. Make a mnemonic device. Write down the name. Create a mental picture. Find an unusual feature. Imagine a ridiculous scenario.

https://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Speech-in-Front-of-Your-Class

How to Give a Speech in Front of Your Class

Giving a speech in front of your class might seem nerve-wracking, but if you rehearse plenty ahead of time, you'll do great! Write out a script for your speech so you include everything you want to say. Once it's written out, take a couple of hours to memorize it. Try reading it in front of a mirror or in front of a friend so you get used to saying it out loud. It's also helpful to make a few notecards to help you remember your speech. You don't have to write out the whole thing, just the main points that will help jog your memory. When it's time for your speech, stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides, which will make you seem more confident and relaxed. Pause and take a few deep breaths before you begin. Then, start speaking. Focus on projecting your voice and speaking at a normal pace so everyone can understand you clearly.

Pick a topic you are passionate about. Pick a subject that defines who you are or what you care about most. Talk about an issue that affects you or someone who is close to you. Or persuade your audience to care about a social, environmental, political, or economic problem. If you are passionate about the environment, then write about environmental issues, or write about the impact of technology on medicine, if that is what you are passionate about. Make sure your topic fits the parameters of the assignment. Choosing a topic you are passionate about will make writing, rehearsing, and giving your speech much easier. Use Internet sources. Type distinct phrases in your search engine to find specific information about your topic like, “The effects of pollution on the ocean.” Look for articles published by reputable sources like universities and well-known news outlets and magazines. Review the information of at least 3 websites. If the websites are all saying the same thing about your topic, the information should be valid and reliable. If they are not, then keep researching your topic until you find consistent information. Pull information from books. Check out books on your topic from your school's library, or your local library. Tell the librarian about your topic and the kind of speech you hope to give. Your librarian can point you in the right direction for books and articles on your topic. Check the publication dates for the books you reference. Always use the newest version of a book possible, as it will have the most up-to-date studies and research. Make an outline of the important information. As you review your sources, write down information that supports and expands your ideas in a valuable way. Categorize the information by theme. Make sure to type or write down relevant points and information such as statistics and facts that support your main argument. If you have any first-hand experience with your topic, you can also make note that. Personal stories can be just as engaging as research and stats. Additionally, take note of any opposing opinions. This way you can briefly address and rebut them in your speech. Save the links to your Internet sources in a Word document so you can refer back to them at a later time if you need to. Begin working on your speech at least a week in advance. Ideally, you should start working on your speech the day you get the assignment. If you work on it a little every day, it will make the whole process easier. If you can't start as soon as you get the assignment, though, plan at least a week of time for the writing and rehearsing process. Write out a script. Use your outline to form a script. Pretend you are having a conversation with a friend. Write the script as if you are talking to your friend. Keep your script simple by writing down the most important points. Use interesting examples to illustrate your ideas. Additionally, break your script up into main ideas or themes so that it moves forward coherently. For example, if you are writing about plastic pollution in the ocean, break your speech up into causes, effects, and solutions. If you are writing about the effect of globalization, organize your speech around the positive and negative effects of globalization. Start your speech with an attention grabber. Grab your audience's attention with a provocative question, or an unusual or interesting fact. You could also use a story from your personal experience, or a prop to grab your audience's attention. For example, if you are giving a speech about the effects of plastic pollution on the ocean, start with a fact that most people believe about plastics in the ocean. Then, share something that will shatter that belief. Anything shocking, odd, or absurd will grab your audience. If you are giving a speech about the effects of global population growth, open up your speech with an interesting fact like, "If all the people in the world stood in a line, the line would be long enough to reach Mars." Memorize your script. Once you have your script written, read it out loud to yourself. Replace awkward sounding sentences, with sentences that have a more conversational tone. Then memorize your script line by line. Rehearse your script out loud in front of the mirror, during your walk to school, or any other moment when you have free time. Use 3 to 4 hours to memorize a 20 to 30 minute speech. Memorizing your speech in front of the mirror will help you observe your movements and vocalizations so that you can incorporate the ones you like into your final presentation. Make notecards with important talking points. Once you have your script memorized, write down points that will jog your memory on a notecard. Write down 2 to 3 points per notecard. For example, write down the beginning of a sentence, a statistic, an important fact, or a word that will jog your memory. Practice your speech. Give your speech to a poster in your room, a stuffed animal, or your pet. Pretend they are your audience. Practice your speech until you don't have to look at your notecards. Once you are ready, practice your speech in front of a friend or family member. Rehearse your speech for an hour each day. By rehearsing for an hour, you will become comfortable with your script. This way, when you give the speech you will appear calm and confident. You may even be able to go up without a printed script while you give your speech to your class if you practice it enough. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. Also hold your head high with your chin up. This will give the impression that you are confident, even if you don't feel confident. Avoid nervous body language such as crossing your arms, tapping your foot, or pacing back and forth. Show your audience that you are excited about your speech by smiling before you begin, as well as throughout the speech. Pause for 10 seconds before you start your speech. Pausing before you give your speech will allow you time to collect your thoughts. It will also allow your audience members time to focus on you before you start your speech. Also remember to pause and take a breath throughout your speech, especially if you feel like you are talking to fast. Pause at the end of sentences, or pause after saying an important point. Project your voice. Project your voice by breathing from your stomach. You should feel your stomach expand as you breathe in. Enunciate your words by saying each syllable clearly. And put energy into your words by emphasizing them. For example, if you ask a rhetorical question, emphasize the last part of the question, or the word "you" to get your point across. Also emphasize main ideas, and the beginning of a new paragraph or section of your speech. Speak at a normal pace. Anxiety and nervousness may cause you to speak faster than usual. If you are out of breath while speaking, or if your words start running together, then you are most likely speaking too fast. To keep this from happening, take a breath and slow down to a normal pace. Look at your audience members. Start by looking at a familiar face, like a friend, in the audience. Then speak to individuals in your audience by looking at one person at a time. Hold their gaze for 5 to 7 seconds. Move on to the next person after 5 to 7 seconds. Think of your speech as a series of conversations with different members in the audience. If you find yourself getting nervous looking at people, try looking a little above their heads, instead. This way, you're still looking out, but you can focus on what you're saying instead of on other people's expressions. Take a breath if you lose your place or blank out. Don't worry if you forget the next word or line. It happens to everyone. Instead, pause for one to two seconds to look at your notecards. Before you begin speaking, take a deep breath, smile at your audience, and count backward from 5. If you need to, read the first few lines off of your notecards until you can regain your rhythm and composure. Remember, while a few seconds may seem forever to you, it is only a few seconds to your audience. If you really feel like you're taking too long to collect yourself, tell your audience, "I really want to get my facts straight, so I'm going to read this part verbatim," and refer to your script. Finish off your speech. A good ending should bring your presentation full circle. Finish off your speech with a quote, statistic, or story that relates to your opening, or summarize your most salient points. Depending on your topic, you may also finish with your vision for the future or a call to action for your audience. Once you've finished, thank your audience, pause for any applause if appropriate, then take your seat.

Pick a topic you are passionate about. Use Internet sources. Pull information from books. Make an outline of the important information. Begin working on your speech at least a week in advance. Write out a script. Start your speech with an attention grabber. Memorize your script. Make notecards with important talking points. Practice your speech. Rehearse your speech for an hour each day. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. Pause for 10 seconds before you start your speech. Project your voice. Speak at a normal pace. Look at your audience members. Take a breath if you lose your place or blank out. Finish off your speech.

https://www.wikihow.health/Reduce-Blackheads

How to Reduce Blackheads

To reduce your blackheads using ingredients you can find at home, try mixing together 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water and use a cotton swab to coat the blackheads. Be careful, this might sting, but it will help dissolve the plug of dead skin and oil in your pores, which is how many acne medications work. You can leave the lemon juice mixture on your face overnight, just make sure to wash it off with warm water in the morning. After dissolving your blackheads, prevent the growth of new bacteria by cutting a fresh garlic clove, mashing it into a paste, and rubbing it into your skin for 5 minutes before washing it off.

Do not pick the blackheads or try to squeeze them out. This increases the likelihood of an infection and scarring. Instead, try blackhead removal strips. These adhesive strips stick to your skin and when you pull them off, the blackheads should stick to the strip. The strips work best for small blackheads, but they do not work very well for larger or deeper ones. If you do not have a commercially manufactured strip, you can try using a band aid or piece of tape. Wash the area thoroughly afterwards to prevent infection. Use acidic cooking ingredients to kill bacteria and open your pores. This will prevent infection and promote healing. Try a 1:3 mixture of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and water. Use a cotton swab to thoroughly coat the blackhead. This will help dissolve the plug of dead skin and oil, but it may sting. The acid has a similar effect to the alpha hydroxyl acid that is in many acne medications. Kill bacteria that might be growing in the clogged pore with a solution of 5% tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural remedy with antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Make a solution of one part tea tree oil to 19 parts water. Dip a cotton Q-Tip into the mixture and dab it onto the blackhead. Wash it off the blackhead after 15–20 minutes. Tea tree oil is not recommended for people with sensitive skin because it can cause irritation. Use garlic to prevent the growth of bacteria in the pore. Garlic is antiseptic and contains sulfur which will aid healing. Cut a fresh garlic clove in half or mash it to create a paste. Rub the sticky juice directly onto the blackhead and allow it to work its way into the black plug for about five minutes. Then wash the blackhead and garlic off with warm water. Use baking soda to unclog the pore. This will draw out the excess oil and any pus that may have built up. This treatment is also good for exfoliating the area and removing dead skin cells. Make a paste of baking soda and water by adding just enough water to make a stiff paste. Put a dollop on the blackhead and gently rub it into the pore. Once it dries into a white crust, wash it off. Make a facial treatment of raw egg whites. As they dry, the egg whites will draw out oils and unclog the pores. In addition, the proteins and vitamins will also be nourishing for your skin. Apply raw egg whites directly to the areas of your skin which are prone to blackheads. Mix them with a fork first to break them up and make them easier to apply. After they dry, wash them off. Be careful not to get any raw egg in your mouth. Make a natural facial treatment using cucumber. Cucumber will nourish your skin with potassium and vitamins A, C, and E. Grind a cucumber in a blender, skin and all. Apply the wet mixture to your skin as a mask and let it your skin absorb the nutrients for 15 minutes. Wash it off with warm water. Use nonprescription creams and lotions to dissolve blackheads, remove excess oil from your skin, and kill bacteria. The most effective products contain the following active ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide Salicylic acid Resorcinol Sulfur Apply these products according to the manufacturer's instructions. Consult a doctor before applying them to children or when pregnant. Apply a homemade paste of salicylic acid by crushing aspirin. Salicylic acid is an active ingredient in aspirin and many over the counter acne medications. Grind one tablet into a fine powder and a drop of water. Be careful not to add too much water or the paste will become runny and difficult to apply. Then put a dollop of the paste on the blackhead and leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Consult a doctor before applying aspirin to a child and do not use if you are pregnant of breastfeeding. Try commercially manufactured alternative medicines. Because more research is needed to fully determine how effective and safe they are, it is best to consult with your doctor before beginning these treatments. 50% aloe vera gel Lotions with 2% green tea extract A 20% azelaic acid cream (this is also found in several prescription acne and rosacea creams) Zinc lotions Brewer's yeast, strain CBS 5926, when taken orally Creams containing 5% bovine cartilage Keep your skin clean and dry. Washing off excess oil, sweat, and dead skin cells will help prevent them from forming plugs in your pores. Start with warm water to open your pores and remove any plugs that may be forming. Then use cold water to constrict the pores and close them. This will help prevent dirt, oils, and dead skin from getting in. Wash once in the morning and once in the evening, but be gentle so that you don't cause irritation. Use only mild, oil-free, water-based soaps. Oily products may, themselves, clog your pores. Avoid oils from your hair getting onto your face. Wash your hair daily to keep oils from building up and if your hair is long, tie it back to prevent it from falling into your face and transferring oils to your facial skin. Look for cosmetics that are oil free and certified as noncomedogenic. A comedone is a plug, and in this case it is the plug of oil and dead skin that forms the center of a blackhead. Noncomedogenic products have been tested and verified to not plug up pores. Oily foundations frequently clog pores. Wash off your makeup before you go to bed. This will allow your pores to breathe and prevent the makeup from getting stuck in the pores. Prevent workout clothing or sports equipment from irritating your skin. Tight clothing, backpack straps, helmets, and hats absorb the sweat and oils from your skin and hold them against your skin. Wear loose clothes for sports to reduce the amount of sweaty, oily cloth against your skin. Wash your sports equipment and workout clothes regularly. Shower promptly after exercising to rinse off oil, sweat, and dirt that could get stuck in your pores. Control blackheads by eating a healthy diet. For some people dairy products, refined sugars, and carbohydrate-rich foods, seem to aggravate their skin. Contrary to popular belief, research shows that greasy foods do not cause pimples or blackheads. Nuts are also not a cause of blackheads. Studies have not produced a clear consensus about whether chocolate causes skin to break out. If you feel that chocolate is a trigger for you, then try omitting it from your diet to see if you skin clears up. Protect your skin from the sun. Sun damage to your skin may make it more prone to breaking out. Use a non-oily sunscreen that won't clog your pores. Reduce blackheads by controlling your stress levels. Stress alone doesn't cause blackheads, but stress causes hormonal changes in your body which may make you more likely to get them. Manage your stress by: Walking or jogging several times a week Practicing meditation to clear your mind of worries Go to a doctor if these methods do not reduce your blackheads. Your skin should improve after four to eight weeks of treatment with prescription medication. Possible medications your doctor may suggest could include: Topical medications such as retinoids (Avita, Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, Avage) to prevent clogging of hair follicles, antibiotics to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, or dapsone (Aczone). Oral antibiotics. This is likely if your blackheads are prone to infection and inflammation. Combined oral contraceptives (Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep, Yaz) which contain estrogen and progestin may be prescribed for women and girls with severe acne. Consider various therapies, often prescribed together with medications. Your doctor may suggest: Light therapy to kill bacteria causing the inflammation. This may be useful for drug resistant bacteria. Some lasers and a light-based treatment called photodynamic therapy can reduce blackheads by reducing oil production as well as reducing bacteria. Chemical peeling and microdermabrasion to exfoliate dead skin cells. Injecting a steroid into blackheads that are red and inflamed to make them less obvious without the need for extracting the plugs. Extracting the black plugs are blocking your pores. Because this may cause scarring (though this is rare if done by a professional), it should only be done if other methods do not work. Consider isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret) if nothing else works. This medication works well, but many people find the side effects unbearable. Isotretinoin is only approved for severe or cystic acne. People with a history of depression or digestive problems should not take this medication. Because it can cause severe birth defects, women must participate in a Food and Drug Administration-approved monitoring program in order to receive it.

Do not pick the blackheads or try to squeeze them out. Use acidic cooking ingredients to kill bacteria and open your pores. Kill bacteria that might be growing in the clogged pore with a solution of 5% tea tree oil. Use garlic to prevent the growth of bacteria in the pore. Use baking soda to unclog the pore. Make a facial treatment of raw egg whites. Make a natural facial treatment using cucumber. Use nonprescription creams and lotions to dissolve blackheads, remove excess oil from your skin, and kill bacteria. Apply a homemade paste of salicylic acid by crushing aspirin. Try commercially manufactured alternative medicines. Keep your skin clean and dry. Look for cosmetics that are oil free and certified as noncomedogenic. Prevent workout clothing or sports equipment from irritating your skin. Control blackheads by eating a healthy diet. Protect your skin from the sun. Reduce blackheads by controlling your stress levels. Go to a doctor if these methods do not reduce your blackheads. Consider various therapies, often prescribed together with medications. Consider isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret) if nothing else works.

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Responsible-Teen

How to Be a Responsible Teen

Being a responsible teen is all about taking care of your needs and looking out for other people. Although there are a lot of distractions when you're a teen, try to stay on top of your schoolwork, since this will set you up for success later down the road. Remember to be honest with your parents and your close friends. That way, you'll have better relationships with them and they'll be able to help you when you need it. Try to treat other people nicely and help them out whenever you can. You should also surround yourself with positive people who respect you and don't pressure you into anything you don't want to do. Don't be too hard on yourself when you get emotional or make mistakes, since a big part of being a teen is learning to deal with difficult situations.

Focus on schoolwork. Regardless of how smart you are, excelling at school means being the best that you can be. School can mean a lot of effort (and even boredom), but that will all pay off in the end with jobs, education, and perspective. Finish your homework, even if you think you don't know it. Many teachers give completion points, even if the answers aren't perfect. Try to find subjects that you're interested in and get lost in them. School can be an educational journey that is truly exciting. Talk to your teachers. Your teachers have your best interest at heart. They want to see you learn, have fun, and succeed. Get a job. You may not want to flip burgers or work retail, but the job is less important than the attitude you bring with you. If you are smart, engaging, and work hard, your employers will notice. That extra money coming in will be pretty useful, too. In addition, Working a part-time job while you're in school can teach you a lot about responsibility and time management. However, it's important to balance your school and work lives so that your grades do not suffer. Make a resume of your accomplishments, and bring it with you when you look for jobs. A resume is a list of all the things that make you employable. Look presentable for your job interview. You only make a first impression once. Smile and be yourself. Most people will like you for who you are; the people who don't aren't worth convincing. Visit your doctor and dentist regularly. When you're a teen, it's a good idea to start practicing good habits, and health is one of them. Visit your doctor and dentist regularly so that you can live your life without worrying about your health. Here are a couple tips to help keep the doctor away: Eat healthy. Avoid excessive junk food and fast food. Try to experiment with eating lots of different fruits and vegetables. Exercise often. Try to move your body for at least 30 minutes every day. This will make you feel and look better. Avoid drugs and alcohol. At some point in your teenage years, you may encounter a situation in which you're offered drugs or alcohol. There are many reasons why teens may experiment with substances, whether peer pressure/wanting to fit in, attempting to escape your problems, or pure and simple curiosity. It's important to remember, though, that doing drugs and drinking can have many serious implications in your life, both short-term and long-term. Doing drugs at any age or drinking while you're underage can land you in serious legal trouble. Drinking/doing drugs can cause you to lose your driver's license, get you grounded, or land you in community service. You may even get arrested. All of these consequences diminish the level of freedom you'll have. Drinking or doing drugs can cause you to say and do things you wouldn't normally say/do, which can lead to hurt feelings and damaged relationships. Drugs and alcohol can cause permanent health problems, especially in a young, developing mind and body. You can also develop a dependence or addiction on drugs/alcohol. Try to avoid spending time with people who drink or do drugs, and avoid parties where you know drugs or alcohol will be present. Practice good hygiene. Teen bodies are constantly changing. Your body is going through some pretty significant hormonal changes, so make sure that you shower and take care of other basic hygiene. Don't be afraid to go to a doctor or ask your parents about anything you are uncomfortable or uncertain about. Brush your teeth, wash your face, and try not to be dirty. Experiment with different styles, but always groom. Grooming means taking care of yourself so that you are presentable to other people. Wear clean clothes. This goes hand in hand with maintaining good hygiene. Wearing clean clothes will communicate to other people how confident you are in yourself. Talk with your parents about how often they want the laundry done. You may have to start doing your own laundry. For job interviews, family gatherings, and other important events, you may want to invest in a nice suit or dress. Above all else, wear clothes that express who you are. Being responsible doesn't mean dressing a certain way. Being responsible means knowing what's acceptable and fitting your own personal style within that framework. Be neat and tidy. Keep your room organized. Your parents shouldn't have to clean up after you like maids. Cleaning up after you make a mess says that you're mature and respectful of their time and feelings. Hang your clothes up or put them in drawers. Your clothes will look nicer on you if you put in the energy to hang them up or fold them. Make your bed after you sleep in it. A made bed feels better to jump into at night. If you make a mess, clean it up. Offer to clean the dishes after dinner. Help clean up the backyard if you throw a birthday party. Be honest with your parents. Every parent wants what's best for their kids. Believe it or not, your parents were also kids, once upon a time, so they definitely know what you are going through. Being honest with your parents will give them feedback about what's working and what isn't, and it will help you communicate better. Tell your parents where you're going and who you're going out with. Your parents care about your safety. Tell your parents when you're feeling good and when you're feeling bad. They want to celebrate your happiness and have an obligation to help you when you're sad. Ask for their advice. Your parents might have some tricks up their sleeve, or tell you amusing stories, or suggest solutions. Try to have a relationship with your parents. Parents appreciate it when you take some time out of your day to tell them what's going on in your life. You don't have to tell them every intimate detail of your life, just let them in on what's important to you. Tell them about something funny that happened at lunch or that test that you took. Ask them about their work, their friends, their goals. Listening is just as important as speaking. Treat others the way that you want to be treated. Empathy is putting yourself in other peoples' shoes. Empathy is the opposite of selfishness. Practicing empathy will help you develop emotionally, and help you develop friendships. Show others respect, even if they don't respect you. Those people will learn to respect you. Don't lash out at other people. Keep your temper in check, even in difficult situations. Help others if possible. Helping others doesn't need to mean giving them something. It can mean lending a hand, or listening, or offering advice.

Focus on schoolwork. Get a job. Visit your doctor and dentist regularly. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Practice good hygiene. Wear clean clothes. Be neat and tidy. Be honest with your parents. Try to have a relationship with your parents. Treat others the way that you want to be treated.

https://www.wikihow.com/Access-Akashic-Records

How to Access Akashic Records

Akashic records can help you learn about your past lives, which in turn can help you better understand yourself spiritually. Before you attempt to access them, figure out what specific thing you want to find out, which will help make your search easier. To access the records, you'll first need to enter a receptive state. You can do this by stating your intention or a question you wish to answer out loud. Then, sit in a quiet, comfortable space and breathe deeply for 5 minutes or so, which will relax you and make you more receptive to the records. After 5 or 10 minutes of meditating, ask to be granted access to the Akashic records. Then, continue to breathe and meditate as you wait for a response. This may come in the form of images, sounds, smells, or tastes. For instance, if you see a hammer, this could indicate you were a carpenter in a past life.

Identify your intentions for accessing the Akashic records. Before you attempt to access the Akashic records, it's helpful to think about why you want to do it. What do you want to know and how might this knowledge help you? Clarify this for yourself before you begin. Not knowing what you want to find out can result in a disorganized search and you might have a hard time accessing any sort of helpful information. Possible intentions might include understanding why you have a short temper so you can learn to control it better, gaining clarity on your goals so you can make an important career decision, or getting in tune with your values so you can seek like-minded people for relationships. Write down any specific questions about your past life. Making a list of questions or topics of interest that may help you to get the information you seek. Try to make your questions as specific as possible to aid you in your search. For example, you might ask, “What professions did I have in my past lives?” or “Where did I live in my past lives?” or “Have I ever experienced a tragedy in a past life that is affecting my current life?” Ask questions that can help you make a decision in your current life. Express a problem you've been having and then state or ask for the information you would like. This will help to narrow your search and make any information that you find more relevant to your current experience. Try saying something like, “I'm considering moving to a different city, but I change my mind a lot. Is there anything in my past that could help me to understand if this is the best choice for me?” Or you might say, “Lately I've been struggling to trust my significant other. I feel that this is based on something more than I am aware of in my present life. If I am correct, please provide me with the information on when and how this problem originated.” Try asking one question at a time to focus more. This approach might make it easier to gain clarity on an issue, similar to how you might focus on one aspect of your life at a time during a tarot card or palm reading. Focus on your relationships, career, health, and other personal interests one at a time. For example, you might start by asking, “Is my relationship going to result in marriage or are we just too different for things to work out?” Then, you might ask, “Will I get the promotion I have been working so hard to get, or will I have to wait?” State your intention or question aloud and ask for guidance. When you feel ready to begin the process of accessing your Akashic records, say what you're looking for out loud. Focus on the question or search query that you have developed. Keep it at the forefront of your mind so that you will remain focused on it during your search. Remember to state your question as specifically as possible, such as by saying, "What professions did I hold in my past lives that may help me to find what I should be in this life?" Sit or lie down in a comfortable, quiet place. You may attempt to access your Akashic records anywhere, but it helps if you are somewhere that you won't be interrupted. Try doing this in your bedroom with the door closed. You may want to try this early in the morning, at night, or a time of day when no one else is at home. Use pillows and blankets to make yourself comfortable. Breathe deeply for 5 minutes or longer to relax yourself. Start by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Inhale through your nose to the count of 4, then hold for 4 seconds, and exhale through your mouth to the count of 4. Continue to breathe deeply in this way for 5 minutes or as long as it takes to get yourself into a state of deep relaxation. Try placing your hands on your stomach to help you focus on your breath. Meditate on your question while in your deeply relaxed state. Once you have entered a state of deep relaxation, clear your mind of all thoughts except for your question. Try repeating your question or search query like a mantra to stay focused. Your mind may wander at times, and this is normal. If you notice your thoughts straying to day-to-day concerns, redirect yourself to your mantra and continue meditating. Breathe deeply throughout the meditation. There are also guided meditations available that you can use to help you access the Akashic records. Ask to be granted access to the Akashic records. Once you have been meditating for 5 minutes or longer, you may be able to access the Akashic records. Request permission by asking out loud or silently, “I am seeking information about my past lives. May I please access the Akashic records to find what I seek?” After you ask this question, continue to breathe deeply and clear your mind. You may hear, feel, or see a response in your mind's eye. Remain patient even if you get a negative response. This may only mean that you need to continue meditating and ask again. Wait for information to come into your consciousness. Now that you have put your question and request for access to the Akashic records out into the universe, the only thing left to do is wait. Continue to breathe and meditate and remain receptive to any information that floats into your consciousness as this may be coming from your Akashic record. Bear in mind that the information can take on different forms. You may hear, see, taste, feel, or even smell something that might be meant to convey a message to you. For example, if you've asked about your profession in a previous life, you might see a hammer in your mind's eye, which could indicate that you were a carpenter or blacksmith. Or, you might experience a sweet taste, which could indicate that you were a baker. Introduce yourself and repeat your question to anyone you encounter. Sometimes when you're accessing the Akashic records, you might see or feel the presence of another being or soul nearby. If this happens, introduce yourself and state your question again. The being may be a guardian or keeper of the records who can help you find the information you seek, or it may be another soul who you have known in a past life. Either way you may gain valuable information by taking a moment to introduce yourself and ask for help. Try saying something like, “Hello, my name is Jonah Johnson and I am looking for information about any phobias I had in my past lives.” Open your eyes and reorient yourself to your surroundings. After you finish accessing your records or whenever you're ready to end the meditation, slowly open your eyes. Notice the details of the room you are in, as well as the sounds, the smells, and the feel of your environment. Slowly sit back up if you were lying down. You may also stand up or stay seated for a while if you prefer. Reflect on the experience after you finish your meditation. Take out a pen and paper and write down anything that you remember about the experience. What images did you see? Did you feel, smell, taste, or hear anything? Read over your notes to look for helpful details from your meditation and keep the notes so you can return to them later. Repeat the process regularly to continue learning more. Schedule a time once or more often every week to repeat this meditation and access the Akashic records. You may keep the same question every time, or come up with a new question if you are satisfied with what you got from your last session. For example, if you feel confident that you have learned about all of your past professions, you might move on to ask about your past relationships next.

Identify your intentions for accessing the Akashic records. Write down any specific questions about your past life. Ask questions that can help you make a decision in your current life. Try asking one question at a time to focus more. State your intention or question aloud and ask for guidance. Sit or lie down in a comfortable, quiet place. Breathe deeply for 5 minutes or longer to relax yourself. Meditate on your question while in your deeply relaxed state. Ask to be granted access to the Akashic records. Wait for information to come into your consciousness. Introduce yourself and repeat your question to anyone you encounter. Open your eyes and reorient yourself to your surroundings. Reflect on the experience after you finish your meditation. Repeat the process regularly to continue learning more.

https://www.wikihow.com/Develop-a-Training-Plan

How to Develop a Training Plan

To develop a training plan, start by coming up with a goal or desired outcome for your training. For example, your goal could be to teach your staff how to use a new productivity software. Next, outline the steps trainees will have to complete to achieve the goal, so you have manageable topics to be taught in each lesson. For each lesson, explain how the material will be taught, like with group discussions or tests. Finally, choose the best qualified employees to deliver the training.

Consider the goals of your organization. In order to conduct effective training sessions, you need to keep in mind the objectives of your business or organization. These goals should guide you as you develop your training plan. For example, if the main goal of your business is to increase sales of medical supplies, you'll want to make sure to convey that to your trainees. If your company has a mission or vision statement, use that to guide you as you develop your training goals. You want the training goals to be compatible with the overall objectives of your company. Be aware of what you want to accomplish. For instance, the purpose of the training may be to prepare employees for emergencies, improve business offerings or protect the privacy of clients. Identify the benefits for trainees. Make it clear to your trainees that there will be tangible benefits that each will gain by completing the training. Perhaps your trainee will earn a new certification that qualifies her for more responsibility. Or maybe there is greater job security for those who have completed training. Whatever the case, convey these benefits at the outset of training. Outline the skills, information, and certifications that participants will gain by undergoing the training. These might include mastery of specific software applications, detailed knowledge of company policies and procedures, or enhanced customer service skills. Recognize desired outcomes. Include in your plan the specific outcomes you want the training to achieve. Be as clear as possible. These should be more specific than the overall goals of the training. For example, you could say, "At the end of training, we will have 25 new employees ready to begin their first week of work in the Accounting Department at XYZ". If possible, note the benefits of achieving these goals. You might note, "Once these new employees are trained we will have X number more hours of production each week, which should increase our overall profits by X%." Plan necessary steps. A good training plan will indicate exactly how you will accomplish your goals. You should indicate how long training will last, how many sessions will occur, and what will happen during each session. Make sure that the steps align with your specific and broad objectives. Create a training topic outline. When conducting training on productivity software, for example, your topics may include creating files, formatting text, copying and pasting text and saving files. Break down the topics into specific titles. For example, formatting text might be divided up into 3 separate lessons: formatting fonts, paragraphs and tables. Design lessons. Include in your training plan a list of lessons complete with lesson objectives, specific activities and assessment plans, which may include pre- and post-tests, class discussions, or group activities. Figure out the length of each lesson. Determine whether you will need additional materials or resources for the individual lessons. Determine the best training modality. You might deliver the training via online files, video conferencing, in person instruction or audio files. Choose the method based on the objective. For example, software navigation may be best taught in person or via video, whereas delivering information about safety procedures may be adequately communicated through web-based files. Engage participants to engage in the training activity. Puzzles, problem-solving exercises, questions, and writing activities are ways to keep trainees focused on tasks. Participation can help the trainees more effectively absorb the material. Accommodate a variety of learning styles. Watching video demonstrations, listening to audio and participating in hands-on exercises are ways to diversity activities. Outline the training structure. In your plan, offer specifics about all of the methods you will use in training. For example, if you plan to use a variety of modalities, such as Skype and in-person sessions, make that clear from the outset. It is also useful to explain your objectives for using a variety of methods. For instance, explain that you will use one-on-one training for detail-oriented tasks. Some tasks are best learned by observing and actively doing them across a substantial period of time. In this case, one-on-one training delivered in the form of shadowing an experienced person might be best. You could also note that you will train people in small groups for tasks requiring interaction. Teaching customer service skills, for example, may be done in small groups using role-play and problem-solving activities. Utilize large group training for overviews. Delivery of information and overviews can be done in large groups. Break the large group into smaller groups, if necessary. Establish a time frame. To master new skills, trainees might need to meet 1 hour each day for several weeks. If they must be trained by a certain date, include these requirements in your training plan. Indicate whether current employees will need to add this to their additional duties, or if she will need to ask a coworker to help cover responsibilities while she is training. Establish a timeline for making all preparations. For example, you might hire a trainer a month in advance, book a meeting space 2 weeks in advance and inform all trainees of the training location and requirements several weeks in advance. Create a section for training prep. Your training plan should be a comprehensive document that will make it simple for others to follow your instructions. Therefore, you should indicate exactly how to prepare for training sessions. Be as specific as possible, so that other trainers will have a clear idea of how to accomplish the goals. Include a list of resources in the training plan. Trainers may need presentation tools, a computer or chalk. Trainees may need workbooks, training guides, video players or other equipment. Review the list of resources prior to the training. Consider each step of the training to ensure that all equipment, materials, and tools are accessible and functional. Assess the training. Your training plan should include ways that the trainers can evaluate the training as it progresses. There should be clear benchmarks that measure the effectiveness of the training. Specifically state the points during training where the goals should be measured. Have concrete assessment tools included in your training plan. For example, you could have trainees complete a quiz or test after each module. Have trainers ask for feedback. In your training plan, indicate that trainers should observe the trainees attitudes. If the trainees seem lost or unmotivated, indicate that that trainers should address that. Offer alternatives. Not every group of trainees will respond the same to your training methods. You training plan should indicate that trainers will need to be prepared to teach the material in a different way. For each section of content, your training plan should indicate a couple of different ways to convey the material. For example, some groups may be less talkative than others. Instead of a large group question and answer session, have the the trainees work in pairs. In your delivery of the material, you will likely use specific examples to illustrate your points. If the trainees do not seem to comprehend the material, make sure that there are alternate examples included in the training plan. Indicate the training participants. Your training may be organization-wide, geared toward a single department or designed specifically for entry-level employees. You may develop separate training plans for different groups or teams. In each plan, be clear about the group that is the focus of the training. Group the trainees by training type. For example, some members of the organization may need simple overviews, whereas others involved in the day-to-day completion of tasks may require in-depth training. Utilize your colleagues. For example, you will need to calculate training costs. If you are not involved with accounting, you may need to ask someone familiar with your company's financials for some information. Review the list of required training resources to determine how much money you will need. Other costs to consider include meeting space rental, trainer compensation and employee time. You may also need to speak to your organization's facilities manager. They can help you reserve conference rooms or lecture facilities. Let your IT department know that you might need some assistance during training, particularly if you are teaching online or using tools such as video conferencing. Choose qualified trainers. In order to offer the most effective training, you will need to select the highest quality employee to conduct the training sessions. They may be people already working for the organization or outside experts. Examine their qualifications and experience before hiring. Look for trainers who have experience using the methods that you want to offer. For example, if your training is to be conducted online, make sure to find someone who feels comfortable using that platform. Communicate with your trainers. Allow them the opportunity to ask questions and make sure that they clearly understand the objectives and desired outcomes.

Consider the goals of your organization. Identify the benefits for trainees. Recognize desired outcomes. Plan necessary steps. Design lessons. Outline the training structure. Establish a time frame. Create a section for training prep. Assess the training. Offer alternatives. Indicate the training participants. Utilize your colleagues. Choose qualified trainers.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Division

How to Do Division

To do simple division, think about how many times one number can go into another number. For example, 6 ÷ 2 is 3, because 3 goes into 6 two times. For larger numbers, it's helpful to spend time reviewing the multiplication tables. To do long division, write the number you want to divide under the division bar, and place the number you want to divide by outside of the bar. For example, if you want to calculate 72 ÷ 3, place 72 under the division bar and 3 outside of it. Then, calculate how many times 3 goes into the first number under the division bar. In this case, you're calculating how many times 3 goes into 7. The answer is 2, with 1 left over. Write the number 2 above the bar, and the remainder – in this case, 1 – below the 7. Then, if there are any numbers left under the division bar, bring them down to the same row as the remainder. So in this case, you'd write a 2 beside the 1 to get 12. Then, repeat the process: how many times does 3 go into 12? In this example, 3 goes into 12 four times, so you'd write 4 on the line above the problem, beside the other numbers. Therefore, 72 ÷ 3 = 24.

Write out the problem using a long division bar. The division bar ( 厂 ) looks like an ending parentheses attached to a horizontal line that goes over the string of numbers beneath the bar. Place the divisor, the number you'll be dividing, outside the long division bar, and the dividend, the number that you'll be dividing into, inside the long division bar. Sample problem #1 (beginner): 65 ÷ 5. Place the 5 outside the division bar, and the 65 inside it. It should look like 5厂65 , but with the 65 underneath the horizontal line. Sample problem #2 (intermediate): 136 ÷ 3. Place the 3 outside the division bar, and the 136 inside it. It should look like 3厂136 , but with the 136 underneath the horizontal line. Divide the first digit of the dividend by the divisor. In other words, figure out how many times the divisor (the number outside the division bar) goes into the first digit of the dividend. Place the whole number result above the division line, right above the first digit of the divisor. In sample problem #1 ( 5厂65 ), 5 is the divisor and 6 is the first digit of the dividend (65). 5 goes into 6 one time, so place a 1 on the top of the divisor bar, aligned above the 6. In sample problem #2 ( 3厂136 ), 3 (the divisor) does not go into 1 (the first digit of the dividend) and result in a whole number. In this case, write a 0 above the division bar, aligned above the 1. Multiply the digit above the division bar by the divisor. Take the number you just wrote above the division bar and multiply it by the divisor (the number to the left of the division bar). Write the result in a new row beneath the dividend, aligned with the first digit of the dividend. In sample problem #1 ( 5厂65 ), multiply the number above the bar (1) by the divisor (5), which results in 1 x 5 = 5 , and place the answer (5) just below the 6 in 65. In sample problem #2 ( 3厂136 ), there is a zero above the division bar, so when you multiply this by 3 (the divisor), your result is zero. Write a zero on a new line just below the 1 in 136. Subtract the multiplication result from the first digit of the dividend. In other words, subtract the number you just wrote in the new row below the dividend from the digit in the dividend directly above it. Write the result in a new row, in alignment with the digits from the subtraction problem. In sample problem #1 ( 5厂65 ), subtract the 5 (the multiplication result in the new row) from the 6 right above it (the first digit of the dividend): 6 - 5 = 1. Place the result (1) in a another new row right below the 5. In sample problem #2 ( 3厂136 ), subtract 0 (the multiplication result in the new row) from the 1 right above it (the first digit in the dividend). Place the result (1) in another new row right below the 0. Carry down the second digit of the dividend. Drop down the second digit of the dividend to the new bottom row, just to the right of the subtraction result you just got. In sample problem #1 ( 5厂65 ), drop the 5 from 65 down so that it's beside the 1 that you got from subtracting 5 from 6. This gives you 15 in this row. In sample problem #2 ( 3厂136 ), carry down the 3 from 136 and place it beside the 1, giving you 13. Repeat the long division process (sample problem #1). This time, use the dividend (the number to the left of the division bar) and the new number on the bottom row (the result of your first round of calculations and the digit you carried down). As before, divide, then multiply, and finally subtract to get your result. To continue 5厂65 , divide 5 (the dividend) into the new number (15), and write the result (3, since 15 ÷ 5 = 3 ) to the right of the 1 above the division bar. Then, multiply this 3 above the bar by 5 (the dividend) and write the result (15, since 3 x 5 = 15 ) below the 15 under the division bar. Finally, subtract 15 from 15 and write 0 in a new bottom row. Sample problem #1 is now complete, since there are no more digits in the divisor to carry down. Your answer (13) is above the division bar. Repeat the long division process (sample problem #2). Like before, you start by dividing, then multiply, and finish up by subtracting. For 3厂136 : Determine how many times 3 goes into 13, and write the answer (4) to the right of the 0 above the division bar. Then, multiply 4 by 3 and write the answer (12) below the 13. Finally, subtract 12 from 13 and write the answer (1) below the 12. Do another round of long division and get the remainder (sample problem #2). When you've finished this problem, take note that there is a remainder (that is, a number left over at the end of your calculating). You'll place this remainder beside your whole number answer. For 3厂136 : Continue the process for another round. Drop down the 6 from 136, making 16 in the bottom row. Divide 3 into 16, and write the result (5) above the division line. Multiply 5 by 3, and write the result (15) in a new bottom row. Subtract 15 from 16, and write the result (1) in a new bottom row. Because there are no more digits to carry down in the dividend, you're done with the problem and the 1 on the bottom line is the remainder (the amount left over). Write it above the division bar with an “r.” in front of it, so that your final answer reads “45 r.1”. Use a division bar to write out the problem. Place the divisor, the number you'll be dividing, outside of (and to the left of) the division bar. Put the dividend, the number that you'll be dividing into, inside (to the right of and beneath) the division bar. In order to do short division , your divisor can't have more than one digit. Sample problem: 518 ÷ 4. In this case, the 4 will be outside the division bar, and the 518 inside it. Divide your divisor into the first digit of the dividend. In other words, determine how many times the number outside the division bar will fit into the first digit of the number inside the division bar. Write the whole number result above the division bar, and write any remainder (amount left over) in superscript beside the first digit of the dividend. In the sample problem, 4 (the divisor) goes into 5 (the first digit of the dividend) 1 time, with a remainder of 1 ( 5 ÷ 4 = 1 r.1 ). Place the quotient, 1, above the long division bar. Place a small, superscript 1 beside the 5, to remind yourself that you had a remainder of 1. The 518 under the bar should now look like this: 5 18. Divide the divisor into the remainder and second dividend digit. Treat the superscript number that signifies your remainder as a full-size digit, and combine it with the dividend digit immediately to its right. Determine how many times the divisor goes into this new 2-digit number, and write down whole number amount and any remainder as you did previously. In the sample problem, the number formed by the remainder and the second number of the dividend is 11. The divisor, 4, goes into 11 twice, leaving a remainder of 3 ( 11 ÷ 4 = 2 r.3 ). Write the 2 above the division line (giving you 12) and the 3 as a superscript number beside the 1 in 518. The original dividend, 518, should now look like this: 5 1 8. Repeat the process until you’ve gone through the entire dividend. Keep determining how many times the divisor goes into the number formed by the next digit of the dividend and the superscript remainder immediately to its left. Once you've worked your way through all the digits in the dividend, you'll have your answer. In the sample problem, the next (and final) dividend number is 38—the remainder 3 from the previous step, and the number 8 as the last term of the dividend. The divisor, 4, goes into 38 nine times with a remainder of 2 ( 38 ÷ 4 = 9 r.2 ), because 4 x 9 = 36 , which is 2 short of 38. Write this final remainder (2) above the division bar to complete your answer. Therefore, your final answer above the division bar is 129 r.2. Write the equation so the 2 fractions are side-by-side. To divide fractions , simply write the first fraction followed by the division symbol (÷) and the second fraction. Your problem might be, for example, 3/4 ÷ 5/8. For convenience, use horizontal instead of diagonal lines to separate the numerator (top number) and denominator (bottom number) of each fraction. Reverse the numerator and denominator of the second fraction. The second fraction becomes its own reciprocal. In the sample problem, reverse 5/8 so the 8 is on top and the 5 is on the bottom. Change the division sign to a multiplication sign. To divide fractions, you multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second. For example: 3/4 x 8/5. Multiply the numerators of the fractions. Follow the same procedure you would when multiplying any 2 fractions. In this case, the numerators are 3 and 8, and 3 x 8 = 24. Multiply the denominators of the fractions in the same way. Once again, this is exactly what you would do to multiply any 2 fractions. The denominators are 4 and 5 in the sample problem, and 4 x 5 = 20. Place the product of the numerators over the product of the denominators. Now that you've multiplied the numerators and denominators of both fractions, you can form the product of the two fractions. In the sample problem, then, 3/4 x 8/5 = 24/20. Reduce the fraction, if necessary. To reduce the fraction, find the greatest common factor , or the largest number that divides evenly into both numbers, and then divide both the numerator and denominator by that number. In the case of 24/20, 4 is the largest number that goes evenly into both 24 and 20. You can confirm this by writing out all of the factors of both numbers and picking out the largest number that is a factor of both: 24: 1, 2, 3, 4 , 6, 8, 12, 24 20: 1, 2, 4 , 5, 10, 20 Since 4 is the greatest common factor of 24 and 20, divide both numbers by 4 to reduce the fraction. 24/4 = 6 20/4 = 5 24/20 = 6/5. Therefore, 3/4 ÷ 5/8 = 6/5 Rewrite the fraction as a mixed number, if required. To do this, divide the denominator into the numerator and write the answer as your whole number. The remainder, or the number that is left over, will be the numerator of the new fraction. The denominator of the fraction will remain the same. In the sample problem, 5 goes into 6 one time with a remainder of 1. Therefore, the new whole number is 1, the new numerator is 1, and the denominator remains 5. As a result, 6/5 = 1 1/5. Make sure the exponents have the same base. You can only divide numbers with exponents if they have the same base. If they don't have the same base, you'll have to manipulate them until they do, if it's possible. As a beginner, start with a sample problem in which both numbers with exponents already have the same base—for instance, 3 ÷ 3. Subtract the exponents. Simply subtract the second exponent from the first. Don't worry about the base for now. In the sample problem: 8 - 5 = 3. Place the new exponent above the original base. Simply write the new exponent above the original base. That's it! Therefore: 3 ÷ 3 = 3. Write the problem out with a division bar. Place the divisor, the number you'll be dividing, outside (and to the left of) the long division bar, and the dividend, the number that you'll be dividing it into, inside the long division bar. To divide decimals , you'll first convert the decimals into whole numbers. For the example 65.5 ÷ 0.5 , 0.5 goes outside the division bar, and 65.5 goes inside it. Move the decimal points the same amount to create 2 whole numbers. Just slide the decimal points to the right until they're at the end of each number. Make sure you move them the same amount for each number, though—if you have to move the decimal point 2 spots in the divisor, do the same for the dividend. In the sample problem, you only need to move the decimal point over one spot for both the divisor and dividend. So, 0.5 becomes 5, and 65.5 becomes 655. If, however, the sample problem used 0.5 and 65.55, you'd need to move the decimal point 2 places in 65.55, making it 6555. As a result, you'd also have to move the decimal point in 0.5 2 places. To do this, you'd add a zero to the end and make it 50. Align the decimal point above the division bar properly. Place a decimal point on the long division bar directly above the decimal in the dividend. In the sample problem, the decimal in 655 would appear after the last 5 (as 655.0). So, write the decimal point above the division line right above where that decimal point in 655 would appear. Solve the problem by doing long division. To divide 5 into 655, do the following: Divide 5 into the hundredths digit, 6. You get 1 with a remainder of 1. Place 1 in the hundredths place on top of the long division bar, and subtract 5 from 6 below the number six. Your remainder, 1, is left over. Carry the first five in 655 down to create the number 15. Divide 5 into 15 to get 3. Place the three above the long division bar, next to the 1. Carry down the last 5. Divide 5 into 5 to get 1, and place the 1 on top of the long division bar. There is no remainder, since 5 goes into 5 evenly. The answer is the number above the long division bar (131), so 655 ÷ 5 = 131. If you pull out a calculator, you'll see that this is also the answer to the original division problem, 65.5 ÷ 0.5.

Write out the problem using a long division bar. Divide the first digit of the dividend by the divisor. Multiply the digit above the division bar by the divisor. Subtract the multiplication result from the first digit of the dividend. Carry down the second digit of the dividend. Repeat the long division process (sample problem #1). Repeat the long division process (sample problem #2). Do another round of long division and get the remainder (sample problem #2). Use a division bar to write out the problem. Divide your divisor into the first digit of the dividend. Divide the divisor into the remainder and second dividend digit. Repeat the process until you’ve gone through the entire dividend. Write the equation so the 2 fractions are side-by-side. Reverse the numerator and denominator of the second fraction. Change the division sign to a multiplication sign. Multiply the numerators of the fractions. Multiply the denominators of the fractions in the same way. Place the product of the numerators over the product of the denominators. Reduce the fraction, if necessary. Rewrite the fraction as a mixed number, if required. Make sure the exponents have the same base. Subtract the exponents. Place the new exponent above the original base. Write the problem out with a division bar. Move the decimal points the same amount to create 2 whole numbers. Align the decimal point above the division bar properly. Solve the problem by doing long division.

https://www.wikihow.com/Renew-an-Expired-U.S.-Passport

How to Renew an Expired U.S. Passport

To renew an expired U.S. passport, get an updated passport photo taken at a post office or drugstore. Gather your previous undamaged passport, and fill out form DS-82, stapling your new picture in the designated spot. Fill out a check for $110 to the U.S. Department of State and print your name and date of birth on the front of the check. Package the passport, form DS-82, and check into an envelope with postage, and write the address on the last page of the form on the envelope. Mail the form, and wait 3 weeks to receive your new passport!

Find your old passport. The passport should be undamaged, meaning that all relevant information should be there. You must submit this passport with your renewal application. Obtain a recent passport photograph. Your photograph must be two inches by two inches and taken in front of a white or off-white background. There are many rules regarding passport photographs, so read the rules carefully at the U.S. Secretary of State's website: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos.html. You can get a passport photograph taken at a national chain drugstore, such as Walgreens or CVS. Alternately, you can have a picture taken at the UPS store. Document a name change. You can still renew if you changed your name, but you need to document the change. Obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate if you changed your name because of marriage. A photocopy is not acceptable. If you changed your name with a court order, then obtain a certified copy of the judge's order from the court clerk. Stop into the court where you requested a name change. Call with questions. If you have any questions about the renewal process, call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778. Someone is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can also send an email to [email protected]. Check if you qualify. You can renew your passport through the mail only if you meet the following requirements: You have an undamaged passport. Normal wear and tear is okay. Your passport has not been limited as a result of multiple thefts, damage, or non-compliance with regulations. Your passport is not more than 15 years old. You were at least 16 when you got your most recent passport. You have the same name or can document a legal name change. You can wait at least three weeks to receive your new passport. If you need it sooner, you'll need to call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment with a passport agency or center. Complete the correct form. Download DS-82, U.S. Passport Renewal for Eligible Individuals, from the Secretary of State's website. You can complete the form online at the same website: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/renew.html. There should be space on the form for you to staple your picture. Use four staples, one in each corner. Pay your fee. It costs $110 to renew your passport book. Include a check or money order when you submit your application. Checks should be made payable to “U.S. Department of State.” Don't send cash. Your full name and date of birth should be printed or typed on the front of the check or money order. You can calculate your fee using the fee calculator: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees/fee-calculator.html. There is an extra fee for expedited service ($60) and overnight delivery ($15.45). If you want a passport card, it will cost $30. A passport book and a passport card together cost $140. Submit your materials through the mail. Find the mailing address on the last page of the form. It takes four to six weeks for your application to be processed. If you want an expedited request, send it to the appropriate office, which is listed on the last page of the form. Write the word “Expedite” on the outside of the envelope. It takes two to three weeks to process. Identify if you must use this process. You can't use the renewal process in the following situations, which will require you to request a new passport: Your passport expired more than 15 years ago. Your passport is damaged. For example, the page with your personal details might be missing or no longer legible. Your passport was limited from the usual 10 years, e.g., because you had multiple losses or for other reasons. Look in the back pages of your passport book to see if a limitation applies. You have a child's passport, which is not eligible for renewal. Complete the correct form. You should download and fill out form DS-11, U.S. Passport Application, which is available at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/forms.html. Provide all requested information and staple your photograph to the space provided. If you're changing your name within a year of getting a passport, correcting an error on an old passport, or replacing a limited validity passport, fill out form DS-5504 instead. Gather supporting documents. Read the instructions that come with the form. They will tell you whether you need to get supporting documents. For example, if you lost your passport book but never reported it, you will need to complete form DS-64, Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport. If your passport was limited in validity, you'll need a certified birth certificate to show you are a citizen. Submit the form in-person. You can't request a new passport by the mail. Instead, you must visit an acceptance facility and submit your request. You can find the nearest acceptance facility at https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/. Enter your zip code. It takes four to six weeks to process. If you need your passport faster, you should schedule an appointment with a passport agency or center. Find your nearest agency or center at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/where-to-apply/agencies.html. Call 1-877-487-2778 to schedule an appointment. Pay your fee. Generally, the fee is $110. You have different payment options, depending on where you submit your form. Figure out ahead of time how much you will pay by using the fee calculator on the Secretary of State's website. You can pay at a passport acceptance facility using a check or money order. If you apply at a passport agency, you can use credit cards, debit cards, checks, money orders, and cash.

Find your old passport. Obtain a recent passport photograph. Document a name change. Call with questions. Check if you qualify. Complete the correct form. Pay your fee. Submit your materials through the mail. Identify if you must use this process. Complete the correct form. Gather supporting documents. Submit the form in-person. Pay your fee.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-French-Macarons

How to Make French Macarons

To make French macarons, mix almond flour, confectioners' sugar, salt, and cocoa in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and sugar until they stiffen into peaks. Then, fold the ingredients together, fill a pastry bag with it, and pipe the batter into rounds on a baking sheet. While baking the macaron halves for 15 minutes at 280 degrees Fahrenheit, prepare the filling by heating cream and pouring it over chocolate to melt it. Finally, spoon the ganache into a pastry bag, pipe it onto a half of a macaron, and cover it with another macaron.

Preheat the oven to 280 °F (138 °C). Macaron halves are baked at a very low heat so that they will rise gently and not collapse. If your oven tends to run hot, you may want to bake the macarons with the oven door slightly ajar. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Since these confections are so delicate, it's necessary to use parchment paper so they won't stick to the baking sheet. Mix the almond flour base. Place the almond flour, confectioners' sugar, salt and cocoa in a bowl. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients until they are fully incorporated. Be sure no lumps remain in the mixture. If your almond flour is coarse, run the mixture through the food processor to grind it fine. Don't grind it for too long, though, or the mixture will turn to almond butter. If you don't want to make chocolate macarons, leave out the cocoa powder. Beat the egg whites and add sugar. Place the egg whites in a metal bowl and either whisk or beat them until they form white, stiff peaks. Be sure the bowl is completely dry and clean, or the eggs won't form peaks. Add the sugar and beat until the peaks become stiffer and turn glossy. At this point you can beat in flavorings such as vanilla, peppermint extract, or almond extract to the wet batter. Add about a teaspoon of your favourite flavouring. Mix in drops of food colouring to make the macarons more colorful. Match the color to the flavor you have chosen for a nice effect. Keep in mind that macarons tend to lighten when baked, so you may want to add in an extra drop of food colouring in order to achieve the desired shade. Fold the batter ingredients together. Gently fold the almond meal mixture into the egg white mixture in two parts. Fold in half of the almond meal mixture with a spatula until the ingredients are just combined. Add the second half of the almond meal mixture and fold it in until just combined. Punch the batter. In order to produce macarons with the classic soft, chewy texture, the batter must be "punched." Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to push down in the center of the batter, scrape the batter from the sides to the center, then push down again. Keep punching the batter in this way until it begins to look loose and pudding-like in texture. You'll probably need to punch the batter about 10 - 12 times before it's ready. Make sure you stop when the batter looks like pudding; if you punch it too many times, it will become runny, which ruins the consistency of the batter. Fill a pastry bag with batter. You can use the same type of pastry bag you'd use for icing. Fit it with a large circular icing tip. Fill the bag with macaron batter, then twist the end closed so that the batter won't escape. If you don't own a pastry bag, you can make your own by using a plastic sandwich bag. Cut off one of the corners, then fit it with the icing tip. Experiment with different icing tips. Most bakers make macarons in the classic round shape, but if all you have is a star-shaped tip, give it a try! Pipe the batter onto the baking sheets. Squeeze the pastry bag and pipe 3-inch circles of batter onto the baking sheet. The batter circles will spread a little, so give them plenty of space. Try to squeeze the exact same amount of batter for each circle, so the halves of the macaron come out to be the same size. Now hold each baking sheet about an inch over the countertop and let it drop. Do this about 3 times with each sheet; this helps the batter settle. Let the batter rest. Keep the baking sheets at room temperature for about 15 minutes. The macarons are ready to bake when a dry crust has formed over their surfaces. Touch your finger gently to the top of a macaron; if the batter doesn't stick, it's time to put them in the oven. Bake the macaron halves. Place the baking sheets in the oven. Bake the macaron halves for 15 minutes, or slightly longer if necessary. The macarons are finished when they have a slightly hard crust and are soft, but not gooey, on the inside. When they're done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely. You can open the oven door after a couple of minutes to let any humidity escape. This helps the macarons rise and take the correct shape. Don't over bake the macarons, or they'll brown on top and the texture won't be quite right. Baking macarons is a fussy process, and takes a lot of practice. If your macarons fall on the first try, consider changing the temperature or cooking time in the future. Heat the cream. Place it in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the cream as it heats, and remove it once it begins to steam. Do not let it come to a boil. You could also heat the cream in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour the cream over the chocolate (you can also other popular options like strawberry, blueberry or even vanilla). Let the hot cream melt the chocolate for a minute or two, then use a spoon to stir the mixture together until it becomes a smooth, creamy chocolate ganache. Spoon the filling into a clean pastry bag. This will make it easier to pipe the filling onto the macarons as you fill them. Fit the pastry bag (or sandwich bag) with a small icing tip. Consider other fillings. Chocolate ganache is a popular macaron filling, but there are many other fillings to choose from. Try a simple buttercream filling, either plain or flavored with your favorite extract. If you like fruity fillings, raspberry, apricot, or blueberry jam make great choices. Loosen the macaron halves. Use an offset spatula to gently lift the cooled halves from the parchment paper and turn them over so that their flat sides are facing up. It's easy to crush macaron halves, so be sure to handle them with care. To help the macarons cool down quickly, baker Eric Lanlard recommends lifting the parchment paper and pouring a little cold water beneath the sheet and the paper. This will create steam, enabling you to remove the macarons with ease. Pipe the filling onto half of the macaron halves. Position the icing tip in the center of the macaron half and squeeze about a teaspoon of filling onto the macaron. Repeat with half of the macaron halves you baked. Cover the filling with another macaron half. Gently position a second macaron half over the filling and lightly press it down, so that you've formed a sandwich. Continue with the remaining macaron halves until all of the macarons have been assembled. Eat and store the macarons. Enjoy the macarons from the oven, or store them in an airtight container for later use. They will keep for several days in the refrigerator. Finished. Make violet macarons. These macarons are violet in both color and taster. Consider giving them a try for a twist your recipe. Make cookies and cream macarons. This delicious French cookie with a cookie and cream twist will have your taste buds wanting more. Macarons are a sandwich cookie with a nice crunchy shell and sweet and creamy filling, and these ones are flavored like cookies and cream. Make chocolate macarons. If you're a big chocolate fan, chocolate macarons might suit you up for the best. Make strawberry macarons. Add your favorite fruit to your favorite dessert, strawberry macarons are good any day at anytime.

Preheat the oven to 280 °F (138 °C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix the almond flour base. Beat the egg whites and add sugar. Fold the batter ingredients together. Punch the batter. Fill a pastry bag with batter. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheets. Let the batter rest. Bake the macaron halves. Heat the cream. Pour the cream over the chocolate (you can also other popular options like strawberry, blueberry or even vanilla). Spoon the filling into a clean pastry bag. Consider other fillings. Loosen the macaron halves. Pipe the filling onto half of the macaron halves. Cover the filling with another macaron half. Eat and store the macarons. Finished. Make violet macarons. Make cookies and cream macarons. Make chocolate macarons. Make strawberry macarons.

https://www.wikihow.com/Plan-and-Hold-a-Horse-Show

How to Plan and Hold a Horse Show

When planning a horse show, you'll need to start by appointing or hiring staff, such as a show manager, secretary, safety coordinator, and a marketing team. Additionally, gather some volunteers to help with setup, cleaning, and parking. To run the show itself, you'll need judges, an announcer, and people to help manage the grounds and supervise contestants during the show. Also, make sure you have access to an appropriate venue and equipment, as well as concessions for the spectators.

Designate or hire a show manager. The show manager is the point person responsible for the show's overall operation. For higher level shows, affiliated clubs or associations often require show managers to be trained professionals. Less formal events aren't so strict about training requirements. Appoint a show secretary. Horse shows involve a host of clerical duties, from handling entry materials to organizing awards, back numbers, and judge cards. The show secretary should be a highly organized individual with a sharp eye for detail. They'll also need assistants to handle duties such as registering exhibitors on the day of the event. You (or the secretary) can recruit volunteers from your 4-H club or other affiliated organization to fill these positions. Select a safety coordinator. For small events, the show manager often oversees safety precautions. However, for events that draw hundreds of people (including exhibitors and general public), a safety coordinator should be appointed who has no other duties. They'll manage health certificates, work with emergency personnel, acquire insurance, monitor the weather, plan for emergencies, and ensure veterinary professionals are on call. Assemble a marketing team. You can most likely handle marketing and promotions using volunteers. Have someone with graphic design experience create a press release and fliers. Others can reach out to local businesses about sponsoring the event or making donations. You'll also need a team to post fliers at horse schools, farms, and other related locations. Assign volunteer gate attendants, ring crew, and other assistants. The number of volunteers you'll need will depend on the level of your show. Setup and cleanup crews are absolute musts. Any show requires attendants to make sure public attendees and exhibitors park in separate areas. If obstacles need to be moved during the show, you'll need a ring crew. The public shouldn't park near where the exhibitors set up their trailers and keep their horses. Failure to keep the public and horses separate can increase the risk of accidents. Hire a qualified judge. Find a judge appropriate for the competition you're hosting. Check with your 4-H club or competition association, which post lists of qualified judges annually. Get in touch with a judge, discuss your organization and the show's details, and negotiate payment. You'll also have to cover travel and meal expenses. If the show is a multi-day event, you'll have to provide hotel accommodations. The judge often designs course layouts, so have them submit designs and any other requirements well in advance of the show. Appoint or hire an announcer. If the venue has a PA system, you can just have a volunteer from your 4-H club or other organization act as the announcer. If there's no PA system, hire an announcer who can provide their own microphone, speakers, and other audio equipment. Choose a grounds manager, ringmaster, and stewards. Depending on the show's size and scope, you'll need a ringmaster and grounds manager to supervise classes of exhibitors enter and leave the ring. They'll also oversee any necessary repositioning of jumps and other obstacles. Depending on the level of your competition, you might be required to hire professional stewards to assist the judge. Your 4-H club or equestrian chapter can put you in touch with professionals if licensed personnel are required. If you're planning a less formal show, you can appoint volunteers to manage the ring. Choose a venue that can accommodate your show. For larger shows, book a horse show venue with adequate seating, plenty of space for exhibitor trailers and public parking, and restrooms. If you're hosting a smaller show at your farm or one owned by a member of your club, you'll need to rent bleachers, folding chairs, or other seating. You'll also need to rent portable restrooms. Horse show venues usually have obstacles on hand, but you'll need to ensure they're suitable for your specific competition. Acquire jumps, obstacles, and other equipment if necessary. If your venue doesn't supply suitable obstacles, or if you're hosting the show at your farm, you'll need to rent or buy the necessary equipment. Search online to find a supply company in your area. If the venue doesn't provide a tractor to drag equipment in place, you'll need to rent one or find a member of your organization who can provide one. Work with the judge if you need help deciding what equipment you need. Set up a concessions stand. A concessions stand will keep your guests' bellies full and is an excellent fundraising opportunity. If the venue doesn't have a designated concessions stand, set up tables, a grill, and coolers. Appoint volunteers to work the grill and handle transactions. To save on your food budget, ask local restaurants and grocery stores to make donations. Reach out to them months in advance so they can fit you into their charitable donations allowance. Distribute entry requirements and process forms and fees. Send out entry requirements to local horse schools, clubs, and farms well in advance of the show. The secretary will be the point person for processing entry forms and fees. They'll also use the entry forms to compile a class list, or list of exhibitors organized by their age and event groups. Order ribbons, trophies, back numbers, badges, and judges' cards. The secretary will also need to order required equipment and materials in advance of the show. Provide a minimum of several weeks for shipment so there's some wiggle room in case of a backorder. You wouldn't want an exhibitor to compete without a number or to present an award without having a ribbon. Get local businesses to sponsor the event. Sponsorships are another good fundraising opportunity. Reach out to local businesses (horse-related businesses might be of particular interest) about paying for their names to be posted on the class list or otherwise advertised at the event. Promote the show with local clubs, farms, and media. Create a press release that includes the show's details, contact info, and information about your organization, and send it to local newspapers and news channels. Post fliers at local businesses, farms, and horse clubs. Create a Facebook event, and have your staff share the event on their social media channels. Decide if you need emergency personnel at the show. If your show is affiliated with an equestrian association, find out if they require medical personnel to be present. For small events, especially those close to a hospital, an emergency team usually isn't necessary. If you expect hundreds of people to attend, it's wise to have an ambulance and emergency response team on the grounds. Keep in mind you'll need to factor emergency personnel fees into your budget. If you don't have emergency personnel present, contact your local emergency services before the event so they'll be on call. Advise them not to use sirens and lights in case of emergency, since they can startle horses. Purchase event insurance coverage. You might be required to purchase event insurance, depending on your local laws, your venue, and your affiliated associations. Even if you're not required, it's wise to insure your show if at all possible. Minimum insurance requirements will depend on your event's size, your location, and your venue and organization's requirements. For example, the USEF (US Equestrian Federation) requires a minimum of $1,000,000 third party general liability coverage and $50,000 on equipment and property. Hire an off duty police officer or other security. Your insurance, local ordinances, or affiliated organization might require you to hire security for your event. Contact your local police or sheriff department to set up off duty security service. If you're not required to have an off duty officer, you could hire private civilian security guards. While they're usually a more affordable option, keep in mind private security guards often don't have as much training and experience. Require exhibitors to submit health certificates. Your exhibitors should submit current health certificates to prove their horses are in good health. They should submit proof of rabies vaccination and a negative Coggins test. Make sure you note these in your entry requirements. Have a farrier and vet present or on call. For larger shows, a farrier, or shoe specialist, and an equine vet should set up stations on the grounds. Your association might require their presence. If you're holding a smaller show, have a local farrier and vet on call in case of any problems. Monitor weather forecasts. Light rain won't interfere with some competition events, but storms and lightning will shut down your show. The safety coordinator should monitor forecasts leading up to the show. If there's any chance of inclement weather, they should track storms using a radar mobile app or weather radio. Scheduling a rain date is wise if you've booked an outdoor venue. Inspect the grounds for safety hazards. Several days before the event, check the ring, stalls, lots, and other locations for anything that could endanger horses or attendees. Examples include holes, rocks, sharp objects, and broken fences. Work with the venue to correct any issues you spot. Do another double check the day before the event. Set up equipment and stations in advance. Position jumps and other obstacles the night before the event. The morning of the event, set up the registration tables, or where exhibitors receive their back numbers, class and prize lists, and other info. Set up the concessions stand, coolers, and grill a few hours prior to the event. The morning of the event, have a crew available to receive and set up seating, portable restrooms, and other equipment you might have rented. Hold a staff meeting at least a half hour prior to the show. Assemble the committee and make sure setup duties have been completed. Run through the show's order from opening ceremonies and individual events to the awards presentation. Review safety plans, locations of emergency and veterinary personnel, and which areas are designated for exhibitors only. Conduct the show and address any issues that arise. The moment has finally arrived! Hold opening ceremonies and individual events, and present awards when the scores are tallied. Be available to handle issues from the judge needing a bathroom break to an audience member fainting. Break down the facilities. When the show's over, the exhibitors will load up their trailers and guests will make their way to their cars. Clean up trash, break down tables, and manage the return of obstacles, tractors, bleachers, and other rented equipment. If the venue has staff on hand, work with them to return the space to its normal conditions. Evaluate the show's operation. Identify ways to make any future shows you plan even better. Check the show's expenses and income, and look for ways it could be more profitable in the future. Talk to all staff members about what worked well and what needs to be improved. Ask questions such as: Were there any operational hiccups? Were transitions between individual events smooth? Was the show fully staffed? Over-staffed? Were exhibitor entries and public attendance in line with expectations? Could the show have benefited from more advertising?

Designate or hire a show manager. Appoint a show secretary. Select a safety coordinator. Assemble a marketing team. Assign volunteer gate attendants, ring crew, and other assistants. Hire a qualified judge. Appoint or hire an announcer. Choose a grounds manager, ringmaster, and stewards. Choose a venue that can accommodate your show. Acquire jumps, obstacles, and other equipment if necessary. Set up a concessions stand. Distribute entry requirements and process forms and fees. Order ribbons, trophies, back numbers, badges, and judges' cards. Get local businesses to sponsor the event. Promote the show with local clubs, farms, and media. Decide if you need emergency personnel at the show. Purchase event insurance coverage. Hire an off duty police officer or other security. Require exhibitors to submit health certificates. Have a farrier and vet present or on call. Monitor weather forecasts. Inspect the grounds for safety hazards. Set up equipment and stations in advance. Hold a staff meeting at least a half hour prior to the show. Conduct the show and address any issues that arise. Break down the facilities. Evaluate the show's operation.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Honeycomb

How to Make Honeycomb

To make honeycomb, start by mixing honey, corn syrup, sugar, and water in a pot. Then, heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it develops a light amber color. Once the mixture is done cooking, turn off the heat and whisk in some baking soda. Finally, pour the mixture into a lined baking sheet and let it cool for 2 hours before serving.

Sift your baking soda ahead of time to remove any chunks. This is very important -- the baking soda is added and whisked very quickly, and any chunks of powder might not incorporate if you're not careful. Use a sifter to complete sift the powder, or whip it up with a fork if you don't have a sifter. Line a rimmed baking sheet with lightly buttered parchment paper. Smear a little butter on a paper towel and wipe down the pan and parchment paper to prevent the honeycomb from sticking as it cools. You can also use aluminum foil, or an ungreased Silpat (silicone) mat. Measure your ingredients in advance. This recipe moves very quickly, which is why everything, from the baking soda to the sugar, must be ready to add at a moment's notice. No matter which recipe variety you're using, get everything measured out before proceeding. Combine the honey, corn syrup, and sugar in a very large heavy-bottomed pan. Your recipe will quadruple in size as you cook it, meaning you need a very high-sided pot to pull the recipe off. Furthermore, it must have a thick, heavy bottom (at least 1/4"), otherwise the heat from the stove will be too close to the sugar, burning it. Add just enough water to wet the sugar, about 1/4 cup. You just want the sugar to be damp, not swimming. There should be no dry patches of sugar. Make sure you wipe down any spare sugar crystals off the sides of the pot as well using a rubber spatula. Set the heat to medium-high and cook without stirring. Stirring will cause the candy to crack, but you want a nice, smooth caramel. Keep an eye on the candy as soon as the heat comes on -- this moves quickly. It should begin to boil within 3-5 minutes. Cook until the mixture is a light amber color or a candy thermometer reaches 300F/150C. If you have a candy thermometer, this is easy. Even if you don't, the recipe is forgiving enough that you should be fine. Simply cook, never stirring, until the mixture reaches the color of a slightly worn penny. Remove the pan from the heat to start cooling. While not strictly necessary, some recipes call for speeding up the process by plunging the bottom of the pan into a sink full of cool water. Whether you choose this strategy or not is up to you. But, whatever your strategy, do it quickly, and get to the next step. Dump in the sifted baking soda and whisk the pot vigorously and quickly. Spare no time between dumping in the baking soda and beginning to mix. While a large, long whisk is the best option, a slotted wooden spoon is equally effective. Stir until the whole thing is frothing and foaming. As soon as you add the baking soda, be ready for the whole thing to bubble up like a volcano. Immediately pour into the prepared baking sheet and cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Once the honeycomb is hard and crumbly it is ready to eat. Remove from the pan, snap or cut into bars or chunks, and enjoy! Mix a teaspoon of vanilla extract in with the water for a change of flavor. Before adding the water, mix the teaspoon of vanilla into it to ensure the flavor distributes evenly. Then cook the recipe like normal. Add a pinch of vinegar and cream of tartar for a lighter, more airy candy. This recipe adds a little tang and promotes a greater bubbling, leading to bigger, broader honeycombs. To make it, simply add 1 teaspoon white vinegar and a pinch (under 1/2 a teaspoon) cream of tartar along with the sugars, then cook like normal. Replace the honey with maple syrup, then garnish with sea salt, for a decadent fall treat. This will make a slightly richer, salty-sweet treat that is nearly impossible to resist. To make it, all you have to do is substitute pure maple syrup for the honey -- no other changes needed. While cooling, sprinkle the tops with sea salt for a light garnish. This recipe is great when served with melted semi-sweet chocolate, as well. Melt some chocolate over a double boiler to dip your honeycomb in. Once the honeycomb has cooled, set a shallow pan of water on high heat. Dump a bag of your favorite chocolate into a smaller sauce pot and cook the chocolate in the hot water bath, stirring until smooth. As soon as it is hot and liquidy, dip half of each honeycomb chunk into the chocolate for a decadent treat. Feel free to use whatever type of chocolate -- milk, dark, semi-sweet, etc. -- you'd like. They all go well with honeycomb. This is the easiest way to make honeycomb-based candy bars like Violent Crumbles or Crunchies. Finished.

Sift your baking soda ahead of time to remove any chunks. Line a rimmed baking sheet with lightly buttered parchment paper. Measure your ingredients in advance. Combine the honey, corn syrup, and sugar in a very large heavy-bottomed pan. Add just enough water to wet the sugar, about 1/4 cup. Set the heat to medium-high and cook without stirring. Cook until the mixture is a light amber color or a candy thermometer reaches 300F/150C. Remove the pan from the heat to start cooling. Dump in the sifted baking soda and whisk the pot vigorously and quickly. Immediately pour into the prepared baking sheet and cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Mix a teaspoon of vanilla extract in with the water for a change of flavor. Add a pinch of vinegar and cream of tartar for a lighter, more airy candy. Replace the honey with maple syrup, then garnish with sea salt, for a decadent fall treat. Melt some chocolate over a double boiler to dip your honeycomb in. Finished.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Monkey-Fist

How to Make a Monkey Fist

To make a standard three loop monkey fist, hold the rope in your open hand so that the short tail is in front of your hand. Loop the long end of the rope around your fingers 3 times, then carefully slide this loop off of your fingers. Wrap the long tail perpendicularly 3 times around the loops you just created, but do not pull these loops tight. Loop the remainder of the tail 3 times around the newest loops you made, but inside the 3 original loops. If you like, place a marble in the center of your knot, then gently tug each loop to tighten your knot.

Hold the rope correctly. Place the rope over the edge of your open left hand. The short tail should be over the front of your hand. The rest of the rope should be behind your hand. The long portion of your rope is the working end. This is the portion you will use to create the knot. Wrap the rope vertically. Grab the long tail, or working end, and wrap it around your fingers three times. Start the first wrap on the area of your fingers closest to your palm. Each successive wrap should be closer to the tips of your fingers. Try wrapping the paracord around your first three fingers, or even just your first two to make it easier. Slide the coiled rope off your hand. Be sure that you maintain the orientation. Keep this same hand positioned so the loops hold. With your free hand remove the rope from the hand you wrapped it around, keeping the first set of turns in place. Keep the first three turns intact by pinching the rope together with your forefinger and thumb. You can also keep the rope on your hand if you wish and thread the next horizontal loops through your finger. Wrap the rope horizontally. Grab the long tail and wrap it perpendicularly around the three vertical loops just created. Do this three times. Each subsequent horizontal strand should be above the last. When done, you should have three turns of rope looped vertically and cinched loosely by three horizontal wraps. Do not pull tight, these wraps need to be loose. Finish the horizontal turns by creating a loop, with the remainder of the rope, going through the three vertical strands. Here, you're taking your final turn and passing through the middle, not the outside. Make three more vertical turns. Again grab the long tail and wrap it around the three newest horizontal strands. Pass the rope through the opening. Go over the horizontal wraps but between your first three vertical loops. Continue with this motion three times. Weave the rope through the top and out the bottom. You should notice the monkey fist shape coming into place. Insert a marble. To add an extra weight to your monkey knot, add a small marble to its center. This is an optional step, but it is recommended for a sturdy monkey knot. Any small spherical object will work. But a marble is easiest to work with. Tighten the Monkey’s fist. Spend a few minutes gently tugging each loop to tighten your knot. Start with the first loop you cast and end with the last. You have to cinch the slack by tightening each loop in the order in which you created it. Start with the vertical loops, then the horizontal loops, then the last set of vertical loops. Create the monkey fist. First you'll need to construct a standard monkey's fist with three strands. Leave enough slack on the tail to create the additional hangman's noose for the keyring. Make sure you also have a keyring for your keychain. Create a hangman’s noose using the other side of the paracord opposite your monkey fist. Create an even "S" shape with the remainder of the slack. Now wrap the monkey fist around the S-shaped portion of rope three times, Like you would when making a monkey's fist. Place the monkey fist through the loop’s opening, the hole in the noose. Take the loose strand and wrap it three times around, moving up towards the hole. Super glue the wraps to keep a firm hold. Cut off any excess rope. Weave a keychain into your paracord. Take a keyring and weave it around the hole you've created from the bottom of the monkey fist. Once you're done you can attach it to your keys or pass it on to a friend. Position the rope. Place the rope over the edge of your open left hand. The short tail should be over the front of your hand. The rest of the rope should be behind your hand. Give yourself enough length of paracord with the short tail so that its doesn't slip out of your monkey fist. Pull the short end down far enough so the it goes just passed your bottom finger. Wrap the rope vertically five times. Grab the long tail and wrap it five times around your fingers. Each successive wrap should be closer to the tips of your fingers. On the final wrap you will loop around your finger before wrapping the paracord around the back of your fist, then drawing it around toward you. Slide the coiled rope off your hand. Be sure that you maintain the orientation. Keep this same hand positioned so the loops hold. Alternatively, if you find it easier you can keep the paracord on your fingers. You'll just have to loop the horizontal turns between your finger and palm. Wrap the rope horizontally five times. Grab the long tail and wrap it perpendicularly around the five loops just created. Do this five times. Each subsequent horizontal strand should be above the last. When done, you should have five strands of rope looped vertically and cinched loosely by five horizontal wraps. Finish this portion of the fist by wrapping the last loop around the vertical strand. Change directions to vertical. Again grab the long tail and tuck it above the five newest horizontal strands facing you, and follow through underneath. Continue with this motion five times. Weave through the top and out the bottom. You want to wrap your paracord in between your first vertical loops but over and under your horizontal ones. Finish this portion of the monkey's fist by wrapping the last loop around the original vertical strand. Insert a large marble. To add an extra weight to your monkey's fist, add a large marble to its center. For the five strand monkey knots, you'll need something in the core to add to the bulk of the fist. Snug up. Spend a few minutes gently tugging each loop to tighten your knot. Start with the first loop you cast and end with the last. You have to slowly tighten each part of the paracord in succession.

Hold the rope correctly. Wrap the rope vertically. Slide the coiled rope off your hand. Wrap the rope horizontally. Make three more vertical turns. Insert a marble. Tighten the Monkey’s fist. Create the monkey fist. Create a hangman’s noose using the other side of the paracord opposite your monkey fist. Place the monkey fist through the loop’s opening, the hole in the noose. Weave a keychain into your paracord. Position the rope. Wrap the rope vertically five times. Slide the coiled rope off your hand. Wrap the rope horizontally five times. Change directions to vertical. Snug up.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-an-Ear-Infection

How to Cure an Ear Infection

To cure an ear infection, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated while you wait for your body to recover. To help alleviate pain in your ear, try applying a warm, damp washcloth to your ear for 15-20 minutes at a time. You can also take an over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen. If you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms, or if your pain worsens within 48 hours, contact your doctor to see if they recommend more intense treatment or antibiotics.

Know who is most at risk for an ear infection. In general, children are more likely to get ear infections than adults. This is because the eustachian tubes (tubes running from the middle of each ear to the back of your throat) are smaller in children and more prone to fill with fluid. Children also have weaker immune systems than adults and are also more prone to viral infections such as colds. Anything that blocks the eustachian tube can cause an ear infection. There are other risk factors for an ear infection, including: Allergies Respiratory infections such as colds and sinus infections Infection or trouble with the adenoids (lymph tissue in your upper throat area) Tobacco smoke Excess mucus or saliva, such as that produced during teething Living in a cold climate Changes in altitude or climate Not being breastfed as an infant Recent illness Attending daycare, especially a larger daycare with many children Recognize the symptoms of a middle ear infection. A middle ear infection ( acute otitis media ) is the most common type of ear infection and hence recognizing its symptoms is very important. Middle ear infection is caused by a virus or bacteria. The middle ear is the space just behind the eardrum that contains the small bones that pass vibrations to the inner ear. When the area becomes filled with fluid, bacteria and viruses can get in and cause an infection. An ear infection often occurs after a respiratory infection such as a cold, although severe allergies may also bring one on. Symptoms of a middle ear infection include: Ear pain or an earache Feeling of fullness in the ear Feeling ill Vomiting Diarrhea Hearing loss in the infected ear Tinnitus Dizziness Ear drainage Fever, especially in children Distinguish between a middle ear infection and “swimmers’ ear. ” Swimmers' ear, also known as otitis externa or an “external ear infection,” is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by bacteria or fungi. Moisture is a common culprit for this type of infection (hence the name), but scratching or inserting things into the ear canal can also leave you prone to infection. Symptoms may begin as mild but often worsen, and include: Itching in your ear canal Redness inside the ear Discomfort that worsens if you pull or push on your outer ear Ear drainage (begins clear and odorless, may progress to pus) More severe symptoms include: Feeling of fullness or blockage Decreased hearing Severe pain that radiates outward to your face or neck Swelling of neck lymph nodes Fever Look for signs of ear infection in children. Young children may display different symptoms of ear infection than older children and adults. Because young children often cannot communicate how they're feeling, look for the following symptoms: Tugging, pulling or scratching the ear Banging the head around Fussiness, irritability, or incessant crying Difficulty sleeping Fever (especially for infants and very young children) Fluid drainage from the ear Clumsiness or balance problems Trouble hearing Know when to seek immediate medical attention. Most ear infections can be treated at home, and many go away on their own. However, if you or your child experience certain symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms include: Blood or pus in ear drainage (may look white, yellow, green, or pinkish/red) Continued high fever, especially if it is over 102F (39C) Dizziness or vertigo Stiff neck Tinnitus Pain or swelling behind or around the ear Ear pain that lasts more than 48 hours Take your child to the doctor if s/he is younger than six months old. If you notice any symptoms of ear infection in an infant, take him or her to the doctor immediately. Infants at this age have not fully developed their immune systems. They are at a much higher risk for serious infections and will likely need immediate antibiotics. Do not try home remedies on infants and very young children. Always consult your pediatrician for the most appropriate route of care. Allow the doctor to examine your ears or your child’s ears. If you suspect that you or your child have a serious ear infection, prepare for tests such as: A visual examination of the eardrum using an otoscope. It may be difficult to get your child to sit still for this exam, but it's an important test to determine if the child has an ear infection. An examination of any blockage or filling of the middle ear using a pneumatic otoscope, which will blow a little air at the eardrum. The air will cause the eardrum to move back and forth. If fluid is present, the eardrum will not move as easily or readily, which indicates a likely ear infection. An examination with a tympanometer, which uses sound and air pressure to check for any fluid in the middle ear. If the infection is chronic or a severe case, an audiologist may perform a hearing test to determine if there is any hearing loss. Be prepared for the doctor to examine the eardrum more closely in case of a stubborn or chronic infection. If you or your child becomes quite ill as a result of ear issues, your doctor may perform a procedure known as tympanocentesis, which involves making an opening in the eardrum and drawing out a sample of fluid from the middle ear. S/he will then send these samples to a lab to have them tested. Keep in mind that you can treat many ear infections at home. Many ear infections go away on their own without treatment. Some ear infections may disappear within a few days, and most ear infections will disappear on their own within 1-2 weeks, even if you don't treat them. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians suggest a “wait-and-see approach” with the following guidelines: Children 6 to 23 months old: Wait and see if the child has mild inner ear pain in one ear for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F (39 C). Children 24 months and older: Wait and see if the child has mild inner ear pain in one or both ears for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F (39 C). Past 48 hours, it is important to see a doctor. Often you or your child will be started on an antibiotic to prevent the infection from spreading and reduce the chance of rare life-threatening infections. Rarely, more serious complications may develop, including mastoiditis (an infection of the bones around the skull), meningitis, infection spreading to the brain, or hearing loss. Use caution when flying with a child who has an ear infection. Children with active ear infections are at a higher risk of a painful condition called barotrauma, which is experienced when the middle ear attempts to adjust to the changes in pressure. Chewing gum during ascent and descent can decrease the risk of this. If you have an infant with an ear infection, bottle-feeding during ascent and descent can help regulate the pressure in the middle ear. Take over-the-counter pain medication. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken if the pain does not diminish on its own or if other symptoms don't develop. These medications can also help reduce your child's fever and can make him or her feel better. Never give children under the age of 18 aspirin as this has been linked to Reye's syndrome, which can result in brain damage and liver problems. Use child-strength formulations when giving any pain reliever to children. Follow the dosing recommendations on the package or ask your pediatrician. Do not give ibuprofen to children under the age of 6 months. Apply a warm compress. A warm compress will help lessen the pain of an ear infection. You can use a warm, damp washcloth. You can also fill a clean tube sock with rice or beans and tie or sew the open end of the sock shut. Microwave the sock for 30 seconds at a time until it is the desired temperature. Apply the compress to the ear. You can also use salt as a natural remedy. Heat one cup of salt and place it in a cloth. Tie it up with a rubber band and place it on the affected ear for 5-10 minutes when it's bearably hot while lying down. Apply the warm compress for 15-20 minutes at a time. Get plenty of rest. Your body needs rest to recover from infections. Make sure that you do not push yourself too hard while you have an ear infection, particularly if you also have a fever. Pediatricians do not recommend that you keep a child home from school for an ear infection unless s/he has a fever. However, you should probably monitor your child's activity to make sure s/he gets the rest s/he needs. Stay hydrated. Particularly if a fever is present, you should drink extra fluids. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you drink at least 13 cups (3 liters) of fluids daily if you are male, and at least 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluids daily if you are female. Try Valsalva's Maneuver if no pain is present. The Valsalva's Maneuver can be used to open up the eustachian tubes and relieve the "stuffed up" feeling that may occur with an ear infection. You should only do this maneuver if you do not currently have ear pain. Take a deep breath and close your mouth. Pinch your nose shut. Then, while pinching the nose, "blow" your nose gently. Do not blow too hard, or you could damage your eardrum. You should feel your ears "pop." Place a few drops of warm mullein or garlic oil in your ear. Mullein and garlic are natural antibiotics and may also provide soothing relief from ear infection pain. If garlic oil is not available, you can prepare it at home. All you need is, cook 2 garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of mustard or sesame oil until it turns blackish. Cool this oil and use an eyedropper to place 2-3 drops of warm (never hot) oil in each ear. You should always consult with a pediatrician before trying this with children. Try a naturopathic remedy. One study suggests that a naturopathic herbal remedy called Oticon Otic solution (Healthy-On) may be helpful in reducing ear pain from ear infections. Consult your doctor before using this remedy. Never give any alternative medications to your child without consulting your pediatrician first. Monitor the ear condition carefully. Check your temperature or your child's temperature frequently and watch for other symptoms. If a fever develops or you observe flu-like symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, this can possibly mean the infection is getting worse and that home ear infection treatments are not working effectively. Symptoms that necessitate a trip to your doctor include confusion, neck stiffness, and swelling, pain, or redness around the ear. These symptoms indicate that the infection may have spread and that it needs immediate treatment. Notice if you feel severe ear pain followed by no pain at all. This could indicate the eardrum has ruptured. Ruptured eardrums can result in temporary loss of hearing. They can also make your ear more susceptible to infections, making the situation even worse. In addition to the absence of pain, there may also be drainage coming from the ear. Although ruptured eardrums usually heal within a couple of weeks, even without treatment, some problems may persist that require medical intervention or treatment. Call your doctor if your pain worsens within 48 hours. While most doctors recommend a 48-hour “wait and see” approach, if you experience worsening pain during that period, call your doctor. Your doctor will be able to recommend more intense treatment or antibiotics. Get your hearing or your child’s hearing tested if fluid buildup in the ear continues after 3 months. This may be coupled with significant hearing problems. Sometimes, a short-term hearing loss can occur, which is especially concerning for children two years and younger. If your child is younger than 2 and experiencing fluid buildup as well as hearing issues, your doctor may not wait three months to start treatment. Hearing problems at this age could affect your child's ability to speak and lead to other developmental problems. Get a prescription for antibiotics from your doctor. Antibiotics will not help an ear infection that is caused by a virus, so doctors do not always prescribe antibiotics for ear infections. All children under 6 months old will be treated with antibiotics. Tell your doctor about the last time you used antibiotics, as well as what kind. This will help your doctor choose the most effective kind for you. Make sure you or your child take all the doses of the medication on schedule, to ensure the infection does not return. Do not stop taking antibiotics, even if you feel better until you have completed the entire course as prescribed. Stopping antibiotic treatment before you finish the full course can cause any remaining bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, making the condition much more difficult to treat. Ask your doctor for prescription ear drops. Ear drops, such as antipyrine-benzocaine-glycerin (Aurodex), may help relieve the pain of ear infections. A doctor will not prescribe ear drops to people with torn or perforated eardrums. To give drops to a child, first warm up the eardrop solution by placing the bottle in warm water or holding it between your hands for a few minutes. Have your child lie on a flat surface with the infected ear facing up toward you. Use the recommended dosage. Have your child keep his or her head tilted with the infected ear up for about 2 minutes. Because benzocaine is a numbing agent, it's best if you can have someone else apply the drops to your ear. Avoid touching your ear with the dropper. Benzocaine may cause mild itchiness or redness. It has also been linked to a rare but serious condition that affects your blood's oxygen levels. Never use more than the recommended dose of benzocaine, and consult your pediatrician to make sure that you give the right dosage to your child. Ask your doctor about ear tubes if the ear infection is recurrent. Recurring otitis media may require a procedure called a myringotomy. Recurring means you have had three episodes in the past six months or four episodes in the past year, with at least one occurring in the past six months. An ear infection that does not clear up after treatment is also a candidate for this procedure. Ear tube surgery, or myringotomy, is an outpatient procedure. A surgeon inserts tiny tubes into the eardrum so fluids behind the eardrum can drain easier. The eardrum usually closes up again after the tube falls out or is removed. Discuss the possibility of an adenoidectomy to remove swollen adenoids with your doctor. If you continue to have swollen adenoids, which are masses of tissue located behind the nasal cavity, they may need to be surgically removed. Keep all immunizations up-to-date. Many of the serious strains of bacterial infections can be prevented with immunizations. Seasonal flu shots and pneumococcal vaccines will likely help reduce ear infections. You and every member of your family should also get a flu vaccination every year. Vaccinating yourself will help keep both you and your family safer from infection. Experts recommend that you use the PCV13 pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for children. Ask your pediatrician for advice. Keep your child’s hands, toys, and play surfaces clean. Wash your child's hands, toys and play surfaces frequently to reduce the likelihood of infection. Avoid giving your child pacifiers. Pacifiers can be vectors for bacteria, including bacteria that causes ear infections. Breastfeed instead of bottle-feeding. Leakage is more likely to occur in bottle-feeding than it is in breastfeeding, making the transmission of bacteria higher. Breastfeeding also boosts your child's immune system, helping him or her to fight off infections easier. If bottle-feeding is necessary, place the child in an upright seat so that liquids drip down instead of possibly into their ear. Never give a baby a bottle while s/he is going down for a nap or to sleep at night. Reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke. Do this both for the sake of preventing ear infections and for general health and safety. Don't abuse antibiotics. Prolonged usage of antibiotics can leave certain bacteria in your body or your child's body resistant to the effects of certain drugs. Only use antibiotics when prescribed by your doctor, or when other options aren't available. Avoid sending your child to daycare or take precautions. These facilities put your child at a 50% greater chance of developing an ear infection due to the common transmission of infections both bacterial and viral. If you cannot avoid sending your child to daycare, teach him or her a few tactics to help avoid the spread of infections such as colds, which can cause ear infections. Teach your child not to put toys or fingers in his or her mouth. S/he should avoid touching the face with his or her hands, especially mucous membrane areas such as the mouth, eyes, and nose. S/he should wash hands after eating and after using the bathroom. Eat a healthy diet that includes probiotics. Eating a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins help your body stay strong and healthy. Some research also suggests that "good" bacteria such as probiotics may help protect your body from infection. Acidophilus is a commonly studied strain of probiotic. You can find it in many yogurts.

Know who is most at risk for an ear infection. Recognize the symptoms of a middle ear infection. Distinguish between a middle ear infection and “swimmers’ ear. Look for signs of ear infection in children. Know when to seek immediate medical attention. Take your child to the doctor if s/he is younger than six months old. Allow the doctor to examine your ears or your child’s ears. Be prepared for the doctor to examine the eardrum more closely in case of a stubborn or chronic infection. Keep in mind that you can treat many ear infections at home. Use caution when flying with a child who has an ear infection. Take over-the-counter pain medication. Apply a warm compress. Get plenty of rest. Stay hydrated. Try Valsalva's Maneuver if no pain is present. Place a few drops of warm mullein or garlic oil in your ear. Try a naturopathic remedy. Monitor the ear condition carefully. Notice if you feel severe ear pain followed by no pain at all. Call your doctor if your pain worsens within 48 hours. Get your hearing or your child’s hearing tested if fluid buildup in the ear continues after 3 months. Get a prescription for antibiotics from your doctor. Ask your doctor for prescription ear drops. Ask your doctor about ear tubes if the ear infection is recurrent. Discuss the possibility of an adenoidectomy to remove swollen adenoids with your doctor. Keep all immunizations up-to-date. Keep your child’s hands, toys, and play surfaces clean. Avoid giving your child pacifiers. Breastfeed instead of bottle-feeding. Reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke. Don't abuse antibiotics. Avoid sending your child to daycare or take precautions. Eat a healthy diet that includes probiotics.

https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Seizures

How to Prevent Seizures

One way to prevent seizures is by eating a balanced diet that includes healthy fats and proteins, which will help your brain function better and reduce your overall stress. Consider talking to your doctor about starting a ketogenic diet, as the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet is often suggested for people who suffer from epilepsy. In addition to dietary changes, make sure to get plenty of rest, since seizures can sometimes be triggered by feelings of sleep deprivation. Focus on getting restful sleep by making your bedroom relaxing, going to bed at a reasonable hour, and avoiding stimulating foods or drinks late in the day. Make sure to discuss any lifestyle changes with your doctor beforehand so they can help you avoid triggers.

See your doctor if you are having seizures. It's important to get medical care as soon as possible. A doctor will exam you and run tests in order to try and figure out what is causing the seizures. Once they find the cause or run out of tests they can use for diagnosis, they will then address your symptoms and potentially give you medication to stop the seizures or limit how often they occur. Some people that experience seizures and have been diagnosed with epilepsy have the condition due to either trauma to the brain or a family history of the condition. However, it is most common that the cause of the condition is unknown. Keep a record of your seizures and triggers. Maintaining a good written record of when you had a seizure and any corresponding factors can help you and your healthcare provider to identify triggers. Use a calendar or planner to mark days when you had a seizure, and ask your family to help you do this. Include in each entry the time and how you were feeling beforehand. Some other things to note include: How much sleep you had the night before If you had any alcoholic drinks and, if so, the number of drinks If you felt stressed If you were on your period (for women) Get a prescription for an anti-seizure medication. Seizure medications don't cure the condition but they will help your seizures be shorter and have less damaging effects. The medication that your doctor prescribes will vary, depending on the severity of your condition and what kind of seizures you are having. Be sure to discuss possible side effects with your doctor and follow their directions closely. Some common medications include, but are not limited to: Carbamazepine Clobazam Diazepam Divalproex Lorazepam Phenobarbital Topiramate Valporic Acid Discuss ways to prevent hormonal changes that could trigger seizures. Hormonal changes related to menstrual cycles and pregnancy can bring on seizures. Talk to your doctor about whether there are medications you can take that will level out your hormone levels. Your doctor may suggest changing the amount of anti-seizure medication you take depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. In some cases, taking progesterone or birth control pills can help prevent seizures. Follow the doctor’s suggestions for seizure prevention. In addition to prescribing medications, your doctor should give you a variety of instructions about other ways to minimize your seizures. These will include a variety of dietary and lifestyle changes you should make. The medication your doctor recommends may impact things like bone-density and hormonal balance. Make sure to talk through the potential side effects of any medication your doctor suggests. If your doctor does not have a lot of insight or experience with your condition, ask them for a referral to a doctor that does. In general, you should see a neurologist, which is a doctor with special training in treating disorders related to the brain. Take your medication as prescribed. If your doctor prescribes you medication, make sure you take it as directed. Pay close attention to when you take the medication and how much you take. This will ensure that the medication is at appropriate levels in your blood stream at all times. If you don't take your medication at the correct times, the fluctuating levels can be a trigger for seizures. Get your medication refilled when it is running low so you do not run out. Work with your healthcare provider and practice self-management. Remember that there are a variety of factors that can trigger seizures, so it is important to take a holistic approach. Follow your doctor's recommendations and learn as much as you can about self-management. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. A balanced diet that includes healthy fats and proteins could be a big part of preventing seizures. One diet that is often suggested for those with epilepsy is called a ketogenic diet. This is a diet that is high in healthy fats and protein and low in carbohydrates. Talk to your doctor and a nutritionist about whether this type of diet can help you. Even if you can't do an extreme diet, like the ketogenic diet, make efforts to improve your diet. Don't eat unhealthy foods, such as sugars, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods, and eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. A healthy diet will help your brain function better because you will get all of the vitamins and nutrients you need. It can also reduce your overall bodily stress, as your blood pressure is likely to drop, among other positive effects. Get plenty of rest. A change in your sleep schedule or feelings of sleep deprivation can cause seizures in those with epilepsy. Focus on getting restful sleep by making your bedroom relaxing, going to bed at a reasonable hour, and avoiding eating or drinking stimulants late in the day. Getting enough rest will allow your brain to function better, minimizing the chance of a problem with the electrical activity inside of it. Take vitamins and herbs that can reduce your risk of seizure. While there needs to be more scientific research into the effectiveness of herbs and vitamins in reducing seizures, some are considered helpful. Consult with your doctor or a naturopath to figure out which are right for your condition. Some vitamins that might be helpful include B-6, E, and magnesium. Some herbs that could help with your condition include: burning bush, groundsel, hydrocotyle, lily of the valley, mistletoe, mugwort, peony, scullcap, and tree of heaven. If you want to add additional treatments that are not prescribed by your doctor, it's important to tell them about what you want to take. Your doctor will be able to tell you if it is safe and or not. For instance, there are some herbs, such as St. John's wort, ginko, kava, and valerian, which can interact poorly with anti-seizure medications. Strengthen your bones with vitamin D and exercise in case of a fall. Although these measures won't prevent a seizure, they may protect you from broken bones in the event that you have a seizure and fall down. Take a daily Vitamin D supplement and aim for 30 minutes of exercise on 5 or more days of the week. Try out different types of exercise until you find something you like, such as walking, biking, dancing, kickboxing, or running. Avoid situations that overstimulate your senses. Common causes of overstimulation include bright flashing lights, watching TV, playing video games or computer games, and working on a computer. While these situations will not always cause seizures and won't cause seizures in all epileptics, it's best to avoid them if you have a history of seizures related to light. Only about 3% of epileptics have seizures that are related to flashing lights. Minimize your stress. When trying to prevent seizures it's important to implement a variety of stress-reducing practices. This should include a combination of taking yourself out of stressful situations and finding ways to cope with stress once it starts. For example, it's a good idea to do stress-relieving activities regularly. This could include exercise classes, yoga , meditation , working in your garden , or simply taking a hot bath. Whatever relaxes you, do it regularly. You should also walk away from stressful activities or situations if you can. For instance, don't engage with angry or stressed out people if you don't have to. Also, don't pick activities that are stressful, such as highly competitive sports or political debates. Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs. Drugs can cause seizures immediately or can cause stress on the body that can make seizures more likely over time. In most cases, alcohol consumption itself doesn't cause seizures but it is alcohol withdrawal that can cause them. With this in mind, having a drink every few days is typically fine if your seizures are well-controlled with medication and you have discussed it with your doctor. However, having 3 or more drinks in one sitting is dangerous and binge drinking is even more dangerous for an epileptic. Some drugs seem to cause seizures more often than others. For example, having a moderate amount of caffeine is typically fine. However, stimulants like cocaine can cause serious seizures immediately. If you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol and you are epileptic, it's important to try to get sober. Talk to your doctor about good strategies for quitting and ask for a referral to a treatment program or support group.

See your doctor if you are having seizures. Keep a record of your seizures and triggers. Get a prescription for an anti-seizure medication. Discuss ways to prevent hormonal changes that could trigger seizures. Follow the doctor’s suggestions for seizure prevention. Take your medication as prescribed. Work with your healthcare provider and practice self-management. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Get plenty of rest. Take vitamins and herbs that can reduce your risk of seizure. Strengthen your bones with vitamin D and exercise in case of a fall. Avoid situations that overstimulate your senses. Minimize your stress. Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs.

https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Old-Maid

How to Play Old Maid

Old Maid is a fun card game that can be played with 2 to 8 players and a standard deck of playing cards. The goal of the game is to get rid of all the cards in your hand by making pairs. Whoever is left with the odd card out loses! Before you start the game, remove the Queen of Clubs from the deck so there's an odd number of cards. Then, deal out all of the cards, and let everyone place any pairs in their hand face-up on the table. Now, have the dealer fan out their cards face-down. The player to the left of the dealer chooses one of the dealer's cards. Next, that player fans out their cards for the player to their left, and that player chooses one of their cards. Play continues like this clockwise around the circle. Whenever you get a pair, place the cards face-up on the table. Once you play all of the cards in your hand, you're out. Whoever gets stuck with the odd card out, the Queen of Spades, loses, and is the Old Maid!

Gather two to eight players. This number of players can easily play using a single deck of cards. If you have more players, you can play with two decks. Make sure the decks are identical. Select an Old Maid deck or a standard card deck. You can use a deck specifically designed for Old Maid, but a standard 52 card deck works well, too. Remove three queens if you're using a standard deck. The Old Maid is the unpaired card in the deck--the odd one out, essentially. If you're using a standard card deck, you can create an unpaired card by removing three queens from the deck. The one queen left is the Old Maid! In decks specifically designed for Old Maid, you can skip this step. These decks will already have an Old Maid card. You can also add a joker from an identical deck to be the Old Maid. If you want to mix it up, you can take out three jacks to play the French version: Old Boy. Shuffle the cards. Start by selecting a dealer, who will shuffle and deal the cards. Shuffling the cards randomizes them. To shuffle, you can use the riffle method. Divide the deck in two, and hold one half in each hand so that they face each other. Then, use your thumbs to flip the decks against one another so that the cards from each half alternate. If the riffle method seems too hard, try smooshing! This involves mixing a pile of cards around on the table with your hands for about a minute. Deal all the cards to the players. The goal of dealing is to distribute the cards as evenly as possible among the players. Going around the circle of players, the dealer should place a card facedown in front of each player, continuing until all the cards are handed out. Some players may end up with one card more than others, which is fine. Remove the pairs in your hand. Each player should assess the cards in their hand and find the pairs. Place each pair face-up in front of you. If you have three of the same card, remove two and keep the other in your hand. If you are using a standard deck, you should match the cards by rank. This means that two sixes would make a pair, regardless of their colors. Pair cards by rank and color for a more complex game. For example, a six of hearts and a six of diamonds would make a pair, because they are both red. However, a six of hearts could not pair with a six of spades, because the six of spades is black. Have the dealer hold out their cards face down to the player on their left. The dealer should fan out the cards so that the player can see the back of each one. Let the player to the left pick a card. The player to the left of the dealer should pick any card they want from the dealer's hand. Then, without showing anyone the card, they should add it to their own hand. If the card makes a pair with any of their current cards, they should put the pair down in front of them, face-up. Keeping going in a clockwise direction until there is one card left. The player that just picked a card from the dealer should hold out their cards to the player on their left, and that player should select a card and check for pairs. Go around the circle until the last pair has been made. The player holding the Old Maid card, which has no pair, is the loser--everyone else wins! Remember, don't show your unpaired cards to anyone else! Develop a strategy. Since the person with the Old Maid loses, you'll want to develop tactics to get the person to your left to take it. You might want to hold the Old Maid card a little higher than the others. Or, you can get fancy and try out some reverse psychology techniques. Try to “hide” your Old Maid card so it seems like you don't want them to pick it. They may think it's a regular card and grab it! If the player to your left always picks a card from the same location in your hand, try putting the Old Maid there. Change it up. After a couple of rounds, you might want to change the game to keep things lively. You could reverse the rules so that the person left with the Old Maid is the winner. You could also give the Old Maid a different name, like Smelly Sock. Get creative!

Gather two to eight players. Select an Old Maid deck or a standard card deck. Remove three queens if you're using a standard deck. Shuffle the cards. Deal all the cards to the players. Remove the pairs in your hand. Pair cards by rank and color for a more complex game. Have the dealer hold out their cards face down to the player on their left. Let the player to the left pick a card. Keeping going in a clockwise direction until there is one card left. Develop a strategy. Change it up.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Basic-First-Aid

How to Do Basic First Aid

To do basic first aid, remember the 3 C's. First, check your surroundings for possible hazards, and move the person if necessary unless they have a spine or neck injury. Second, call emergency services for help. Finally, care for the person by performing CPR if necessary and stopping any bleeding. If they're bleeding, apply pressure to their wound with a cloth or t-shirt.

Check the surroundings. Evaluate the situation. Are there things that might put you at risk of harm? Are you or the victim threatened by fire, toxic smoke or gasses, an unstable building, live electrical wires or other dangerous scenario? Do not rush into a situation where you could end up as a victim yourself. This refers to the D (Danger) in DRABC (Danger, Response, Airways, Breathing and Circulation). If approaching the victim will endanger your life, seek professional help immediately; they have higher levels of training and know how to handle these situations. First aid becomes useless if you can't safely perform it without hurting yourself. Call for help. Call out for help 3 times before you begin assisting the casualty. If someone is with you or approaches, instruct them to call the authorities and be prepared to relay information to them so they can update the responders. It is not recommended that you leave the casualty unless absolutely required, but put them in the recovery position if you need to leave them for any reason. Care for the person. Caring for someone who has just gone through serious trauma includes both physical treatment and emotional support. Remember to stay calm and try to be reassuring; let the person know that help is on its way and that everything will be alright. Other ways to reassure the casualty include asking for their name, if they know what has happened, and then about their interests. Determine responsiveness. If a person is unconscious, try to rouse them by speaking to them or by tapping at the shoulder. do not be afraid to speak loudly or even shout. If they do not respond to activity, sound, touch, or other stimulation, determine whether they are breathing. Check for breathing and a pulse. If unconscious and unable to be roused, check for breathing: look for a rise in the chest area; listen for the sound of air coming in and out; feel for air using the side of your face. If no signs of breathing are apparent, place two fingers under the chin and gently guide the face pointing upwards to open up their airways. If any debris such as vomit can be seen, it is appropriate to move them onto their side to allow it to get out, which is achieved with the recovery position. Check for a pulse. If the person remains unresponsive, prep for CPR. Unless you suspect a spinal injury, carefully roll them onto their back and open their airway. If you suspect a spinal injury, leave the person where they are, provided they are breathing. Keep the head and neck aligned. Carefully roll them onto their back while holding their head. Open the airway by lifting the chin. Perform 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths as part of CPR. In the center of the chest, just below an imaginary line running between the nipples, put your two hands together and compress the chest down approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) at a rate of 100 compressions per minute (or to the beat of "Staying Alive"). After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths, done by opening the airways, closing the nose and fully covering the mouth hole. Then check vitals. If the breaths are blocked, reposition the airway. Make sure the head is tilted slightly back and the tongue is not obstructing it. Continue this cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until someone else relieves you. Remember your ABCs of CPR. The ABCs of CPR refer to the three critical things you need to look for. Check these three things frequently as you give the person first aid CPR. Airway. Does the person have an unobstructed airway? Breathing. Is the person breathing? Circulation. Does the person show a pulse at major pulse points (wrist, carotid artery, groin)? Make sure the person is warm as you wait for medical help. Drape a towel or a blanket over the person if you have one; if you don't, remove some of your own clothing (such as your coat or jacket) and use it as a cover until medical help arrives. However, if the person has a heatstroke, do not cover him or keep him warm. Instead try to cool him by fanning him and damping him. Pay attention to a list of don'ts. As you administer first aid, be sure to be aware of these things that you should not do in any case: Do not feed or hydrate an unconscious person. This could cause choking and possible asphyxiation. Do not leave the person alone. Unless you absolutely need to signal or call for help, stay with the person at all times. Do not prop up an unconscious person's head with a pillow. Do not slap or splash with water an unconscious person's face. These are movie gimmicks. If the person appears in danger due to an electric shock, you may attempt to move it, but only with a non-conductive object. Protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens can threaten your health and wellbeing by causing sickness and disease. If you have a first aid kit, sanitize your hands and put on sterile gloves. If sterile gloves and sanitizer are not available, protect your hands with extra gauze or cotton. Avoid direct contact with the other person's blood. If you do end up making contact, make sure to clean yourself off as soon as possible. Eliminate any remaining sources of contamination. Stop the bleeding first. After you have established that the victim is breathing and has a pulse, your next priority should be to control any bleeding. Control of bleeding is one of the most important things you can do to save a trauma victim. Use direct pressure on a wound before trying any other method of managing bleeding. Read the linked article for more detailed steps you can take. Treat a bullet wound. Bullet wounds are serious and unpredictable. Read on for special considerations when treating someone who has suffered a gunshot wound. Treat shock next. Shock, often caused a loss of blood flow to the body, frequently follows physical and occasionally psychological trauma. A person in shock will frequently have cool, clammy skin, be agitated or have an altered mental status, and have pale color to the skin around the face and lips. Untreated, shock can be fatal. Anyone who has suffered a severe injury or life-threatening situation is at risk for shock. Provide first aid for a broken bone. A broken bone, however common, can be treated with the following steps: Immobilize the area. Make sure that the broken bone doesn't have to move or support any other body parts. Numb the pain. Often, this can be done with an ice-pack covered by a towel. Make a splint. A bundle of newspapers and sturdy tape will do just the trick. A broken finger, for example, can also use another finger as a stabilizing splint. Make a sling , if necessary. Tie a shirt or a pillowcase around a broken arm and then around the shoulder. Help a choking victim. Choking can cause death or permanent brain damage within minutes. Read this article for ways to help a choking victim. The article addresses helping both children and adult choking victims. One of the ways to help a choking victim is the Heimlich maneuver. The Heimlich maneuver is performed by straddling the victim from behind and bear-hugging them with your hands interlocked above their belly-button but beneath their breastbone. Thrust upward to expel air from the lungs and repeat until you are successful in clearing the object from the windpipe. Learn how to treat a burn. Treat first- and second-degree burns by immersing or flushing with cool water for at least 10 minutes (no ice). Don't use creams, butter or other ointments, and do not pop blisters. Third degree burns should be covered with a damp cloth. Remove clothing and jewelry from the burn, but do not try to remove charred clothing that is stuck to burns. Look out for a concussion. If the victim has suffered a blow to the head, look for signs of concussion. Common symptoms include: Loss of consciousness following the injury Disorientation or memory impairment Vertigo Nausea Lethargy. loss of memory of recent events(short terms memories) Treat a Spinal Injury Victim. If you suspect a spinal injury, it is especially critical that you not move the victim's head, neck or back unless they are in immediate danger. You also need to take special care when performing rescue breathing or CPR. Read this article to learn what to do. Help someone who is having a seizure. Seizures can be scary things for people who've never experienced them before. Luckily, helping people with seizures is relatively straightforward. Clear the surroundings to protect the person from hurting themselves. Activate emergency medical services if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if the person is not breathing afterwards. After the episode has ended, help them to the floor and put something soft or flat under their head. Turn them onto their side to ease breathing, but do not hold the person down or try to stop their movements. Be friendly and reassuring as their consciousness returns and do not offer food or water until fully alert. Help someone survive a heart attack. It helps to know the symptoms of heart attack, which can include rapid heartbeat, pressure or pain in the chest, throat or even pain in the armpit, and general unease, sweating or nausea. Rush the person to the hospital immediately while giving them an aspirin or a nitroglycerin, which the person should chew. Identify someone having a stroke. Again, knowing the symptoms of stroke is important. They include temporary inability to talk or understand what is being said; confusion; loss of balance or dizziness; unable to raise their arms and severe headache with no precursor, among others. Rush a person you suspect has had a stroke to the emergency room immediately. Treat poisoning. Poisoning can occur as a result of natural toxins (i.e. snake bite) or chemical combinations. If an animal may be responsible for poisoning, try to (safely) kill it, bag it, and bring it with you to poison control.

Check the surroundings. Call for help. Care for the person. Determine responsiveness. Check for breathing and a pulse. If the person remains unresponsive, prep for CPR. Perform 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths as part of CPR. Remember your ABCs of CPR. Make sure the person is warm as you wait for medical help. Pay attention to a list of don'ts. Protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. Stop the bleeding first. Treat shock next. Provide first aid for a broken bone. Help a choking victim. Learn how to treat a burn. Look out for a concussion. Treat a Spinal Injury Victim. Help someone who is having a seizure. Help someone survive a heart attack. Identify someone having a stroke. Treat poisoning.

https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Marimba

How to Play the Marimba

If you'd like to play the marimba, start by striking the bars gently with 1 mallet to practice individual notes. As you practice, try to keep your grip relaxed and loose, and lift the mallets with your wrists instead of your arms. Once you're able to produce clear, resonant notes, try practicing a C major scale by striking the bars in the following order: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Make sure to use both hands, starting with the left hand to strike the C note, then using the right hand to strike the D note, and so on.

Determine the quality of the marimba you need. Marimbas come in hundreds of varieties from orchestral models to vibration control, to practice models. The standard size of a professional marimba comes in a 5 octave model. If you are looking to become a professional marimbist, you will want to invest in a high-end, 5 octave marimba, preferably with high-quality bars made of Honduras Rosewood as these will have a richer and more authentic sound. These models tend to be on the more expensive side, but will save you the trouble of upgrading to a more professional instrument later. If you are a beginner, or simply looking to learn the marimba for recreational or educational purposes, you may find it easier to learn to play on a smaller 4 1/3 or 4 octave model. High-end marimbas can run anywhere from $5,000-$15,500. However, marimbas with synthetic bars rather than wooden bars are less expensive. Be aware that they may lack a bit of sound quality, but can still be used for learning purposes. Practice marimbas as well as rentals are also available at monthly rates. Purchase a marimba. Purchase a new or used marimba from percussion shop, or outlet which regularly sells percussion instruments. Try to get an appraisal from any legitimate percussionist who may be able to search the instrument for cracks and other defects. If you've decided to purchase one from an online retailer such as Amazon.com or eBay, be sure to purchase from sellers with good reputations. To learn the basics, any marimba will do, but a more advanced instrument may be necessary later on, such as different sounding mallets or a larger marimba. The height of the marimba can be adjusted and should generally stand at or right below the hips. Adjustable marimbas are recommended for growing children who are learning to play. Purchase marimba mallets. The marimba can be played with anywhere from 2-4 mallets. Beginners should start with two. You will want to purchase marimba mallets made with either birch, wood, rattan or fiberglass handles (or shafts) and rounded heads made of yarn with a rubber core. Mallets typically range from $25-$65 per set, and vary in color and weight. Lighter weight mallets are more useful for beginners. Go to a local percussion shop and get a feel for different mallets to determine the best weight for you. The mallets should feel light enough to gently go from bar to bar in rhythm while playing, as opposed to feeling heavy. Learn the notes and where they are located. The notes on the lower row go as follows: C D E F G A B C D E. The upper row (starting at the note directly after C) is: C# D# F# G# A# C# D#. Find middle C as a starting point. You can find it by looking at the notes on the upper row (the sharps and flats) and finding a pair of two bars (not three) on the right end. The note directly to the left of this pair, on the lower row, is C. Middle C is the C closest to the center of the marimba. The layout of a marimba is much like the layout of a piano where the sharps and flats (the black keys) are represented by the upper row. The grouping pattern is the same “3,2,3,2.” Marimbas have graduated bars, meaning that the size of the bars change with each note. Thicker bars will be found on the left side of the marimba and are lower in pitch. Thinner bars will be found toward the right side and will have higher pitches. Memorize the keys. Learn exactly which bars play each note so that your mallets know where to go while playing. This is a great way to enhance muscle memory and helps to gain familiarity with your instrument. Hold the mallet between your thumb and pointer finger. It should be held at the point where the mallet feels balanced. Next, you should rest the end of the mallet in your palm. Hold the end in place with your other three fingers. Then repeat on the other hand. The mallets should be held, with your palms down, and with the mallet heads hovering over the bars. Hold the mallet close to the fleshy part of the palms so the mallet can easily be lifted after striking. The mallets should meet into a near 'V' shape over the bars. Stand directly in the middle of the instrument. This ensures that your weight is distributed evenly while striking each bar. The lower bars should be closest to you, while the upper bars require a very slight extension to reach them. The marimba is larger than the average xylophone so a small step may be needed to the left or right. Be sure not to turn the body or lean toward out of reach keys. Merely take a small step to the left or right while ensuring that your body is directly facing the instrument. Strike a bar gently. To play a note, hold the mallets over the note you wish to strike. Raise the mallet up with your wrist instead of your arm. Then quickly strike the mallet against the note and quickly lift. Use your other hand to strike the same note and quickly lift. Continue to alternate strikes onto one bar only. Remember to keep your grip loose and your wrists relaxed. The mallets should hit the note directly in the center of the bar on top of the resonator for the best sound (the resonators are the tubes/pipes under the marimba that help to project and sustain the sound of a mallet strike). Practice scales. There are twelve major scales that can be played on the marimba which are the same as those played on a piano or keyboard. You can begin by playing a C Major scale by striking the following bars in order: C,D,E,F,G,A,B. Be sure to utilize both hands. Start with the left hand and strike the C note, then use the right hand to strike the D note, use the right hand to hit the next note, E and so on. Start at a slow speed, hitting approximately one note per second. Then build up to a faster speed, repeating the scale with alternating strikes until you are comfortable. Continue with a D Major scale: D E F# G A B C# D. Learn to read sheet music. You will need to learn how to read sheet music in order to go beyond scales to play solo and ensemble pieces. Percussion shops often have beginner sheet music available, as do many online retailers. Learn to hold four mallets at once. The majority of professional marimbists use four mallets while playing. If you wish to become an advanced percussionist, this is a grip that should be practiced. Grab one mallet with your right hand and wrap your ring and pinkie finger completely around the mallet near the bottom. Pick up the other mallet and place the very bottom tip of the mallet in the middle of the right palm. Then wrap your middle finger around the mallet to grip it. Use your thumb and index finger to steady the second mallet. Place the index finger on the back, then point the index finger like a gun. Repeat these steps on the left hand. Practice often. The most effective way to become a better marimba player is to practice. Designate time to play scales and other pieces on a regular basis. Take marimba lessons. Introductory workshops and lessons are widely available for beginners where one can learn to play new music and learn playing techniques and improvisational skills. Clean the wooden bars with furniture polish. Use a cloth to wipe dust, fingerprints and dirt. Synthetic bars can be cleaned with a bit of soap and water. Purchase a cover. If you plan to travel with your marimba, or plan to use it in a school environment, make sure you have a cover. Some companies offer a cover as a standard option, others have to be purchased separately. A marimba cover will protect the instrument against outdoor debris, scratches, dust and spills. Covers usually come in flannel material or denim. Clean and lubricate the resonators every two weeks. Be sure to remove any objects or debris that may have fallen inside of the resonators and use a natural oil (lemon oil works well) to polish them and protect against rust. Take it to a professional. Broken bars, rusted resonators, heat damage repair and tuning should all be handled by a professional. Percussion shops and instrument restoration shops are best equipped to handle these issues. Tuning marimba bars can be particularly tricky and may require carving and checking its pitch using a chromatic tuner. Bars must also be sanded and attuned with its corresponding resonator.

Determine the quality of the marimba you need. Purchase a marimba. Purchase marimba mallets. Learn the notes and where they are located. Find middle C as a starting point. Memorize the keys. Hold the mallet between your thumb and pointer finger. Stand directly in the middle of the instrument. Strike a bar gently. Practice scales. Learn to read sheet music. Learn to hold four mallets at once. Practice often. Take marimba lessons. Clean the wooden bars with furniture polish. Purchase a cover. Clean and lubricate the resonators every two weeks. Take it to a professional.

https://www.wikihow.com/Tackle

How to Tackle

To tackle in American football, move toward the ball carrier as quickly as possible, only slowing down when you get within 3 yards of them. Then, place your feet a shoulder-width apart and bend your knees, keeping your head up and back straight. Once you know which direction the player is going to go, push off with your feet as hard as you can and use your legs and shoulder to drive through your opponent at hip level. As your shoulder pads connect with the ball carrier, wrap your arms around them, just under their butt. Keep pushing and driving with your feet until the ball carrier goes down!

Maintain the proper position and tackling form. Your head should be up and your eyes should be on the ball carrier at all times when you're playing defense. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your knees bent and your shoulders back. Ideally, you want to have your back at about 45 degrees relative the ground. This is sometimes referred to as "breakdown" position. While you're working out, practicing hopping into breakdown and "buzzing" your feet, switching your weight between them very quickly, like you're standing on hot coals and you want to get them off. Stay light and mobile, and you'll be in good form. Close the distance between yourself and the ball carrier. Accelerate toward the ball-carrier as quickly as possible, then slow down when you get without about three yards of the offensive player. If you keep moving at breakneck speed, you'll be out of position and the player will blow right past you. When you get close, slow down and drop into breakdown, relying upon your lateral movements to make the tackle. It'll take some practice to determine the proper angle of pursuit. This depends on the distance between you and the ball carrier and the speed of the ball carrier. If the ball carrier is particularly fast, take a wide angle of pursuit that will allow you to stay between him and your end zone. Go into breakdown position and buzz your feet. Bend your knees, get your hips down, and keep your hands back. Maintain an even center of gravity by keeping your feet at least shoulder width apart. Don't flat-foot it, either, keep moving and watch the offensive player's movements. Always keep your head up and your back straight. This position is more balanced and safer. Under no circumstances should you ever lead with your head down, which is extremely dangerous for both you and the ball carrier. Watch the hips. Ideally, you want your head to be across the ball carrier's body and in his path. If the ball carrier is going to your left, when you make the tackle he should be on the right side of your head. The opposite is true if he's running to your right. Watch the player's hips closely to tip you off on changes in direction as you close and as you make contact. Proper tackling placement will take the opponent off balance, making him less likely to fall forward for an extra yard or so, which can make all the difference on third down. Make contact. When the ball carrier is within your reach, push off with your feet as hard as you can and use your legs to drive through your opponent. Drive your lead shoulder into the ball carrier's hips. Keep pushing and driving with your feet until the ball carrier goes down. Pick your knees up high in the driving motion, following through the tackle. Wrap up. As your shoulder pads connect with the ball carrier, wrap him up with your arms just under his butt. This allows you to not only knock him over, but pull to his legs out from under him when you extend through him, resulting in a lower chance of your tackle being broken. It also results in some spectacular, highlight-worthy "hits" where you really don't have to hit very hard, just with good technique. Don't stop driving until the ball carrier is down and the whistle is blown. Don't worry about stripping the ball. Good tackles happen because of proper form and hit-placement. Although the NFL highlight reels are filled with spectacular-looking flying tackles and hits that jostle the ball loose, focusing on making that happen every time will make you miss tackles, pure and simple. Stay focused on getting the ball player on the ground, not stripping the ball. If you're assisting a tackle, go for the ball, trying to get a hand on it and rip in a down-and-out motion. If your teammate clearly has the tackle in hand, you can do some good by going for the ball at that point, but not before. Never leave your feet to make a tackle, and never lead with your head. This is an illegal maneuver and extremely dangerous. Only go to the ground as a last-ditch defense. Slide tackles should be a relatively rare element of your game. A defender should only go to the ground if there is no possibility of defending the play while standing up. If the offensive player is going around you and you have no support, it might be appropriate to go to the ground to stop an offensive charge and give your support a chance to catch up. A good slide tackle usually takes the ball out of bounds, changes possession, or otherwise clears it. Making an unsafe slide tackle warrants an automatic red card and ejection from the came, with the possibility of further punishments from the league or your coaches. Only use the maneuver if absolutely necessary. Run parallel to the player in possession. The best time for a slide tackle is when you and your opponent are running parallel, toward the ball, and that you're going to lose possession very quickly if you don't make a move now. If you can't get a foot on the ball while you're in a standing position, and you're about to lose ground, it's the perfect time for a tackle. Never make a slide tackle from behind. Tackles from behind or from head-on are very dangerous and the possibility of a penalty is high. It's possible to do it correctly in some situations, like if you're both going for the ball but neither is in possession, but not recommended unless you're sure you'll be able to get to the ball first. Watch the ball closely and wait until you see separation. The ideal moment for a slide tackle is just after the player in possession has kicked the ball, creating separation between that player's body and the ball itself. That will give you the most room to maneuver and get your foot in the way. Keep your eye on the ball and watch absolutely nothing but the ball while you slide through to tackle. A good slide tackle should be focused on nothing but getting the ball out of the way. Check your emotions at the door. Before you decide to take it to the ground, do a quick double check of your emotions. You don't slide tackle a player, you slide tackle the ball to get your team control. Targeting a player will get you ejected and possibly kicked off the team. Slide into the tackle, don't jump into the tackle. Lead with your dominant foot–the foot you use to kick with–and hook your leg into the ball, making contact with ball first and foremost, and sliding as softly as possible onto the ground, through the ball, and across your opponent's path. A proper slide tackle is just like a baseball slide. You shouldn't leap up into the air and come crashing down on your hip, or you risk hurting yourself. Drop the shoulder closest to the ball and slide with your leg extended. Never slow down before taking it to the ground. You should accelerate into a slide to make sure that your leg follows through with the motion, clearing the ball, not just falling flat. Make sure you get the ball. The legality of the slide tackle depends totally on whether or not you contact the ball first. If you clear the ball, then your opponent trips over your and lands face-first on the ground, it's legal. If you clip your opponent's shin and then clear the ball, you're going to get at least a yellow card warning, and probably worse. Protect yourself. Never slide tackle unless you're wearing form-fitting shin guards of the proper size. You're throwing your leg out there to be tripped over, potentially, or stepped on by a pair of cleats, making it essential that you guard yourself. Shin guards might not be the most comfortable things to play in, but if you're going to be taking it to the ground, they're absolutely essential. Learn when tackles and takedowns are appropriate in a fight. In mixed martial arts, "tackles" are generally called "takedowns," and are used to–you guessed it–take your opponent to the mat and fight on the ground. It's appropriate especially when you're fighting someone who is primarily strike-oriented, and you're more of a mat-wrestler, or think you have a better chance winning with your ground game. Use the double-leg takedown against heavy strikers. The most common takedown in MMA is the double-leg takedown, in which you drive your shoulders into your opponent's hips, grabbing both legs behind the knees and pulling them in close to you. Many fighters will drive the opponent up into the air slightly after being taken off their feet, to make the impact on the ground more powerful. For added bonus points, cage fighters can drive their opponents into the cage first, using it as an ally. Wait for a flurry of punches to shoot down and take out the legs. Georges St. Pierre is particularly good at waiting until the opponent has dropped guard to strike and opened up to the double-leg. Freestyle wrestlers will also commonly use this move, but often somewhat lower than the MMA fighter. Technique-wise, a freestyle wrestler will often drop to their knees very quickly, shooting into the opponent's shins to pull them backward off their feet, whereas the MMA fighter needs to defend from strikes, which makes it more necessary to stay upright. In Judo, the double-leg takedown is called the morote-gare , and has been a legal maneuver since the early 80s. Use the body lock takedown if you miss a punch. Find yourself having thrown an overhand haymaker and missed wildly? The good news is you've probably worked your way in close enough that you can grab on for a body lock. In a body lock, you'll basically wrap your opponent's waist in your arms, with your head next to their head. To take it to the mat, wrap your dominant striking leg behind your opponent's and rotate your shoulders to turn and bring him off his feet, into the mat. Be prepared to get a knee to the gut, or defend elbows. This isn't the most defensive-minded position, but if you execute it quickly enough, it can be a good way to get yourself out of a sticky situation, and cause a lot of damage. Use the half-guard tackle pass. If your opponent is on his back in half-guard, the tackle pass is an excellent way of breaking it and getting back in control of the fight. To execute the maneuver, you basically want to roll your opponent over using the weight of your shoulders on his hips, using enough pressure to get one arm under his hip and butt area. Shoot that hand underneath and wrap up with your other hand, applying pressure and rolling him onto his back. Go for a suplex. They're not just for pro wrestling anymore. From a clinch or a double-overhook, a suplex can be an excellent and surprisingly legal way of taking your opponent to the mat. In the suplex, you'll wrap your opponent's torso, from either the front or the back, then twist them in the air and slam them to the mat. Easier said than done, and much more amenable to a weaker or smaller opponent, it's a common part of some MMA fighters offense, like Jon "Bones" Jones. Practice this in this gym before trying it. A lot. Done incorrectly, your opponent with land on your instead, and you'll end up with an angry dude sitting on your chest ready to pound your lights out.

Maintain the proper position and tackling form. Close the distance between yourself and the ball carrier. Go into breakdown position and buzz your feet. Watch the hips. Make contact. Wrap up. Don't worry about stripping the ball. Only go to the ground as a last-ditch defense. Run parallel to the player in possession. Watch the ball closely and wait until you see separation. Check your emotions at the door. Slide into the tackle, don't jump into the tackle. Make sure you get the ball. Protect yourself. Learn when tackles and takedowns are appropriate in a fight. Use the double-leg takedown against heavy strikers. Use the body lock takedown if you miss a punch. Use the half-guard tackle pass. Go for a suplex.

https://www.wikihow.com/Focus

How to Focus

To focus, try taking a 10-minute break to go for a walk or grab a snack. It might seem counterintuitive, but giving yourself a break will actually help you feel more productive once you get back to work. However, if you can't stop working, take a moment to think about how you could reward yourself when you're finished so you're more motivated to keep working. Even if you don't already have plans, come up with something fun to do, like meeting up with friends, watching a movie, or exploring a new place. You should also get rid of anything that's distracting you, so put away your phone and log out of social media if you're working on the computer. Additionally, if you can, try moving to a quiet spot where other people won't be able to talk to you while you work.

Make a to-do list. If you want to focus better, you need to make a to-do list every day so that you have a tangible list of things to check off when you're done, and feel more direction to accomplish your goals. Instead of sitting around aimlessly, you'll have a list of goals in front of you, and will feel a sense of pride when you get them done. Write down at least three things you need to get done that day, three things you need to get done the next day, and three things that need to get done that week. Tackle the things that you need to get done that day first, and feel accomplished if you have time to get a jump start and work on the other tasks. Reward yourself with breaks. Give yourself a small break every time you check another item off of your to-do list. Try doing all the small tasks, such as getting groceries, as soon as you can. This will narrow down your list and will ensure that you do all the minor tasks first. Don't be lazy and procrastinate those small things! Prioritize your tasks. Remember to do the most creative or difficult tasks in the morning, when you're full of energy and motivation. Save the easier things, like scheduling meetings, filing old papers, or cleaning your work space, for the afternoon, when you're feeling more drained. Don't put off the hardest task until the end of the day, or you may find that it will spill into the next day. Keep an organized space. Keeping an organized space is the key to being able to focus. Focusing is much easier if you know exactly where everything in your office, library desk, backpack, or general workspace is. Having an organized space will save you countless time when you need to find something, and it will keep you more motivated to get work done. Clear anything not work-related away from your workspace. Aside from a few photos in your work office, everything you keep out should be related to work, whether it's paper, a stapler, or a set of pens. Put away your cell phone unless you really need it to work. You can check it every hour or two, but don't keep it out on your desk, or you'll be tempted to look at it all the time. Have an organized filing system. Knowing exactly where all of your documents are will save you tons of time throughout the day. Manage your time. Managing your time is an important part of being focused. When you start a new work day and write your to-do list, write how long you think it will take to accomplish each task next to the task, so that you have a sense of what your day will look like. Try to do the most time-consuming things first so you can get them out of the way. Set reasonable expectations for each task. You shouldn't give yourself twenty minutes to do something that should take an hour. Otherwise, you'll get disappointed when you don't accomplish your goals. If you finish a task early, use that time for a quick break. This will motivate you to get more work done. Plug breaks into your schedule. Taking breaks is just as important as staying on task. If you plan your day to include bursts of productivity followed by short breaks, then you'll be far more focused than if you just spend the entire day "sort of" working without taking any real breaks. Give yourself at least 10 to 20 minutes to take a break after every hour of work. You can use this time to make a quick phone call, respond to a friend's email, or step out to get a cup of tea. Reward yourself with breaks. Use the breaks as a motivation to get work done. If you think, "I can have a delicious smoothie once I'm done with this paper," then you'll be much more motivated than if there's nothing positive on the horizon. Use one of the breaks to get some mild exercise. Just taking a quick 15-minute walk or walking up five flights of stairs and then back down will get your blood going and will make you feel more alert and energized. Take a break to get some fresh air. Don't spend all day cooped up in your office or home. Step out to breathe in some fresh air, catch a morning breeze, or let the sunlight hit your face and you'll feel more focused and ready to get back to work. Build up your focus stamina. Each person may start off with a certain amount of "focus stamina" but rest assured that this is something that can be improved over time. To build your focus stamina, just give yourself a certain amount of time -- say, 30 minutes -- to do nothing but work on a certain task. When that time passes, see how long you can keep going before actually stopping, whether it's just another five minutes or another half hour. If you repeat this process, you'll see that you're able to focus on just one task much more than you thought. Keep going until you feel you need to stop, and try to focus for longer the next day. Meditate. Meditating is not only a great way to relax but if you meditate for just 10 to 20 minutes every day, you will slowly improve your focus. When you meditate, you'll be focusing on clearing your head and concentrating on your body and breath. You can easily transfer these skills to clearing your head and focusing on the work ahead of you. You can meditate when you first wake up or to wind down before bed, or even during both times. Find a relatively quiet environment so you're not distracted by noise. Just find a comfortable seat and place your hands on your knees or lap. Work on relaxing your body, one part at a time, until all of the parts of your body are relaxed. Read more. Reading is a great way to build up your focus. Try reading something without stopping for just thirty minutes, and slowly build your stamina to reading for an hour or even two hours with only short breaks. Being able to focus on the material in front of you, whether you're reading a romance novel or a biography, will help you learn to focus on your work. As you read, ask yourself questions every few pages to make sure that you understand what you're reading and that you're placing all of your concentration and energy into the material. Reading in the morning is a great way to wake up your mind, and reading in bed is a great way to wind down before bedtime. Make a goal of reading for thirty more minutes a day, and watching television for thirty less minutes. The concentration you build up from reading can be harmed by the concentration that you may lose from watching a television show with a lot of commercials. Try to block out all distractions while reading. Keep your phone on silent and if you want to, tell your family members not to disturb you while you're reading. This will not only build up your concentration and focus but will also help you absorb the words written on the page before you. Multi-task less. Though many people think that multi-tasking is a great way to accomplish goals more quickly and to get two or three things done at once, multi-tasking is actually harmful to your concentration. When you multi-task, you may think you're getting more done, but you're not putting all of your focus and energy into any one task, which actually harms your concentration. Work on getting just one thing done at a time and you'll see that you get this done more quickly. Chatting with your friends online while getting work done is one of the worst forms of multi-tasking. Chatting with a friend can slow your productivity down by half. If you're working at home, avoid the temptation to do chores while you're working or studying. You may get the dishes washed, but you'll slow yourself down tremendously. Reflect. Have you ever spent a whole day "working" and then wondered how you managed to accomplish almost nothing? If this has happened to you, then you should reflect on the experience before you jump into another equally unproductive day. Before you start working, you should write down all of the things that were and weren't working during your study or work session to make sure to have a better experience. Were you supposed to study, but spent the whole time gossiping with your study buddy? Then you should study solo next time. Were you doing work in your office, but really spent the whole day helping out your colleagues instead of getting any work done for yourself? Then next time, you should be less helpful and a little bit more selfish. Did you waste your whole day reading random articles that people posted on Facebook, g-chatting with your friends, or texting with your friends about what you'll do that night? It's better to do those things after the work day is done. Before you start your work day, write down whatever it was that kept you from accomplishing your goals, so that you're less likely to make the same mistake. Have a solid pre-work routine. Whether you're going to the library or heading to the office for an eight-hour work day, it's important to have a solid routine before you start working so your day starts off on the right foot and you're more motivated to get everything done. Get enough sleep. Wake up and go to bed around the same time every day, so that your body feels alert and refreshed when you get up, not groggy and tired. Eat a healthy breakfast. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, so you should eat enough to have the energy to start working, but not so much that you feel sluggish or bogged down. Eat healthy carbs like oatmeal or wheat cereal, proteins like eggs or lean turkey, and some fruits or vegetables to get your day started. Make time for some quick exercise. Just 15 to 20 minutes of walking, light aerobics, or sit-ups and abdominal exercises will get your blood pumping without making you tired. Watch your caffeine intake. Though coffee can jolt you awake, try not to have more than one cup a day, or you'll crash by noon. Instead, switch to a low-caffeine tea, or even wean yourself off of caffeine completely, if you really want to have a productive day. Pick the right time and place. Though you may not have the luxury of choosing when to start and end your work day if you work in a traditional office, if you do have some flexibility, then you should start working when you feel most alert, and pick an environment that helps you do work. Remember that everyone's most productive hour is different. Some people are most productive when they first wake up, while others need some more time to get settled before they really feel alert. Pick the time when your body is most ready to say, "Let's go!" and not, "Let's nap." It's important to find the right work environment for yourself. Some people work best from home because they feel the most comfortable there, while others feel more motivated when they're in a coffee shop or library where everyone is doing work. Anticipate your needs. If you want to be as focused and productive as possible, then you should anticipate your needs before you start studying, or your mind will start to wander if your body wants to do something other than work. Be prepared with healthy snacks like nuts, apples, bananas, and carrot sticks to keep you going instead of stepping out to the vending machine. Always hydrate. No matter where you go, you should bring a bottle of water to keep your body refreshed. Bring or wear layers of clothing. If the room where you're working is too hot or too cold, you should be prepared to take off some layers or throw on a scarf or a sweater. You don't want to lose your focus because you're sweating or shivering and can't do anything about it. Avoid distractions online. The Internet may be filled with interesting and valuable information, but when it comes to getting work done, it can be a huge time-suck. If you really want to get work done, then you need to avoid social media and chatting with your friends throughout your work day, and to check your email only a few times a day if you really need to. If you spot an interesting article, tell yourself that you can read it during your scheduled break time -- but not sooner. Avoid sending personal emails while you're working. This will distract you and will usually take a lot longer than you intended. If you don't really need the Internet for work, then disconnect your wireless completely. You can reconnect it every hour or two to check back in. Avoiding online distractions completely takes time. If you check your Facebook and email every fifteen minutes, start by checking it every 30 minutes, and see if you can work up to checking it just two or three times a day, or to avoiding Facebook altogether. If you do need the Internet to work, try not to keep more than five tabs open at a time. Focus on what you need to read and move on. If you have too many pages open at once, your mind will be in multi-task mode. Don't get distracted by other people. Other people are a major distraction, whether you're working in an office or a library. Don't let them keep you from accomplishing your goals. Though it may be tempting to socialize when you're supposed to be working, this will slow you down and will make you work longer. Let everyone around you know how important it is that you get your work done, whether you're working near your family or your colleagues. They'll be less likely to butt in if they see how committed you are. Don't take personal phone calls or text messages unless there's no avoiding it. Tell your friends and family to only contact you while you're working if it's really important, and you'll get less messages. If you have a study buddy or a study group, make sure everyone stays on task. You can even clap your hands once every time people get off task to serve as a reminder of how important it is to stay focused. Don't get distracted by your environment. Any work environment can be distracting if you allow it to get to you. But if you have the right mindset, then you can use almost any work environment to your advantage. Here's what to do: If you're working in a loud and public place, invest in some noise-cancelling headphones or listen to music without lyrics to stay focused. If you're sitting next to someone who is talking on his phone, or two friends who are loudly engaged in conversation, move away from them, even if you're settled in your place. If you're working somewhere where a television is on, don't look up at it more than once an hour, or you can get sucked in. Stay motivated. If you want to avoid distractions and focus more, the best way is to stay motivated to finish your task. You should write down why you're motivated to get your work done, and look down at this reason several times a day, to remind yourself why it's important to focus and not be tempted by a distraction. Consider the importance of your work itself. Tell yourself that if you're grading papers, it's important to give your students feedback. If you're wrapping up a project, then it's important for the success of your company. Consider yourself. What personal advantage will you gain from getting the work done? If you study for a test, then you'll be able to get a good grade and boost your CGPA. If you seal an important deal with a client, you may be able to get a promotion. Consider the fun things that await once the work is done. Remind yourself about the fun things you can do once the task is done, whether it's taking an evening yoga class, catching up with an old friend over ice cream, or having a nice, relaxing meal with your significant other.

Make a to-do list. Prioritize your tasks. Keep an organized space. Manage your time. Plug breaks into your schedule. Build up your focus stamina. Meditate. Read more. Multi-task less. Reflect. Have a solid pre-work routine. Pick the right time and place. Anticipate your needs. Avoid distractions online. Don't get distracted by other people. Don't get distracted by your environment. Stay motivated.

https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Your-Dog%27s-Annual-Vet-Exam

How to Prepare for Your Dog's Annual Vet Exam

If you want to prepare for your dog's annual vet exam, you'll need to take note of your dog's diet and write down everything your dog eats, including treats and supplements. Food has such a big impact on your dog's health that your vet will want to know everything and should even know if you feed it table scraps occasionally. You should also come prepared with any questions or concerns you have about your dog's health. If this is a new vet, they'll be able to answer those questions better if you bring your dog's medical files and vaccination history.

Select a date and time for the exam. Depending on your dog's age and health, the annual vet exam could take a long time. For example, if your dog has a chronic disease (e.g., diabetes) or multiple health problems, it may take longer for your vet to examine your dog and perform testing. Or, if your vet suspects a new health problem during the exam, your dog may need additional testing during the appointment. When you schedule the appointment, choose a date and time when you will not have any time constraints. Ask the receptionist what you should bring to the exam. When you call the vet's office, ask if you will need to bring medical documents or samples (fecal, urine) with you to the appointment. If you know ahead of time what you will need to bring, you will be better prepared for the exam. Confirm whether you should fast your dog before the exam. Blood work is part of a dog's annual vet exam. Fasting helps ensure the test results are accurate and not affected by what your dog eats before the blood draw. Also, certain blood tests, like a bile acid test, require a dog be fasted for 12 hours before the blood sample is taken. Fasting can involve withholding only food or withholding both food and water. If you need to fast your dog, your vet's office will give you specific instructions on how to perform the fast. A bile acid test is a way to detect liver problems in dogs. Inquire about the cost of the exam. Because annual vet exams involve the assessment of many aspects of your dog's health, the cost of the exam could be high. When you schedule the exam, ask the receptionist for an estimate of the exam's cost. The actual cost may be different, but knowing an approximate cost beforehand will prevent sticker shock when the exam is over. Approximate costs for an annual vet exam are listed below: Office visit (cost of appointment and physical exam): $45‒$55 Vaccinations: about $20 each Heartworm test: $45‒$50 Fecal exam: $25‒$45 Geriatric screening (for dogs seven years or older): $85‒$110 Collect a fresh fecal sample. For your dog's annual vet exam, your vet will test your dog's feces for intestinal parasites. Prior to the exam, you will probably need to collect a fecal sample. This sample should be fresh—less than twelve hours old. A fresh sample will provide the most accurate results, since the eggs and larvae from some intestinal parasites can become unrecognizable in old fecal samples. Pick up the sample. Although picking up dog poop is never fun, collecting a sample will help you prepare for your dog's annual exam. Pick up a sample with a doggie bag or a pooper scooper. If you use a doggie bag, turn it inside out so your hand is on the outside of the bag. Pick up a sample, use your free hand to turn the bag right side out, and tie a knot at the top of the bag. Doing it this way will keep your hands from getting dirty. If you use a pooper scooper, pick up the sample with the scooper and empty the sample into a plastic bag. Tie a knot once the sample is in the bag. It's okay if you pick up grass, leaves, or other material on the ground when you collect a fecal sample. You do not need to collect a large sample. One or two pieces of feces should be enough. Package the fecal sample. If you collect the fecal sample more than twelve hours before your dog's annual exam, you can keep it fresh by putting it in your refrigerator. First, transfer the sample to a sealable plastic bag. Then, place the sealable bag into another bag to prevent your refrigerator from getting dirty. If you don't want to transfer the sample to the sealable plastic bag, simply place the doggie bag inside the sealable bag. This way, the sample will still be double bagged, without the mess (and stink) of transferring the sample from one bag to the other. Place the fecal sample as far away from the foods and beverages as possible. After you take the sample out, clean that area of the refrigerator. If the thought of putting dog poop in your fridge doesn't sit well with you, collect the fecal sample within 12 hours of the appointment and do not put it in your refrigerator. Collect a fresh sample. As with a fecal sample, a urine sample should be as fresh as possible. Ideally, collect the sample within a few hours of the annual exam. The urine should be in a sterile, sealable plastic container. If you decide to collect the urine yourself, try to stop by your vet's office before the appointment to pick up a sterile container. If you are not comfortable collecting the sample, the staff at the vet's office can collect the sample during the appointment. To keep your dog from peeing before the appointment, do not let it go outside unattended and do not let it stop to sniff the bushes when you arrive at the vet's office. Select a container in which to collect the urine. If you are not able to pick up a sterile container from your vet's office, use a plastic container that you have at home. Make sure it is a container that you do not plan to use again. Examples of plastic containers are empty butter containers or a small food storage container. Wash the container with soap and water before you use it to collect the urine sample. Let it dry completely. To keep the urine from spilling out, select a container with a lid. Pick a time to collect the urine. It will be easier to collect a urine sample when your dog's bladder is full. Usually, dogs will need to urinate after they wake up in the morning and after they eat. Dogs also urinate during walks or when they exercise. Pick a time when your dog is most likely to urinate. Having your dog on a leash will also make it easier to collect the urine sample. Place the plastic container in your dog’s urine stream. While you are out with your dog, keep a watchful eye on its movements so you know when it is about to urinate. When your dog starts to urinate, slowly and gently position the plastic container in the urine stream, near your dog's back end. It is important to be slow and gentle so you don't startle your dog. You will need to collect only about one tablespoon of urine. It's not a problem if you end collecting up more than that. After collecting the urine and putting the lid on the container, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Don't worry if your dog stops peeing before you are able to get a sample. The staff at your vet's clinic can collect the sample during the annual exam. Keep the urine cool. If you are not going to your vet's office within one hour of collecting the urine sample, keep the sample cool by placing it in your refrigerator. It can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to twelve hours. If you place the urine sample in the refrigerator, keep the container far away from foods and beverages and clean the area after you take the container out of the refrigerator. Gather your dog’s medical files. If you are taking your dog to a new vet, bring your dog's medical paperwork with you to the appointment. Important paperwork includes vaccination history, results of previous heartworm tests and fecal exams, and any treatment your dog has received (e.g., surgeries, treatment for chronic diseases like diabetes). Also, bring paperwork that lists medicines your dog has taken or is currently taking, such as preventative medicines (e.g., flea and tick, heartworm). The more information you can provide the new vet, the better they will be able to examine your dog and assess its health. If you are going to a vet that has seen your dog before, they will already have your dog's medical history. Take note of your dog’s diet. During the annual exam, your vet will want to know about your dog's diet. Before the exam, write down everything your dog eats, including treats and supplements. If you occasionally feed your dog table scraps, write that down as well. What your dog eats can affect its health, so your vet will need to know the details of its diet. Write down questions and concerns about your dog’s health. The annual vet exam is a great time to discuss questions and concerns about your dog's health with your vet. For example, if your dog isn't moving around as well as it used to, or is getting older and you're wondering if you need to change its diet, bring up these topics with your vet. The more information you receive from your vet about your dog's health and wellbeing, the better you will be able to care for your dog.

Select a date and time for the exam. Ask the receptionist what you should bring to the exam. Confirm whether you should fast your dog before the exam. Inquire about the cost of the exam. Collect a fresh fecal sample. Pick up the sample. Package the fecal sample. Collect a fresh sample. Select a container in which to collect the urine. Pick a time to collect the urine. Place the plastic container in your dog’s urine stream. Keep the urine cool. Gather your dog’s medical files. Take note of your dog’s diet. Write down questions and concerns about your dog’s health.

https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-Eye-Pressure-Without-Drops

How to Lower Eye Pressure Without Drops

The easiest way to lower eye pressure without using drops is by changing your diet. Avoid foods that can trigger an abrupt increase in insulin levels like sugar, grains, breads, pasta, rice, cereal, and potatoes. If medical marijuana is legal where you live, consider trying edibles, capsules, tablets, or oils, which studies have shown can temporarily reduce eye pressure. To treat severe cases, consider more invasive measures like surgery or drainage implants.

Lower your body's insulin levels. Individuals who suffer from conditions such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure often become resistant to insulin, which actually causes the body to produce more insulin. These high insulin levels have been linked to increased eye pressure. To solve this problem, patients are advised to avoid certain foods that can trigger an abrupt increase in insulin levels. These foods include: sugar, grains (whole and organic), breads, pasta, rice, cereal and potatoes. Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Talk with your doctor about starting an exercise routine to ensure that it's safe for you to do so. Regularly engaging in exercises like aerobics, jogging, brisk walking, biking and strength training may help to to lower your body's insulin levels, thus protecting your eyes from ocular hypertension. Avoid exercises and positions that place you in a head-down position, as this can increase intraocular pressure. This includes some yoga positions, such as headstands. Include dietary omega-3 fatty acids. To boost your DHA levels, try to eat to 2-3 servings of these kinds of fish each week. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that maintains healthy retinal function and prevents pressure from building up in the eyes. DHA (and other omega-3 fatty acids) are found in cold water fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, shellfish and herring. Consume more foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, which work as antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals. These free radicals weaken the immune system, which can lead to infection and damage to the optic nerves. Lutein and zeaxanthin also help to lower eye pressure by reducing oxidative damage around the optic nerve. This is important, as any damage in the optic nerve increases eye pressure. Foods that contain excellent sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include kale, spinach, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and raw egg yolks. Try to include at least one of these foods in every major meal of the day. Avoid trans fats. As mentioned above, omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce intraocular pressure. However, foods that are high in trans fats prevent the omega-3s from working properly, which can lead to increased eye pressure. As a result, it's a good idea to limit your intake of foods rich in trans fats. These foods include: Packaged cookies, crackers, cakes, and other baked goods Fried foods Margarine Eat more antioxidants. Dark colored berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and bilberries, help to improve the overall health of the eyes by reinforcing the capillaries that transmit nutrients to the eye nerves and muscles. This is due to the fact that dark-colored berries contain antioxidants that help to strengthen blood vessels. This reduces the chances of blood vessels hemorrhaging and causing damage. Try to eat at least 1 portion of dark-colored berries per day. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant and is used to prevent and treat a number of eye disorders, including glaucoma and increased eye pressure. Dosage is usually 75mg twice a day. Bilberry is very commonly used to increase visual acuity and combat degenerative eye diseases, including ocular hypertension. One study on a specific product containing bilberry and pycnogenol (an extract from pine bark) was clinically shown to lower eye pressure. Grapeseed extract is an antioxidant and has been successfully used to reduce eye stress due to glare. Grapeseed extract is commonly used to combat signs of aging and improve night vision. Limit or avoid caffeine. Consuming a large amount of caffeine can increase ocular pressure, so it's best to only consume caffeinated beverages and foods in moderation. Cut back on the amount of coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, chocolate, and any other caffeinated food and drinks. You may even want to completely eliminate these items from your diet for 1 month or more to see if this helps to reduce your eye pressure. Take a daily multivitamin for nutritional insurance. Although there is no convincing evidence that vitamins may help to prevent glaucoma, taking a daily multivitamin might be helpful for you if you don't get a balanced diet. Look for a vitamin that contains 100% of your daily value of the following: Vitamin A Vitamin B-complex Vitamin C Vitamin E Calcium Magnesium Zinc Discuss surgery for persistent ocular pressure. If high pressure persists, it can cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to an eye condition called glaucoma. Over time, glaucoma can lead to vision loss. Glaucoma is usually treated using a combination of eye drops and oral medications. However, if these measures don't work, surgery will be necessary to lower pressure in the eyes. Surgery for glaucoma helps to improve the flow of fluid within the eyes, lowering eye pressure as a result. Sometimes, a single surgery will not be enough to adequately relieve eye pressure and treat glaucoma. In this situation, a follow-up surgery may be necessary. There are several types of surgery used to treat glaucoma, depending on the severity of the condition. Ask your doctor about drainage implants for severe cases. Drainage implants are usually used to treat high eye pressure in children and in people with advanced glaucoma. During the procedure, a small tube is inserted into the eye to facilitate the drainage of fluid. Once the fluid is drained, pressure in the eye is reduced. Consider getting laser surgery as an effective alternative to eyedrops. Trabeculoplasty is a type of laser surgery that uses a high-energy laser beam to open blocked drainage canals in the eyes, allowing the excess fluid to drain. This procedure is normally performed on an outpatient basis. After the surgery, eye pressure is checked periodically to ensure that the procedure was successful. Another type of laser surgery is iridotomy. This type of laser is used in people with very narrow drainage angles in the eyes. During this procedure, a small hole is created on the top part of the iris to allow for the drainage of fluid. If laser iridotomy doesn't work, peripheral iridotomy may be done. This procedure involves removing a small part of the iris to improve fluid drainage. This type of surgery is relatively rare. Talk with an eye surgeon about filtering surgery. Trabeculectomy is a type of surgical procedure used as a last resort in the treatment of high eye pressure if eye drops and laser surgery remain unsuccessful. In this procedure, a surgeon creates an opening in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and removes a small piece of tissue in the base of the cornea. This allows fluid to flow freely from the eye, resulting in reduced pressure. The procedure is done in one eye and is repeated in the other eye several weeks later, if necessary. Additional treatments may be required following this procedure as the opening might become blocked or closed up again. Practice blinking every 3 to 4 seconds. Relax and refresh the eyes by making a conscious effort to blink every 3 to 4 seconds, over a 2 minute period. Use a watch to time yourself, if necessary. This will relieve some of the pressure on your eyes, leaving them ready to process new information. People have a tendency to avoid blinking when working on a computer, watching television or playing video games. This puts a lot of strain on the eyes. Cover your eye with the palm of your hand. Place your right hand over your right eye, resting your fingers against your forehead and the heel of your hand against your cheekbone. Don't apply any pressure. Keep the hand in place for 30 seconds to a minute, blinking freely throughout. Uncover your right eye, then use your left hand to cover your left eye and repeat. Covering your eye with the palm of your hand helps to relax both the eye and the mind, relieving stress and allowing you to blink freely. Trace an imaginary figure 8 with your eyes. Imagine a big number 8 on the wall in front of you, turned onto its side. Use your eyes to trace this number 8, without moving your head. Keep doing this for 1-2 minutes. If you're having difficulty imagining a sideways 8, draw one on a large piece of paper and stick it on the wall. You can trace this with your eyes instead. This exercise helps to strengthen your eye muscles and increase their flexibility, making them less prone to injury and high pressure. Practice focusing your eyes on both near and faraway objects. Find a relaxing place to sit, without any distractions. Hold your thumb approximately 10 inches (25.4 cm) in front of your face and focus your eyes on it. Focus on your thumb for five to 10 seconds, then switch your focus to another object, between 10 to 20 feet (3.0 to 6.1 m) away from you. Alternate between focusing on your thumb and focusing on the far away object for 1-2 minutes. This exercise helps to strengthen the eye muscles and improve your overall vision. Focus on your thumb and move it towards and away from your eyes. Stretch one hand directly out in front of you, then stick up your thumb. Focus both eyes on the thumb, then slowly move your thumb towards you until it is about 3 in (7.6 cm) away from your face. Move your thumb away from you again, keeping both eyes on it at all times. Continue to focus on your moving thumb for 1-2 minutes. This exercise improves your focusing skills and also helps to strengthens your eye muscles. Look into biofeedback to alleviate eye pressure. Biofeedback teaches you to control normal bodily processes, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. A biofeedback therapist can teach you proper technique so you can begin to practice on your own. See an eye specialist for a diagnosis. High eye pressure (medically known as ocular hypertension) is difficult to diagnose, as it does not show any visible symptoms such as redness or eye pain. A diagnosis cannot be made using visual examination alone, so you will need to have your eyes examined by an eye specialist. He will use a combination of methods to identify ocular hypertension. Tonometry. This procedure is used to measure intraocular pressure in the eyes and gauge whether the level of pressure is still within normal limits. The eye is numbed and then an orange dye is inserted to help the specialist identify the level of pressure. A machine is used to measure the pressure in the eye by applying pressure to the eye. However, it's important to take the corneal thickness into account as people with thicker corneas may show falsely higher measurements. A reading of 21mmHg or higher usually indicates the presence of ocular hypertension. It's rare for someone with a reading of 30 mmHg or less to have glaucoma. However, other conditions can affect this reading, such as head or eye injuries or a buildup of blood behind the cornea. Air puff. With this procedure, the patient is asked to look straight into an apparatus while the specialist shines a light into the eye. The apparatus then sends a quick puff of air directly into the eye. A special machine reads the pressure by assessing the changes in the light reflections upon the strike of air into the eye. Discuss potential causes of the condition with your doctor. Ocular hypertension is associated with increasing age along with other factors. Several factors may contribute to the development of ocular hypertension, including: Excessive aqueous production. Aqueous humor is a transparent liquid manufactured in the eye. It drains from the eye by means of the trabecular meshwork. If excessive aqueous humor is produced, the pressure in the eye increases. Inadequate aqueous drainage. Improper drainage of aqueous humor can lead to increased eye pressure. Certain medications. Certain drugs (such as steroids) can cause ocular hypertension, especially in people with pre-existing risk factors. Eye trauma. Any irritation or injury to the eye can affect the balance of aqueous production and drainage from the eye and may result in increased eye pressure. Other eye conditions. Ocular hypertension is usually linked with other eye ailments such as pseudo exfoliation syndrome, corneal arcus, and dispersion syndrome. Identify your risk factors for ocular hypertension. Anyone can develop high eye pressure, but studies show that the following groups are at increased risk of developing the condition: African-Americans. Individuals over the age of 40. Persons with a family history of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. People with thinner central corneal thickness measurements.

Lower your body's insulin levels. Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Include dietary omega-3 fatty acids. Consume more foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin. Avoid trans fats. Eat more antioxidants. Limit or avoid caffeine. Take a daily multivitamin for nutritional insurance. Discuss surgery for persistent ocular pressure. Ask your doctor about drainage implants for severe cases. Consider getting laser surgery as an effective alternative to eyedrops. Talk with an eye surgeon about filtering surgery. Practice blinking every 3 to 4 seconds. Cover your eye with the palm of your hand. Trace an imaginary figure 8 with your eyes. Practice focusing your eyes on both near and faraway objects. Focus on your thumb and move it towards and away from your eyes. Look into biofeedback to alleviate eye pressure. See an eye specialist for a diagnosis. Discuss potential causes of the condition with your doctor. Identify your risk factors for ocular hypertension.

https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Car-While-in-Bankruptcy

How to Buy a Car While in Bankruptcy

If you're currently in bankruptcy, buying a car can be difficult, but you might still be able to get a loan with certain conditions. Although you can't usually take on new debt, if you can demonstrate that the car will help you stay on your repayment plan, like if you can't get to your job without a car, you might be able to get it authorized by your trustee or the court. Ask credit unions, banks, and financial institutions you have previous relationships with for a loan. Or, approach companies who specialize in bankruptcy car loans. Just be prepared to pay a high interest rate. If you can't secure a loan, your only option might be to ask a friend or family member to finance it for you.

Confirm what type of bankruptcy you have filed for. Before you attempt to purchase a car, know whether you have filed for Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you file for bankruptcy as an LLC or a business, then your bankruptcy falls under Chapter 11, which carries a different set of rules for asset seizure and debt repayment. If you have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your debts are typically eliminated completely, and the process usually takes three to four months. Chapter 13 bankruptcy involves repaying your creditors through a Chapter 13 repayment plan that typically lasts three to five years. The repayment plan involves paying a high portion of your monthly income towards debt repayment. Afterwards remaining debts are usually eliminated. For more information, see how to know the different between chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy Know how your bankruptcy impacts your credit. Under both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your credit score will be badly damaged for some time to come. It can take up to 10 years to fully erase the impact of filing for bankruptcy (either Chapter 13 or 7). However, purchasing power through credit can usually be reestablished after 3 years if the initial debt situation was not too drastic. Understand the difference between exempt and non-exempt assets. Every bankruptcy case is different and varies in relation to an individual's income, the particular amount owed to creditors, and the types of assets an individual holds. Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a reasonably priced vehicle that provides you with transportation to necessary destinations, like work or the doctor's office will usually not be seized to pay off your creditors. However, if you purchased a luxury vehicle, you may be forced to sell that vehicle, purchase a more affordable vehicle, and use the remaining portion for debt repayment. So, before considering the purchase of a new vehicle, see what options are available to you through a debt consultant. Examine whether you truly need a car. Unless you have sufficient cash to purchase a car, getting a car will mean acquiring new debt. While in bankruptcy, acquiring debt means facing potentially high interest rates (as high as 18%) and adding to your debt at a time when you are working to reduce it. Most importantly, you will need to prove to the court as well as your trustee that a car is necessary. If there are alternative options to owning a car (using public transit, walking, carpooling), utilize these first. This could save you significant amount in interest costs, and help you return to financial stability quicker. Wait if you can. Your credit improves as you move further into the bankruptcy process. While it can take 10 years to restore your credit fully, you may be able to negotiate better financing options 1 or 2 years into the bankruptcy process. The longer you wait to purchase a new vehicle, the better payment terms you will get. Be proactive about your finances. Don't be afraid to consult with a credit or debt specialist to gauge where your credit and financial situation is at throughout the process. While bankruptcy can be demoralizing and difficult to cope with, there are many resources to help you get through the process. Consider local credit counselors or financial planners to start. A simple look through your phone book or online will indicate who is available in your region. Demonstrate fiscal competency. Ideally, wait until you are at least 2 years into the Chapter 13 process before considering a car loan. This will give you a better chance of getting approved. Bankruptcy trustees and credit lenders need to know that you fully understand your financial situation and have made the necessary adjustments to your purchasing patterns before they will sign off on a car loan. While this is ideal, if a car is absolutely necessary in order for you to generate income, proceeding with the loan approval process is the wisest course of action. Understand your limitations while in Chapter 13. Bankruptcy law does allow you to take on new debt while in the midst of a Chapter 13 re-payment plan, but it requires your Chapter 13 trustee as well as the court to authorize the new debt.. To do this, you will need to demonstrate that taking on the debt is necessary to help you stay on your repayment plan. For example, if you have no other reasonable way to get to work other than driving, you would likely be authorized to borrow money for a car. This is because the loan is necessary for you to continue with your repayment plan. You will also need to confirm that the debt payments are so substantial that they would limit your ability to continue your usual Chapter 13 repayments. Your Chapter 13 debt repayments will drastically cut into the amount you will be able to put into car payments on a month-to-month basis, as you are required to dedicate to portion of your monthly earnings to repaying your existing debt. This will limit the price and quality of car that you can purchase. Choose a car you can afford. During the bankruptcy process, you should have taken a hard look at your income and expenses. You will need to limit yourself to cars that can be paid for within that budget. Be sure to include gas, insurance and maintenance costs in your budget. You will need to look for a used car. Visit your local car dealerships, and read Consumer Reports and Online Dealer Ratings and Reviews. Try to find a car under $15,000 that is in good working condition with relatively low mileage. Always ask for the vehicle's full history report, which will allow you to examine the maintenance record. If you do not know about cars, ask a friend or family member who is knowledgeable to examine it. Try to save as much cash for the purchase as possible. Paying for some (or ideally, all) of the car in cash not only reduces your debt, but it also reduces your interest payments and could also possibly reduce your interest rate since a larger down-payment means less risk for your lender. For more information on calculating driving expenses, see how to calculate the cost of driving. Ask someone close to you to finance the car for you. As an alternative to a traditional car loan, consider asking for a loan from a family member or friend. Alternatively, someone you trust, such as a family member, friend or employer may be willing to put the car loan in their name, and collect monthly payments from you. This will help eliminate extra costs, as low or no interest loans from a friend or family will be easier to manage. However, be advised that this puts your family member or friend in a position where they will be forced to repay your loan in the event that you cannot make your payments. Any late or missed payments may also negatively affect their credit. Shop around for an auto loan. Start with any credit unions, banks, or financial institutions for which you have a previous relationship. Indicate clearly your situation, and ask what options are available. It is important to look at many options and not just settle for the first one you receive, as this gives you greater odds of finding an affordable rate. Note that sometimes, traditional lenders like banks or credit unions may be reluctant to lend to somebody in bankruptcy. In this case, look for lenders who specialize in financing bad credit or bankruptcy car loans. Internet searches, local television or print commercials should help you identify a lender who works with individuals who have bad credit, no credit or have filed for bankruptcy. Avoid "buy-here-pay here" lenders. These are independent used-car dealers where a buyer arranges financing and purchase at the dealership, and these lenders often offer extremely high rates and long loan terms on sometimes unreliable vehicles that sometimes break down during the repayment process.. To avoid these types of dealerships, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if many complaints have been made against a dealership beforehand. Gain approval for a loan from your trustee and the court. Your trustee will likely require specific loan terms to analyze. After you have located a potential loan, you can begin the process of approval by contacting your trustee. They will typically give you paperwork to fill out, and you will input details of the loan. They will then use this information to determine if your income can handle the new debt. At this point, your trustee will file a motion with the court to ask for permission, assuming the trustee approves. Your creditors will likely also receive the motion. You may be required to attend a hearing in court. Note that your trustee is very unlikely to approve a car loan over $15,000. Obtain written documentation. When meeting with your bankruptcy trustee, get a written authorization from him or her. This authorization should include the amount that has been approved for a monthly payment.. You can then keep this for you own records, and show your car loan lender to finalize the loan. Know the parameters of Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your non-exempt assets are liquidated to pay back all or a portion of your outstanding debt. Non-exempt assets include musical instruments, expensive clothing or jewelry, expensive furniture or appliances, and any additional vehicles beyond a single car. As much of your debt is paid back to your creditors as a result of the liquidation of your assets, Chapter 7 bankruptcy will not require you to make monthly payments back to your creditors, freeing up your income for necessary purchases. However, this also tends to prevent you from being to pay cash out-of-pocket for a car, as expendable cash would have been seized as non-exempt assets, making obtaining a loan necessary for the purchase of a car. Consider waiting until you have received your bankruptcy discharge. Unlike Chapter 13 bankruptcy which takes many years to finish, Chapter 7 bankruptcies are usually discharged in three to four months. It is very difficult and sometimes impossible to get a loan before a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is discharged. It is wise to wait until the process is complete before attempting. Examine the feasibility of buying a car with cash. This can be a lot more difficult to achieve under Chapter 7 bankruptcy than Chapter 13 bankruptcy. While bankruptcy laws from state-to-state and the terms of individual bankruptcy cases vary, almost all assets held in bank accounts are liquidated to pay back creditors under Chapter 7. However, if you have been able to keep a sizable amount of cash from being seized during your bankruptcy process, it may be possible to purchase a car outright, with cash, while under Chapter 7. It is important to note that at least one car, especially if that vehicle is used to get to and from work, will fall under a "motor vehicle exemption" under the majority of state bankruptcy laws- allowing you to keep a car you already own. With this being the case, it may be wise to purchase the vehicle with cash prior to filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Discuss your plans with your trustee. If you absolutely need to make a purchase during your bankruptcy period, inform your trustee of your plans. The trustee will likely need to approve any potential purchase, so it is important to work with them rather than behind their back. Obtain the necessary paperwork. You will likely not be able to purchase a car under Chapter 7 bankruptcy until you have acquired a bankruptcy discharge notification. This ensures future creditors that, despite your past financial troubles, you have done everything required of you to pay back your outstanding debts as they are outlined your bankruptcy proceedings. If you have not obtained discharge yet, you will likely need paperwork from your trustee approving you to receive a loan. Prepare to make a large down payment. Financing will be available while you are in Chapter 7, but it will be expensive. Most dealers will require at least $1,000 as a down payment, but usually require more. Find a lender. There are many car dealers specializing in making loans to people with bad credit, no credit and even those who have declared bankruptcy. Look online or in local advertisements to find a car dealer who specializes in finding financing for people with credit troubles. Always shop around for as many options as possible. Clearly explain your bankruptcy situation to a lender, being open and clear about your financial difficulties and the reason for them can make them more likely to approve a loan. Visiting institutions (like a bank or credit union) with which you have prior relationships is an important place to start. These institutions have previous records of your payment history, and if you generally have good credit behavior or they see that your bankruptcy was due to a factor beyond your control (like job loss or medical emergency), they may be willing to lend. You can also get a loan with the help of a family member or friend, either as a cosigner or as a personal loan. However, be advised that this makes that person legally responsible for your debt should you fail to make payments. Choose an affordable car. Having filed for bankruptcy, lenders will view you as someone who has proven the capacity to live well beyond his or her means. Because of this, it is critical to select a reasonable car that you can afford before approaching a lender for financing. If possible, it may be wise to approach a friend, family member or trusted acquaintance who would be willing to sign for a car loan on your behalf and arrange a payment schedule with that individual. This will help to reduce the stress of putting forward a high down payment or paying higher interest rates on monthly car payments. Expect a higher interest rate. Your car loan will likely have an interest rate that is higher than traditional loans. This will drastically increase the monthly payments you will owe to the dealership or independent lender. Interest rates may be as high as 15-20%.

Confirm what type of bankruptcy you have filed for. Know how your bankruptcy impacts your credit. Understand the difference between exempt and non-exempt assets. Examine whether you truly need a car. Wait if you can. Be proactive about your finances. Demonstrate fiscal competency. Understand your limitations while in Chapter 13. Choose a car you can afford. Ask someone close to you to finance the car for you. Shop around for an auto loan. Gain approval for a loan from your trustee and the court. Obtain written documentation. Know the parameters of Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Consider waiting until you have received your bankruptcy discharge. Examine the feasibility of buying a car with cash. Discuss your plans with your trustee. Obtain the necessary paperwork. Prepare to make a large down payment. Find a lender. Choose an affordable car. Expect a higher interest rate.

https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-the-Right-Bra

How to Choose the Right Bra

To find your bra band size, measure around your ribs just under your breasts. Then, measure around the fullest part of your breasts to find your bust size. Subtract the band measurement from the bust measurement to find your cup size, and voila! Once you've found your measurements, try the bra on to make sure your entire breast is in the bra cup and the straps aren't digging into or falling off of your shoulders.

Put on a comfortable, well-fitting, non-padded bra. Choose the bra you feel most comfortable in--it should be snug but not dig into your sides. Your nipples should be about halfway between your elbow and shoulder. If they are lower, tighten the straps to lift. You can also measure without a bra, but it may be slightly more challenging when things can move around. Find your band size. Standing in front of a mirror, use a soft tape measurer to measure around your ribs right under your breasts. This is also where the band of your bra wraps around your torso. Pull the tape tight. Write down this measurement. Use the mirror to make sure the tape is exactly parallel to the floor. If the measuring tape is not in a straight line around your body and at an angle, you will not get an accurate measurement. Don't pull the tape so tight it's like you are wearing a corset. Just make sure it is squeezing your body snugly. If your measurement is a fraction (like 33 1/2 inches), round up to the nearest whole number (34 inches). Band sizes are measured in even numbers, so if your measurement was odd, you may want to try one size up and one size down (if you measure 35 inches, try both the 34 and the 36 size bra), but round up for now. Find your bust size. Wrap the measuring tape around your back and measure your breasts at their fullest point, usually at the nipple. Write down this measurement. Because your cup size can fluctuate based on hormones and bloating, try to measure on a day when your breasts feel relatively normal. If you are concerned about your posture (maybe you slouch), try bending forward at the hips to a 90 degree angle, or until your body forms an L shape. Then measure your bust from that position. Don't pull the tape tight like you did with your band measurement. As with the band measurement, round up to the nearest whole number if your measurement is a fraction. Again, be certain the tape is straight across your back. The measuring tape should not angle up from your back toward your nipples. All women have one breast that is larger than the other, so be sure you are measuring to the fuller breast. Subtract your band size from your bust size. The difference between these two numbers is your key to finding your cup size. A 1 inch difference = A cup. 2 inch = B cup. 3 inch = C cup. 4 inch = D cup. 5 inch = DD cup. Once you go above 5 inches (12.7 cm), cup sizes will differ with each company. There should be a sizing chart on the company's website and you can use your band and bust measurement to find which cup you want. Combine the cup size with your band measurement, and you have your final bra size. So, a 34C means you have a 34 inch band and a C cup. Remember that the cup size is not the same for each band size. A 34B cup will be smaller than a 36B cup. When trying on bras, if you change band sizes you, will also have to change cup sizes. If you need a larger band size, go down a cup size. So instead of 34B, you'll want 36A. If you need a smaller band size, go up a cup size. Instead of 34B, go for 32C. It is more important to have an accurate band measurement than cup measurement. Going up or down a band size is a more significant change than going up or down a cup size. Get a comfortable band first and then fine tune with the cup size. Get help from a professional if you need it. If you aren't sure you're doing it right, want a second opinion, or just don't feel like measuring yourself, stop into any bra or lingerie store or department and ask a sales associate for help. Helping customers find the best bra is part of their job, and they will know exactly what to do. Hook the bra so it is hanging around your waist. Make sure the straps are loose--you can tighten them later if you need to. If you have trouble hooking a bra behind your back, you can hook the bra at the front and then twist it around your waist so the hooks are at your spine. Lean forward and pull the bra up from the front only, sliding your arms through the straps. The cups may feel empty or a little too big at this point, but that's ok. The band should be snug and low on your back. Lean forward and, using the opposite hand, reach into the bra and pull the soft flesh near your armpits into the cup. Pull all the soft flesh forward and up. Then hold the bra in the center between the two cups and jiggle it. Check the fit and tighten the straps. Straps shouldn't be so tight they dig into your shoulders, but there should be no slack. Does the bra pinch your breasts or make it look like you have four boobs? Then it's the wrong size. Your nipples should be about halfway between your shoulder and elbow. If your breasts are spilling out of the sides of your bra, you need a different size. Remember your bra size is not permanent and will change along with your body. Just because you are a 34C now doesn't mean you will always have those same measurements. If you've gone through a major body change or your bra doesn't feel right, take your measurements again. Get refitted if your weight has fluctuated more than 10 pounds, you've had a baby, started exercising regularly, or have completed hormone therapy. Get to know your breasts. The size and shape of your breasts may impact your bra size and influence which style is most flattering to your body. Breasts and bodies come in every shape and size. Instead of worrying that your breasts don't look like a Victoria Secret Model's, concentrate on dressing for your body and finding what looks best on you. Examine detailed fitting guides that recommend bras for many different shapes and types of breasts. They make suggestions for women with prominent breast bones, large areolas, distended stomachs, and more. Consider the function of the bra you are buying. Is this an everyday bra to wear under a t-shirt? Do you wear a lot of low-cut shirts or are you planning to wear a backless dress? Maybe you can only afford one bra and need something with versatility? There are tons of possibilities for different styles, cuts, and fits. Check out a guide to the pros and cons of different bra styles, and on which bodies and breast shapes they work best. A seamless bra can be a great everyday bra to wear under T-shirt or with other form-fitting clothes, as it will be almost invisible underneath. Buy a sports bra for exercising. If your breasts bounce or move too much during activity, the supportive ligaments begin to break down. Bouncing can also become very painful, and the discomfort may eventually prevent you from participating in activities. Check the impact or intensity level when shopping for a sports bra. A low-impact bra works great for yoga or hiking. A high-impact bra is necessary for activities like running. Smaller-breasted women are usually comfortable in compression bras (that give the appearance of a "unibreast") and look like a cropped tank top. For larger-breasted women, an bra that cups and encapsulates each breast may be more comfortable and inhibit bouncing. These bras have wide straps and clasps. You may also find a bra that combines compression and encapsulation, which will give you the best support overall. Check that the cups are smooth and the edges lie flat against your chest. If the cups are wrinkled or look pointy, you may not be filling out the cup and need a smaller size. If you are spilling out of the cups or feel pinched, try a larger cup size. Make sure the bra band is snug and low in the back. The band can be parallel to the floor but should angle no higher. If the band is too high, the bra cannot provide proper support. Try a smaller band size or tightening the straps. Make sure the straps stay in place but don't dig into your shoulders. Your straps should not provide the majority of the support. If you're relying on the shoulder straps to keep your breasts lifted, you may actually need a smaller band size. If your shoulders are sloping or narrow, try a bra with a leotard back, a racerback bra, or buy a special clip that will keep your straps from slipping off your shoulders. Check that the underwire doesn't dig into your chest or pinch your skin. The wires should not bend outward in the center. Try a larger size or consider a bra without an underwire. Many women choose to wear a bra with an underwire, but a soft-fit bra that is properly fitted can provide equal support. Go with whatever feels most comfortable to you. Make sure the band isn't too tight. Run a finger under the front of your band. If you can't slide your finger under the band, your bra may be hooked too tight or you need a larger band size. If your bra becomes uncomfortable when you sit, try a larger band or a bra with and arched center panel. Your ribs expand when you are in a seated position. You want your bra to be comfortable whether you're on your feet or in a chair.

Put on a comfortable, well-fitting, non-padded bra. Find your band size. Find your bust size. Subtract your band size from your bust size. Combine the cup size with your band measurement, and you have your final bra size. Remember that the cup size is not the same for each band size. Get help from a professional if you need it. Hook the bra so it is hanging around your waist. Lean forward and pull the bra up from the front only, sliding your arms through the straps. Lean forward and, using the opposite hand, reach into the bra and pull the soft flesh near your armpits into the cup. Check the fit and tighten the straps. Remember your bra size is not permanent and will change along with your body. Get to know your breasts. Consider the function of the bra you are buying. Buy a sports bra for exercising. Check that the cups are smooth and the edges lie flat against your chest. Make sure the bra band is snug and low in the back. Make sure the straps stay in place but don't dig into your shoulders. Check that the underwire doesn't dig into your chest or pinch your skin. Make sure the band isn't too tight.

https://www.wikihow.com/Fall-in-Love-Again

How to Fall in Love Again

Falling in love again after a loss or being hurt can be scary, but there are ways you can prepare yourself for a new relationship. The best way is to take time to grieve the loss of your relationship and affirm to yourself that you do deserve love. While it's natural to have confusing feelings during this time, if you catch yourself making statements like “I don't deserve love”, try to find evidence that challenges those beliefs. For example, you can tell yourself “My value doesn't depend on whether others want me. I am worthy of love because I'm human”. Once you feel comfortable seeing new people, try your best not to idealize your partner as the only person who could possibly understand you. Falling in love again can be an incredible rush, but idealizing someone will only cause you to overreact when you realize their flaws.

Understand that it’s normal to feel confused about your feelings. The parts of your brain that deal with falling in love are the same parts that handle physical pain and even addiction. Falling in love can feel wonderful, but it can also cause serious emotional and even physical distress when you experience the loss of that love. Time can help you recover, but it's not a process you can rush. Affirm that you deserve love. It can be hard to believe that you deserve to be loved, especially if you have experienced relationships that focused on criticizing your imperfections rather than accepting you as a person. However, everyone is worthy of being loved, and you can help develop that sense of worthiness by practicing loving yourself. Learning to practice self-compassion can help you increase your feelings of self-worth. Self-compassion involves three basic elements: self-kindness (accepting yourself as a flawed but worthwhile human being), common humanity (understanding that all humans make mistakes), and mindfulness (recognizing and accepting experiences without judging them). If you catch yourself making generalizing statements such as “I'll never find someone who loves me” or “Nobody wants me,” try to find evidence that challenges these statements, such as “I haven't found a romantic relationship yet, but I do have friends who like to be around me” or “My value does not depend on whether others want me. I am worthy of love because I am human.” Psychologists have demonstrated that challenging these self-negating beliefs can actually change how you feel about yourself. Consider meditation or mindfulness training. Practicing mindfulness is a core element of self-compassion, and it can also help you during times of stress or anxiety. One of the most damaging things about experiencing the loss of a relationship is playing the “what if” game with yourself: “What if I'd said something different?” “What if I'd been taller/shorter/funnier?” Dwelling on all of the possible ways things could have turned out differently will prevent you from being able to move on and find new happiness. Meditation, which focuses on being present in the moment, can help you get over obsessing about the past. Explore your own identity. It's very important to understand your core identity -- your hopes, your goals, your values -- before committing to a relationship with someone else. Knowing who you are, what you want, and what you value will help you determine what things you can compromise on and what are genuine deal-breakers. Understanding yourself will also help you avoid looking for a relationship to “fulfill” things for you that you can only fulfill yourself. Many things about a person can and do change, but we usually all have some core values that tend to remain constant throughout our lives, such as ambition, honesty, consistency, flexibility, or vulnerability. These beliefs guide our behavior, choices, and actions. Understanding what these are for you will help you find someone who shares them. Other important things about yourself to consider could be whether or not you feel the desire to have children, how you approach earning and managing money, your decision-making processes, and your need to find a partner who shares your religious beliefs. Determine what you want. Many people want the same basic things out of a romantic relationship: love, support, companionship. However, how these desires manifest themselves vary between people. Take some time to explore your emotional needs and priorities and how your ideal partner could fulfill those. Figure out what is essential, and what you could comfortably compromise on. Keep your expectations realistic. It's quite appropriate and healthy to desire a partner who respects and supports you; without those behaviors, you can't have a healthy relationship. However, it's not healthy to need a partner to make you feel “whole” or “worthwhile.” Those are needs you can only meet for yourself. It's common to have a list of “must-haves” for a partner, but therapists say that the most important “must-have” in a romantic relationship is someone who shares your core values. For example, if you value emotional openness and the other person doesn't, it will be very difficult for you to maintain a fulfilling relationship. Consider what works well in your other relationships. In order to help you understand what type of person will make you happy in a romantic relationship, consider the other relationships you have, such as those with friends and family, that you feel satisfied by. What feelings do you experience in those relationships, and why? How do those people relate to you and express their feelings for you? Also consider the types of friends you tend to have. While most of us have friends with very different personalities, in many cases they will still possess core traits that allow us to form fulfilling relationships with them. For example, if you notice that most of your close friends are extroverts, you may want to look for a partner who is extroverted. If you tend to have very openly affectionate friends, a partner who is less emotionally demonstrative might not satisfy your needs. Reflect on what happened with past relationships. While it's tempting to try to never think of an ex again after a break-up, research has demonstrated that people who reflect on their recent break-ups actually recover more quickly and easily than those who don't engage in this reflection. Expressing your feelings, whether to a therapist, a friend or to yourself in a journal, can help you recover from the emotional damage of a break-up and reinforce your positive sense of self. Reflection can also help you pinpoint any unhealthy or unproductive behaviors that occurred in your last relationship; often, those same behaviors will come back to haunt your new relationship unless you take action to change yourself and how you search for romance. Avoid the “fantasy bond” when forming a new relationship. This term was coined by psychologist Robert Firestone to describe a phenomenon that happens all too often in new relationships: Because of defensive behaviors established due to past hurts, the individuals within a couple abandon their individual identities and interests to merge into a single unit, in the hopes that it will completely fulfill and protect them. This causes issues because it doesn't allow either partner to live as a unique individual within a healthy couple relationship. It fosters dependency, possessiveness, and putting the other person into a set “role” rather than accepting the challenges that come with real adult relationships. Signs of a “fantasy bond”-based relationship include: Difficulty in expressing interests or ideas other than those you share with your partner Relying on everyday routines for intimacy rather than emotional closeness Overusing “we” statements, speaking for the other person Defining yourself as a “role” (wife, mother, breadwinner, father) rather than developing personal goals and interests Discomfort in pursuing any activities or interests on your own, without your partner (or discomfort if your partner does these things) Establish meaningful communication with the other person. Particularly if you've been hurt in love before, it may be hard for you to feel comfortable opening up about your real interests and feelings. However, if you want to develop a healthy, happy romantic relationship, meaningful communication is essential. Talk about your ideas, goals, and interests. The ability to share what's most important to you with another person is one of the highlights of romantic relationships. Avoid mind-reading. Especially if you feel like you know someone well, it can be tempting to “read between the lines” when they say something, particularly if that something has upset you. For example, if your significant other forgot an important date for you, a mind-reading response would be: “You forgot this because you don't really care what's important to me.” If you find yourself or your significant other saying things like “If you really loved me you would….” take a step back. Ask the other person what happened; don't make assumptions. Invite self-disclosure from the other person. Research psychologist Dr. Arthur Aron has famously developed a list of 36 questions that foster interpersonal intimacy, such as “If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?” These work because good questions do more than ask about surface-level interests; they invite discussion about the other person's hopes, dreams, goals, and values. Try not to idealize your partner. When you're experiencing the first heady rush of falling in love, it can be easy to idealize the other person as “the one,” the only person who knows you, fulfills you, or could possibly understand you. The problem with this is that nobody can live up to that ideal, and when you finally come to that realization, you may end up overreacting to discovering your partner's flaws. While you don't want to dwell on or overly criticize your partner's flaws, acknowledging them is healthy. All humans have flaws and make mistakes; being honest about this will help you accept the other person for who they are, rather than an idea of what you want them to be. Be yourself. If your significant other really loves you, s/he will accept you for who you are, flaws and all. S/he should also accept that you have interests of your own that give meaning to your life, and should not attempt to keep you from enjoying healthy pursuits. Being yourself in a romantic relationship not only gives you the freedom to be happy and fulfilled, it allows the other person to express themselves and experience that freedom too. Particularly if you've experienced abusive or traumatic relationships in the past, it can be easy to feel as though you need to change yourself to make yourself “lovable” to the other person. However, while we all make small changes (keeping the house neater, showing up on time, etc.) to accommodate the other person's needs, you should not feel as though you need to “settle” for someone who mistreats you or makes you feel as though you need to change something fundamental about yourself to make them happy. If you feel afraid to express your true feelings, or if you worry about acting as you normally would around your partner, you may not be in a relationship that's healthy for you.

Understand that it’s normal to feel confused about your feelings. Affirm that you deserve love. Consider meditation or mindfulness training. Explore your own identity. Determine what you want. Consider what works well in your other relationships. Reflect on what happened with past relationships. Avoid the “fantasy bond” when forming a new relationship. Establish meaningful communication with the other person. Invite self-disclosure from the other person. Try not to idealize your partner. Be yourself.

https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Your-Parents-from-Fighting

How to Stop Your Parents from Fighting

To stop your parents from fighting, wait until they've calmed down, then try talking to them about how their fighting is upsetting you. In order to start the conversation, try something like, “It seems like you guys are having a lot of fights when you get home from work.” Then, follow up by saying, “Maybe it's because you're both working extra hours,” to show that you know that they're not doing it on purpose. Afterwards, talk about how their fighting makes you feel, and ways to improve the situation, like arguing in private or not involving you in their fights.

Decide if you want to talk to your parents about their fights. In most cases, talking to your parents about how their fighting is upsetting you is a good thing. It's possible that your parents don't know that you can hear their arguments, or they may not realize how upset you are. They might think that their fights are no big deal, and haven't thought about it from your perspective. Choose the right time to talk to your parents. As much as you want their fighting to stop immediately, it's best if you stay away (if possible) during your parents' fight. Wait until they've calmed down, and tell them that you want to talk about something that's been bothering you. Describe to your parents how things seem to you. You are making a mature decision to talk to your parents about how their fighting is affecting you, which is great! To increase the chances of having a good conversation with the outcome you are hoping for, you need to try to communicate effectively. You should begin by explaining to your parents what you observe from your perspective. For example, “Mom and Dad, it seems like you have been having a lot of fights lately, especially in the mornings when we're all getting ready.” Tell your parents what you think. Because you want your parents to understand things from your perspective, it can be a good idea to let them know what you think about the situation, even if what you think is that you are totally confused. For example, you could follow up by saying “I'm not really sure why there have been so many fights lately. Maybe it's because you guys have been working extra shifts or because you have to bring me to school early for band practice.” Explain how you feel. Be honest about how you are feeling, and hopefully your parents will listen, be able to reassure you, and will decide to change their behavior. For example, you can continue the conversation by saying “Anyway, it's been pretty stressful. I'm worried that you're mad because of me, and I'm worried that you're going to split up.” Tell your parents what you want. Don't forget to tell your parents what you want. Of course you may really just want them to stop fighting altogether, but that might be unrealistic. You can, however, ask them to try keep you out of it, or to do their best to argue in private. Write out what you want to say in advance. If you are nervous about remembering everything you want to say to your parents, or if you're worried that you'll be really emotional, it might help you to write things out before you talk to them. Make sure that your message includes all of the steps outlined above (about telling them how things seem to you, etc.), and then rehearse it. Consider writing your parents a letter instead. While it's probably best for you to try to talk to your parents face-to-face, if you are too nervous, then writing them a letter may also help. This could give them time to digest what you're telling them and talk it over together. If you write your parents, you still want to communicate effectively, so think about the steps we explained above so that you know what to include your letter. Listen to your parents' explanations. Hopefully, your parents will be willing to talk to you about what's been going on between them and can explain why they've been fighting. If they are opening to talking, do your best to listen to them without interrupting. With luck, you guys can all begin to work it out, and may be able to come up with a plan about how to handle stress, disagreements and fights in the future. Talk to someone you trust about your parents' fighting. If you're not sure about whether or not you should talk to your parents, if you're not sure what you should say to them when you do talk to them, or if you've talked to them but nothing has changed, you should try to find a trusted adult to talk to. Pick someone who cares about you, who you can trust, and who look out for you. Think about going to a relative, a school counselor, your favorite teacher, or your religious leader for advice. Be open to going to family therapy. It's possible that your parents may suggest that the family goes to counseling or therapy. They may decide to do this after you've talked to them, but even if you haven't gotten around to that, they may realize on their own that their fighting is getting out of control and suggest counseling. You may not like the sound of this at all, especially if you are shy or private or are just worried that it will be boring. Remember though that it's a good sign! If your parents suggest you all go to counseling, it means that they care about trying to keep the family safe and happy. Try not to eavesdrop when your parents argue. Because you don't know everything about why your parents are arguing, and because you might easily misunderstand something you overhear, it's probably best if you try not to listen in on their fight. Eavesdropping while your parents are fighting will probably just upset you more, when there's a good chance that they will soon work it out. Find a calmer place. If at all possible, you should try to go somewhere away from where your parents are fighting so that you can relax and let them work it out. For example, you can go to your room and read a book or play a video game, or go play just try to keep being occupied outside the conversation Try to find a way to escape the fight even if you can't leave. You may not always be able to go to another room or go outside when you're parents start to argue. For example, a lot of parents get stressed out and argue during long car trips. If this happens, you can still try to find a way to tune them out. For example, put your ear-buds in and listen to some relaxing or fun music, or try to focus on a magazine or book. Know when to call the Emergency Services. If you don't feel safe when your parents are fighting, if your parents are threatening each other with physical violence, or if someone else is getting hurt, it's very important that you get to a safe place and that you call for help. You may be worried that your parents will be mad at you for involving the police, but remember that it's always better to be safe than sorry, and that it is not your fault that the police were called—it is their fault (totally and completely) for having put you in that difficult position. Understand that it's normal for parents to fight. Maybe your parents have started yelling at each other in the next room, or maybe they've been ignoring each other for days. Either way, you know that they're really mad at each other, and it may have you really stressed out. However, it's important for you to understand that it's normal and sometimes even healthy for parents to disagree and argue with one another. If your parents don't fight all the time, and if neither of them seems particularly worried, you may not need to worry too much yourself about their occasional argument. Understand why parents fight. Even though your parents are older and are supposedly wise and mature, they are still people. We all get tired, stressed, or have bad days, and it's possible that your parents are fighting today for these reasons. Chances are, they'll both start to feel better soon and will make up. Understand that it's not necessarily bad that you know your parents are fighting. Family health experts nearly always recommend that parents don't fight in front of their children (you don't need to know all of the details of their adult lives and worries). Even so, it's important that kids know that their parents do have arguments from time to time. One of your parents' jobs is to teach you that disagreement is something we can't avoid, even with the people we love, and to teach you how to deal with it. If your parents hide all of their disagreements from you, it may be harder for you to learn how handle those sorts of situations when you are in a relationship. Hopefully your parents let you know that they're not mad at each other once they're done fighting and that they've worked it out. If they always forget to tell you this, and you have to watch them nervously to figure out if everything is ok again, you may want to have a talk with them. Understand that your parents don't necessarily mean everything they say when they're fighting. Sometimes when we're mad, we say things that we don't mean or that we later regret. You've probably fought with your brother or sister, or with one of your friends and said something terrible like “I can't stand you!” or “I never want to play with you again!” Once you cooled down, you probably had to apologize and explain that you didn't mean those hurtful things. While we want our parents to always act perfectly, they will also sometimes say hurtful things to each other that deep down they really don't mean. Hopefully, they will also apologize soon after the fight. Know that it's not your fault that your parents are fighting. Parents can fight about all sorts of things, from work, money issues, and even about stuff that seems to be about you. For example, they might be fighting about money when you know they just had to write a big check for your swim team expenses. You may be thinking that if you hadn't asked to join the team they wouldn't be fighting at all. While it's easier to blame yourself and it's hard not to think that it's your fault, it's very important that you understand that it is never your fault that your parents are fighting. Your parents have made a grown-up decision to have this argument, and it's their fault that they aren't handling it well. Remember that even though a fight might seem like it's only about one thing (you) it might actually be about a lot of other things that have nothing to do with you. Understand that fighting doesn't necessarily mean that your parents will split up. It's possible that if your parents fight a lot, they may eventually get divorced. Remember that if that does happen, it won't be your fault. However, you also need to remember that fighting is normal between people who love each other. A fight doesn't mean that your parents don't love each other (or you), and even having several fights doesn't mean that your parents will get divorced. Know that it's ok to feel upset. Even if you understand that fighting is normal, you may still feel sad, stressed, worried, anxious, or even angry. Your emotions might feel strange to you, but it's ok for you to feel them.

Decide if you want to talk to your parents about their fights. Choose the right time to talk to your parents. Describe to your parents how things seem to you. Tell your parents what you think. Explain how you feel. Tell your parents what you want. Write out what you want to say in advance. Consider writing your parents a letter instead. Listen to your parents' explanations. Talk to someone you trust about your parents' fighting. Be open to going to family therapy. Try not to eavesdrop when your parents argue. Find a calmer place. Try to find a way to escape the fight even if you can't leave. Know when to call the Emergency Services. Understand that it's normal for parents to fight. Understand why parents fight. Understand that it's not necessarily bad that you know your parents are fighting. Understand that your parents don't necessarily mean everything they say when they're fighting. Know that it's not your fault that your parents are fighting. Understand that fighting doesn't necessarily mean that your parents will split up. Know that it's ok to feel upset.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Chestnuts

How to Cook Chestnuts

To cook chestnuts in the oven, first, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Then, cut an "X" shape into the flat side of each chestnut which will allow the steam to escape from the chestnuts and help them cook faster. Spread the chestnuts out on a baking sheet and sprinkle them with water. Roast the chestnuts in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Use a spoon or spatula to move them around every few minutes so they don't burn. When they're done, wait 2-3 minutes for the chestnuts to cool off. Next, wrap them in a towel and squeeze them to crush the skin. Peel the skin off and enjoy! If you have less time, you can also cook chestnuts in the microwave. First, chop 5-6 chestnuts in half. Then, put the nuts in a microwave safe bowl and cook them in your microwave for 2 to 5 minutes. Let the chestnuts cool for a few minutes before crushing and peeling off their skin. Serve and enjoy!

Grab a handful of chestnuts. Five or six at a time will do. Chop each chestnut in half. Place it on a cutting board and cut it with a sharp knife. Cutting it in half will help it cook faster. Cook them in the microwave on the "potato" setting. The chestnut is similar to the potato when it comes to cooking. This should take between 2-5 minutes, depending on the strength of your microwave. Serve. Enjoy these chestnuts plain and bite the nut directly off the shell or scoop it out with a small spoon first. Preheat your oven to 400ºF (205ºC). Cut an "X" shape into the flat side of each chestnut. Use a sharp knife to do this. This will make the chestnuts roast faster, allowing the steam to escape from the chestnuts. You can also just pierce each chestnut several times with a fork. Place the chestnuts on a baking sheet. You can also just place them right on the grill, with the cut side facing up. Sprinkle them lightly with water to help them roast. Roast the chestnuts for 15-20 minutes. Roast them until they're tender and the shell comes off easily. While they're roasting, use a spoon or spatula to move them around every few minutes so they don't burn. When they're done roasting, remove them from the oven. Crush their skins. Wait 2-3 minutes for the chestnuts to cool off and then wrap them in a towel and squeeze them until the skin is crushed. Leave them in the towel for another five minutes. Peel the nuts. Do this while they're still warm to make the process easier. Take out the inner skin along with the shell. If any nuts are hard to peel, you can heat them briefly for a few more minutes until they're ready. Serve. Enjoy these nuts on their own while they're nice and hot. Rinse the chestnuts. Rinse them off under cool water to remove any dirt. Score the shells. Score the shells before you place them in a pan. Put the nuts in a cast iron frying pan. Place the flat sides of the chestnuts down. Prepare the fire. Make sure that there's a bed of glowing coals that you can rest the pan on, whether you've lit a fireplace or a campfire. Place the pan on the coals for 5 minutes. This should be enough to roast one side of the chestnuts. Lightly shake the pan around every minute or so to distribute the heat. Turn the nuts over. After five minutes, use a potholder to remove the pan, roll over the nuts, and place them back on the fire. Roast the nuts for another 5 minutes. Serve. Once you've roasted the nuts, wait 2-3 minutes for them to cool down and enjoy them while they're nice and hot. Boil a pot of water. Cut an X into one side of two cups of chestnuts. Use a sharp knife to cut the "X" shape into the chestnuts. This will make them boil more easily. Boiling chestnuts won't make them quite as tasty or aromatic, but it's a great way to quickly soften them. Boil the chestnuts for 5-10 minutes. Let the chestnuts cool. Wait at least 2-3 minutes until the chestnuts are cool enough for you to handle them. Peel the shells and the skins off the nuts. Serve. Enjoy these chestnuts plain or with 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon and one tablespoon of melted butter.

Grab a handful of chestnuts. Chop each chestnut in half. Cook them in the microwave on the "potato" setting. Serve. Preheat your oven to 400ºF (205ºC). Cut an "X" shape into the flat side of each chestnut. Place the chestnuts on a baking sheet. Roast the chestnuts for 15-20 minutes. Crush their skins. Peel the nuts. Serve. Rinse the chestnuts. Score the shells. Put the nuts in a cast iron frying pan. Prepare the fire. Place the pan on the coals for 5 minutes. Turn the nuts over. Roast the nuts for another 5 minutes. Serve. Boil a pot of water. Cut an X into one side of two cups of chestnuts. Boil the chestnuts for 5-10 minutes. Let the chestnuts cool. Peel the shells and the skins off the nuts. Serve.

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Free-Spirited-Person

How to Be a Free Spirited Person

Being a free-spirited person is about being unique and spontaneous. Leave time in your schedule for unplanned activities, like a random trip to the beach or hanging out with someone new. Spend time being artistic, like painting, playing music, or writing, to get in touch with your free, creative nature. If you're feeling bored, try a new hobby or learn a new skill. That way, you'll always be growing and you won't get stuck in the daily grind. Being free-spirited is also about being mindful and living in the present moment. You can try meditating and paying attention to all of your senses to help you avoid the trap of worrying about trivial details.

Decide if you want to be a free spirit. Before beginning a more free-spirited life, ask yourself a few important questions, including: Is it important for you to always be on a set schedule, or on time for events? Free-spirited individuals are likely to have more flexible schedules. Do you like to plan ahead or be spontaneous? A major aspect of being free spirited is learning to “go with the flow”: accepting things as they come, rather than deciding everything ahead of time. How organized are you? A free-spirited lifestyle will probably mean a less organized life and/or living space. In its place, however, comes the opportunity for excitement and spontaneity. How practical and grounded are you? A free spirit can be just as successful as anyone else, but cultivates imagination, daydreaming, and idealism along the way. Be prepared to be unique. A free spirit is a non-conformist, who isn't afraid to think for his or herself, and who follows his or her passions. This can be liberating, but it also takes courage. Think of the books, ideas, people, etc. that you find fascinating or inspiring. You don't have to think or do things exactly like these models, but think of them as ways for encouraging you to find your own path. Get in touch with your creative side. A free spirit isn't afraid to be original and imaginative. This doesn't mean that every free spirit has to be a great artist or inventor, just that he or she is able to be expressive, whether through clothing, decorating, speaking, cooking, or any other activity. Give yourself time to be spontaneous. Strange as it may sound, you may need to give yourself time to be spontaneous. This is especially true if you have a busy life or are just learning how to be a free-spirited person. If you are having difficulty being spontaneous at first, schedule a few minutes per day, or per week, in which you have nothing planned. Do whatever comes to mind, or nothing at all. Stop to chat with strangers, friends, or coworkers, even if you feel busy. You will enjoy the company, and taking a detour in your day. Be wary of time traps. Some activities, like endlessly surfing television channels you don't really want to watch, or getting lost in a smartphone, can eat up lots of time that could be spent being spontaneous. Don't plan every day. Sometimes we want to do this so that we aren't bored. But if you leave time open, you can discover new things. Try leaving an unplanned weekend, for starters, and use the time to get out of the house and do something you've never done before. Open your mind to spontaneity. A spontaneous and free spirit will look at the world with a child's eyes, thinking about how much one doesn't know, exploring whatever seems interesting, and always asking “why?” and “how?” Give yourself the chance to open up and try new things before making judgments about them. Take advantage of opportunities to be spontaneous. There are many ways to learn and experience new things. A free spirit will seek out these opportunities: Travel to a place you've never been before. Try a new type of cuisine. Get up and dance, right now, whether or not there's any music. Do a routine activity in a different way. Take a different way home for instance, or have your morning coffee on a walk rather than sitting at your breakfast table or in your car. Offer free hugs. Strike up a conversation with a stranger when you're standing in line at a store—you never know what you might learn, or who you might meet. Take up a new hobby or try to learn a new skill, and don't be afraid of failing, or of what others will think. Let it go. A free spirit is not tied to many things beyond his or her ideals, and people he or she cares about. Part of being a free spirited person is learning to let some things go in life before they hold you back or weigh you down. As a free spirit, you can certainly still worry about and fight for things that matter. If something seems to be holding you back rather than helping you achieve your dreams, however, it might be time to let it go. Consider downsizing your home or moving. A home that is larger or more complex than you need, filled with more material things than you need, costs too much, or is in a location you don't want to be in can keep you from being a free spirit. You could move into a different or smaller home that is more manageable for your free-spirited lifestyle, such as a tiny house. Be less materialistic. No one can get through life without some material things. However, too many things can weigh you down if you are trying to be a free spirit. Try these techniques: Buying fewer things will decrease clutter and simplify your life. This will also free up finances for things that might matter more to you, such as traveling or spending time with friends. Buy less, but of better things. Having quality things but fewer things overall can help you be less materialistic. Higher-quality clothes, for instance, will last longer than lower-quality ones, and you will need to have fewer of them. Keep in mind that reducing is good for the environment. Consuming less means less production, less waste, less pollutants, etc. Decide what to get rid of. Decluttering your life is one of the first steps you can take toward becoming a more free spirited person. When choosing how to simplify things, consider the following: Think about how often you use particular items. Many experts suggest that if you are trying to declutter, if you haven't used an item in six months, you should consider getting rid of it. Irreplaceable items of great sentimental value might be an exception. However, remember that memories are more important than things, and you might not need to keep everything. Photographs, for instance, can be scanned for safekeeping without taking up space, and then discarded. Consider donating items you no longer need to a thrift store, community center, religious organization, or other worthwhile cause. That way, others in need can benefit from the items you can live without. Try some breathing exercises. Getting plenty of oxygen contributes to physical energy and mental alertness. This can give you an overall boost of positivity. Try one of these breathing exercises periodically: Sit up straight. Put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose. You should feel the hand on your belly raise, but the hand on your chest should not move. Breathe out slowly, with your mouth barely open. Use your hand on your belly to push air out, if you want. Repeat this exercise ten times. Quickly inhale and exhale through your nose (about three breaths a second), keeping your mouth closed. Then breathe normally. Repeat this process for fifteen seconds or more. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that helps people become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and of how they relate to the world around them in the present moment. It is like a particular type of meditation that will leave you feeling more self-aware and positive. Since living in the present is key to being a free spirit, this technique can be very helpful. Sit in a comfortable position, whether in a chair, cross-legged, or kneeling. Begin to pay attention to your breathing. Your mind will eventually wander. When you catch your mind wandering, bring your attention back to your own breathing. Don't stop to dwell on or judge your thoughts. Continue this process for a short time, such as five minutes if you are trying it for the first time. Repeat this practice frequently, at least once a day. As you begin to practice mindfulness mediation regularly, you can gradually increase the length of the sessions, if you desire. Many people engage in mindfulness through prayer or meditation as part of a spiritual practice. A free spirit can absolutely willfully participate in these practices. Try yoga. Often characterized as mainly a physical exercise, yoga is very much part of a spiritual practice that can boost your mind as well. Practicing yoga regularly can contribute to a positive outlook. You can begin learning yoga with just some simple exercises. Let go of mental hang-ups. Everyone has things in life that can weigh them down, from having to deal with ignorant people to worrying about physical flaws. In developing a positive outlook on life, a free-spirited person will also learn to overcome as many of these hang-ups as possible. Remember that flaws, including physical imperfections, are part of what makes each person unique. Be proud of what makes you unique, and don't constantly worry about being the same as others. Practice compassion. This includes being as forgiving to yourself as you would be to others. If you are able to accept others for who they are, extend the same compassion to yourself. Practice tolerance. By being tolerant of other people, you will free your mind and emotions. Be ready to accept differences in other people, and always ask yourself how you would feel or think if you were in their place.

Decide if you want to be a free spirit. Be prepared to be unique. Get in touch with your creative side. Give yourself time to be spontaneous. Open your mind to spontaneity. Take advantage of opportunities to be spontaneous. Let it go. Consider downsizing your home or moving. Be less materialistic. Decide what to get rid of. Try some breathing exercises. Practice mindfulness. Try yoga. Let go of mental hang-ups.

https://www.wikihow.com/Evolve-Machoke

How to Evolve Machoke

To evolve Machoke into Machamp, trade it with a friend who has the same system and Generation of Pokémon, but make sure that you've completed the required task for your Generation. For example, in Generation VII, you can only trade after you get to the first Pokémon Center in the game. Additionally, make sure to put Machoke in your party if you're playing Generations I through IV. Then, connect your devices and trade your Machoke. Once your Machoke evolves into Machamp, have your friend trade it back to you.

Find a friend to trade with, or use another system and game. In order to evolve Machoke, you'll need to trade it to someone. Your friend will need to have the same system and Generation of Pokémon game in order to trade. In Generation VI, you can trade online with other people. Just make sure that they know you want your Machamp back! If you're using an emulator, it may be difficult to trade the Pokémon. If you're playing a Generation IV game, you can edit the ROM file to allow you to evolve Machoke through leveling up. Ensure you meet the requirements in game to trade. You can't trade with someone until you've accomplished a few things early on. This shouldn't affect most players, but you may be trying to trade too early. Generation I - You can trade after receiving the Pokedex from Professor Oak. Generation II - You can trade after giving the Mystery Egg to Professor Elm. Generation III - You can trade after getting the Pokedex from Professor Birch. Generation IV - You can trade after getting the Pokedex from Professor Rowan. Generation V - You can trade after you get the Trio Badge and receive the C-Gear. Generation VI - You can trade as soon as you have two Pokémon. Generation VII - You can trade as soon as you get to the first Pokémon Center in the game Put Machoke in your party (Generations I-IV). In the earlier Generations of Pokémon games, you'll need to have Machoke in your party in order to trade it to someone. In later games, you can trade any of the Pokémon you have stored. Connect the two devices. The method of connection depends on the systems you are connecting. Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance - Connect the two systems with a Game Link cable. You can't connect two different versions of Game Boy. Enter the Union Room on the second floor of the Pokémon Center to find the other player. Nintendo DS - You can connect wirelessly with other systems in the vicinity. Generation V games have an IR feature built-in to the cartridge. This article has more information on connecting two DS systems. Nintendo 3DS - Press the L and R buttons and select the Player Select System. This will allow you to find people in the vicinity or connect to the internet and trade online. When trading online, make sure your partner knows you want the evolved Machamp back. Trade your Machoke. Your Machoke will evolve in Machamp immediately after being traded. Have your trading partner trade Machamp back top you once you've finished the trade. Make sure your Machoke isn't holding an Everstone, or it won't be able to evolve. Understand the process. You'll be using a special program on your computer that will modify your ROM file's data. These changes will allow you to evolve Machoke into Machamp without having to trade. Instead, it will attempt to evolve as soon as it reaches Level 37. You will need a computer to complete this process, but you can transfer the altered ROM file to your mobile device if you typically play on the go. Download the Universal Pokémon Game Randomizer tool. This will allow you to edit your ROM file so that Machoke (and other trade-evolution Pokemon) can be evolved the traditional way through leveling. You can download this fan-made tool for free from pokehacks.dabomstew.com/randomizer/downloads.php. Extract the folder containing the Randomizer tool. Right-click on the downloaded ZIP file and click "Extract All". Follow the prompts to create a new folder for the program. Run the Universal Pokémon Game Randomizer tool. Double-click the "randomizer.jar" file to fun the program. The Randomizer window will open with a variety of options. You will need Java installed on your computer in order to run the Universal Pokémon Game Randomizer. See How to Install Java for instructions on installing Java on your computer. Click the "Open ROM" button and browse for your ROM file. If your ROM is in ZIP format, you'll need to extract it before you can edit it in the Randomizer. You can use this tool on any generation ROM (except Generation VI). Check the "Change Impossible Evolution" box. You can find this box in the "General Options" section of the Randomizer. This is the only setting you should check or change in the Universal Pokémon Game Randomizer. Click the "Randomize (Save)" button. This will will apply the evolution changes to all Pokémon in your game that require trades to evolve. Don't worry that the button says "Randomize", since nothing else will be changed as long as you did not enable any other options. Load your new ROM file in your emulator. The Universal Pokémon Game Randomizer will generate a new ROM file that you can load into your emulator. Your old save states will work as long as everything is in the correct location. Raise Machoke to Level 37 or higher to evolve. Your new ROM file will be altered so that Machoke will evolve into Machamp at Level 37 or higher. This will happen automatically as soon as it levels up, like most Pokemon.

Find a friend to trade with, or use another system and game. Ensure you meet the requirements in game to trade. Put Machoke in your party (Generations I-IV). Connect the two devices. Trade your Machoke. Understand the process. Download the Universal Pokémon Game Randomizer tool. Extract the folder containing the Randomizer tool. Run the Universal Pokémon Game Randomizer tool. Click the "Open ROM" button and browse for your ROM file. Check the "Change Impossible Evolution" box. Click the "Randomize (Save)" button. Load your new ROM file in your emulator. Raise Machoke to Level 37 or higher to evolve.

https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-an-Engagement-Ring

How to Wear an Engagement Ring

How you wear your engagement ring is totally up to you, but there are different traditions depending on where you live. If you live in a western country, wear your engagement ring on the ring finger of your left hand. In some countries, like Russia, Greece, and Colombia, it's common to wear an engagement ring on the right finger of your right hand. If you've already tied the knot, stack your engagement ring on top of your wedding band or wear it on your other hand if you'd prefer. Another way you can wear your ring is to give it the limelight it deserves and wear it on a necklace around your neck. You can do this every day or just on a special occasion.

Wear it on your left hand. The ring is typically worn on the third finger of the left hand. This is the most common way to wear an engagement ring in many countries, especially in Western cultures. This dates back to the highly romantic idea that this finger has a vein that leads directly to the heart. That isn't true, but it's a nice thought for when you're looking down at that pretty ring of yours. Flaunt the ring on your right hand. Wearing your ring on the third finger of your right hand is absolutely acceptable as well. The right hand is actually the traditional hand in countries like Russia, Greece, and Columbia. Wearing your ring on your right hand doesn't have to signify your culture, though. It can simply be a personal preference. Stack it on top of your wedding band. Once you've decided on the hand you'll wear your ring on, consider how you will wear it after the wedding ceremony. You may decide not to have a wedding band, and that's okay! If you have a wedding band, you will typically wear your engagement ring on top of it. Choose to wear it on any finger you want. There are traditions, but in the end, the choice is yours. Wear it on whatever finger feels the most comfortable. This could be your index or middle finger. If the size of the ring is the reason why you need to wear it on a certain finger, you may want to consider resizing it. Wear it around your neck. Sometimes wearing the engagement ring on your finger isn't the best option for you. This could be because of your career, a physical reason, pregnancy, or simply because you don't like to wear anything on your fingers. Choose a chain that you like and slip the ring onto the chain. Wear it around your neck as you would any other necklace. It will be even closer to your heart. You can also look into companies like Ring My Neck, which makes necklaces specifically for engagement rings. Keep your ring clean. A buildup of oil and dirt will prevent your ring from looking as shiny as it could look, and you may want to keep it ready to show off at a moment's notice! To clean, put the ring into a mug filled with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Let it soak for a few minutes. Then, scrub it with a soft-bristle toothbrush and then dry it with a soft cloth. It's recommended to clean your ring once every few weeks. Take it to a jeweler once a year. Bringing your ring to the jeweler once a year is recommended so that a professional can determine if your ring is in good condition. Usually, the jeweler will check the prongs to make sure that your stone isn't close to falling out. If you don't want to take your ring to a jeweler just yet, take a look at the prongs yourself. To check the prongs yourself, make sure that one of the prongs isn't shorter than the others. Then, shake the ring while holding it up to your ear to check that nothing rattles. Take it off before intense exercise. Intense exercise could mean tennis, bicycling, lifting weights, etc. The stone could pop out with a lot of fast movement. Also, using equipment, like weights or ropes, while wearing the ring could dent and scratch it. You should also avoid wearing your ring at work if you handle heavy machinery. Avoid applying lotion and perfume when you wear your ring. We all want to smell great, but smelling like a fresh rose isn't worth damaging your beautiful ring. The oils, chemicals, and alcohols in these products can damage your ring after a while. The gem could become clouded, and the metal could become dull. It's okay to wear lotion and perfume, but make sure it doesn't come near your ring. Think carefully before resizing. At some point, you may feel the need to resize your ring. It could feel too loose or too tight for a number of reasons, like pregnancy, a change in weight, and temperature. Think of all the reasons that could have caused this, and consider if these changes are temporary before going to the jeweler. If the ring stays too loose after a long time, then it is a good idea to take it in. Getting your ring sized in the afternoon or after exercise to accommodate swelling is ideal. It's recommended to get your ring one size up from what you need if you live in a tropical environment. Leaving the ring loose for too long can cause excess wear on the stone. Have your ring insured. A lost, stolen, or damaged ring is a nightmare, but that doesn't mean it's a problem that can't be solved. Your partner may have already gotten insurance. If not, this is an important first step after receiving your ring. Many companies will allow you to add the insurance for the ring to your homeowners or renters insurance. Put your ring in a designated spot. You might never want to take off your ring, but the time will probably come when you have to. Designate a place to store your ring safely. This will take the stress away from frantically trying to remember where you put it last. Keep a ring box in your bedroom, and a ring dish in the kitchen. Make sure the ring dish is kept far away from the drain. Leave your ring at home when you travel. This isn't necessary, but it can be a good idea when leaving for a trip where you will be moving around a lot. Moving from place to place, especially when going to the beach, may result in a lost ring in the whirlwind of the fun (or business). Consider going without a ring or wearing an inexpensive ring during the trip. The ring can also be damaged when lifting bags or using bags that roll.

Wear it on your left hand. Flaunt the ring on your right hand. Stack it on top of your wedding band. Choose to wear it on any finger you want. Wear it around your neck. Keep your ring clean. Take it to a jeweler once a year. Take it off before intense exercise. Avoid applying lotion and perfume when you wear your ring. Think carefully before resizing. Have your ring insured. Put your ring in a designated spot. Leave your ring at home when you travel.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-to-a-Judge-Before-Sentencing

How to Write a Letter to a Judge Before Sentencing

You should only write a letter to a judge before a friend or family member's sentencing if their lawyer asks you to. This ensures that your letter fits into their defence plan and gives the defendant the best chance of success. If you're asked to write a letter, you'll want to emphasize the defendant's good qualities without minimizing their guilt. After you write the letter, you'll need to send it to the defendant's lawter a few weeks before the sentence hearing so they can get it to the judge.

Talk with your lawyer. Before deciding to write a letter, you should talk to your lawyer about whether or not a letter from you will help. Technically, you cannot have communications with a judge outside court, so letters from defendants are unusual. Instead, your lawyer will argue at sentencing why you should get a light sentence. You should keep the communication lines open with your lawyer. Feel free to ask him or her what information will be presented during the sentencing hearing. At the hearing, your lawyer will argue on your behalf. If your lawyer thinks it would be helpful for you to talk at your sentencing hearing, then he or she will help you draft your remarks. Also share with your lawyer whether or not people you know are willing to come in and testify or write character reference letters on your behalf. Open a word processing document. If you decide to write a letter, then you want to type it so that it looks professional. Set the font type and size to something readable. Times New Roman 12 point type is fairly standard. Insert addresses. You need to write the letter like a business letter. Make sure all information is aligned to the left-hand margin. First put your complete address. Move down two lines and insert the date. Move down two more lines and insert the judge's address. You can get this information from your lawyer. Address the judge by name. Two lines beneath the judge's address you will add the salutation: “Dear Judge Jones.” Make sure to use the judge's last name. You have appeared before the judge many times and it would be rude to not know his or her name. Accept responsibility. In the opening paragraph you need to accept responsibility for the crime. You must also express remorse and not make any excuses for your conduct. For example, you should state, “I fully accept responsibility for my actions. I am not proud of what I have done and think every night about the victims. When I think about punching the two victims outside the bar that night, I am filled with sadness and regret for what I have done.” Address other arrests or crimes. Hopefully, this is your first offense. If not, then you will need to convince the judge that you are not a risk for re-offending should you get out of jail early after serving a light sentence. Defendants with lengthy criminal histories should expect to get the maximum sentence allowable under the law. One thing you could mention is that you now have a support system in place, which you didn't have in place after you committed your earlier crimes. For example, you could say, “I realize that this is not my first arrest. However, I truly believe that I can turn my life around if given a chance. Specifically, I have received treatment for my substance abuse and am making progress in getting that under control. I also now have a girlfriend who provides the emotional support that I need.” Provide examples of good deeds. You should have a couple specific examples of good deeds you have done in the past. Write about these in the third paragraph. You want to create a vivid impression of the good you are capable of. Identify one or two situations in which you were especially kind or helpful to other people. The situations have to be genuine. You should expect a judge to be able to see through your examples if you make them up. Try to connect those incidents from the past to your future. For example, you may have volunteered with children in the past. You can then explain how, once you are out of prison, you want to become a teacher or to work with children in some other way. For example, you could write, “As you think about what sentence to give me, please keep in mind my desire to return to volunteering with children and my accomplishments in this field. I remember in particular helping one student, Joseph, overcome his fear of reading….” Explain the costs of imprisonment. You should let the judge know how being in prison will affect your family. Your family may depend on the money that you make, or you may have to take care of the children because your spouse is sick. If you are a single parent, then let the judge know that. “I especially would like probation because of my children, Matthew and Angela, who are 6 and 4. As a single mother, I am responsible for my children as their father disappeared long ago and I cannot locate him. If I am in jail, then my family will have no resources. I do not get child support, and my parents have both died. Matthew and Angela will have to be placed with friends, who already have children of their own to take care of.” Conclude. In the last paragraph, you should thank the judge for taking the time to read the letter. You could write, “Thank you for reading my letter. I hope it has provided helpful context for understanding how a lengthy prison sentence will impact me and my family.” Add “Sincerely” two lines beneath the final paragraph and sign your name beneath in pen. Have your lawyer review. Your lawyer will want to read the letter and make corrections or additions, so you should finish the letter as soon as possible. Your lawyer will want a perfect copy for the judge. Incorporate any suggestions and provide a clean copy to your attorney, who will then submit it into evidence. Wait to be asked. You should only write a character letter if the defendant or the defendant's lawyer contacts you to write one. The defendant's lawyer will have a plan for how to effectively argue for the defendant to receive a light sentence. You don't want your letter to undermine that plan in any way. Accordingly, you shouldn't write a letter until the attorney says you can. If you receive permission to write, then you should start early. Try to get the letter to the lawyer a few weeks before the sentencing hearing. Ask for a deadline and commit to finishing the letter before then. Use letterhead, if available. If you are a professional, then you can use your own letterhead. Otherwise, you can print the letter off on regular paper, but be sure to have your address included. You can insert your address in a left-justified block just above the date. Set up the letter exactly as the defendant would: your address, then the date two lines beneath that, then the judge's address two lines beneath the date. Line everything up to the left-hand margin. Do not use the lawyer's letterhead. This will make it look like you had the lawyer draft the letter for you to sign. You want the judge to believe that the letter expresses your own ideas. Introduce yourself. In the first paragraph, you should explain who you are and your relationship to the defendant. Also tell the judge your profession and how long you have known the defendant. You could say, for example, “I am Madelyn Cross, the mother of Adam Cross.” Or, if the defendant is not a family member, you could write something like, “I am Lupita Sanchez, President of Intel Bank. I have known Adam Cross, a teller at my bank, since October 2012 when he came to work for us.” Briefly summarize the crime. In the second paragraph, you should state that you are aware of the crime. Also briefly summarize the charges. You want the judge to know that you are writing the letter with full knowledge that the defendant has been charged with a crime. For example, you could write, “I am aware of the events surrounding Adam's arrest for assault and battery. I also know that he has suffered personally for his actions. We had to let him go from his job because of the time he spent in prison waiting for trial.” Describe the defendant. You can spend one or two paragraphs describing the defendant. Instead of being general, you should try to come up with anecdotes that reveal the defendant's character traits. For example, you might want to emphasize that your son's violent outbursts were unusual because he is normally peaceful. Instead of just saying “My son, Adam, is always peaceful,” you should come up with a story that illustrates his calmness. For example, you could write, “I was surprised by Adam's arrest for assault, because he has always been a peaceful person. In high school, his father was laid off from work and, as a result, began drinking. Sometimes my husband became violent and would break things around the house. One time he even threw a vase at me. Adam always intervened, but he did so in a way that projected calmness. When his father hit him once, he didn't strike back. Instead he hugged his father and eventually my husband calmed down.” Emphasize the defendant’s support system. If the defendant is given probation, then he or she will be released back out to the general population without spending time in jail. A judge will want to know that the defendant is a good bet not to commit more offenses. In a separate paragraph, you should emphasize how much support the defendant will have outside prison. Highlight what support you will provide. Also talk about any other support that you are aware of. For example, a mother could write, “We will gladly welcome Adam back home so that he can focus on his schooling and getting his job back. We live only twenty minutes from the local community college, which he attended briefly. I also know that his job at the bank is waiting for him, and we will do everything we can to make sure that he succeeds.” If you are not a family member, then you could type, “I know that Adam comes from a loving family, which I have met briefly on a few occasions. They no doubt will provide him with the emotional support that he needs. For my part, I will happily give him his old job back once I know that he is out of prison for good. Adam was an excellent worker, and we would be proud to have him rejoin our team.” Avoid minimizing the defendant’s guilt. Although you can certainly talk about how the defendant's criminal actions were unusual or atypical for him or her, you should not minimize the defendant's culpability. Don't blame anyone else for the crime. Also avoid making negative comments about the police, judge, or the prosecutor. Now is not the time to attack the other people in the criminal justice system. You also shouldn't comment about the unfairness of the trial or the criminal justice system in general. That will win you no points with the judge. Discuss the effects imprisonment will have. If you are the defendant's spouse or child, you should talk freely about how much you rely on the defendant. For example, you could state how much you rely on the defendant's income and what losing that income would do to your family. Give this information its own paragraph: “My husband is also the primary breadwinner, as I stay home with my two youngest and have only been able to fit part-time work around my schedule. Without David's $2,500 a month from his job, my family will not be able to pay our mortgage. Instead, we will have to support ourselves solely on my part-time wages, which only cover groceries and medical care. Because my family lives across the country, my children and I will probably have to move into a shelter.” Conclude by thanking the judge. In the final paragraph, you can thank the judge for reading your letter. Make sure not to insert any request for a specific sentence. The purpose of the letter is instead to shed light on the defendant's character. Type: “Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.” Then include “Sincerely,” and type your name. Sign with a pen. Mail the letter to the attorney. You should not send the letter directly to the judge. Instead, the defendant's attorney will want to read the letter and decide if it is helpful. If not, then the lawyer will not send it on to the judge. You should also keep a copy for your own records, in case you are contacted about the letter and need to refer to it.

Talk with your lawyer. Open a word processing document. Insert addresses. Address the judge by name. Accept responsibility. Address other arrests or crimes. Provide examples of good deeds. Explain the costs of imprisonment. Conclude. Have your lawyer review. Wait to be asked. Use letterhead, if available. Introduce yourself. Briefly summarize the crime. Describe the defendant. Emphasize the defendant’s support system. Avoid minimizing the defendant’s guilt. Discuss the effects imprisonment will have. Conclude by thanking the judge. Mail the letter to the attorney.

https://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-Without-Joining-a-Gym

How to Exercise Without Joining a Gym

An easy way to get exercise daily without joining a gym is to ride your bike or walk to work. You can also run or walk around your neighborhood and follow exercise routine videos at home to get in a good workout. For a cheap weight-lifting option, buy a set of affordable dumbbells or resistance bands. You can also invest in a jump-rope for cardio exercises. Develop a work out routine and stick to it for the best results.

Go for a walk or jog. Walking and jogging are low cost ways to get in some cardio without having to pay gym fees. If you're just starting to build a fitness routine, try taking a brisk walk for 20-30 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week. If you don't find that you break a sweat from a brisk walk, increase your pace and jog instead. Walking and jogging are endlessly customizable to fit different schedules, fitness levels, and fitness goals. Vary the terrain and the pace to make your walk or jog more challenging. Take a hike in a natural area like a park or forest if you have some extra time. Hiking is both more physically challenging and a great activity to do with friends or family. Bike during your commute. Biking is a low-impact cardio exercise that you can work into your daily routine. Bike to work or school if it's close enough. If you can't add a bike ride to your commute, take 30 minutes and go for a ride in your neighborhood, or use your bike to run errands such as grocery shopping. You can use biking to supplement your other exercises, or you can use it as your primary exercise. If you want to use your bike for daily exercise, try to do at least 30 minutes of active peddling at least 3-4 times a week. Find multiple venues for walking or running. Sometimes the weather is bad, or the same route is boring you, or the same route during the day is not so safe at night. Try: Outdoor or indoor tracks. Many schools and some municipalities have tracks open to the public. These may be used by teams or clubs at certain times, however. Stadium seating is an opportunity for calorie burning stair climbing, too. Malls. Early in the morning or later in the evening is a good chance to do some laps in a safe, climate controlled environment. Running is out, however. Bike paths. Although often called a bike path, it is often just as well used by pedestrians. Staircases. In larger, taller buildings have staircases which offer a great opportunity for walking or running stairs. Join an intramural sports team. If you don't want to go to the gym but you still want group or social exercise, look for a local intramural sports team. Many areas have teams for any sport from soccer and basketball to dodgeball and even quidditch. Check with your local recreation centers or look online for teams that interest you. Social media is often a great place to find intramural sports groups and teams or look for informal pickup games in your area. Sign up for affordable exercise programs at your community center. If you aren't into team sports, check your local recreation and community centers for affordable exercise classes like dance and yoga. These often cost much less than a gym membership but generally offer the same level of instruction and rigor. Follow along with an exercise video. You can find exercise videos from most online streaming services, as well as in DVD and VHS form. You can find videos for many forms of aerobic exercise, from dance workouts like Zumba to interval training. These videos allow you to get a rigorous, structured workout in your own home. Different video producers will have different styles. Try a few different videos from different producers and creators to find the best match for you. You can find exercise videos for free on sites like YouTube if you don't want to pay for the video or streaming service. You can also borrow an exercise video or DVD from your local library. Garden. One of the many potential benefits of gardening is exercise. Weeding, using the wheelbarrow, hoeing the earth, digging out a garden bed, and so on is potentially a great workout in the fresh air. Practice a bodyweight exercise routine. You can find a wide variety of workout plans online that use bodyweight exercises to target different muscle groups or areas of the body. Use exercises like push-ups, triceps dips, squats, crunches, planks, lunges, and bridges to help you build your strength without any fancy equipment. To get started, try a once-daily routine like: Walk or jog for 5 minutes to warm up. 20 squats 10 push ups 20 lunges (10 on each leg) 10 tricep dips 10 crunches 30-second plank 30-second glute bridges Use household objects to add weight to exercises. If you don't feel like you're getting enough resistance from standard bodyweight exercises, use household objects to increase the intensity. For example, you can use a gallon of milk or a heavy book to add more weight to your squats. Hold the book close to your chest as you squat to add resistance to this bodyweight exercise. You can also use household objects to try exercises that typically require weights, like rows and bicep curls. Invest in a set of dumbbells or resistance bands. Both dumbbells and resistance bands can be found affordably from most sporting goods stores. Resistance bands can be used for exercises like rows, bicep curls, arm raises, donkey kicks , and presses. Dumbbells are versatile and let you tackle many of the exercises you'd find in your gym's weight room. For curls, for example, loop the band under your foot. Grasp the band in a closed fist. Hold your arm so that your elbow is against your side, and your forearm is facing up toward the ceiling. Bring your forearm up toward your shoulder, then slowly lower it down to your starting position. The band will provide resistance as you lift. You will need different levels of resistance and different weight for different exercises. Try to invest in a set of dumbbells or resistance bands rather than getting just one. You don't need both dumbbells and resistance bands. Either one will be beneficial. However, the different tools work different body parts in different ways, so if you have the resources, getting a set of each may be beneficial. Do yoga. Yoga can be an excellent option for those looking to build strength and flexibility, and with a minimum of equipment. Many yoga routines are available streaming from sites such as YouTube or Amazon Prime, available as TV shows, and also on DVD or as subscription services online. You may want to invest in a yoga mat, and a yoga block, high tread socks, and some other props may be helpful. Intensify your exercises. If you can't find more time to exercise, focus on increasing your intensity instead. Walk up a hill instead of on a level path, or practice high-intensity interval training (HIIT) instead of your regular daily workout to get a greater impact from the same amount of time. Use your breaks to get in some cardio. Take 15-20 minutes during your lunch break to take a walk around your block or go for a short bike ride to a new lunch spot. Even small amounts of exercise can add up, so use your breaks to get out and get active. Exercising during your breaks also has the advantage of getting you away from your desk. It can help you clear your head and get your mind off your work for a few minutes. Plan an active date night. Combine your fun and your cardio and go dancing at a local dance club. Just because you're out enjoying yourself doesn't mean that you're not getting exercise. The more you move and shake on the floor, the more exercise you're getting. Or, go hiking, take a stroll around town, or even hit the gym! If dance clubs aren't your scene, make a date night or a friend's night out by going to a dance class or lesson. You can easily find groups for swing dancing, ballroom dancing, hip-hop, lyrical dance, and many other styles. Long moonlight walks on the beach are a wonderful way to spend a date night, and that can be exercise just as much as a workout on a treadmill and more fun! Do bodyweight exercises during commercial breaks. Make the most of your TV or streaming time by doing a set of bodyweight exercises every time a commercial comes on. Do 10 pushups, squats, or hold a 30-second plank every time your show takes a break. Resistance training doesn't have to be done all at the same time to be effective. For a plank, lie on your stomach with your legs together. Put your palms flat on the ground next to your chest and hold your elbows in against your sides. Tuck your toes, and push your body up until your arms are fully extended. Engage your core and focus on keeping your spine in a straight line. Hold this position for 30 seconds. To do squats, stand up and sit back down as many times as you can during the commercial break.

Go for a walk or jog. Bike during your commute. Join an intramural sports team. Sign up for affordable exercise programs at your community center. Follow along with an exercise video. Garden. Practice a bodyweight exercise routine. Use household objects to add weight to exercises. Invest in a set of dumbbells or resistance bands. Do yoga. Intensify your exercises. Use your breaks to get in some cardio. Plan an active date night. Do bodyweight exercises during commercial breaks.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Barbecue-Sauce

How to Make Barbecue Sauce

To make barbecue sauce, start by combining the following ingredients into a saucepan: 1/2 cup (115 g) of ketchup, 3 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 2 teaspoons of dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of butter, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Then, heat the sauce on medium heat, stirring continuously. Once the sauce starts to bubble, let it simmer for 3-5 minutes before serving or storing it in the refrigerator.

Measure all of the ingredients into a small saucepan. You'll need to put 1/2 cup (115 g) of ketchup, 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of water, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of maple syrup, 2 teaspoons (10 g) of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon (4.5 g) of butter, 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground black pepper into the pan. Stir the sauce and turn the burner to medium. Stir the sauce to combine the ingredients. Turn the burner to medium heat and continue to stir the sauce so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Simmer the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes. Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble and stir it frequently as it cooks. Let the sauce simmer a few minutes so the butter melts and the flavors develop. Use the sauce immediately or refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes over medium heat. Heat 2 tablespoons (28 g) of butter in a medium saucepan. Once the butter melts, stir in 1 small chopped onion and let it cook until it becomes translucent and soft. Stir the onion frequently to prevent it from sticking to the pan. Add 3 cloves of garlic and sauté them for 30 seconds. Mince the garlic and stir it into the saucepan with the onion. Stir and cook the mixture until the garlic becomes fragrant. Avoid cooking the garlic for more than 30 seconds because it can burn quickly. Stir in the ketchup, molasses, sugar, vinegar, mustard, chili, and pepper. Add 2 cups (450 g) of ketchup, 1/3 cup (113 g) of molasses, 1/3 cup (65 g) of dark brown sugar, ⁄ 3 cup (79 ml) of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons (30 g) of yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon (8 g) of chili powder, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of cayenne pepper. Stir the sauce to combine the seasonings. Bring the sauce to a boil and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Turn the burner to high so the sauce begins to boil vigorously. Then turn the burner down to low so the sauce bubbles very gently. Cook the sauce and stir it frequently until it thickens. Blend the Kansas City-style barbecue sauce. Turn off the burner and spoon the sauce into a blender. Put the lid on the blender and pulse it until the sauce is completely smooth. Use the sauce immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Measure the mustard, honey, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and sauces. Put 3/4 cup (187 g) of yellow mustard, 1/2 cup (170 g) of honey, ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons (30 g) of ketchup, 1 tablespoon (12.5 g) of brown sugar, 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of hot sauce into a mixing bowl or storage container. Mix the sauce ingredients. Use a spoon or a whisk to thoroughly combine the barbecue sauce. Ensure that the sugar and sauces are completely incorporated. Break up any lumps of brown sugar. Refrigerate the sauce for at least 1 day before using it. Cover the bowl or put the sauce into an airtight storage container. Put the sauce in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 day before you use it. For longer storage, refrigerate the sauce for up to 2 weeks. Measure all of the ingredients into a saucepan. Place 1 3/4 cups (395 g) of ketchup ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) plus 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water, ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) plus 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cider vinegar, ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) plus 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of white vinegar, 2 1/4 teaspoons (9 g) of brown sugar, 2 ⁄ 2 tablespoons (37 ml) of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon (8 g) of chili powder, 1 tablespoon (6 g) of ground cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 g) of kosher salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons (3 g) coarse black pepper in the saucepan. Stir and heat the sauce over medium. Stir the sauce until the sugar is dissolved and heat it until the spices dissolve. Avoid bringing the sauce to a boil or it the sugars could burn. Use or store the Texas-Style barbecue sauce. Turn off the burner and pour the sauce over sliced or smoked meat. You can also use the sauce like a marinade for flavoring meat or poultry before you cook them. To store the sauce, put it in an airtight container or squeeze bottle and refrigerate it for up to 1 month. Measure the mayo, vinegar, garlic, mustard, horseradish, and seasoning. Put 1 1/2 cups (348 g) of mayonnaise, ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of white wine vinegar, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon (6.5 g) of coarse ground pepper, 1 tablespoon (15 g) of spicy brown mustard, 1 teaspoon (4 g) of sugar, 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of salt, and 2 teaspoons (10 g) of horseradish into a blender. If you don't have a blender, you can use a food processor. Pulse the sauce for 1 minute. Put the lid on the blender and pulse the sauce off and on for 1 minute so it becomes completely smooth. If you want a thicker sauce, pulse it for less time so it remains chunky. Use or store the sauce. Spoon the white barbecue sauce over fried chicken or salad. You can also dip French fries into the sauce or store it for later use. Place the white barbecue sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 1 week.

Measure all of the ingredients into a small saucepan. Stir the sauce and turn the burner to medium. Simmer the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add 3 cloves of garlic and sauté them for 30 seconds. Stir in the ketchup, molasses, sugar, vinegar, mustard, chili, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Blend the Kansas City-style barbecue sauce. Measure the mustard, honey, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and sauces. Mix the sauce ingredients. Refrigerate the sauce for at least 1 day before using it. Measure all of the ingredients into a saucepan. Stir and heat the sauce over medium. Use or store the Texas-Style barbecue sauce. Measure the mayo, vinegar, garlic, mustard, horseradish, and seasoning. Pulse the sauce for 1 minute. Use or store the sauce.

https://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Red-Eyes

How to Clear Red Eyes

To clear red eyes, try placing a warm, damp washcloth over your eyes for 5 minutes which will help alleviate dryness. You can also rinse them with lukewarm water to cool your eyes and remove any irritants. If your eyes are irritated or puffy, chill steeped tea bags in the refrigerator, then place them over your eyes for 5 minutes to reduce inflammation. If these things don't help and you think your red eyes may be caused by allergies, try using antihistamine eye drops for relief.

Rest your eyes. For most causes of red eyes — a corneal scratch, lack of sleep, eye strain from staring at a computer screen, too much sun exposure, long road trips — rest is the best medicine. Get some extra sleep, and minimize your time looking at computers, TVs, books, and your phone. Try listening to the radio or a book on tape instead. Even if you can't take time off to give your eyes a whole day of rest, be sure to give them smaller breaks. If reading or working at a computer, you should stop every fifteen minutes and stare at a distant object for at least 30 seconds. This change in focal point will help to relax your eye muscles. Every two hours, take a 15-minute break from your screen to rest your eyes. Go for a walk, work out, have a snack, make phone calls — anything but staring at your computer screen or phone. Use eye-drops or artificial tears. For occasional eye redness, you can get relief by using eye drops, which are also sometimes called artificial tears. These are available at any drugstore and only cost a few dollars. They lubricate and cleanse your eye, reducing redness and irritation. They come in four types: With preservatives — Preservatives like benzalkonium chloride, oliexetonium, polyhexamethylene biguanide, polyquad, purite, and sodium perborate (GenAqua) prevent bacteria from growing, but they also irritate your eyes. If your eyes are sensitive or if you will be using the drops for an extended period of time, preservatives should be avoided. Without preservatives — Systane, GenTeal, Refresh, Thera Tears, and Bausch and Lomb, amongst others, all sell preservative-free eye drops. For contacts — If you wear contacts, look for drops designed specifically for use with them. Whitening / anti-red eye — Do not use whitening drops like Visine, Clear Eyes, and All Clear. Whitening eye drops will actually exacerbate eye redness over time. Consider using an eye gel for extreme eye dryness. Gels and ointments are thicker and last longer than drops, but they can also blur your vision for a time. That makes them best for use just before you go to sleep, so as to prevent your eyes from drying out overnight. Be sure to use a hot compress or scrub your eyelids with mild soap before applying gels or lotions. This will prevent them from clogging glands and ducts. Do not use gels or ointments if you have been diagnosed with meibomian gland disease. Take allergy medication. Seasonal allergies, pet allergies, or environmental allergies can all cause red eyes. Allergies usually occur with other symptoms such as itchiness and tearing, and are typically worst in the morning. The reason is twofold: first, sleeping in a home with allergens exposes you to their effects for a prolonged period of time, and second, seasonal allergies are worst in the morning when there is more pollen in the air. To deal with allergies: Try an oral antihistamine, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), desloratadine (Clarinex), fexofenadine (Allegra), Levocetirizine (Xyzal), or loratadine (Claritin). Use medicated eye drops that contain antihistamine or anti-inflammatories, including azelastine (Optivar), emedastine (Emadine), ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor), or olopatadine (Pataday, Patanol). Keep your windows closed during allergy season to reduce your exposure to pollen. Keep pets out of your bedroom, and especially out of your bed. Try an air purifier to keep in your home, which may help reduce the presence of allergens. Try an eye rinse. An eye rinse helps to remove irritants in your eye that can contribute to redness. In addition, it moisturizes and cools your eye. You can rinse your eyes with lukewarm water by letting a stream run over your eye, using an eyecup, or standing in the shower and letting the water run into your eye (do not spray it directly into your eye). For an even greater soothing effect, consider using a specially prepared eye rinse: Boil a cup of distilled water. Add a tablespoon of eyebright, chamomile flowers, or crushed fennel seeds. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let it steep for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid into a sterilized container using a coffee filter. You can keep the rinse in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Place a warm compress over your eyelids. Eyelid inflammation can block the flow of moisturizing oil to your eyes. A warm compress can help to unblock your oil ducts. Hold a clean, dry washcloth under warm running water until it is soaked and then wring out the excess water. Then fold the washcloth in half and place it over your closed eyes. Relax with the washcloth over your eyes for five to 10 minutes. Relax with cool, damp teabags over your eyes. Green tea and chamomile tea both contain chemicals that can soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation, and open blocked oil ducts. Steep two tea bags, then place them in the refrigerator or freezer until they are cool, before placing them over your closed eyes for five minutes. Make sure that you do not have a foreign object in your eye. The tiniest bit of dust can cause irritation if lodged in your eye. If your eyes feel scratchy, do not rub them, as this might scratch your cornea. Instead, it is best to wash your eye. You can do this by placing eye drops or saline in your eye and blinking rapidly. For an even more effective wash: Use clean hands to hold your eye open under a gentle stream of lukewarm running water. In the shower by allowing the water to hit your forehead and holding your eye open as the water runs down your face. Or, you can wash your eye with an eyewash station or an eyecup. If you have an object in your eye, you may have trouble opening and closing your eyelid. Sleep for eight hours every night. Not getting enough sleep is a common cause of red eyes. If you're also feeling tired and groggy throughout the day, your red eyes might be the result of insufficient sleep. Adults require between seven to nine hours of sleep per night, but some people may require more or less sleep to be at their best. Give your eyes a rest from TV and computer screens. Even if you're getting enough sleep, you can still tire your eyes out by spending too much time in front of the computer or watching TV. This is because people blink less when staring at a screen, and because their eyes are forced to focus at the same distance for hours at a time, producing eye strain. Give your eyes a 15-minute break every two hours and take short 30 second breaks every 15 minutes. For long breaks, take a short walk and focus on things in the distance, or take a short 15-minute nap to give your eyes a chance to catch up with your busy schedule. For short breaks, look up and away from your computer for thirty seconds and focus on something in the distance, such as a tree out your window or a picture on the other side of your room. Wear sunglasses. Some studies show that excessive exposure to sunlight or wind can cause redness in the eyes. If you wear protective sunglasses when you're outside, you can protect your eyes from the wind and UV rays that can irritate them. Choose wraparound sunglasses that offer 99–100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. Wearing sunglasses is essential for good eye health later in life. Too much exposure to the sun can lead to problems like macular degeneration and cataracts later in life. Wear your contact lenses less and take proper care of them. Contacts can sometimes cause eye redness, which may be related to an infection, lack of oxygen to your eyes, or contact irritation. Before putting in your contacts, place a few drops of saline solution or eye lubricant in your eyes and blink several times. This will clean the surface of your eye so that irritants don't get trapped underneath your contacts. Dirty, torn, or misshapen contacts can irritate your eyes and cause infection. Follow your eye doctor's instructions for keeping your contact lenses clean. If you use disposable contact lenses, never wear them more than once. Do not sleep with your contact lenses. Avoid wearing your contact lenses when swimming or showering. Quit smoking and avoid smoky environments. Smoke is a common cause of eye redness. If you smoke, try your best to quit smoking and keep your distance when others are smoking around you. In addition to reducing your eye redness, quitting smoking has lots of other health benefits. Do not overuse whitening eye drops. While drops that moisturize your eye are an effective way to treat redness, eye drops specifically designed to whiten your eyes can actually make the problem worse. These drops contain vasoconstrictors — chemicals that shrink the blood vessels on the surface of your eye. If you use them too much, your body builds up a resistance to them, making your eyes become even redder as soon as the effect of the chemical wears off. Common drops containing vasoconstrictors are Clear Eyes, Visine, and All Clear. Chemicals to avoid include: Ephedrine hydrochloride Naphazoline hydrochloride Phenylephrine hydrochloride Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride Seek immediate medical attention for serious symptoms. Red eyes accompanied by other serious symptoms can be a sign of a more significant problem such as a stroke or neurological disorder. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if: Your eye is red because of an injury. You have a headache with blurry vision and confusion. You see halos around lights. You are nauseous and/or vomiting. Go to your doctor if redness persists for more than two days. If your redness persists despite the above remedies, if you are on blood thinners, or if the redness is accompanied by pain, changes in vision, or any sort of discharge, you should consult your doctor. Common medical causes of red eyes include: Pink Eye (conjunctivitis) — An infection of the transparent membrane that covers your eyes. It is treated with antibiotics and/or topical antihistamines. Chronic Dry Eye — This occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears to lubricate them. It can be managed through punctual plugs (they plug the small holes in your eyelid that drain moisture), eye drops, and medication. Diabetic Red Eye — High blood sugar from diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eye, leading to red eyes. If diabetic, be sure to get regular eye exams. If untreated, diabetes can lead to loss of vision. Vasculitis — Occurs when the body's immune system attacks blood vessels. It is treated through the use of steroids and other medicines to reduce inflammation. Glaucoma — An increase in eye pressure that can cause blindness. It can usually be treated with eye drops that relieve pressure. Keratitis — An inflammation of the cornea that may be caused by wearing your contacts for too long or a minor injury. It may be accompanied by a bacterial infection. Consult your optometrist if your red eyes persist. Persistent red eyes that do not respond to medical treatment are often the cause of eye strain brought on by an inaccurate prescription or the need for bifocals. A prescription that is too strong will force the muscles of your eyes to constantly work to bring objects into focus, resulting in strain and redness. It is better to have a prescription that is too weak rather than too strong. If you find yourself having to lean close to your computer screen to see it clearly, you may need bifocals to help you see clearly at multiple focal points.

Rest your eyes. Use eye-drops or artificial tears. Consider using an eye gel for extreme eye dryness. Take allergy medication. Try an eye rinse. Place a warm compress over your eyelids. Relax with cool, damp teabags over your eyes. Make sure that you do not have a foreign object in your eye. Sleep for eight hours every night. Give your eyes a rest from TV and computer screens. Wear sunglasses. Wear your contact lenses less and take proper care of them. Quit smoking and avoid smoky environments. Do not overuse whitening eye drops. Seek immediate medical attention for serious symptoms. Go to your doctor if redness persists for more than two days. Consult your optometrist if your red eyes persist.

https://www.wikihow.com/Work-out-With-a-Knee-Injury

How to Work out With a Knee Injury

If you have a knee injury but still want to work out, first check that it's okay with your doctor so you don't end up causing long-term damage. Once you get their approval, remember to warm up your legs before exercising by going for a slow, 5-minute walk. Instead of doing leg exercises that put stress on your knee, focus on upper-body or floor exercises. For example, you can do bicep curls, pullups, crunches, and planks. If you want to do cardio, try swimming laps since this is a low-impact exercise that won't risk your knee getting worse.

Talk to your doctor before you start a workout regimen with a knee injury. Doing the wrong exercises while you have a knee injury can strain your knee and possibly cause long-term damage. Therefore, make sure you get the go-ahead from your doctor first. Depending on the extent of your injury, your doctor may recommend only very light activity. Always follow your doctor's advice so that your injury heals properly and as quickly as possible. Warm up before your workout to help protect your knee from further injury. Go on a slow, 5-minute walk to help get your legs warmed up before your workout. Warming up is an important way to prevent exercise-related injuries, especially when you're already injured. Not warming up before your workout will put you at risk of injuring your knee more. You can also go for a 5-minute walk after your workouts to cool down and slowly bring your heart rate back to its normal speed. Reduce the intensity and frequency of your workouts. Working out at the same intensity as you were before your injury may be too much for your knee. Instead, work out in shorter sessions with a decreased amount of activity. Then, gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts so your knee has time to adjust. For example, if you're used to running for 90 minutes on 6 days of the week, you may start with 10 minutes of swimming immediately after your injury. Slowly, you should increase the amount you swim until you've rebuilt some strength and resistance in your leg. Then, you can start transitioning back to running, starting with short, gentle jogs. If you typically do resistance training, you may start with a focused, gentle resistance routine for your injured leg, under the advisement of your doctor or a physical therapist. This can be supplemented with a more vigorous upper body routine. Avoid exercises that will put a lot of stress on your knee. Exercises like squats, lunges, leg presses, and running can strain your knee and make your injury worse. If you need to do these exercises, work with a physiotherapist or kinesiologist on how to properly modify them to accommodate your injury. Alternatively, you can focus on exercises that won't put a lot of pressure on your knee, like: Crunches , push-ups , ab curls , and other floor exercises Upper-body exercises Lower-body exercises that don't strain the knees, like leg lifts and heel raises done with resistance bands. Knee-friendly cardio exercises, like swimming, recumbent bicycling, and using an elliptical. Stop working out if you experience sudden pain in your knee. While exercise can actually help your knee heal faster, it's important that you don't overexert yourself or you could make your injury worse. If your knee starts to hurt while you're working out, it's a sign you're putting too much strain on it and that you should take a break. If you're unable to work out without experiencing pain in your knee, talk to your doctor about the best path forward. Go swimming for a low-impact cardio exercise. Swimming can help you burn calories without risking your knee injury getting worse. Try swimming laps and doing different strokes, like the butterfly stroke and the backstroke. You can also try jogging in the water since you won't be putting as much stress on your knees. You can burn 350-570 calories an hour by swimming, depending on the level of intensity. Work out with a rowing machine for a knee-safe cardio exercise. Rowing is a low-impact exercise that can help you get cardio without aggravating your knee. Rowing may not be recommended for all knee injuries, so be sure to consult your physical therapist or doctor before adding it to your daily exercise routine. You can burn between 400-800 calories using a rowing machine for 1 hour, depending on your weight and the intensity level you're using. Exercise on an elliptical for a knee-friendly cardio workout. Ellipticals are safer for a knee injury than a treadmill because your feet stay on the pedals, which limits the impact put on your knees. If you want to burn calories and get your heart rate up, spend time on an elliptical at home or at the gym. Start with 5-10 minutes on the elliptical after your injury, and work up toward 20-30 minutes, increasing your time by 1-2 minutes at a time. Keep a slow, steady pace and a low elevation, especially at first. 30 minutes on an elliptical can help you burn 170-320 calories, depending on your weight and intensity level. Ride a bicycle to get your heart rate up without hurting your knee. Similar to an elliptical, riding a bicycle is a great cardio exercise that will put less strain on your knees than running. Stick with stationary or recumbent bicycles since a regular bike may be too hard on your knee. You can burn 250-700 calories riding a stationary bike for 30 minutes, depending on your weight. Make sure you're not riding on an incline or you could make your knee injury worse. Most stationary bikes have different intensity settings you can choose from. Start out with a low-intensity setting and gradually increase the level of intensity so you don't strain your knee. Do resistance-band exercises with a limited range of motion. resistance bands using a limited range of motion. Start small with a single set of 3-4 reps at a time, and gradually build up from there. Keep your pace slow and steady. You may want to start your exercises using no bands at all so that you can get used to the range of motion required. Then, gradually add resistance with bands or by fastening ankle weights to your thigh just above your knee. Try doing some heel raises to strengthen your calves. To do heel raises, start by standing up straight in front of a chair or counter so you have something to rest your hands on. Then, slowly stand up on your toes. After a couple of seconds, slowly lower back down onto your feet and repeat. Try doing a single set of 3-4 reps. Once you're comfortable with that, gradually add more sets and reps. Work out your core by doing some leg lifts. To do leg lifts, start by kneeling on your hands and knees so your knees are under your hips, and your hands are under your shoulders. Raise one leg behind you as far as you can, squeezing your gluts as you do so. Then, lower your leg to the starting position. Do a single set of 3-4 reps at first. Then, gradually increase the number of sets and reps you're doing. Do inner thigh circles to work out your thighs without straining your knee. To do inner thigh circles, start by lying down on the floor on your side. Raise your legs so they're extended straight above your hips. Then, flex your feet and point your toes outward so your heels are touching. When you're ready, open your legs and rotate them outward in a circle before bringing them back together. Once they're back together, repeat. Do 3 sets of 20 reps. If that's too much, start with 1 or 2 sets instead and gradually add more reps until you're at 3 sets. To get more stability, try doing this exercise laying about 1 ft (0.30 m) in front of a wall. Bring your leg slightly behind you and push it into the wall, then do the leg lift. Try side plank hip bridges to tone your glutes while going easy on your knee. Start by lying down on your right side and resting your upper body on your right elbow and forearm. Put your left hand on the back of your head. Next, slightly bend your bottom leg while you straighten your top leg. When you're ready, lift your top leg until it's above your hips and hold it for 1 second. Finally, lower your leg back to the floor and repeat. Try doing 3 sets of 20 reps with each leg. You can also start with 1 or 2 sets and slowly increase the number of reps you're doing during each workout. Performing a side plank with your legs straight is ideal. However, if you can't do that safely, try a side plank on your knees. You can also work the same muscle groups by elevating your arm on a couch or bed. Do some upper body exercises while seated if it's too painful to stand. Certain upper body exercises can be performed while sitting down so you don't have to worry about putting too much pressure on your knee. You don't have to do your upper body exercises sitting down, but it can be helpful if you're suffering from a particularly painful knee injury. Some upper body exercises you can do while seated include: Bicep curls Overhead presses Lateral raises Try doing bodyweight exercises if you want something with minimal resistance. If your knee is in pain, bodyweight exercises can be a nice way to work out your upper body without using heavy weights or machines. Some bodyweight exercises you can try are: Bench dips Pullups Inverted rows Do floor exercises to work out your upper body and give your knee a break. There are lots of upper body exercises you can do right on the floor so you don't have to put pressure on your knee. Some knee-friendly floor exercises you can try include: Crunches Push ups Planks Supermans

Talk to your doctor before you start a workout regimen with a knee injury. Warm up before your workout to help protect your knee from further injury. Reduce the intensity and frequency of your workouts. Avoid exercises that will put a lot of stress on your knee. Stop working out if you experience sudden pain in your knee. Go swimming for a low-impact cardio exercise. Work out with a rowing machine for a knee-safe cardio exercise. Exercise on an elliptical for a knee-friendly cardio workout. Ride a bicycle to get your heart rate up without hurting your knee. Do resistance-band exercises with a limited range of motion. Try doing some heel raises to strengthen your calves. Work out your core by doing some leg lifts. Do inner thigh circles to work out your thighs without straining your knee. Try side plank hip bridges to tone your glutes while going easy on your knee. Do some upper body exercises while seated if it's too painful to stand. Try doing bodyweight exercises if you want something with minimal resistance. Do floor exercises to work out your upper body and give your knee a break.

https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Short-Division

How to Do Short Division

To do short division, place the divisor outside the division bar and the dividend inside the division bar. Next, divide the first number of the dividend by the divisor and write the remainder next to the first number of the dividend. Then, divide the number formed by the first remainder and the second number in the dividend by the divisor. Write the second remainder above the second number in the dividend, divide the numbers again, and write the final remainder on the division bar!

Write the problem. To write the problem correctly, place the divisor, the number that you're dividing into another number, outside the long division bar. Place the dividend, the number that you'll be dividing by the divisor, inside the long division bar. The quotient, or your result, will go on top of the division bar. Remember that for short division to work, your divisor has to be less than 10. For example: In 847/5, 5 is the divisor, so write it outside the division bar. 847 is the dividend, so place it inside the division bar. The quotient is blank because you haven't started dividing yet. Divide the first number of the dividend by the divisor. When you divide, you are stating how many times one number can fit into another number. For example, 2 can fit into 6 three times (2 + 2 + 2 =6). Continuing with our example, 5 goes into 8 just one time, but it doesn't evenly divide into 8. We have 3 left over. Write the number 1, the first number of the quotient, on top of the division bar. This leftover number is called the remainder. If you were using long division, you would write out 8 minus 5 equals 3 and then bring down the 4 from the dividend. Short division simplifies this written process. Write the remainder next to the first number of the dividend. Write a small 3 to the top right of the number 8. This will remind you that there was a remainder of 3 when you divided 8 by 5. The next number you will divide into is the combination of the remainder and the second number. In our example, the next number is 34. Divide the number formed by the first remainder and the second number in the dividend by the divisor. The remainder is 3 and the second number of the dividend is 4, so the new number you'll be working with is 34. Now, divide 34 by 5. 5 goes into 34 six times (5 x 6 =30) with a remainder of 4. Write your quotient, 6, on the division bar to the right of the 1. Again, keep in mind you are doing most of the math mentally. Write the second remainder above the second number in the dividend and divide. Just as you did the first time, simply write a small 4 above and to the right of the number 4. The next number you will be dividing by is 47. Now, divide 47 by 5. 5 goes into 47 nine times (5 x 9 = 45) with a remainder of 2. Write your quotient, 9, on the division bar to the right of the 6. Write the final remainder on the division bar. Write "r 2" to the right of the quotient on the division bar. The final answer of 847/5 is 169 with a remainder 2. Recognize that the divisor may not go into the first number of the dividend. In some cases, the divisor will be larger than the first number of the dividend and you will not be able to divide. In this case, you will divide into the first two numbers of the dividend. For example, 567/7. In this case, 7 doesn't go into 5, but it does go into 56 eight times. When solving this problem, write the first number of the quotient over the 6 instead of the 5 and continue solving. The final answer is 81. Add a zero in the quotient if the divisor does not go into the dividend. This is similar to the first special case, except this time, you will put a zero in the middle of the quotient. If you encounter a problem like this, simply write a zero in the quotient, and try dividing with the next two numbers in the dividend until the number can be divided. For example, 3208/8, 8 goes into 32 four times, but does not go into 0. You would add a 0 and then divide into the next number. 8 goes into 8 one time, therefore, the solution would be 401. Practice with some more examples. The best way to understand short division is practicing with many different types of problems. Below are a few more examples for you to try out. Divide 748 by 2. How many times can 2 go into 7? Three with a remainder of 1. Write 1 next to the 4. How many times can 2 go into 14? Seven times, evenly. Two goes into 8 four times, evenly; therefore, the final answer is 374. Divide 368 by 8. Eight doesn't fit into 3, but it does divide into 36. Eight fits into 36 four times with a remainder of 4 (8 x 4 = 32, 36 - 32 = 4). Write the 4 next to the 9. Eight can go into 48 six times, evenly; therefore, the final answer is 46. Divide 1228 by 4. Four doesn't fit into 1, but it does fit into 12 three times, evenly. Four does not fit into 2, so you must add a zero in the quotient and divide four into 28. Four fits into 28 seven times; therefore, the final answer is 307.

Write the problem. Divide the first number of the dividend by the divisor. Write the remainder next to the first number of the dividend. Divide the number formed by the first remainder and the second number in the dividend by the divisor. Write the second remainder above the second number in the dividend and divide. Write the final remainder on the division bar. Recognize that the divisor may not go into the first number of the dividend. Add a zero in the quotient if the divisor does not go into the dividend. Practice with some more examples.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Ethics-Paper

How to Write an Ethics Paper

To write an ethics paper, start by researching the issue you want to write about and evaluating your sources for potential bias and trustworthiness. Next, develop a thesis statement that takes a specific stand on the issue and create an outline that includes the key arguments. As you write, avoid using words like “could” or “might,” which will seem ambiguous to the reader. Once you've finished your paper, take a break for a few days so your mind is clear, then go back and revise what you wrote, focusing on the quality of your argument.

Make sure that you understand the assignment. Before you begin your ethics paper, take some time to read through the assignment guidelines, ask questions about the assignment, and think through what you need to do in this paper. Get answers to some questions before you start on the assignment. You should ask: What is the main objective of the assignment? What specific things do you need to do in order to get a good grade? How much time will you need to complete the assignment? Choose a topic for your ethics paper. If you're writing the paper as a class assignment, the topic may already be given to you. If not, choose a topic that is both interesting to you and that you know a good deal about. Your topic should be very broad at first, after which you can develop it into a specific inquiry. For example, you might begin with a topic of "ethical problems of euthanasia." This is very broad, and so forms a good starting point. Narrow down your topic. After you have selected a topic, you will want to narrow your topic down to a more specific issue. For example: "ethical problems of euthanasia for patients suffering extreme, constant pain." This will allow you to go into much more depth in your paper, and will help you avoid the pitfall of simply providing a broad overview of a subject without digging any deeper. Remember, you may refine your topic even further after you have begun writing your paper. This is perfectly acceptable, and is part of the advantage of writing a paper in multiple drafts. Outline the relevant issues to your topic. Once you have decided on a specific topic, make a list of all the specific issues that could be used to argue for or against positions within that topic. This list does not have to be ordered in any specific way. For example, you might include issues such as: "describing specifically what is meant by 'extreme, constant pain.' "Other issues might include, "the rights and responsibilities of physicians regarding euthanasia," and "voluntary versus involuntary euthanasia." After making this list, group or order them in some way. For example, you might imagine yourself taking the position that euthanasia is acceptable in this circumstance, and you could order the issues based on how you would draw supporting evidence and build your claim. Draft your thesis statement. The thesis is the central position you will be arguing in your ethics paper, but keep in mind that your thesis may change as you continue to work on your ethics paper. Write out a tentative (temporary or changeable) thesis statement and use it to help focus your argument and write your paper. In your thesis, you should take a specific stand on the ethical issue. For example, you might write your thesis as follows: "Euthanasia is an immoral option even when patients are in constant, extreme pain." Remove ambiguous language to clarify your exact position. Words like “could,” “would,” “might” “seems,” and "should" are ambiguous. These words may affect the clarity of your thesis statement so try not to use these words in your thesis statement. For example, this thesis statement is ambiguous: "Patients should not undergo euthanasia even when suffering constant, extreme pain." With how it's worded, it's unclear whether you mean that euthanasia should be outlawed or that it is morally wrong. Clarify your position to create a strong thesis: "Euthanasia is an immoral option even when patients are in constant, extreme pain." Make sure the focus of your thesis aligns with your intended focus for the paper. The focus of your paper will depend on the wording of your thesis, so it is crucial to make sure your thesis is worded how you want it to be. Otherwise, you may end up confusing your readers. For example, in the thesis, "It is immoral for patients to choose euthanasia even when suffering constant, extreme pain," the moral burden is on the patient's actions. The author of this thesis would need to make sure to focus on the patient in the essay and not to focus on the moral implications of the doctor's actions. If the thesis you have written does not reflect what you want to argue in your paper, start over and draft a new thesis statement. Select sources to research before writing your ethics paper. To strengthen your argument for a certain ethical position, you will need to cite reputable sources in your paper. University and public libraries provide the best place to obtain material to research and cite. Ask a librarian for help finding sources if you are not sure how to access your library's databases. A simple way to strengthen your argument through citations is by incorporating some relevant statistics. Simple statistics can have a major impact if presented after you've made a bold assertion. For instance, you may claim that the patient's family members would be unduly traumatized if the patient chose euthanasia, and then cite a university study that catalogued a majority of families reporting trauma or stress in this situation. Another helpful citation is one in which the broad issue itself is discussed. For instance, you might cite a prominent ethicist's position on your issue to strengthen your position. Evaluate your sources. Use only trustworthy sources in your ethics paper or you may damage your credibility and/or earn a bad grade. Use your school library's databases to ensure that you are getting trustworthy sources for your paper. Some things to consider when trying to determine if a source is trustworthy include: The author and his or her credentials. Does the source provide the author's first and last name and credentials (M.D., Ph.D, etc.)? Steer clear of sources without an author attached to them or that lack credentials when credentials seem crucial, such as in an article about a medical subject. Type of publication. Is the publication a book, journal, magazine, or website? Is the publisher an academic or educational institution? Does the publisher have a motive other than education? Who is the intended audience? Ask yourself these questions to determine if this source is reliable. For example, a university or government website might be reliable, but a site that sells items may be biased toward what they're selling. Citations. How well has the author researched his or her topic? Check the author's bibliography or works cited page. If the author has not provided any sources, then you may want to look for a different source. Bias. Has the author presented an objective, well-reasoned account of the topic? If the sources seems skewed towards one side of the argument, then it may not be a good choice. Publication date. Does this source present the most up to date information on the subject? If the sources is outdated, then try to find something more recent. Read your research. Once you have gathered all of your sources, you will need to read them. Read your sources well and keep your topic in mind as you read. Read a source more than once if you don't understand it the first time. It is important that you fully understand all of your sources. To check for comprehension after reading a source, try to summarize the source in your own words and generate a response to the author's main argument. If you cannot do one or both of these things, then you may need to read the source again. Creating notecards for your sources may also help you to organize your ideas. Write the citation for the source on the top of the notecard, then write a brief summary and response to the article in the lined area of the notecard. Annotate your sources. As you read your sources, it is also a good idea to highlight and underline significant passages so that you can easily come back to them. Look for information that supports your thesis or relates to your counterarguments. You may also want to jot down quotes that you may want to use in your paper. Remember to indicate when you have quoted a source in your notes by putting it into quotation marks and including information about the source such as the author's name, article or book title, and page number. Work from your outline. Getting started on a draft can be a difficult process, but your outline provides you with a kind of roadmap. By expanding on the ideas in your outline you will generate more useable, relevant text for your draft. To expand on your outline, write a couple of sentences describing and/or explaining each of the items in your outline. Include a relevant source for each item as well. Make sure that you include all of the key parts of an ethics paper. While your professor may have some specific guidelines that you need to follow, there are some items that are often included in ethics papers. A paper defending an ethical position should first take and defend a stand , then present strong counterarguments , then refute those counterarguments , and then conclude the paper. Check your outline to see if you have covered each of these items in this order. If not, you will need to add a section and use your sources to help inform that section. Plan to write your ethics paper using several drafts. After expanding on your outline, you can begin writing the first draft of your ethics paper. It is possible that you will need to write multiple drafts of your paper to get it right, so make sure that you give yourself plenty of time for this process. Don't try to draft your paper until you have developed your thesis, completed an outline, and read and annotated all of your research. In your first draft, focus on the quality of the argument, rather than the quality of the prose. If the argument is structured well and each conclusion is supported by your reasoning and by cited evidence, you will be able to focus on the writing itself on the second draft. Unless major revisions are needed to your argument (for example, if you have decided to change your thesis statement), use the second draft to strengthen your writing. Focus on sentence lengths and structures, vocabulary, and other aspects of the prose itself. Give yourself a break before revising. By taking a break after you have finished drafting your paper, you will give your brain a chance to rest and process difficult concepts. When you revisit the draft, you will have a fresh perspective. Try to allow yourself a few days or even a week to revise your paper before it is due. If you do not allow yourself enough time to revise, then you will be more prone to making simple mistakes and your grade may suffer as a result. Consider your paper from multiple angles as your revise. As you revise your paper, ask yourself questions about the way you have written your paper. Taking the time to ask and answer some questions about what you have written will help you to improve what you have written. Consider the following questions as you revise: Does my paper fulfill the requirements of the assignment? How might it score according to the rubric provided by my instructor? What is your main point? How might you clarify your main point? Who is your audience? Have you considered their needs and expectations? What is your purpose? Have you accomplished your purpose with this paper? How effective is your evidence? How might your strengthen your evidence? Does every part of your paper relate back to your thesis? How might you improve these connections? Is anything confusing about your language or organization? How might your clarify your language or organization? Have you made any errors with grammar, punctuation, or spelling? How can you correct these errors? What might someone who disagrees with you say about your paper? How can you address these opposing arguments in your paper? Read printed version of your final draft out loud. Before you hand in your paper, read a printed version of your paper out loud to detect any typos, minor errors, or other oversights. These minor mistakes may have a negative effect on your grade, so it is important to find and fix as many of them as you can before you submit your paper. As you read your paper out loud, highlight or circle any errors and revise as necessary before printing your final copy.

Make sure that you understand the assignment. Choose a topic for your ethics paper. Narrow down your topic. Outline the relevant issues to your topic. Draft your thesis statement. Remove ambiguous language to clarify your exact position. Make sure the focus of your thesis aligns with your intended focus for the paper. Select sources to research before writing your ethics paper. Evaluate your sources. Read your research. Annotate your sources. Work from your outline. Make sure that you include all of the key parts of an ethics paper. Plan to write your ethics paper using several drafts. Give yourself a break before revising. Consider your paper from multiple angles as your revise. Read printed version of your final draft out loud.

https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-RV-Flooring

How to Replace RV Flooring

To remove your old RV flooring, first use a crowbar to pry up any trim lining the walls and cabinets. You may need to remove the furniture in order to remove the existing floor covering. Use a crowbar or a flathead screwdriver to pry up any stick-on tiles or plank flooring, or use pliers or a hammer and mallet to remove staples from your carpet. If your plywood subfloor is damaged due to mold, use a circular saw to remove the damaged areas.

Measure the square footage of the floors. Use a tape measure to take measurements of the floor layout. You may want to note the measurements on a sketch of the RV. Take the drawing with you when you're shopping for your floors so you can picture the layout as you shop. Take out the furniture if you need to. You may not have to remove the furniture in your RV for your floor replacement. However, if you have to replace the subfloor, or if you want you new flooring to extend underneath the couch or table, you'll need to take the furniture out. Unless the subfloor is damaged, the choice of whether to install new flooring under your furniture is largely aesthetic. Furniture in an RV is often bolted down, so you will probably need a wrench in order to remove it. Remove any trim from the around walls and cabinets. Use a crowbar to pry the trim loose. If the trim appears to be in good shape, remove it carefully and keep it so you can replace it after you install your new flooring. If it's molded, warped, or otherwise damaged, throw it out and buy new trim. Gather your safety materials. If you have to do any cutting with a saw, you'll need to have safety goggles and a face mask nearby. You may also want heavy leather or canvas gloves to protect your hands while you're working. It's a good idea to have these on hand before you start your project just in case you need them. Open the windows and doors to ventilate the space as well. Use pliers to remove the staples holding the carpet in place. Removing carpet in an RV is time-consuming because of the many staples you'll have to pry up. Grip each staple with your pliers, then rock the pliers back and forth until the staple comes free. Some people prefer to use a hammer and mallet for removing staples. Hook the claw of the hammer under the staple, then strike the hammer with the mallet to loosen the staple. Examine the subfloor after you remove the old carpet. Check the plywood subfloor for dark spots, soft areas, or cracks. If you notice any damage, use a skill saw to carefully cut outside of the area you need to remove. Repair the damaged area by nailing new marine plywood into the joists beneath the subfloor. Marine plywood is made to withstand temperature fluctuations as well as moisture, making it ideal for a travelling vehicle. Always wear safety goggles and a face mask when working with a skill saw. Check the remnants section at a local store when you buy new carpet. Many carpeting stores have a collection of oddly-sized cuts left over from larger jobs. Since you won't need much carpet to cover your RV, you can save a lot of money if you can find a remnant that's the right size. Remnants aren't usually left out on the sales floor, so ask an associate if they can show you where they are. Sweep your subfloor before you start the installation. No matter how careful you are when you pry up the staples, chances are you'll miss a couple. Sweep the plywood carefully to make sure there are no staples that can work their way up through the carpet after you install it. Attach your carpet to the subfloor permanently with staples. Start working in 1 corner of the RV, using a staple gun to staple the carpet down every 4 inches (10 cm). Pull the carpet as taut as possible as you work your way to the other side of the room to ensure that your carpet is free of any wrinkles after installation. Anchor your carpet with furniture if you don’t want to staple it. Some RV owners prefer not to staple their carpet to the subfloor because they want to be able to remove the carpet regularly in order to clean it. This is a good option if you have pets that will be travelling with you. Hide gaps between the carpet and the wall with trim. Since the flooring is usually installed before the walls in an RV, there is usually a slight gap between the floor and the wall. You can hide this gap by installing the trim you removed earlier, or you can purchase new trim if you prefer. Take care when you nail the trim into place to ensure you don't nail through the exterior of the RV. Reinstall any furniture you removed. Once your new flooring is installed and the trim is in place, it's time to replace your furniture. Tighten any bolts firmly with a wrench so the furniture will be steady when the RV is moving. Use a crowbar or a flathead screwdriver to pry up stick-on tiles. Vinyl stick-on tiles are usually easy to remove. Just wedge a small crowbar or a flathead screwdriver under the tile, then pop it upwards to loosen the adhesive. Look for damage on the subfloor and repair it if necessary. New vinyl tile can often be laid over an existing floor. However, removing the tile that is already in place will allow you to check the health of the subfloor. If you find mold or rot in your subfloor, you will need to use a skill saw to cut out the damaged area. You can then replace the damaged subfloor with a new sheet of marine plywood cut to fit. Always use caution when operating a skill saw. Wear protective glasses and a face mask to protect yourself from flying debris. Opt for peel and stick vinyl tile for easy installation. Stick-on vinyl tile is available in a wide range of thicknesses and designs, with options for every price range. This is a great option for a durable floor that doesn't require a lot of work to install. Sweep or vacuum the subfloor before you install your new tile. If your subfloor is dirty, the stick-on vinyl tile will not adhere properly. Make sure the entire subfloor is free of dirt, dust, or other debris before you start the installation process. If the subfloor seems greasy, slimy, or stained, wash it thoroughly with soap and water, then let it dry completely before you install your tile. Start in the middle of the room and work outward to the edges. When laying square tiles , you want to center them so that any oddly-sized cuts are around the outside of the room. Peel off the paper backing from each tile, then lay the tile in place and press down on it firmly to ensure it adheres to the subfloor properly. Use a utility knife to cut any edge pieces to size when you reach the walls. Replace any trim you removed. Nail the trim back into place, taking care not to puncture the exterior. For a fresh new look, try painting the trim a shade that will match your new vinyl tile. When nailing the trim into place, use caution so you don't nail through the exterior of the RV. Install any furniture you removed. If you took out your chairs, tables, or cabinets in order to replace your flooring, use a wrench to tightly bolt them back into place. The furniture must be completely secure so it doesn't move while the RV is travelling. Use a crowbar to remove existing plank flooring. Laminate planks fit together in a tongue-and-groove formation, and they are usually not attached to the subfloor with adhesive or nails. As you pry up the planks, they should easily snap free of each other. Repair any damage to the subfloor, if necessary. Climate changes and excessive humidity can cause the plywood subfloor in your RV to rot. If you notice any signs of damage, including black discoloration, soft spots, cracks, or warped wood, use a skill saw to cut away the affected area, then replace it with new plywood. Marine plywood is ideal for use in an RV because it is resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. Start along the longest wall if you're installing new laminate planks. If you're using tongue-and-groove floor planks, using the longest pieces first will allow you to make fewer cuts. Each time you cut a plank, you lose a joint, so you will want to make as few cuts as possible. Lay the first plank with the female side facing outwards. The female side of the plank will have a groove that goes inwards, while the male piece will have a piece that fits into the groove. Line up the male connector of the second piece with the female side of the first piece, then tap the second plank lightly with the mallet to lock it into place. Continue this process down the wall. Use spacers with plank flooring to allow them to expand and contract. Spacers will protect your floor from warping when your RV is exposed to dramatic temperature changes. Place at least 2 spacers along each wall as you install the floor. Some plank flooring will come with spacers included, but if yours doesn't, you can purchase them at a flooring supply store. Cut the remaining planks to length with a utility knife or jigsaw. Most of your pieces should be easily cut with a utility knife. However, a jigsaw will offer more precision if you need to make more detailed cuts. Replace the trim you removed. Rounded trim will give your new flooring a finished look, and it will also help hide any gaps between the floor and the wall. Use caution when nailing anything in an RV, since you can puncture the exterior. Replace any furniture you removed. Tighten the furniture down with a wrench so it will be stable while the RV is moving, then relax in your renovated camper!

Measure the square footage of the floors. Take out the furniture if you need to. Remove any trim from the around walls and cabinets. Gather your safety materials. Use pliers to remove the staples holding the carpet in place. Examine the subfloor after you remove the old carpet. Check the remnants section at a local store when you buy new carpet. Sweep your subfloor before you start the installation. Attach your carpet to the subfloor permanently with staples. Anchor your carpet with furniture if you don’t want to staple it. Hide gaps between the carpet and the wall with trim. Reinstall any furniture you removed. Use a crowbar or a flathead screwdriver to pry up stick-on tiles. Look for damage on the subfloor and repair it if necessary. Opt for peel and stick vinyl tile for easy installation. Sweep or vacuum the subfloor before you install your new tile. Start in the middle of the room and work outward to the edges. Replace any trim you removed. Install any furniture you removed. Use a crowbar to remove existing plank flooring. Repair any damage to the subfloor, if necessary. Start along the longest wall if you're installing new laminate planks. Lay the first plank with the female side facing outwards. Use spacers with plank flooring to allow them to expand and contract. Cut the remaining planks to length with a utility knife or jigsaw. Replace the trim you removed. Replace any furniture you removed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Quiet

How to Be Quiet

To work on being more quiet in conversations, try focusing your energy on listening rather than on talking. When you do speak, ask questions to encourage the speaker to elaborate, rather than interrupting or giving your opinion. If being quiet is difficult, try paying attention to your breathing while others are speaking. It can also be helpful to count to 10 each time you want to say something to give yourself time to reflect on whether it really needs to be said.

Think before you speak. People who are naturally loud do not possess this important skill. So, the next time you're in a situation where you're just dying to say something, pause, take a moment, and ask yourself if what you have to say will really help the situation. Will you be giving people information that they need, making people laugh, or offering words of comfort, or will you be saying something just to be heard? If you don't think anyone will actually benefit from what you have to say, then keep it to yourself. One rule to follow when you're starting off is to say one of every two things you're thinking. As you work on being more quiet, then you can say one of every three things, or one of every four things. Don’t interrupt. Don't ever interrupt a person while he or she is talking unless you think what you have to say is crucial to the conversation. (Let's face it. – When is that ever the case?) Not only is it rude to interrupt people, but it will disrupt the flow of the conversation and will make you appear loudmouth. If you really have a comment to make or a question to ask, then make a note of it and wait until the other person is done talking to see if what you have to say is still relevant. You'd be surprised by how many of your questions will get answered anyway if you just let people talk. Ask questions instead of talking about yourself. If you're working on being more quiet, then chances are that you tend to talk on and on about yourself or the things that really interest you instead of letting other people share their ideas. So, the next time you're having a conversation and it's your turn to speak, ask people questions to gain insight about the topic you're discussing and to learn more about them – from what their hobbies are to what they like to do for fun. You don't have to make it sound like an interrogation or ask questions that make people uncomfortable. Keep things light, friendly, and polite and remember that conversation, in large part, is more about saying that you care about and are interested in the other person's thoughts, feelings, and point of view and less about sharing your "take on things." Count down from ten before you say something. If you've thought of the most amazing comment to make ever, give it ten seconds. Count down from ten to see if the idea suddenly sounds less appealing, or to give other people time to chime in and to keep you from saying what you wanted to say. This is also a great technique if you're feeling angry or upset and want to air your grievances. Giving yourself a little bit of time to calm down can keep you from saying something you'll regret. When you become a pro at this, you can even just count down from five. Even that short amount of time can help you see whether or not you should keep quiet. Listen carefully. If you want to be quiet, then you have to work on being a great listener. When someone is talking to you, make eye contact, pick up on important points, and try to read between the lines to figure out what the person is really saying and how he or she is really feeling. Let the person talk, don't lose patience, and don't fall victim to distractions like text messages. Ask questions that help the person flesh out their ideas, but don't ask something off-topic which will, potentially, confuse the person. The more you work on being a good listener, the less compelled you will be to dominate the conversation. A good rule of thumb is to balance your talking and listening time, to make them equal. A balanced conversation is the most healthy. Stop complaining. If you find yourself spending a lot of your conversation time running down a litany of things that annoyed you today – the horrible traffic you faced this morning, the nasty email you got from a friend, how the cold this winter is crimping your style – it might help if you consider what responses are "on the table" for the other person. Where can the conversation go? Will anything productive result? What might the other feel about you and the attitude your words reflects? If complaining about the things you can't change really makes you feel better, then try writing them down in your journal. There's really no need to complain out loud, is there? If you have a real problem and need to talk about it, that's fine. – What we're talking about here is your need to complain just for the sake of conversation. Focus on your breath. If you really feel antsy and want to start talking for no reason, just focus on your breath. Pay close attention the the rising and falling of your breath and work on breathing more deeply and evenly. Stop fidgeting and listen to what's happening around you. Focus on how you're thinking and feeling instead of on whatever it is you want to say so badly. This technique will calm you down and will make you see that talking isn't so important. Take time to process what you hear. You may be the kind of person who has an instant reaction to something that you hear and who wants to immediately blurt out everything that you're thinking/wondering/sort of wondering, but this really isn't the best way to tackle the situation. If you take the time to process whatever is happening and to fully form a question or a comment, then you'll be able to speak much less and to ask or say something that is much more spot-on. This will give you time to be your own internal editor and to not let out all of the “extra” stuff that isn't doing anyone any good. Find a hobby that requires quiet. Practicing being quiet on your own can help you be more quiet when you're around people. One way to get some great practice being quiet is to find a hobby where you have to be quiet and preferably by yourself. Try painting, creative writing, yoga, song writing, stamp collecting, bird watching, or really anything at all that requires you to be quiet and to not say whatever is on your mind. Reading is also great for helping you be quiet as you process the words in front of you. Try going at least an hour without saying anything while you're pursuing your hobby. Then go two hours. Then three. Think you can go a whole day without saying a word? Release your energy in other ways. You may be talking a lot – some may say too much – because you feel like you have so much energy and don't know how to release it. So, find another outlet for saying all of the things on your mind that can help you get rid of all that extra stuff going on in your head. Working out – especially running – can help you get some great exercise while getting rid of that extra energy. So can taking long walks or cooking. Find whatever works for you. Fight the temptation to chat online. Talking online only fills your life with noise and most of what you say isn't really that important. If you really wanted to talk to your friend, you would do it over the phone or in person instead of incessantly typing away at your computer, wouldn't you? The next time you have the urge to go on g-chat to see what your 28th best friend is up to, close your computer and go for a walk instead. Take breaks from social media. Better yet, take a break from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and any other social media you may be using all too often. These sites are filled with noise, with people trying to impress each other, and with meaningless words that you may feel compelled to respond to. If you're really addicted, then spend just 10-15 minutes a day on all of your social media sites instead of spending your time checking them every chance you get. Wouldn't you rather hear what your closest friends have to say in person instead of hearing what perfect strangers have to say to the world? Turn off all of the extra voices that you hear and focus only on the ones that matter. Write in a journal. Make a habit of writing in your journal at the end of every day or week. This can help you write down those extra thoughts, stay quiet, and feel like you've gotten everything off your chest without telling your fifteen best friends about it. You can just write about what happened during your day, which will lead you to ask more questions and to write about the deeper things on your mind. You'll be amazed by how much quieter you may be if you write just one journal page each day. Meditate. Meditating is a great way to turn off your mind and to keep your body and being quiet. Take 10-20 minute every morning to find a comfortable seat in a quiet room, close your eyes, and focus on your breath rising and falling from your body. Focus on relaxing your body one part at a time and notice what you hear, smell, feel, and sense as you're sitting there. Banish any serious thoughts and focus just on being in the moment and appreciating the quiet, and you'll be on your way to having a more centered, quiet day. Meditating can keep you from feeling overwhelmed by giving you more control over your mind and body. Appreciate nature. Take a walk. Go to the beach. Look at all of the beautiful plants in the garden on the other side of town. Take a weekend trip to the woods. Do what you've gotta do to get closer to nature. You'll be awed by the beauty and power of something so much more permanent than you are and you'll feel all of your doubts and words melt away. It's hard to keep chatting on and on about what you think will be on the next math quiz when you're standing at the base of a beautiful mountain that has been in existence since the beginning of time. Plug some nature time into your weekly routine. You can even bring your journal out to nature and write down your thoughts there. Turn off the music. Sure, music may make it more fun for you to study, to go running, or to commute to work. However, music can create extra noise that makes you feel a bit more chatty, frantic, and excitable. Classical music or jazz can be okay, but loud music with catchy lyrics can create noise that will bounce around in your head and keep you from feeling calm and in control of your day. Give it time. If you're a naturally loud, talkative person, then you won't be Miss Quiet overnight. But if you make an effort to talk a little bit less each day, to pursue hobbies and activities that make you more quiet, and to focus on being a good listener instead of a good talker, you'll be able to become more quiet sooner than you think. So sit back, have patience, and enjoy the feeling of all the extra noise draining from your head – and from your vocal chords.

Think before you speak. Don’t interrupt. Ask questions instead of talking about yourself. Count down from ten before you say something. Listen carefully. Stop complaining. Focus on your breath. Take time to process what you hear. Find a hobby that requires quiet. Release your energy in other ways. Fight the temptation to chat online. Take breaks from social media. Write in a journal. Meditate. Appreciate nature. Turn off the music. Give it time.

https://www.wikihow.com/Replant-a-Tree

How to Replant a Tree

The key to replanting a tree is moving it at the right time and keeping its conditions the same. Replant your tree in the late fall or winter when it'll be less likely to experience trauma. You'll need to uncover the roots, dig underneath the root ball, and pull it out of the ground. Replant the tree as soon as possible to maximize its chances of survival. Plant it in the same soil type, the same amount of shade, and the same sized hole. Fill the hole with topsoil, cover it with 2 inches of mulch, then water the soil until it's moist. Avoid pruning your tree for 1 year or fertilizing it for 2 to 3 years to keep its conditions as constant as possible.

Evaluate whether the tree is healthy enough to move. If your tree is unhealthy, it's more likely to die from shock while being replanted. If your tree is dehydrated or diseased, try to treat its ailment as much as possible before moving it. Trees older than 3 years are more likely to suffer damage while being transplanted. Amateur gardeners should not attempt to transplant trees with a trunk diameter larger than 2 inches (5.1 cm). Large trees should be replanted by a landscape contractor or nursery professional. Wait until the tree's dormant season to replant it. The best time to replant a tree is in late fall or winter, when the tree is dormant and less likely to experience trauma. If your tree is healthy and does not immediately need replanting, keep it in its original location until its dormant season. Remove the tree from the ground. Using a shovel, remove the topsoil surrounding the roots nearest to the tree's base. These roots will form the tree's root ball, and you will transplant it with the tree trunk. Dig underneath the root ball and pull the tree up and out of the ground. Dig up 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) of root ball for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the tree's trunk diameter. Water the soil 24 hours before you remove the tree to make digging it out easier. Wrap the tree's root ball in burlap. Using a small shovel, dig away all soil clumps from the root ball. Wrap the entire ball in untreated natural burlap, and stitch it tightly around the tree with an upholstery needle and untreated natural twine. Keep the root ball intact while you move the tree. As you transport the tree to its new location, grab it by the base of the trunk. Grip it above the root ball to prevent breaking the roots. If the tree is too heavy for you to carry, put it in a cart or wheelbarrow. Replant the tree immediately after removing it. If possible, replant the tree the same day that you removed it from the ground. Your tree is less likely to sustain shock and reject its new climate if you put it back into the soil immediately. Don't wait any longer than several days to a week to replant your tree. Make sure the new location suits your tree's needs. If your tree was thriving in its old location, you should choose a place with the same soil type, weather conditions, and shade levels as the last hole. Research what conditions your tree does best in if you are removing the tree to improve its health. Dig a hole approximately the same depth as the tree's old hole. If the hole is too deep, water is more likely to pool in the hole when you water your tree and cause root rot. You should dig the hole, however, about 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) wider than the original hole so you can add more mulch and topsoil. Call your utility companies before you dig and ask them to mark their lines to avoid hitting a gas, electrical, or water line. Remove the burlap wrapping from the root ball. Plating your tree with the burlap wrapping intact can restrict oxygen to the roots. This, in turn, can cause girdling which will eventually kill the tree. To avoid this, completely remove the burlap wrapping before replanting your tree in the new hole. Place the tree carefully into the hole. To avoid damaging the tree, do not drop it into the hole. Replanting is often traumatic for trees, and they need to be positioned gently into the hole. Lower it into the hole and adjust it so the trunk stays upright. Use your shovel to make sure the ground is level. Place your shovel handle on the ground and across the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the top of the hole. If the root ball is too deep into the ground, remove it and shovel some dirt back into the hole until the root ball is level. Fill the hole with topsoil. Your replanted tree will need plenty of organic matter and nutrients to adapt to its new location. Purchase topsoil, compost, or a blend of the two from a plant nursery. Shovel the topsoil in around the tree's roots until you fill the hole to the top. Ask the topsoil seller if you can see its soil makeup—a loamy topsoil with an even mixture of sand, silt, and clay is ideal for replanting trees. Add a 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) layer of mulch around the base of the tree. Apply the mulch in a ring a few inches (centimeters) away from the trunk. This will help the tree retain moisture and moderate soil temperature around the plant. Do not make the mulch ring any deeper than 3 inches (7.6 cm) to avoid suffocating the tree. Water your tree immediately after you replant it. Once you've replanted your tree, keep the soil moist by watering it afterward. Using a garden hose with a steady stream, water the tree for about 30 seconds at a time. Continue watering your tree 1-2 times a week, each time with 30-second soakings. To avoid root rot, the tree's soil should be damp but not soggy. Water your tree twice a week during the summer or in hot climates. Stake your tree to the ground in windy climates. To prevent your tree from falling over while it's still taking root, stabilize it with stakes. Tie 2-3 stakes to your tree's trunk with elastic or tree straps and strike them into the ground using a hammer or mallet. Inspect the stakes regularly for damage. If the stakes appear broken, replace them. Do not significantly prune the tree for a year. After replanting the tree, prune it only to remove dead or broken branches. If you want to remove large limbs or alter the tree's shape, wait at least a year. Avoid fertilizing your tree for 2-3 years. Fertilization is not recommended for newly transplanted trees because it is ineffective until your tree's roots reestablish. Wait at least 2 years before applying fertilizer—until then, stick to mulching and routine watering.

Evaluate whether the tree is healthy enough to move. Wait until the tree's dormant season to replant it. Remove the tree from the ground. Wrap the tree's root ball in burlap. Keep the root ball intact while you move the tree. Replant the tree immediately after removing it. Make sure the new location suits your tree's needs. Dig a hole approximately the same depth as the tree's old hole. Remove the burlap wrapping from the root ball. Place the tree carefully into the hole. Use your shovel to make sure the ground is level. Fill the hole with topsoil. Add a 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) layer of mulch around the base of the tree. Water your tree immediately after you replant it. Stake your tree to the ground in windy climates. Do not significantly prune the tree for a year. Avoid fertilizing your tree for 2-3 years.

https://www.wikihow.com/Behave-Yourself

How to Behave Yourself

When you need to behave yourself, follow any directions given to you by a parent, teacher, or boss. Practice polite manners by saying things like, “Please,” and “Thank you,” and give others the respect of listening to what they have to say. Even if you start to feel upset, choose your words carefully and keep your voice at a normal volume. If you hear yourself getting loud, stop and take a deep breath before you continue talking.

Be mindful of your noise level at all times. Controlling your noise level is the biggest part of behaving. If you are having trouble maintaining an appropriate volume, stop and take a deep breath when you feel yourself getting louder. Collect your thoughts and convey what you want to say in a respectful and reserved manner. Pay attention to your noise level and you can better control it. Try to limit what you're saying to who you're saying it to. You rarely have to say something to an entire group. Know who you're talking to, and speak with a voice loud enough that they can hear you. Ask yourself if you really have to say something before you say it. If it's not necessary to the conversation, don't say it. Practice this technique regularly. Listen to how loud the people around you are. Match their sound level. If people are staring at you or reacting negatively, adjust your behavior. You should aim to fit in with whatever room you're in. Don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself. If you try to dominate a room, you'll usually end up rubbing people the wrong way. Practice self-control in all aspects of your life by setting goals and sticking to them. Make your goals specific and long-term. Psychology studies have shown that abstract, big-picture thinking leads to self-control. Instead of focusing on the moment, look toward bigger goals like success in school or sports. Focusing on the future will help you behave in the present. Being goal-oriented will teach you the art of self-denial. If you get the desire for a soda or to slack off and play video games, deny yourself. Start with small goals like denying yourself ice cream on weekdays. Move up to harder goals like making the starting basketball team. Stick with your goals and soon enough you'll be in total control of your thoughts and actions. Write down you goals and hang them up where you can see them regularly. Remind yourself of your goals regularly. Make behavioral goals too. Commit to behaving yourself in public and not having any unintended outbursts. Keep your goals positive. Get straight A's, keep practicing guitar until you're comfortable enough to play a gig, or exercise four times a week. Stick to your goals religiously. Make sure your goals are specific. Vague goals are much easier to forget about. When you are tempted to break a promise or a goal, take a deep breath and think about why you set the goal in the first place. That long term commitment is more important than your momentary impulse. Try setting up a punishment and reward system for yourself. If you go a week sticking to a strict diet, give yourself a "cheat day." Likewise, if you decide to skip a workout, make up for it by working out twice as long the next day. Practices like these will lead to control over your desires and actions. Make specific long-term goals with specific short-term ways to achieve them. Pay careful attention to rules and social norms, and restrain yourself when you get the urge to break them. Part 2 has more specific information on this, but generally speaking, be conscious of the rules in any social situation. Keep them in the back of your head. Whenever you start to break one, practice self control. Take a deep breath and remember that you have the strength and self-control to stop yourself. Make a mental list of the rules of any social situation. Take note of all the rules before you even say anything. If the rules are unclear, be passive and see how other people are acting. Aim to mimic their behavior. If the atmosphere is appropriate for lewd humor and loud talking, you would not be misbehaving by joining in. If the atmosphere is more professional, conduct yourself formally. If the atmosphere is relaxed, let go more but still watch your noise level. Calming techniques like deep breathing usually work best for self-control, but find what works best for you. Maybe if you're about to break a rule, you can snap your fingers or pinch yourself. Whatever it is, have a method to stop yourself when you get the urge to break a rule. Be careful with your language. Suit your words to the situation, and choose those words carefully. In most situations, cursing and loud bickering is inappropriate. Avoid pointless arguments and critical statements. Generally speaking, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it. If you find yourself starting to say something mean or inappropriate, stop yourself before it's too late. If you can't stop yourself, be sure to apologize after. More relaxed or even crude language is sometimes appropriate if you're with close friends. Be sure you know the situation before you start talking though. Around coworkers, teachers, or bosses, be very careful with your language. Be humble and understanding, and never curse or start fights. Compliments and kind words are always appreciated. If you find yourself wanting to say something mean, write it down instead. Just don't let anybody see what you write! Don't interrupt people. Let them finish what they're saying before you speak. Think before you speak. Thoughtless words can get you into trouble. Get in the habit of asking yourself if you're sure you want to say something before you say it. Behave yourself at school by following the teacher's instructions and focusing on your schoolwork. Take the self-control tactics you've learned and apply them to school. Set school-related goals for yourself and remember that those goals are the most important thing about school. Your school goals should probably revolve around getting good grades and following your teacher's rules. Remember to follow smaller class rules like no gum, no hats, being quiet when the the teacher is talking etc... All the rules are important. If you get the urge to break one, practice self-control. Pay attention to the teacher. Listen carefully and take notes. Don't talk over the teacher or any other students. Wait your turn, and always raise your hand unless you're in a small group or outside the classroom. Come prepared for class. Have your homework done, all the handouts with you, and a notebook and binder. Join in class discussions. Keep yourself from getting bored by engaging in the class material. Ask questions and respond to other students. Make friends with good students. Your friends should be a positive influence on you, they shouldn't get you into trouble. Don't sit near any friends that do get you in trouble. Always be on time. If behavioral issues persist, talk to your parents, your teacher, and your school counselor. It's possible you have some form of Attention Deficit Disorder, or you just need extra help adjusting. Behave yourself at dinner by practicing proper table manners. Be polite and engage in pleasant conversation. Don't make a mess when you eat, and always use a napkin. Always say thank you. If you're going out to dinner, thank your servers and if someone else pays, be sure to say thank you. Don't reach over people for food. Ask them to pass the food instead. Don't use your hands unless it's finger food. Use your fork and knife properly. Don't cut too hard, and use the utensils to bring the food to you rather than the other way around. Have your napkin on your lap at all times. Use it frequently to clean food from your mouth. Offer to pour drinks and serve food to other people. At the end of the meal, offer to help clean up. If you're dining out, remember to tip 15 percent of the total bill. Behave yourself at work by having the right attitude. Commit to your work goals, and act professionally at all times. The workplace is usually not the time to make jokes and goof off. You need to be focused and productive. Get to work with the right mindset and your behavior will follow. Get to work early. Aim to arrive 15-20 minutes before you're supposed to get there. Have a clean workspace, and keep communal areas clean and organized. Respect your boss and coworkers. Don't talk about people behind their backs. Be attentive and take notes during meetings. Avoid having too much idle small talk throughout the day. Take initiative and do extra work. Focus on your work. The only time you wouldn't be behaving is when you're distracted and doing something to fill the time. Fill your day with work, punctuated by several breaks. Use breaks to let off steam. Chat with coworkers, go on Facebook, go for a walk and stretch your legs. When it's time to get back to work, regain your focus. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Your behavior isn't just your actions, it's your overall presence. Make sure you dress for the part. For school, dress casual. For work or a formal event like a wedding, wear a suit or fancy dress. For a job interview or dinner, wear a collared shirt or nice blouse. Excessively revealing clothing is better suited for the beach or home. Err on the side of modesty when dressing for public. Avoid clothes with offensive sayings or images. Make sure to maintain personal hygiene. Shower and brush your teeth every day and wear deodorant or perfume. Practice relaxation techniques. A stress-free lifestyle makes you feel more in control of your life and your actions. When you're stressed or depressed, you're much more likely to feel like you're acting on autopilot. Most misbehavior comes from that loss of self-control. You should use relaxation techniques regularly and whenever you feel like you're losing control of a situation. Learn yoga. Yoga is a great way to reduce stress and promote a healthier mindset. Start your day with yoga, and do yoga when you start to feel yourself losing control. Meditate. Meditation has long been an effective and easy way to relax. Practice breathing through your nose. Focus on your breath and feel the world slip away. You can do this any time. Take plenty of breaks throughout the day. Relaxation is key to maintaining self-control. If you're working all day, your mind won't have time to settle. Give yourself alone time or do an activity you enjoy. Get to know yourself better. Learn your strengths and weaknesses. Specifically, learn when you are most likely to misbehave. Use that information to stop your misbehavior before it happens. Don't let yourself into situations where you misbehave, or find ways to stop your misbehavior. The more you know about yourself, the better equipped you are to control yourself. A great way to learn about yourself is through writing. Make lists of your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself. When are you most in control and when are you least in control? When do you misbehave the most? What are the circumstances when you misbehave? Are you sad, stressed, hungry, or sleep-deprived? Once you find a pattern to your behavior, use that information and change your lifestyle to improve your behavior. Another great way to learn about yourself is through meditation. Find a quiet place and just sit and focus on your breathing. After a while, you'll feel everything slip away. What's left is your self. Ask yourself questions and answer honestly. Ask your friends and family what they see about you. Ask them how they think you could improve your behavior, and where they think any outbursts come from. Remember that they're there to help you. Just letting them know you want to improve can go a long way. Take an online personality test. Though these aren't always accurate, they can help you realize things you already know about yourself. Go to a therapist, behavioral specialist, or school counselor. Even if you're doing better, this can be immensely helpful in learning about yourself and how to behave yourself. Use what you learn about yourself to improve your behavior. If you tend to misbehave when you're bored in class, practice engaging more with the material. Take notes and commit to learning the material, and you'll enjoy yourself more in class. If you tend to misbehave when you're in a stressful situation, work on stress management. Exercise regularly to boost your self-control. Science has shown even a short workout can dramatically improve your self-control. A short, intense workout results in increased blood flow and oxygen to the pre-frontal cortex which is responsible for self-control. Moreover, making and committing to a long-term exercise program is a great way to practice self-control. Aim to exercise at least four times a week. You don't have to go to the gym to workout. Playing frisbee with friends or going for a bike ride can be both therapeutic and rewarding. Try to get some physical activity every day. Walking or riding your bike instead of driving is a great way to work in physical activity to your daily routine. Get a full night's sleep. Doctors recommend seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Get on a healthy sleep schedule and stick to it. Studies show that sleep deprivation draining your pre-frontal cortex of glucose which fuel self-control. When you're sleeping your body replenishes glucose levels. Without enough sleep, your body may not physically be equipped for self-control. Sleep improves all areas of health, not just self-control. Correcting your sleeping habits leads to improved mood, mental health, and physical fitness. Be careful about oversleeping. When you sleep more than ten hours, you lose the benefits of sleep. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Foreign substances can lead to abuse and dependency. This loss of self-control is the epitome of misbehavior. Moreover, drugs and alcohol impair your decision-making faculties, making you lose control further. If you already use drugs and alcohol, work on quitting. Seek help from family, friends, and specialists. Alcohol can be acceptable in small amounts if you're over the legal drinking age and capable of drinking lightly without running the risk of intoxication or dependence. For example, if you know you can safely drink a glass of wine during a holiday meal or a couple of beers during your monthly friends' night out, that's typically okay. However, if you're a recovering alcoholic or under the legal drinking age, you should abstain from even this amount. Eat a diet rich in glucose. Studies show that glucose is the key to self-control. Acts of self-control use up glucose stores, and when you're low on glucose, you won't be able to control your behavior as effectively. Periodically replenish your body's store of glucose throughout the day. Lemonade or lemon water is a great source of glucose and hydration. Fresh and dried fruits are packed with glucose. Strawberries and kiwi are particularly loaded with glucose. Honey and fruit juice also have a ton of glucose. Grains, beans, nuts, and almost all vegetables have glucose too.

Be mindful of your noise level at all times. Practice self-control in all aspects of your life by setting goals and sticking to them. Pay careful attention to rules and social norms, and restrain yourself when you get the urge to break them. Be careful with your language. Behave yourself at school by following the teacher's instructions and focusing on your schoolwork. Behave yourself at dinner by practicing proper table manners. Behave yourself at work by having the right attitude. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Practice relaxation techniques. Get to know yourself better. Exercise regularly to boost your self-control. Get a full night's sleep. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Eat a diet rich in glucose.

https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-a-Mother-Dog-Refusing-to-Stay-with-Her-Puppies

How to Handle a Mother Dog Refusing to Stay with Her Puppies

To handle a mother dog that's refusing to stay with her puppies, relocate the whelping box to an area where you spend most of your time, since your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. If the box is in a noisy or busy area, move it to a quiet part of the room so it's comfortable for the mother and puppies. You can also try placing a dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) collar on the mother to reduce stress and encourage it to accept the puppies.

Relocate the whelping box. If your dog has a close bond with you or suffers from separation anxiety, they may be leaving the whelping box to stay near you. While generally the whelping box should be located in a quiet and calm part of the home, if you suspect that this is the problem, you might want to relocate the box to an area where you spend most of your time. Place a DAP collar on the dam. Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) is a natural chemical signal that a mother dog releases when lactating to help calm and soothe her puppies. It has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in adult dogs. If your mother dog is refusing to nurse her puppies, placing a DAP collar on her can help encourage her to accept her puppies. DAP also comes in spray bottles. You can spray parts of the whelping box, but you should not spray the dam or the puppies directly with it. You can buy DAP sprays, diffusers, and collars online or at some pet stores. Your vet may also carry them. Create a calm environment. If the area where the whelping box is located is noisy or busy, the dam might become stressed. This may cause her to stop nursing or to ignore the puppies. To help encourage a calm environment, make sure that the whelping box is in a quiet part of your home. There should not be much traffic through this room. Try to keep the whelping box clean to create a comfortable environment for both the mother and the puppies. If you have other pets, you should block their access to the whelping box. The presence of other animals may stress the dam out. You can start introducing your other pets to the puppies around 5 or 6 weeks. Aid the dam in nursing. Nursing releases hormones that helps bond the mother and the puppies. If the mother initially appears disinterested in her puppies, you might be able to start the production of these hormones by introducing the puppies to her teat. To do this, command the dam to lay down and gently ease her to her side so that the teats are exposed. Hold her down gently. Be sure to comfort her with kind words and petting. Have another person introduce the puppies one by one to her teats to nurse. After a few times, you may be able to convince the mother to nurse on her own. If the dog snarls, growls, or appears aggressive towards the puppies, remove them immediately from this situation. If this does not work, you will have to feed the puppies by hand, using a bottle or syringe. If the dog nurses her puppies but refuses to warm or stay by their side, you will have to keep them warm yourself. Talk to your vet. Your vet may have specific instructions to help your dog based on her medical history, breed, and environment. If stress or anxiety is the problem, your vet can prescribe medication that might help your dog accept her puppies. You should tell the vet whether the mother dog is aggressive or indifferent to her puppies. Try to determine when the mother abandoned her puppies. For example, did she reject them at birth or did she stop paying attention to them after a week or two? Check the dam’s nipples. Carefully look over the mother's teats on her underside. If you notice redness, swelling, pus, abscesses, or discolored milk, the dam might have mastitis. Mastitis occurs when the mother's milk ducts become inflamed. This makes lactation and nursing very painful for the mother dog. If it is severe, the mother can become aggressive towards the puppies or refuse to nurse. A vet can treat mastitis with antibiotics. You can relieve the pain of mastitis by applying warm water compresses to the mother's teats. You can help stimulate the flow of milk by gently pressing the teat between your forefinger and thumb. Be aware that if the dog is in extreme pain, she may become aggressive. Watch for restlessness or spasms. If your dog refuses to nurse and starts pacing excessively, she may have milk fever. Milk fever, also known as eclampsia, may cause the mother to refuse the puppies. Symptoms begin with restlessness or anxiety. The mother may start to walk with a stiff or wobbly gait. This can develop into tremors, spasms, heavy panting, and fever. If you suspect that the dam is suffering from these symptoms, take her to the vet immediately. If untreated, it can lead to death. Symptoms of milk fever typically begin between three and five weeks after the puppies are born. Take the dogs to the vet. Even if you do not notice the symptoms of mastitis or milk fever, there may still be an underlying medical cause for the mother's abandonment. Take both the mother and the puppies to the vet. The vet will do bloodwork and other tests to determine what is going wrong. Occasionally, something might be wrong with the puppies, causing the mother to abandon them. Your vet may be able to help them thrive. If the vet determines that there is no medical cause, they can help you try to encourage the mother dog to accept the puppies. The vet may also recommend that you feed and care for the puppies yourself. Feed the puppies every 2 hours. Puppies require around-the-clock care and feeding. They need to be fed a puppy-milk substitute every 2 to 3 hours. Puppies can be bottle or tube fed. Special puppy bottles are available from vets or pet stores, although bottle feeding can take significantly longer than tube feeding. Tube feeding is generally recommended, although you should have a vet show you the proper technique so that the puppies do not accidentally inhale and choke on the milk substitute. To feed the puppy, make sure that they are positioned with their tummy facing down. Hold the bottle slightly tilted down towards the puppy. The puppy should latch on. Let the puppy suckle until they are full. If the puppy starts to cough or if you notice milk coming out of their nose, stop feeding immediately. Cow or goat milk is not appropriate for puppies. You should use a store-bought puppy milk substitute. Some puppies may try to nurse and suckle each other in place of the mother. This may hurt the other puppies. If this happens, you may want to separate the puppies into different whelping boxes. Massage the puppies to encourage elimination. For the first 3 weeks of life, puppies are not able to move their bowels on their own. The mother will lick them to encourage elimination and urination. In the absence of the mother, you will need to do this for the puppy. After each feeding, wet a cotton ball or take a pre-moistened baby wipe. Massage the anus and genitals. After a minute or 2, the puppy should urinate and poop. If the puppy does not respond well to this after a feeding, you might try doing it before a feeding. Puppies will start to go on their own by three weeks of age. Keep the puppies warm. Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature. Without their mother's heat, they may fail to thrive. You can suspend a 25-watt light bulb over one part of their box to keep them warm. Heating pads may also be used to raise the temperature. Wrap the heating pad in towels or sheepskin. Always supervise the puppies while they are on the heating pad. The temperature in the room should be 85 °F (29 °C) for the first 2 weeks. It can be lowered to 80 °F (27 °C) after 2 weeks and 75 °F (24 °C) after 4 weeks. Find a foster mother if possible. The mother is responsible for socializing her puppies. It might help to find another dam who gave birth around the same time as your dam did. Introduce the puppies one at a time to her, and see if she accepts them. If she does, she may be willing to foster the puppies as her own. You might contact breeders in your area or a local shelter to see if they know of a dog that might be an appropriate foster dam. If you cannot find a foster dam, start introducing the puppy to other people after a few weeks to help the puppies socialize. Encourage them to play with each other as well.

Relocate the whelping box. Place a DAP collar on the dam. Create a calm environment. Aid the dam in nursing. Talk to your vet. Check the dam’s nipples. Watch for restlessness or spasms. Take the dogs to the vet. Feed the puppies every 2 hours. Massage the puppies to encourage elimination. Keep the puppies warm. Find a foster mother if possible.

https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Frozen-Lobster

How to Cook Frozen Lobster

To cook frozen lobster, start by putting it in a plastic bag and defrosting it in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. You can also try defrosting it in the microwave if you're in a hurry. If you have more time to spare, let the lobster defrost slowly in the fridge for 24 hours so the texture of the meat isn't affected. Once the lobster is completely defrosted, you can cook it in a variety of ways, like boiling it, steaming it, or baking it.

Buy frozen lobster that has never been thawed. Check that it was blanched before freezer storage and stored at extremely low temperatures, around 0 °F (−18 °C). Sometimes you won't want to cook the lobster immediately. Store the frozen lobster in an airtight freezer bag. If vacuum-sealed, it can be stored in a freezer for up to one year. Of course, you can also purchase lobster that is not frozen. When kept on ice in the refrigerator, not freezer, live lobsters can last for several days. Choose quality frozen lobster. You can buy two different kinds of lobster, either warm-water or cold-water tails. The different tails vary in taste and quality. You can buy either frozen lobster tails or claws. It's rare to find a frozen whole lobster that has not been pre-cooked. Warm-water lobsters, also known as spiny lobster, are not as tasty because the meat can become mushy. These originate from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Florida. The tails from the Caribbean have yellow spots and tails with yellow bands. The meat in cold water lobster, also known as Maine lobster, is more desirable. It's whiter, sweeter and more tender. However, it can also be more expensive. Cold-water lobsters come from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and, Northeast America. If the store doesn't know whether the tails came from cold water, less expensive is usually indicative of the warm-water variety. Frozen lobster claws contain less meat than as tails and thus are less expensive. You can find them in the frozen food section of many grocery stores. Avoid buying any lobster tails with black spots or gray tails. The lobster probably died during the processing in those cases. If you want whole lobster, it is best to cook them live if you can get them. Buy enough lobster. It's important to know how many people a lobster will serve to make sure that you have enough food for everyone. Lobster tails in particular are full of meat. You should also be aware that different cultures will have different preferences when it comes to cooking lobster. For example, in Canada, lobster tends to be cooked longer than it is in France. Personal preference also plays a part. Just remember you can always cook your lobster a little longer, but you can't uncook it so take it out sooner rather than later. Generally speaking, you will want 1 to 1 ½ pounds of lobster for every person you are serving. You can cook lobster as whole, tails or claws. Thaw the lobster tails. It's absolutely essential that you thaw the lobster, whole, tails or claws, before you cook them. If you don't, you are likely to end up with meat that tastes very tough. It's a ideal to thaw the lobster for about 24 hours in the refrigerator before you cook it or at least overnight. A good way to thaw theme faster is to place in a plastic bag, put the plastic bag in a pot full of water, and into the refrigerator. You may need to change the water at least once. If you are in a great hurry, it's possible to defrost the a bit in a microwave before cooking them. Although this is a better idea than cooking frozen tails, it's not as ideal as thawing the lobster more slowly. It's a bad idea to thaw lobster in warm water or room temperature. Lobster claws also need to be defrosted completely before cooking. Another alternative if you're in a hurry is to put the lobster in plastic and immerse in cold water without refrigerating. Change the water every 5-10 minutes but don't let it sit out too long. About 30 minutes tops. After that, finish thawing in the fridge. For cooking tails, cut the shell of the lobster. Once you've thawed the frozen lobster, before you cook it, cut the shell down the middle of the tail's back, using scissors. To do this, put the point of kitchen shears or scissors between the lobster meat and the shell. Leave the tail fan in place. Lift the meat through the slit you've created in the top of the shell. You've now created what is called a “piggyback lobster tail.” Another method is to start at the tail, and peel back the soft under shell of the lobster. Then, discard the undershell. Bend the tail backwards. If you crack some of the overshell joints, it will stop the lobster from curling while you cook it. Boil the lobster. Boiling lobster is one of the most common ways to cook it. Start by boiling water in a large pot. You want to make sure you have enough water in the pot to cover the lobster tails completely. For each quart of water, add 1 tablespoon of salt. Place the thawed lobster into the water, cover and let the water simmer for 5 minutes for each 4-ounce tail (and one extra minute for each additional ounce of lobster that you are cooking). You can tell the lobster is done when the shells are bright red and the meat tender if you poke at it with a fork. If you cut into the tail a properly cooked lobster will be just to the white. If translucent, put back and cook a little longer. Broil the lobster. Set your oven on broil. Be aware that broiling is a very fast process, so keep a close eye on the lobster to make sure you don't burn it. Arrange the lobster tails on a broiler pan. Place them on the pan shell side up, and then broil it for only about 4 minutes. You want to keep the lobster meat about 5 inches away from the heat. If you are broiling very large lobster tails, you might want to split them lengthwise to make two servings from each. Turn them over. Brush with butter. Broil the other side 5 minutes more. Serve the tails. Steam the lobster. One healthy way to cook lobster is to steam it. You want to start by putting a half inch of water in the pot with a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of vinegar. Put the lobsters in the pot. Cover the pot, and, if whole, let them steam for 10 minutes for a 1-pound lobster or 7-8 minutes per pound. Tails may take less time. You can also steam lobsters by placing them on a rack. Boil about two inches of water in a pot that is below the rack holding the lobster. Poach the lobster. Poaching is similar to steaming but the liquid is kept just below the boiling point. Added aromatics and seasonings enhance the flavor. To poach a lobster, prepare a poaching liquid in a large enough pot with cover, by adding lemon, chives, onion and celery to a little water. You can also add chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor. Seasonings can be added or substituted to your taste. You don't need more than and inch or two of your poaching liquid. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium and simmer for a few minutes. Put the lobster in the poaching liquid, cover the pot tightly and simmer 7-8 minutes per pound. If the liquid is boiling use less time but check to make sure it's done. Try not to let the liquid boil. You will know it's done if an antenna or small leg pulls away easily when you tug on it and the tail meat has just gone to white. If it's still translucent, allow it to cook a few minutes longer. Grill the lobster. To grill the lobster, find the cross that is located on the back of its head. Pierce it with a heavy knife. Cut down the back of the tail, splitting the lobster lengthwise.. Place the lobster on the grill. You will want to place the flesh side of the lobster down on the grill, and leave it there for about 8 to 10 minutes. There is no need to turn the lobster over. Before you grill it, brush it with butter or olive oil. You could also put a metal skewer through the tails before grilling them. Bake the lobster. You can bake lobster tails or try baking lobster claws instead. First preheat heat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Bundle the claws together. Wrap them in a pocket of aluminum foil, and place them on a cookie sheet. You will bake them for about 10 minutes. You can tell the lobster claws are done when they look pink. Many grocery stores have lobster claws in the frozen food section.

Buy frozen lobster that has never been thawed. Choose quality frozen lobster. Buy enough lobster. Thaw the lobster tails. For cooking tails, cut the shell of the lobster. Boil the lobster. Broil the lobster. Steam the lobster. Poach the lobster. Grill the lobster. Bake the lobster.

https://www.wikihow.com/Open-Pistachios

How to Open Pistachios

The best way to open pistachios depends on whether they're cracked or uncracked. If you're dealing with already-cracked pistachios, insert something pointed into the crack in the shell, like the tip of a knife or the end of another pistachio shell, and pry the shell open. For uncracked pistachios, place a towel over the nuts and gently hit them with the bottom of a jar or can. You can also hit them with a rolling pin. If you happen to have a nutcracker or garlic press lying around, that will work too.

Use your thumb to fully crack open the shell if there’s a wide gap. Most store-bought pistachios are ripe and ready to be eaten. When you examine a shelled pistachio, observe whether you can see the green meat of the nut between the two halves of the shell. If so, simply pry open the two halves using your thumb. It should give pretty easily and yield a tasty pistachio ready for you to eat. When shelling pistachios, it's helpful to have two bowls in front of you: one for the discarded shells, and one for the nut itself. That way, you can keep the shells separate from the nuts. Twist a coin between the shell halves to keep your fingers clean. Always use a clean coin (disinfect it before you use it if you aren't sure of its cleanliness) to make sure you aren't accidentally introducing bacteria to the pistachio you're about to eat. Place the coin between the two shell halves and twist it to release the nut. To clean your coin, wash it with warm water and dish soap; scrub it with a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt or grime. Crack a barely-opened pistachio with another pistachio shell. Sometimes you'll come across a pistachio that isn't open wide enough for you to easily access the nut. In this case, look for a slim opening that shows just a glimpse of the green meat inside. Take half of a discarded shell, insert the pointed tip into the crack, and twist the shell while pushing it forward into the pistachio. This movement should act as a lever and force the two halves apart. Insert the tip of a pocket knife or something similar into the crack. Anything with a thin tip can be used to pop the two halves apart from one another. Just be careful when working with sharp objects so you don't accidentally hurt yourself. For the best control, use a knife with a short handle. A longer handle might make it harder to position the knife and pry open the shell safely. Use gentle pressure to crack open the shell with a jar or can. Put a towel over the nut to keep it from skittering away after you crack it. Gently smash the nut with the flat part of a jar, can, or something similar. Once you hear or feel a crack, stop hitting it so you don't crush the nut. When you're outdoors and have pistachios you want to open, you could even use a rock or something similar. Crack multiple nuts at once with a cutting board and a rolling pin. Set out a single layer of pistachios on a cutting board, then cover the nuts with a clean dishtowel. Hit the nuts with a rolling pin and repeat this motion over the entire cutting board. Take off the towel, remove the cracked nuts, replace the towel, and repeat until all the nuts are cracked. Opt for a nutcracker or a garlic press to crack open a sealed shell. This option protects your counters or table from potential dings from the shell getting hit against it. Squeeze the pistachio shell until it cracks and then pick the nut out of it. If you're using something like a garlic press, make sure to clean it beforehand so your nuts don't smell and taste like garlic. Invest in a pistachio opener to quickly shell a lot of pistachios at once. Some recipes call for a large amount of pistachios, and it can take a long time to shell them all. A pistachio opened can shorten your shelling time, helping you get to baking a lot sooner. Pistachio openers generally cost anywhere from $10 to $30, depending on the brand. You can buy them online or at your local home goods store. Place the unshelled pistachios into clean, dry, airtight containers. Use plastic containers with lids or zip-up plastic bags to store your shelled pistachios. Pack them in as tight as you can—it won't hurt them to be pressed tightly together. The less air the nuts come into contact with, the better they'll keep. Avoid using a container that was previously used to store something with a strong scent, like onions or garlic. Even if the container was washed out, the residual scent could still seep from the container into the pistachios. Keep pistachios at room temperature for 2 to 3 months. You can put the pistachios into a cupboard or even keep them on a counter or on top of the fridge. Just make sure they're stored in an airtight container, and try to keep them out of direct sunlight so they don't get dried out. If you notice any strange smells or discoloration when you open up the container, chances are the nuts are starting to spoil and you should get rid of them. Store pistachios in the fridge for up to 1 year. To prolong the life of your pistachios, keep them in a cool location, like the fridge or a cellar. Always store them in an airtight container rather than in something open, like a basket. Label the date on the container so you remember how long the nuts will be good for. Freeze pistachios safely for up to 3 years. Place the pistachios in a freezer-safe bag or plastic container. Keep them frozen until you need them. To defrost them, simply leave the nuts on the counter for 30 to 40 minutes. Keep the nuts near the front of the freezer to keep them from developing freezer burn.

Use your thumb to fully crack open the shell if there’s a wide gap. Twist a coin between the shell halves to keep your fingers clean. Crack a barely-opened pistachio with another pistachio shell. Insert the tip of a pocket knife or something similar into the crack. Use gentle pressure to crack open the shell with a jar or can. Crack multiple nuts at once with a cutting board and a rolling pin. Opt for a nutcracker or a garlic press to crack open a sealed shell. Invest in a pistachio opener to quickly shell a lot of pistachios at once. Place the unshelled pistachios into clean, dry, airtight containers. Keep pistachios at room temperature for 2 to 3 months. Store pistachios in the fridge for up to 1 year. Freeze pistachios safely for up to 3 years.

https://www.wikihow.com/Ace-Wrap-a-Leg

How to Ace Wrap a Leg

To ace wrap a leg, first take the end of the unrolled bandage and wrap it around the base of your foot to secure it. Then, begin wrapping up towards your ankle, making sure to wrap at an angle so each layer overlaps by ⅓ of an inch. Once your foot is covered, wrap once around your ankle and once around the base of your foot to make a figure-8 pattern over your heel and ankle for extra support. Then, return to wrapping your ankle and shin. Once you get to the calf, you should start wrapping more loosely to prevent cutting off circulation. When you've fully wrapped the area, secure the wrap with a clip to hold it together.

Start at the foot. Use a bandage that is four inches wide for the foot. Start with the wrap rolled up and unwind it as you go. Wrap in a diagonal, criss-cross pattern as follows: Begin wrapping over the top of the foot near the toes. Wrap under the foot to secure the bandage. When wrapping over the foot, you should be moving out towards the outside of your foot. When continuing to wrap under your foot, you should be moving in towards the inside of your foot. Pull the bandage so that is diagonal. It should not be at a 90 degree angle to your foot; instead, wrap at a 30 degree angle. Each time you wrap, reverse the direction of the diagonal to make a criss-cross pattern, not a spiral. Instead, it should look more like a herringbone pattern. You want to overlap the bandages a bit on either side of the foot to provide the extra support. The herringbone weave should ideally run right up the midline of the foot as you go — this provides pressure and support in all the right places. Do not wrap the middle of your leg without wrapping your foot. Wrap in a figure-8 pattern over the ankle. After wrapping over the top of your foot, continue around your heel. Continue wrapping around to the front and over the top of your ankle towards the outside of your foot. The next time around your ankle will make an X on the front of your ankle. Wrap from underneath the inside of your heel, up and across the front to the bottom of your calf on the outside of your leg. Continue wrapping up the leg. Keep working in a criss-cross pattern over the ankle and above, keeping the herringbone running up the midline as best you can. Wrap less tightly as you go over the calf and even looser at the knee. Take care that the bandage lays flat. If there are wrinkles it will create pressure points and irritate you. When you get to the thigh, you may want to change to using a larger bandage. For adults, you can use a bandage that is six inches wide. For children and small adults, you may simply use another four inch bandage. If you find it too difficult to wrap in a criss-cross pattern over your calf and thigh, you can wrap those areas using a circular pattern. If you do this, change to wrapping in circles just above your ankle. Each new layer should overlap the previous by 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the bandage. Secure the wrap with a clip when you are finished. Check the tightness. The wrap should be tightest on your foot, looser on your calf, and loosest over your knee and thigh. It should not hurt and you should be able to fit a finger snugly underneath. Examine your toes, if you squeeze them, you should see the blood rapidly return to the tissue as soon as you release them. If your toes show the following signs, the wrap is too tight: Swelling Lack of color or bluish tinge Numbness Tingling Apply an ace bandage if you have a muscle or joint injury. If you are unsure whether a compression wrap would be beneficial or if you are unsure how to wrap it, see your doctor. Your doctor can advise you on what would be best for your particular injury and how exactly you should apply the wrap. Both strains and sprains can benefit from wrapping. A strain occurs when your muscles or tendons stretch or tear. Tendons attach your muscles to your bones. A sprain occurs when your ligaments stretch or tear. Ligaments run between bones. Watch for signs of improvement. Compression wraps serve multiple purposes for promoting healing. They are best used when you have to stay mobile while you heal your injury. Checking the bandage to make sure it isn't impeding blood flow at least a couple of times a day is useful. They can help by: Reducing pain. Limiting swelling. Protecting the injured area. Call your doctor if you have an infected wound. If you are unsure whether you might have an infection, you should still call the doctor and ask if he or she would like to see you. Signs of an infection include: A wound that gives off a bad odor or leaks pus. Skin that is hot, swollen, and red, or has red streaks running from the wound site. A fever. Wash the wraps after use. They are reusable, but they must be kept clean. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most types are machine washable. Place them in a hosiery bag so they don't get tangled in the machine. Use a gentle cycle and a mild soap. If you put them in the dryer use a low setting so that the elastic maintains its stretchiness. If you do not use a dryer, lay them flat to dry. Do not wring them out or hang them. This will stretch them out. Protect the wraps from damaging substances. Some substances may cause the elastic or the fibers of the wrap to degrade. Do not use the following products on your skin when using wraps: Vaseline Lotions and ointments with petroleum Replace the wraps when necessary. Depending upon how much use they get, most wraps will need to be replaced after one or two months. If the wrap is no longer as stretchy as it was when you bought it, this is a sign that it needs to be replaced. Wraps with tears or holes should also be replaced as this creates an uneven amount of pressure on your skin.

Start at the foot. Wrap in a figure-8 pattern over the ankle. Continue wrapping up the leg. Check the tightness. Apply an ace bandage if you have a muscle or joint injury. Watch for signs of improvement. Call your doctor if you have an infected wound. Wash the wraps after use. Protect the wraps from damaging substances. Replace the wraps when necessary.

https://www.wikihow.com/Travel-from-L.A.-to-New-York

How to Travel from L.A. to New York

There are a few ways to travel from L.A. to New York. For the easiest and fastest option, search the internet for cheap plane tickets. Before you take your flight, dress comfortably and bring some entertainment, since a flight from L.A. to New York can take over 10 hours! If you don't want to fly, you can also use the internet to find Amtrak train tickets from L.A. to New York. The train departs from Union Station, and takes about three days to cross the country, so be prepared for a long ride.

Use the Internet to book your flight whenever possible. The Internet will provide you with the largest array of pricing and discount options; whereas reserving your flight over the telephone or in-person often requires you to pay additional service fees. Book your flight on the website of the airline you want to fly with or visit aggregator websites from which to buy your tickets. For example, you can visit the "Fare Compare" website provided to you in the Sources section of this article to review and compare numerous flight options from L.A. to New York. Book your flight in as far in advance as possible. Most airlines will provide you with award or discount rates if you book your flight at about 330 days in advance. If you are unable to book your flight 330 days in advance, book your flight after midnight on any night, or between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning before the weekend you plan on traveling. Airlines will often provide discounted tickets during these hours. Prepare for your flight from L.A. to New York. A non-stop flight from L.A. to New York will last approximately 5 hours, whereas a stopover or connecting flight may take between 7 and 10 hours. Wear comfortable clothing if you plan to sleep during your flight, or bring a form of entertainment such as a book, magazine, or portable music device to keep you occupied during the flight to New York. Plan on booking your train ticket 11 months in advance. Amtrak, which is the train company that provides transportation from L.A. to New York, will provide you with the lowest discounts 11 months in advance. Contact Amtrak to book your train ticket. Train tickets can be reserved online at the Amtrak website or over the telephone with an Amtrak agent. Visit the "Los Angeles Logue" website featured in the Sources section of this article, then click on the Amtrak website link within the "By Train" section to make reservations. Enter your traveling dates and specifications into the ticket box on the left side of the website to purchase your Amtrak tickets. You will have the option to reserve a sleeping car if you want to sleep comfortably during the journey to New York. Call the Amtrak reservation line at 1-800-872-7245 if you do not have Internet access and want to make reservations over the phone. Visit Union Station to board your train. The L.A. Amtrak station is located at Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California, 90012. Prepare for the train ride from L.A. to New York. In most cases, the train ride will take 3 full days to travel from L.A. to New York. Bring reading materials or personal electronic devices for entertainment purposes. In some cases, you may be provided with onboard entertainment provided by Amtrak. Reserve your bus ticket in as far in advance as possible. The Greyhound bus website will usually provide you with discounts and lower ticket prices if you book your trip weeks or months in advance. Purchase your Greyhound bus ticket. You can buy your tickets online at the Greyhound website, over the phone with a Greyhound agent, or in person at the Greyhound terminal. Go to the "Los Angeles Logue" website listed in the Sources section of this article, then click on the Greyhound link within the section "By Bus." Indicate that you are traveling from Los Angeles, California to New York within the ticket box section of the website, then purchase your tickets from the list of traveling options that appear. If you do not have Internet access, call Greyhound at 1-800-231-2222 to purchase your bus ticket with a credit card or visit the L.A. Greyhound Station at 1716 E 7th Street, Los Angeles, California, 90021 to buy your bus ticket. Prepare for your bus ride. In most cases, your bus ride will take up to 3 days with multiple stops along the way. Bring personal entertainment to keep you occupied during the trip, as well as additional money for food and beverages along the way. Map your driving route. The car trip from L.A. to New York is about 2,788 miles (4,486.85 kilometers), and will take approximately 43 hours of driving time, which may vary depending on the exact route you take. Refer to a road atlas or use websites such as Google Maps or Mapquest to determine your preferred route. Many travelers driving from L.A. to New York will take Interstate 40 East, which will require you to pass through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and various other states. Determine the cost of your trip. You will be required to calculate the cost of gas and the added expenses of food or hotels you may use throughout your trip to New York. Calculate the money you will need for gas based on your vehicle's miles per gallon (MPG). If your vehicle has 20 MPG, your gas expenses may total at least 300 dollars (224 euros), depending on current gas prices.

Use the Internet to book your flight whenever possible. Book your flight in as far in advance as possible. Prepare for your flight from L.A. Plan on booking your train ticket 11 months in advance. Contact Amtrak to book your train ticket. Visit Union Station to board your train. Prepare for the train ride from L.A. Reserve your bus ticket in as far in advance as possible. Purchase your Greyhound bus ticket. Prepare for your bus ride. Map your driving route. Determine the cost of your trip.

https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-In-Front-of-Your-Crush

How to Eat In Front of Your Crush

Eating in front of your crush can be nerve-wracking, but if you pick your food wisely and use good table manners you can relax and have fun. If you're worried about making a mess, avoid foods that are harder to eat, like spaghetti, soup, ice cream, or finger foods. You might also want to avoid foods with too much crunch, which can be awkward, so pass on the apples, uncooked carrots, and chips. When eating, chew with your mouth closed and swallow before you talk. If you take a bite that's too big or need to cough, use your napkin to cover your mouth. As you ease into your meal, remember to take the time to enjoy both your food and the conversation.

Relax. This is easier said than done, but it is important to quell your anxiety in order to be able to eat. Being nervous is going to make it more difficult to eat and digest your food. It can also cause your hands to shake, leading to spills. Try to relax and appear calm and cool in front of your crush. Replace automatic negative thoughts with more rational ones. If you are feeling judged, remember that everyone eats. It is perfectly normal and necessary. Prepare for eating in front of your crush by eating socially around other people more often. Focus on the conversation. Many people eat too fast. Slow down. Take time to really enjoy your meal and the conversation with your friends and your crush. Spend less time worrying about eating and more time focusing on what your crush has to say. It's really their company that you are interested in more than the food. Talk more between each bite. Invite your crush into the conversation. Look forward to another activity after eating. This moment is not the end of the world. There are plenty of things to look forward to. If this moment of eating in front of your crush is freaking you out, focus on the future instead. Strike up a conversation about a movie that just came out. If you are eating in the school cafeteria, talk about the classes you have coming up in the afternoon. Keep it positive. Try to focus on things that make you happy to quell your nerves. Talk about your hobbies. Maybe you play a sport and have a big game coming up, or you're reading a really good book. Seek therapy if your anxiety is overwhelming. The fact is, eating is normal. Everyone must eat in order to survive. Anxiety over eating in social situations can be the result of feeling judged or suffering from a poor personal body image. If you suspect you may have an eating disorder, ask for help. Check with your doctor if you notice effects on your health, like fatigue, severe weigh loss, or loss of your menstrual cycle. Ask for support from your friends, family and a medical professional. Keep trying. Have hope in knowing that this will get easier the more you do it. You will become more comfortable in the company of your crush after you get to know each other better. Also, the more you practice eating in front of other people, you will eventually become more comfortable doing it in front of your crush. Chew with you mouth closed. Of course you want to look attractive in front of your crush. There is nothing attractive about seeing the half-chewed food you are about to swallow. Read for more tips on chewing with your mouth closed. Practice by chewing gum and making sure you keep your mouth closed. Take smaller bites which fit better in your mouth and don't require you to open too wide. Eat softer foods which require less bite to get them down. Swallow before you talk. Talking with your mouth full makes your words a mumbly mess while showing off your half-chewed food. No matter how great of a quick quip of a response you have to what someone just said, take the time to swallow before you speak. Don't feel pressured to answer questions right away. Take your time to chew and swallow. This will also keep you from accidentally choking, or spitting food at your crush, either of which could be devastating! If someone asks you a question while your mouth is full, put your finger up to signal you need a minute to swallow. Model good etiquette by not asking anyone questions when they have their mouth full. You can even stop yourself mid-question and say, “Sorry, I'll wait until you're done eating.” Cover your mouth with a napkin. If you do take a bite that is too big, or start to cough while you are chewing, grab your napkin and cover your mouth. This will hide any unsightly chewing and if you cough some food out, you can catch it in your napkin. Avoid foods that are messy. You may be worried about embarrassing yourself by making a mess. You want to look good in front of your crush. You certainly don't want to slop food all over your outfit, or gross your crush out by eating food that ends up all over you. Make it easy on yourself by avoiding messy options. Eating spaghetti can lead to slurping long noodles and slopping sauce all over. Choose salad over soup. Soup is another slurpy and splashy troublemaker. Ice cream is a melty mess. You don't want to have to be licking away at your dessert. Take care with finger foods which will get sauce all over your fingers or drip toppings down your arms. Some culprits are burgers, and bbq or buffalo wings. Beware of foods that have too much crunch. Eating noisy food can seem very awkward, and draw unwanted attention to you while you are eating, especially if no one around you is talking while you are chewing. Choose what you will chew with the noise it makes in mind. Avoid foods you have to chew a LOT in order to swallow it. This will reduce the amount of time you are making noise with your food. An example of a tough to chew food would be Grape Nuts. The crunchiest fruits and vegetables like apples, uncooked carrots and celery will make quite the crack. Some chip companies pride themselves on making the loudest, crunchiest products. Some notorious brands are Kettle Brand, Cape Cod and Doritos. Stay fresh not stinky. You don't want to have to worry about stinking the place up. Garlic is known to leave your breath stinky, but you also want to avoid things which could stink up the whole area or give you indigestion. Fish products, like tuna, can really send off a strong smell when opened in public. Spicy foods from Indian food to Mexican food can be doubly problematic. Not only can they give off a strong odor, but they can lead to indigestion and gas. Choose a comfortable portion size. You may feel judged that you are eating too little or too much. Measure your food with your hands by comparing portions of your food to parts of your hand. This way you will go into your meal knowing what is the norm when it comes to portions. Even if the serving you receive is larger, you can eat only as much as is considered an appropriate portion. Your main meat portion of beef, chicken or fish should fit in the palm of your hand, which should equal about 3 ounces. Eat a handful, or half a cup of a starch like noodles or rice. A side vegetable portion, like cooked carrots, should match the size of your fist, which would be about 1 cup. A bowl of salad should be the size of both of your fists put together or 2 cups.

Relax. Focus on the conversation. Look forward to another activity after eating. Seek therapy if your anxiety is overwhelming. Keep trying. Chew with you mouth closed. Swallow before you talk. Cover your mouth with a napkin. Avoid foods that are messy. Beware of foods that have too much crunch. Stay fresh not stinky. Choose a comfortable portion size.

https://www.wikihow.com/Preserve-a-Tree-Stump

How to Preserve a Tree Stump

To preserve a tree stump, it needs to be cleaned, sanded, and filled with wood filler to prevent it from breaking down. First, use a wet cloth to wipe down the stump and remove any dirt or debris. Remove any bark that looks dead or dry using a rotary hammer. You can tell that the bark is dead if there is a black ring between the wood and the bark. Sand the stump next with a planer power tool until the edges of the stump are smooth to touch. After smoothing the stump, use sandpaper to remove the top layer of wood. When you notice rings appearing in the wood, stop sanding, as this means that you have reached fresh wood. After sanding the stump, fill in any large cracks with wood filler. Clear epoxy is an ideal product to use for this job.

Wipe the top and bottom of the stump with a wet cloth. Start by cleaning off any dirt or surface debris on the stump with a cloth. Rub the wood grain in a gentle, circular motion on the top and bottom, where the stump has been cut. Do not wipe the bark with the cloth, as this can cause the bark to flake or fall off. Remove any flaking wood or bark on the stump. Use your hands to gently pull off any wood that is flaking off of the stump, especially on areas with bark. Make sure you take off any twigs, bugs, or leaves on the stump. Take off the bark if it appears dead or dry. Removing the bark is up to you, as you can keep it on if there is not a black ring between the bark and the wood, and if the bark does not appear too dry. Use a rotary hammer to remove the bark, sliding it from the top to the bottom of the stump. The bark should peel off easily, leaving you with just wood around the stump. Leaving the bark on will give the stump a more rustic look. If you remove it, you will need to sand down the sides of the stump. Smooth the perimeter of the stump with a planer. A planer is a power tool with a flat head that helps to even out a surface. Run the planer around the top and bottom perimeters of the stump to remove any rough spots. Do this until the top and bottom edges of the stump are smooth to the touch. Use a broom or cloth to wipe off any debris after you have finished smoothing the edges. Use 80-grit sandpaper on the top and bottom of the stump. Rub the sandpaper on the top of the stump in a circular motion, removing the top layer of wood. The sandpaper is also a great way to even out the top of the stump so the grain is level. Then, rub the sandpaper on the bottom of the stump, removing the top layer. If you removed the bark around the stump, you will need to sand the sides of the stump down as well. Rub the stump from top to bottom with the sandpaper to smooth out the sides. Wear gloves when you use the sandpaper to protect your hands. Use an electric sander if the stump is very dirty or rough. The electric sander is a great way to smooth out the top and bottom of the stump quickly. Run it back and forth over the top and bottom of the stump, revealing the fresh wood underneath. As you sand the stump, you should notice the rings in the wood appearing on the top and bottom. This means the fresh wood is emerging. Wipe the stump with a damp, lint free cloth. Once you have finished sanding the stump, remove wood dust with a cloth. Give the top and bottom of the stump a good wipe so the wood appears clean and fresh. If you sanded the sides of the stump, you should wipe this area down as well. Fill in cracks in the wood with wood filler. If the stump has any large or deep cracks that you do not want to keep, you can fill them with a wood filler like clear epoxy. Put tape on the sides and bottom of the stump, below the cracks, to prevent the epoxy from leaking out of the cracks. Then, drizzle the epoxy into the cracks to fill them. Apply 1 layer of epoxy to fill the cracks and let is dry overnight. Wear gloves when you handle the epoxy, as it is a strong chemical. Get wood stabilizer at your local hardware store or online. Wood stabilizer comes as a liquid that you rub into wood. It contains ingredients that will prevent the wood from warping, cracking, or checking. Rub 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of stabilizer into the top of the stump. Start with a small amount of stabilizer and then add more as needed. Use a clean dry cloth to rub the stabilizer into the wood in a circular motion. Cover the entire top of the stump with the stabilizer, rubbing it into the wood grain. The wood will absorb the stabilizer as you rub it in so you may need to pour on more to ensure the entire surface is covered. Cover the top of the stump in plastic and let it dry for 2-4 hours. Tie a plastic sheet or tarp over the top of the stump to allow the stabilizer to dry properly. Apply 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of stabilizer on the bottom of the stump with a cloth. Once the top of the stump has dried, flip the stump over and repeat the same steps on the bottom of the stump. Cover the bottom of the stump with the stabilizer, getting it right in the wood grain. Once you have applied the stabilizer, cover the bottom of the stump with plastic and let it dry for 2-4 hours. Put at least 2 coats of stabilizer on the stump. To really seal the stump, apply at least 2 coats of stabilizer, letting the top and bottom of the stump dry for 2-4 hours between coats. Apply sealer spray to the bark. To prevent bark and wood pieces from falling off the sides of the stump, seal the bark with a clear gloss finishing spray. Apply the spray around the sides of the stump from top to bottom. Allow the sealer to dry overnight. Place the stump in a dry spot outside, such as in your garage or a work shed, and let it dry overnight. This will give the sealer time to set so the stump is ready for use. Attach metal legs to the bottom of the stump, if desired. If you want to elevate the stump and use it as a side table, you may attach legs to the bottom using screws and a power drill. Get 3 thin metal legs, such as hairpin legs, and drill them into the bottom of the stump for a more polished look. Alternatively, you can skip the legs and use the stump as is as a side table in your home for a more rustic look.

Wipe the top and bottom of the stump with a wet cloth. Remove any flaking wood or bark on the stump. Take off the bark if it appears dead or dry. Smooth the perimeter of the stump with a planer. Use 80-grit sandpaper on the top and bottom of the stump. Use an electric sander if the stump is very dirty or rough. Wipe the stump with a damp, lint free cloth. Fill in cracks in the wood with wood filler. Get wood stabilizer at your local hardware store or online. Rub 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of stabilizer into the top of the stump. Cover the top of the stump in plastic and let it dry for 2-4 hours. Apply 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of stabilizer on the bottom of the stump with a cloth. Put at least 2 coats of stabilizer on the stump. Apply sealer spray to the bark. Allow the sealer to dry overnight. Attach metal legs to the bottom of the stump, if desired.

https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Fairy

How to Draw a Fairy

To draw a fairy, start by drawing a circle for the head and a narrow oval for the body. Then, draw 4 lines extending off the oval with little circles at the end, which will be your fairy's arms and legs. Next, make the wings by drawing 4 large ovals that all meet the at top of your fairy's body. Once you have the basic outline, add your fairy's hair, clothes, shoes, and face to finish the drawing.

Sketch a large flower. Draw a stick figure of a fairy sitting on the center of the flower. Sketch the fairy’s body and add a pair of wings on her back. Draw the fairy’s dress. Sketch the parts of the face like the eyes, nose and lips; frame it with the hairstyle you want. Some fairies have pointy ears, you can also draw it here. Darken the outline of the body you sketched earlier. Refine the lines and erase unnecessary ones. Color the fairy. Sketch a rough outline of the fairy's body using a stick figure. During this step, think of what position you imagine your fairy to be in - she could be sitting or lying down. This illustration will be a sketch of a fairy that is flying. Add a crossed vertical and horizontal line on the face for accurate positioning of the face's parts. Draw the fairy’s body. Add a pair of wings and refine the hands' details by drawing the fingers. Sketch a pair of large anime style eyes. Draw the nose and sketch a smiling lip on the fairy's face. Sketch the outline of the face and frame it with your desired hairstyle. Draw the fairy’s dress. Darken the body’s outline and add design, as desired on the wings. Add pixie dust for added glimmer, if you want. Color the fairy. Sketch a circle for the head. Sketch the guidelines for the face as well as the chin and the jaw line. Then, sketch an oblong for the body. Add the extremities (arms and the legs). Draw the fairy wings by drawing irregular oblongs. Sketch the draft of the hair you want for your fairy. Sketch the clothes of the fairy as you want. Sketch 2 circles for the eyes. Draw the basic outline of the fairy. Erase the draft and put in more details. Color the fairy. Sketch a circle for the head. Add a line in the middle of the circle. Sketch the chin and the jaw line. Then, sketch an oblong for the body and the extremities (arms and the legs). Sketch the guidelines of the face. Sketch the draft shapes for the mouth and the eyes. Sketch the draft of the fairy wings. Sketch the hair of the fairy as you want. Sketch the clothes of the fairy. Draw the basic outline of the fairy. Erase the draft and put in more details. Color the fairy.

Sketch a large flower. Draw a stick figure of a fairy sitting on the center of the flower. Sketch the fairy’s body and add a pair of wings on her back. Draw the fairy’s dress. Sketch the parts of the face like the eyes, nose and lips; frame it with the hairstyle you want. Darken the outline of the body you sketched earlier. Refine the lines and erase unnecessary ones. Color the fairy. Sketch a rough outline of the fairy's body using a stick figure. Draw the fairy’s body. Sketch a pair of large anime style eyes. Sketch the outline of the face and frame it with your desired hairstyle. Draw the fairy’s dress. Darken the body’s outline and add design, as desired on the wings. Add pixie dust for added glimmer, if you want. Color the fairy. Sketch a circle for the head. Sketch the guidelines for the face as well as the chin and the jaw line. Then, sketch an oblong for the body. Add the extremities (arms and the legs). Draw the fairy wings by drawing irregular oblongs. Sketch the draft of the hair you want for your fairy. Sketch the clothes of the fairy as you want. Sketch 2 circles for the eyes. Draw the basic outline of the fairy. Erase the draft and put in more details. Color the fairy. Sketch a circle for the head. Sketch the chin and the jaw line. Then, sketch an oblong for the body and the extremities (arms and the legs). Sketch the guidelines of the face. Sketch the draft shapes for the mouth and the eyes. Sketch the draft of the fairy wings. Sketch the hair of the fairy as you want. Sketch the clothes of the fairy. Draw the basic outline of the fairy. Erase the draft and put in more details. Color the fairy.

https://www.wikihow.life/Remove-Permanent-Marker-from-a-White-Board

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a White Board

To remove permanent marker from a white board, use a rag to rub the permanent marker with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or acetone. You can also try coloring over the permanent marker with a dry-erase marker and then wiping it all off with a white board eraser. If the permanent marker is still there, scrub the marker with a pencil eraser until it comes off of the board.

Use a dry-erase marker to draw over the permanent ink. Cover the marks as completely as you can, and be sure there the dry-erase marker isn't dried out and has plenty of ink. It doesn't matter what color dry erase marker you use. Wipe off the ink with a clean wipe board eraser or a soft rag. Both the permanent and dry-erase marker should come off easily. This occurs because permanent and dry-erase markers contain a non-polar solvent. The solvent in the dry-erase marker will dissolve the permanent marker, detaching it from the surface of the board. Repeat the process if the board isn't entirely free of markings. It may take multiple attempts to get the marker off completely. You may want to try a dry-erase cleaning solution, but they contain similar, some times weaker, solvents as the dry erase marker, so the marker is actually more effective. Pour a small amount of hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover onto a clean, soft rag or paper towel. Do not use any type of abrasive cleanser, such as Clorox or something with grit, as this will damage the surface of your board and it will stain permanently. Wipe away the permanent ink with the wet cloth. Wipe the board with a wet cloth to remove any remnants of the solvent, otherwise it may interfere with the dry erase marker when you try to write on the board. Dry the board completely before use. Use a pencil eraser and rub the mark well. Only try this if the other methods don't work, as scrubbing the board with the eraser could potentially damage the surface.

Use a dry-erase marker to draw over the permanent ink. Wipe off the ink with a clean wipe board eraser or a soft rag. Repeat the process if the board isn't entirely free of markings. Pour a small amount of hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover onto a clean, soft rag or paper towel. Use a pencil eraser and rub the mark well.

https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Capitalist

How to Be a Capitalist

The first step to becoming a capitalist is getting into the capitalist mindset. As a capitalist, you should think of yourself as a business with the opportunity to invest in education and networking to increase your value. Additionally, you should consider how investing capital or owning a business will align with your financial goals. Remember to stay positive; if you believe in yourself, capitalism allows anyone with any amount of money to succeed.

Understand the difference between capitalism and capitalists. Capitalism is a political philosophy that advocates for free markets, free of government intervention, and believes in the self-regulating power of the market. A capitalist may or not share these political views, but instead simply is one who invests capital in business interests. That is, a capitalist can believe in socialism or communism, or any other political or economic system, while still taking advantage of the free market to further their own interests. Believe in yourself. Capitalism allows anyone with an amount of capital, no matter how small, to grow that capital and improve their position in life. Anyone can escape from a life of dependence on wages and start making their money work for them. In order to make your business ideas come to fruition, you'll have to believe in the capitalist system and in yourself. Think of yourself as a company. Being a capitalist requires a fundamental change in the way that you think about yourself. Instead of thinking of yourself as part of a business or the owner of one, think of yourself as the business. Use the assets available to you, including both physical assets and your skills and expertise, to produce income in the most efficient way possible. Grow your own personal value and net worth by investing in yourself, such as in education and networking. Build a personal brand and work to gain brand recognition for yourself. Reduce your own debts and try to build your assets over time. By shifting how you view yourself, you can turn around your finances and begin to grow your wealth. Know the benefits of capital investment. Capital investment frees you from dependence on wages and can earn money with less effort on your part. By putting your money into appreciating (growing) assets, you are not just earning money to spend but instead creating a cycle of growth. In this cycle, you earn money from working on your business or holding your assets and reinvest that earned money to grow the value of your business or assets. Any work you do is not just for wages, but also to increase the value of your assets. Be open to opportunities. Be alert to new business opportunities and be willing to try them out. Even if your primary area of expertise is in one area, don't lock yourself into that one field. Instead, branch out into new areas where possible, especially if you think they will be very profitable. This will not only increase your income, but also protect you from market fluctuations. Save your money. In order to be a capitalist, you will need some capital to invest. You don't need a lot of it, but you will need something to get started. If you weren't lucky enough to be born with money, you can still work diligently to save your income and earn enough money to invest it in capital. Quite simply, you need to carefully watch your income and expenses, making sure that you're saving as much as possible. Try setting a goal and making a budget to help you reach that goal in a set amount of time. ] Cut down your taxes. A capitalist knows that paying their tax burden and staying within the bounds of the law is a necessary civic duty. However, this doesn't mean that you should just accept your tax burden as is. Instead, always be on the lookout for ways to reduce your taxable income and taxes owed. Reductions can be made using tax credits or deductions, expensing everything you possibly can, and, for businesses, capitalizing assets over several years. Buy securities. One of the easiest ways you can begin using your capital to earn more is by investing in securities, like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. These assets have the ability to appreciate in value or return a steady income to you, depending on the nature of the security. Get started by researching each type of asset and determining where your money can earn the most for you. For more, see how to choose stocks. Invest in capital assets. Capital assets are those assets, for instance a piece of production equipment or a commercial vehicle, that can be used to produce income. Owning these assets is the foundation of being a capitalist: you use them to earn income and then use the income to purchase more of them. Typically, these assets require a large initial investment. However, you can use various types of financing to reduce the immediate cost to you down to a very low amount, or in some cases nothing. For more information, see how to start your own business without money and how to buy a business with no money. Create value. In the twenty-first century, the definition of capital has been expanded to include a lot of abstract ideas and intangible values. You can create value by simply coming up with a good idea and convincing others of the value of that idea without actually putting in or earning any money. Think of companies like Snapchat or Facebook that created a tremendous amount of value without earning any money for a long period of time. They started with a good idea then worked to perfect that idea, eventually earning billions of dollars from the effort. Think about ideas that could create social, cultural, or human capital. Maybe consider ways to improve people's well-being or productivity. Take advantage of the far-reaching powers of the internet to spread your idea and get people behind it. As your idea develops, work towards turning it into a capital-producing business.. Grow your business. If your primary business operations are up and running, you may want to look into growth options. In addition to increasing profitability and sales volume in your primary operations, you can expand to new areas, create and market new products, or look to attract a new type of customer. Add income streams. Look for areas outside of your primary business operations where you can make money. Maybe you can teach a skill in your spare time, or write a guide to help others do something that you know how to do. Adding to your personal income streams can give you an extra cushion in case your primary business goes south. It can also provide you with additional money to reinvest in assets. Watch the market. Always be on the lookout for the changing moods of your customers and trends in the market at large. Make changes to your way of doing business if they become outdated. Constantly seek out new ways to increase your profitability, diversify, take advantage of new technology, or reach new market segments. Read up on business developments in newspaper or magazines specific to your industry.

Understand the difference between capitalism and capitalists. Believe in yourself. Think of yourself as a company. Know the benefits of capital investment. Be open to opportunities. Save your money. Cut down your taxes. Buy securities. Invest in capital assets. Create value. Grow your business. Add income streams. Watch the market.

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Dry-Hair

How to Treat Dry Hair

To treat dry hair, use a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo because shampoos contain chemicals that dry your hair out. When you're done, prevent heat damage by rinsing the conditioner out of your hair with cool water. Then, after you've towel dried your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner or argan oil to provide a little extra moisture. If you use hair spray, make sure it is alcohol-free and offers UV protection for a final defense against dryness.

Wash your hair less frequently. When you have dry hair, washing too often can strip the moisture from your hair, causing your locks to become even more dehydrated. If you currently wash everyday, switch to every other day. If you wash every other day, switch to every third day. Wash as infrequently as possible to keep the moisture in your hair. If your roots start to look greasy or your hair is flat in between washes, use a dry shampoo to soak up excess oil and add texture to your locks. Use a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo. Traditional shampoos contain sulfates and other chemicals that dry out your hair. Instead of washing with shampoo, use a cleansing conditioner, which uses natural oils to cleanse and condition at the same time. They leave your hair feeling clean and moisturized. Make sure that your hair is completely saturated with water before you apply the cleansing conditioner. When you're using a cleansing conditioner, apply it from the roots to the ends. While a cleansing conditioner can keep your hair clean, you can still get buildup from styling products, deep conditioning treatments, and sweat. To get rid of it, use a clarifying shampoo every two to four weeks instead of the cleansing conditioner. If you don't want to use a cleansing conditioner, opt for a sulfate-free, natural shampoo. Look for a formula that contains ingredients such as argan oil, almond oil, coconut milk, honey, aloe vera, shea butter, and other organic naturals that won't strip your hair of moisture. Rinse your hair with cool water. When you're rinsing your hair after washing it, don't use hot water. The heat can actually dry out your hair, leaving it even more brittle and dehydrated. Instead, use cool water to rinse the shampoo or cleansing conditioner from your hair. For the final rinse of your hair, it's a good idea to use cold water. Not only does it seal the cuticle and lock the moisture in, but it leaves your hair looking shinier too. Apply a leave-in conditioner. With a cleansing conditioner, you likely don't need to use a traditional cleanser after each washing. However, it's a good idea to boost the moisture in your hair by using a leave-in conditioner. Work it through your hair after you've towel dried it. A spray leave-in conditioner works best on fine or thin hair. A cream or lotion leave-in conditioner works best if you have thick or curly hair. Follow the instructions on leave-in conditioner's bottle for the proper amount to use. Brush your hair with a natural bristled brush. When you have dry hair, a brush with synthetic bristles is more likely to snag your locks, leading to breakage. It can also cause static electricity that leaves your hair more brittle. Instead, opt for a brush with natural bristles, which are more gentle. A brush with boar or wooden bristles is the best bet for dry hair. Limit heat styling. Using heated styling tools, such as a curling iron or flat iron, can dry out your hair further. It's best to limit your use of heat styling to once a week. Blow drying your hair can also cause moisture loss in your hair, so air dry your locks whenever possible. When you do heat style your hair, always apply a heat protectant product. It coats your hair with extra moisture so your hair doesn't lose any of its natural moisture when it's heated. Use a heat protectant spray if you have fine or thin hair. Use a heat protectant lotion or cream if you have thick or curly hair. When you use a curling iron, flat iron, or blow dryer, use the lowest heat setting possible to achieve your desired results. Low to medium heat is the best option. Use a hair oil. Dry hair needs all the extra moisture it can get, so incorporating a hair oil into your styling routine is a good way to hydrate your locks. You can use on wet or dry hair to not only add moisture, but make your hair appear smoother and shiner. Argan oil is the best hair oil for dry, brittle tresses. For wet hair, spread a small out of oil between your hands and work it through your hair for smoothness and shine. Apply a small amount of hair oil to the ends of dry hair to get rid of frizz and camouflage the look of split ends. Apply a hairspray with UV protection. When you've finished styling your hair, you'll probably want to lock it in place with a hairspray. An alcohol-free formula is the best choice for dry hair because it won't dry out your locks. However, you should also choose a spray that offers UV-protection, so you don't have to worry about the sun drying out your hair either. If you're going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time or don't want to use a spray with UV-protection, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your hair. Deep condition your hair weekly. To ensure that your dry hair gets the moisture that it needs, you should use an intensive deep conditioning treatment once a week. Apply the deep conditioner after washing your hair, and allow it to soak into your hair for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off. While you're letting the deep conditioner sit on your hair, you can boost its moisturizing power by putting a shower cap or plastic wrap over it. The extra heat will help the conditioner penetrate your hair more easily. Choose a deep conditioner with moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin, shea butter, olive oil, argan oil, and keratin or other proteins. Use natural DIY hair masks. Many ingredients that you have in your kitchen can actually help moisturize and strengthen dry hair. Mayonnaise and honey are both ideal conditioners for dry hair. Apply either to wet hair and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it out with warm water. Avocado also makes an ideal mask for dry hair. Mix a mashed ripe, peeled avocado with about 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of an oil, such as olive, jojoba, or wheat-germ. Apply it to freshly washed hair, cover your head with a shower cap, and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing it out. Egg yolks are also excellent for moisturizing dry hair. Apply the yolks from 5 to 6 eggs to clean, wet hair, and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. Be sure to rinse it out with cool water to keep the egg from "cooking." Incorporate more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. The foods that you eat can impact your hair. For dry hair, it helps to eat a diet that's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can assist your scalp in producing more natural oils. Salmon, tuna, egg yolks, walnuts, and spinach are all high in omega-3 fatty acids. If you aren't a fan of foods that provide omega-3 fatty acids, talk to your doctor to see if taking an omega-3 supplement is a good option for you. Sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom. If you live in a dry climate or the weather for the season is dry, your environment can affect your hair. Keeping a humidifier in your bedroom is a good idea because it will produce moisture that can hydrate and condition your hair while you sleep. Pay attention to the thermostat in your home too. If you have your heat turned up too high, your hair may become even more dehydrated. Get your hair trimmed regularly. The ends of dry hair are usually the most dehydrated and brittle. To keep your hair looking its best, have your hair trimmed every four to six weeks.

Wash your hair less frequently. Use a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo. Rinse your hair with cool water. Apply a leave-in conditioner. Brush your hair with a natural bristled brush. Limit heat styling. Use a hair oil. Apply a hairspray with UV protection. Deep condition your hair weekly. Use natural DIY hair masks. Incorporate more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom. Get your hair trimmed regularly.

https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Flapper-on-a-Toilet

How to Fix a Flapper on a Toilet

To fix a flapper on a toilet, take the lid off the toilet tank and remove the chain link that connects the handle arm to the flapper. Next, straighten out a paper clip and bend it into a circle with a small opening in it. Then, hook the circle into the end of the handle arm, attach a link on the chain to the paper clip, and squeeze the sides of the paper clip to tighten it. Finally, press down on the toilet handle to check how it's flushing and adjust the paper clip location as needed until you achieve the right tightness.

Remove the lid from your toilet tank and note the parts. Grab the lid from both sides and gently lift it upward. Set it down on a piece of cardboard to avoid getting your floor wet. Take note of the parts in your tank: the flushing handle should be connected to a long metal or plastic handle arm that connects to the flapper chain. In turn, the chain connects to the flapper. Don't worry about emptying your toilet tank to tighten the flapper. Take the chain off of the handle arm. Reach into the tank and remove the chain link that connects the handle arm to the flapper. There should be a small opening in the link that lets you remove it. Put on a pair of rubber gloves to avoid getting wet. Hook a paperclip to the handle arm. Start by opening up the paper clip until it's straight. Now, bend the clip into a circle with a small opening in it. Afterward, hook the circle into the end of the handle arm where you removed the chain. Use a plastic-coated paper clip for the best results, as it won't corrode as fast. Connect the chain to the paper clip. Attach a link on the chain to the paper clip—which should now be a circle shape—by inserting it into the open end. Now, squeeze the sides of the paperclip to close the space and tighten it. Select a link that allows the chain to sag slightly. Flush the toilet and check the chain tightness. Press down on the toilet handle and make sure that the chain is tight enough. The chain should bring the flapper high enough to stay open while the toilet flushes. If it doesn't, continue adjusting the paperclip location until the chain tightness is ideal. If the chain isn't tight enough and the flapper doesn't go all the way up, attach the paperclip to a chain link closer to the flapper valve. If the chain is too loose and the flapper doesn't completely seal the hole, move the paperclip to a chain link closer to the toilet handle or add another 1 to 2 paperclip links. Drain as much water from the tank as you can. Remove the tank lid and turn the shut-off valve clockwise to turn it off. Now, press the toilet handle down until the water drains out. The shut-off valve is typically located behind and underneath the toilet. Take out any water left in the tank. Get a towel and sponge and wipe up the rest of the water in the tank. If there's a lot of water, squeeze out your towel or sponge into a bucket and continue wiping until it's gone. Use a wet-dry vacuum if you have one to make things easier. Remove the water supply hose or tube. Loosen the nuts located on the base of the water supply valve—which is what the flapper is connected to—using an adjustable crescent wrench. Afterward, pull out the water supply hose and set it aside. Take off any old plumber's tape that's on the water supply valve. If you have a new water supply tube, throw out your old one. Remove the old flapper valve. Start by removing the chain from the old flapper. Now, take the flapper off the flush valve, which is the piece the supply tube was connected to. If you want to put in a new chain, remove the old one from the lever arm—the long piece that extends from the toilet handle. Connect the new flapper valve. Attach the new flapper to the flush valve. Afterward, connect the chain to the top of it and then connect the remaining end to the handle arm. Before attaching a new flapper, smooth the rough edges around the lip of the flapper valve—located underneath the flapper—with an emery cloth. This will help it create a watertight seal. Reattach the water supply hose and turn the water back on. Attach the water supply hose to the flush valve, which is where the new flapper should be attached. Afterward, turn your water supply back on by turning it counterclockwise and wait for the toilet to fill up. Replace the lid once everything is working as it should be.

Remove the lid from your toilet tank and note the parts. Take the chain off of the handle arm. Hook a paperclip to the handle arm. Connect the chain to the paper clip. Flush the toilet and check the chain tightness. Drain as much water from the tank as you can. Take out any water left in the tank. Remove the water supply hose or tube. Remove the old flapper valve. Connect the new flapper valve. Reattach the water supply hose and turn the water back on.

https://www.wikihow.com/Outline-a-Term-Paper

How to Outline a Term Paper

To outline a term paper, first outline your introduction by writing your thesis statement and adding a few bullet points of what you'll say to kick off your paper. Then, outline the body of your essay by writing a topic sentence for each paragraph you want to include. You should also add subpoints to each paragraph section that include what evidence you'll be presenting in the paragraph. Finally, outline your conclusion by writing the main points you'd like to use to wrap up your paper.

Review your assignment. You may have been given an assignment or prompt for your paper, or a description of it may be found in your syllabus. Review any information you've been given about the assignment so that you're clear on the requirements and format. If you have any questions about your term paper, ask ahead of time. Instructors are usually happy to answer questions provided you've read the assignment or prompt first and give them enough time to answer. Do not wait until a day before the paper is due to email your instructor a question about the paper. S/he is likely very busy at that point and will probably not have time to respond. This delay also suggests to your instructor that you have not planned ahead or given the assignment the proper attention. Decide on a topic. You may have been assigned a topic, or you may be free to choose your own. Even if you have been assigned a general paper topic, it's likely that you will need to decide on your “angle” in approaching it. For example, “the American Civil War” is too big a topic for a term paper to discuss. You need an angle, such as “Roles of African-Americans in the military during the American Civil War.” You'll also want to identify your purpose for the paper. Sometimes, this is given to you, such as “Write an analytical paper about ___” or “Discuss the history of ___”. If it isn't, you may have some freedom to determine your own purpose. Is it to persuade, inform, argue, or analyze? It's a good idea to check in with your instructor to make sure that your goal aligns with the assignment. Do your research. Most term papers require research. You should begin to gather research materials before you outline and write your essay. As you write, you will likely discover gaps in your argument that require further research, but you won't have a good idea about what you want to say until you do some preliminary research. If you have a library, consult with your librarian. Librarians are excellent resources who can guide you to credible and relevant research sources. Make sure your sources are reliable. It's a good idea to look in published books, peer-reviewed journals, and government or university websites. Credible, mainstream journalism sources, like The New York Times or The Guardian, are also helpful, though make sure you do not rely on editorial or “opinion” pieces as sources of fact. Keep track of your sources. EndNote and RefWorks are very handy for keeping a record of sources you consult. You may have access to these through your school. You can also keep track by writing the bibliographic information (author's name, title, publisher, place and date of publication) on an index card or in a word processing document. Make sure you record the page numbers and sources for any quotations you copy out. Develop your topic. You should generate some ideas about your topic before you try to organize your paper. You may find that prewriting exercises can help you get started. Here are a few you can try: Try freewriting. Write for 5-10 minutes about whatever comes to mind about your topic. Don't stop or edit yourself. Once you've written, review your material and highlight or underline things that seem useful starting points. You can repeat this exercise multiple times to generate ideas. Try clustering. Clustering is a type of mind-mapping that can help you see connections between ideas. Start by writing your topic on the center of a piece of paper and draw a box around it. Then, draw a few lines extending from the box. At the end of each of these lines, write down an idea that corresponds to this topic and circle each. Continue drawing lines outward and connecting ideas until you feel like you've thoroughly explored the connections between facets of your topic. Try questioning. The big questions, “Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?”, can help you determine what information you need in your paper. Write each question on a separate sheet of paper and respond to the question in as much detail as you can. When you hit places where you do not have answers to the question, make a note to yourself -- these are places where you'll need to do some inquiry or research. Write a working thesis. Your thesis statement will likely evolve as you write your term paper. This is very common in argumentative or analytical essays, where you will continue to think about your material as you write, and you may reach conclusions you didn't expect. It's important to have a working thesis to start out with so that you know your paper's central goal or point. It is common in high school to write 3-prong thesis statements, which include three main points, each of which will have its own body paragraph. This type of thesis rarely works for term papers, as they are longer and more complex essays. Go with a statement that states the main focus or claim for your paper. Start early. A term paper is usually longer than other types of essays, and it often counts for a significant portion of your grade. Additionally, a term paper usually requires research that takes time and work to produce. Don't wait until the last minute to start working. Work on your paper in stages, if you can. Give yourself at least a day between each stage to allow you to come to the paper with fresh eyes. Begin with your introduction. This may involve explanatory remarks of what your field entails, what the purpose of your paper is, and contextual information that your reader needs in order to understand your argument. Don't fully write the introduction yet. It's generally best to wait to draft your introduction until you've written the essay. Your thesis and argument is likely to evolve as you write, so spending too much time on the introduction up front may be a waste of time. Write a placeholder outline for now. Introductions usually begin with a broad statement and narrow in until you present your thesis statement. Provide a few bullet points about where you will start and include your thesis statement. Write topic sentences for each paragraph. Separate different topics into different sections or paragraphs, so that each paragraph deals with one main idea. This provides a visual/organizational clue to the reader that different pieces of information are being presented. Your topic sentences should set the direction for the paragraph. Make sure they act as a “road map” to let the reader know what the main topic will be. Avoid using facts or statements that don't give an idea of what the rest of your paragraph will argue. A good topic sentence will be informative, directional, and interesting. For example, “Salt water is not suitable for drinking” is not a great topic sentence for a paragraph on water rights, because it does not communicate the main idea of the paragraph. “It is a human right to have clean water” is a better topic sentence, because it asserts your main argument for the paragraph. Begin your outline’s first level. Once you have your topic sentences, you will have an idea of what your paragraphs will discuss. You can now decide how to organize these paragraphs in the first level of your outline. This level uses capital Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, etc.). I is your introduction. II is your first body paragraph, III is your second body paragraph, and so forth. Place each Roman numeral on a new line, followed by a topic sentence. Don't be afraid to experiment with the paragraph order. You may find that as you develop your paragraphs further, they fit better in other sections of the paper. Fill in subpoints on the second level of your outline. The second level of your outline uses English capital letters (A, B, C, D, etc.). This level incorporates subpoints of your main point. They will form the body of your body paragraphs. Place the capital letter on a new line beneath the first level. Indent the second level about 0.5” past the first level. Many word processing programs will do this automatically. List your subtopics beneath your topic sentence. Each subtopic should be related to the main goal or idea of the paragraph. Use your research and the material you generated during prewriting to help you fill in this level. Expand on subpoints with a third outline level. If you need to, you can use a third outline level to expand on your subpoints. This level uses Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). Use this level to provide evidence or further explanation for your subpoints. Provide a conclusion in the last section. Your conclusion will wrap up your argument for your reader. It should return your thesis, but should not restate it exactly. You do not have to write a full conclusion while outlining. You may not have a clear idea of how you want to conclude until you've written more of the essay. Common ways to conclude an essay including returning to the theme you introduced in the introduction, extending the relevance of your argument to a broader context or concern, proposing a course of action or solution to a problem, or ending with a provocative question. Choose a decimal outline structure if you prefer. Although it is less common than the standard alphanumeric organization, you can also organize your outline using only Arabic numbers and decimal points. This type of outline is sometimes used in the final term paper as well, to identify headings and subheadings in a longer work. Begin a decimal outline with “1.0” and each subsequent section with the next number (“2.0”, “3.0”, etc.). Change the number after the decimal point to reflect new information. For example, “2.1” might be your first subpoint, and “2.2” would be your second subpoint. You can continue adding subsections by adding another decimal point and number, such as “2.1.1” etc. Reverse-outline your first draft. After you have finished writing your first draft, let it sit for a day, if you can. Return to it with fresh eyes and read it through from start to finish. As you read, briefly summarize the main argument of each paragraph. You can do this off to the side of the paper, on a separate sheet of paper, or as a comment in a word processing document. Try to limit your summary to a sentence. You can also use a key phrase or a few keywords. If you're having trouble summarizing the main idea, it could be a sign that your paragraph is wandering. Consider splitting your paragraph into two paragraphs so that you can devote one to each idea. Examine this reverse outline. Once you have completed summarizing the main idea of each paragraph, look at what you've written. Do the ideas progress logically? Do they seem to build on one another to create momentum for your argument? Or do they wander around?! You may need to consider moving paragraphs around. In some cases, you'll even need to delete -- yes, delete! -- and rewrite sentences or even whole paragraphs. Cut your paper up by paragraph. If you're having trouble envisioning how to organize your term paper after you've written the first draft, it could be because you've been looking at it too long on your computer screen. Print out the draft and cut it up into its separate paragraphs. Physically swap the paragraphs around. Do they make better sense in another order? In a strong term paper, each paragraph will build upon the previous one, so that there is only one ideal way to structure them for your argument. If you can swap the paragraphs around easily, you may need to hone your focus. Consider adding clearer transitions and topic sentences to help make stronger connections between your paragraphs. Revise your outline. You're probably dealing with a fairly long project, so it can help to revise your original outline to reflect the new order you've decided on. After you have done this, revise the term paper according to your new outline. After you've revised the term paper, double-check with the new outline to make sure that you have stuck with the structure you decided upon.

Review your assignment. Decide on a topic. Do your research. Develop your topic. Write a working thesis. Start early. Begin with your introduction. Write topic sentences for each paragraph. Begin your outline’s first level. Fill in subpoints on the second level of your outline. Expand on subpoints with a third outline level. Provide a conclusion in the last section. Choose a decimal outline structure if you prefer. Reverse-outline your first draft. Examine this reverse outline. Cut your paper up by paragraph. Revise your outline.

https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Cubic-Inches

How to Calculate Cubic Inches

To calculate cubic inches, start by measuring the length, width, and depth of the box you're measuring in inches. Then, multiply the length by the width. Finally, multiply the product of the length and the width by the depth of the box to find the volume in cubic inches. If you want to find the volume of a cylinder in cubic inches, use the formula v = hπr^2, where h is the height of the cylinder and r is the radius of the base.

Measure the length, width, and depth of an object in inches. To calculate the volume of a rectangular space, all you need to know are the values of its dimensions in inches. You may need to physically measure the object or to convert to inches from a different set of units. For example, if we wanted to find the volume of a refrigerator, we would find its length, width, and depth in inches. Let's say our fridge is 50 inches (127.0 cm) long, 25 inches (63.5 cm) wide , and 20 inches (50.8 cm) deep. Write the length of your object. The first step in calculating a volume with this process is to write one of your dimensions down. You can multiply these dimensions in any order - for our purposes, let's write the length first. In our example, we would write 50 first, as our fridge is 50 inches (127.0 cm) long. Multiply the length by the width of your object. Next, multiply your first dimension by one of the others. Again, you can multiply your dimensions in any order, but, for our purposes, let's multiply the length by the width. In our example, we would multiply 50 × 25 - the width. 50 × 25 = 1250. Multiply your answer by the depth of your object. Finally, multiply the answer you got by multiplying two of your object's dimensions by the remaining dimension. In our case, this means multiplying the product of our object's length and width by its depth. In our example, we would multiply 1250 × 20 - the depth. 1250 × 20 = 25,000. Label your answer in cubic inches. You may know that your final answer refers to a volume in cubic inches, but another person may not. Be sure to use a proper label for your answer that specifies that the volume is in cubic inches. Acceptable labels include: "Cubic Inches" "Inches Cubed" "Cu. In." "In " Calculate the volume of a cube with L3. Cubes are rectangular prisms (boxes) in which every side length and angle is equal. Thus, the volume of a cube can be written as length × width × depth = length × length × length = length. To get your answer in cubic inches, ensure your length measurement is in inches. Calculate the volume of a cylinder with v = hπr2. Cylinders are smooth-sided objects with two circular faces of equal size. The formula v = hπr where v = volume, h = height, and r = the cylinder's radius (the distance from the center of either of the circular faces to its edge) gives the volume of a cylinder. Make sure your measurements for h and r are in inches. Calculate the volume of a cone with v = (1/3)hπr2. Cones are smooth-sided objects with a circular base that tapers to a point. The formula v = hπr /3 where v = volume, h = height, and r = the radius of the circular base gives the volume of a cone. As above, ensure your measurements for h and r are in inches. Calculate the volume of a sphere with v = 4/3πr3. Spheres are perfectly round 3-d objects. The equation v = 4/3πr where v = volume and r = the radius of the sphere (the distance from its center to its edge) gives the volume of a sphere. As before, make sure your measurement for r is in inches.

Measure the length, width, and depth of an object in inches. Write the length of your object. Multiply the length by the width of your object. Multiply your answer by the depth of your object. Label your answer in cubic inches. Calculate the volume of a cube with L3. Calculate the volume of a cylinder with v = hπr2. Calculate the volume of a cone with v = (1/3)hπr2. Calculate the volume of a sphere with v = 4/3πr3.

https://www.wikihow.com/Address-Guests-on-Escort-Cards

How to Address Guests on Escort Cards

When you're writing escort cards for your guests, you'll want to address them the right way to avoid confusion. Use your guests' full first names instead of their short versions. If you have 2 people with the same first name, add the initial of their surname to differentiate them. It's up to you if you want to add titles before their names, but make sure you use them for everyone for consistency. Alternatively, if the family is sitting together, just label the card for the whole family, like “The Smith family.” List married couples on the same card, using both first names, such as “Edward and Silvia Jennings.” For unmarried couples, list the woman first or the person you know best for same-sex couples.

Address individual guests using their full name. Guests who are planning on showing up by themselves need only be identified by their first and last name. Consider including the person's middle initial if they have a common name that may be shared with other guests. Unless your wedding is going to be an informal celebration, don't use abbreviations or nicknames—write “Samantha” instead of “Sam” and “William” rather than “Bill.” An escort card for an unaccompanied guest might simply read: “John B. McLemore.” Use titles consistently. It's alright to refer to your guests as “Mr.” and “Mrs.” as long as you do it for each and every person in attendance. Similarly, you might choose to list unmarried women either by their first and last names or with the additional descriptor “Miss,” but try to keep it the same on each card. Special titles like “Dr.” and “Father” can be reserved for distinguished guests as a way of showing respect. It's usually okay to address children under the age of 13 without titles. List married couples by their last name. Traditionally, married couples are presented as a pair under the husband's name, as in “Mr. and Mrs. Edward Jennings.” These days, it's also acceptable to use both the husband and wife's names, as in “Edward and Silvia Jennings.” You might also be able to get away with using the couple's last name alone if it's a smaller wedding and there are no other couples with the same surname in attendance. Married couples should always be listed together on the same card. Put the woman’s name first on cards for unmarried couples. This goes for guests with dates, engaged couples, and male-female friends coming to the reception together. The same rule can also apply to married couples with different last names. Giving precedence to the woman is considered a polite gesture. If you have a close male friend who is bringing his new girlfriend, you would write “Leslie Schaeffer and Christopher Hudson.” When addressing an escort card to a same-sex couple, you have the option of either listing the names alphabetically or starting with the name of the guest you're better acquainted with. Use a single card for families who will be seated together. It's common for family groups to be addressed collectively. The only exceptions are especially large families and occasions when 1 or more members will be accompanied by their own families, such as a husband and wife arriving independently of 1 spouse's parents and younger siblings. A card reading “The Gutierrez Family” can account for any number of related guests who have RSVPd to confirm their attendance. Putting whole families down on the same escort card saves you the trouble (and extra materials) of making cards for each person individually. Note unidentified guests after the name of the person they’re with. It's usually sufficient to tack on an “and guest” after the invited guest's name. Making it a point to mention a guest's plus-1 is a common courtesy, and can be helpful when you don't know the person's name or haven't yet been formally introduced to them. If your teenage niece is coming with her best friend who you've never met, instance, writing “Allison Tremont and Guest” will allow you to formalize her escort card without making her friend feel left out. Failing to acknowledge an attendee's guests could offend both parties unintentionally. Seal your escort cards in envelopes. According to custom, escort cards are tucked into miniature envelopes to be opened by the guests as they enter the reception area. If you decide to use envelopes, you'll write the guest's name on the face of the envelope and record their table number on the inside of the card itself. Envelopes are not only more formal, they also add an element of fun and surprise to the proceedings, since guests will have to open their cards to find out what table they've been assigned to. Go with tent-style cards for quick and easy seating. These days, many married couples prefer to keep things simple by using single-piece folding cards in lieu of stuffing each card into its own envelope. When using tent-style cards, display the guest's name on the outside of the card above their assigned table number, or list the table number separately on the card's interior. The major benefit of tent-style cards is that your guests will be able to pick them out and read them much faster, preventing a traffic jam at the entrance to the reception area. However, it also involves less work for you. Set out your escort cards in rows alphabetically. To make it easier for your guests to pick out their cards, organize them from A-Z by last name on a large table in your reception area. Arrange them in neat rows, with the front of each card plainly visible. That way, they can simply scan each row until they find their card and be on their way. Someone with the last name “Adams,” for instance, should be able to spot their card closer to the front of the table than a couple by the name of “Watanabe.” If you have more than 1 married couple with the same last name, include the husband's first name so it's clear who you're referring to (“Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson,” as distinct from “Mr. and Mrs. Steven Johnson”). Use matching table and place cards for assigned seating. If you intend to designate both the table and individual seat of each guest at your wedding reception, you'll need to create table and place cards as well. Double-check that the names and numbers on your escort cards correspond with those on the place and table cards to avoid confusing or misplacing your guests. Table cards are large placards used to identify each table in the reception area. They're typically numbered, but you could also assign your guests to tables named after your favorite flowers, songs, authors, or world wonders—get creative! Place cards display the names of the guests at a particular table so that everyone knows who everyone else is. It will be necessary to print a separate place card with a unique seat number for each guest, rather than grouping them together the way you did on the escort cards.

Address individual guests using their full name. Use titles consistently. List married couples by their last name. Put the woman’s name first on cards for unmarried couples. Use a single card for families who will be seated together. Note unidentified guests after the name of the person they’re with. Seal your escort cards in envelopes. Go with tent-style cards for quick and easy seating. Set out your escort cards in rows alphabetically. Use matching table and place cards for assigned seating.

https://www.wikihow.com/Tile-a-Wall

How to Tile a Wall

Before you can tile a wall, remove the existing tiles, fill any cracks or holes with spackle, and sand the surface so the tiles will have a strong, level surface to stick to. Then, scoop a little adhesive on to a notched trowel and spread it onto the wall in a thin layer. Press the tiles onto the adhesive and use a damp rag to wipe off any adhesive that oozes out from between them. Don't forget to add spacers between each tile so everything looks even!

Measure the width and height of the wall to find out how many tiles you need. Use measuring tape to take precise measurements of the area of wall you'll be tiling. To find the area of your wall, multiple the length times the width, and then divide this number by the area of 1 box of the tiles you are using in order to determine how many to purchase. When you're purchasing the tile, buy an extra package of tiles in case some get damaged while you're hanging them. For instance, if the wall is 10 by 12 feet (3.0 by 3.7 m), it is 120 square feet (11 m ). Then, if each box of tile has 10 square feet (0.93 m ) of tile, divide 120 by 10 to find that you need 12 boxes to cover the wall exactly. Then, you should add an additional box to account for potentially damaged tiles. Since the grout doesn't take up much space between the tiles, and your tiles likely won't fit in the space perfectly, you don't need to account for it in your calculations. Use a chisel and hammer if you need to remove existing tiles. Put on a pair of safety goggles before you start removing the tile. Then, place the chisel at a 45 degree angle between the tiles and hit the end of the chisel with the hammer to separate the tiles from the wall. Use the chisel to scrape between the tiles and the wall until they've all been removed. It's easiest to start removing tile from a corner or from the top of the wall so you can place the chisel directly on the grout, which tends to be weaker than the tile. Be careful while you're removing the tile. It's easy to accidentally make a crack or hole in the drywall if you're not holding the chisel at a 45 degree angle while you work. Fill any cracks or holes in the wall with spackle. Once you've exposed the drywall underneath any existing tile, you'll be able to see any problem areas. Use a scraper to apply the spackle and let it dry according to the package directions, which is normally about 4-6 hours. For cracks and holes larger than 4–5 inches (10–13 cm), you may need to patch them with drywall. If you've never hung drywall, ask a professional for a quote to see how much it will cost to fix that area. If the wall doesn't have tile, it is probably painted or wallpapered. You can use the same method for repairing the drywall without removing the paint or wallpaper. Sand the walls with coarse sandpaper to smooth any bumps. If you had to remove pre-existing tile or fix holes and cracks, there are likely bumps in the wall. You can tile over it, but it needs to be smooth to prevent your new tiles from laying crooked. Look for 100-grit or 80-grit sandpaper, and wear a mask to protect your lungs from the particles in the air. If you're sanding a large area, it might be easier to use an electric sander. Wipe down the walls with a damp sponge to clear the drywall dust. Drip a sponge into a bucket of clean water. Then, starting at the top of the wall, drag the sponge all the way down the wall to clear off the dust. Rinse the sponge in the bucket and continue wiping until you've rinsed the entire wall. Wait at least an hour for the wall to dry completely. If you're working on a very large wall, you may need to replace the water after a few passes of the sponge to ensure that the water is clean and the sponge is picking up the dust. Roll waterproofing sealer over the walls if you're tiling in a bathroom. Pick out a few rolls of waterproofing sealer to cover the areas where you'll be hanging tile. Roll it out over the walls, and use waterproof adhesive to attach it to the walls. Make sure all of the area where you're hanging the tile is covered, and wait 2-3 hours for the adhesive to dry. The sealer prevents the water from seeping into the grout and the wall boards, which can cause rotting. Pick a checkerboard pattern if you want a classic look. This pattern involves rows of tiles lined up like a checkerboard. Every-other tile is the same color, but the rows and columns are aligned in straight lines. You can pick any two colors to achieve this pattern, so don't be afraid to get creative. This is one of the easiest patterns to create, but it can look busy if the room is already full of designs and colors. Use a running board pattern for a less traditional look. Create an imaginary vertical line in the center of the pattern and organize the other tiles on this line. Place tiles of the same color along the line in each row so that the vertical line is going between two tiles, or it goes through the center of one tile. Overall, the appearance is that each tile is offset slightly but creates a staggered line. This is the pattern used for laying bricks and the popular "subway tile" pattern. Use a stacked pattern to protect the walls from moisture. This is an extremely simple design that makes hanging the tile and applying grout extremely simple. Just align rectangular tiles so that they form straight lines vertically and horizontally in the space. This pattern can have a stunning effect when done in large scales because it looks so natural and clean. If you're using tiles with one color, this is a great choice for making a bold statement. Do a dry-lay of your pattern to see which tiles will need trimmed. Lay out the tiles on the ground in your desired pattern with grout spacers in between them, and then measure the width of the wall. Compare the width to the width of the tiles, and then mark which ones will need to be trimmed with a wax crayon. Consider shifting your pattern slightly if you need to trim any of the pieces to be smaller than 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. It will likely be too difficult to cut these accurately with a wet saw or nippers. Apply a 1⁄8 inch (0.32 cm) layer of adhesive to the wall. Start applying the adhesive in a bottom corner, about 1 tile length away from the bottom and side of the wall, leaving space for the edge tiles. Scoop out a golf ball sized amount of adhesive onto a notched trowel, and spread enough adhesive in a thin layer over the wall to hang 2-3 tiles at a time. You may need to move the trowel over the adhesive a few times to ensure that it's thin and level. Pre-mixed adhesive tends to be less expensive and work well for wall tiling. If you purchased a powder adhesive, mix it according to the directions until it's the consistency of peanut butter. Use the trowel to add grooves to the adhesive. Hold the trowel at about a 45-degree angle from the wall. Move the trowel horizontally across the wall to make the grooves, applying consistent pressure as you spread. This will create the necessary ridges in the adhesive to allow for the tile to stick to the wall. Check the packaging of the adhesive to make sure you're using the right sized notches for the tiles to stick to the adhesive. Most trowels will have 2 sets of notches that are different sizes. Hang the first tiles and continue the row with more adhesive and tiles. Carefully line up your first tile, and press it into the adhesive, wiggling it slightly to create suction before positioning it in its spot. Then, continue adding tiles in rows or columns following your pattern. Once you've covered most of the adhesive on the wall, apply more and continue hanging tiles in your pattern. Remember to work in small sections at a time, only applying the adhesive where you're tiling. You may need to wipe off adhesive that oozes out from between the tiles with a damp cloth. Add spacers in between each of the tiles to ensure even grout lines. As you're hanging up the tiles, position plastic spacers in between them to make room for the grout later. The spacers fit between the tiles and stick into the adhesive. Some tiles have built-in spacers. Be sure to check yours before you buy spacers. Cut your tiles with a wet saw or nippers. Gather all of the tiles that you marked with the wax crayon during your dry-lay, and measure the length again to ensure that it's in the right position. Put on a pair of safety goggles and carefully align the tile with the blade of the wet saw or the shears of the nippers. Then, move the tile through the blade or close the nippers to cut the tile. For large tiles, you may need to rent a tile-cutting saw, also called a wet saw, from a local home and garden store. You can cut tiles smaller than 2 inches (5.1 cm) with nippers, which are shears that are used for cutting small pieces of glass. Hang edge tiles by applying adhesive to the backs of the tiles. Take a tile for the edge of the wall and apply the adhesive to the back, as if you were putting butter on a piece of toast. Then, position the tile where it needs to go, and add the spacers. If the tile has been cut, make sure you're placing it in the right spot. If your tiles fit perfectly in the space and you don't need to cut any of them, you should still use this method to do the outer columns and the top and bottom rows. This prevents the adhesive from getting on other surfaces or the pre-layed tiles. Remove the spacers before you apply grout. While the thinset adhesive is still slightly wet, pull the spacers out from between the tiles. This should be about 1.5 hours after you applied the adhesive and added the spacers. Make sure you collect all of the spacers before you start the next phase of tiling. If you leave the spacers in the adhesive for too long, they can become stuck. Adhesive dries and sets quickly compared to grout, so you may only need to wait about an hour, depending on the brand of adhesive you used. If your tiles came with spacers on them, you should still be able to pull them out of the adhesive. However, some of the spacers are permanent and meant to be left on the wall and covered with grout. Check the packaging for the tile to see if you can remove them. Mix the grout and apply it to sections of the wall. Grout fills in the space between each tile, protecting and securing them onto the wall. Choose a grout that matches your tile and color scheme, and mix it according to the package directions. About 15 minutes after you remove the spacers, use a grout float to spread it over one section of the wall before moving on to the next section. The grout will cover up the tiles completely, but don't worry. You'll wipe away the grout from the surface of the tiles once it begins to dry. It's especially important to work in sections if you're grouting a larger wall. This will prevent the grout from drying too much before you get the chance to wipe it off. Use a wet sponge to wipe the grout off of the tiles after 30 minutes. Set a timer after you finish the first section, and set another after you finish the second section. Once the timer goes off, dip a sponge in water and wring it out, then wipe it over the first section to remove most of the grout from the tiles. After you finish the first section, wait for the second timer to go off so you can wipe the grout off of that section as well. Try to work with only 2-3 sections at a time to prevent yourself from getting confused. Go over the tile with a dry sponge after an hour to remove haze from the grout. Let the grout dry further after you wipe it off of the tiles. Then, take a dry sponge and rub it over the tile surface to ensure that each tile is clean and doesn't have any grout residue on it. If you can still see a film of residue, apply a tile cleaning solution over the tile after letting it dry for an additional hour. Apply a sealer to block out moisture. Follow the directions with the sealer to apply it correctly to the tile wall with a brush, sponge, or sprayer. Make sure all of the tiles are coated, including corner and edge tiles. Let it dry for 6-8 hours before getting the tiles wet. If you want to test that the sealer worked, put a drop of water on a sealed tile to see if the water beads up. If it does, the sealer worked! If not, make sure the sealer isn't expired and apply another coat. Let it dry for an additional 6 hours before retesting.

Measure the width and height of the wall to find out how many tiles you need. Use a chisel and hammer if you need to remove existing tiles. Fill any cracks or holes in the wall with spackle. Sand the walls with coarse sandpaper to smooth any bumps. Wipe down the walls with a damp sponge to clear the drywall dust. Roll waterproofing sealer over the walls if you're tiling in a bathroom. Pick a checkerboard pattern if you want a classic look. Use a running board pattern for a less traditional look. Use a stacked pattern to protect the walls from moisture. Do a dry-lay of your pattern to see which tiles will need trimmed. Apply a 1⁄8 inch (0.32 cm) layer of adhesive to the wall. Use the trowel to add grooves to the adhesive. Hang the first tiles and continue the row with more adhesive and tiles. Add spacers in between each of the tiles to ensure even grout lines. Cut your tiles with a wet saw or nippers. Hang edge tiles by applying adhesive to the backs of the tiles. Remove the spacers before you apply grout. Mix the grout and apply it to sections of the wall. Use a wet sponge to wipe the grout off of the tiles after 30 minutes. Go over the tile with a dry sponge after an hour to remove haze from the grout. Apply a sealer to block out moisture.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Play

How to Write a Play

To write a play, start each scene with a location and time of day, like INT. RESTAURANT — NIGHT. Below that, write stage directions that describe what, and who, is onstage. When writing dialogue, indent the character's name at least 4 inches, write it in all caps, then write what they're saying below their name. Once you're comfortable with formatting, start your first draft by putting characters together somewhere significant to them, and giving them a minor challenge to confront. Keep writing until you find an external plot that allows them to confront their internal conflicts.

Start with characters. Plays are character-driven pieces of writing. Since it's basically going to be a lot of talking between people, your characters need to be as believable as possible. In great plays, the inner tensions between characters enact themselves in external ways. In other words, the characters need to have problems that show up in their behaviour. What does your character want? What is keeping your character from getting what they want? What stands in their way? Thinking of interesting jobs can be a good way of developing a character. What's the hardest job you can imagine? What's a job you've always been curious about? What kind of person becomes a podiatrist? How does one end up with such a job? Don't worry about the name or the physical description of your character. It doesn't tell you anything about a character named Rafe to know that he is 6'4 and has washboard abs and wears t-shirts some of the time. Stick to one notable and telling physical trait. Maybe your character has a scar on their eyebrow from being bitten by a dog, or maybe your character never wears skirts. This reveals something about them and gives them depth. Consider the setting. The setting of the play is where and when the story takes place. Placing your character in a tense situation or location is an important way to create drama. Combining character and setting can also be a good way of developing your character, and figuring out what kind of story might result from their placement in that setting. If being a podiatrist is interesting to you, what about being a podiatrist in Paris, Texas? What kind of person becomes a podiatrist in Paris, Texas, for instance? How does one end up there? Be as specific as possible when developing your setting. "The Modern Day" isn't as interesting as "Dr. Wilson's Family Podiatry, next to the The West Hillsboro Suburban Mall, just south of town, at 3:15 pm on Good Friday." The more specific you are, the more you'll give yourself to work with. Consider what other characters the setting may introduce. Who works the desk at the podiatry office? If it's a family business, maybe the podiatrist's daughter. Who has an appointment on a Friday? Who's waiting? What are they in for? Take into account what would be probable. If you're making a play based on the future, make sure you prepare ideas for how you would stage this futuristic world. If your play takes place in the forest, be sure you have enough time and budget to make the forest come alive. Be sure to include why the setting is how it is. For example, a tornado passed through the forest and the forest is now a big mess. Figure out the inner story. The "inner" story refers to the psychological conflicts happening within the characters. This is largely hidden throughout the story, but it's important for you to have some sense of as you're writing the play. The inner story will guide the characters throughout their decisions throughout the plot. The more concrete the inner story, the easier the characters will be to write. They'll be making their own decisions. Maybe your podiatrist wanted to be a brain surgeon but lacked the stomach for it. Maybe the podiatry program had the least strenuous schedule, and allowed the med-school version of your character to stay up late partying while still passing all their classes. Maybe the podiatrist is deeply unhappy and unfulfilled about having never left Paris. Match the inner story with an outer story. Bad plots look backward and good plots look forward. It wouldn't be interesting to have a play in which your podiatrist talked endlessly about how she'd rather not be a podiatrist and then killed herself with shoe polish. Instead, find a dramatic situation to place your characters in that will test their mettle and change them in some way. If it's Good Friday, maybe the podiatrist's retire parents (former podiatrists themselves) are coming for an Easter Dinner. Is your podiatrist even religious? Will she go to Church? Does she have to get home and clean up the house before the weekend starts? Is her father going to make her check out his bunions, AGAIN? Will this be the last straw? What will happen? Understand the limitations of the stage. Remember: you're not writing a movie. A play is basically an ongoing series of conversations between people. The focus needs to be on the tension between the characters, the language, and on developing your characters into believable people. It isn't a great medium for gun fights and car chases. Alternatively, break from traditional theatre and write a play with impossible-to-stage scenes as a way of exploring the writing itself. If you have no plans to actually stage the play, treat it as a different form of poem. Bertolt Brecht, Samuel Beckett, and Antonin Artaud were all innovators of experimental avant garde plays who incorporated audience participation and other absurdist or surreal elements into their drama. Read some drama and see some productions. Just as you wouldn't try to write a novel if you'd never read one, it's a good idea to get familiar with the world of contemporary theater. Check out plays you've read and liked to see how they transform on the stage. David Mamet, Tony Kushner, and Polly Stenham are all popular and celebrated playwrights. It's important to see new plays if you're going to write new plays. Even if you've got a good working knowledge and love of Shakespeare, it's important to get familiar with what's going on in the here and now. You don't live in Shakespeare's era, so it wouldn't make sense to write plays as if you did. Write an exploratory draft. Even if your plan for "Easter with the Podiatrists" seems like you're on your way to claiming a Tony Award, you'll still manage to surprise yourself in the writing. You may have the greatest idea in the world, but you still have to actually write the thing and allow for surprise to enter into the equation. In the exploratory draft, don't worry about formatting the play or writing it "correctly," just let everything get out that needs to get out. Write until you've got a beginning, middle, and end to your play. Maybe a new character will wander into the story that changes everything. Let it happen. Try to keep the play as small as possible. A play is literally a slice of a life, it's not a biography. While it can be tempting to want to jump ten years into the future or have the main character quit her job in the podiatrist's office and become a successful actor in New York, a stage play isn't the best medium for these kinds of seismic shifts in character. Your play might end with a simple decision being made, or it might end with a character confronting something they've never confronted before. If your play ends with a character killing themselves or someone else, rethink the ending. Always be moving forward. In the early drafts, you'll probably write a lot of scenes that wander without really going anywhere. That's okay. Sometimes you need to have the character spend a long awkward dinner conversation with their brother-in-law to find out something that gives you a whole new perspective on the drama. Great! That means you're writing successfully, but it doesn't necessarily mean the whole dinner date is important to the play. Avoid any scenes in which a character is alone. Nothing can happen on stage with a character in the bathroom looking into the mirror. Avoid too much preamble. If the podiatrist's parents are going to arrive, don't delay for twenty pages. Make it happen as soon as possible to give yourself more to work with. Make it easy on yourself. Find the characters' voices. Your characters will reveal themselves with their language. The way they choose to say things is maybe even more important than what they're actually saying. When the podiatrist's daughter asks "What's wrong?" the way the podiatrist answers will tell the audience how to interpret the conflict? Maybe she faux-dramatically rolls her eyes and sobs "Everything!" and throws a stack of papers in the air to make her daughter laugh. But we really know there's something wrong she's making light of. We'll look at her character differently than we would if she said, "Nothing. Get back to work." Don't let your characters shout their inner turmoil. A character should never shout, "I'm a shell of a man since my wife left me!" or anything that explicitly reveals their internal conflicts. Make them hold onto their secrets. You want their actions to speak for themselves, and not to force them into explaining themselves to the audience. Revise. The refrain of the writer? "Kill your darlings." You have to be a harsh critic of your early drafts to get the usually-messy early writing crafted into the hard-hitting and realistic drama you want to write. Cut scenes that meander, cut characters that are useless, and make the play as tight and as quick as you possibly can. Go back through your drafts with a pencil and mark any moments with a circle that pause the drama, and underline moments that move the drama forward. Cut out everything that's circled. If you end up cutting out 90% of what you've written, so be it. Fill it back in with things that move the story forward. Write as many drafts as it takes. There's no right number of drafts. Keep going until the play feels finished, until its satisfying for you to read and fulfills your expectations of the story. Save each version of the draft so you can feel free to take risks and always go back to the old version if you want to. Word processor files are small. It's worth it. Break the plot into scenes and acts. An act is a mini-play unto itself, made up of several scenes. The average play involves 3-5 Acts. Generally, a scene will have a given set of characters. If a new character is introduced, or if the character's move elsewhere, that indicates that you're moving on to another scene. An act is hard to distinguish. The podiatrist story, for instance, might end its first act with the arrival of the parents and the introduction of the main conflict. The second act might involve the development of that conflict, including scenes in which the parents argue with the podiatrist daughter, Easter dinner is cooked and Church is attended. In Act three, the daughter might reconcile with the father, giving his troubled foot a once-over. The end. The more experienced you become at writing plays, you'll be able to think in terms of acts and scenes as you write your initial draft. Don't worry about it in the early-going, though. The formatting is much less important than getting the drama right. Include stage directions. Each scene should start with stage directions, in which you describe briefly the physical components of the stage. Depending on your story, this might be very elaborate or fairly simple. This is your opportunity to influence the way the play will eventually look. If it's important to have a gun on the wall in Act One, put it in there. Also include character directions throughout the dialog. The actors will take their own liberties with the dialog and move about as they and the director sees fit, but it helps to have any particularly important (as you see it) physical motions included throughout the dialog. A kiss, for instance, is probably important to direct, but don't overdo it. You don't need to describe every minute physical movement of a character, because the actors will ignore such directions anyway. Tag each character's dialog. In a play, each character's dialog is marked with their name in all capital letters, tabbed in at least 4". Some playwrights will center the dialog, but it's up to you. You don't need to use quotation marks or other distinguishing features, just separate the language by including the character's name every time they speak. Include front-matter. This includes any prologue you'd like to include to the play, a list of characters and a short description of them, any notes you'd like to include about the set up of the stage or other directing guidelines, and possibly a brief summary or outline of the play if you're considering submitting the play to theatre contests.

Start with characters. Consider the setting. Figure out the inner story. Match the inner story with an outer story. Understand the limitations of the stage. Read some drama and see some productions. Write an exploratory draft. Try to keep the play as small as possible. Always be moving forward. Find the characters' voices. Revise. Write as many drafts as it takes. Break the plot into scenes and acts. Include stage directions. Tag each character's dialog. Include front-matter.

https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-Blood-Pressure

How to Lower Blood Pressure

To lower your blood pressure, follow the DASH diet, which is short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Reduce your sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg each day, since high sodium levels increase your blood pressure, and limit your fat intake to no more than 3 servings each day. In addition, you should eat a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins in moderation. These diet changes, along with 75-150 minutes of exercise each week, should help lower your blood pressure.

Lower your sodium intake. Many people eat as much as 3,500 mg of sodium per day. The DASH diet, which is short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Sodium is in salt, so the best way to reduce your sodium intake is to eat less salt. You can do this by: Not adding table salt to your food. This may also include reducing the amount of salt you use when cooking. Easy ways to do this include not salting meats and not adding salt to the water when you cook rice or pasta. Avoiding salty snacks and processed food such as chips, pretzels, and salted nuts. They often have large amounts of salt added to them. If you do purchase prepared foods, look to see if you can get a low-salt version. Check the contents of canned food, premixed seasonings, bouillon cubes, canned soups, jerkies, and sports drinks to see if they have salt added to them. Eat six to eight servings of grains per day. Whole grains are better than processed white rice or processed white flour because they have more fiber and nutrients. A serving is a slice of bread or a half a cup of cooked rice or pasta. You can eat more whole grains by: Buying whole wheat flour and pasta instead of white. Many whole wheat bread products will say on the packaging that they are whole wheat. Oatmeal and brown rice are also excellent sources of nutrients and fiber. Load up on fruits and vegetables. You should eat four to five servings of fruit and four to five servings of vegetables each day. A serving is a half a cup of leafy vegetables or a ½ cup of cooked vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of potassium and magnesium which help to lower your blood pressure. Excellent ways to get your fruits and vegetables include: Eating salads with your meals. You can keep them interesting by varying what you put in them. You can add a sweet element by putting apple or orange slices on a salad. Leave on the peels of thin-skinned fruits like apples because they also contain nutrients. You can also go more traditional with fresh greens, carrots, and tomatoes. But go easy on the salad dressings: they often have a lot of salt and fatty oils. Making vegetables a side dish. Instead of cooking pasta, try putting the main dish over a sweet potato or next to a side of squash. Snacking on fruits and vegetables between meals. Take an apple, banana, carrot, cucumber or green pepper with you to work or school. Buying fresh and frozen vegetables. If you are worried about having fresh produce go bad before you eat it, frozen vegetables are an excellent choice. You can put them in the freezer until you need them and when you thaw them, they will still be packed with nutrients. Add low-fat dairy products. Dairy is an important source of calcium and vitamin D, but it is important to choose carefully to avoid eating too much fat and salt. A cup is a serving. Aim for two to three servings per day. Cheese is often high in salt, so eat it sparingly. When you eat yogurt and drink milk, go for the low-fat or skim varieties. Both are great with whole-grain cereals for breakfast. Eat lean meat, poultry and fish in moderation. Meats and fish are excellent sources of protein, vitamins, iron and zinc, but some kinds can be high in fat and cholesterol. Since fat and cholesterol can clog your arteries, it is best not to eat too much. Eat no more than six servings per day. A serving is an ounce of meat or an egg. Avoid fatty red meats, and if you do eat them, cut the fat off as much as possible. When you cook, don't fry your meats. Healthier alternatives include baking, grilling, or roasting. Salmon, herring and tuna are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Eating these fish can help control your cholesterol, and they are high in protein. Control your fat consumption. Fat increases your risk of heart disease. To protect your heart, restrict your fat intake to a maximum of three servings per day. A tablespoon of butter is a serving. Easy ways to reduce your fat intake include: Not spreading butter or mayonnaise on bread. Also, you can reduce the amount of oil you cook with. Substitute skim milk for whole milk and avoid heavy cream, lard, solid shortenings, palm and coconut oils. Supplement your diet with nuts, seeds, and legumes. They are relatively high in fat, but they also have magnesium, potassium, fiber, and protein. Because of this, the DASH diet recommends eating only four or five servings per week. A serving is 1/3 of a cup of nuts. Nuts and seeds make an excellent addition to salads or, when unsalted, a healthy snack. For vegetarians, tofu is an excellent meat substitute because it is high in protein. Restrict your sugar consumption. Processed sugars add calories to your diet without providing you with the nutrients that will make you feel satisfied. Reduce your consumption of sweets to, at most, five per week. A serving is a tablespoon of sugar or jelly. You can use artificial sweeteners like Splenda, NutraSweet, and Equal, but use them sparingly. Exercise. Being physically active can lower your blood pressure by helping to control your weight and manage stress. For the best results try to do 75–150 minutes of physical activity per week. You can choose what you like to do best. Great options include walking, running, dancing, biking, swimming, and playing sports such as basketball or soccer. Do strength training, such as weight lifting, twice a week to maintain bone density and build muscle. Reduce your alcohol intake. Alcohol abuse is bad for your heart. Also, alcoholic beverages are high in calories and make you more prone to obesity. You can lower your blood pressure by quitting drinking or drinking only in moderation. Men over 65 and women should limit themselves to, at most, one drink per day. Men under 65 should have no more than two drinks per day. A 12 oz beer, 5 oz glass of wine, or 1.5 oz of hard liquor qualifies as a drink. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. Using tobacco can harden your arteries and cause them to become narrower, which will increase your blood pressure. Secondhand smoke also causes these effects. There are many resources available to help you quit smoking : Talking to your doctor or seeing a counselor Joining support groups or calling hotlines Using medications or nicotine replacement therapy Evaluate your medications and don’t use street drugs. If you think your medications might be causing high blood pressure, consult your doctor. Your doctor may be able to help you find a medication that is more suitable for you. Don't stop taking your medications without clearing it with your doctor first. The following substances and medications may increase blood pressure: Cocaine, crystal methamphetamines, and amphetamines Some birth control pills Some decongestants and cold medications Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen and others) Reduce your stress. While stress is an unavoidable part of life, you can use relaxation techniques to help you deal with it better. Common techniques include: Yoga Meditation Music or art therapy Deep Breathing Visualizing calming images Progressively tensing and relaxing each muscle group in your body Call emergency medical responders if you think you might be having a heart attack or stroke. Both are emergencies and every minute counts. Signs of a heart attack include pressure or pain the chest, pain in one or both arms, neck, back, jaw, or abdomen, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or dizziness. In some, sudden onset reflux symptoms or pain just below the sternum may be experienced. Both men and women are vulnerable to heart attacks. Symptoms of a stroke include: drooping face, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, numbness or weakness in an arm, leg, or the face, confusion, vision problems in one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of coordination, headache, Go to the emergency room if you have symptoms of high blood pressure. Most people do not have symptoms, so the best way to find out is to get your blood pressure checked every year at your annual checkup. That being said, when people show symptoms, they may include: Headaches that don't go away Blurred vision or seeing double Frequent nosebleeds Shortness of breath Take medications if your doctor feels it is needed. It is imperative to take the medications following your doctor's instructions. If you skip doses or don't take them correctly, they may not be effective. Your doctor may prescribe: ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for Angiotensin-converting enzyme. This medication relaxes your blood vessels. It may give you a cough as a side effect. It can interact with other medications, including over-the-counter medications. Don't take any other medications, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies without consulting your doctor first. Calcium channel blockers. This medication widens your arteries. Ask your doctor about side effects and interactions. Diuretics. These medications reduce your salt levels by causing you to urinate. Beta-blockers. These medications slow your heartbeat and make it less forceful. This is generally a last resort for when other medications and lifestyle changes have not been sufficient.

Lower your sodium intake. Eat six to eight servings of grains per day. Load up on fruits and vegetables. Add low-fat dairy products. Eat lean meat, poultry and fish in moderation. Control your fat consumption. Supplement your diet with nuts, seeds, and legumes. Restrict your sugar consumption. Exercise. Reduce your alcohol intake. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. Evaluate your medications and don’t use street drugs. Reduce your stress. Call emergency medical responders if you think you might be having a heart attack or stroke. Go to the emergency room if you have symptoms of high blood pressure. Take medications if your doctor feels it is needed.

https://www.wikihow.com/Trap-a-Coyote

How to Trap a Coyote

To trap a coyote, purchase a No. 3 coil-spring trap with a jaw spread of at least 6 inches. Look for a place the coyote has been to before by identifying for coyote tracks or droppings. There, dig a hole that's 4 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep and put the trap in the hole. Add a lure or tainted meal bait near the trap, and wait. Once you've trapped the coyote, contact your local government or wildlife conservation department.

Use the right trap. Coyotes are strong animals, so you need a trap that is large, powerful, and fast. A No. 3 coil-spring trap with a jaw spread of about 6 inches (15 cm) should do the job. A number 1.5 size trap is probably too small to catch a coyote. Make sure the trap has a center swivel and a reinforced base plate. The central swivel will reduce the chances the coyote's foot is harmed by allowing the trapped coyote to pull on a heavy chain that is attached to the bottom of the trap. Cage traps don't work well with coyotes because they may shy away from them. You can find such traps at many manufacturers, although sometimes people modify existing traps, for example by making a narrow-jawed trap wider. You can do this by welding a metal strip along the trap's jaw to make its width larger (this process is called laminating). Target the right coyote causing all of the damage. There might be many coyotes in the area, and you could end up catching family numbers not causing damage. So you might need to trap a few coyotes before getting the culprit. Coyotes that kill livestock are usually male coyotes in the prime of their life (between the ages of 3 to 5-years-old). The dominant male is usually to blame, unless it's just small pigs or poultry that are turned up dead. There are myths that the most damaging coyotes are old females with pups, but this is often not true. Check the coyote’s age and sex when you catch it. This will help you determine whether you have caught the male of the likely age to be doing the damage. You can best determine a coyote's age by looking at the wear on its teeth. Look at the wear on the front incisor teeth. These teeth are located between the canine teeth. If the incisor teeth have rounded lobes, the coyote is probably young. Be very careful, though! Coyotes can be extremely dangerous. Have a wildlife expert do this. Coyotes in the prime age to cause damage usually have wear on their incisors and don't have rounded lobes. Their teeth are flat across the top. Follow rules and regulations. Conservation Departments of various states will usually have rules and regulations for trapping coyotes. Make sure you follow them. Although they can vary by state, some examples are regulations that traps must be attended daily, must be made of metal with smooth or rubber jaws, and must be labeled with the user's name and address. Generally, you will not be able to set traps that are in pathways used by people or domestic animals, like dogs and cats. Some states have notification requirements. You need to get permission, for example, before setting a trap on other people's property. Find places where the coyote has been before. You want to set the trap in a spot where the damage-causing coyote is likely to be caught. Coyotes are known to return to the same areas. So look for places where problems have already occurred. Be on the lookout for coyote tracks (old and new) and droppings in the ground, especially near pastures or pens. This is a good place to set a trap for a coyote. Similarly, you could put the trap in the area where a coyote has left an animal carcass. Coyote droppings are small. They are usually a little bigger than a cigar and black when new. Good places to set coyote traps include farm or livestock trails, at field's edge, at the intersections of fences, where farm trails pass through gates, and on open ground. Don't set coyote traps under trees or against high weeds or brush because coyotes don't like to approach such places. Choose high ground or ridge tops. These are good trap locations because they are areas that coyotes like to frequent, and you're less likely to end up with raccoons and other small creatures in your trap. Locate the trap on the upwind side of the coyote pathway you are targeting. This will make it more likely that the coyote will smell your lure. Or you could set multiple traps to capture all wind directions. Restrain dogs and cats before setting the trap. You don't want to end up with a dog or cat in your trap, and they are likely to be drawn to the trap too. Thus, make sure that dogs and cats are not roaming loose before setting the trap. Use a dirt-hole set. This is a common trap set used to snare coyotes. All you need are a few tools: a trowel, hammer or hatchet, sifter, 3-foot square kneeling cloth, and a bucket. Traps come with coil springs or powered cable or non-powered cable devices. All can work for catching coyotes. The dirt-hole trap works because coyotes will think it's a hole where another animal buried food. The set has bait or lure in the hole to attract the coyote. Make sure that there is pan tension in the trap. About 4 pounds is a good amount of pan tension. You could just fill empty plastic bottles with sand to put in the pan to create pan tension. Dig a hole. The hole should be about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter and 8 inches deep at a 45-degree angle. It's best to dig under grass so it can serve as backing. Place the dirt from the hole on the kneeling cloth. Place the trap 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) from the hole so you can determine how large to dig the trap's bed. Dig another hole an inch or so above the ground that is wide enough for the trap and stakes. Put the trap in the hole. Level and smooth the trap bed. Secure the trap with a stake that you drive through the attachment on the swivel. Use a ⁄ 8 inch (1.6 cm) reinforcing rod stake. Once the stake is in the ground, place loose soil from the kneeling cloth to bed the trap. Twist it into the dirt. The trap should be about an inch below the ground. Install a pan cover to keep dirt away from the trap's springs. You want a porous pan cover. Denim or fiberglass screen could work. Cut the cover to fit under the jaws and over the pan of the trap. Pack loose soil around the trap and over the pan cover's ends. Bed the trap securely by packing soil firmly around it. Now sift ¼ to ½ inch of dry dirt over the trap. Bedding a trap means you place the trap solidly in the hole with solid support beneath it so that it doesn't shift if the coyote steps on other parts of the trap instead of the pan. You want the finished product to look like an animal dug the hole. Use a flat set trap instead. These traps are also called scent-post sets, and they are used to trap coyotes along trails or paths. Find a clump of grass in an area where the coyote has used droppings. You will want a large lure object so it attracts the attention of a passing coyote. You want to place the lure object perpendicular to the coyote's path. Bed and cover the flat set as you would the dirt hole set. Cover over the tarp with dried grass, leaves or dried cow or sheep manure that was grated through a sifter. Use a blind set. Blind sets are sometimes used as a last resort. Place the set in an area where there are coyote tracks as if the coyote has jumped over something, such as a fence. Conceal and cover the blind spot as you would a flat set. Place the trap where the coyote hits the ground when it jumps over a fence. Carefully hide the trap, placing small sticks on either side of it to direct the coyote onto it. You generally don't use bait or lure in a blind set because the goal is that the coyote will jump over the fence into the trap. Add bait, lure or scent. It works better to put two or more lures in the hole instead of just one. You need something, though, that will draw the coyote to the trap. Tainted meat bait is a popular choice (beaver, bobcat, cattle or skunk). But these choices might not work well in hot weather. Commercial lures may be less messy than meat bait. Commercial lures contain odors that coyotes like, such as beaver castor or tonquin musk. Some also contain skunk essence because this is known to attract coyotes. Coyote trappers often have their own recipes. One homemade lure uses rotten eggs by breaking four dozen eggs into a gallon jar. Stir them, and let it set for a couple of months. You could also put a ball of sheep wool in the hole, and pour lures on it. Coyote gland lure, red fox urine or coyote urine in addition to coyote droppings can also be used. Remove the coyote from the trap. Some traps are lethal traps. They work by putting a rope around the animal's head. But in other cases the coyote may be trapped live. Seek a professional's help in removing the coyote from the trap. Trapped coyotes are very dangerous. Many jurisdictions will require that the coyote be euthanized after trapping. Others may offer places it can be taken to. Contact your local governmental wildlife or conservation department. Wear thick clothing and protective gloves when dealing with a coyote. Be aware that coyotes can carry rabies and other diseases. Clean the trap. You can clean a coyote trap with a high-pressure hose at a car wash. You will want to clean the trap before using it again after you catch a coyote (or any other animal). Another possibility is to use hot soapy water. Soak the trap in it. Then scrub the trap with a stiff brush. Rinse the trap in clean water. Hang it outside to let it dry. You don't need to dye or wax the trap unless it's used in the winter and gets salt on it. Log wood crystals are commercial dyes used on traps to help prevent rusting. Put the dye in a large water container. Heat it until it boils. Add the traps to the boiling water until they turn brown or black. Resolve coyote conflicts without trapping. Some animal rights groups consider trapping coyotes to be inhumane. They have educational programs about how to resolve coyote conflicts. Keep food and water away from the coyote. Coyotes are often lured to a neighborhood because they are hungry or thirsty. Food can attract a coyote to your neighborhood. Things like unsecured garbage, compost piles and pet food may draw a coyote over. Get rid of such things, and the coyote might go elsewhere. Water draws coyotes as much as food does. So artificial lakes, irrigation, and pet water dishes are all things that could draw the coyote to your neighborhood. Haze the coyote to instill fear of humans in the coyote. Coyotes have become fairly accustomed to human beings. The goal is to make them afraid of coming around people again. When you see a coyote, be very loud. For example, you could yell or use homemade noisemakers. Make yourself appear as large as possible (stand tall, and wave your arms around.) Set up fencing. If you want to keep a coyote away from livestock, you could use fencing that will deter the coyote. For example, net fences in good repair will stop a lot of coyotes if the mesh spacing is less than 6 inches (15.2 cm) and the vertical spacing is less than 4 inches. Electric fencing also can work, but it can require more labor to keep it maintained. Use a guarding animal. Sometimes people who are trying to protect livestock will employ a livestock guarding dog. This is a dog that is reared to repel predators. The most common livestock guarding dogs are Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Anatolian Shepherd, and the Akbash Dog. The dogs need to be trained. It would be very dangerous to the dog to use an untrained dog as a guarding animal.

Use the right trap. Target the right coyote causing all of the damage. Check the coyote’s age and sex when you catch it. Follow rules and regulations. Find places where the coyote has been before. Choose high ground or ridge tops. Use a dirt-hole set. Dig a hole. Put the trap in the hole. Use a flat set trap instead. Use a blind set. Add bait, lure or scent. Remove the coyote from the trap. Clean the trap. Resolve coyote conflicts without trapping. Haze the coyote to instill fear of humans in the coyote. Set up fencing. Use a guarding animal.

https://www.wikihow.com/Surrender-a-Dog

How to Surrender a Dog

To surrender a dog, start by asking people you know if they can take your pet, or know of someone who wants a dog. Try to avoid giving your dog to a stranger, since you can't be sure they'll give your dog a good home. Alternatively, contact no-kill shelters or rescue organizations to see if they can accept new animals. If you adopted your dog from a shelter, contact them to see if you can surrender it back to them based on your original agreement.

Research a shelter. If you want to give your pet to a shelter, research the right one for your dog. Most shelters are overrun with pets, which means that they have no room for new pets. Make sure the shelter you are looking into has a no-kill policy. Shelters that have kill policies typically can only give new pets seven days to find a new home before they are killed. There are other shelters that have a policy where every dog over four years old will be killed. Check out the rescue's website. Most rescue organizations have a list of requirements that have to be met before they can accept a dog. This includes making sure you dog has certain vaccinations. Many organizations also require your dog to be fixed. If your dog has not been fixed, there are some charities or animal organizations that may be able to help or offer low cost options. You should also ask your vet for a copy of your dog's medical history. This will give the rescue organization a full background on your dog. Even if your dog is and has always been healthy, any potential new owner will need to see that your dog is up to date on his shots. Look into a breeder. If the dog you can no longer handle is a purebred, you may want to look into a breeder that is specific for that breed. You can go back to the breeder that you bought the dog from or ask your vet about other breeders in the area for that kind of dog. You may also be able to look specifically for a breeder rescue society. These societies help arrange foster homes for specific pedigreed dogs and typically have a higher success rate than normal shelters. Check with the original shelter. If you got your dog from a shelter to begin with, you may be able to return your dog to that shelter. Sometimes this is written into the shelter contract when you get the dog originally. Look back at the paperwork you have on them or call the shelter to ask. Never dump your dog. If you cannot keep the dog and have no other options, do not dump your dogs on the side of the road. This is not good for your dog or the animal population. Also never dump your dog at a shelter either. Just call the shelter and explain your circumstances. They may take him in if you explain your circumstances. Some shelters do charge fees to take ward the dogs. Be cautious about another home. If you are looking into giving away your dog to a good home, make sure you know the person you are giving your dog to. Instead of giving him away on the side of the road, try to give the dog to someone you know or a friend of a friend that you know will give him a good home. You don't know the intention of some of the people who may be adopting a dog off the side of the road. The new people may want your dog for dog fighting or some other bad purpose. Surrender the dog. Once you have decided a shelter to surrender your dog to, you need to find out if you need to fill out any necessary paperwork required by the shelter. These forms act as the official surrender documentation that legitimizes the ownership transfer process. You may also have to pay a fee to help with housing and rehoming costs. Once the forms are filled out and you have the fees, you should take your dog to the shelter and hand it all over. The forms are also used by the shelter or rescue to get to know your dog, so they can provide the best care while he is there as well as help find him a good home. Breeders may have a similar form or paperwork that is required for official surrender. Ask whatever facility you found to surrender your dog about their specific requirements. Work on bad behavior. If you want to rehome your dog because of bad behavior, there are other options you can look into before you get rid of your dog. Before you give away your dog, look into a pet behaviorist. Ask your vet to give you a referral for a trained and qualified behaviorist. Typically, dogs that behave badly do so because they are anxious, they lack training, or they don't really know what you want them to do. A behaviorist can come into your home and help you figure out the root of your dog's problem and how you can help him change his behavior and make him easier to live with. Talk to your new landlord. If you are moving to another house that has a no pets policy, try to talk to landlord to show what a good dog yours is. Consider putting together a portfolio that shows how well behaved and nice your dog is. Put pictures of him with your family to show that he is sociable and well behaved. Also put together all his vet records that shows he is healthy and up to date on his vaccines and other shots. You can even have someone who knows your dog to write a canine character reference that may sway your landlord's mind. Apply for dog welfare. If you are thinking of rehoming your dog because of financial problems, there are different charities to help you. They may be able to help you with vet bills or food bills. There are also dog food banks that may be able to give you food for your dog if you can't afford it and your dog is in genuine need. If you need help with vet bills, try the Pet Fund, which is a charity that helps cover dog costs. You can also take out a credit card specifically for dog healthcare, such as Care Credit. This could help your dog's treatment be easier to manage over time. The Humane Society also has an extensive list of organizations that can help you with your dog costs. Have your dog checked. There may be a medical reason for why your dog is irritated or aggravating to you. Take your dog to the vet to see if he is suffering from a medical problem that might be causing problems. For example, health problems may cause your dog to urinate more often or soil in the house. Look into emigration assistance. If you are considering getting rid of your dog because you are emigrating to another country, there are some things that might help you. Many countries have Pet Travel systems that can help your move your dog into their country. This requires you to provide certain documents that prove he is free from disease before he can enter the country. You can also talk to your vet about exporting your pet and who you can contact in certain embassies of other countries for pet exporting details. Consider options for a sick dog. If you dog is sick, most rescue organizations and shelters will not take him. In these cases, you will have to look for financial assistance other places or discuss other options with your vet. If your dog is very sick, he is in pain, or his life expectancy is not long, it may be more humane to consider putting him down. You may also be able to ask your vet for a cheaper treatment option for your dog.

Research a shelter. Check out the rescue's website. Look into a breeder. Check with the original shelter. Never dump your dog. Be cautious about another home. Surrender the dog. Work on bad behavior. Talk to your new landlord. Apply for dog welfare. Have your dog checked. Look into emigration assistance. Consider options for a sick dog.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Timeline

How to Make a Timeline

If you need to make a timeline to help you better understand a story or a historical occurrence, make a list of all of the events you want to include in the timeline. Aim for no more than 20 events in a timeline, and look for relevant details that add interest to the story you are telling. Sketch out a line using a pencil, and label the timeline with the project title and boundary years. Add the most important dates to the timeline in sequential order, then fill in any details.

Gather information on your chosen or assigned topic. As you read and collect information, begin making notes about possible events to include. You will need to provide a well-rounded history of your topic, so make sure you use several sources of information. Conduct Internet research, check out books from the library, or visit a museum or a historical site that relates in some way to your topic. Try to use multiple websites, books, articles, and maybe even a documentary. Aim to have at least 3 different sources. Make a list of events to include. You will want to include the important events for your topic, but also add in relevant, interesting events. While your timeline should maintain topic focus, you want it to be fun for the viewer/audience, and to show that you understand the topic. Aim for no more than 20 events in a timeline, and no less than five events within your timeline. Include events like: Personal details such as births, deaths, and other important dates should be added Historical events that impacted the topic of the timeline should also be incorporated into your timeline Important events that shaped the topic should be included as well Use the timeline to tell a story. Though in a different format, a timeline, like a story, should flow smoothly and be engaging and interesting to read. The reader should be eager to learn about the next event, just like they would be when reading a great page-turner book! Check out example timelines. To get an idea of what timelines typically look like, do an Internet search for “timeline.” Look over several of the results so you have a good idea of how to proceed with the project. Draw your timeline. Sketch out the line using a pencil, then trace over it with a dark pen or marker. Label the timeline with the project title and the boundary years. Use a ruler if you are making your timeline by hand. If you are creating a digital timeline, choose a template. Choose a start and end point. You need to set boundaries for your timeline. Your boundaries need to allow you to explore your topic, so start and end your timeline with enough space to cover all of the events. You don't have to start with someone's birth or end with the person's death. A timeline is just a series of related events, not necessarily a biography. Consider your topic and narrow it to select the right starting point and ending point. Decide how you will present your events. There are many ways to display your events, depending on your preferences. You will need to create an entry for each event, and they will all need to fit on the timeline. If you're doing this by hand, write out all the events on a separate sheet of paper before adding them to the timeline so you can figure out how much space each entry will take. Alternatively, you could type up each event, then print it, cut it out, and paste it to the timeline. If you're using a digital method, create a slide for each event. Include drawings or images to add visual interest to the timeline. Select your time increments. Depending on the span of time you're working with, you might choose increments in decades, years, months, or even days. Figure out what makes sense for your subject and the number of events you're including. Make the appropriate number of evenly-spaced lines perpendicular to the main timeline between your start and end dates. These time increments are not the years of your events. They are evenly spaced increments, such as 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years. For example, you might mark 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950, even though your events take place in 1923, 1928, 1938, and 1943. Put the most important dates on the timeline. Go along the line and mark the spots where the events will go. Draw a line that is perpendicular to your main timeline to show the years in which the events occurred, and write down a short description of each one. Organize the dates sequentially. The events need to be on the timeline in chronological order, not in order of importance or interest. For example, events listed throughout a year should start in January and end in December. Give your project a title. Choose an engaging title that tells the viewer what your timeline is about. Make sure that your title encompasses all that you've included in your project, rather than just the topic. For example, don't title your project “NASA;” instead, choose a title like “NASA: The Quest for the Moon.” Example titles include: The Life and Times of Nelson Mandela Beverly Hills, 90210: A Recent History JD Salinger's Storied Career California's Ancient Redwoods A Day in the Life of a Praying Mantis Add details and important information about each event. For each entry, write a short explanation about what happened, including facts such as who was involved, the impact of the event, and any numbers related to the event, such as the number of people killed in a war. Add the details that help you tell the overall narrative of your timeline. Write clearly and concisely. Your words need to be easy to read, so write clearly. Alternatively, type up your entries, cut them out, and glue them onto the timeline. Use as few words as possible to explain the events to avoid taking up too much space with one event. If you're creating a digital timeline, type up your entries. Add pictures. You can add visual interest to your timeline with some pictures to go along with the events you're including. Find images online, copy them from books, or get creative and draw them yourself.

Gather information on your chosen or assigned topic. Make a list of events to include. Use the timeline to tell a story. Check out example timelines. Draw your timeline. Choose a start and end point. Decide how you will present your events. Select your time increments. Put the most important dates on the timeline. Give your project a title. Add details and important information about each event. Write clearly and concisely. Add pictures.

https://www.wikihow.com/Skin-a-Raccoon

How to Skin a Raccoon

To skin a raccoon, start by hanging it by the feet, running a hairbrush through the fur to remove debris, and hosing it down until the water runs clear. Next, cut from the inside of 1 back foot to the next in a straight line, and cuff the ankles by cutting the fur around them. Then, cut an inch in diameter around the anus and run the knife down the length of the tail. You can now pull the skin down toward the shoulders and slowly over the forearms. When you reach the face, cut around the ears and eyes to continue pulling the pelt down.

Remove the pelt first by casing. When you've acquired game the primary goal of which is the pelt, there are two basic methods of proceeding. Casing refers to removing the pelt from the carcass, starting around the back feet and working forward, pulling it off in one big piece. This is the best way to proceed. It's not usually recommend that you attempt to remove the organs first, which can ruin the valuable pelt. Open-skinng is typically only used on beavers and a few other animals. This involves removing the organs first, via a vertical slit up the torso of the animal, then removing the pelt and the tail at once. This isn't recommended for raccoons. Clean the raccoon thoroughly. Raccoons have a reputation for acquiring a lot of dirt, since they're scavenging creatures, which means you'll need to take a bit of time to clean them before getting started. Hang the carcass from a skinning gambrel by the feet, hooked through the tendon just behind the ankles to clean them. If the raccoons appear to be fairly clean, run a hairbrush through the fur in the direction of the tail, end, to get out any debris, twigs, and dirt that might be difficult to see. If the raccoon seems clean, it's ok to start skinning. If you've got a muddy raccoon, hose it down until the water runs clear, hang them by a front foot and hose them down until they run clear water, then let dry thoroughly before starting. If at all possible, it's best to avoid this, because the stiff bristles of the raccoon fur can become a lot more pliable and (to some people) less desirable if you rinse it. Cut from the inside of one back foot to the next in a straight line. To get started, make a cut through the pelt between the legs of the animal, from the inside of one ankle to the next. Think of it like the inseam on a pair of jeans, connecting your cut from one ankle to the next in a "V" shape. "Cuff" the incision by running your knife around both "ankles" of the raccoon, loosening the skin. This will allow you to start pulling the skin down clearly. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Skin-a-Raccoon-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Skin-a-Raccoon-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Skin-a-Raccoon-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid1980270-v4-728px-Skin-a-Raccoon-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cut around the anus. Cut about an inch or so in diameter around the anus, starting at the base of the tail, where it connects to the body. Obviously, it's usually best to wear gloves at all times when you're skinning raccoons. Be very careful at this point not to cut too deeply and cut into the meat. The last thing you want to do is puncture the intestines right around the anus, which can taint the fur and the meat, if you want to use it. Cut down the length of the tail. Run your knife all the way down the length of the tail in a straight line. To keep the pelt as neat as possible, it's important to use caution and be very exacting in your cut. Go slowly and pull the tail taut while you run it straight from the base to the tip. For some raccoons, depending on the size, it may be difficult to get all the way down to the tip of the tail. It's common to go about halfway, then use a tail-stripper to hold the fur in place while you pull the tail up and out of the fur. To use a tail-stripper, you'll probably have to work the fur down the hind legs and around the hips to expose the base of the tail more easily to get it started. Tail-stripers are common tools that are used in skinning foxes, raccoons, and other animals, and are available at most outdoors outfitters. Pull the skin down toward the shoulders. If you've ever skinned a rabbit, the pulling the skin down a raccoon is similar, but a little more tenacious. You'll basically just start pulling the fur downward, toward the head, as if you were stripping off a jumpsuit. Keep pulling until you get to the shoulders. If you need to use your knife to help the skinning process, remember to always cut behind the skin and into the membrane, not into the skin itself. Don't get reckless and start scraping away with your knife. Go slowly and use pressure to pull the skin, and let the knife ease any difficult parts, disconnecting any stubborn membrane from the flesh. On male raccoons, you'll have to cut the genitals away from the carcass using your knife. It'll stay attached to the fur, and you can remove it later during the fleshing and stretching process. Go slowly around the forearms. When you get to the forearms, it's usually recommended that you put the knife away. It's a fatty area, and gets somewhat difficult to distinguish meat from fur, so it's a better idea to use your fingers and go slowly, avoiding the knife and accidental cuts through the pelt. Pull the fur loose around and over the shoulders, down to about the elbow. You can make another cuff cut at that point and separate the fur from the arms. It should now just be attached around the neck. Cut around the ears and eyes. Expose the face of the raccoon and use your knife to cut around the eyes and the ears. Return your attention to the skin side, and keep pulling the pelt down and free of the flesh, working it up the neck and to the jaw. At this point, you'll probably need to use the knife to run along the top jawline on both sides, to separate the pelt from the mouth. Keep pulling until the pelt comes almost entirely free. Separate the pelt from the nose cartilage. At this point, there should be a strong point of cartilage that connects the nose to the skin. You're almost done. Just use your knife to cut through it and the pelt should come free in one big piece. Don't pull to hard to try to separate the pelt, because you risk ripping it and damaging the skin. Cut through the cartilage and you'll be done. Inspect the meat for signs of disease. Raccoons are sometimes eaten, though some sources estimate that as many as 40% of raccoons in North America suffer from intestinal parasites like roundworms, which can make you sick. Raccoons are also scavengers, meaning that they're exposed to a number of diseases and infections. Examine the skin and the flesh of the animal closely for spots, discoloration, or any other signs of infection. If it looks suspect, discard it. If you want to try raccoon and determine that the meat is clean, gut the carcass as you would a rabbit. While less popular than certain other wild game because of the strong and some say unpleasant flavor, brining raccoon for a long period of time and cooking it properly is considered by some to be a delicacy. If you're after more than just the fur, you can learn to prepare the meat in the following section. Get a scraper and a stretching board. Flesh-scrapers and stretching boards are about as primitive a tool as you can get, but it's still the most effective way for getting the flesh, cartilage, and fatty bits off of the pelt so that it can dry thoroughly. A flesh scraper is basically what it sounds like: a short and sharp blade that's used to scrape the flesh away. In a pinch, you could use a big kitchen knife that's somewhat dull, but it might be a little more difficult than with a scraper. Hog scrapers, single and double-handed scrapers are all common. Metal and wooden boards are both commonly used for the job. If you use a wooden stretching board, you'll also need staples or push-pins to secure the pelt when you're ready to stretch it for drying. Wooden stretching boards can double as "fleshing boards," providing a nice surface to scrape the pelt on. If you have a metal stretcher, you'll just need to use a bench, table, or other flat surface on which to scrape the pelt. Let the pelt dry some until the fat can harden. It's usually recommended to let the fur alone to firm up the fat some in a cool environment (about 55 degrees F, or 13 C). This will help to make the scraping job a lot easier. You can flatten out the pelt onto the board, fur side down, to let it dry for several hours before you get started scraping. When you start, the whole process of scraping itself shouldn't take more than 15 or 30 minutes. Start scraping the fat away from the tail. Using firm pressure, carefully scrape the fat and connective tissue away from the skin using the scraper. There's not much of a secret or a science to it–you're basically just scraping. Be gentle to avoid tearing through the skin, but be firm enough and even enough to get everything off. The tail is usually the most challenging part, so most trappers will start there, spending the most time making sure that every bit of fat is evenly scraped away. Remove the rest of the fat. After removing the fat from the tail, scrape directly up the middle of the pelt, in a stripe. Go all the way up until you've scraped everything off a narrow strip up the middle of the pelt, and the head of the pelt. Then go back and scrape outward, extending evenly to the sides. This will help start the stretching process and flatten out the pelt. Keep using even pressure and slowly scraping off all the fat and other bits as you work. It shouldn't take that long, but be thorough. If you miss anything, you risk ruining the pelt with rot. Stretch the pelt onto the stretching board. Metal stretches are usually one-peice mechanisms that allow you to secure the pelt easily without additional tools. With a wooden stretching board, you'll typically need to use push-pins or staples to stretch out the pelt. Stretch the pelt tightly, so it flattens out and looks clean, but not so stretched that it thins out the skin and makes it look weak. It'll also shrink some while it stretches, so you want to make sure it'll be able to comfortably. The pelt should be starfish-stretched out, all the limbs and the tail taut and extended. Don't let the arms hang loosely, or the pelt won't look right. Let the pelt hang in a cool dark place. 55 to 60 degrees F (13 to 15 degrees C) is the perfect drying environment for a pelt. Make sure it's free from sunlight and temperature fluctuations. Depending on the climate, pelts should hang for anywhere between a day and a week. You'll know it's done when the skin is firm and taut, with a plastic-like touch.

Remove the pelt first by casing. Clean the raccoon thoroughly. Cut from the inside of one back foot to the next in a straight line. Cut around the anus. Cut down the length of the tail. Pull the skin down toward the shoulders. Go slowly around the forearms. Cut around the ears and eyes. Separate the pelt from the nose cartilage. Inspect the meat for signs of disease. Get a scraper and a stretching board. Let the pelt dry some until the fat can harden. Start scraping the fat away from the tail. Remove the rest of the fat. Stretch the pelt onto the stretching board. Let the pelt hang in a cool dark place.

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Boiler

How to Start a Boiler

To start a boiler, first make sure that you closely follow the safety procedures in your instruction manual for a safe start up. When you're ready to ignite the boiler, turn off the power, remove the front jacket panel, and turn off the gas. Then, wait at least 5 minutes to see if you smell any gas, and if so, evacuate and call the gas company. If not, turn the power back on and increase the thermostat by increments of less than 100°F every hour until you reach your target temperature. Finally, reattach the jacket panel.

Familiarize yourself with the boiler operating instructions. Depending on the make and model of your boiler, its startup procedure may vary. Many boilers list general startup instructions on a label attached to the front jacket panel. Always follow boiler directions for safe startup and usage. Improper boiler startup or operation could result in damage to the boiler, exposure to hazardous materials, fires, or an explosion. If your boiler does not have startup instructions attached, check its user manual or look up a digital manual online with a keyword search for the boiler's make and model. Because there are many different boiler designs, a manual diagram of your boiler will make locating parts on it easier. Check for gas and water leaks. Smell the area around the boiler for gas. Some gas may be heavier than air, so check close to the floor for the smell of gas as well. There should be no water leaks or standing water around the boiler. Water can cause the electrical components of your boiler to malfunction dangerously. If you smell gas, do not turn on any appliances, light switches, or phones. All people in the building should exit it. Call your gas supplier from outside or a neighbor's phone to receive further instructions. If any part of the boiler has been submerged in water, do not activate it. In this situation, call a boiler specialist to inspect it and replace ruined parts. If there's a water leak, turn off power to the boiler and repair the leak immediately. Dry the area, then return power to the boiler. Open the relief valve and fill the water tank. The relief valve is generally found coming off the top side of the boiler cylinder. While the boiler is off and cold, open the valve to release air in the top of the tank. Fill the tank with soft water to the indicated level. Close the relief valve. Some boilers may require the addition of certain chemicals, like ones that prevent rust, to the water. These and their use should be listed on the label attached to the boiler or in the user manual. Check the thermostat(s) and valves, then set the thermostat(s) to low. Turn the control switch on the boiler to the “On” position. This will activate the control valves for the steam or boiler water and the thermostat(s). Verify that these are working properly. Set the thermostat(s) to the lowest temperature possible. Some boilers may have more than one thermostat, like those that have both an operating thermostat and an upper operating thermostat. Boilers with multiple thermostats may have specific startup settings for each one. Check the instructions attached to the boiler or its user manual to verify the startup settings. Turn off power to the boiler and remove the front jacket panel. Shut off the boiler's power. Use a screwdriver to remove the front jacket panel. Set the panel aside and store the screws somewhere they won't be lost, like in a plastic baggie. Turn off the gas to the boiler. Behind the jacket panel you should find a gas control knob or switch. Turn knobs clockwise or flick switches to the “Off” position to turn off the gas. Wait at least five minutes, then smell the area for gas. Should you smell gas, don't turn on anything (including phones or light switches), evacuate the building, and call the gas company for instructions. Some boilers may require the manual main steam or boiler water supply valve to be opened while switched off and cold. Generally, heat supply should be introduced gradually. Open valves slowly. Restore gas to the boiler then turn it on. Turn gas knobs counterclockwise or flip switches to the “On” position. Return power to the boiler. Note the current temperature of your thermostat(s). Generally, boilers shouldn't be heated more than 100°F (37.8°C) per hour. Many in-home boilers have auto igniters and should not be lit by hand. If your boiler doesn't have this feature, follow the lighting instructions in your boiler's user manual. Unless your boiler has a clearly indicated manual lighting procedure, you should not attempt to manually light your boiler. Even with an auto igniter, you'll still need to remove the front jacket panel to control the gas supply and adjust certain settings. Increase the boiler temperature gradually. If your target temperature is less than 100°F (37.8°C), set your thermostat(s) to that temperature. If not, increase your boiler temperature by increments less than 100°F every hour until you reach your target temperature. Boilers with multiple thermostats may have ideal ranges for each thermostat. This information should be indicated on the attached label directions or in the user manual. Boilers should not pulse or make a hammering noise. These can cause damaging strain and vibrations in the boiler. In these instances, turn off power to the boiler, shut off its gas, and consult a professional. Reattach the jacket panel. Fit the jacket panel back into place on the boiler. Replace the screws with your screwdriver. Check the gauge readings against the specifications listed on the nameplate of the boiler. Gauges should never exceed nameplate ranges. If your boiler fails to start, reset the thermostat to the lowest temperature, turn off power to the boiler, and turn off the gas. At this point, you'll need to troubleshoot or call a professional. Check the boiler’s connections and fuses. The electrical components of boilers can be fragile. You may have jostled a connection. Make sure all connections are well fastened. Starting your boiler can also blow fuses, so check these as well. Verify the high limit for temperature or pressure. Some boilers may have an adjustable limit for temperature or pressure. These limits are sometimes set lower than the boilers ideal operating temperatures. Check limit settings on the boiler control box or behind the jacket panel. Investigate the gas supply. If neither connections, fuses, nor limits are stopping your boiler for starting, you may have problem with your gas supply. Check that the gas is turned on at your meter. Verify with your gas company that you have service. Once gas is restored, prep your boiler for startup. Call a boiler repair or maintenance professional if problems persist. If after troubleshooting your boiler still will not start, call a boiler professional. You should also seek a professional's opinion if you notice irregularities with your boiler. The consequences of a malfunctioning boiler can be severe.

Familiarize yourself with the boiler operating instructions. Check for gas and water leaks. Open the relief valve and fill the water tank. Check the thermostat(s) and valves, then set the thermostat(s) to low. Turn off power to the boiler and remove the front jacket panel. Turn off the gas to the boiler. Restore gas to the boiler then turn it on. Increase the boiler temperature gradually. Reattach the jacket panel. Check the boiler’s connections and fuses. Verify the high limit for temperature or pressure. Investigate the gas supply. Call a boiler repair or maintenance professional if problems persist.

https://www.wikihow.com/Slip-Stitch

How to Slip Stitch

To crochet a slip stitch, keep in mind that your aim is to end up with 1 loop on your hook. Start by putting the hook through the stitch, then yarn over the hook. Next, pull the yarn through all the stitches on the hook so you're left with only 1 loop. If you want to use a slip stitch to sew a hem, pin the hem in place before tying a knot in the end of your thread. Then, slip the needle into the fold and pull it up through the top crease. Finally, weave the stitch into 3 or 4 threads of the fabric just above the fold and put the needle back into the fold.

Know whether to slip the stitch knit-wise or purl-wise. You can slip a stitch knit-wise or purl-wise. (If no method is indicated, assume purl-wise.) To slip a stitch knit-wise, insert the right needle into the next stitch from left to right, as if you were going to knit. Don't put the yarn over your needle, though; simply move the stitch from the left needle to the right needle. This method is more visible. To slip a stitch purl-wise, insert the right needle into the next stitch from right to left, as if you were going to purl. Simply move the stitch from the left needle to the right needle. This method is nearly invisible. Put your yarn in front, or keep it in back. Another variable to slipping stitches while knitting is whether your unknitted yarn stays in back (from where it is usually worked) or moves in front of the work. If you need to do a slip stitch "wyif" (with yarn in front), move the yarn such that it is between your needles and in front of the work. After the slip stitch, return it to the back position. If not otherwise noted, assume the slip stitch is "wyib" (with yarn in back). Know the end result. After a crocheting slip stitch, you should only have one loop on your hook. Put the hook through the stitch indicated. Yarn over the hook. Pull the last loop (the yarn over) through all the stitches on the hook. You should be left with only one loop on your hook. Pin your hem. Slip stitches are generally used to sew hems such that there is not a line of visible stitches on the outside (or inside) of the garment. Pin your hem first to ensure that you'll sew in a straight line. Your hem should have a "fold" inside of it; i.e., it should look something like you folded the bottom of the fabric up an inch or so, then folded that another inch (or whatever hem width you're using). Tie a knot at the end of the thread. Slip the needle into the fold, then draw up through the top crease. Using the end of the needle, grab a few threads of the fabric just above the fold. Don't put the needle all the way through the fabric and then bring it back, as you would in traditional sewing. Instead, guide the tip of the needle under three or four of the textile's threads. Weaving the stitch this way will prevent obvious bunching or pulling on the outside of the garment. Put the needle back into the fold. Close to where you drew the needle out of the fold, point it back in, keeping the needle parallel to the fold. You'll be moving lengthwise along the fold as you continue. Draw the needle back out of the fold. Again, grab a few threads of the fabric just above the point where the needle exited. Repeat Steps 2 through 4 as many times as needed. Tie off. When you're finished sewing the hem, tie off such that the knot is located inside the fold.

Know whether to slip the stitch knit-wise or purl-wise. Put your yarn in front, or keep it in back. Know the end result. Put the hook through the stitch indicated. Yarn over the hook. Pull the last loop (the yarn over) through all the stitches on the hook. Pin your hem. Tie a knot at the end of the thread. Slip the needle into the fold, then draw up through the top crease. Using the end of the needle, grab a few threads of the fabric just above the fold. Put the needle back into the fold. Draw the needle back out of the fold. Repeat Steps 2 through 4 as many times as needed. Tie off.

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Handyman-Business

How to Start a Handyman Business

To set up a handyman business, register your company name as a "Doing business as" with your state government. Then, purchase supplies, like wood, nails, and fixtures, from a home improvement store, and ensure you have a fully equipped toolbox. You'll also need to buy insurance for your vehicle and liability insurance for your company. Next, tell former co-workers and friends about your business so you can get referrals. Additionally, you should set up a Facebook page with details about your services to spread the word.

Have enough experience to work independently. Most handymen who start their own businesses have already spent years working in similar positions. Relevant experience can be obtained through other handyman companies or through fields such as plumbing, construction, building maintenance, or property management. Figure out a business plan. Before moving forward, you will need a clear idea of what kind of business you would like to create. Think about what types of jobs in which you would like your company to specialize. A "handyman" may do anything from helping to hang pictures to construction work. Make a list of specific services you would like to offer. Consider what type of customers you would like to serve. The two major types are other businesses and private individuals. While some companies focus on one or the other, many smaller startups serve both. Choose and register your business's name. This can be something as personal as "[Your Name]'s Maintenance." Make sure potential clients can tell that it is a handyman service from the name alone. Try to find a name that has an available simple web address and isn't similar to other local businesses. Use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's trademark search tool (or your country's equivalent) to make sure your name isn't identical or similar to an existing trademark. You will likely need to register your company as a "Doing Business As" name with your state or county government. Obtain required licensing. Licensing requirements will vary depending on your location. Some areas require that all professional handymen hold a license. Licensing in other areas is determined by income or the "size" of a job. In these conditions, a handyman doesn't need to be licensed if he or she makes under a certain amount per year or only does jobs costing under a certain amount of money. Still other locales only require licenses from specialty contractors, such as plumbers or electricians. Licensing qualifications will also drastically vary from place to place. In general, they will include some sort of examination, training, job experience, and/or a processing fee. To find out the requirements for your area, consult with a few different sources. Talk to other handymen or contractors you may know or consult with an attorney who specializes in such businesses. Check your city or state government's official website for more information. Hire additional employees if necessary. Many common handyman jobs are simple and require only one person to do them. However, as your business grows, you may want to accept larger jobs where two or more workers are necessary. Additionally, with more workers your company will be able to schedule multiple jobs at once to increase revenue. Purchase appropriate insurance. At the very least, you must insure your company's vehicle. It is also important to have liability insurance. Many insurance companies have policies tailored specifically for handymen. If you hire employees, you must purchase workman's compensation insurance if your business resides in most states in the US. This is not required if the other handymen at your company are business partners or joint owners. Additionally, some large businesses you may wish to work for require that you have workman's compensation insurance even if you are not legally obligated to have it. If you are in the US and your business grows to include 50 or more full-time employees, your company must offer its workers health insurance coverage. You may require your employees go through a waiting period of up to 90 days before coverage applies. Make sure you and your workers have reliable transportation. If you already own a truck or van, you may choose to use your own personal vehicle. Otherwise, buy or rent one large enough to safely accommodate any necessary materials. If you're renting, make sure the company who owns the vehicle allows for its commercial use. If possible, decorate your vehicle with your company's name, logo, and contact information. This will work as free advertising and make your business seem more professional to clients. Assemble a complete tool kit for each of your workers. Each person at your company should have a basic, easily transportable set of tools. While plenty of complete tool boxes and bags are available for purchase, it may be more cost-effective to outfit custom ones on your own. Have a reliable supplier for relevant materials. These may include nails, wood, pipes, fixtures, specialty tools, and other items commonly needed for handymen to get a job done. The particulars will depend on what types of jobs your company focuses on and is hired to do. A commercial home improvement store may be all you need early on while your business is small. As your business grows, you may save a lot of time and money by working with a professional supplier. Whichever type you pick, make sure they can have what you need on a moment's notice. Faster job completion and the ability to handle last-minute job requests will earn your company positive recommendations and repeat customers. Buy your supplies in bulk. A good way for your business to make more money is to save money when buying necessary materials. As a handyman, you will likely use large volumes of items like nails and wood. Buying these materials in bulk at per-unit prices under the single unit cost will save your business money over time. Many popular home improvement stores offer special contractor discounts and volume pricing with costs well under retail. Other suppliers will only sell in bulk and to professionals like you, rather than dealing with the general public. Don't buy more than what you can safely and economically store. It doesn't make financial sense to save $50 on materials if you end up needing to spend $100 to store them. Keep detailed records of your purchases. This is very important when filing your taxes, as most countries allow you to "deduct" business expenses like equipment from your gross income. For example, if your business charged $500 for a job that used $100 in materials, taxes would only be due for $400. Detailed records will help you to accurately "itemize" these deductions when filing your taxes. In the event your business is audited, having receipts and other documentation immediately available will speed the process. Network and build up business connections. When you're first starting out, most of your work will come from established social contacts. Talk to former coworkers in the field and ask them to refer potential clients. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors about your new business. Construction trade shows are a great way to make business contacts and to learn about new developments that may help your company thrive. Advertise your services effectively. Print flyers and distribute them around your city. Ask local businesses, such as hardware stores and coffee shops, to display them. Take out an ad in your local newspaper. Consider offering discounted rates in the beginning to grow your customer base. Make sure all advertising materials clearly state your company's name, contact information, and service type. You may want to hire an artist or graphic designer to create an appealing logo for your company. Design an effective website. First, register a domain that is easy for clients to remember and similar to your business' name. From there, you can either design your website from scratch or by using templates. You may also choose to hire an expert to create your website for you. Avoid using auto-play audio and pop-ups on your website. These design elements often annoy potential clients. Be sure to include your business' name and contact information on every page of your website. Include a defined list of the services your company offers. Use social media. Social media can be used as an extremely effective, low-cost (or no-cost) method of advertising your business. Register an official account for your business on top websites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Use Twitter and Facebook to post information about rates and specials. Be sure to include your phone number and main web address in your profile. When a customer asks a question that is relevant for other potential clients (such as whether or not you take on certain jobs), be sure to answer publically for others to see. Consider making your own "how to" videos for simple handyman tasks. Well made tutorials will give potential customers more confidence in your skills. You can also try browsing popular forums and networking sites that focus on your local area. If another user asks for recommendations for a handyman, suggest your business. However, be honest and clear that you are the business owner and not a previous client. Solicit reviews of your business. After every job, politely ask your clients to leave a review of your services on their favorite relevant website. Don't specifically ask for a positive review or pressure them to use a specific site. Register a professional account on popular review websites and engage with your customers. Thank clients for positive reviews. Answer questions and concerns honestly. Always be polite and remain calm when reacting to negative reviews, no matter how nasty they may be. Address the customer's complaints in a professional, level-headed way. Remember that potential future customers will be reading your words. Be careful when offering incentives for reviews. While some offer small discounts as a "thank you" for clients who take the time to review, others see the practice as damaging to the review's credibility. Expand your business. In the beginning, your business will be small. However, as your business grows you may find your schedule filling quickly. While being busy is a sign of a healthy business, you will still want to offer customers prompt service. Consider using techniques to expand your business to increase profits and keep your workload manageable. Hire additional handymen. A few more skilled workers will greatly increase the number of jobs your business can complete in a week. Rent out a bigger space. If you started out working from home and storing materials in a tool shed, it may be time to branch out. Consider renting out office or commercial space for your business. Storage units will also allow you to store more materials at a time, increasing your ability to buy in bulk. Take on administrative staff. By hiring an employee for dedicated office work, such as taking calls and filling out paperwork, you will free up time from your busy schedule. Use that time to complete more jobs yourself or work on other aspects of growing your business. Serve more locations. Invite handymen in a nearby town to work for you. Consider adding a second office in that area. Be sure to offer the same quality service as you do in your primary location.

Have enough experience to work independently. Figure out a business plan. Choose and register your business's name. Obtain required licensing. Hire additional employees if necessary. Purchase appropriate insurance. Make sure you and your workers have reliable transportation. Assemble a complete tool kit for each of your workers. Have a reliable supplier for relevant materials. Buy your supplies in bulk. Keep detailed records of your purchases. Network and build up business connections. Advertise your services effectively. Design an effective website. Use social media. Solicit reviews of your business. Expand your business.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Hamburger-Helper

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

To make homemade Hamburger Helper, start by browning 1 pound of ground beef in a pan over medium heat. Then, drain the grease from the pan and stir dry macaroni noodles, water, and milk into the beef. Also, season the mixture with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Next, bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, covering the pan and letting everything cook for 12 minutes. Finally, stir in some shredded cheese and let it melt for 2 minutes before serving.

Brown 1 pound (0.45 kg) of ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Use a spatula to crumble the meat and move it around the skillet to cook it evenly. Continue cooking it until there's no pink left. A 12 in (30 cm) skillet is the perfect size for this portion of Hamburger Helper. Be careful not to overcook the meat. Remove it from the heat as soon as there are no pink spots. Overcooked meat will be dry or rubbery when you eat it. It may also have crispy, burnt edges. If you touch the raw beef with your hands, wash your hands with warm water and soap immediately before touching anything else so you don't spread bacteria. Drain the grease from the skillet into a container. This prevents the final dish from being too oily. Pour the grease into a container, leaving the ground beef in the skillet. You can place the container with grease in the fridge to let it harden before throwing it in the trash. Never pour cooking grease down the drain. It builds up and will eventually clog or even damage your drain. Use a colander if you'd like to easily drain the ground beef. Hold the colander over the container and pour the contents of the skillet into it. Then place the drained beef back into the skillet. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the skillet, except the cheese. Stir the ⁄ 4 cup (180 ml) of dry macaroni noodles, 1 cup (240 ml) of water, and 2 cups (470 ml) of milk into the beef, along with all of the spices. Use the spatula to mix them together until thoroughly combined. If there's a spice you don't like, like paprika, you can leave it out. Substitute any type of pasta like egg noodles, shells, or even gluten-free pasta for the macaroni noodles. Heat the mixture until it starts boiling, then reduce to a simmer. A simmer will cook the pasta without burning the meat. If you increase the heat on the stovetop to bring the liquid to a boil, don't forget to decrease it to low or low-medium for simmering. A simmer has tiny, slow bubbles as opposed to the loud, rolling bubbles of a boil. Simmering occurs when the liquid is between 195 and 211 °F (91 and 99 °C). Cover the skillet and cook for 12 minutes. Place the lid on top of the skillet so the liquid doesn't evaporate. You need it to cook the macaroni noodles. Stir occasionally if you'd like to make sure the pasta isn't sticking to the bottom. Set a kitchen timer or use the clock app on your phone to keep track of the time. If you like your pasta more al dente or chewier, cook it for no more than 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in 1 cup (240 ml) of cheese. Use a spatula or large spoon to toss the grated cheddar cheese into the Hamburger Helper. It should start melting as you stir it. This dish tastes best with freshly grated cheese but you can substitute pre-shredded cheese if you're in a hurry. If you don't like the sharp taste of cheddar, use a milder cheese like mozzarella or Swiss instead. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2 minutes before serving. This will melt the cheese on top of the noodle and beef mixture. It also gives the Hamburger Helper a chance to cool down a little bit so you don't burn your mouth when eating it. Sprinkle some parsley flakes or Italian seasoning on top of the Hamburger Helper when you serve it for a touch of green. Cook the onion and ground beef in a skillet until the meat is brown. The diced onion will be translucent when it's cooked. Crumble the 1 pound (0.45 kg) of beef with a spatula as it cooks and stir it frequently so it cooks evenly through. Using lean ground beef will cut down on the amount of fat and grease if you want a healthier dish. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water when you've handled raw meat. Otherwise, you could contaminate the rest of the kitchen. Transfer the onions and ground beef into a slow cooker. Pour them carefully into the bowl of the slow cooker so hot juice or grease doesn't splash onto you. Or use a slotted spoon to scoop out the mixture if you don't want the fat from the oil in the dish. Line the slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or spray the bowl of the slow cooker with cooking spray before adding the ingredients. Both of these will make cleanup easier. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the pasta and cheese. Stir the 1 cup (240 ml) of water, 2 cups (470 ml) of milk, and all of the spices in with the beef and onions. Mix until everything is combined in the slow cooker. You can use any type of milk, whether it's 1%, 2%, or even a non-dairy alternative like almond milk or soy milk. Cover and cook for 5 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. The best thing about a slow cooker is you can just set it and forget. Check it occasionally to make sure everything is cooking evenly and give it a gentle stir. The bottom and sides of the slow cooker are the hottest. By stirring it every so often, you'll prevent some spots from being overcooked while others are undercooked. Depending on the strength of your slow cooker, you may need to adjust the cooking times. Make sure the lid is on tightly so the liquid doesn't evaporate. Add the pasta 15 minutes before serving and let it keep cooking. If you add the pasta too early, it will get mushy. Mix in ⁄ 4 cup (180 ml) of macaroni noodles at the end so it has enough time to cook properly. For al dente pasta, add it closer to 10 minutes before serving. Other pasta options will work, too. Choose the style and shape that you like best. Stir the 1 1⁄2 cups (350 ml) of cheese in when you're ready to eat. The heat of the slow cooker and the Hamburger Helper will melt the cheddar cheese as you mix it in. Either freshly grated or pre-grated cheese will work, although freshly grated will be creamier. You can also cover the slow cooker for 2 minutes after adding the cheese to let it melt completely. If it's too hot, let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving it.

Brown 1 pound (0.45 kg) of ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain the grease from the skillet into a container. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the skillet, except the cheese. Heat the mixture until it starts boiling, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 12 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in 1 cup (240 ml) of cheese. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2 minutes before serving. Cook the onion and ground beef in a skillet until the meat is brown. Transfer the onions and ground beef into a slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the pasta and cheese. Cover and cook for 5 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. Add the pasta 15 minutes before serving and let it keep cooking. Stir the 1 1⁄2 cups (350 ml) of cheese in when you're ready to eat.

https://www.wikihow.pet/Cool-Off-Your-Dog

How to Cool Off Your Dog

If your dog is panting incessantly or drooling and you think it's overheating, make sure you give it plenty of fresh water in its bowl, but don't try to pour water directly into its mouth. If you're outdoors, get your dog inside and out of the heat as soon as possible. Then, drape cool, wet towels over its neck and around its hind legs to reduce its temperature. Additionally, try wiping your dog's ears and paws with a cool, damp cloth as most of its sweat glands are located there.

Notice if your dog is panting excessively, drooling, or has thick, sticky saliva. These are all signs that your dog is overheated and, if you don't act, could lead to heatstroke. If you notice your dog displaying these symptoms, begin cooling her down right away. Even if you think she's just hot and not experiencing overheating yet, it's worth it to call your vet and get their opinion. More severe overheating can cause diarrhea, vomiting (sometimes bloody), seizures, coma, cardiac arrest and death. Check the elasticity of your dog's skin to see if he is dehydrated. Gently pull the skin on the back of your dog's neck. If your dog is hydrated, the skin should immediately go back to it's normal position. If the skin sticks up or stays wrinkled, your dog may be dehydrated. The longer it takes the skin to return to normal, the more severe the dehydration. Take your dog to the vet so he can get treated with IV fluid. Check your dog's gums to see if she is dehydrated. Lift your dog's lip and check the color of its gums. If its gums are red instead of pink, this may be a sign of heatstroke. You can also feel the gums with your fingertips to make sure they feel moist and slippery, which is normal. If the gums feel dry or sticky, your dog may be dehydrated. If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, give her access to water immediately (if she won't drink, try wetting her tongue or just take her straight to the vet). Untreated dehydration can lead to organ failure and death. Watch your dog's movements. If she displays signs of fatigue, weakness, dizziness, listlessness, she could be overheated and need medical attention. If she collapses or has a seizure, take her to vet immediately. Call ahead so they can be ready to treat her immediately. Fatigue is one of the earliest signs of overheating. Don't drag your dog along on a walk or ignore her if she starts laying down or keeps straying into the shade. Give her some water and take her somewhere cool. Check her temperature. Dogs naturally have a higher temperature than humans, and if his temperature is any higher than 104°F (40°C), then he is overheated and you need to start cooling him down as soon as possible and call your veterinarian for an exam. Check his rectal temperature every five minutes to check his progress. Once his body temperature has reached 103°F (39.4°C), stop all cooling measures. Dry him off and keep him covered so he doesn't lose more heat. Evaluate whether or not your dog needs medical attention. Dehydration and overheating can be fatal to dogs. Watch your dog's behavior and check for signs of severe overheating or dehydration. If you're unsure, call your dog's veterinarian or an emergency pet hospital and describe your dog's symptoms. They may ask you to continue to monitor her health or to bring her in for treatment. Give your dog access to plenty of fresh, cool water. Make sure the bowl is clean and hasn't been sitting out in the sun all day--bacteria can grow in their bowl if you don't wash it and provide fresh water. Don't try to force or pour water into your dog's mouth, even if he refuses to drink, as he will likely just suck it into his lungs and choke. If your dog won't drink, try wetting his tongue with water. You can use your hand or squeeze water from a cloth and onto his tongue. Don't give your dog ice water or ice if you think he is overheated. This can actually cool him down too quickly and shock his system. Remove your dog from the heat. Get him indoors as soon as possible. If you are outdoors and can pick your dog up, carry him back to your car or house. If there is a pond or stream nearby, allow him to stand in the water and cool down a little before heading back. At the very least, try to get your dog into a shady spot. Try to get your dog someplace with air conditioning or fans that you can position to blow on him. Once he is removed from the heat, evaluate his symptoms and call your veterinarian. It may be necessary to bring him in for emergency treatment. Use cool towels to lower your dog's temperature quickly. Cool your dog down by draping cool, wet towels over her neck, under her forelimbs (in her armpits) and between her hind legs (around her groin). These towels should be cool , not cold. Don't ice ice or icepacks--you need to bring her temperature down gradually. If you lower her temperature too quickly or it falls too low, it could be just as dangerous as overheating. If you don't have towels, you can cool her by pouring room temperature water on her body. Wet her ear flaps and her paw pads. Most of a dog's sweat glands are in her paws, and cooling these down may help lower her temperature. You can also try evaporative cooling by rubbing her footpads and groin with isopropyl alcohol. Evaporative cooling works using the same principles as sweating--as the alcohol evaporates, it removes the heat from your dog's body. Keep your dog in a cool, safe environment. Your dog should be indoors (and in the A/C or in front of a fan) as much as possible during really hot days and not left outside in the heat. If he does spend a lot of time outside, make sure he has a shady area where he can cool down out of the sun and plenty of fresh water to drink. The car is never a safe environment for a dog on a warm day--even if it's not that hot, even if you are parked in the shade, even if you crack a window and are only gone fora little while. The temperature in a parked car can quickly soar to 140°F (60°C). Garages, beaches with no shelter, or hot, sunny rooms are also not suitable environments for your dog on a warm day. A shaded, wooded area with a pond or shallow, running water is an acceptable place to walk your dog when it's hot. Be sure he has plenty of water and you watch for signs of fatigue and overheating. Provide a water dip for your dog to stand in if he is outside. Fill a tub with some cool water and allow him to cool the pads of his feet by sitting, standing, or sometimes laying in the water. Don't overexercise your dog. Especially if your dog is older or a breed with a short muzzle (like Pugs, bulldogs, Pekingese, and Boston terriers), too much activity on a hot day can cause your dog to overheat. Try not to take your dog on a long run or walk on hot days. If you do go out, notice if she's seeking out shady spots and lying down. This is her way of telling you "it's too hot, let's get out of here." Dogs sometimes don't know their limits, especially if they're field dogs that love to run, hunt, and play. They may push themselves until they collapse and their lives are in danger. It is your responsibility to watch her for signs of overheating or save the hunt for a cooler day. Dogs with short muzzles are not as efficient at cooling themselves because they can't pant as well as other dogs. Panting is the main way a dog can cool himself. Even normal activity can be too much for these breeds on a hot day. Walk your dog during the coolest parts of the day. Morning and early afternoon or evening are the best times to walk your dog--taking him out at high-noon is asking for trouble. Aside from the hot rays of the sun and the warm air, the hot asphalt, concrete, or sand can burn the sensitive pads of your dog's feet and cause them to blister. If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot, it's definitely too hot for your dog too. If you take your dog out before or after the sun goes down, you can fit in adequate exercise so he won't become bored or destructive during the day. Try to keep your dog on the grass or even alternate between the sidewalk and the grass so his food pads don't get too hot. Get your dog some cool accessories. A cooling vest or collar can help keep your dog from overheating on hot days. Some use cooling packs that are built into the side, others just need to be soaked in water to cause the heat to evaporate off your dog's core. Look for one that is reflective and lightweight. You may also want to get your dog a cooling mat or elevated bed so he has a comfortable place to rest when he gets too warm. These are usually very portable and rely on different cooling methods, from gel mats to evaporation cooling to water cooling to inserts, you have tons of options to fit your space and lifestyle. Give your dog's hair a trim, but do not shave her. Though you may imagine your poor dog suffering in her fur coat in 100°F (38°C) temperatures, your dog's fur actually provides insulation and helps her regulate her temperature. Just as it keeps her warm in winter, it also keeps her cool in the summer. If your dog has long hair, it's okay to give her a little summer trim or summer cut. Make sure you keep her fur clean and brushed, as this allows for better air circulation. Your dog's coat also protects her from UV rays and keeps her from getting sunburned or skin cancer. Make sure your dog is drinking water and give it frozen treats. Keeping your dog well hydrated is essential to keeping him safe from overheating. If he is dehydrated and his tongue is dry, his method of cooling himself (panting) will be rendered ineffective. If you are out with a field dog on a hot day, make sure he is drinking water at least once an hour, if not more often. If your dog is not overheated, it's okay to give him some ice or a frozen treat to munch on. Try making him ice cream or ice pops. Just remember that feeding an overheated (not just warm) dog ice or frozen food can be very dangerous and can cause him to go into shock.

Notice if your dog is panting excessively, drooling, or has thick, sticky saliva. Check the elasticity of your dog's skin to see if he is dehydrated. Check your dog's gums to see if she is dehydrated. Watch your dog's movements. Check her temperature. Evaluate whether or not your dog needs medical attention. Give your dog access to plenty of fresh, cool water. Remove your dog from the heat. Use cool towels to lower your dog's temperature quickly. Keep your dog in a cool, safe environment. Don't overexercise your dog. Walk your dog during the coolest parts of the day. Get your dog some cool accessories. Give your dog's hair a trim, but do not shave her. Make sure your dog is drinking water and give it frozen treats.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Eucalyptus-Oil

How to Make Eucalyptus Oil

To make eucalyptus oil, start by finding a good handful of fresh eucalyptus leaves for every cup of oil you plan to make. If you cut the leaves yourself, do so early in the morning when the oil concentration is at its highest. Next, rinse the leaves in water and dry them well. Then, strip the leaves from the stems, and gentry crush them with your hands, which will start to extract the oil. Combine the leaves with olive or coconut oil in a crock pot, and allow them to steep for at least 6 hours. When the mixture is done and cooled, pour it through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar.

Find fresh eucalyptus. Eucalyptus trees grow wild in warmer climates. In colder climates, eucalyptus is sold by nurseries as a potted plant or shrub. You'll need a good handful - approximately 1/4 cup - of leaves for every cup of oil you intend to make. Eucalyptus is found at most florists, as it is a favorite addition to many floral displays. In warmer climates, you might find eucalyptus for sale at farmer's markets or gardening stores. You may find eucalyptus for sale online. Although it's technically a tree or shrub, it's also labeled as an herb for its fragrance and medicinal properties. The best time of day to cut eucalyptus is early in the morning, when its leaves contain a high concentration of oil. Wash the leaves in the sink with water. Rinse well, and set aside to dry. You may also choose to dry the leaves with a clean, dry cloth or towel. This step is particularly important when buying eucalyptus from a florist, as the leaves may be sprayed with preservative. Get the leaves as dry as you can, but if there's a little water left it will evaporate, Measure 1 cup (8 oz) of oil. The best oil will be a light carrier oil, either cold-pressed virgin olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil. A strong scent is unnecessary because you want the eucalyptus scent to dominate the oil. If you'd like to make less than 8 oz of eucalyptus oil, use less oil and fewer leaves. For example, if you'd like to make 4 oz (1/2 cup) of oil, measure 4 oz of oil, and use approximately 1/8 cup eucalyptus leaves. If you want to make more, just keep the proportions the same: 4 parts oil to 1 part leaves. Strip eucalyptus leaves from stem, and gently crush with your hands. This will start to extract the oil, and your hands will smell of the leaves. You can also chop the leaves with a sharp knife. If there are bits of stem and twig in the mix, that's okay. If you want to use mixed herbs to create your oil, you should add them at this time. Combine oil and leaves in a crock pot set on low. Make sure the lid is on your crock pot. There should be about 1/4 cup of oil resting above your leaves. Allow the mixture to steep for at least 6 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger your eucalyptus oil will be. The scent of the steaming oil will be fairly strong throughout your home. Make sure you're making your eucalyptus oil at a time you can enjoy it. Pour the eucalyptus oil through a fine mesh strainer when the oil is cool. Catch the oil in a jar. Ideally, this will be a dark glass jar, but any jar will serve so long as it's kept in a dark location in your home. It's important to wait until the oil has cooled before pouring, so the glass doesn't crack from the sudden heat. Use clean, glass jars with tight fitting lids. Make sure they are dry as well. Any water or moisture in the jars can cause mold. Label the eucalyptus oil. You can be as creative as you like in designing labels for your homemade essential oils, but you'll definitely want to identify it by type (Eucalyptus Oil) and by the date it was completed. The oil will be good for approximately 6 months from the time you make it. If you've included other herbs to your eucalyptus oil, include this on the label. Some popular additions are: Sage, Lavender, Spearmint, or Rosemary. To store oil for a longer time, keep in the refrigerator. Gather two mason jars. One jar will be used for making the eucalyptus oil in, and the other for storing it. You can use pint jars, quart jars, or larger jars, depending on how much eucalyptus oil you intend to make. Make sure your jars are clean and dry, as any water or moisture can result in mold. The jar you use for making the oil can be clear or dark glass. A dark glass jar is best for storing the eucalyptus oil. Gather eucalyptus leaves, as in preceding steps. You will use the same proportion of leaves to oil as you did in the crock pot method - about 4 parts oil to 1 part eucalyptus leaves. Use 1/4 cup of eucalyptus leaves for every cup of oil. Place the eucalyptus leaves in the jar, followed by a thin layer of sea salt. The salt will help to extract the oil from the leaves. With the handle part of a long spoon, smash the eucalyptus leaves into the bottom of the jar, releasing their natural oils. Pour the oil over the smashed eucalyptus leaves and salt mix. Allow to steep for at least 2 weeks in the warm sunshine. The longer you allow the mixture to steep, the stronger it will be. Make sure your jar is tightly sealed, and give it a good shake to stir the leaves together with the oil. Continue to shake the jar every 12 hours or so until the steeping is finished. The spot where you keep your mixture while it's steeping should receive 8-12 hours of direct sunshine per day for maximum benefit. Keep it in an area that's not hidden from site, so that you don't forget to shake it. Strain leaves from oil by pouring through a tea strainer or cheesecloth. Hold the strainer or cloth over the open mouth of the jar, and pour the oil into your storage jar. The strainer will catch the leaves, which you can discard. Wipe down any excess oil from your storage jar with a damp cloth. Label the eucalyptus oil. You can be as creative as you like in designing labels for your homemade essential oils, but you'll definitely want to identify it by type (Eucalyptus Oil) and by the date it was completed. The oil will be good for approximately 6 months from the time you make it. If you've included other herbs to your eucalyptus oil, include this on the label. Some popular additions are: Sage, Lavender, Spearmint, or Rosemary. To store oil for a longer time, keep in the refrigerator.

Find fresh eucalyptus. Wash the leaves in the sink with water. Measure 1 cup (8 oz) of oil. Strip eucalyptus leaves from stem, and gently crush with your hands. Combine oil and leaves in a crock pot set on low. Pour the eucalyptus oil through a fine mesh strainer when the oil is cool. Label the eucalyptus oil. Gather two mason jars. Gather eucalyptus leaves, as in preceding steps. Pour the oil over the smashed eucalyptus leaves and salt mix. Strain leaves from oil by pouring through a tea strainer or cheesecloth. Label the eucalyptus oil.

https://www.wikihow.com/Join-the-Amish

How to Join the Amish

While it's unusual for those not raised in an Amish community to become Amish, there are no rules that prohibit newcomers. To become Amish, start by visiting a few communities to decide which one you would like to join and contact the leading bishop to gauge if you would be welcome. If the bishop is welcoming, prepare for an interview where you can explain your reasons for wanting to join their community. If you receive permission, you'll be placed with an Amish family to live according to their principles before being voted into the church.

Learn as much as you can about the Amish. Before deciding to join the Amish, it is imperative that you learn as much about their religion, history, and lifestyle as possible. The Amish communities of today are descendants of Swiss Anabaptists who emigrated to the United States in the early eighteenth century. There are approximately 250,000 people living in Amish communities across North America. The largest Amish community is in Holmes County, Ohio; although there are other sizable Amish populations in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana and smaller communities across the Eastern and Mid-Western states, as well as in Canada. Amish is a stricter branch of the Mennonite Anabaptist Church, with which it shares many beliefs and practices. The Amish, with other Anabaptists, reject infant baptism in favor of adult baptism, giving an adult the right to choose their religion and commit to joining the Amish community. The Amish refer to themselves as the "plain people" and to anyone outside of the Amish community, regardless of religion or race, as "Englishers" or "high people". There are many informative websites and books available that cover every aspect of Amish life. Visit an Amish community. You should do your best to visit an Amish community as part of your research. This will give you some insight into what the day-to-day life of an Amish person is like. Despite popular belief, there are no restrictions on "English" people visiting Amish communities. You can visit Amish businesses and converse with the people, most of whom will be willing to answer any questions you might have. It may even be possible to stay in a bed and breakfast run by a local Amish family. This will give you an even closer look at the Amish way of life, which places God and family above all else. If possible, try to visit several communities on your trip, as different Amish communities will vary slightly in terms of their customs, traditions, and level of strictness and you will need to find the one to which you are best suited. If you cannot travel to an Amish community, you may be able to set up correspondence with an Amish person to gain an insight into their beliefs and way of life. The Amish do not allow computers or, in most cases, telephones, so communicating by post will be your only option. Remember to respect their beliefs and do not take any identifiable photographs of them (the Second Commandment, Exodus 20:4 - "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image..."). They may allow you to take pictures of their buggy or farms if you ask politely, however. Be aware that some may not feel comfortable (especially women) with talking to outsiders extensively about their faith or lifestyle since they are taught to be modest in everything they do. Decide if you still wish to join. After visiting one or several communities, you need to decide which community you would like to join. Once you have developed a short list of about 3 to 5 communities, you should begin contacting the leading bishop of each community to gauge whether you would be welcome to join their church. Finding the leading bishop should not be too difficult; if the community is on your short list, you have probably already visited it and hopefully developed some contacts there who can help you. Although the Amish do not have any rules forbidding outsiders from joining, it is highly unusual and typically not encouraged, so contacting the bishop is a good way to judge what the community's reaction to a newcomer is likely to be. If the bishop is open to the idea of you joining their community, he will invite you for an interview, where you can put forward your reasons for wanting to become a member of the Amish. You will need to demonstrate the strength of your faith, your willingness to renounce the ways of the modern world, and your commitment to the Amish way of life. As long as your motives are pure and you are fully aware of what life in an Amish community entails, there should be no objection to you coming to live in the community. Move into an Amish community. Once you have made your decision and you have received the bishop's permission, you may begin your new life as a member of the Amish. You will first be placed with an Amish family, where you can learn their ways and participate in the household duties. During this time you must prove yourself to the Amish by living according to their religious principles and becoming a productive and valuable member of the community. Once you have done this (there is no set time period), you may be voted into the church and become a true member of the Amish community. Unless you are coming from another branch of the Anabaptist Church with a very similar lifestyle, you are likely to find the transition to Amish living somewhat difficult. Living without electricity, cell phones and motor vehicles is a lot harder for someone who is used to having these luxuries, than it is for people who were brought up in the Amish community and don't know any differently. Although some Amish may be very welcoming and helpful to you as you make your transition, others may be more distrustful of you and not expect you to last very long. Give them time. Once you prove your faith and commitment, they will grow to trust and accept you. Purchase a house and some farmland, if possible. Once you have been voted into the church and no longer need to live with a host family, you may look for a place of your own. Most Amish live in farmhouses surrounded by land that can be used for growing crops and raising animals, as the Amish try to be as self-sufficient as possible. Unfortunately, available farmland is becoming harder to find, due to urban sprawl, high demand for land from an ever-growing Amish community (even though new people rarely join, the average Amish family has seven children) and prohibitively high costs. You will also need to keep in mind that your home will need to be close enough to the center of the community that it can be reached by horse and buggy, the major method of transportation. This will limit you to about a 10–15 mile (16–24 km) radius. Learn Pennsylvania Dutch. Pennsylvania Dutch is a dialect of German, which is widely spoken by the Amish community. It is the main language spoken in the home and at Church, although Amish children do learn to speak English in school. Pennsylvania Dutch is primarily a spoken language, with no standardized form of writing or spelling, and must be learned to become fully immersed in the Amish community. As a newcomer to the Amish community, learning to speak the new language will be difficult, but not impossible. You will pick it up just by listening to others, attending Church services and by making an effort to speak it whenever you get the opportunity. It may also be possible to hire a Pennsylvania Dutch tutor who can help you to improve at a faster pace. The term "Pennsylvania Dutch" is a misnomer, as the language has no association with the Netherlands. It is, in fact, a dialect of German that was spoken in parts of Switzerland, Tyrol, and the Rhineland. It is believed the term "Dutch" comes from an archaic form of English, which referred to any continental Germanic language. Learn to live without modern comforts. The Amish aim to live a life of simplicity, unfettered by the materialistic trappings of the modern world. However, learning to live without modern comforts can be quite a challenge for people who haven't been brought up in the Amish way. Learning to live without electricity, which the Amish consider to be "worldly" and unnecessary, will perhaps be the greatest challenge of all. Depending on the strictness of the Amish community you have joined, your new home may or may not have running water. If it does not, you will need to use an old-fashioned hand-pump instead. Some homes will use natural gas to provide heat and light, whereas others will use wood or coal-fueled stoves. Telephones are not allowed in most Amish households, though some communities will allow for a shared phone to be installed in a shack or outhouse, which can be used by several families whenever necessary. Get a horse and buggy. In addition to restrictions on electricity and modern plumbing systems, the Amish forbid ownership of motor cars. This is because Amish communities thrive on being close-knit and mutually dependent. A motor car would make cities and other "English" communities much more accessible and may tempt the Amish to leave their faith and families behind. They also believe that having a motor car might inspire feelings of pride in its owner, and pride is considered to be a serious sin. As a result, Amish communities use a horse and buggy for transport, which is sufficient for covering the distance required to get to Church, visit neighbors and make the trip to Amish supply stores. Consult with your neighbors on where you can get a horse and buggy of your very own. While they can't own or drive a car, the Amish are willing to accept rides and even hire drivers if a necessary trip must be made - to visit far-flung relatives, receive medical treatment, or procure supplies unavailable in Amish stores. Learn to dress appropriately. The Amish style of dress is very distinctive and must be strictly adhered to, by both men and women. Clothes must be plain and unadorned, in solid, dark colors, made from simple, durable fabrics. The simplicity of dress is meant to reflect the Amish way of life, which is practical and unmaterialistic. Vanity or the concept of taking pride in one's appearance is forbidden in Amish culture. Men should wear straight-cut suits without pockets, collars or belts, which women should wear high-necked, long-sleeved, full-skirted dresses, covered by an apron. Any form of patterned fabric, ornamentation or jewellery is not permitted. Men should remain clean-shaven until after marriage when they are required to let their beard grow. Mustaches are not permitted and haircuts can only be given by Amish barbers. Women must wear their hair in a braid or bun, which is then covered by a prayer covering which is a symbol of their subjection to God. Avoid being photographed. Amish people will avoid having their picture taken whenever possible. This is because they believe that photographs are a form of "graven image" which is forbidden by the Bible. They also believe that having photographs of themselves may inspire vanity, which is forbidden and considered a sin. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Some Amish will allow themselves to be photographed as long as their hands or hats cover their faces. Others are okay with being filmed or photographed as long as they are shot in a natural setting, where it's clear that they are not posing for the camera. Participate in a barn raising. Barn raisings are an integral part of Amish tradition. They represent some of the most important Amish cultural values - acting selflessly and working together for the good of the community. They are a good example of what is referred to as a "frolic" - an Amish work event that combines socializing with a practical purpose. By participating in a barn raising, you get a chance to interact with your neighbors while making a meaningful contribution to the community. Men from the Amish community work together to build the barn from scratch, according to the plans drawn up by one or two master "engineers". They supply all the labor free of charge and may donate supplies and livestock. The project may take as long as a week to complete. Women participate in the barn-raisings by cooking for the men, while children help with smaller tasks involved in the building and running errands. Study the most important aspects of the Amish religion. The Amish believe the best way to express their religious beliefs is to practice the teachings of the Bible in their daily lives. They do not rely on ostentatious or elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals. They live by the biblical instruction "be not conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2) which informs their practice of living humbly, separate from the modern world. Two of their most important abiding principles are those of Demut which means humility, and Gelassenheit , which entails calmness, gentleness and surrendering yourself to God's will. The Amish place great importance on individual study of the Bible, which is considered to be the only source of religious authority. However, you should also get your hands on a copy of a book called "Martyr's Mirror", a highly respected publication that chronicles the history of the Amish people and honors those who die for their faith. It should also be noted that although the Amish place utmost importance on living according to the teachings of the Bible, they do not believe that this is a guaranteed path to salvation. They believe that any claim to be "saved" is an expression of pride and is therefore forbidden. Attend and host church services. Amish Church service are held every second Sunday, at the home of one of their community members. Each Amish family is expected to host their friends and neighbors for Church about once a year. Every Church district owns a collection of wooden benches, which is transported by wagon to the home of the church family and set up in their house and barn. Seating is arranged with men and boys on one side and women and girls on the other. The service lasts approximately three hours and is followed by a light lunch. The service is said by 3 to 7 ministers and bishops, with the scriptures being read in High German. The main themes preached by the ministers include living a humble and virtuous life in the eyes of God and the idea of "judge not lest ye be judged". Personal prayer time is also included, with the congregation kneeling on the floor in silent worship. Although musical instruments are not permitted by the Church, singing is an important part of every Amish service. The congregation sings from a special hymnal called the Ausband , a High German songbook which dates back to the 16th century. The singing is always done in unison, never in harmony. The Amish receive Holy Communion twice a year. Get baptized. As mentioned before, the Amish are a branch of the Anabaptist church, which believes in adult baptism. The Amish are usually baptized between the ages of 17 and 22, and this ceremony marks their formal membership of the Church and a commitment to always live by the Ordnung , a set of unwritten rules which outlines the behavioral standards all Amish are expected to adhere to. The decision to be baptized must be completely personal and voluntary, you must willingly commit yourself to the Church for the rest of your life. Young people are free to leave the Amish community before they are baptized, and while some of them do, most will decide to commit themselves to the Church. Once baptized, you will be committed to living your life according to the rules of the Ordnung. If you break this commitment and fail to repent for your sins, you may be "shunned" by the community, where people will avoid having any social contact with you and you will be forced to eat your meals separately from your family. If you repent you will be accepted back into the community in time, but if you continue to sin you may be excommunicated from the Church. Get married. Members of the Amish community can only marry once they have been baptized and are required to marry other Amish, though a couple may come from two different Amish communities. Most of a couple's courtship is done in secret, with the engagement only being "published" several weeks before the marriage. Most weddings occur in the fall, after the autumn harvest and are a joyous occasion, celebrating the union of two baptized adults, who promise to continue living according to Amish traditional values and to pass their faith on to their children. An Amish wedding ceremony is quite different from that of the "English". No rings are exchanged, there are no flowers or music, and the bride traditionally makes her own dress, which is blue or purple. In fact, the ceremony is very similar to a regular church service, except there is a greater emphasis on the ordinance of marriage, which is taken particularly seriously, as divorce is forbidden by the Amish church. After the ceremony, a huge feast is held at the home of the bride's parents, with as many as 200 to 300 guests. The guests are often served in separate sittings, followed by the singing of hymns. The couple's honeymoon period is spent visiting all of their relatives over the course of several weekends, at which point they will also collect their wedding gifts. Once an Amish man is married, he will begin to grow his beard - the symbol of a married man. The couple will usually be ready to move into a home of their own by the spring following their wedding. Become an elected member of the church (if you're a man). Amish bishops and deacons are chosen differently from church leaders in other faiths. Groups of men are first elected by the congregation, and then lots are drawn to decide who will become the new minister. Only baptized, married Amish men are eligible to become ministers, and they are obligated to accept the responsibility once they have been nominated. They will usually serve in this ministerial position for life. Amish bishops and ministers do not receive any formal, theological training; they are simply called upon by their community to uphold and enforce the teachings of the Bible and the rules of the Ordnung. The system for drawing lots works by placing a sheet of paper with a Bible verse into the pages of a songbook. This songbook is then arranged in a row of other songbooks. Each nominated man must choose a songbook, and whoever picks the songbook with the Bible verse concealed inside is said to have been chosen by God to serve the Amish Church.

Learn as much as you can about the Amish. Visit an Amish community. Decide if you still wish to join. Move into an Amish community. Purchase a house and some farmland, if possible. Learn Pennsylvania Dutch. Learn to live without modern comforts. Get a horse and buggy. Learn to dress appropriately. Avoid being photographed. Participate in a barn raising. Study the most important aspects of the Amish religion. Attend and host church services. Get baptized. Get married. Become an elected member of the church (if you're a man).

https://www.wikihow.com/Obtain-a-Copy-of-Your-Birth-Certificate-in-Kentucky

How to Obtain a Copy of Your Birth Certificate in Kentucky

In the state of Kentucky, you can apply for a certified copy of your birth certificate in person, over the phone, or online. No matter how you plan to apply, make sure you have all of the information they'll need, including your full birth name, full date of birth, county of birth, mother's maiden name, and father's name. You'll also need to pay a 10 dollar fee for each copy you'd like to receive. To apply online, go to the VitalChek website and follow the directions. If you prefer to apply by phone, call 800-241-8322 and pick option 1 when prompted. You can also go to the Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort to complete your application.

Gather the necessary information. To obtain a copy of a birth certificate in Kentucky, you must provide specific information related to the certificate. Have the following information related to the person named on the certificate (you, a relative, etc.) ready before starting your request: Full birth name Full date of birth (month, day, and year) County of birth Mother's maiden name Father's name Go to the Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort. The office is located at 275 E. Main St. 1E-A, Frankfort, KY, 40621, and is open Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Complete the application to request a birth certificate. Follow the directions on the form when you fill it out. You also can print the application from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services' Vital Statistics website, fill it out, and bring it with you. Pay for the copy of the birth certificate. There is a $10 dollar fee for the copy of the birth certificate. You can pay by check or money order. Make the check or money order payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer.” The $10 fee includes administrative costs and one certified copy. If you want multiple certified copies of the birth certificate, you must pay an additional $10 per copy. Certificates can be issued while you wait. Gather the necessary information. To obtain a copy of a birth certificate in Kentucky, you must provide specific information related to the certificate. Have the following information related to the person named on the certificate (you, a relative, etc.) ready before starting your request: Full birth name Full date of birth (month, day, and year) County of birth Mother's maiden name Father's name Call (800) 241-8322. When prompted, choose option 1 and follow the directions provided. Pay for the copy of the birth certificate. You will have to pay a $10 fee for a certified copy of your birth certificate as well as an additional fee for telephone orders. You can pay the fees by check or credit card (American Express, Discovery, Mastercard, or Visa). The $10 fee includes the cost of retrieving the certificate and making one certified copy. If you want multiple certified copies of the birth certificate, you must pay $10 more for each additional copy. Certificate copies can be mailed by overnight carrier for the cost of shipping. Complete the application requesting a copy of a birth certificate. Download and print an application form from Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services' Vital Statistics website. Fill out the application according to the instructions. You must include the following information related to the person named on the certificate (you, a relative, etc.): Full birth name Full date of birth (month, day, and year) County of birth Mother's maiden name Father's name Include a check or money order for $10 payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer. ” The check will need to be in U.S. dollars drawn from a U.S. bank. The $10 fee includes the cost of retrieving the certificate and making one certified copy. If you want multiple certified copies of the birth certificate, you must include $10 more for each additional copy. Mail the application in a standard envelope. Make sure to include your payment and the application form. Send it to: Vital Statistics, 275 E. Main St. 1E-A, Frankfort, KY, 40621. It may take up to 30 days to process your request. Go to the VitalChek website. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services works with an independent company called VitalChek to allow electronic requests for birth certificates. You can find a link to VitalChek's service via the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services' Vital Statistics website, or go directly to VitalChek's website. Follow the directions on the VitalChek website. You will be prompted to select the state and document (birth certificate) that you want to order. You can order a copy of your own birth certificate, or another person's. The VitalChek service allows you to complete the application and verify your identity online. Pay for the copy of the birth certificate. The $10 fee per birth certificate copy can be paid online by check or credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa). There is an additional fee for the online service. Certificate copies can be mailed by overnight carrier for the cost of shipping.

Gather the necessary information. Go to the Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort. Complete the application to request a birth certificate. Pay for the copy of the birth certificate. Gather the necessary information. Call (800) 241-8322. Pay for the copy of the birth certificate. Complete the application requesting a copy of a birth certificate. Include a check or money order for $10 payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer. Mail the application in a standard envelope. Go to the VitalChek website. Follow the directions on the VitalChek website. Pay for the copy of the birth certificate.

https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Crab-Spider

How to Identify a Crab Spider

Crab spiders are typically found in northwest Europe, North America, and northern and eastern Australia. They usually have uneven legs, with the front 4 legs being longer than the back 4 legs. Their front 2 legs also have large claws. Crab spiders walk sideways like their namesakes. The color of a crab spider can vary widely, since it camouflages itself to blend in with its surroundings. Crab spiders also usually have 2 bright front eyes, giving them excellent eye sight. Instead of actively hunting for prey, they usually sit in their nests and wait for insects to fly past, then grab them with their strong claws.

Take note of the spider's legs. The most notable feature of a crab spider is its legs, which have longer front four legs than the back four legs. Sometimes these front legs also appear different than the other legs and are darker or hairier than their back counterparts. Like a crab, the crab spider's front 2 legs also have incredibly strong claws which they use to grab their prey. Watch the spider move. While the crab spider's legs resemble those of a crab, it is really their gait and movements that make them most similar to their namesake. If you gently provoke a crab spider, you will see that it moves sideways like a crab on the beach. That is because their legs have something called “laterigrade leg orientation,” which means that their legs are rotated at the base, causing them to move sideways like crab. Observe the color of the spider. Unlike some spider species like the brown recluse spider, the shared characteristic of crab spiders' coloring is that it's incredibly varied. Instead of looking for an all over color, as with the brown recluse, or the distinctive black and red coloring of a black widow spider, crab spiders are colored extravagantly to blend into their surroundings. Because crab spiders can camouflage themselves, they can be bright and vibrantly colored like a flower or a fruit, or they can be multicolored to blend into tree branches or leaves. Note the size of the spider. With over 3,000 types of crab spiders, assigning a standard size to this type of spider is difficult. However, the vast majority of these species range from about 4 - 10 mm (which is the length of the body not including the legs). The female crab spiders are always larger than the males, especially when they are storing hundreds of egg sacs, and some male crab spiders are only 1/4 to 1/3 the size of their female counterparts. You should also look at the size and shape of the spider's abdomen, as crab spiders typically have much more bulbous and round abdomens than other spider species. Look at the spider's eyes. While the prospect of getting close enough to a spider to check out its eyes can be unnerving to some, crab spiders have distinct eyes. Unlike other insects, spiders have eight eyes that are round and smooth instead of two compound eyes that have numerous surfaces like the outside of a golf ball. Crab spiders normally have two big front eyes and have excellent eyesight. The most common species of crab spiders are brightly colored around these two front eyes, or they have a noticeable ridge below these eyes called a “clypeal carina.” Find out if crab spiders live in your area. With over 3,000 species of crab spiders, there is a fairly large range of climate zones that these spiders can withstand. While a few sighting of crab spiders have been noted in most parts of the world, they are most commonly found in: Northwest Europe Northern and eastern Australia North America Know where to look for crab spiders. If you live in an area where crab spiders are commonly found, the next step in identifying a crab spider is to recognize their preferred environments. Because crab spiders hunt by blending in with their surroundings, they will make a home wherever they blend in the best. While these habitats can vary depending on the specific species of crab spider, they most commonly make nests in: Bunches of fruit The leaves of plants Thickets of grass Flowers, especially brightly colored varieties Pollen-producing plants Watch how the spider hunts. Crab spiders are considered a hunter spider; however, the vast majority of crab spiders are not active hunters. This means that instead of actively pursuing prey, most crab spiders sit camouflaged in their nest for days or weeks at a time until an unsuspecting prey wanders too close. The clawed front legs of the crab spider are incredibly strong, and they use the additional length of these legs to reach out and grab insects. They then pull their prey in with their front legs and inject them with immobilizing venom, rarely moving their body or shorter back legs at all while hunting. Note how the spider behaves. Unlike some other spider species, the crab spider is a non-aggressive spider. Crab spiders are not only passive while hunting, they are also incredibly timid and fearful of predators. Their uneven leg lengths make them fairly uncoordinated in comparison to other arachnids, which can leave them vulnerable to prey. Rather than attacking a predator, crab spiders will flee to the other side of their nest or abandon their home completely if they spot a predator nearby. Search for any egg sacs. Crab spiders are unique in that they do not create webs like other species. Instead, crab spiders lay their eggs on whatever surface they've camouflaged themselves with, fastening the eggs to the surface with their silk. If you see any silken egg sacs that appear flat and are joined at the center, you most likely have identified a crab spider nest. Just keep in mind that female crab spiders will commonly remain near these egg sacs in order to protect them from predators, including you! Identify a crab spider bite. Spider bites from any arachnid family look like two distinct puncture marks. These puncture marks are caused by the hollow fangs that all spiders use to inject venom into their prey. A crab spider's bite is not dangerous to humans because the venom is not potent enough and most crab spiders are not big enough to break the skin with their fangs. However, some species like the giant crab spider ( Olios giganteus ) are big enough to puncture the skin, and the bite from the larger crab species is said to be pretty painful. Manage crab spiders when found indoors. Due to the crab spider's preferred habitat, it is very unlikely to find this type of spider inside. If you do happen to find one inside though (and you're not too scared!), it is recommended that you gently capture the spider by scooting it into a cup, covering it, and releasing it outside. They are not harmful to humans and are a great way to control the population of other insects like bees, wasps, mosquitoes, and flies. Some other tips for reducing the number of crab spiders in your home include: Check all flowers and plants for crab spiders before you bring them inside, especially flowers recently cut from a garden. Capture and discard or relocate individual spiders that have wandered inside because they reproduce rapidly. Remove or regularly inspect any potted plants and flowers inside the home as this is the most likely spot a crab spider would reside in indoors. Cope with crab spiders outdoors. Crab spiders are harmless to humans, so eradicating them from your outdoor area is not advised unless there is an extreme infestation. Try to see the crab spider as helping to keep your home free of bees, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, and other pesky insects. However, if you prefer to reduce the number of crab spiders in your outdoor area, you can: Remove all piles of plant debris, like piles of kindling, grass clippings, or mulch. Keep grassy areas near your home cut short. Avoid planting pollen-producing plants. Periodically remove crab spider nests with a broom or a hard spray of water.

Take note of the spider's legs. Watch the spider move. Observe the color of the spider. Note the size of the spider. Look at the spider's eyes. Find out if crab spiders live in your area. Know where to look for crab spiders. Watch how the spider hunts. Note how the spider behaves. Search for any egg sacs. Identify a crab spider bite. Manage crab spiders when found indoors. Cope with crab spiders outdoors.

https://www.wikihow.com/Run-a-Nonprofit-Organization

How to Run a Nonprofit Organization

To run a nonprofit organization, consider enlisting the help of experts in fields you're not that familiar with, like finance, real estate, and law, which will help your nonprofit run more smoothly. If you're low on funding, look for donations and apply for grants, or see if you can find experts that are willing to volunteer or work for a reduced rate. Also, come up with an organizational structure for your nonprofit like you would with a business, including a board of directors. Then, you can delegate responsibilities to others so you have more time to focus on the general direction of your nonprofit.

Have a well-developed vision. Individuals often come up with a great idea for helping those in need in their community, but have no idea how to achieve those goals. In order to be successful, you must take your vision and develop it into a business. Start by defining the goal you want to achieve in just a few words (try eight or fewer). This will help you focus your goal and start taking steps to make it a reality. Craft a business plan. One of the most comprehensive ways to realize your vision is by making a business plan. A business plan requires you to scrutinize each aspect of your vision and will force you to determine, in detail, how the organization will run. Once you have developed your idea, you must move from an abstract idea into a concrete plan. Take it further by brainstorming the resources or help you will need to achieve your vision. Make a to-do list of what you have to get done to organize your nonprofit and make it successful. Determine growth goals. Create a timeline for achieving your goals in your business plan. Make clear and measurable goals that you can check off along the way. If you don't know where to start, work backwards from your ultimate goal until you get to where you are now. If you can't get it to work with your current team or funding, reevaluate your business plan and look for an alternative courses of action. Incorporate your nonprofit. While it is not necessary for a nonprofit to become a corporation, many choose to do so in order to Get Non-Profit Status. The other options, charitable trusts and unincorporated organizations, are generally for shorter-term organizational setups that do not require public support. To Incorporate a Business , you will need to file articles of incorporation with your state government. Usually, you file them with the Attorney General or Secretary of State in your state. Check the websites of these offices for the documents you need. Fill out the documents with your organization's name, address, and mission statement or purpose. When choosing a purpose, be vague so you can make changes easier. However, do not be so vague that the IRS questions your motives. A more concrete purpose will also allow your donors to understand what you are about. If donors are confident in your purpose, they will be more likely to give you more money. Within a few weeks of filing your articles of incorporation, you should receive notice of your successful incorporation. Obtain nonprofit status. Nonprofit organizations generally seek to be tax-exempt under IRS Code 501(c)(3). This will save you from paying taxes on donations and leave you more money to achieve your goals. Earning this status is also a bit of a badge of trust that you can show to donors, as it proves you are a legitimate organization. To file for tax-exempt status, fill out IRS Form 1023. When filling out your form, it's best to retain the services of a tax attorney as the process can be complicated. If you cannot afford a tax attorney, try reaching out to organizations that provide free legal services to nonprofits. These organizations are present in many areas around the country. Once filled out, your Form 1023 may take up to six months to be processed. After this, you will be notified of your tax-exempt status. You may also be required to register separately in each state where you are planning to do fundraising. Check with the state body responsible for charitable organizations where you plan on operating. Ask for help. Often, the individual that comes up with the great idea will enlist the help of others to turn that idea into a tangible plan. The process for creating and running a nonprofit organization requires consideration of many different issues ranging from finances, real estate, law, taxes, education, and more. It is rare to find one person who has the experience and expertise to handle all of those issues alone. By reaching out and enlisting the help of experts on each of these issues, the nonprofit will run smoother and be more effective. Often, nonprofits struggle to obtain the funding necessary to pay those experts. Seek donations, Apply for a Grant , and use the internet to search for other nonprofit organizers to assist you in finding the funding you need to run a successful non-profit. Nonprofits may even be able to find experts that are willing to work on a volunteer basis or for a reduced fee. Associate with individuals who will help grow your organization. Consider joining a networking group of individuals that works with nonprofits. There, you will being able to share your successes and frustrations with those who understand what you are going through. They can also provide you with insight and advice going forward. Hiring the right people will also help your organization flourish. It might be tempting to hire employees and appoint board members based on their enthusiasm for your vision rather than their job skills. Of course, you want to hire those individuals that are passionate about the nonprofit, but you also need to make sure that each person within the organization can do a good job in his or her role. Remember, just because an organization is “not for profit” does not mean that it is not a business. Treat hiring employees and appointing members the same way a for-profit corporation would by evaluating each potential candidate and choosing the person you feel will be most effective. Hiring employees will require you to have an Employee Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS. File for this number on the IRS's website. There is no filing fee and you should have your EIN within a month of filing. Create an organizational structure. Like a business, a nonprofit should have a board of directors that votes on organizational changes and oversees operations. The board will need officers, like a president, a treasurer, and a secretary, to run the organization and fulfill different roles. Whether or not this board will employ or direct any other employees depends on the size of the nonprofit. You can also choose to create a membership structure, where every member in the nonprofit has voting rights. However, the board of directors model is more common. Any organization you choose must enact bylaws or a charter to ensure that decision-making runs smoothly. Bylaws will establish a voting policy, a manner in which officers are elected, and conflict-resolution policies. There should also be a defined policy for calling board meetings. Coordinate your volunteers effectively. Put your volunteers to work in ways that can capitalize on their skills and allow them to contribute the most to the organization. Make sure you treat all volunteers with the same respect you would your paid employees. Don't overwork them or treat them poorly or they may just walk out. Delegate your responsibilities. Many nonprofit founders insist upon running every aspect of the organization, even when the size of the organization makes it difficult to do so. This leads to a reduction in efficiency and the frustration of employees. Make sure to avoid this trap by delegating important responsibilities to your board members and others. That way, you (as the president and/or founder) can continue to work on the general direction of your nonprofit. Keep corporate records. Start a corporate records book by compiling your articles of incorporation, charter (or bylaws), evidence of your tax exempt status, and other important organizational documents. Then, keep minutes of board meetings and records of important decisions as written documents in your records. Doing so will both help your organization keep its tax-exempt status and limit the personal liability of directors. Have a designated secretary assigned to keeping track of, creating, and updating these records. Manage your finances. Acting as a nonprofit doesn't free you from the responsibilities of financial reporting. In order to adhere to IRS standards, a nonprofit must maintain a double entry bookkeeping system and keep detailed financial records. Therefore, make sure you Understand Debits and Credits. During tax season, you must file a corporate tax return as well. Even though your organization is a nonprofit, and is tax-exempt, you are still required to pay income taxes on income earned in "unrelated activities." That is, you may be charged income tax if you have earned income from any activity not directly related to your purpose, even if you use that money to further the purpose. Earning too much unrelated income can deprive you of your nonprofit of tax-exempt status. To find the limits on what you can earn, consult with a tax lawyer. In order to manage finances, you will need a nonprofit bank account. Your own personal account will not work for these purposes. Open an account at a local bank and select several members of your organization to oversee the account. Adhere to nonprofit regulations. In order to maintain tax-exempt status, nonprofits have to follow several other rules. For example, they can not make donations to political campaigns. They may also not be able to lobby the government in any substantial way. And it goes without saying that there should be no profits distributed to the board or members. In addition, if dissolved, the nonprofit must donate its assets to another nonprofit, rather than to board members. Measure and analyze your successes. In order to improve over time, your nonprofit will have to assess what it is doing right and what is being done poorly. Look at your expenditures versus the outcomes those expenditures have achieved. Find a way to quantify these outcomes as a cost per (outcome) measurement. For example, if you had a pet shelter, you could quantify this as "cost per dog saved." Use this metric to assess your expenditures and initiatives. Then, identify activities with the lowest cost per outcome and focus on those activities. Create a marketing plan. Remember that your nonprofit needs to market itself. Having a great idea does not mean your organization will be successful. In order to thrive, your organization must attract volunteers, financial supporters, and those in need of the services. Have a plan in place regarding how you will attract these people to your organization. Whether it is a traditional advertising approach, or whether you will reach out through other organizations or government groups, it is important to plan for these activities at the beginning because they are often costly (monetarily and in terms of time). Plan to attract both individual donors and organizational ones (e.g., foundations, corporations, governments, and religious organizations). Diversify your fundraising strategies. It's best to spread out your methods in case your main source of funds dries up for unexpected reasons. For example, even if you get a major grant, there's no guarantee that you will get the same grant next year. For variety, try: Face-to-face fundraising. Going door-to-door. Phone-a-thons. Mailing brochures or postcards. Events like dinners or races. Product sales. Services to the community. Market your nonprofit cheaply. Odds are you won't have much money for advertising in the beginning. There are several ways to market your organization with minimal funding. Find someone to help you make flyers about your nonprofit and hang them around your community. Contact your local government and offer the services of your organization to those individuals that need them. You can also issue press releases for free that proclaim your organization's successes. Maintain donor relationships. Once you have earned substantial donations from certain donors, your goal is to keep them coming back. Institute a donor database so that you can track these donors and contact them if you need to. Send them newsletters or thank you notes for donations and remember to show your thanks by inviting them to thank you events or dinners. It is best to create a donor plan that lays out planned expenditures on donors, what to do if a donor hasn't donated in a long period of time, and a plan to reach out to new donors.

Have a well-developed vision. Craft a business plan. Determine growth goals. Incorporate your nonprofit. Obtain nonprofit status. Ask for help. Associate with individuals who will help grow your organization. Create an organizational structure. Coordinate your volunteers effectively. Delegate your responsibilities. Keep corporate records. Manage your finances. Adhere to nonprofit regulations. Measure and analyze your successes. Create a marketing plan. Diversify your fundraising strategies. Market your nonprofit cheaply. Maintain donor relationships.

https://www.wikihow.com/Palm-Mute

How to Palm Mute

To palm mute, start by placing the fleshy side of your palm lightly on the strings close the bridge of the guitar, so that your palm is perpendicular to the instrument. Then, keep your hand on the strings as you strum the notes with your fingers or a pick. As you play, keep the weight on each string even and avoid moving against the strings. Once your hand is in position, press harder to hear a more dampened, percussive sound. You can also move your hand closer to the fretboard to dampen the sound even more.

Place the fleshy side of your palm lightly on the strings. Pretend your karate-chopping the strings. Don't actually hit them, but that shows you what part of your hand should be hitting the strings. It should be the outside of your palm. When you first put your hand down, it should be perpendicular to the strings, not laying flat against them. Slide the hand back as close to the bridge as you can-- this makes it easier to learn. Keeping your palm down on the strings, strum normally. Use your fingers and light wrist movement to strum while still keeping everything muted. You want to work on keeping the same weight on the strings as you strum, moving only up and down, not against the strings, as you pick. It is often easiest to start by just picking one string. As you get used to keeping it palm muted, play a two-string chord, then a three, and onward. Adjust the pressure of your palm to adjust your sound. A lot of palm muting is about the feel on the strings, since the actual skill is not very hard. The harder you press, the less you'll hear the note of the string and more you'll hear a dampened, percussive sound. If you are too light you'll just hear buzzing as the strings struggle to move. The perfect sound is a deadened, but still melodic, note that ends quickly after you strum it. With dampening, you should be able to hear the pitch when you pick the string. Try picking the strings one at time to make sure you can hear all the proper pitches rather than a dead plucking sound. Experiment with hand position. You can change how much your hand dampens the sound by moving it back and forth on the strings. Moving closer to the fretboard dampens the sound more. However, as noted, you should keep your hand as close to the bridge as possible if you still want to hear pitch. Adjust your hands to sound certain notes. If you want the first string to sound, lift off that part of your hand. You can test to make sure it's sounding correctly by strumming it. Practice lifting off each string in order. Once you've mastered the technique, you can control which strings are dampened and which strings are not. You'll be lifting from your wrist, rather than from your fingers. You can curl your wrist up and down to open up or mute certain strings with some practice. Tune into the bridge pickups of your electric guitar. Since you're picking and muting near the bridge, these pickups will get the best, thickest sound for you. For a more distorted, buzzy sound, use the neck pickups. Use humbucker pickups whenever possible. These pickups will grab a lot of that deep, chunky tone that you want when palm muting. Work on moving in and out of palm muting mid strum. Listen to old Green Day tracks, for example. They are simple chords and structures, but the ability to go quickly from palm muted to open strings allows him to texture and layer the guitar part uniquely. Learn to start palm muting, then slowly raising your palm off. Become your guitars volume knob, switching fluidly.

Place the fleshy side of your palm lightly on the strings. Keeping your palm down on the strings, strum normally. Adjust the pressure of your palm to adjust your sound. Experiment with hand position. Adjust your hands to sound certain notes. Tune into the bridge pickups of your electric guitar. Use humbucker pickups whenever possible. Work on moving in and out of palm muting mid strum.

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How to Wear an N95 Face Mask

If you need to wear an N95 face mask because of poor air quality or a viral outbreak, start by shaving off your facial hair if you have any since it can get in the way and prevent a tight seal. If you're in an emergency situation and you don't have time to shave, you can skip this step. When you're ready, place the mask over your mouth and nose so the nosepiece is covering the bridge of your nose and the bottom of the mask is under your chin. Then, pull both straps over your head, and position the bottom strap under your ears and the top strap above them. Finish by molding the nosepiece around the bridge of your nose with your fingers to create a tight seal.

Choose an N95 face mask to filter out particles in the air. N95 face masks are a great choice for protecting your lungs from particles in the air, which could be metal fumes (such as those caused by welding), minerals, dust, or biological particles, such as viruses. You can wear one when there's been a flu outbreak in your area, or if pollutants or a fire has made air quality poor. These masks are made of structured, lightweight foam and fit over your nose and mouth. Specially-made versions are also available for people in industrial jobs, and surgical N95 face masks are available for those in health care professions. The number refers to the percentage of particles that the mask can filter out. The N95 mask filters out 95% of dust and particulates. N95 masks shouldn't be used if oil aerosols are present, as oil damages the filter. The “N” actually stands for “Not resistant to oil.” Go with an R or P mask if you’ll be exposed to an oily atmosphere. In cases where you face exposure to mineral, animal, vegetable, or synthetic oils, look for an R or P designated mask. The “R” stands for “somewhat oil-resistant,” which means it will protect you from oil vapors for a time limit specified on the packaging. The “P” stands for “oil-proof or strongly resistant.” These masks also come with number classifications, such as P100 and R 95. The numbers stand for the percentage of particles they filter out. If you're exposed to gases or vapors which are more concentrated than the exposure limits of these masks, look for a respirator that uses special canisters or cartridges to filter the air even more effectively. Try on different sizes to get the best fit. Depending on the particular N95 mask you choose, available sizes range from extra small and small to medium and large. If possible, try on a couple of sizes before you purchase one. Make sure the mask feels snug and doesn't slip on your face, remembering that you'll also mold it to your face for an even tighter fit. If you're not sure, go for a smaller size to make sure the mask won't fall off. Check with your doctor if you have a respiratory or cardiac condition. N95 face masks can make it more difficult to breathe, especially if you have a chronic cardiac or respiratory condition. Talk with your doctor to see what extra precautions you can take. You may be able to use a model with exhalation valves, which can ease breathing and lessen heat build-up in the mask, although these versions shouldn't be used if you need to maintain a sterile environment, like an operating room. Talk to your doctor before using if you have any of the following conditions: Breathing problems Emphysema Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Asthma Cardio-pulmonary Immune compromised medical condition problems Buy a NIOSH-certified N95 face mask from hardware stores or online. You can get an N95 mask at hardware or home improvement stores and pharmacies. You can also purchase directly from online retailers, like 3M. It's important to only choose masks that are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These masks will have the NIOSH logo and a certification approval number on the packaging or the mask. If you need an N95 mask for your job, your employer will likely be required to provide it. Masks that aren't NIOSH-certified may not provide good protection. Stock up on face masks so you’ll be ready when you need them. Face masks tend to have large spikes in demand and sell out fast during certain times, such as during an outbreak of an infectious illness or when a region experiences intense pollution. Be prepared by having some on hand for you and each of your family members at all times. Aim to have 2-3 masks per family member to be on the safe side. Take your local environment into account when stocking up on masks. You'll need more if you live in a big city with notable pollution problems, for example, than if you live in a more rural environment with cleaner air. Trim your facial hair before wearing your mask, when possible. If you know you need to wear an N95 mask, shave off all facial hair. It can get in the way of the mask and prevent a tight, sealed fit, which will compromise the effectiveness of the mask. If it's an emergency situation and you don't have time to shave, fit the mask on as best you can. Wash your hands well before putting on your mask. Use soap and water and dry your hands well so you don't get the mask wet. This will prevent you from accidentally contaminating your mask before you put it on. Cup the mask in one hand and place it over your mouth and nose. Place the mask in the palm of your hand so that the straps face the floor. Set it over your nose and mouth with the nosepiece fitting over the bridge of your nose. The bottom should go just under your chin. Try to touch only the outside and edges of the mask to keep it clean. Pull the bottom and top straps over your head. If your mask has two straps, pull the bottom one over your head and secure it around your neck, just under your ears. Continue to hold the mask tightly against your face with the other hand. Then, pull the top strap over and set it above your ears. Mold the nose piece around the bridge of your nose. Set your first 2 fingertips on either side of the metal nose clip at the top of your mask. Run your fingers down both sides of the strip, molding it along the bridge of your nose. If your mask doesn't have a nosepiece, simply make sure the fit is tight and snug around your nose. Look for alternate solutions for children. N95 masks are not designed for children and won't fit correctly on them. Instead, keep children inside as much as possible if air quality is poor. Take extra precautions in case of flu outbreaks, such as having kids wash their hands before meals and after sneezing or coughing. You can also try using masks made specifically for children, although they won't be N95-designated. Don't use an N95 mask on children younger than age 17-18. Older teenagers can try on an N95 mask to test the fit and comfort. If it fits well and forms a tight seal, have them try walking around with it, paying close attention to any feelings of dizziness or difficulty breathing. If these symptoms occur, have them remove the mask and go inside. Breathe through the mask and test for leaks. Set both hands against the mask and take a breath to make sure that it seals against your face. Then exhale, feeling for any leakage from the nosepiece or around the edges. If you feel air leaking from the nose area, re-mold the nosepiece. If it's coming from the edges of the mask, adjust the placement of the straps on the sides of your head. If your mask still isn't completely sealed, ask a friend or family member for help, or try a different size or model. Remove your mask by pulling the straps over the top of your head. Without touching the front of the mask, pull the bottom strap over your head. Let it hang down over your chest. Then, pull the top strap over. You can either throw the mask away or store it in a clean, sealed container or bag. Avoid touching the mask itself, as it might be contaminated. Throw away your mask if you used it in a medical setting. If you used your mask with an ill patient, or as a way to prevent getting sick in an outbreak, the outside of your mask is likely contaminated. Disposing of it properly will ensure that you won't come into contact with contaminated particles. Carefully hold the mask by the straps and throw it away in a trash can. Re-wear your mask as long as it stays dry and fits tightly. If you're using the mask to protect from environmental hazards and it hasn't come into contact with harmful germs, it should be fine to wear again. Test the seal of your mask each time you put it on to make sure it still fits snugly. Store your mask in a clean, sealed container or bag and make sure it doesn't get bent out of shape by surrounding objects.

Choose an N95 face mask to filter out particles in the air. Go with an R or P mask if you’ll be exposed to an oily atmosphere. Try on different sizes to get the best fit. Check with your doctor if you have a respiratory or cardiac condition. Buy a NIOSH-certified N95 face mask from hardware stores or online. Stock up on face masks so you’ll be ready when you need them. Trim your facial hair before wearing your mask, when possible. Wash your hands well before putting on your mask. Cup the mask in one hand and place it over your mouth and nose. Pull the bottom and top straps over your head. Mold the nose piece around the bridge of your nose. Look for alternate solutions for children. Breathe through the mask and test for leaks. Remove your mask by pulling the straps over the top of your head. Throw away your mask if you used it in a medical setting. Re-wear your mask as long as it stays dry and fits tightly.

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How to Pay for a Funeral from an Estate

To pay for a funeral from an estate, start by checking with the executor of the estate to find out how much it's worth so you can budget accordingly. Make sure you also check joint bank accounts held by the deceased, which could also provide funds for the funeral. When it's time to pay the funeral bill, you can either pay for the funeral yourself and have the estate reimburse you, or you can sign over any life insurance policies to the funeral home.

Find out who the executor of the estate is. Asking around among family members is typically the easiest way to find out who the executor is. Since the deceased hopefully talked to that person before naming them executor (it's quite a responsibility), that person probably already knows who they are. The executor (also called a "personal representative") is in charge of closing out the affairs of the deceased. The executor is also typically in charge of making funeral arrangements. If the deceased had a will, they probably listed the executor there. If the deceased did not have a will, the probate court will usually appoint an executor. In the meantime, funeral arrangements and other end-of-life issues are typically handled by the next-of-kin or another close relative who steps up and is willing to handle it. Ask the executor if the deceased had a funeral plan. Many people make arrangements to cover all or part of their funeral expenses through a prepaid funeral plan. The executor will likely know if the deceased made these arrangements. If there's no executor, ask the surviving spouse or next of kin. There are 3 basic types of prepaid funeral plans: Prepaid funeral: The funeral was planned and paid for in advance by the deceased. There will be a contract that details how the funeral will take place, typically with the funeral director. Funeral bond: The person invested money to pay for their funeral. Usually, no specific plans have been made. The money is payable on death at its current value and you have that money to go towards funeral expenses. Funeral insurance: The deceased paid premiums each month. The policy is payable on death at a set amount to a named beneficiary. That money goes towards funeral expenses. Get the paperwork for the plan to find out what's covered. If you find out the deceased had a funeral plan, look at the plan documents the deceased left behind. If they had a will, these plans will likely be in the same place. If not, look through their important papers. This might feel awkward or intrusive, but it's necessary to find the paperwork you need. The terms of the plan outline what's included and what you or other family members will be responsible for so you can budget accordingly. Depending on how long ago the deceased purchased the plan, there might also be some products originally included in the plan that are no longer available. The funeral director will likely have some suggestions for suitable replacements. If the plan was set up directly with a specific funeral home, plan the funeral services there. Prepaid arrangements set up by specific funeral homes aren't transferable. Enter an agreement with a funeral director. Talk to the funeral director about your plans for the funeral and go over the various items you'll need. This can be tough, and you may not really know what you need, but a good funeral director understands what you're going through. They'll explain the options that are available and provide you an estimate of the costs of the funeral. Go over these expenses with the executor and get their approval to avoid hassles later. Since this is an emotional time, it's also a good idea to have an attorney go over the contract before you sign. If the deceased hasn't already picked out a specific funeral home, talk to funeral directors at 2 or 3 places so you can compare costs and choose the best deal. Pay attention to the atmosphere of the funeral home itself and the area where the ceremony will take place. Have the funeral director walk you through what will happen on the day of the funeral. This will help you choose a place where family and friends of the deceased will be comfortable. Find out how much you need to pay upfront. Funeral directors don't necessarily demand that you pay the full costs of the funeral upfront. They recognize that typically the money will come out of the estate, which can take some time to access. However, you'll likely still have to pay upfront for expenses the funeral director has to pay to other companies and services, such as those for flowers, obituary notices, officiating clergy, and music. Ask for a schedule of dates when specific amounts are due. If you have to wait for funds to come available, such as through an insurance policy, make sure the funeral director understands this. Use the death certificate to access the bank account of the deceased if possible. Although different banks have different rules, many will allow you to access the bank account of a deceased person if you are the executor of that person's estate or their next of kin. You may also be able to use this money to cover funeral expenses. Call a local branch of the bank the deceased used and ask what you need (in addition to the death certificate) to access the bank account of the deceased. Typically, the funeral director applies for the death certificate. When it's ready, they'll make certified copies available to you. If you had a joint account with the deceased, you already have access to the account and can use it for funeral expenses if you want. Sign over a life insurance policy to the funeral home if you're the beneficiary. If you're the executor of the estate, you might be able to use the proceeds of a life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses. This only works for policies that are paid into the estate — not policies that are payable to a named beneficiary. You can also use the life insurance policy if you are named as the beneficiary. However, since it can take 6-8 weeks to get the life insurance payout, you might still need to pay the funeral home, then use the life insurance proceeds for reimbursement. If you know that you're the beneficiary of a life insurance policy and have proceeds coming, talk to the funeral director. They might be willing to wait until you get the insurance money. Talk to the executor before incurring funeral expenses. With many estates, it can take months before the executor has a good idea of how much money is in the estate and what will be left after debts are paid and any bequests are made. However, if they have a basic idea, they can help you make planning decisions that are within the means of the estate to cover. If the funeral expenses are too high given the size of the estate, beneficiaries might raise an issue that the spending was unreasonable. For example, if the estate is valued at $40,000 and you spend $25,000 on funeral expenses, that amount would typically be considered unreasonable. In that situation, you would be unlikely to get all of the expenses reimbursed by the estate. Submit receipts for funeral expenses to the executor. Typically, the estate will reimburse you for funeral expenses as long as you can prove that you paid them. Usually, all you have to do is pass on the receipts to the executor and they'll take care of it. Unfortunately, any debts of the deceased, including a mortgage or credit cards, have to be squared away before funeral expenses can be reimbursed. You can ask the executor to itemize those debts for you and estimate how long it will take for you to get a reimbursement. Assume that it will take 9-12 months to get your money back. File a claim against the estate if it seems like you're not going to get paid. Put your claim in writing and state specifically what the expenses were. Most courts have forms for this purpose. Attach copies of your receipts to your claim. Mail it to the executor or to the clerk of court (if the estate has already been admitted to probate) using certified or registered mail so you have proof of receipt. This can put you in an uncomfortable situation, especially if you're close to the executor. Be upfront about not wanting to do it and explain that it's not personal. Some probate courts have forms you can use to file a claim. Contact the clerk of the probate court where the deceased lived and ask if there's a form you can use.

Find out who the executor of the estate is. Ask the executor if the deceased had a funeral plan. Get the paperwork for the plan to find out what's covered. Enter an agreement with a funeral director. Find out how much you need to pay upfront. Use the death certificate to access the bank account of the deceased if possible. Sign over a life insurance policy to the funeral home if you're the beneficiary. Talk to the executor before incurring funeral expenses. Submit receipts for funeral expenses to the executor. File a claim against the estate if it seems like you're not going to get paid.