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How to Improve Your Memory Using Meditation | Meditation has been scientifically proven to increase focus and memory. You don't have to use any one meditation to help your memory. Using any meditation, such as mindfulness meditation, teaches you to focus your mind. When you're able to focus better, you're also better able to solidify concepts in your short-term memory. Therefore, practicing meditation can help you to develop your short-term memory.
1. **Start today.** You may be surprised that you don't need to practice meditation for that long to start seeing the effects. One scientific study examined how a group of students responded to meditation. With just two weeks of meditation practice (10 minutes a day, plus 4 45-minute classes a week), the students significantly improved their GRE scores (a standardized test given to students trying to get into graduate school).
In fact, some studies show as little as four days of meditation can improve your attention span and memory.
2. **Practice often.** Practicing every day is ideal. Doing so will help you work to increase your memory. In fact, spreading it out throughout the day can be helpful, such as meditating for 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes at lunch, and 10 minutes in the evening. However, if you find you can't practice every day, do it as often as you can.
3. **Cultivate mindfulness.** Mindfulness is a part of meditation, but it's also something you can incorporate in your day-to-day life. Mindfulness, at its most basic, just means paying attention. In other words, place yourself in the moment, rather then letting your mind race elsewhere.
For instance, when you're in the shower, stop yourself from thinking about the day ahead. Instead, focus on what the shower feels like. Feel the heat of the water on your skin, how the soap feels against your body. Pay attention to the pleasant scent of your soap or shampoo. Let yourself really feel each sensation.
You can practice this technique anywhere. For instance, while you're washing dishes, take a moment to really focus on what you're doing. Let yourself feel the warm water on your skin, the weight of a plate in your hands. Put your full attention on getting the plate clean, making sure it's spotless.
4. **Work your way up.** You may want to jump in with an hour-long meditation every day. However, most people can't sustain that kind of practice when they haven't meditated before. It's best to start small and work up to more time. You can start with as little as three minutes a day.
5. **Pick a place to meditate.** Really, you can meditate anywhere, but it's good to choose a place that's not distracting, particularly when you're first starting out. Turn off the television, and move away from distractions. You can even set up a little meditation center in a corner of your house, with a candle and something you like to focus on.
6. **Sit properly.** You can sit in a chair or on the floor. It's up to you. However, make sure you are relatively comfortable. You don't want a lot of pressure on one part of your body, for instance. Try to sit up straight, though not so much that it feels like a strain.
7. **Get settled.** Spend a few minutes just bringing yourself into the right state of mind. Focus on the candle, if that helps. You don't have to be completely focused, but as you feel your mind wander, bring it back to the center, to the moment.
8. **Focus on your breathing.** Once you've situated yourself, try paying attention to just your breathing. Focus on it going in and out. You don't have to change it up. Rather, just keep your attention on it, focusing all of yourself on breathing in and out. As your mind wanders, bring it back to your breath.
9. **Keep bringing yourself back.** The longer you sit, the more likely your mind is to wander. That's okay. It's normal in fact. The important thing is to acknowledge that you've wandered and move back to your focus. Try labeling it when your mind wanders, such as saying "thinking" in your head, and then refocusing on your breath.
10. **Try deep breathing.** One simple way to get started with meditation is to try deep breathing. Start by placing a hand on your chest and a hand on your stomach. When you breathe, you should notice your stomach expanding more than your chest, as you are trying to breathe as deeply as possible. It can help to close your eyes. Breathe in slowly through your nose. Hold the breath to the count of seven, then let it slowly out through your mouth to the count of eight (in your head).
Try taking five deep breaths each time you try this practice.
Make sure you are blowing out fully.
11. **Consider taking a class.** While classes aren't for everyone, a class can jump start your meditation practice, making it easier for you to make it an everyday practice. Plus, if you have no idea where to begin, a class will help you figure out a good starting point.
Look for meditation centers in your area. Some yoga studios offer meditation classes as well. Also, Buddhist temples or centers in your area will likely offer classes on meditation.
You may also find meditation classes through your library or your local parks and recreation department, and some churches offer meditation classes, particularly ones that embrace other traditions, such as the Unitarian Universalists.
12. **Don't let distraction make you anxious.** Everyone gets distracted when they meditate. When you're first starting out, that may make you anxious or angry at yourself. However, rather than becoming angry, just try to be aware of when your thoughts are drifting, and pull them back to the meditation.
13. **Realize even a little meditation can help.** That is, you may think you have to meditate every single day at a certain time for it to be helpful. However, if you fall into that thinking, you may find yourself giving up because you miss a few days. Keep in mind that even a little meditation can help improve your memory. Therefore, try to meditate when you can, even if you don't find time to do it every day.
14. **Try a guided meditation.** If you don't want to take a class, you can still benefit from the wisdom of others. Try doing a guided meditation. You can find many online, or you can download free apps. The person on the other end will walk you through a meditation process, helping you to learn how to do it.
15. **Change it up.** You don't have to meditate the same way every time. For instance, some people find a walking meditation helpful. Take a ten-minute walk, focusing on different sensations in turn. Start with feeling your body walking, really focusing on what the movements feel like. Move on to the feeling of breathing. After that, focus on what the air feels like on your skin, then try thinking about just what you see and then just what you hear. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Memory-Using-Meditation", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean a Bathroom Fan | One of the most neglected spaces when it comes to cleaning a bathroom is the fan. Having a clean, functional fan can lessen bathroom odors, as well as combat mold and mildew growth. These issues can become a health hazard if left unattended for too long. By cleaning your fan around every 6 months, you will be able to remove built up dirt before it becomes a problem.
1. **Turn off the power.** Before you do anything else, ensure that the fan is turned off and cannot turn back on until you are finished cleaning it. Most models will have a plug that is located directly behind the cover. You could remove the cover first and unplug the fan, but just to be safe, go and temporarily pull the breaker for your bathroom. The fan is now safe to work on.
2. **Remove the cover.** Dust will fall when the cover is removed. To avoid the dust, position your stepladder such that you can reach the cover, but are not standing directly below it. Most covers will have 2 prongs on opposite sides holding it in place, others just need to be unscrewed. Remove the cover by pressing these prongs in or removing the screws, then set the cover aside.
3. **Remove the fan.** Unscrew the assembly that is holding the fan in place, then very gently remove the fan. Be careful not to drop the fan or hit it on the side of the exhaust pipe as that could potentially chip the fan blades. Broken fan blades will cause the fan to be louder and less effective.
4. **Clean the cover and fan.** Start by vacuuming off the majority of the built up grime on both the cover and the fan. Then dip a rag, preferably a microfiber cloth, in soapy water and use it to wipe up the remaining dust. Be as thorough as you can, you will probably not do this again for a while.
You can let the cover soak in a tub of hot soapy water, but the fan should be wiped by hand to avoid getting water on the motor assembly or plug.
5. **Vacuum the exhaust pipe.** Use a crevice or brush attachment and vacuum off the inside of the exhaust pipe. If you can reach, also use your rag or cloth to wipe off what the vacuum could not get.
6. **Vacuum the external exhaust port.** This can be done later once the entire process is finished, but at some point you should go outside and find the exterior vent for your bathroom fan. Depending on where the bathroom is located, this vent will either be on the roof or the side of your house. Bring a damp rag to wipe off any dirt that has built up on the other end of your exhaust pipe.
7. **Wipe and vacuum the fan housing.** If your fan had an accessible plug, be careful not to get any water inside the outlet. Doing so could result in electrocution or short circuit the fan when you plug it back in. Therefore, use a dry rag to wipe off the fan housing, then vacuum up any remaining dust or debris.
8. **Put the fan back in place.** Before reinstalling the fan, make sure that you cleaned off all the dust from in between each of the blades and dried it thoroughly. Carefully reinsert it into the exhaust pipe and screw the bracing back into place. Use your fingers and spin the fan around a few rotations to make sure that it is not rubbing against anything.
9. **Turn the power back on.** Plug the fan back into the outlet and reset the breaker for your bathroom. The fan is now dangerous again, so do not touch it or continue to clean it after this point.
10. **Reinstall the cover.** Once the cover has dried, either screw it back in or bend the prongs until the cover snaps back into place.
11. **Test the fan.** Turn the fan on again to make sure everything works as normal. The fan should be quieter than it was before and provide a higher amount of air flow. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Bathroom-Fan", "language": "en"} |
How to Remove Smell from an Old Leather Bag | Musty, stinky, odorous old leather bags aren't much fun and it's probable you're not keen to reuse such a bag. Before you resort to throwing it out, there are various ways that might just restore it to a respectable odor again.
1. **Try a simple clean first.** If this clean doesn't shift the odor, you can try one of the other suggested methods after.
Wipe the leather bag inside and out with a clean, dry, soft cloth. This will pick up dust, loose debris and even some mold or mildew.
Wipe the leather bag down with a damp cloth. This will collect even more of the above items.
2. **Allow the bag to air out.** Choose somewhere outdoors that is sheltered from direct light and heat, such as a table on the porch. Leave for a day if possible.
3. **Check the odor.** If the bag still smells bad, choose one of the remaining suggested methods, or a combination of the methods.
4. **Prepare a solution consisting of equal parts of white vinegar and distilled water.** Sponge the bag with the solution. Work on the inside of the bag and any mildewed outside part of the bag for a few minutes.
It's a good idea to test a small spot before trying this method, in case it stains.
5. **Wipe off the vinegar solution with a clean, damp cloth.**
6. **Allow to air dry.** Place the bag outside under shelter away from direct light to air dry.
7. **Check the odor.** If it is still there, repeat. If not, the bag can be used again.
8. **Use liquid detergent soap to clean the bag.**
9. **Make a solution of soapy water, using the liquid detergent.** Dip the cleaning cloth or sponge in the solution and wring out before using.
10. **Wipe the cloth over and inside the bag.** Concentrate in particular on the areas that you think are the smelliest.
11. **Allow to air dry.** Place outside in a sheltered area away from direct sunlight and heat.
12. **Once dry, check for the odor.** If it lingers, try again.
13. **Use baking soda to deodorize the bag.**
14. **Fill a clean sock with baking soda.** Tie off with a knot.
15. **Place the leather bag and the baking soda-filled sock inside a large resealable plastic bag.** Alternatively, place both items inside an airtight container.
16. **Set aside.** Let the baking soda work on the bag for at least 24 hours. The odors from the bag should transfer across to the baking soda.
17. **Remove from the resealable bag or container.** Check the odor of the leather bag; if it still smells bad, repeat the process for another 24 hours, or longer. If it smells good again, throw away the baking soda, wash the sock and use the leather bag again.
18. **Find some newspaper.** Scrunch the pages up and stuff them inside a large plastic bag, such as a kitchen waste bag or a garbage bag.
19. **Slide the smelly leather bag in with the newspapers.** Arrange it so that it sits snugly in the middle of the papers.
20. **Tie the bag up with a knot.** Alternatively, seal with a twist tie.
21. **Let sit for at least 48 hours.** A few days more won't hurt it.
22. **Remove from the bag.** Do a sniff test to see whether the odor has gone. If not, return to the bag for a few more days. Eventually it should start to smell better.
23. **Fill a sock with coffee grounds.** They must be dry grounds, so if you're using grounds from your own coffee making, allow them to fully dry first. Or use the cheap instant coffee granules. Knot it off to keep the coffee intact.
24. **Place the coffee sock inside your old leather bag.** Leave it there for up to a week. During this time, it should soak up much, if not all, of the cigarette smoke odor.
25. **Do a smell test.** If all is good, the bag is ready for reuse. If it still smells a little, return the sock for a few more days.
26. **Make or purchase some potpourri.** Place the potpourri inside a sachet.
27. **Place the sachet inside the smelly bag.** Leave it there for at least one week.
28. **Place the bag in an airy place.** Do not leave it in a dark cupboard; instead find somewhere with fresh air and indirect, cool light.
29. **Check a week later.** It's a good idea to leave the sachet in the bag when using as well, as the scent will continue to improve the bag's own scent. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Smell-from-an-Old-Leather-Bag", "language": "en"} |
How to Set up a Guppy Tank | Caring for guppies is relatively easy, but it’ll take a little work to set up the best habitat for your new pets. Get a tank large enough for your school of fish, and install a filter, heater, and air pump. Fill the bottom with gravel, and decorate the tank with rocks, plants, and ornaments. To create the healthiest habitat, condition your aquarium for a few weeks before introducing guppies. It might take some patience, but establishing suitable water conditions will help keep your new pets happy and healthy.
1. **Choose a tank that is at least ten gallons.** Guppies like to form schools and shouldn’t be kept alone or in a small fishbowl. The rule of thumb is to provide a gallon of water per inch of fish (about two liters per centimeter). Guppies grow to about two inches, so you’d want to provide ten gallons (about 40 liters) for five guppies.
Keep in mind this is a general guideline and isn’t set in stone. Keeping more than five guppies in a ten gallon tank won’t hurt them, but you’ll have to put a little more effort into tank maintenance.
2. **Use an external power filter if you’re a beginner.** Power filters are recommended for first-time tank owners over under gravel filters. Install it on the back of the tank, where your tank hood should have a pre-cut spot for it. When you add plants and other decorations, keep them away from the filter.
Choose a filter that’s powerful enough for your tank size. It should filter your water at least five times per hour, so if you have a 10 gallon tank, you’d want a filter that circulates 50 gallons per hour.
Undergravel filters require a little more maintenance, as you’ll need to vacuum clean the gravel frequently.
3. **Add about two inches (five centimeters) of gravel to the bottom.** Purchase aquarium gravel from your local pet store, and rinse it thoroughly (without soap) before adding it to the tank. Cover the bottom of the tank with two to three inches (5 to 8 centimeters) of gravel.
Don’t use gravel or sand from your backyard or other outdoor spot. You could risk introducing harmful bacteria and parasites to the habitat.
If you plan on adding live plants, check the label before purchasing gravel to make sure it can support plant life.
4. **Fill the tank halfway and add decorations.** Filling the tank with water halfway will make it easier to position your plants, rocks, and other decorations. These will provide your guppies with hiding spots, which will decrease their stress. Live aquarium plants, which you can purchase at the pet store, are great for the habitat, as they filter toxins and add oxygen to the water.
Make sure rocks and other decorations are firmly set in the gravel. You won’t want them to fall over and hurt your fish in the future.
5. **Place an air pump in the tank.** An air pump helps oxygenate and circulate water in the tank. You can hook an air pump to an action decoration, like a treasure chest, to add an interesting feature to your aquarium. In addition, some filters require an air pump in order to work, so check your filter’s label when you purchase it.
6. **Add the tank heater.** Guppies thrive in water with a temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 24 to 27 degrees Celsius). Get an aquarium heater with an adjustable thermostat that attaches to the glass with suction cups. Turn it on only after you’ve completely filled the tank with water.
7. **Use a light with a timer.** Guppies need light and dark periods in order to develop properly. Get an aquarium light with a timer, and set it so it shuts off for eight hours.
Without an eight hour dark period, guppies can’t rest properly. Without enough light, they’re prone to developing deformities.
8. **Fill the tank with water.** After you’ve positioned your equipment and decorations, fill the tank the rest of the way with water. Leave some space at the top instead of filling it up to the brim. That way, you won’t cause the water to spill over if you have to reach for something inside.
9. **Turn on the filter, heater, and air pump.** When the tank is full, turn on your equipment. Give them two or three hours, then check to make sure you see bubbles and circulating water. Use a thermometer to double check that the heater is working and calibrated properly.
10. **Dechlorinate the water.** Dechlorinators are inexpensive chemicals that remove chlorine and chloramine from water. Small levels of these are almost always found in all tap water and are harmful for fish.
You can find a dechlorinator at the pet store. Typically, you’ll add a drop or two of dechlorinator per gallon of water, but check your product’s label for specific instructions.
11. **Cycle** Before adding your guppies, you must cycle the tank, or develop the beneficial bacteria that help maintain water quality. Add four to five drops of pure ammonia or ammonia labeled for cycling to the tank. Wait two days, then test the water; you want to see ammonia levels at three parts per million.
Continue to test the water every other day and add more ammonia if necessary.
After a week, start testing for nitrites, which will indicate bacteria are starting to grow and consume the ammonia.
Within a few more days, you should see ammonia and nitrite levels drop, and nitrate levels rise and plateau. At this stage, you’ve completed your first nitrogen cycle.
It’s best to do a fishless cycle so that no fish have to suffer through ammonia exposure.
12. **Replace a quarter of the bag water with your tank water.** Ammonia levels will increase and oxygen levels will decrease in the bag, so bring your guppies straight home from the store. Remove a quarter of the water from the bag, then replace it with water from your tank.
Gradually equalizing will help your fish adapt to their new home.
13. **Float the bag in your tank.** The easiest and most commonly used acclimating method is to float the bag from the store in your tank. Every ten minutes, carefully remove one cup (240 milliliters) of water from the bag and replace it with water from your tank. After an hour, start releasing your guppies into their new home.
Avoid letting water from the bag into the tank. You could risk introducing unwanted contaminants from the pet store. Lift the bag out of the tank, open it, and use a scoop or cup to remove water without spilling. Then tie or seal it securely.
14. **Use a bucket or quarantine tank as an extra precaution.** While less commonly used by beginners, floating the bag in a bucket or quarantine tank filled with your tank water is a more cautious method. This will remove any risk of spilling water from the bag into the main tank.
If you use a bucket or quarantine tank, use the same procedure as floating the bag in your aquarium tank. Replace a cup of water every ten minutes for an hour.
15. **Release two to three fish into the tank at a time.** Use a net to transfer a guppy from the bag to the tank. Add two or three, wait 20 to 30 minutes, then add another batch. Taking things slowly will allow your new pets to adjust to their new environment and give the tank time to adjust to having extra waste.
Don’t pour the fish into tank, as you’ll get water from the bag into the tank along with the fish.
16. **Maintain your tank.** Part of getting your guppies acclimated to a new tank is making sure their environment stays clean. Guppy tanks will need regular cleaning, water changes, and vacuuming. You should change out 10-15% of your tank's water on a weekly basis, making sure to use fresh, dechlorinated water to top off your tank each cleaning.
Use a siphon to remove about 15% of your tank's water, draining it into a bucket. Then, use a chlorine remover to treat fresh water. The fresh water should be the same temperature as the water in your tank. Pour in the fresh water, leaving some room between the top of the water and the top of the tank.
Scrub your tank for algae every time you change out the water.
Be sure to check your filters regularly to ensure they are working properly. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Set-up-a-Guppy-Tank", "language": "en"} |
How to Fix Chemically Burnt Hair | Many people suffer from hair that is damaged or burnt by various harsh chemical treatments like coloring and straightening. After years of damage, it can sometimes seem like there is no hope for chemically burnt hair. But by enlisting the help of a professional stylist or by performing a few at-home hair care maintenance rituals, you can begin your journey to healthier and stronger hair.
1. **Wash your hair with a good quality shampoo.** This means a salon-quality shampoo made with high-quality active ingredients. Spend some time looking at the list of ingredients and choose one based on the contents, not just the name brand.
Avoid ingredients like sulfates (ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, and sodium lauryl sulfate), isopropyl alcohol, formaldehyde, and propylene glycol. These ingredients will dry out your hair, break down healthy hair proteins, and leave your hair prone to more damage in the future.
Look for ingredients like sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate. These compounds are gentler than the sulfates used in many cheaper shampoos and are derived from more natural ingredients like coconut oil.
You can also choose shampoos that contain glycerin and panthenol. Glycerin helps fortify your hair by creating a protective barrier and panthenol allows your hair to retain more moisture and thickens the hair follicles.
2. **Apply a deep penetrating reconstructor shampoo.** This kind of shampoo will help fortify your hair by creating a barrier between the hair and any heat you may apply to your hair (through blow drying, straightening, etc.). Leave it in your hair for five minutes and then rinse it out.
Alternate between using this shampoo and your other high-quality shampoo. Don't use both during the same shower. Over-washing your hair can leave it drier and damaged in the long run.
3. **Gently towel dry your hair.** You want to make sure you allow your hair to fully absorb the products in each of these steps. Towel drying your hair will help it soak up the benefits of the shampoo treatments before moving on to the conditioning steps.
4. **Apply an intense hydration conditioner.** These kinds of conditioners will work to restore the hydrolipidic barrier and prevent future dehydration in your hair.
Normally, these are not leave-in conditioners. You will typically apply the conditioner to your hair while it's wet, massage the conditioner into your scalp, and then rinse it out.
5. **Use a hot oil treatment with a plastic wrap.** These kinds of treatments can help your hair regain some its original shine and moisture. But using too much oil in your hair can make your hair look greasy, so be careful not to overdo it. Usually, 1-3 times a month is enough for this kind of treatment.
Heat up ⁄2 cup (120 mL) of an essential oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, so that it is warm to the touch, but not boiling, and massage it into your hair. If you don't heat the oil right away, apply it to your hair, put on a shower cap, and you sit underneath a hairdryer.
Cover your hair with a plastic wrap (or even a shower cap if you don't have a plastic wrap) and leave it in for 30-45 minutes, depending on the severity of your hair's damage.
When you are finished, rinse the oil out of your hair with lukewarm water.
6. **Use a conditioning oil mask to moisturize your hair.** Mix together one tablespoon of a protein-enriching shampoo, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of extra virgin olive oil, and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of a moisturizing conditioner.
Massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it in as a mask for your hair.
Cover your hair with a plastic bag, then wrap it all up in a towel.
Leave the mixture in for 20 minutes, then rinse your hair clean.
7. **Use honey and olive oil to help damaged hair.** Combine 2 tablespoons (14 g) of honey with 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of extra virgin olive oil. Apply the mixture to your damp hair, making sure to rub it into your scalp completely and pull it down towards the ends of your hair.
After you have saturated your hair with the mixture, wrap it in a towel.
Leave it in for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the amount of damage your hair has. Then rinse with warm water.
Wash out any remnants with a mild shampoo.
You can adjust the measurements of the ingredients based on the length of your hair. For example, if you have longer hair you may want to use 4 tablespoons (28 g) of honey and 6 tablespoons (89 ml) of extra virgin olive oil.
8. **Make a hair mask out of banana and honey.** This particular mask will work to restore dry and damaged hair and is mild enough to use twice a week.
In a bowl, mix together 1 mashed banana, 1 raw egg, 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of milk, 3 tablespoons (21 g) of honey, and 5 tablespoons (74 ml) of olive oil.
Apply the mixture to your hair thoroughly and leave it in for 15-30 minutes.
Rinse your hair with cool water and a mild shampoo.
9. **Change your hair care products.** Switching it up can help your hair recover from existing damage and prevent future damage. Try using products that hydrate your hair – like a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
You can also try products with a protein or keratin reconstructor to help fortify your hair.
10. **Avoid coloring your hair or using other harsh chemicals treatments.** If you are serious about preventing future damage to your hair from harmful chemicals, you should avoid them altogether when possible. While they may look nice for a while, they only cause damage in the end. Avoid using these damaging chemical treatments to help prevent future trouble for your hair.
If you have to dye your hair, try using a more natural dye like henna or tea. This will cause much less damage.
11. **Trim your hair regularly.** Getting frequent trims for your hair can help prevent future damage and minimize or restore existing damage. Take the time to maintain your hair's health by trimming it regularly, usually every 6 to 8 weeks. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Chemically-Burnt-Hair", "language": "en"} |
How to Disable Web & App Activity for Your Google Account | Google stores your web and app activities to make searches faster, give better recommendations, and provide a more personalized experience in apps like Search and Maps. If you are worried about others seeing your activity or concerned about how Google uses your personal data, you can turn off your web and app activity tracking in a few quick steps. This wikiHow article will teach you how to disable off Google Web & App Activity on your Android, iPhone, iPad, or computer.
1. **Open your Android's Settings .** It’s the gear icon typically found on the home screen or in the app drawer. You can also get there quickly by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon.
2. **Tap Google.** Scroll through the settings panel to find the option.
3. **Tap Manage your Google Account.** This will be located under your Google account name.
If you want to switch your account, tap the icon next to your current Gmail address and select an account from the pop-up menu.
4. **Tap Data & personalization.** You'll see this near the top of the screen.
5. **Tap Web & App Activity.** You'll see this under "Activity Controls."
6. **Tap Turn Off.** A confirmation message will appear.
7. **Scroll down and tap the Pause button.** You won't be able to tap until you've scrolled to the bottom of the page. This pauses your web and search activity until you reenable it.
To delete your Web & App Activity history, tap under "Setting is Off" and then select a time range.
Tap when you're finished to return to the previous screen.
8. **Choose an auto-delete preference (optional).** If you find Web & App Activity useful for getting better search and Maps results, you can opt to keep it enabled and then choose an auto-delete option. By default, your history is expunged after 18 months. To choose a different time period:
Tap under "Auto-delete."
Select and choose a time period from the drop-down menu.
Tap and then to save your preferences.
9. **Go to https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols in a web browser.** You can use any web browser on your iPhone or iPad, such as Safari or Chrome, to access your Google account settings.
If you're not signed in to your Google account, follow the on-screen instructions to sign in now.
10. **Tap Turn Off under "Web & App Activity."** You may have to scroll down a little to see this option.
11. **Scroll down and tap the Pause button.** You won't be able to tap until you've scrolled to the bottom of the page. This pauses your web and search activity until you reenable it.
If you want to delete the activity Google has already stored for your account, tap under "Setting is Off."
Tap when you're finished to return to the previous page.
If you want Google to track your web and app activity again in the future, you can return to https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols and tap .
12. **Choose an auto-delete preference (optional).** If you find Web & App Activity useful for getting better search results, you can opt to keep it enabled and then choose an auto-delete option. By default, your history is expunged after 18 months. To choose a different time period:
Tap under "Auto-delete."
Select and choose a time period from the drop-down menu.
Tap and then to save your preferences.
13. **Go to https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols in a web browser.** To turn off web and app activity on your PC or Mac, you can access your Activity Controls in a web browser.
If you're not signed in to your Google account, you'll be prompted to do so.
14. **Click Turn Off under "Web & App Activity."** You'll see this option near the top of the page.
15. **Click Pause to stop logging your Web & App Activity.** Google will no longer save your Web & App Activity.
If you want to delete your previous activity, click , and then choose a time range.
Click when you're finished to return to the previous page.
16. **Choose an auto-delete preference (optional).** If you want to keep your Web & App Activity on but automatically delete your history after a certain period of time, click under "Auto-delete." By default, your history will automatically disappear after 18 months, but you can choose another option from the "Auto-delete activity older than" menu. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Off-Google-Web-%26-App-Activity", "language": "en"} |
How to Dry Hydrangeas | There are approximately 23 varieties of hydrangeas, which yield a diverse range of colors in shades of white, pink, blue, and lilac. Whether your flowers come from a florist or are grown in your garden, you can extend the beauty of your hydrangeas by drying them. This article provides instructions on how to dry hydrangeas using three different methods: silica gel drying, water drying, and pressing.
1. **Select hydrangeas to dry.** To keep the color of most hydrangeas, it's best to start the drying process when the flowers first bloom. Cut or buy fresh, recently opened hydrangeas on the morning you plan to start the drying process.
Pee Gee Hydrangeas however, look better when left to mature. Take these at different times of the season. They start out a pale green, then as they mature, some pink shows up, later turning to burgundy, and finally a chocolate brown color very late in late fall.
2. **Prepare the flowers for drying.** Remove discolored parts and extra leaves, so the flowers are in good shape for drying. Cut the stems down to and or inch 2 (2.35 to 4.7 cm) from the base of the flowers.
3. **Prepare the drying container.** Choose a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to use for drying your flowers. Deeper containers work better than shallow ones, since the flowers will need to be completely submerged in silica gel.
Pour a thin layer of silica gel in the plastic container. The gel should completely cover the bottom of the container.
Err on the side of pouring in too much gel to keep the flowers from being crushed against the bottom of the container.
4. **Place the blooms in the container.** Take each bloom by the stem and carefully place it bloom-side down into the container. Add as many blooms as will comfortably fit in the container without touching each other or the container's sides.
5. **Add more silica gel.** Place enough silica gel in the container to completely surround and support the hydrangeas.
Hold each flower steady with one hand and sprinkle the gel with the other until the flowers can stand up on their own and are covering the petals and stems. Fill the container with gel until it rises 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) above the blooms in addition to covering the stem.
If the container is narrow and very deep, you can suspend a flower at the bottom, cover it with silica gel, and add another bloom above it. Just make sure the container is deep enough that the flowers don't touch each other.
6. **Start the drying process.** Put a lid on the container. Place it in a corner or a closet to allow the drying process to commence.
Write the date you submerged the flowers on the container, so you know when it's time to take them out.
Leave container undisturbed for 4 days. Drying hydrangeas any longer in silica could result in brittle blooms that could shatter.
7. **Remove the blooms from the container.** After 4 days, they should be completely dry.
Open the container and slowly pour the contents onto newspaper. Remove the dry hydrangea blooms and gently tap them to remove any loose silica.
Save the silica gel in a plastic container for the next time you want to dry flowers.
8. **Store or display the dried hydrangeas.** Carefully store the dried hydrangea blossoms in plastic bags until you're ready to use them or place them in a vase.
9. **Prepare the flowers for drying.** Remove all but a few leaves, and discard discolored petals. Cut the flower stems to your desired length.
10. **Fill a vase or container with a couple inches of water.** Place the flowers stem-side down into the vase, so the stems are submerged at the end of the stem.
11. **Allow the flowers to dry.** Your hydrangea will slowly dry as the water gradually evaporates.
Place the vase out of direct sunlight, since strong sun can cause the flowers to shrivel or fade.
Don't top off the water, since this may cause the flowers to mold before drying.
The drying process should take one to two weeks.
12. **Remove the dried flowers.** Trim the stems if they are moist or discolored from being submerged in the water. Store the flowers in a plastic bag or place them in a vase and display.
13. **Prepare the flowers for pressing.** Pressing flowers preserves the color and shape of the petals, but the shape of the hydrangea blossom itself will be flattened.
Cut the hydrangea blossoms in half to preserve and flatten their round shape.
Cut individual flowers and plan to arrange them in the shape of a hydrangea blossom after they're dried.
14. **Prepare the press.** A press is made with two pieces of plywood that are tightened with screws and wing nuts. Remove the top piece of plywood and lay a piece of cardboard followed by two sheets of parchment or pressing paper on the bottom piece of plywood.
The cardboard and parchment paper should be cut a few inches smaller than the bottom of the press.
The bottom sheet of parchment paper is called the "blotter." It absorbs moisture from the drying flower and is switched out every few days. The top sheet of parchment paper anchors the flowers during the drying process.
15. **Lay the flowers on the top sheet of parchment paper.** Arrange them so that no petals or folded or crushed, unless you are trying to create a windblown effect.
A little layering is fine, but don't build too many layers of petals, or they won't dry out correctly.
If you wish, add other foliage like leaves, ferns and other flowers.
16. **Finish assembling the flower press.** Cover the flowers with a sheet of parchment paper, a second "blotter" sheet, a piece of cardboard, and the top piece of the flower press. Screw the plywood pieces together and tighten them with the wing nuts.
17. **Allow the flowers to dry.** Set the press in a dry place in your home and let the drying process begin.
Open the press and change out the blotter sheets every few days. Discard the old sheets and replace them with fresh ones.
After a week or two, the flowers should be completely dry. Remove them from the press.
18. **Lift the pressed flowers from the parchment paper.** They are now ready to use in craft projects such as cards or jewelry. Pressed flowers also look beautiful mounted on a card and framed. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Hydrangeas", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Kitten Food | Most cat food is specially formulated to take advantage of a cat's natural ability to metabolize protein better than carbohydrates along with other nutrients. Making your own cat food for your pet is possible, but can be very exacting and time consuming. The mixture needs to be accurate or you risk the cat becoming deficient in several key vitamins—leading to illness.
1. **Purchase the main protein product.** You'll need either chicken, turkey, or rabbit. Commercially available products should be relatively safe for food preparation and the kitten's consumption.
One option is to use three pounds of poultry (chicken or turkey) thigh meat including the bones and skin. Another option is to purchase a mix of 2.25 lbs of a whole carcass ground rabbit plus 0.75 lbs of boneless chicken or turkey meat including the skin and fat.
This recipe will last 10-14 days for a cat eating 4-6 ounces per day.
2. **Prepare one cup of water.** You may need to prepare more water if you cat needs more to drink. Have water set aside in separate cups for mixing and drinking.
3. **Collect two eggs.** You will use the yolk raw, but lightly cook the egg white. Soft boiling the eggs is a good solution.
4. **Buy 5,000 - 10,000 mg fish oil.** Fish oil can come in five to 10 capsules averaging 1,000 mg per capsule, and are a good source of fatty acids. Poke holes or cut off the tips of the capsules to pour out their contents into the water.
Avoid using cod liver oil as this will be included in other ingredients.
5. **Get vitamin additives.** You will need vitamins E, B-complex, and taurine (an amino acid) to further augment the food you are making. You'll need to get 400 IU (268 mg) of vitamin E. Also have on hand 50 mg of vitamin B-complex. Have 2,000 mg of taurine ready.
Vitamin E should be prepared preferably in powdered capsule form. Vitamin B-complex is best used in capsule or tablet form. Taurine should be added in loose powdered or capsule form.
6. **Get some simple table salt.** You'll eventually use 1 teaspoon of table salt with some iodine for potassium and sodium boosts.
Add salt only if you are using poultry protein product and no rabbit.
7. **Add a portion of chicken liver.** You'll need to add four ounces of chicken liver for every three pounds of poultry.
This is only to be done if you are not using rabbit protein which contains liver already.
8. **Add a source of fiber.** Try guar gum at 1/16 teaspoon twice daily mixed into the food. You can fill 1/8 of a teaspoon halfway each time. This will help prevent constipation in the kitten.
9. **Thaw the rabbit meat and mix in the ground and chunked poultry meat.** First, use a meat grinder or food processor to grind the poultry meat and skin. Next, combine the meat into a mixing bowl. Combine by hand and knead the meats together for a few minutes to make sure everything is thoroughly mixed.
10. **Add the supplemental ingredients to the water.** Once they are all dissolved, add the vitamin mixture to the meat mixture. Continue mixing the meat and supplements and then use knives to portion it off into other containers you can store in freezers.
11. **Bake the poultry.** If you're using poultry only then putting your chicken or turkey product in the oven and cooking the liver will be necessary. Bake the poultry and liver at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes (time will vary). Remove the meat from the oven and pour on cold water to halt the cooking process.
You want the meats only half raw, though the liver will end up slightly more cooked than the poultry.
Save the fat drippings as additives to the ground meat.
12. **Cut the poultry and liver into chunks about the size of a die (half-inch cubes or larger).** You can use knives or scissors. Put the ground meats and fat into the refrigerator temporarily. This step is optional.
Use a meat grinder for the more meaty bones and any meat not chunked. Include the liver and eggs.
13. **Mix up the supplemental ingredients including vitamins into the water.** Pour the supplement mix into the meat mixture. Make sure the meat and supplements are mixed well then portion them out into containers and put them into the freezer. Leave 3/4" of space for the food to expand.
14. **Use the refrigerator for defrosting.** You'll need to move the frozen portions to the refrigerator a couple of days ahead of use. The new kitten food you made should be in the refrigerator for approximately 48 to 72 hours in a defrosted state.
Consider using large plastic containers on the order of 1 - 1.5 pounds in capacity. Adjust for the number of kittens and other cats you have.
If you want to warm up the food then apply some hot tap water or heating in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
15. **Purchase 3 pounds of raw muscle meat.** This should ideally be some kind of poultry or rabbit. Get chicken thighs and/or drumstick meat. Rabbit also can work. Leave approximately half the skin.
16. **Get 14 ounces of raw heart.** If you cannot get heart then you can use a supplement of 4,000 mg of taurine powder or capsules. You will also need to substitute the amount of meat to the total of raw muscle meat. In other words add 14 ounces of raw meat.
The heart can be chicken heart
17. **Acquire 7 ounces of raw liver.** The best kind of liver in this case would be chicken liver. Alternatives to chicken liver would be vitamin A and D supplements. You need to add 40,000 IU of vitamin A and 1600 IU of vitamin D. You will also need to add 7 ounces to the raw muscle meat total.
18. **Prepare 16 ounces (2 cups) of water.** You will need this for mixing. Have additional water prepared for drinking in separate containers if your kitten needs more water with the meal.
19. **Prepare 3.08 tablespoons (9.25 teaspoons) of bone meal.** Make sure this is the variety meant for human consumption. This is an important calcium source in cat food and essential for your kitten's growth.
20. **Ready 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin and 4 raw egg yolks.** This will be part of the supplement slurry later. Select eggs that are from free-range, antibiotic-free chickens preferably.
21. **Buy supplements.** You will need several other vitamin and nutritional supplements to add to the food mix. You need to get 4 capsules of raw glandular supplement such as the multi-gland supplement by Immoplex. Get 4,000 mg of salmon. Buy 800 IU vitamin E. Have 200 mg of vitamin B-50 complex. Have 1.5 teaspoon of Morton Lite salt (with iodine).
The salmon oil, B-50, and vitamin E should be in capsule form. You don't need the Morton Lite salt with iodine if you are using rabbit meat.
22. **Remove half of the skin from the meat.** Do this for all the poultry but not the rabbit. Use a peeler or your hands to remove the skin.
23. **Cut the raw muscle meat into chunks.** Have several knives or scissors ready to go. Cut the poultry or rabbit into chunks the size of dice or slightly larger than half-inch cubes. Save the chunked pieces. Do not grind them. You can cut off the skin if its poultry, but leave on the skin if you are cutting up rabbit.
24. **Grind the liver, non-chunked meat, and heart.** You'll need this for mixing later. Combine these meats thoroughly and store them temporarily in a refrigerator. Use a meat grinder or processor to grind and combine the meats.
25. **Prepare the supplement solution.** Fill a bowl with 2 cups of water. Mix in all of the supplements except the gelatin. If you had extra vitamins to replace the heart and/or liver put them into the water at this time. Whisk the mixture briefly and add the gelatin at the end. Stir well.
26. **Mix all three batches.** Retrieve the refrigerated meat mixture for this step. Combine the supplement mix into the recently refrigerated meat combination, and then add in the chunked meat cut earlier. Mix these thoroughly. Portion out the final mixture into containers and put them in the freezer.
27. **Set up your freezer containers correctly.** Leave enough space for the food to expand. Use the refrigerator for defrosting for a couple of days before use.
This recipe makes 4.4 pounds (2 kg) of food which can last 12-14 days for the average cat. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Kitten-Food", "language": "en"} |
How to Adjust an Impact Sprinkler | Impact sprinkler heads sit on a rotating bearing, which allows them to pivot as water flows through them for full 360 degree coverage. If you want to tweak your impact sprinkler system to change the pressure, spray pattern, or arc of the water, there are several ways you can go about it. The simplest solution is to control the flow of water at its source. You can also adjust the different parts of the head, like the diffuser pin, movement collars, and deflector shield, to get just the right strength and trajectory.
1. **Adjust the flow of water at the source.** The simplest way to change the amount of water coming out of your impact sprinkler is to tighten (clockwise) or loosen (counterclockwise) the hose faucet where it’s hooked up. Opening the faucet to increase the water flow will increase the power and coverage of the stream, while decreasing the flow will confine the sprinkler coverage to a smaller area.
Use a lower water flow when you want to avoid damaging delicate plants, like flowers and leafy shrubs, with a forceful blast.
2. **Change the position of the diffuser pin.** The diffuser pin is a large screw anchored to the base of the sprinkler head. If you want to decrease the distance that your sprinkler covers, screw the pin in a clockwise direction until it sits over the water nozzle. For a more concentrated stream that will go further, unscrew the pin all the way or remove it entirely.
When inserted, the diffuser pin breaks up the stream, causing it to fan out in a delicate spray or mist.
The further the pin projects over the opening, the shorter and wider the spray will be.
3. **Raise or lower the deflector shield.** Swivel the flat metal square attached to the body of the sprayer head (just beside the diffuser pin) up or down. When the stream hits the downturned deflector shield, it will be redirected into a lower arc perfect for watering nearby plants and patches of grass.
If you’re trying to water from one end of your lawn or garden to the other, keep the deflector shield up. This will allow the stream to travel in a higher arc and cover longer distances.
4. **Use the friction collars to alter the spray pattern.** Twist the metal clamps that wind around the base of the sprinkler head into different positions to determine the movement of the sprinkler head. The closer together the collars are, the narrower the watering range.
As the sprinkler turns, the wiry metal piece at the base of the head, known as the trip pin, will run up against the collar clamps, causing the sprinkler to reverse direction.
Make sure the trip pin stays within the range you want to set for the sprinkler. That way you can water the rose bushes outside your home without dousing the front porch or the garage door.
5. **Flip up the trip pin for full 360 degree coverage.** If you want the sprinkler to rotate all the way around, simply lift the trip pin until it rests up against the sprinkler head. It will then be able to send out water in a smooth, radial motion.
Getting the trip pin out of the way can be helpful if your sprinkler system is located in the center of the area you’re watering.
6. **Adjust the distance control dial.** Some impact sprinkler models feature a separate dial that allows users to manually set the desired spray distance. If your sprinkler has one of these dials, turning it to the left will reduce the force of the stream, while turning it the right will pressurize it to send it further.
The approximate distances should be clearly labeled in feet or meters, making it easy to get just the right coverage.
Assuming your impact sprinkler doesn’t have a distance control dial, you’ll get the best custom spray by tinkering with the water pressure, diffuser pin, and deflector shield.
7. **Make sure you're using a water source with a pressure of at least 15 psi.** Lower water pressures won’t have the force needed to make an impact sprinkler system effective. If your sprinklers are falling short or don’t seem to be putting out water at a very high rate, you may be better off with a different method of irrigation.
You can find out how many psi’s you’re working with by calling your local water provider or using a pressure gauge that fits over the end of a standard garden hose.
Most residential areas have an average water pressure somewhere between 40-60 psi. However, yours might be lower if you get your water from a pump or well.
8. **Choose the right sprinkler head.** Impact sprinkler heads are usually sold in a couple different materials—plastic and metal. Plastic heads are lightweight, making them easier to turn with a conservative water flow of around 20-40 psi. While they tend to be slightly more expensive, metal heads will be better able to handle the strain of higher pressures.
Metal sprinkler heads are also more durable, meaning they’ll last longer and experience fewer issues.
If you’re unsure which type of head will work best for your home, consult with a home improvement or gardening expert while you’re shopping for an impact sprinkler system.
9. **Clean your sprinkler periodically.** A new sprinkler that has stopped performing to its usual standard may just be in need of a good cleaning. Remove the sprinkler head from the base and disassemble it to gain access to the nozzle and swivel bearing. Gently scrub each piece with hot water and a bottle brush to remove any debris or mineral buildup that may be inhibiting the sprinkler’s movement.
Common symptoms of a dirty sprinkler include a weak stream with normal water pressure, turning to one side and stopping, and failing to rotate at all.
A mixture of vinegar and warm water can cut through heavy mineral and sediment deposits that have accumulated inside the sprinkler head. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-an-Impact-Sprinkler", "language": "en"} |
How to Bleed Power Steering | You may end up with air in your power steering lines if you were working on your vehicle, replacing a part, or you have a minor leak in the power steering lines. If air does find its way inside of the power steering assembly, you may hear a growling noise when you drive and the steering wheel may be slightly harder to turn than it normally is. Bleeding the power steering is a simple way to force trapped air out of your power steering pump and hydraulic lines. Keep in mind, if you bleed the power steering and the problem returns in a few months, you probably have a leak. If you do, have a mechanic take a look at your vehicle to diagnose and repair the problem.
1. **Locate the power steering reservoir and twist the cap off.** Read your vehicle’s manual to find your power steering reservoir, which is where the power steering fluid is stored. The location of this tank varies from vehicle to vehicle, but it’s usually next to the coolant reservoir on the passenger side of the engine bay. Look for a small, cylindrical compartment that looks roughly half the size of the coolant reservoir and has a removable plastic cap on top. With the vehicle off, twist the cap off of the power steering reservoir by twisting it counterclockwise.
It will usually say “power steering” on top of the plastic cap. It may also list the type of power steering fluid you need on the cap.
This is one of those automotive repairs that basically anyone can do, especially since you don’t need to remove or disassemble anything. This is a great way to save a few dollars by skipping a trip to the mechanic!
2. **Fill the power steering reservoir to the cold fill line if the fluid is low.** You can determine what type of power steering fluid you need by reading your instruction manual. It is usually printed on the reservoir cap as well. Inspect the dipstick attached to the bottom of the cap. There are two hash marks: cold, and hot. If the liquid is lower than the “cold” hash mark, slide a funnel into the reservoir’s opening and pour in enough power steering fluid to reach the “cold” hash mark on the dipstick.
Most vehicles use Dextron, Pentosin, or synthetic hydraulic fluid. You can purchase power steering fluid at any automotive store.
If your reservoir doesn’t have a dipstick, there’s a fill line on the inside or outside of the reservoir. You may need to use a flashlight to look inside the tank and look for the fill line.
3. **Close the cap to keep fluid from popping out while you bleed the system.** Bleeding the power steering lines forces air out of the system. This can cause power steering fluid to spill out of the reservoir as the pressure in the power steering lines increases. To avoid making a mess, put the cap back on your power steering reservoir and close it tight.
Once your vehicle is off of the ground, you can slide a drip pan under the reservoir just to be safe. This is probably unnecessary, but it’s a good idea if you want to keep steering fluid off of the ground.
4. **Bleed the system using a vacuum pump kit if your car has a bleed valve.** Read your vehicle’s manual to see if your power steering has a bleed valve. If it does, purchase a vacuum pump kit for a power steering system and slide the end of the vacuum pump’s hose over the bleed valve. Then, pull the trigger on the vacuum until the gauge on the pump reads 20 Hg (inches of mercury). This will pull any excess air out of the system.
A small percentage of vehicles have bleed valves on the power steering assembly. Most vehicles don’t come with one because it’s fairly easy to bleed the power steering without a vacuum kit.
You can buy a reservoir cap with a bleed valve adaptor on the lid if you want to use a vacuum kit to pump your power steering lines but you don’t have a built-in bleed valve. You can also buy a vacuum kit with an adaptor that slides directly into the opening of the reservoir if you don’t want to buy a new cap.
You can still bleed your power steering using the traditional method if you have a bleed valve. This is just an option you have if your vehicle comes with a bleed valve. It’s easier to do it this way since you don’t need to elevate the vehicle and it takes less than 5 minutes.
You don’t need to open or close anything to insert the hose into the bleed valve. The hose just slides right on.
5. **Lift your vehicle off of the ground with jack stands.** With your vehicle on a flat surface, slide wedges or chocks behind your back tires to keep the vehicle from sliding back. Slide a hydraulic floor jack under one side of your vehicle. Step repeatedly on the hydraulic jack’s pedal to raise the side of your vehicle up. Then, slide a jack stand under the side of the vehicle so it rests on the frame. Repeat this process on the other side to lift your front wheels entirely off of the ground.
If you can, use the smallest jack stands available to you. You only need the tires to be slightly off the ground, and it’ll be easier and safer to get in and out of the vehicle if you don’t have to climb up to get in the driver’s seat.
You don’t need to raise the back. Bleeding the power steering involves turning the steering wheel back and forth over and over again. You only need the front wheels off of the ground.
If you don’t have jack stands, you can still do this with your vehicle on the ground. You may not completely bleed the power steering lines, but you should still see a noticeable improvement if there is air trapped in the system.
6. **Put the key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel.** Carefully get in the vehicle, or open the door and reach over to the ignition. Insert the key in the ignition, but don’t turn the vehicle on. You need to turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is off, but you can’t do this if the key isn’t in the ignition.
On some vehicles, you’ll need to turn the key to the accessory position by turning it halfway or backward to unlock the steering wheel. It all depends on your make and model.
7. **Turn the steering wheel lock to lock by turning it left and right.** Grab your steering wheel and turn it all the way to the left like you’re making an extreme left turn. Once the wheels rotate as far as they can to the left, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. This is known as turning the steering wheel from lock to lock, and this process forces air out of your power steering pump and lines.
Turning your steering wheel engages the power steering and forces the fluid to cycle through the lines. If there is air trapped in your power steering lines, this pressure forces the air out to the top of the reservoir.
8. **Keep turning the steering wheel 20 or 35 more times to push the air out.** Continue turning the steering wheel back and forth. Go all the way to the left, then all the way to the right. If you drive a standard car, do this at least 20 times to force all of the air out. Do this 35 times if you drive an SUV, truck, or minivan.
9. **Check the power steering level after turning the wheel and fill as needed.** Get out of the vehicle carefully and walk back over to the power steering reservoir. Open the cap on your reservoir and check the power steering fluid to see if it is lower than it was when you first checked it. If it is low, fill the power steering reservoir up with more power steering fluid so that the liquid reaches the “cold” fill line on the dipstick.
The power steering fluid levels typically go down when you remove the air. The excess air sits in the power steering lines and pushes the fluid up to make it seem like there is more fluid in the power steering lines than there actually is. Removing this air will cause the fluid levels to drop back down.
You may hear a small popping sound when you open the cap. This is because all of the air was forced to the top of the reservoir when you were turning lock to lock.
10. **Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel lock to lock 20 or 35 times.** Close the cap on the power steering reservoir and get back in the vehicle. Start your vehicle. Then, turn the wheel lock to lock again by turning the wheel all the way to the left, then all the way to the right. If you drive a standard car, do this an additional 20 times to let the power steering fluid cycle through the lines again. If you have an SUV, truck, or minivan, do this 35 times.
If you notice the steering is smoother while you’re doing this, congratulations! You likely removed all of the air and you’re about to be done.
11. **Inspect the top of the power steering reservoir for bubbles.** Turn the engine off and get out of the vehicle again. Go to your power steering reservoir and open the cap. If you see the fluid at the top of the reservoir bubbling, it means there is still some air in your power steering lines. If there is no bubbling, the air is gone and you’re done!
If all of the air is gone and there is no more bubbling, close the cap on your power steering reservoir and take your jack stands off.
12. **Continue turning the steering wheel until the fluid is bubble-free.** If you saw bubbling in the power steering reservoir, close the cap and get back in the vehicle. Turn the engine on and turn it lock to lock an additional 20-30 times. Continue repeating this process until you no longer see bubbles appearing at the top of the power steering reservoir.
When you’re done, tighten the cap on the reservoir and take your vehicle off of the jack stands. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Bleed-Power-Steering", "language": "en"} |
How to Say “Welcome” in Spanish | There are four different ways to say “welcome” in Spanish, depending on whether you’re using this word in a sentence as a greeting, noun, transitive verb, or adjective.
1. **Verify that you’re using the word “welcome” as a greeting.** For example, you might say “Welcome!” when someone arrives at your home.
2. **Say “Bienvenido” when using “welcome” as a greeting.** “Bienvenido” is pronounced “bee-en-veh-nee-doh.”
When greeting a woman, say “bienvenida,” which is the feminine translation of “welcome.” “Bienvenida” is pronounced “bee-en-veh-nee-dah.”
3. **Verify that you’re using the word “welcome” as a noun in a sentence.** An example of using “welcome” as a noun is, “The woman is offering a warm welcome to her long-lost brother.”
4. **Say “bienvenida” when using “welcome” as a noun.** “Bienvenida” is the literal translation of “welcome” in Spanish. “Bienvenida” is pronounced “bee-en-veh-nee-dah.”
Alternately, you can say “recibimiento” or “acogida,” which are synonyms for “welcome” as a noun in Spanish. “Recibimiento” is pronounced “reh-see-bee-mee-en-toh,” and “acogida” is pronounced “ah-koh-hee-dah.”
5. **Verify that you’re using the word “welcome” as a transitive verb.** An example of using “welcome” as a transitive verb is, “The man is happy to welcome you to his home.”
6. **Say “dar la bienvenida a,” which means “to welcome.** This phrase is pronounced as “dahr lah bee-en-veh-nee-dah ah.”
7. **Verify that you’re using the word “welcome” as an adjective in a sentence.** An example of using ”welcome” as an adjective is, “The new flowers will offer a welcome change to my yard.”
8. **Say “bienvenido,” which means “welcome” when using this word as an adjective.** “Bienvenido” is pronounced “bee-en-veh-nee-doh.” | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Say-%E2%80%9CWelcome%E2%80%9D-in-Spanish", "language": "en"} |
How to Choose a Yorkie Puppy | Yorkshire Terriers are a fun-loving, independent breed of dog. They were originally bred in Yorkshire England in the 19th century to catch rats in England’s clothing mills. They make great pets, but they also take a lot of responsibility. If you’re thinking of welcoming a Yorkie into your home, make sure that you're ready for the responsibility and can make an informed decision about which puppy you bring into your family.
1. **Consider whether you are ready to make a time commitment to a new puppy.** The average Yorkshire terrier can live anywhere from 12 to 16 years. This dog will be in your life for a long time, so don’t get a puppy if you’re not prepared to make a long-term commitment. Furthermore, dogs who don’t get enough care and attention on a day-to-day basis often develop behavior problems like excessive barking, chewing, and digging in the yard. While Yorkies don’t need as much exercise as other breeds might, they do need a lot of attention and love.
If you don’t have the time to give your pet all the attention it needs to be happy and well-adjusted, wait until you’re ready to bring a dog into your family.
2. **Calculate whether you can afford a dog.** When you get a Yorkie, you’ll have to pay more than just the one-time purchase price. All dogs have ongoing needs throughout their life, including good quality food, toys, grooming, licensing fees, and routine medical checkups. You’ll also spend a lot of money during the first year on a crate, a carrier bag, training sessions, spaying/neutering, vaccinations, etc. The ASPCA estimates that in the first year, small dog owners will spend about $1,314 on their new pet, then $580 yearly after that.
3. **Decide whether a Yorkie is the right breed for you.** There's a great deal of variation in size, temperament, and needs from breed to breed. Even if you love all dogs, you should think carefully about whether a specific breed will be a good fit for you and your family. Yorkshire terriers have many positive traits:
They are a "Toy" breed, meaning they are small lap dogs that won't hog the couch or be able to overpower you when they get excited.
They're highly adaptable, and do well in large homes and apartments alike.
Though each dog will have its own personality, in general, Yorkies are cat-friendly.
Yorkies are a highly intelligent breed, and take well to training.
They're incredibly affectionate companions who love to be around their families.
4. **Be aware of the drawbacks of the breed.** Though there’s a lot to recommend the Yorkies, all breeds have drawbacks that might make them a bad fit for a particular household. Some things you should know about Yorkshire terriers before bringing one home include:
These are territorial dogs who bark a lot. While this makes for a good watchdog, early training to curb excessive barking is important for a happy household.
Though they love to relax and cuddle, Yorkies are very high energy and love to dash about the house.
Their long coats mean owners must make a commitment to regular grooming and be willing to deal with shedding fur.
They may be affectionate, but Yorkies can also be a bit snappy at times.
This, combined with their small size, might make them a bad fit for families with small children in the house.
All purebred breeds have health concerns. The Yorkie's include knee problems, collapsing trachea, dental issues, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
5. **Choose your ideal Yorkie size.** There are no official variations in Yorkie sizes according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). A healthy adult should weight between 4 and 7 pounds. That said, "teacup" Yorkies — though not an official breed — are dogs that have been bred specifically for their small size. They may weight 1-3 pounds when grown. The size of the grown dog can only be estimated at birth, so there's no guarantee that your "teacup" Yorkie won't grow to be 5 pounds in adulthood.
Note that breeding for the "teacup" size is often done at the expense of the dogs' health. You may have to deal with higher medical expenses with the smaller dogs.
6. **Decide what kind of source you want to get your Yorkie from.** You have three options for locating a Yorkshire terrier puppy: breeders, breed rescues, and general animal shelters. Each of these sources has its own pros and cons:
Breeders: a breeder can provide the dog's lineage if a strong pedigree is important to you. However, breeders can be expensive, and unethical breeders might not provide the best care for your puppy in its earliest days. A bad breeder may also breed unhealthy dogs.
Breed rescues: look for Yorkie-specific rescue centers in your area. These animals need good homes, so if you want to save an animal, a breed rescue is a good option. However, you will not have access to the dog's pedigree, and many dogs might be mixed-breed. You may also find more adults than puppies.
General animal shelter: it will be hard to find a purebred Yorkie in a general animal shelter, and you’ll likely find more adults than puppies. However, if the shelter’s a kill shelter, you might save your dog’s life. Furthermore, shelters are usually far cheaper than breeders or breed rescues.
7. **Contact breed rescues and shelters in your area.** Many rescues and shelters have websites that are updated regularly with the new dogs available for adoption. Keep an eye on these websites for the puppy you want to rescue.
If you don’t see a suitable puppy on the websites, call the rescues and shelters to see if you can be put on a notification list. They may be willing to call you if a Yorkie puppy comes into their care.
8. **Question breeders in your area over the phone.** If you choose to buy your puppy from a breeder, you should conduct a thorough investigation into how ethical the breeder is. There is no license for breeding — anyone with a litter of puppies can call him- or herself a breeder. You want to make sure you only buy a puppy from someone who takes the responsibility of breeding animals seriously. A quality breeder will let you ask questions even if they don't have any puppies for sale. They may be able to refer you to someone who does have puppies at the moment.
Ask the breeders how long they’ve been breeding Yorkies, and whether they’ve seen any health issues in the dogs they’ve bred.
Don't limit your questions you have for the breeder. You want to make sure your puppy comes from a responsible place.
Do their dogs have a good pedigree, and will the breeder provide pedigree papers to ensure the puppy doesn’t come from an inbred line?
Do they dock, or cut off, their puppies' tails? Docking is an unnecessary cosmetic procedure that’s illegal in some countries. This is a form of mutilation, and that breeder should not be encouraged in any way.
If you want to raise Yorkies yourself, ask if the breeder requires you to spay/neuter their puppies.
Do they have a return policy, in case your situation changes or you discover a health issue in your dog?
Have they already begun the litter’s vaccination program? What shots have they had, and what will you have to get them?
9. **Visit each breeder who seems like a good fit.** A breeder can say whatever they’d like over the phone, but you should visit your top choices in person to see for yourself that they are trustworthy operations. A good breeder will socialize puppies from a young age so they trust humans. Though some puppies might be shyer than others, in general the litter should be comfortable around people. Ask to see the whole litter with its mother to make sure the family is kept together and happy, and that the puppies weren’t weaned too early.
Make sure the facilities are clean, and that each dog has comfortable living quarters with its own food and water bowl.
You should not see more than 1 or 2 Yorkies crowded into a single kennel.
Check that the dog areas are tidy and free of feces or urine. A good breeder will clean their kennels daily.
If the operation seems unprofessional or questionable, cross that breeder off your list.
10. **Do not support puppy mills.** Puppy mills breed and sell large numbers of dogs for a profit. Because they are more interested in money than the quality of the dogs’ lives, they do not provide adequate care for the animals in their care. Puppies from mills often come home with giardia, parvovirus, and other diseases that would be addressed by a proper breeder. They often overbreed and inbreed their dogs, resulting in genetic health conditions that will reveal themselves as the puppy grows up. Because puppy mill breeders don’t spend time with their animals, mill puppies are often unsocialized, and even fearful of humans.
Puppy mills are inhumane. Do not, under any circumstances, support a breeder who treats his or her animals improperly.
11. **Visit with all the puppies in a litter.** To find the right Yorkie, you need to see how they act with their siblings. Check the puppies for shyness. If 4 out of 5 puppies run away or act afraid of you, they may have a genetic predisposition for shyness. Odds are the 1 brave puppy has the same genetic coding, so you should look for the perfect Yorkshire Terrier in another litter or with another breeder.
Watch the puppies play with each other. Normal puppies are curious, friendly, and like to play.
Look for warning signs: is the puppy anxious? Fearful? Aggressive?
12. **Assess each puppy’s health.** Ask the breeder if you can spend some time with each of the available puppies individually. To find the right Yorkie, you need to make sure the puppy is healthy and evaluate how they act when not surrounded by their siblings.
Inspect the puppy's fur, eyes, rear end and ears. A healthy Yorkshire Terrier puppy will have clear eyes, a clear nose, a shiny coat, and clean ears. An ill puppy may have a matted or shabby coat, discharge, a cough, a potbelly, and dirty ears.
Test the puppies' hearing. Make a loud noise and see if the puppy reacts. A puppy with good hearing will react right away and then become curious about what caused the sound.
13. **Ask about the litter’s medical history to this point.** Puppies require frequent vet visits for vaccinations and checkups in their early months. Have the puppies already been treated for heartworm and parasites or been given their vaccinations? If not, you will have to pay for all of those procedures out of pocket.
14. **Choose your puppy.** Remember that you are choosing a Yorkie puppy, the puppy is not choosing you. If you select the puppy that runs right up and jumps all over you, you may end up with the most energetic puppy in the litter, and have regrets later on. Choose the puppy that has the best personality and is not too bossy nor too timid. A Yorkie with a good nature will wag its tail, not bully its siblings, and not growl or bite.
Do not choose a puppy that has any behavioral or health concerns. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Yorkie-Puppy", "language": "en"} |
How to Preserve Guava | Guava is a delicious and nutritious snack that has many health benefits and a unique taste. However, it's a tropical fruit that tends to go bad quickly after ripening. To prolong the life of your guava, you can refrigerate or freeze it once it's ripe!
1. **Leave the guava on the counter to ripen if they're still firm.** Your guavas should be soft to the touch and have a strong, heady scent before you refrigerate them. If the guavas aren't ripe yet, let them sit on the counter for 2-3 days until the skin yields when you press on the fruit.
Avoid placing guava near a window because the heat and light can make it ripen too quickly.
If the guava is taking a long time to ripen, try placing it in a paper bag with the top slightly open.
2. **Put the ripe guava in a plastic or paper bag.** Before you refrigerate the guava, place the entire fruit in a bag to protect it in the refrigerator. Other fruits can give off gasses that encourage ripening, and the bag will ensure that the guava is safe.
Make sure the bag is clean and dry before putting the guava in it. Dirt and water can cause the guava to ripen further in the refrigerator.
Remember to label the bag with the date for future reference.
3. **Place the bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.** Be sure to set the crisper drawer to a medium humidity to ensure that the guava doesn't become too dry or too moist. Leave the bag open slightly at the top to let air circulate through the bag and the drawer.
If possible, store the guava in a separate drawer from other fruits such as apples or oranges, which can cause the guava to go bad quickly.
4. **Use or eat the guava within 3-4 days of refrigerating.** Refrigeration will slightly prolong the life of the guava, but be sure to use it in a timely manner. After 4 days in the refrigerator, the guava will be past ripe and should be thrown away.
If you can't tell how ripe your guava is, press on the skin to feel if the fruit is very soft. Over-ripe guava will dent when you press on it.
5. **Wash and peel the skin off of the guava.** Rinse the guava under cool water and blot the fruit dry with a paper towel. Then, use a knife or peeler to carefully remove all of the skin from each guava. You can dispose of the skin, or you can place it in a compost pile with other food scraps.
Be careful when using the peeler on the guava. The small, rounded shape can cause the peeler to slip.
6. **Cut the guava in half with a sharp knife.** On a cutting board, slice the guava in half through the widest part in the middle of the fruit. You can cut the halves again to make chunks, or leave them in halves to freeze.
This will help the sugar in the simple syrup to permeate into the fruit and keep it tasting sweet after the freezing process.
7. **Place the halves in an airtight container or bag.** Once the guava is cut, get a freezer bag or airtight container with a lid. Make sure it's large enough to fit all of the fruit with about 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) of empty space at the top of the container, called headspace.
The headspace will allow for quicker freezing time, which keeps the guava fresh for a longer period in the freezer.
8. **Pour simple syrup over the guava to preserve the taste of the fruit.** Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts water and sugar that is heated to a boil to create a sweet syrup. Pour the cooled syrup into the container or bag until the guavas are completely submerged, but remember to leave enough headspace in the container.
If you've just made the simple syrup, let it cool before pouring it over the fruit. Warm syrup can cook the guava, causing a change in taste.
9. **Seal the container and place it in the freezer.** Make sure the lid of the container is closed tightly or the bag is completely sealed. Label the container or bag with the date and let it sit in the freezer undisturbed for at least 12 hours before thawing.
If you're going to freeze the guavas for a long period of time, avoid placing them in the door of the freezer. The door experiences more temperature changes than the rest of the freezer, which can cause thawing.
10. **Use the guava within 1 year of freezing.** While guava can last in the freezer for long periods of time, the taste of the fruit will deteriorate after a year. When you're ready to use it, place the guava in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to thaw before taking it out of the container.
If you're not sure how to use your frozen guava, you can try making juice, baking guava-based pastries, or even whipping up a guava barbecue sauce! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Preserve-Guava", "language": "en"} |
How to Turn Off Roku | A Roku is a TV, HDMI stick or video player that streams content by connecting to the Internet via WiFi or Internet router. After you've plugged in the Roku device, connected to your wireless network and selected the channels you want to watch, you can begin to stream content immediately. Once you're finished using your Roku, you may want to turn it off, put it into Standby Mode, or even completely restart it.
1. **Know that all Roku devices have no on/off switch because they're designed to run constantly to download updates.** But some ROKU voice remotes can be able to control the TV's power. So whether you have a Roku Streaming Player, Roku TV or Roku Streaming Stick, the only way to totally turn off your Roku is to unplug the device completely.
2. **Turn off the Roku Streaming Player by unplugging it from your viewing device.** If you plugged the Roku Streaming Player into your TV with an AV cord, then unplug it from the television; if you used an HDMI cord, then unplug that from the HDMI port. After this is done, unplug the A/C power adapter from the Roku Player. This will completely turn it off.
3. **Turn off the Roku Streaming Stick by unplugging it from the HDMI port on the television.** If your TV provides power through the HDMI port, then all you should have to do is remove the stick, and then your Roku will be turned off.
If your HDMI port does not provide power, you would have needed to connect a micro-USB cable adapter to the Roku Stick and have plugged it into a wall outlet.
No matter what the case, as long as you remove the Roku Streaming Stick directly from the HDMI port, the Roku will shut off completely, learn more at: http://www.manualslib.com/manual/696105/Roku-Streaming-Stick.html.
4. **Turn off the Roku TV by unplugging the TV from the wall.** When you use the Roku remote to "turn off" your Roku TV, you're actually just putting the television into Standby mode. The only way to completely turn off the Roku TV is to unplug the cord from the outlet. Once this is done, the TV should be completely off.
5. **Restart Roku by unplugging the device and plugging it back in.** You may want to restart your Roku if it's not working correctly. After you do this, the screen should scroll up and then go completely blank. The Roku should then start back up; this will signify a successful restart.
6. **Alternately, restart Roku by using the Roku remote.** To do this, hold the remote, press the Home button five times in a row, press the Up arrow once and press the Rewind button two times. Then, press the Fast Forward button two times.
7. **As another alternative, restart Roku from the main menu.** If you've kept your Roku plugged in and updated with the latest software, you should have Roku 6.0. If you do, you have the version that allows you to restart the program from the main menu. To do this, go to Settings, System, and then System Restart. Select the System Restart button and your Roku should restart.
8. **Whether you have a Roku TV, Streaming Stick or Player, you can put the Roku into Standby Mode by holding down the power button on your Roku remote.** If you should want to turn your Roku back on, hold down the power button again to continue using your Roku.
9. **Know that if you don't use your Roku device for an extended period of time, it will go into Standby mode on its own to conserve energy.** If, for some reason, you can't manually make your Roku go into Standby mode, know that it will automatically go into Standby mode eventually. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Off-Roku", "language": "en"} |
How to Cook Frog Legs | Frog legs are a culinary delight growing in popularity. If you've never prepared this dish yourself, here's what you need to know about how to do it.
1. **Cut the frogs' legs at the joint.** Use a pair of kitchen scissors to divide each frog leg in half at the knee joint.
If you do not have a pair of scissors set aside for kitchen use, you could use a sharp knife, instead. Just be careful to avoid cutting your fingers while trying to cut through the joint.
2. **Marinate the legs in milk.** Place the frog legs in a bowl and pour the milk on top. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Do not let the frog legs marinate at room temperature. The milk could spoil, and room temperature range is ideal for triggering bacterial growth in raw meat.
3. **Season with salt and pepper.** After marinating the frog legs, let them drain on clean paper towels. Pat dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
If you are not sure about how much salt and pepper to use, try using about 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of each.
4. **Dredge in flour.** Dump the flour onto a plate or shallow bowl. Place each frog leg in the flour and turn as needed to coat all sides.
Gently shake off excess flour when done.
Place the coated frog legs on a separate plate when done.
5. **Heat 6 Tbsp (180 ml) butter in a large skillet.** Heat over high heat, letting it come to a sizzle.
The butter should begin to sizzle, but avoid letting it smoke. When butter becomes hot enough to produce smoke, it begins breaking down, which can affect the flavor of the end dish.
6. **Cook half the legs until golden brown.** Add half of the frog legs to the sizzling butter and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Flip the legs over using tongs in the middle of the cooking process so that both sides are evenly cooked.
7. **Repeat with more butter and the remaining frogs' legs.** Discard the remaining butter in the skillet and add a fresh 6 Tbsp (180 ml) more. Cook the remaining frog legs in the hot butter for 3 to 4 minutes.
As before, flip the legs over in the middle of the cooking process to cook both sides evenly.
8. **Sauté the garlic.** Discard the butter currently in the skillet and add the remaining butter. Once it sizzles, add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
Stir the garlic continually to avoid burning it.
When done, the garlic should be lightly browned and very fragrant.
9. **Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper.** With the skillet off the heat, add the lemon juice and more salt and pepper. Stir to combine well.
As before, if you are not sure about how much salt and pepper to use, try using about 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of each.
10. **Serve frogs' legs with garlic sauce.** Place the frog legs in the center of a serving plate and drizzle the garlic sauce over or around them.
Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
11. **Prepare the frogs' legs.** Rinse the frog legs and pat dry with clean paper towels. Divide them at the joint using sharp kitchen scissors.
If you do not have a pair of scissors set aside for kitchen use, you could use a sharp knife, instead.
12. **Combine the coating ingredients.** Place the crushed crackers, flour, cornmeal, dried minced onion, salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Zip the back up and shake vigorously to combine the ingredients together.
Make sure that the bag is large enough to fit the coating ingredients as well as one or two frog leg pieces at a time.
13. **Combine the eggs and milk.** Whisk the eggs and milk together in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed.
The mixture should be a consistent pale yellow color without any variations or streaks of white or darker yellow.
14. **Heat the oils in a large, heavy skillet.** Pour the vegetable oil and peanut oil into the skillet and heat them over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes.
The oil should be about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) deep.
Make sure that the skillet you use is heavy and has high sides. If you do not have a large skillet with tall sides, you could use a saucepan, instead.
15. **Coat the frogs' legs.** Dip each leg in the egg mixture. After letting the excess drip off, dredge each leg in the cracker mixture, turning to coat all sides.
If the bag with the cracker mixture is large enough, you can place a few pieces of frog leg in the bag at once, seal it, and shake lightly to coat them.
16. **Fry the legs until golden brown on each side.** Transfer the frog legs into the hot oil, cooking each one for about 5 minutes per side.
Be careful as you put the legs in the oil. The oil may sputter and spit at you if you get your hand too close or cause it to splash up by dropping the legs in with too much force.
If you notice that the legs are browning too fast, reduce the heat of the stove to medium from medium-high.
17. **Drain and serve.** Use tongs to fish the cooked frog legs from the hot oil and transfer them to clean paper towels. Serve once the legs have drained for a minute or so.
18. **Combine marinade ingredients.** Mix the vegetable oil, onion, parsley, salt, mustard, and basil in a small bowl. Also add the peel and juice of one lemon. Stir or whisk well to combine.
Pour 1/3 cup (80 ml) of the marinade into a small dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Set this portion aside for a later step.
19. **Marinate the frog legs with some of the marinade.** Place the frog legs in a single layer inside a baking dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the legs and cover will plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
The frog legs must be in a single layer. Otherwise, they may not marinate evenly.
Use tongs to occasionally turn the frog legs in the marinade as they sit in the refrigerator.
20. **Preheat grill.** Brush the grill with additional vegetable oil and preheat it to medium heat.
If using a gas grill, preheat all the burners of the grill to a medium setting.
If using a charcoal grill, lay two layers or so of charcoal briquettes along the bottom of the grill. Light and let the flame burn away until a light layer of ash forms on the charcoal.
21. **Grill frog legs for 6 to 7 minutes.** Drain the frog legs and transfer them to the hot grill. Cover the grill and cook for 3 minutes. Turn them over and close the grill again, cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes.
There should be no further traces of pink meat when the legs have finished cooking. Additionally, the meat should begin to separate from the bones will little effort once done.
22. **Combine reserved marinade with butter and garlic.** Heat the reserved marinade with the butter and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter is melted, stirring often.
This should take about 1 or 2 minutes.
23. **Serve frog legs with garlic sauce.** Transfer the frog legs to a serving plate and drizzle the butter mixture over or around them.
24. **Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).** Meanwhile, grease a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or shortening.
Alternatively, you could line the bottom of the dish with aluminum foil or parchment paper. The important thing is simply to keep the meat from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
25. **Combine the coating ingredients.** Mix together the Parmesan cheese, egg, butter, onion, garlic, cumin, rosemary, and tarragon in a small to medium mixing bowl until well combined.
Make sure that the dish has a fairly wide mouth so that you will be able to easily dunk the frog legs in and out of it.
26. **Coat the frogs' legs well.** Dip each frog leg in the cheese and egg mixture, coating both sides. Let the excess drip off before dredging all sides of each frog leg in bread crumbs.
The bread crumbs should be spread out on a wide plate or in a large bowl with shallow sides.
27. **Transfer the frog legs to your prepared baking dish.** Spoon any remaining mixture over the frogs' legs once all have been coated and placed in the dish.
The frog legs should be spread out in an even, single layer. Do not stack the legs into multiple layers, since doing so could lead to uneven cooking.
28. **Bake until golden brown.** Cook, uncovered, for about 1 hour in your preheated oven.
You should not need to stir or toss the frog legs as they cook, but if the top appears to be browning well before the end of the full cooking time, you can carefully reach in with a pair of tongs and turn the pieces over to expose the other side.
29. **Serve hot.** Sprinkle with salt, to taste, and serve immediately.
30. **Soak the frog legs in milk while preparing the batter.**
31. **Make the batter.** Whisk 2 eggs and 1 quarter cup of milk together. Add the and 2 tablespoons of CoffeeMate.
32. **Dip the frog legs in the batter.** Roll in flour.
For a thicker coating, double dip in the batter.
33. **Season to taste.**
34. **Sauté or deep fry.** Serve immediately after frying. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Frog-Legs", "language": "en"} |
How to Get Rid of Ground Digger Wasps (Cicada Killers) from Your Lawn | This article provides instructions on how to eradicate the ground-digger wasp (also known as the cicada-killer), should you have nest infestations on your lawn or property.
1. **Learn about ground digger wasps.** Ground-digger wasps (GDWs) are very large (slightly larger than a green hornet) passive-aggressive wasps that "build" their nests in dry, unfertilized earth. They are typically large and black-bodied with yellow stripes on their back-end. When fully grown, they measure about one and a half inches (or more) in length with about a one and a quarter-inch wide wingspan.
2. **Know the signs of ground digger wasps infesting your lawn or garden space.** You'll know you've got ground-digger wasp nests when you see small granular mounds of dirt piled up anywhere from two-to-five inches in height. At the base of the mound of granular dirt will be a finger-sized hole with a "path" of dirt leading out from it.
The nests will be sporadically built throughout your lawn or garden, but will typically be in the driest areas and/or under longer grass/weeds or under growing flowers. GDWs do not like, but can live in, moist soil.
3. **Find out the local life cycle.** In the Northeast US, the life-cycle of a ground-digger wasp is about one month beginning in mid-July and ending around mid-to-late August (depending on where you live, their life-cycle may start earlier or later). They go from young adults buzzing about play-attacking with each other, to full-size adults in about two-to-three weeks.
4. **It's important to understand that they only sting when attacked.** While very menacing looking, they are passive stingers, meaning only if very threatened will they attack and sting. You'd practically have to start digging into their nests while they're flying about for one to come at you and sting you (so, don't do that!). Otherwise, they tend to buzz about to check you out and to scare you away and they probably will the first time you encounter them. Know that they'd rather get on with their business of killing cicadas up in the trees than sting you.
5. **While the method suggested here basically kills the wasps in their nests, there is no other (safe- for-nearby-pets) way to eradicate them.** It is probable that you will still get nests from year-to-year, but only one, maybe two. The trick is to kill all of them while they're in their nests so their babies will not come back to the same place they were born.
6. **Get the supplies.** To eradicate an infestation of ground-digger wasps (GDWs), purchase from your local party store and supermarket, the following items: a) a large bag of white plastic knives, and b) up to three or four jug gallons of regular or lemon ammonia.
7. **During the day, when the wasps are up hunting for cicadas in the trees, mark each nest you find with one of the plastic knives pushed into the ground as close to the hole of the nest as possible (without disturbing the hole).** Leave enough of the knife sticking out of the ground so you can see it.
8. **After 10:30 or 11pm, (later is better), that evening, using a flashlight, seek out the knives you placed and carefully pour about two-to-three cups of ammonia into each of the holes.** At this time the wasps are probably nesting/sleeping, so you'll be catching them while in the nest. (You can stretch out the amount of ammonia by mixing a one-to-one ratio of water to ammonia. The diluted strength will still be enough to kill them.) Do not remove the knives.
9. **The next day, repeat the process on any new nests that you find in the ground.** You'll know the new nests from the old ones because you'll still have the knives in place from the night before. Once you've identified the new nests, remove the old knives.You may have to continually repeat the process depending on the original amount of wasps. Or you could hit the wasps with tennis rackets, knocking them to the ground then step on them.
10. **Try this option if you're happy to let nature's creatures follow their natural cycles without freaking.** First, this is a natural cycle and is part of nature's own way of dealing with a ballooning population of cicadas. Second, you can watch these interesting animals do their thing from the comfort of your own yard; they're raising their families just as every other natural creature tries to do. The way to cope if you leave them alone is very simple:
Do not aggravate them. Do not push or poke them, do not walk on them and do not attack them with anything.
Ignore them for two months. Just let them be as they dig up cicadas to feed their children. After two months, they'll be off.
Don't wander around with bare feet at night. Be sensible about walking in your garden; no yard is completely safe from prickles, stings and unpleasant things, so wear appropriate protection and practice sensible use of your yard. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Ground-Digger-Wasps-(Cicada-Killers)-from-Your-Lawn", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Lipstick Last All Day | Lip color is the key to a great makeup look, but there's nothing more annoying than applying a great lipstick color only to have it fade within a few hours. This article covers the best kinds of products to pick, as well as how to apply and maintain your lipstick so that it lasts throughout the day.
1. **Select a matte formula.** Not all lipsticks are created equal. Makeup artists suggest that in order of longevity matte formulas have the most staying power, followed by cream formulas, then liquid lipsticks, with lip glosses coming in last.
2. **Invest in a lip primer.** These are specially designed products that prime the lips for lipstick application and help the color adhere to the lips. They are available from many different brands.
Some makeup artists use concealer or foundation over the lips to similar effect. This has the added benefit of canceling out the natural color of your lips so that the true color of the lipstick shows up.
3. **Outline your lips with reverse lip liner or concealer.** Reverse lip liner is a colorless product that can be applied to the skin just outside the outline of your lips to provide a barrier and prevent feathering around the edge of your lips. As an alternative, apply concealer in this same area to prevent bleeding and help your lipstick stay in place.
Feathering occurs when the lipstick bleeds into the fine lines around the edge of your lips. These fine lines get more pronounced as we age.
4. **Get a lip brush for precise application.** The key to long-wearing lipstick is to apply several thin layers. This is best achieved with a lip brush, which also allows for greater precision and control.
A lip brush can help you apply the product neatly and precisely. It also ensures a more even distribution of product than when lipstick is applied right from the bullet.
5. **Use several products together for a really long lasting effect.** Experts recommend using a lip primer and a lip liner with a lipstick on top or a liquid lip stain underneath a lipstick. Then as one layer wears off, the base layer remains intact. Make sure they are similar colors!
6. **Prep your lips by gently exfoliating.** This will get rid of all the dead skin sitting on top of your lips that prevents the lipstick sinking in. It will also create a smooth, blank canvas for the lipstick to ensure even application.
Use a lip scrub. Many brands offer these types of product. You can also make your own with sugar, honey, and olive or coconut oil.
Gently scrub your lips with a soft toothbrush. Don’t go too hard, you just want to remove loose dead skin.
Use a damp washcloth on your lips, moving it in soft, circular motions to lift the dead skin.
7. **Apply a hydrating lip balm.** This ensures that the lips are moisturized. Applying lipstick to dry, cracked lips, especially a matte formula, can make lips look patchy and flaky.
Use a balm with waxy consistency not a slippery or oily one which will cause the lipstick to move around.
Allow some time for the lip balm to absorb before going on to the next step. Make this the first step in your makeup routine and do the rest of your face while the balm is absorbing.
This can help your lips feel more comfortable, especially if you're not used to wearing matte lipstick.
8. **Apply lip liner as a base.** Lip liner typically has a drier consistency than lipstick, so it serves as a layer for the lipstick to grip onto. Get a sharp cupid’s bow by drawing an x in the center of your top lip, then draw around the outline of your lips. Use the point of the lip liner pencil for this. Then, use the pencil to fill in your whole lip.
Filling in your whole lip is important because if the top layer of lip color wears off it won't reveal a sharp line. Use the side of the lip pencil to fill in the whole lip area.
You can also use a lip stain under your lipstick to help the color last longer.
9. **Apply a thin layer of lipstick.** You can do this either straight from the tube or with a lip brush.
10. **Blot the lipstick with a tissue.** Using a folded tissue, open your mouth and place it between your upper and lower lips, then press down on the tissue. This removes any excess product and keeps lipstick from transferring onto your teeth or clothing.
11. **Apply a light dusting of powder to set.** Professional makeup artists use this trick to set the lipstick without moving any of the color.
Get a tissue and separate the layers out.
Place just one thin sheet over your lips and apply loose, translucent powder with a big fluffy powder brush on top of the tissue.
You can apply powder directly to the lips to set if you don't have any tissues on hand, but be aware that overdoing it could result in a dry or discolored result.
12. **Apply another thin layer of lipstick.** Repeat the previous steps of blotting and setting with powder. This should give your lipstick real staying power. Finally, you can use a setting spray if you have one.
13. **Reapply after eating or drinking.** It is inevitable that your lip color will fade slightly over the course of the day. However, the change will be most noticeable when your lips come in direct contact with cups or utensils.
Bring your lipstick and apply another thin layer to top up the color after meals.
Carry a compact mirror to check for smudging or movement. Remember to check the lipstick hasn't transferred to your teeth.
14. **Be careful when re-applying lip balm.** You may find your lips require hydration as the day goes on, especially with drier formulas such as mattes. However, the oil in lip balm actually breaks up the color, causing it to wear off and fade.
If you find your lips get dry through the day, opt for a more moisturizing lipstick formula and make sure you don’t skip the crucial step of hydrating before application.
Avoid licking your lips. Not only will this make your lip color fade, it actually makes your lips drier over time.
If you do apply lip balm, allow it to absorb for a minute or two, blot any excess off with a tissue and then follow up with another layer of lipstick. This gives your lips some much-needed moisture without the lip color fading.
Apply lip balm sparingly. Excessive use of lip balm can hinder your lips' natural ability to produce their own moisture.
15. **Experiment with different products until you get one that works for you.** Once you have a solid grasp of the application technique you can begin to try different combinations to figure out which lipsticks offer the best longevity. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lipstick-Last-All-Day", "language": "en"} |
How to Knit Small Flowers | There are many ways to knit a flower, but knitting a small, simple flower is a good place to start. Choose your yarn and knitting needles and then use them to knit a small flower by following a simple pattern. Make a variety of different color flowers or many flowers in the same color! Give the flowers away as tokens of appreciation or sew them onto your knitting projects.
1. **Choose a light to medium weight yarn and smaller needles.** To create small delicate flowers, choose a light to medium weight yarn and a pair of needles on the small end of the spectrum for that yarn. Usually, a US size 5 to 7 (3.75 to 4.5 mm) would be appropriate for a lightweight yarn and a 7 to 9 (4.5 to 5.5 mm) would be appropriate for a medium weight yarn, so choose a size at the lower end of the spectrum for the yarn you select.
For example, if you want to use a lightweight yarn for your flowers, then choose a US size 5 (3.75 mm) pair of knitting needles. If you want to use a medium weight yarn, then choose a US size 7 (4.5 mm) pair of knitting needles.
2. **Make a slipknot** Loop the yarn around your index and middle finger twice. Then, pull the second loop through the first loop. Slide the loop onto your right hand knitting needle. Then, pull the tail of the yarn to tighten the loop.
3. **Cast on** With the slipknot on your right hand needle, loop the yarn over the left hand needle and insert the needle through the loop. Then, pull this new loop through and let the other one fall off the right hand needle.
Continue casting on stitches in this way until you have 50 total.
4. **Purl** Transfer the needle with all of the stitches on it to your left hand and hold the empty needle in your right hand. Use the purl stitch to work all of the cast on stitches from the left needle to the right needle.
5. **Knit** Hold the needle with all of the stitches on it to your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Insert the right hand needle into the first stitch on the left hand needle. Then, yarn over the end of the left hand needle, use the right hand needle to pull this yarn through the stitch, and let the old stitch slide off.
6. **Slip the stitch back onto the left hand needle.** Insert the left hand needle through the stitch that you just transferred to the right hand needle. Let the stitch slide off of the right hand needle and onto the left hand needle.
7. **Loop the second stitch over the first.** Insert the empty right hand needle into the second stitch in the row. Then, pull it up and over the first stitch. Continue to loop the next 8 stitches up and over the first stitch in the row just as you did with the second stitch.
This is similar to binding off, except you will not be knitting after each loop over. The goal is to gather all 9 loops onto 1 loop.
8. **Knit the last stitch but keep it on the needle.** After you loop the ninth stitch up and over the first 1, knit this stitch as you normally would, but do not let the old stitch slide off yet. Keep it on the needle.
9. **Yarn over the needle and knit the same stitch again.** Loop the yarn over the needle in the front to create an extra stitch. Then, pull this yarn through the stitch and let the old 1 slide off the left hand needle as you do so.
At this point, you should have 3 stitches on the right hand needle.
10. **Repeat this process all the way across the row.** Continue to knit 1, loop over 9, and then knit and increase for the rest of the row. When you reach the end of the row, you should have 15 stitches on your needle instead of 50 and the stitches should look scalloped or ruffled.
11. **Turn your work and knit across the row.** Take the right hand needle with all of the stitches on it and transfer it to your left hand. Turn the work around as you do so. Then knit across the remaining stitches in this row.
The stitches will be in clumps of 3 and spread out across your needles. Keep the working yarn taut as you knit to begin gathering them.
12. **Cut the working yarn and thread it onto a yarn needle.** Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the yarn about 10 inches (25 cm) from the last stitch. Then, insert the end of the working yarn through the eye of a yarn needle.
You can also use a tapestry needle to do this. Just make sure that the eye of the needle is large enough to fit your yarn through without damaging it.
13. **Insert the threaded needle through the remaining loops.** Instead of knitting through the remaining loops on the needle, insert the threaded needle through each of the loops to secure them. Then, slide the loops off of the needle and pull on the end of the yarn. This will form a circle at the center of the petals.
Make sure to pull the thread enough to bring both ends of the row together. The petals should be gathered around the circle.
14. **Sew through the first stitch and first and last petals to secure the flower.** Once the circle is formed, sew through the first stitch at the center of the flower. Then, sew through the first and last petals to join them together. Tie off the yarn and cut the excess.
You may also weave in the end of the yarn if desired by sewing around the center of the circle a few times.
This completes your flower! Make more flowers in different colors for variety! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Knit-Small-Flowers", "language": "en"} |
How to Trade Binary Options | Binary options trading has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Day traders in particular access these markets with ease from their computers. Another draw is that entrance requires relatively little capital. This article will delve into the basic rules of the game, how market exchanges work, and several ways to strategize for the greatest profit potential. Along the way, you'll also learn the jargon used in binary options trading that you need to understand to be successful.
1. **Know the meaning of a binary option.** A binary option is based on a “yes” or “no” proposition to whether an underlying asset will be above a certain price at a specified time. If you answer yes and are correct at the time of expiry, you win and are “in the money.” If you answer no and lose, you lose the money you invested. You're “out of the money.”
However, unlike other options, you can only make or lose up to $100 per options contract.
An underlying asset in binary options trading can be a specific company's stock; a commodity like gold; a stock index like the S&P 500 Index; Bitcoin; a Forex pairing, which is the value of one foreign currency against another; or a news event, such as whether the Federal Reserve will increase or decrease rates.
"In the money” and “out of the money” simply refer to whether you answered the proposition a) correctly and are “in the money” or b) incorrectly and are “out of the money.”
The expiry date is the time or date at which the binary option expires, and the price is examined to see if it increased or decreased. It can be anywhere from five minutes to over a month after you placed the trade.
2. **Recognize it's an “all-or-nothing” deal.** Just like rolling the dice in a game of craps, you either win the pot or lose what you put in the pot. For example, if the proposition is, “Will the price of gold be above $1,150 by 1:30 p.m. today?” and you decide yes it will be, you would place a binary call option. If the option were trading at $35 (bid price) and $37.50 (ask price) at 1 p.m., you'd buy at $37.50. (If you were selling, you'd sell at $35.) If you're correct at 1:30 p.m. and the price of gold is above $1,150, your option is now worth $100.
Your profit, then, is calculated like this: $100 (total amount you can make on one trading contract) - $37.50 (the price you paid for that contract) = $62.50 minus fees. You're in the money.
So, for every winner, there's a loser on the other end. It's a zero-sum game.
A call option is essentially when you predict that the underlying asset will increase in price. Even if an underlying asset only increases by a tenth of a cent you still win in binary options trading.
A put option is when you predict that the underlying asset will decrease in price. Here again you win even if the underlying asset only drops by just a tick.
The bid price is the maximum price that a buyer or buyers are willing to pay for an underlying asset. The ask price is the minimum amount a seller or sellers are willing to receive for an underlying asset. A trade or a transaction results when the two agree on a price.
3. **Realize that market makers determine the bid and ask prices.** Market makers – or a person or brokerage house/bank – look at many variables to decide whether they believe the proposition will be true or false and are fairly confident they're on the winning side.
If the bid and ask are in the likes of $85 and $89, respectively, market makers are assuming there's a high probability that the proposition will result in a yes.
If the bid and ask are near $50, that's saying they're not sure.
If the bid and the ask are more like $10 and $15, they're indicating they think the answer will be no.
4. **Understand you don't own the underlying asset.** Binary options trading merely involves speculation on the price of the underlying asset. It does not mean you own the asset itself. For example, when you buy a binary options contract you don't own stock in Google or own a certain amount of gold.
5. **Recognize the risk and reward in relation to other options trading.** When trading in binary options, the gain or loss is fixed at $100 per options contract. In general options trading, the same isn't true. But that alone doesn't account for the difference. In options trading, one has to calculate the direction of the price as is required in binary options trading and the magnitude of the price move.
Thus in binary options trading there is more assured reward and a capped risk. Your profit or loss isn't determined by the price of the underlying asset at the time of expiry as it is with other options.
6. **Learn about exercising options.** There are two types of binary exercising options: the American style and the European style. American-style options can be exercised (or settled) at any time prior to expiry. European-style options can only be exercised on the date of expiry or the last business day prior to expiry. With both in binary trading, you can change your position if you think your initial answer to the proposition will be wrong at expiry to a) cut your losses or b) lock in an early profit.
7. **Know the three legal binary options contract markets in the U.S.** Due to widespread fraud involving binary options trading on Internet-based platforms, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved three markets or exchanges for trading binary options: Nadex, the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Cantor Exchange.
You can make direct trades on each. Each has its own, very specific rules. Make sure you read them first.
8. **Take measures to avoid dealing with fraudulent operations.** Much of the binary options trading market operates online, and many are not in compliance with U.S. regulations. It's recommended you do the following before trading with entities other than the three exchanges.
Check to see if the platform has registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by checking its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR), which you can access here: [1].
Determine if the platform itself is registered as an exchange by looking at the SEC's website on exchanges located here: [2].
Find out if the platform is a designated contract market by checking the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) list here: [3].
Finally, check the registration status and background of any firm or financial professional by checking these two websites, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's BrokerCheck and the CFTC's fraud advisories: [4] and [5].
9. **Know the exercise options and fees of each exchange.** The CBOE uses the European style, and options can only be exercised on the last business day prior to the date of expiry. However, it allows you to sell or buy back your position prior to expiry. Nadex uses the American style, as does the Cantor Exchange. Each of their fees differ as all, and this should be considered and calculated before trading.
The Cantor Exchange doesn't charge per trade. It does charge $.90 per contract at settlement if you're in the money. There's no charge at expiry if you're out of the money, and a $.45 charge if you're at the money. This means there's been no change in the price, so you neither win nor lose.
Nadex charges both trading and settlement fees. Trading fees are assessed twice – once to open and once to close a trade. It charges $.90 per contract up to 10 contracts; there are no fees per contract after that, so your total trading fee for each side of the trade is capped at $9.00. It charges $.90 per contract settlement (up to 10) that's in the money. There are no fees if you're out of the money.
The CBOE fees vary.
Other platforms that trade through these exchanges charge fees, too, generally on top of the fees each exchange charges. Read the fine print carefully when using these platforms.
10. **Analyze markets through fundamental analysis.** In broad terms, fundamental analysis is the study of all the external factors that can change the price of an asset. It looks at geo-political news like conflicts, elections, growth reports, employment, interest rate changes, etc. to then “ride the market's movement” and hopefully profit. It requires research – reading the news, studying world events, knowing the underlying trends in the markets you're trading, and the real situation on the ground as much as possible.
For example, if you're trading on the release of employment data in Canada, you can't go off of predictions that it will, for instance, rise. You also need to look at the types of jobs that were added, how many hours workers put in, who's getting the jobs, etc.
These will help you assess whether the price of the underlying asset – employment – rises or falls. Employment might rise, but the trading price may go down because of these other factors.
11. **Utilize technical analysis.** Technical analysis involves using tools – typically graphical charts – to pull together statistics on a) trends such as new highs and lows for specific issues (stocks, commodities or currencies), b) the speed at which an asset's price rises or falls, which represents momentum, c) the volume and number of both declining and rising issues, and d) whether an asset is trading either above or below average, which indicates volatility.
Typically it involves looking at this all from a historical perspective to make predictions about future trends.
The underlying suppositions in technical analysis are: the price of an asset is a reflection of all you need to know about that market; prices move according to trends; and history repeats itself.
It's concerned with internal factors – price and past performance.
Look at the New York Stock Exchange's advance-decline breadth indicator, the Arm's Index and the Trader's Short-Term Index when examining market movement over time.
Use these indicators for trends in high and lows: Moving Averages and Parabolic SAR (stop and reverse).
Examine the Relative Strength Index (RSI), the Commodity Channel Index (CCI) and stochastics oscillators to assess momentum.
Study Bollinger bands, standard deviations and the Average True Range indicator for insight on volatility.
Analyze the On Balance Volume (OBV), the Chaikin Oscillator, and the Rate of Change Volume (ROCV) indicator for market volume.
12. **Examine market sentiment.** Market sentiment is typically indicated by bullish behavior, such as buying call options and selling put options. It is also expressed by bearish behavior, such as buying put options or selling call options. Calculating the put-to-call ratio is a measure of market sentiment. To calculate this, divide the put volume by the call volume.
When the ratio is low, you have a bearish market in which people are fearful. High ratios indicate the opposite.
All major exchanges publish their own versions of these ratios. They focus on equity, indices, retail activity and so forth.
Your goal is to find the ratio that applies to the underlying asset you're considering trading on and use it to direct your answer to the proposition.
13. **Sniff out fear.** Because people pull out when they're nervous, markets drop faster than they rise. Exchanges recognize this and even publish volatility indexes that you can use to help in your decision-making. You can also actually trade binary volatility options on the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX).
14. **Trade on volatility.** Because volatility drives the sale and price of options and trading stock normally in a volatile market is risky, consider trading binary options on the volatility of the underlying market.
The first way is by buying or selling a market's direction at strike prices that are out of the money. This means they are cheaper. If you're the buyer and the strike price – the price of the underlying asset when the option is purchased – is higher at expiry, you win. If you're the seller and the strike price is below at expiry you win.
The second way is trading binaries that are in the money in what you believe will remain a flat market. The initial cost will be more, but if your prediction is correct and the market remains flat you will make a small profit.
15. **Consider the ask size when trading.** The ask size is the number of contracts for an underlying asset that a market maker is offering to sell at the ask price. The market maker fills a customer's order with the lowest ask price for buys and the highest bid price for sells.
The higher the ask size the larger the supply of that underlying asset there is that the market maker wants to sell.
A large supply means you may have more leverage in paying a lower price for the option. Remember, you don't have to pay the ask price. You simply need to exceed the current bid and hope it's accepted before you're outbid.
16. **Take advantage of the knock-off effect.** This strategy is generally referred to as the Knock-Off Effect or Market Pull strategy. It's grounded in the assumption that the movement of one binary option will impact another. For instance, historically the price of gold drops when the US dollar (USD) rises, and the USD impacts how other currencies fare on the market. Your task is to learn about and monitor the markets for these correlations before placing a put or call.
It uses both fundamental and technical analysis to determine your trade and is considered by some the most effective way to make money when trading binary options.
17. **Hedge existing positions.** Buying binary put options on stocks you already own but think may drop in price a bit could offset losses in those stocks if they did, indeed, fall. This wouldn't protect you if the stock dropped significantly. It could help though if the dip was small-to-moderate. You can also hedge on losing binary positions by using shorter-term expiry binaries such as a five-minute binary. Placing a put option in the direction of the loss can help you recoup your other loss as long as the asset continues moving in the losing direction. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Trade-Binary-Options", "language": "en"} |
How to Lower DHEA | Keeping your hormone levels in check can boost your quality of life in every way. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is one of the most important hormones in your body as it regulates the production of androgens and estrogens. However, having too much DHEA in your system may be associated hyperandrogenic effects. To lower your DHEA levels, start by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting the right amount of sleep. Talk with your doctor and ask them to monitor your levels over time. Be careful about any medications that you take and over time you should start to see and feel the positive results.
1. **Talk with your doctor.** Make an appointment to see your general practitioner or an endocrinologist, a specialist who treats hormonal disorders. They will ask you about your medical history and run a blood test for DHEA levels. Bring a list of questions with you to get the most out of your appointment.
A blood test may also be used to rule out any larger issues with your adrenal glands, such as Addison disease. The test is actually looking at DHEA-S because this is the form of DHEA your adrenal gland secretes.
Your doctor will likely tell you that it is important to lower your DHEA as high levels can cause aggression and irregular blood pressure, among other health issues. Luckily, a benefit of reducing your DHEA levels is that most of these health concerns will disappear as your numbers drop.
2. **Eat foods that are high in zinc** Certain minerals, such as zinc, may reduce swelling and inflammation throughout your body. If you’ve felt swollen lately and you know that your DHEA levels are high, zinc may be able to help you. Just make sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements. Eat more foods that are high in zinc:
Meat, especially beef, pork, lamb, and the dark meat on chicken
Nuts
Beans
Whole grains
Yeast
3. **Monitor any pre-existing conditions.** Your DHEA levels can have a direct impact on others areas of your health, including any prior diseases that you may be fighting. Along with your doctor, you may want to agree to additional monitoring for any diabetes, liver disease, or cancers while trying to lower your DHEA levels. This is a proactive approach that can keep you healthy in the long term.
4. **Watch for any potential drug interactions.** Certain drugs have a side effect of boosting your DHEA levels. If you are trying to keep your levels lower, then talk with your doctor before starting any new medications. And, go through with them and evaluate all of the current medications that you are taking.
For example, diabetes drugs, such as metformin, are often associated with DHEA boosts.
5. **Stop any synthetic DHEA supplements.** Talk with your doctor about gradually weaning off, or stopping cold turkey, any prescribed or over-the-counter hormonal medications that you are currently taking. It’s almost impossible to lower your DHEA while taking boosting medications.
Be aware that the weaning off process can take months. Just stay patient and you will see positive results over time.
6. **Agree to surgical treatment.** If your excess DHEA is caused by a sizeable tumor, then your doctor may suggest a removal procedure. Talk over the risks and rewards of any surgeries with your doctor before agreeing to anything. The benefit of surgery is that it will make it possible to lower your levels quickly.
7. **Consult with your doctor before making any changes.** If you’d like to try to control your DHEA levels using diet and exercise, then make an appointment to talk over your ideas with your primary care physician. They may be able to give you some extra tips or advice as to what works and what doesn’t. They can also start to track your DHEA levels right away, so you’ll know how to modify your lifestyle changes.
8. **Eat the right diet.** Just to be clear, foods do not contain DHEA directly. But, eating particular foods can encourage your body to produce more or less DHEA and other hormones. If you are trying to lower your levels, avoid foods that will elevate your DHEA, such as wild yams, sugars, wheat, and dairy products. Instead, follow a diet that emphasizes foods with anti-inflammatory properties, like tomatoes, olive oil, and salmon.
9. **Exercise, but avoid over exercising.** Going to work out at least three times a week is a great way to keep your DHEA levels under control. Include cardio and weight sessions to see the most benefits. Working out will help you to build muscle and shed fat.
Keep in mind that exercising too much may raise your DHEA levels, so it is important to avoid overdoing it.
10. **Maintain a healthy body weight.** Look at the Body Mass Index (BMI) for a general guide as to where your weight should be as related to your height and age. When your body carries extra weight the fat cells store DHEA. Your body also produces excess estrogen, DHEA, and other hormones.
11. **Get the right amount of sleep.** To better control your hormones, aim to get eight hours of sleep per night. Come up with a sleep schedule that works for you and stick with it.
12. **Reduce your stress.** Your body is very sensitive to stress and may respond by producing excess hormones, such as DHEA. To keep your DHEA under control, find some ways to unwind in your daily life. Take up yoga, which you can do both at work and at home. Practice deep breathing techniques. Eat at least one meal outside each day to enjoy the fresh air. Go see a movie or a take a painting class with friends.
You can also ask your doctor to monitor your blood pressure levels alongside your DHEA results. If you engage in stress-relieving activities, you might see improvements across the board.
13. **Watch for natural reductions with age.** DHEA levels usually peak right around the age of 20 when a person becomes fully hormonally and physically mature. Then, they start to naturally decline until almost no DHEA is left by the time you reach your 90s. Talk with your doctor about how to manage the age-based decline of your DHEA levels while also taking outside action, such as dietary changes.
14. **Be careful not to go too low.** In your efforts to lower your DHEA levels, make sure that you go in for regular blood tests with your doctor. Changing up your body’s production of DHEA too much has been linked to some dangerous illnesses, such as certain cancers and type 2 diabetes.
15. **Minimize any cortisol intake.** Cortisol shots have been linked to boosted DHEA levels. If you decide to take any medications with cortisol, which is a hormone itself, talk with your doctor about your concerns. Your doctor may also recommend cortisol as a partial replacement for a dip in DHEA levels. This is a strategy often used with athletes undergoing heavy training.
16. **Choose a non-hormonal birth control.** The chemicals found in many birth control pills and shots can cause a boost in DHEA levels. To determine if you are taking a pill with testosterone-like effects, read your medication’s label and talk with your doctor. If you are considering a birth control shot, discuss the hormonal effects with your OB-GYN before moving forward.
Non-hormonal methods, such as a copper IUD, have the same birth control benefits without the progestin risk. Many people experiencing migraines or hair loss with hormonal methods also find these to be a good alternative.
17. **Make no changes at all.** If your high levels of DHEA are asymptomatic, or showing no outward symptoms, then you may safely choose to leave it generally untreated. Perhaps make some of the suggested lifestyle changes and see how those go. In some cases, even DHEA secreting tumors are left alone because the surgery can be more problematic than the excess hormones. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-DHEA", "language": "en"} |
How to Accept that Your Crush Doesn't Like You | So you’ve just found out your crush doesn’t like you back. Now what? You might feel like moping around or pestering them in an attempt to change their mind, but that will most likely just leave you feeling worse, and possibly annoy your crush, too. The healthiest and most dignified thing to do in this situation is to accept the news and move on. You can get over the sting of rejection by keeping yourself busy, distancing yourself from your crush, and taking care of your emotional health.
1. **Spend time on your hobbies.** Throw yourself into the things you enjoy doing to keep your mind off your crush. If you used to spend a lot of time thinking about the object of your affections, reclaim that time by putting it towards a new project, a good book, or a series on Netflix that you’ve been meaning to watch.
If you previously dropped some of your hobbies because you were distracted by your crush, picking them up again is a great way to move on.
2. **Meet new people.** Instead of pining over someone who isn’t interested in you, mix it up with some new people who will appreciate how great you are. You don’t have to go looking for another crush just yet, but don’t be shy about reaching out to all kinds of people and making new friends.
School, extracurricular activities, community clubs, and volunteer work are all good ways to meet people.
3. **Try something that is completely different.** Expand your horizons and take your mind off the past by challenging yourself. If you’ve always wanted to do something but never worked up the nerve, there’s a no better time than right now to give it a try.
For example, you could audition for a play, take a solo trip, or apply for a new job.
4. **Respect your crush’s boundaries.** Don’t try to change your crush’s mind or prove to them how great you are. This might get on their nerves, and worse, it will make you feel a little pathetic. Save your energy for someone who likes you, and leave your crush alone.
Remember that there are many reasons your crush might not be interested in you. Maybe they’ve liked someone else for a long time, or maybe they like you as a friend but don’t think you’d be a compatible couple. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.
5. **Explain that you need some time to recover.** If you are friends with your crush, it’s normal to feel a little awkward around them after getting rejected. Let them know that you need some time away from them to get over your feelings. If they are a good friend, they’ll understand and respect your wishes.
If you aren’t really friends with your crush, you don’t need to explain to them that you’re taking some time away from them. In fact, it’s probably better if you don’t.
6. **Unfollow or block your crush on social media.** Resist the urge to stalk your crush online by unfriending or unfollowing them on the social media platforms you use. If you’re worried about caving in and re-following them later, block them.
You can always re-add them in the future, once you’re over your feelings.
7. **Stay away from places you think your crush may be.** Don’t try to get a glimpse of your crush in the hallway at school or in the break room at work, no matter how tempting the idea may be. Put as much distance as you can between yourself and them. If you have to see your crush every day, try to sit far away from them and avoid conversation.
Be polite. It’s okay to say hello if you happen to see your crush, but don’t linger or try to start a conversation.
8. **Avoid asking your friends about your crush.** If you and your crush have mutual friends, let them know that you’re trying to get over some feelings, and ask them not to talk about your crush around you for a while. Don’t ask what your crush is up to or whether they’re dating anybody since this might re-ignite your old emotions.
9. **Avoid entertainment that reminds you of your crush.** Music, movies, and books can all be helpful in getting over an unrequited flame, but stay away from entertainment that helps you wallow in your feelings. If certain media makes you think about your crush, cut it out for a while and replace it with something that isn’t so emotionally loaded.
Try indulging in escapism for a while. Look for novels and TV shows that transport you to worlds very different from your everyday life.
10. **Accept your feelings.** Admit to yourself that you’re feeling bad about getting turned down. There’s nothing wrong with liking someone, and rejection is something almost everyone has experienced at some point. The sooner you come to terms with your feelings, the sooner you can heal from them and move on.
11. **Grieve the loss of the potential relationship.** Even though you were not in a relationship with this person, in your mind, it may feel like you “lost” someone. Allow yourself time and space to grieve properly, then it will be easier to move on.
Having a crush is like having a one-sided imaginary relationship. In your mind, you develop an attachment to another person that is not reciprocated. You will need time and space to break that attachment.
12. **Find support.** Seek out the company of people who value you, like your friends and family. It’s okay to cry or talk your problems through with them, especially at first, but try to have some fun with your loved ones too. A day out with your pals or a visit with extended family can do wonders for your mood and self-esteem.
13. **Make a list of your good qualities.** Sit down with pen and paper, and spend a few minutes brainstorming all the reasons someone would be lucky to be with you. Include overall positive traits like kindness, as well as little quirks like always remembering someone’s favorite foods. Save your list so you can look at it when you feel down about yourself.
14. **Think about your crush’s negative traits.** Nobody’s perfect, and your previously rosy view of your crush might have hidden their bad qualities. Now that you have a bit more distance from them, think of everything that bothers you about your crush, from their weird laugh to their inability to remember your name. You’ll be feeling less love-struck in no time.
15. **Express yourself creatively.** Channel your feelings into your writing, drawing, music, or any other kind of art you like to make. You can show other people your finished work, or keep it private – it’s up to you.
16. **Practice good self-care.** Your heart and ego are probably feeling a little bruised, so be gentle with yourself as you recover. Cut yourself a bit of slack at school or work. Instead of burying your sadness with endless movie-and-takeout sessions, do your best to eat well and get some exercise, and treat yourself to things that make you feel good about yourself.
For instance, you could spend an afternoon at your favorite coffee shop or get a new haircut that you love. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Accept-that-Your-Crush-Doesn%27t-Like-You", "language": "en"} |
How to Treat a Corn or Callus | A corn or callus is an area of thick, hardened, dead skin, caused by friction and irritation. Corns form on the sides and tops of the toes, and can be quite painful. A callus typically forms on the bottom or sides of the feet and can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but does not usually become painful. Calluses can also form on the hands. Corns and calluses can typically be treated at home, but if yours are painful, persistent, or if you have an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, medical treatment may be necessary.
1. **Differentiate between a corn and a callus.** Corns and calluses are not the same thing, therefore the treatment approaches are different.
A corn can develop between the toes, has a core, and can be quite painful. Corns also develop along the tops of the toes, most often located just above a joint in the toe.
Corns are categorized as hard, soft, or periungual. A hard corn most commonly develops on the top of the toe and over a bone joint. A soft corn develops between the toes, usually between the fourth and fifth toes. A periungual corn is less common, and occurs along the edge of a nailbed.
A core is not always present, but is usually found at the center of the corn. The core consists of thick and dense skin tissue.
The core of the corn points inward and often presses on a bone or nerve which causes it to be quite painful.
A callus does not have a core, and is a broader area that is made of evenly distributed thicker tissue. Calluses are not usually painful, although they can be uncomfortable.
Calluses usually develop on the bottom of the foot and just beneath the toe area. Calluses can also develop on the hands, usually on the palm side and just under the fingers.
Both corns and calluses are caused by friction and pressure.
2. **Use over-the-counter remedies.** Salicylic acid is the most common ingredient found in over-the-counter products used to treat corns and calluses.
The use of over-the-counter products is helpful in removing corns and calluses, but their use is more effective when combined with general measures to take care of the skin.
Take steps to treat the immediate problem, but be sure to correct the problem causing the friction or pressure.
3. **Apply salicylic acid pads to remove a corn.** Salicylic acid corn remover pads are available without prescription in strengths as strong as 40%.
Soak the foot in warm water for about five minutes to soften the tissue. Dry the foot and toes thoroughly before applying the pads.
Take care not to apply the pad against healthy skin tissue.
Most products recommend repeating the procedure every 48 to 72 hours, for up to 14 days, or until the corn is removed.
Salicylic acid is classed as a keratolytic agent. This means it helps to bring added moisture to the area while working to soften and dissolve skin tissue. Salicylic acid can be harmful to healthy tissue.
Follow the instructions on the product or in the product literature. Do not use if you are allergic to salicylic acid products.
Avoid getting salicylic acid products in your eyes, nose, or mouth, and do not use on any other area of the body without instructions from your doctor.
Rinse any areas accidentally exposed to salicylic acid with water immediately.
Keep salicylic acid products stored in a safe manner, away from children and pets.
4. **Use salicylic acid for calluses.** Salicylic acid comes in a variety of forms and a multitude of strengths. Foams, lotions, gels, and pads are available that can be used to treat callused areas on your foot.
Each product has unique application instructions. Follow the direction on the product or in the product literature to effectively use salicylic acid products to get rid of calluses.
5. **Use topical products with 45% urea.** Other than treatment with salicylic acid, other products are available over-the-counter that may be helpful.
Products that contain 45% urea can be used topically as keratolytics to help soften and remove unwanted tissue, including corns and calluses.
Follow the directions provided on the product label or contained in the product literature.
Routine directions for using 45% topical urea products include twice daily applications until the condition has resolved.
Do not ingest topical urea products, and do not get them in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Keep the products away from children and pets.
If swallowed, call 911, call a poison control center, or seek emergency medical attention the fastest way possible.
6. **Use a pumice stone.** For callused areas, using a pumice stone or file designed for the foot, can help to get rid of the hardened areas of skin. They're especially helpful on broad, callused areas, like the heel or the bottom of your feet.
This can also be used for unwanted calluses that form on the hands.
Using a device like a pumice stone or file helps to remove layers of dead skin. Take care not to file away healthy tissue. Doing so can lead to further irritation and possibly infection if the healthy skin is broken.
File away layers of thickened and hard tissue before you apply medication.
7. **Soak your feet.** Soaking your feet in warm water helps to soften the thickened areas of tissue for both corns and calluses.
For unwanted calluses on your hands, soaking the area can help to soften the tissue just as it does for your feet.
Dry your feet or hands thoroughly after soaking. While your skin tissue is soft after soaking, proceed with using your pumice stone or file..
Even if you don’t have time to soak your feet or hands every day, use the pumice stone or file just after getting out of your bath or shower.
8. **Keep your skin moist.** Apply moisturizers to your feet and hands to help keep the tissues soft.
This can make it easier to remove the hardened thick areas of skin with a pumice stone or file, as well as help to prevent the formation of corns and calluses.
Since the skin on your feet is very thick, use a thick lotion to ensure it's able to penetrate deep enough to soften your feet.
9. **Pursue medical help in treating the condition.** If you have a callus or corn that's deeply seated in one area, it's probably best to have that treated at a podiatrist's office. Also, if you have diabetes, you are at greater risk of serious foot problems partly caused by changes in circulation to your extremities, so it's especially important to see a doctor.
Medical conditions like diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and any other condition that interferes with normal blood flow, warrant medical help to treat corns and calluses. Talk to your doctor before treating your corns or calluses at home.
10. **Ask your doctor for instructions if the areas are large and painful.** While corns and calluses rarely fall in the category of a medical emergency, sometimes the areas are very large and quite painful.
Seeking help from your doctor is the safest and most effective way to proceed with treatment.
Some corns and calluses are resistant to the available over-the-counter treatment options. Ask your doctor about prescription strength products or procedures that may be helpful.
Your doctor can help by performing some in-office procedures to improve the condition.
Using a scalpel or other tool available in the medical office, your doctor can help to trim away large areas of excess and hardened skin.
Do not attempt to trim very thick areas of hardened skin at home. This may lead to more irritation, bleeding, and possible infection.
11. **Look for warts.** In addition to corns and calluses, sometimes warts are part of the problem.
Your doctor can help determine if warts, or any other skin condition, is involved and recommend the best treatment approach.
12. **Watch for signs of infection.** Very rarely, the corns or calluses may become infected.
See you doctor as soon as possible if any area of your foot or hand is red, swollen, feels warm to the touch, or is more tender than normal.
13. **Consider foot conditions that cause misalignment.** Some people have deformities in their feet that cause them to have repeated problems, including recurrent problems with corns and calluses.
Your doctor may refer you to a podiatrist for treatment. Some conditions that may be contributing to the problems you are having with corns and calluses include hammer toe, bone spurs, lower than normal natural arches, and bunions.
Many of these conditions can be corrected by wearing inserts or specially designed footwear.
In rare cases, surgery may be warranted.
14. **Watch for complications on your hands.** When calluses develop from a source of friction or pressure on your hands, it is possible for the skin to break and an infection can begin.
In some cases, blisters form along with, just beneath, or beside the calluses. When this happens, fluid is contained inside the blisters, which is naturally absorbed back into the skin with time. If the blisters pop or drain, it is easy to get an infection started in the healthy tissue around the blisters and calluses.
Contact your doctor if your hand appears reddened, swollen, or warm to the touch.
Topical or systemic antibiotics may be needed if you have an infection.
15. **Eliminate the source of friction.** The most common cause of corns and calluses on the feet is something causing irritation, pressure, or friction in the same spot.
By eliminating the source of the friction, you can prevent corns and calluses from forming.
16. **Wear shoes that fit properly.** Shoes that do not fit can rub against your toes or cause your foot to slide inside the shoe.
Be sure your toes have plenty of wiggle room inside your shoes.
Corns develop along the tops and sides of your toes, and can be due to wearing shoes that do not give your toes enough room.
Repeated rubbing or irritation caused by shoes that do not fit properly are a major cause of corns of calluses.
Tightly fitting shoes and shoes with high heels that cause your fit to slide forward can cause corns and calluses to develop.
Calluses develop when the bottom or side of the foot slides against a part of the shoe that is irritating, or slides inside of shoes that are too large.
17. **Wear socks.** Going without socks can cause your feet to experience friction and pressure from your shoes.
Always wear socks to prevent the friction and pressure. Especially in shoes that are designed to wear socks, such as athletic foot wear, heavy work shoes, and boots.
Be sure your socks fit properly. Socks that are too tight can squeeze your toes causing unwanted pressure and friction. Loosely fitting socks can slide down on your foot while in the shoe and contribute to added friction and pressure on areas of your foot.
18. **Apply protective coverings.** Use pads placed on top of the areas where the corns develop, between your toes, or along areas where the calluses form.
Using pads, sections lamb’s wool, or toe separators can help to reduce the friction and pressure along your toe or foot area where the corns and calluses are located.
19. **Wear gloves.** Calluses form on your hands at the areas of greatest friction.
In many cases, calluses on the hand are welcomed. One example involves people that play musical instruments. Guitar players, for instance, appreciate the calluses that form on the tips of their fingers. This helps them to play their instrument without pain.
Another example is athletes that lift weights. The calluses that form on their hands can help them to grasp and manipulate the bars used in weight lifting. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Corn-or-Callus", "language": "en"} |
How to Get Bright White Eyes | The whites of your eye are called the sclera, and these can indicate a person’s overall health. Having yellowish or reddish sclera can be challenging in terms of personal vanity, since they can make a person look older or tired. They can also signal health issues related to allergens, toxins in the body, and even more serious liver problems. There are several remedies that can treat or counteract redness or yellowness in your eyes, ranging from using eye drops to changing your diet to applying makeup strategically.
1. **Use regular eye drops like Visine or Clear Eyes.** These eye drops are used to reduce redness in your eyes and give them a bit of moisture to counteract irritants or otherwise dryness in the eyes. Visine, Clear Eyes, and other brands can be purchased at grocery and drug stores, as well as larger stores like Target, Walmart, and so on. Put 1-2 drops in the affected eye. Consult the instructions on the bottle for additional information.
Don't use eyedrops like Visine or Clear Eyes too often. While they give good immediate results, when used regularly, they actually prevent your eyes from creating their own natural lubrication, and your eyes may become chronically dry, red, and dependent on the drops. A safer option is saline drops or gentle eyedrops like Systane that mimic natural tears.
2. **Try thicker viscosity eye drops.** A Japanese brand of eye drops called Rohto is a product that is thicker than natural tears. They have cooling properties that relieve burning eyes and they reduce redness as well. These are available at grocery and drug stores. If you have not used any eye drops before, these might not be the best ones to start with, as they can feel a little harsh to the eye.
3. **Try blue eye drops.** A company from Switzerland, Innoxa, makes eye drops that are actually colored blue. In addition to relieving burning and redness symptoms, Innoxa Blue Drops also coat your eyes with a light film of blue, which counteracts the yellowish tinge in your eyeballs to make them appear whiter.
4. **Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.** Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkins, lemons and oranges, contain vitamins and antioxidants that will help keep your eyes white. Eating green, leafy foods like spinach and kale also have a positive effect on your eye health. Nuts like almonds, walnuts and peanuts also contain minerals that promote eye health.
These fruits and veggies will also help to detoxify your liver. A healthy liver will help keep the whites of your eyes clear and bright. If your liver is full of toxins, then it may not be able to process foods and vitamins as efficiently as it should. Detoxify your liver by drinking a glass of beetroot juice on an empty stomach, or eating carrots and spinach.
5. **Reduce refined sugars and carbohydrates in your diet.** Reducing the amount of foods that contain refined carbohydrates and sugars, as well as wheat, can help your body process foods better and detoxify your liver. Decrease the amount of unhealthy foods you eat, particularly at night, which can interfere with a good sleep pattern.
6. **Take supplements.** Your eyes depend on good levels of Vitamin A and C to maintain their health. In addition to eating foods rich in these vitamins, take a supplemental vitamin every day. Also boost your level of omega 3 acids by taking 4 capsules every day of omega 3 or fish oil supplements.
7. **Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.** Getting enough sleep every night will ensure that your body is rested and consequently that your eyes are rested and restored to their natural white color. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try soothing music or 10 minutes of meditation before going to bed to ensure that your body knows that it’s time to sleep.
8. **Drink plenty of water.** Bright white eyes rely on adequate hydration, and keeping your body hydrated will help replenish your body’s fluids, thus reducing puffiness and redness in your eyes. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of plain water every day, or approximately 64 ounces.
9. **Cut down on alcohol and caffeine.** Both of these will dehydrate your body and add to puffiness and redness to your eyes. They also can interrupt good sleep patterns, which may interfere with you getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
10. **Avoid irritants like smoke, dust and pollen.** Smoking irritates the eyes and can cause redness. It can also dry out the eyes. Eliminating smoking from your daily habits can help your eyes restore their natural color and hydration. Dust that can be found both outside and inside can also irritate your eyes and make them prone to redness. Pollen and other allergens might also contribute to eye irritation. Use an air purifier indoors to reduce these irritants if they are hard to avoid.
11. **Reduce eyestrain.** Working on a computer all day long can take a toll on your eyes, but it might not be an option to reduce the amount of time you spend on the computer. If you must work on a computer for several hours every day, then you should address ways to help reduce eyestrain. These can include installing proper lighting, changing your computer’s settings so that your monitor is the same brightness as the rest of the room, blink more often, exercise your eyes, and so on.
12. **Wear sunglasses when you are outside.** UVA and UVB rays can damage your eyes over time, and exposure to sunlight contributes to yellowing your eyes. Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays. Most sunglasses available today will have this feature, but be sure to check the label. Try to wear sunglasses whenever there is even a little glare outside. There doesn’t need to be blue skies and sun for you to need sunglasses. On cloudy days, there may be quite a lot of glare that can strain and damage your eyes.
13. **Visit your doctor.** You may have a medical condition called jaundice that contributes to yellowish eyes. Jaundice is a condition when hemoglobin in your blood is broken down into bilirubin and does not clear through your body properly. If the bilirubin builds up in the skin, it causes the skin and eyes to appear yellow. Jaundice can indicate a medical issue most commonly having to do with the liver, gall bladder, or pancreas. Talk with your doctor to rule out jaundice and any underlying diseases or conditions that may be contributing to yellowish eyes.
14. **Try Ayurvedic remedies.** Ayurvedic medicine originated in India about 3,000 years ago and uses natural remedies and practices to prevent and treat health conditions. Triphala is an herbal mixture used in Ayurvedic medicine that can treat a number of conditions, including improving eye health and eye whiteness. It accomplishes this in part by detoxifying the body. Triphala can be purchased at Indian food import stores as a powder or in tablet form.
Use triphala as an eye wash. Dissolve one tablespoon of the powder in 8 ounces of water overnight. Strain this mixture and then sprinkle it over your eyes or use as an eye wash.
A word of caution: triphala is also used as a laxative to correct constipation, so proceed carefully with using it.
One of the main ingredients in triphala is Indian gooseberry, the juice of which can be dropped directly into your eyes at night to improve their whiteness.
15. **Rub carrot juice on your eyelids.** Eating carrots will improve your eye health, and so will topical application of the juice. Wash and dry several carrots, and chop off their ends. Process several carrots through a juicer to get healthy carrot juice that can then be applied on your eyelids. Leave the juice on your eyelids overnight. Be careful not to put the juice directly into your eyes.
16. **Use a cold compress on your eyes.** Putting your skin in contact with something cold will help reduce puffiness, but it can also help whiten your eyes as well. Soak a washcloth in ice water, wring it out, and lay the washcloth over your eyes for 5-10 minutes. The redness in your eyes should diminish after repeating this a few times over the course of a day.
17. **Brighten the area under your eyes.** Dark circles under your eyes will make your eyes appear dull. Brighten up the area under and around your eyes by applying concealer. Dab several small dots of concealer across the bottom of your eye and gently tap across the dots to blend them with the rest of your skin.
18. **Use blue tones of eye shadow and eyeliner.** Adding navy or indigo blue colors around your eyes will be somewhat softer than the drama and harshness of black colors. Also, the blue tones will help to counteract yellowish colors that might show up in the whites of your eyes, which will make your eyes appear brighter and clearer.
19. **Use eyeliner.** These days white eyeliner could be easily found in market. Just a swipe or two of white eyeliner on your eyelid will not only make them brighter will also make them wider. You can also take little white eyeliner near corner of your lids and blend it, this will give an angel like look. Your face will look dewy and very fresh.
20. **Use brown mascara on your bottom lashes.** Making your eyes stand out can help them appear whiter. Using black mascara on both top and bottom lashes will make dramatic eyes, but they do not help your eyes look whiter. Instead, try brown mascara on your bottom lashes. This softer color will help draw the attention upwards to your top lashes, which will make your eyes appear wider, more alert and whiter.
21. **Try a light-colored eyeliner.** By using a light bone-colored or flesh-colored eyeliner, your eyes will attract and reflect light, which will help make it seem like your eyes are larger. Outline the inner corners of your eyes with the eyeliner to give the illusion of being brighter.
Apply a shimmering white or light-colored eye shadow in the inner corners of your eyes to attain a similar effect.
Try to refrain from using a white eyeliner pencil to outline your eye, as this can be hard to blend in properly and may look too "staged" or artificial.
22. **Use an eyelash curler.** An eyelash curler, which is readily available at drug stores and grocery stores for about $5 to $6, will clamp your eyelashes and bend them upwards in a curl. Curling your lashes upward will make your eyes appear to be bigger and more open. They can also draw attention to your eyes by making your eyelashes appear longer.
23. **Use a bit of pink blush.** Apply pink blush to the apples of your cheeks, your lips, and across the highest point of your eyebrows. This will lighten and brighten your entire face, which will help make your eyes appear brighter and whiter. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Bright-White-Eyes", "language": "en"} |
How to Apply Body Spray | Body sprays are a great way to help girls and guys feel fresh without the overpowering element of a perfume or cologne. For men, apply the body spray on your chest and neck, and under your armpits. For women, apply the body spray on your pulse points, clothes and hair. For long lasting results, apply the body spray after you shower and layer fragrances.
1. **Remove your shirt.** Body sprays for men usually double as deodorants. So it is more effective to use the spray on your body as opposed to your clothes.
2. **Spray your upper body.** Hold the spray can six inches (152 mm) away from your body. Press the spray button and spray your armpits, chest and neck. Spray each body part for only two to three seconds.
For more coverage, hold the spray can farther away from your body, like seven to nine inches (178 to 229 mm).
3. **Apply the spray once per day.** In general, body sprays have a very strong scent. By applying the spray only once per day, you can avoid overloading your senses, and the senses of the people around you. You also want to avoid over spraying since there may be negative health effects associated with using body sprays excessively.
The only exception is if you plan to exercise or engage in sports or another physical activity that will cause you to perspire. If this is you, then you may re-apply the body spray after the physical activity.
4. **Spray your pulse points.** Hold the body spray four to five inches (102 to 127 mm) from your pulse points. Spray each pulse point with one spray. Try to avoid rubbing in the spray. Instead, let the body spray soak in and dry on your skin.
Your pulse points include your wrists, the insides of your elbows, the front of your neck, the back of your knees and between your breasts.
Your body emits pheromones from pulse points, and these points are excellent places to apply your body spray to ensure the longevity of the scent.
5. **Spritz your clothing.** Do this once you have spritzed your pulse points. However, hold the spray can seven to nine inches (178 to 229 mm) from your body/clothes. Spritz your top and pants once or twice.
Alternatively, you can spritz the air in front of you and walk through the mist to scent your clothes.
6. **Spray your hair.** Try to avoid spraying your hair directly. Instead, spritz the air above you once or twice with the spray. Quickly stand underneath the mist to lightly scent your hair.
7. **Choose a fragrance you like.** Choose a scent that matches your personal taste and style. Start by sampling popular fragrances to see which scents appeal to your taste. Then explore other fragrances that are made with similar scents.
If you are a girl, then you may prefer sweet, floral scents or musky scents.
If you are a guy, then you may prefer woodsy or spicy scents.
8. **Apply the body spray after you shower.** Applying body spray on a clean body will help the scent stick to your body better and last longer. After you shower, lightly towel off. Spritz your damp body with the body spray.
9. **Layer fragrances.** Layering fragrances will also help your body spray last longer. While you are showering, use a body gel that has similar scents to the ones in your body spray. After your shower, apply a lotion with similar scents to your damp body. Once the lotion has dried, spritz your body with the body spray.
For example, if your body spray contains vanilla, lavender and mint notes, then choose a body wash and lotion that contains lavender, vanilla or mint to layer with.
If you cannot find a complementary lotion or body wash, then use an unscented lotion or soap.
Some body sprays come with complementary lotions and body washes. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Body-Spray", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean a Fabric Sofa Naturally (DIY Upholstery Cleaning Solutions) | Why pay hundreds of dollars to get your couch professionally cleaned when you can do it at home? Cleaning a fabric couch is surprisingly easy and cheap—and you can do it without harsh chemicals. Whether you have a microfiber, suede, velvet, or synthetic upholstered couch, these methods will work as long as your couch tag is labeled W or WS. We’ll walk you through the steps to use baking soda and vinegar cleaning solutions to treat stains and freshen up your upholstery. First, we’ll cover basic dirt removal and deodorizing, then we’ll cover stain removal, deep cleaning, and steam cleaning.
1. **Check your couch tag for cleaning instructions.** The couch tag will likely say either W, WS, S, or X. You’re good-to-go with DIY cleaning solutions if the couch says W or WS, but you shouldn’t try these methods if your couch says S or X.
W means you can use a water-based cleaner (as we’ll explore in this article).
WS means you can use either a water-based cleaner or a commercial solvent. The cleaning solutions in this article will also work for you.
S means you can only use a solvent and shouldn’t attempt a DIY cleaning method.
X means you can only vacuum the couch. You can damage the fabric if you try cleaning it with a solution.
2. **Vacuum up any loose dirt.** Use your vacuum’s upholstery brush and crevice tool to remove debris, pet hair, and crumbs. Vacuum all the couch cushions. Then, if you have removable cushions, take them off so you can get into the nooks and crannies of the couch frame.
Don’t forget to vacuum along the tops of the couch and the armrests, since those areas get touched frequently.
3. **Deodorize your couch with baking soda.** This method is safe for all couches because it doesn’t involve liquid cleaner. Generously sprinkle baking soda all over the couch frame and cushions. Wait 15 minutes as the baking soda naturally deodorizes the fabric. Then, vacuum it up for a smell-free couch.
Turn off the fans in the room before you start sprinkling the baking soda.
This method works on all fabric sofas, but it’s particularly good for cleaning linen sofas without damaging them.
4. **Mix equal parts white vinegar and water for a simple solution.** Pour a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water into a spray bottle. Give the bottle a shake to combine the mixture. Spray the solution directly onto the stain.
Wait up to 5 minutes to sanitize the stain (particularly if you have stains from pets).
Gently blot the spot-treated area with a clean cloth.
Remove any leftover cleaner by taking a clean, damp rag and lightly wiping the spot-treated area. Then, take a clean cloth and pat the area dry.
Be sure to use clean white cloths to avoid transferring color from the rag onto your upholstery.
It’s always a good idea to test the solution in an inconspicuous area to make sure you won’t change the color of your couch or damage the fabric.
5. **Try a diluted soap and water solution for tough stains.** You can add a few drops of natural dish soap into a spray bottle filled with water for this easy solution. If you don’t have a spray bottle, that’s no problem! Just use a rag to blot the stain.
6. **Use white bar soap for an easy stain remover.** Rub any white bar soap into a damp microfiber cloth. Then, all you have to do is gently blot the fabric with the rag until you’ve lifted the stain. Follow up with a damp, clean rag to remove any leftover soap residue.
7. **Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol to treat ink stains.** Pour rubbing alcohol onto a rag so that the rag is slightly damp but not sopping wet. Gently blot the fabric to lift the stain. Press straight down with the cloth and don’t rub the stain. Use a damp, clean cloth to pull up any excess ink and rubbing alcohol.
8. **Mix your DIY baking soda and vinegar cleaner.** Just stir the ingredients below into a bucket. You can use just white vinegar, baking soda, and water, or you can add a natural soap or detergent to help cut through grease and oil.
2 tablespoons (15 mL) laundry detergent or natural liquid soap
2 tablespoons (15 mL) white vinegar
2 tablespoons (28 g) baking soda
2 cups (470 mL) warm water
Natural or “green” detergents and soaps contain fewer harsh chemicals and are derived from plants.
9. **Dampen a rag with your cleaning solution.** Wring out any excess liquid so that you don’t soak the couch. Alternatively, if you have a spray bottle, use it to spray the solution onto the couch for a more even distribution.
10. **Wipe the rag with the solution over all the fabric.** Use a circular motion and rub gently to remove dirt. Pay close attention to the armrests and cushions, where oil from people’s skin tends to build up.
11. **Allow the fabric to air-dry before using the sofa.** Don’t use heat to dry your couch or you might accidentally damage the fabric. If you just can’t wait to sit down on your new clean couch, open up doors and windows, or set up a fan to create a breeze and speed up drying time.
Couches typically take 8-12 hours to dry.
12. **Pick a steamer designed for fabric and upholstery use.** Steer clear of carpet steamers. Even though carpet cleaners come with lots of attachments, they can easily soak your couch and be really tough to maneuver over upholstery.
Steam cleaning is optional, but it’s a great way to disinfect your couch, kill mold and mites, and deep-clean the fabric.
13. **Prepare the cleaning solution for your steam cleaner.** To go for an all-natural approach, just use water (either tap or distilled) in your machine. If you’d like to use a cleaning solution, check your machine’s instructions for the ratio of solution to water.
Be careful not to use too much cleaning solution because it can be hard to remove from your sofa fabric or damage your machine.
14. **Use repeated, swift strokes to clean the sofa cushions first.** Steam 1 side of a cushion at a time. Before you move onto the next side, let the side you just steamed dry. Otherwise, you’ll trap moisture under the cushions and get a mildew/mold smell.
15. **Steam in repeated passes over the rest of the couch.** Clean in sections about the size of each cushion, without holding the steamer still in one place for too long. The section-by-section approach prevents you from totally soaking the couch. You don’t want to damage the fabric with too much moisture!
16. **Let your couch air-dry before using it.** The time your couch takes to dry will depend on humidity and the exact fabric, but you might have to wait 8-12 hours. Run a towel over the couch if you’d like to wipe up any remaining grime and speed up the drying process. Otherwise, open windows and doors to let the couch air dry. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Fabric-Sofa-Naturally", "language": "en"} |
How to Rough Plumb a Basement Bathroom | Adding a bathroom to your basement can be a fairly long and complicated process. This article will get you through the initial stage of this project, the rough plumbing. The steps are based on personal experience and offer a straightforward guide to the various aspects of the project. Be sure to check with local building codes when deciding the placement of the new sink and toilet!
1. **Gather your materials:** Metal detector
Scratch paper
Tape measure
2. **Identify the main waste stack that goes from the upstairs bathroom to the sewer.** This will be a vertical cast iron pipe, more than likely 4" in diameter.
3. **Detect the cast iron pipe leading from the main waste stack to the sewer using a metal detector.** This is the pipe in the ground that the new toilet and sink will flow in to.
4. **Identify where you want the sink and the toilet to be placed in the basement.** A crude drawing may be helpful to visualize where the you want the new sink and toilet in relation to the existing pipe.
This will also help you when you measure out the length of PVC you'll need.
5. **Plan the location of the new PVC pipe that will connect the new toilet and sink to the cast iron pipe in the ground.** It is recommended that it be a 45 degree PVC pipe that attaches to the existing cast iron to help with the flow of waste.
Be sure to note that the PVC setup will vary depending on where the sink and toilet will be placed.
6. **Prepare your materials:** Box cutter knife/chisel
Safety Glasses
Chalk/tape
Jackhammer
Bucket/spade
Plastic curtain
7. **Remove any tile/carpeting/etc to expose the concrete above the spot you chose to place the new pipe.**
8. **Draw an outline in chalk or tape on the concrete floor where you will need break it, based on where you decided the new toilet and sink will go.** Hanging a plastic curtain around the work area can help contain dust!
9. **Break the floor to expose the necessary section of the cast iron pipe as well as the path that the new pipe will lay for the toilet and sink.** This can be done with a jackhammer which can be rented at a home improvement store.
Safety glasses should be worn when using tools!
10. **Clear out the concrete debris and dig out the sand so the new pipe has a place to lay.**
11. **Collect the needed materials:** Necessary sections of PVC as determined in Part 1
PVC primer and cement
Saw (hand or electric) for cutting PVC into shape
Angle grinder
Band-seal couplings and screwdriver
12. **Purchase the necessary length of PVC pipe that the new toilet and sink will flow into.**
13. **Connect the pipe together in the shape that fits your design.** Use PVC primer and cement to fasten the sections together
Due to chemical fumes, make sure the area is well ventilated!
14. **Cut an appropriate section of the cast iron pipe so the new PVC will fit in it.** This can be done with a high speed angle grinder
The angle grinder will make sparks, be sure to wear safety glasses!
15. **Attach the new PVC to the cast iron with band-seal couplings.** Make sure that there is enough PVC on either side of the wye so that the band-coupling has enough of both PVC and cast iron pipe to attach to!
Cleaning the cast iron pipe makes for a tighter seal!
16. **Prepare the materials you'll need:** Bags of sand
Bags of Ready Mix concrete
Mason trowels
17. **Cover over the pipe over with sand.** Make sure the new pipe has a slope of at least 1/4" every foot flowing into the cast iron pipe.
18. **Cover over the sand with approx.** 4" of concrete so that just the pipes that the toilet will sit on and the sink will connect to are exposed.
19. **Smooth out the concrete with the mason trowel so that new flooring can be added later.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Rough-Plumb-a-Basement-Bathroom", "language": "en"} |
How to Raise a Perfect Garchomp | Hoping to add a perfect Garchomp to your team? You've got good taste—a Garchomp is a very strong and cool pseudo-legendary Pokémon that can be practically invincible when trained well. We've outlined everything you need to know, so you can add this crazy-strong Pokémon to your roster in Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, or Pokémon Platinum.
1. **Get a Gible with the Adamant or Jolly nature.** You can either keep on catching Gible until you get one or you can breed until you get one. Giving the Gible parent an Everstone to hold will probably increase the chances of getting a good nature. These natures are the ones that you'll want because they don't lower any of Garchomp's perfect stats.
Jolly might be the best, because then Salamence, Pikachu, and Celebi will not be faster than your Garchomp, and you can outrun faster Pokémon such as Gengar.
2. **Train your Gible so it gets 252 Attack EVs and 252 Speed EVs.** You can use Protein and Carbos for the first 100 EVs in each stat if you have enough money.
3. **Your Gible can learn powerful moves via TMs or by leveling up.** If you do not mind extra training, then breed for a Gible egg. Its stats (could) be higher and it can learn powerful egg moves like Thrash. Placing it in the day-care will require a lot of walking, but allows higher EV training.
4. **This evolution occurs at Level 24.**
5. **Fight Pokémon with normally high Attack or Speed stats.** This will raise Gabite/Garchomp's total ability.
6. **Continue to teach it powerful moves.** You can do this as your Pokémon levels up, or by teaching it TMs.
7. **Decide whether you want a powerful attack or a powerful ability.** At level 49, the Gabite can learn Dragon Rush, a highly powerful but slightly inaccurate move. Evolving it at level 48 will give a marginal amount of extra Attack. Evolving it at level 49 lets you learn Dragon Rush earlier. It's your choice.
8. **Certain moves are especially powerful on Garchomp.** Consider teaching it moves like Earthquake, Stone Edge, Rockslide, Dragon Claw, Dragon Rush, Dual Chop, Outrage, Dragonbreath, Dragon Pulse, or Draco Meteor. Some other potentially good moves are:
Fire Fang
Crunch
Dragon Dance
Substitute
Protect
9. **A Choice Scarf or Choice Band are great options.**
10. **You may win many more matches than you previously did.** If you use Garchomp on the same team as a Tyranitar, Garchomp will get a 20% chance to avoid getting hit. Just remember to have other Pokémon that can take in Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, and Fairy attacks.
Another good idea if you want to do this is to give it a Yache Berry to hold. This will let your Garchomp survive most Ice type attacks. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-a-Perfect-Garchomp", "language": "en"} |
How to Choose Between a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist | Psychologists and psychiatrists do many of the same things, but there are also key differences in training and treatment that may help you to make a decision. Although both types of professionals are highly trained, you may find that one type of mental health professional is better suited to meet your needs than the other. By considering the training differences and treatment types available from each type of professional, you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
1. **Learn about the differences between the professions.** Psychiatrists and psychologists are both mental health professionals who diagnose, prevent, and treat mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Psychologists use psychotherapy to treat mental illness, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who prescribe psychotropic drugs to help manage mental illness.
have a doctorate in Psychology (either a Ph.D. or a PsyD.) which usually includes lessons on human behavior, ethics, research, and making psychological assessments which usually takes 4-8 years to complete. They cannot prescribe medicine.
are physicians who specialize in mental health. They must have a medical degree (MD or DO) and complete residency where they learn to diagnose and treat mental illness. They are qualified to prescribe medicine.
For more severe disorders like major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, it is better to see a psychiatrist because you may need medicine to help manage your symptoms. Psychologists may turn their patients over to a psychiatrist if they believe the patient may better benefit from medicine (which can change the brain chemicals).
2. **Consider the types of treatment offered.** Psychologists and psychiatrists can also take different approaches to the treatment of mental health issues. Due to their training, psychologists mainly offer psychological analysis and counseling. Since psychiatrists train as medical doctors first, they can also order blood tests and complete physical exams to connect mental health issues with biological problems.
Psychologists use techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients cope with problems and to overcome mental health issues.
Psychologists can also provide psychological assessments.
They may look into your sleep patterns, your eating habits, and other aspects of your life to pinpoint the problem.
Psychiatrists look at your mental state but also your physical health.
They may order tests to determine whether your symptoms are related to underlying physical conditions.
3. **Decide if you want medication therapy.** One of the major differences between psychiatrists and psychologists is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication, like antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives, and mood stabilizers. For example, a psychiatrist can treat depression with talk therapy alongside tests to see whether there is a physical issue, such as a thyroid problem, that may be causing your symptoms.
A psychiatrist may prescribe a medication that will treat your specific condition.
For example, a psychiatrist may prescribe antidepressants to treat depression, Ritalin for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or antipsychotic medications for hallucinations.
Psychiatrists, in the same way, can order medical tests and therapies that aren’t available to psychologists.
For instance, they can use electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) for conditions like severe depression, mania, and catatonia.
Psychologists rely mostly on talk and behavioral therapy to help you come to terms with issues and to cope.
They are not normally licensed to prescribe medicine, but psychologists in Louisiana, New Mexico, and Illinois who have received the appropriate pharmacological training are permitted to prescribe certain medications.
4. **Plan on going through talk therapy.** Psychologists and psychiatrists can use talk therapy, but psychologists may rely on this treatment method more since medication is not usually part of the treatment options that they offer. Talk therapy can be quite effective and some people seem to prefer counseling to other treatment options.
Therapy has also been found to be as effective as medications in some situations, but medication may still be necessary in conjunction with talk therapy.
Therefore, if you choose to see a psychiatrist, then you may need to see a therapist in addition to seeing a psychiatrist.
Some psychiatrists operate medication only practices, while others offer medication and talk therapy.
If the psychiatrist you are considering offers medication only, then you will need to seek talk therapy from a different mental health professional.
If the psychiatrist offers medication and talk therapy, then you can see the psychiatrist for talk therapy.
Keep in mind that talk therapy is essential because even though medication can be helpful, medication alone is not enough to change the way you deal with your emotions.
Talk therapy can allow you resolve conflicts with loved ones or a spouse, work through anxiety, relieve stress, cope with major changes in life, manage unhealthy behavior like anger, or deal with sexual problems.
Many people also prefer talk therapy with a psychologist to medicine and a psychiatrist’s “pharmacologic” treatment.
This may be because they fear becoming addicted to meds or don’t want to change their brain chemistry.
5. **Talk to your doctor.** Talk to your primary care doctor about whether a psychologist or psychiatrist is right for you. There are some important considerations to make, including what kind of mental health issue you’re facing, what sort of treatment is available, and what sort of treatment you prefer. Your doctor can help you make an informed decision.
You may also need a referral from your doctor to see a mental health professional. Check with your health insurance to determine what the requirements are.
6. **Weigh the pros and cons of insurance and access.** Many insurance plans now cover psychological and psychiatric services and must, by law, treat them on equal footing with other medical coverage. However, that doesn’t mean that insurance will cover your visits, and they may only cover a certain number of visits per year. You’ll need to check your coverage before making a final decision.
Legally, insurance companies can’t charge you higher co-pays for mental health services than for medical services. However, they can limit your ability to access psychologists and psychiatrists in other ways.
Many insurance companies haven’t increased payment rates for psychologists and psychiatrists in 10 to 20 years, or have even cut them.
This means that many networks have trouble attracting mental health specialists.
You may, therefore, have to pay more out of pocket and then claim the visit as an “out-of-network service.”
Insurance companies can also make you get “prior authorization” before accessing psychiatric services like inpatient treatment, even in emergencies like having suicidal thoughts.
The doctor will have to get this from the insurer before you can be admitted as a patient.
Make sure to talk to your doctors as well as your insurer to see what services are covered, how you can access them, and what the potential costs are.
7. **Ask questions.** When you call to make your first appointment, you can ask questions about the psychiatrist or psychologist’s experience and area of expertise to help you make your decision. For example, you might ask:
How long have you been practicing?
I have been struggling with ___. Is this something that you have experience treating? What types of treatment do you use?
How much do you charge for each session?
Do you accept my insurance? | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-a-Psychiatrist-and-a-Psychologist", "language": "en"} |
How to Start Your Christmas Shopping Early | Early Christmas shopping saves all that last-minute rushing around. If you have a plan set you can be more effective, save money, and enjoy the Christmas season more.
1. **Know who you are buying gifts for.** Some people only shop for close family and friends. Other people put together Christmas presents for co-workers, the postal worker, the dog walker, hairdresser, plumber, poker buddies, kid's teacher, and more. Decide on what you are comfortable with.
2. **Set a budget.** Christmas presents should figure into your household or personal budget for the entire year, instead of just trying to find extra money somehow every November or December. You can always start by saving a small amount every month.
Keep a general idea of how much you will spend on each person. For instance, you will likely spend more money on your immediate family than on a co-worker.
3. **Decide on what sort of gift matches each person on your list.** What do they like? Movies, books, games? Have a rough idea of what presents would please the people on your list. brainstorm ideas. Write the ideas down on your list. Listen to the person or other people for ideas, and write them down too. Keep this list in an easy-to-carry form, like tucked away in your wallet or checkbook for quick reference.
4. **Start as early as the day following Christmas day.** There's no point in buying early if you're going to buy for full price. Christmas shopping can start December 26th. Although you may feel the last thing you want to do is shop after the Christmas rush, stores often have incredible sales immediately after the holidays, and most items will be perfectly good gifts the next year.
Check out sales throughout the year, such as at the end of summer.
After-Christmas and Boxing Day sales are a good time to pick up wrapping paper and the like for the next year for a pittance.
5. **Put off procrastinating.** Many people end up shopping last-minute because they put off the inevitable. Instead, make a plan with solid goals, dates, and timelines.
For instance, shopping will be done by December 20th. Put aside two evenings, twice a week for 2 weeks to accomplish this task. Leave some wiggle-room in case something comes up, but don't keep making excuses. It can help to have someone who is good about shopping to keep you on track.
6. **Have a shopping plan.** Maybe you're not the type of person who likes shopping, or don't have the time to browse for Christmas presents all year long. Instead, put aside one period of time, like a weekend or a special shopping trip.
7. **Keep track of presents.** Don't lose the present or forget who you bought it for.
Have a designated area for presents, such as a tote, section of closet, or attic. Be sure that the present won't be ruined by variations of temperature, humidity, mold, mice, and so on.
Write the name of the designated gift-receiver on a removable sticker or piece of tape. That way you'll remember who you bought it for. If you change your mind, it's easy to re-designate. Cross their name off the list as soon as possible to avoid forgetting that you already bought them something.
8. **Hide the gifts well.** Hiding is the hardest part of buying a gift early, but it's perfectly possible. If you live with the person, hide it in your craft cupboard, toy box, the back of a wardrobe, etc. and leave it inside backpacks or other opaque bags. It's best to choose somewhere the other person is not likely to look.
9. **Know what you're having for the Christmas meal at least a month in advance.** This will allow you to start buying the foodstuffs and drinks that are on sale and aren't perishable. Write it all out on a list, then list the ingredients separately. From the ingredients list, highlight all the foods that can be bought early, such as canned foods, long life foods and dried foods. All of these can be bought well ahead of Christmas, perhaps in November.
Make storage space. Check the freezer, pantry and refrigerator for space that can be spared to contain all of the Christmas goodies you're purchasing ahead of time.
10. **Start looking for liquor and soft drink sales at least one month ahead.** Stock up well ahead of the rush. Dealing with drinks early is a great way to buy yourself more time when Christmas Day approaches––no long lines for you.
Store these out of the way in the basement, pantry floor or other area where they won't be disturbed or subject to temperature extremes.
11. **Purchase the ingredients for the cake and pudding as soon as you see the ingredients go on sale in November.** Many stores stock up additional amounts of dried fruits, flour, spices, etc. and put sales on early to get the stock moving. Since a cake and pudding are best made a month before Christmas to give them time to cure, start looking for the sales on the ingredients early November.
12. **Purchase the non-perishable food items from mid-November through to mid-December.** Having these tucked away in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer in readiness for use will take a great weight off your mind. Non-perishables that can be bought ahead include:
Nuts and Nibbles
Chips, pretzels, and crackers
Canned foods
Frozen foods, including frozen desserts
Candies and candied fruits
Ice cream
Some root vegetables, pumpkins
Gingerbread and other spiced cookies
Commercially made Christmas cake, puddings, mince pies
Long-life milk, bread wraps, cookies, etc.
13. **Order food well ahead of time.** Order meats, baked items, cakes, desserts, etc. from the relevant providers at the end of November into early December. Get an emailed or texted confirmation of your order and always call ahead a few days prior to pick-up date to check that the order has not been mislaid and is underway. Collect the day before Christmas or Christmas morning, as relevant. Although you still have to shop at Christmas-time, pre-ordering removes the stress of last-minute thinking and ensures that the provider of the goods has the resources and time to service your order.
Make things easier by having a family member do all the pick-ups. Provide them with a list and locations for pickups, then send them on their way.
14. **Buy perishable supermarket foods two days before Christmas.** This avoids the pre-Christmas day rush that is usually full of all the people who forgot to be organized. If there is anything that must be bought fresh the day before or on the day, add that to the pre-orders––even many supermarkets will take pre-orders for things such as meats and baked goods.
Store everything in one part of the refrigerator or use a second one if you have another. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Your-Christmas-Shopping-Early", "language": "en"} |
How to Exercise the Right Side of Your Brain | Many people believe that the left side of the brain is more analytical and logical, while the right side is more intuitive and creative, but scientific research indicates that this contention is oversimplified and inaccurate. Even if you most likely can’t unlock your creative side by specifically exercising your “right brain,” however, exercising your brain in general is a good thing. And, engaging in creative activities certainly can’t hinder the enhancement of your creative self.
1. **Use the “Kitchen Sink” technique to encourage inspiration.** If you find yourself stuck with a problem (for instance, needing funds for a trip) and hoping for an “a-ha moment,” try exposing yourself to quick tidbits of information and then letting your mind relax. Read a paragraph or two from a half-dozen or more unrelated but engaging books, articles, or web pages, or listen to snippets from audiobooks or podcasts. Then, do a relaxing activity like taking a walk, gardening, or knitting for a half hour or so. Repeat the process as needed.
Some people believe this method helps to jump-start brainstorming and can help you reach creative solutions faster. There’s no hard evidence for this, of course, but it can’t hurt to try!
2. **Engage in “deep practice” of a creative skill.** You might also call this technique “failing productively,” as it involves jumping right into trying something new, exploring your shortcomings in relation to your ideal result, and trying again. For instance, if you wanted to take up painting, you’d:
Grab some paints and a canvas and give painting your chosen landscape, still life, portrait, etc. your best shot.
Accept that the finished result is almost certainly not the result you hope to achieve, and embrace this “failure” as an opportunity.
Compare your actual result to the result you visualized beforehand.
Practice some skill-building exercises, like taking a class, watching videos, or reading about painting techniques.
Repeat the process over again until you feel you’ve reached the creative result you seek.
3. **Give simple tasks a challenging spin.** For instance, you probably sign your name without thinking, but what if you try to sign it backwards? Or upside down? Or backwards and upside down? Practice challenging your creative mind until you can master all three.
Or, try engaging both sides of your brain by writing a simple question to yourself (e.g., “What are you thinking about?”) with your right hand (which is controlled by the left side of your brain). Then, immediately switch the pen to your left hand (controlled by the right side of your brain) and write the first answer that comes to you (e.g., “Eating an ice cream cone on a park bench”).
There’s no empirical evidence that any of these kinds of tasks will actually make you more creative, but they will certainly exercise your brain and your motor skills!
4. **Breathe through your left nostril to activate your brain’s right side.** There is some evidence out there—although it’s not supported by rigorous science—that focusing your breathing on your left nostril stimulates the right side of your brain, the supposed source of your creativity. It’s worth a try!
No doubt this technique sounds strange, but most people naturally go through a “nasal cycle” in which they switch breathing through individual nostrils every several hours throughout the day. This is why one nostril at a time often gets stuffed up during a cold.
5. **Scan your eyes back and forth to stimulate your whole brain.** Focus on an object in your left eye’s field of vision, and another object in your right eye’s field. Then scan both eyes back and forth between them for 30 seconds or more. The theory here is that this exercise will activate and integrate both sides of your brain.
This method is scientifically unproven, but the worst case scenario is that you might get a bit dizzy trying it!
6. **Laugh more and embrace positivity.** While there isn’t hard scientific evidence to support it, it’s possible that positive thinking, and laughter in particular, may help stimulate the areas of your brain associated with creativity. In theory, stimulating these areas may strengthen their neural pathways and thereby strengthen your “creative side.”
And, even if it doesn’t boost your creativity, being happy is good for your mental and physical health anyway!
7. **Allow yourself to daydream and doodle.** Few people can be creative on demand. Rather, it’s more effective to let your mind wander and be ready to make the most of a creative impulse when it hits you.
Imagining silly things or drawing incomprehensible sketches may seem like a waste of time, but it’s often during these moments when the proverbial light bulb comes on.
8. **Experience life mindfully.** Instead of trying to force your brain into creativity, focus on your surroundings and in-the-moment experiences. Observe the scenery around you carefully. Chew your food slowly and experience each bite. Be fully present in even the most mundane conversations.
Some people believe that blocking out distractions and narrowing your focus will help you to “hear” your creative impulses when they come.
9. **Draw or write about your dreams.** There’s still a lot of mystery when it comes to dreams. It can’t be denied that dreams are often very creative, though, so trying to capture this unconscious creativity may help you get in tune with your creativity when you’re awake as well.
When you wake up, jot down or sketch out whatever you can remember about any dreams you had. Even if the dream doesn’t make much sense, there may be kernels of inspiration that will become apparent to you.
10. **Be more spontaneous.** According to the popular concept, a left-brain dominant person is calculating, logical, and analytical. But we all have at least a small part of ourselves that is more intuitive and spontaneous. It’s possible that embracing your innate spontaneity may stimulate and “exercise” those same areas of your brain that relate to creativity.
Call in sick and go skydiving. Walk up to that person and ask them out. Or just switch up from packing PB & J for lunch every day!
11. **Learn to play a musical instrument.** Playing a guitar, piano, saxophone, or other instrument requires both a logical attention to detail and an intuitive “feel” for the music. This combination of precision and improvisation makes playing music a great whole-brain exercise.
12. **Try brain-training puzzles, games, and activities.** There are countless apps and programs out there that claim brain-boosting benefits, but many of the claims are dubious or at least not well supported at present. That said, even if challenging your brain with puzzles, games, and so on may not necessarily provide the specific claimed benefits, there’s certainly no detriment to giving your brain regular workouts.
Don’t feel as though you need to spend large sums of money on brain-boosting programs, though. You can find many free or low cost options online, and traditional options like crosswords and jigsaw puzzles will give your brain a workout as well.
13. **Keep your brain active.** Simple activities like reading a book, engaging in a conversation, or doing a hobby put your brain to work. And, while there’s still a lot of research to be done, it seems as though active brains are more likely to remain healthy and vital for longer.
Focus on active brain engagement—reading instead of watching TV, going to a cooking class instead of watching a cooking video, putting together furniture instead of buying it pre-assembled, and so on.
14. **Exercise** What’s good for your body is good for your brain. Talk to your doctor, a dietician, and/or an athletic trainer if you need advice about developing healthier routines in your daily life.
Try to sleep for 7-9 hours per night (as an adult).
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and drink more water. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-the-Right-Side-of-Your-Brain", "language": "en"} |
How to Celebrate Diwali | Diwali is the Festival of Lights, a 5-day celebration to honor the triumph of good over evil and new beginnings. In 2023, Diwali goes from November 10th to the 15th, with each day carrying its own special meanings and traditions. Celebrating Diwali means decking your house in lights and colors, giving Diwali cards to your family and friends, spending time with your loved ones, and enjoying delicious food together.
1. **Clean your house on or before the first day of Diwali.** Diwali is the Hindu New Year, and it’s a celebration of new beginnings. It’s traditional to clean up your home and business on or before the first day of Diwali as a kind of cleansing ritual, preparing yourself for a fresh new start. Do your laundry, neaten up cluttered areas, and sort out bills and paperwork.
Think of this cleaning as a way to purify your environment and make way for the fresh, positive energy of Diwali and the new year.
2. **Draw footprints to scatter through your home on the first day.** The first day of Diwali, Dhanteras, is a day to celebrate Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. A traditional way of awaiting her arrival is to trace small footprints throughout your house. You sprinkle a mixture of rice flour and vermillion powder directly on the floor, or draw footprints on paper, cut them out, and place them around the house.
3. **Shop for new clothes, jewelry, and utensils.** Another tradition at the beginning of Diwali is to go shopping for new clothes and household items, like kitchen utensils and decorations. Try to buy at least a couple new items of clothing and kitchen tools to wear and use during Diwali, another way of celebrating the fresh start of a year.
For example, you could buy a few new shirts or pants, a nice set of plates or utensils, or some jewelry.
4. **Decorate your home** Narak Chaturdashi, the second day of Diwali, is typically when people adorn their homes with bright, colorful rangoli designs. Sketch out your design on a piece of transparent parchment paper, then sprinkle sand or dried rice over it. To add some color, buy colored rice or sand at a craft store or dye your materials using food coloring.
Rangoli is a traditional work of art and decoration done in sand or rice, often depicting beautiful, symmetrical flowers like lotuses and daisies.
Rangoli designs are typically placed just inside the entryway of your home, but feel free to set them up elsewhere, too.
You can also paint or draw your rangoli designs on paper or wood, or even buy them pre-made.
5. **Light diyas and candles around your home, especially in the doorways.** Diyas are small oil lamps shaped like cups with cotton, candle-like wicks. To welcome the goddess Lakshmi into your home, it’s traditional to light 4-6 diyas in a row near the doorways, often around your rangoli designs. You can also use small tealights instead.
Diyas and candles are often placed on the floor, but you may choose to place them up higher if you have pets or small children.
Diwali is the Festival of Lights, so feel free to place candles and diyas in other places around your home as well!
You can buy diyas online and even decorate them with recycled materials.
6. **Hang string lights around your home to make it bright and festive.** To celebrate the Festival of Lights, make your whole home bright! Hang string lights throughout your house, lining them along the walls and intertwining them through tables and mantels. You can also hang up lights outside, along your roof and fences.
You can hang plain white lights or go with colorful strings.
7. **Make snacks and appetizers like kebabs and yogurt dip.** There’s no one traditional meal or type of food for Diwali, so feel free to experiment or go with your family’s old favorites. For snacks and appetizers, try options like dahi ke kebabs and yogurt dip with chips or bread.
You can make dahi ke kebabs by mixing together plain yogurt, chopped coriander, chopped green chilis, chopped onions, chickpea flour, and cumin seeds, then chilling them for an hour. Shape the mixture into flat circles and fry them in oil or butter until they’re brown on both sides.
For yogurt dip, you’ll combine a shredded, salted cucumber with whole milk yogurt, red onion, lime juice, and several spices.
8. **Go with a masala dish for a simple, savory main course.** You can’t go wrong with a tasty masala for your main course. “Masala” stands for a mixture of spices often used in Indian cooking, and you can make lots of variations of it, including a vegetarian paneer butter masala, chickpea masala, or chicken tikka masala.
To make your masala, you’ll cook your main ingredient (either meal or vegetables) in a deep skillet with milk and spices like curry, coriander, and cumin.
9. **Make pindi chole for a spicy dish.** Indian dishes are known for being spicy! If you want a little bit of kick on your menu, whip up some pindi chole, made by simmering a mix of spices and chickpeas in a thick, creamy sauce. To make pindi chole with chickpeas:
Cook pre-soaked garbanzo beans in a pressure cooker with 3 black tea bags until they’re cooked through, then drain the water.
Using a wok over medium heat, dry roast whole spices like black cumin, carrom seeds, and dry pomegranate until they’re browned, then grind them.
Saute garlic ginger paste in the wok for a minute, then add green chilis, green cardamom, pepper, and a bay leaf. Add powdered spices like cumin, coriander powder, and dry mango powder and saute for 2 minutes.
Finally, pour in the cooked beans and cook, covered, for 5-7 minutes. Add water and cook until its absorbed, 4-5 minutes, then serve!
10. **Serve a creamy paneer makhani to add cheesy flavor.** Paneer makhani is a satisfying cheese dish that’s perfect for a Diwali celebration. Paneer is just an unsalted version of cottage cheese, so you can substitute it if you like. To make this dish:
Saute red chillies, ginger, garlic paste, and whole spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, and cloves for 1-2 minutes in oil or butter. Add cashew nuts, poppy seeds, and onions and saute until the onions are translucent.
Add tomatoes and stir, then cover the pan and let it cook until the tomatoes start to break down. Set the mixture aside to cool. Then, remove as many whole spices as you can and use an immersion blender to blend it until it’s a smooth paste.
In the same pan, add butter, curry paste, garam masala powder, chili powder, turmeric, ketchup, salt, and water. Bring it to a boil, then lower it to a simmer for 30 minutes.
Cut the paneer into bite-sized pieces and stir it into the mix.
11. **Serve bread like naan on the side.** This flat, Indian-style bread is a favorite for all ages. It’s the perfect side to nibble on or calm down your taste buds after a spicy dish. You can make your own naan or buy it in a store. Heat it in the microwave or a toaster first to make sure its warm!
12. **Include plenty of sweets and pastries, like barfi and pudding.** As tasty as all the other dishes are, desserts are the star during Diwali! Serve your favorite pastries and sweets, like barfi, a creamy treat made by cooking condensed milk, sugar, and nuts until they solidify, then cut and served in squares. You can also try a dish like kheer, prepared with blanched almonds and raisins and enhanced with some saffron, or a traditional peda.
You can try your own hand at making these dishes, or cater from a local Indian restaurant.
13. **Invite family and friends over on the third day of Diwali.** No Diwali celebration is complete without spending time with your loved ones. If you can’t spend time together on each day of Diwali, try to get together on the third day, which is considered the most significant day of the festival. Invite them over to enjoy a meal and some sweets, then take the time to catch up and enjoy each other’s company.
On the third day, many families also gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to the goddess Lakshmi as well as Ganesh, the god of wisdom, and Kuber, the lord of wealth.
If you’re away for Diwali, text your family and friends to wish them a good celebration and tell them how much you love them!
14. **Light sparklers together.** Fireworks, firecrackers, and sparklers are always a big part of Diwali, especially on the third day, bringing together the festive spirit and bright, colorful lights of the holiday. If you can, buy handheld sparklers to light outside and enjoy with friends and family. Swirl them carefully in the air to make pretty designs and effects!
Setting off private fireworks and firecrackers is illegal in most regions.
15. **Exchange gifts on the fourth day.** Padwa, the fourth day of Diwali, is the official first day of the new year! On this day, it’s traditional to visit your family and friends to exchange gifts and greetings. The gifts don’t have to be anything big—many families give sweets or small items. The most important part is simply appreciating each other.
16. **Celebrate with siblings for the final day of Diwali.** Bahu-dooj, the fifth and last day of the festival, is dedicated to the bond between siblings. Traditionally, brothers will visit their sisters, who will put a “tilak,” or vermilion mark, on their forehead to symbolize their love. Brothers, meanwhile, will give their sisters gifts, goodies, and blessings.
If you can, visit your siblings in-person or give them a call to check in and show your love for each other.
17. **Join in at public Diwali celebrations.** Diwali is celebrated all over the world. Even if you can’t be at one of the big celebrations in India, Singapore, and other South Asian countries, there are typically celebrations in most major metropolitan areas. Look online for festivities near you and head out to watch fireworks, enjoy sweet and savory treats, and take part in the celebration!
The U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia all have large Diwali celebrations. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Diwali", "language": "en"} |
How to Break in Your Brand New Dr Martens Boots | When you think about breaking in tough, leather Dr. Martens, you may experience an instinctive shudder as you get ready to stock up on band-aids and live with a few blisters. But stretching your new shoes doesn't have to be painful! There are several relatively easy and pain-free processes to made sure your shoes fit just the way they should. Here are several break-in methods to choose from that you too can do from the comfort of home!
1. **Start with thick socks.** Put on socks that will both push the leather outwards and protect your feet from any rubbing or pinching. This will prevent the formation of irritating blisters.
2. **Wear the shoes for 10 minutes.** Keep the shoes on long enough that they begin to mold to your feet, but not so long that they cause pain or injury. Walk around and stretch your feet while your wear them.
Do this whenever you have free time to change shoes and walk around. Try to do this at least two to three times per day.
To find the time to switch between your comfy shoes and the Dr. Martens you’re breaking in, wear your new boots before, after, or during the lunch break of your work day.
3. **Increase your shoe-wearing time in ten-minute increments.** Slowly expand the amount of time you keep your shoes on your feet, paying close attention to how your feet feel. Don’t push through the pain; take them off if you start to feel any discomfort.
Because this is a slower and more time-consuming method, plan ahead. If you want to show off your new Dr. Martens at a particular event, begin this process about a month before that date.
Try to wear your Dr. Martens around the house as much as you can (without causing yourself pain).
4. **Manually stretch the leather.** Bending the leather in the direction it goes in when you're wearing your boots can help break them in. Bend the back of the shoe inwards to make the heel area more spacious, then push the toe to and away from the laces. You can also bend the leather in and out on the instep (or the middle, by the laces) of the shoe.
This may cause creasing in the leather. To avoid noticeable or permanent creases, be sure your leather is properly conditioned before you use your hands to stretch it. Dr. Martens' has its own product, Wonder Balsam, for this purpose, however, other brands should work just fine as well.
Periodically conditioning your boots will also aid in the overall break-in process. Soft and supple leather is much easier to stretch than stiff leather.
5. **Keep the shoes stretched even when they’re off your feet.** Stuff your shoes with some newspaper or a shoe tree to make sure they don’t shrink back down when you’re not wearing them. If you use newspaper, be sure to fully stuff the shoe.
6. **Take your boots on an outing.** Once you can comfortably wear your Dr. Martens for an hour, they should be fully broken in. Test the fit on a walk or excursion that allows you to come home and change shoes if necessary.
If you’re worried, bring an extra pair of reliable shoes along with you.
7. **Pour water into a resealable freezer bag.** Fill the bag no more than halfway to avoid spills or tears.
Be aware of the areas of your boot that need the most stretching, as this may alter how much water you place in the bag. If it’s a smaller or larger portion, fill the bag with the amount of water that makes it fit comfortably within that space.
Use a high-quality plastic bag. You don’t want any water to touch the leather directly, as this will damage your boots. Choosing a bag specifically for freezer use will help ensure that no leaking occurs.
8. **Seal the bag.** Leaving only a small corner of the bag unsealed, remove the excess air from the unfilled half of the bag, and then fully seal the bag. Double check for leaks, tears, or an incomplete seal.
Just in case you’ve spilled a bit of water while filling or sealing the bag, wipe it off with a dishcloth or paper towel.
9. **Place the bag in your shoe.** Check to make sure that the bag presses against the area(s) of the shoe that need to be stretched.
Use crumpled newspaper to keep the bag in position.
You can use several bags of varying sizes to fill the various portions of your shoe. The toe, in particular, may call for a smaller bag that fully touches the entire front of the shoe.
10. **Freeze the boot.** Put your boot, complete with the filled bag of water, into your freezer. Leave the boots in the freezer for a minimum of eight hours, or overnight. The water should be completely frozen before you remove the shoes, as the expanding ice is what stretches the leather.
11. **Let the boots thaw.** Once you remove your boots from the freezer, wait twenty minutes up to an hour before you remove the bags. The ice needs time to melt and soften a bit so that you’re not forcing the bag out of the shoe. Taking the bag out too early may tear the bag, spilling the water that will damage your boot.
12. **Remove the bag.** Be very careful not to tear the bag as you pull it out of your boot.
13. **Check the fit.** If your boots are still too tight, repeat the process, focusing your attention on the problem areas.
14. **Put on thick socks.** You want the boots to feel tight, so use woolen or winter socks.
15. **Wear your boots** You may need to force your feet to fit into the boots, and this won't be the most comfortable experience. Without a tight fit, however, the leather won’t have any reason to stretch or expand.
If the boots still feel loose, try putting on two or three pairs of socks at once.
16. **Break out your hair dryer.** Keeping the hair dryer about six inches away from the shoe, blow hot air on the tight areas of the boots for about 30 seconds, flexing your feet and wiggling your toes as you go.
Each problem spot should receive its own 30-second heat treatment.
17. **Let the boots cool.** Keep wearing your new shoes until they’ve cooled down, walking around and flexing your foot as you wait. The boots should be about room temperature to the touch before you remove them, otherwise you’ll negate the heating process.
18. **Check the fit.** You may need to repeat this method several times, paying close attention to which spots need the most attention. Focus the heat treatment on those areas.
Try wearing a thicker pair of socks if you find it necessary to repeat the steps. It’s possible your fit wasn’t tight enough to force the leather to stretch.
19. **Condition your leather.** Heat removes moisture from the leather, which may cause cracks or breaks in the shoes. Avoid this side effect by applying products designed to restore moisture and keep the leather supple, such as Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-Your-Brand-New-Dr-Martens-Boots", "language": "en"} |
How to Buy Citric Acid | Citric acid is available for purchase through many different types of stores. Where you choose to buy citric acid depends on what you plan to use it for and how much you wish to purchase. Citric acid is a weak acid naturally found in citrus fruits that individuals and manufacturers often use because of its preservative and chelating properties and sour taste. Citric acid is important for canning, cheese-making, homebrewing, and candy making, and is an ingredient in some recipes and beverages to regulate acidity. People also use citric acid for craft projects such as fizzing bath salts, or may be interested in purchasing citric acid for laboratory experiments. You can buy citric acid in either anhydrous (water-free) or in monohydrate form.
1. **Determine how much citric acid you need to buy.** The amount you need will determine where you should shop for citric acid. Smaller quantities can generally be purchased at the grocery store, while larger quantities may need be purchased at a bulk store or online.
Consult the instructions for your activity or recipe to see how much citric acid they indicate you need to use for your project.
Increase the amount of citric acid if you plan to make multiple batches of a recipe or want to have an ample amount for repeating the activity. For example, if you plan to use citric acid for cheese-making, and you want to make your own cheese on a regular basis, you will want to buy enough citric acid for multiple uses.
2. **Look for citric acid at your local supermarket.** Food grade citric acid is normally available in a powder form. Typically, it is best to buy citric acid at a grocery store when you need a small amount, for example, a bottle with 3 to 5 ounces (85 g to 142 g).
Check for citric acid in the canning section. It is often located near the pectin and other canning ingredients and materials.
Look for citric acid under the name sour salt in the kosher section or in the spice aisle.
3. **Check natural food stores for citric acid.** Health food stores often carry citric acid and may have a greater range of sizes available than standard grocery stores. Call the store before stopping by to make sure they have the amount you need in stock.
4. **Shop at a restaurant supply store.** Restaurant supply stores, especially baking or candy-making supply stores, are likely to carry citric acid. These types of stores will likely have quantities available in bulk as well. If you need a large amount, check here first.
Plan to purchase at least 1 pound (.45 kg) of citric acid. Smaller quantities may not be available.
5. **Find a store that sells home brewing supplies.** Homebrewers often use citric acid, for example to adjust to acid level in fruit wines. A store that caters to home brewers may also have knowledgeable staff that can provide detailed information on how to use citric acid for your particular project.
6. **Shop online.** Online retailers sell small to large containers of citric acid and many online stores sell it by the pound. You can skip the shopping and have the citric acid delivered right to your door. If you are using the citric acid in something that will be consumed, remember to order food grade citric acid.
Take into account that shipping costs may make it more expensive to buy citric acid online than at a local restaurant supply or warehouse store. However, online prices are generally more competitive than supermarket prices per ounce.
7. **Choose which form of citric acid you want to purchase.** Citric acid is available as a monohydrate and in anhydrous form. Anhydrous means there is no water, so the citric acid is more powdery than the monohydrate form that has water.
Anhydrous citric acid is usually used in bath bombs, but the monohydrate form will also work.
Unless the project specifies the use of one form over the other, either one should work.
8. **Check craft stores for citric acid.** Anhydrous citric acid may be available in the soap-making section of craft stores as it is a common ingredient in fizzing bath bombs. Call the store before going there to make sure they have the quantity in stock you need.
9. **Buy citric acid through a chemical supply company.** A chemical supply source will provide the greatest number of options in terms of grade, texture, quantity, and form. Read through your supplier's definitions of the grades they sell. Many suppliers also create their own grade labels to indicate the quality of the chemical. Citric acid is available in different grades including:
Food Chemical Codex (FCC)- food grade
American Chemical Society (ACS) grade- the substance meets the standards set forth by the ACS for reagent chemicals in their publication.
United States Pharmacopeia (USP) grade- a substance that meets the specifications in the "Reagents, Indicators and Solutions" section of the USP. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Citric-Acid", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Homemade Popsicles | There's nothing more refreshing than a popsicle on a hot summer's day. Next time you need an icy fix, don't wait for the ice cream truck to roll around! Make a batch of popsicles yourself. Whether you love fresh berry popsicles, chocolate popsicles, orange creamsicles or soda popsicles, wikiHow has you covered!
1. **Wash and process your fruit.** Make sure your blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are rinsed and clean. Remove the strawberries' stems and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
2. **Make a simple syrup.** Place the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves into the water. Remove it from heat and set it aside. You now have a tasty syrup to sweeten your popsicles.
For a minty fresh flavor, add some mint leaves to the mixture as it cooks, then take them out before using the syrup.
If you don't want to make syrup, you can substitute any type of fruit juice instead.
3. **Blend the berries and lemon juice.** Place the berries and lemon juice in a blender and blend until completely smooth. If you like chunks of fruit in your popsicles, you can leave some fruit out and stir it in after the mixture has been blended.
4. **Stir in 1/3 cup simple syrup.** If you want your popsicles sweeter, you can add more simple syrup. You can also swap it out for grape juice, cranberry juice, lemon-lime soda, or any other sweet liquid.
5. **Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.** This recipe will make six large popsicles. If you don't have popsicle molds you can make mini popsicles using an ice cube tray!
6. **Freeze the popsicles until they're hard.** Put them in the freezer and leave them alone for at least 3 hours or overnight, so they'll be nice and hard when you take them out to eat them.
7. **Mix the milk and water in a bowl.** You can use any type of milk you want for these popsicles - whole milk, skim, goat's milk, coconut milk, almond milk, and so on. Stir your milk and water together.
If you want extra creamy popsicles, swap out the water for whole milk, half and half or heavy cream.
8. **Stir in the cocoa, vanilla and sugar.** Pour the cocoa and sugar into the bowl and stir with a whisk until they are completely dissolved in your milk and water mixture.
You can substitute honey, stevia, agave nectar, or any other sweetener for the sugar.
Instead of vanilla, try using almond extract, a few drops of peppermint extract, or another flavoring.
9. **Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.** Get creative and use ice cube trays if you don't have popsicle molds.
10. **Freeze the popsicles.** Let them stay in the freezer for 3 hours or overnight, until they're completely hard.
11. **Zest an orange.** The bright, fresh flavor from these popsicles comes from the orange zest. Use a zester, microplane or grater to zest an orange until you've collected 1 tablespoon.
12. **Blend the orange juice, ice cream and zest.** Place them all in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
Lemonade or grapefruit juice also taste delicious in popsicle form.
You can sub the orange juice for root beer if you want a root beer float-inspired concoction.
13. **Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.**
14. **Freeze the popsicles until they're solid.** It will take at least 3 hours. Resist the temptation to take them out before they're hard - these popsicles melt quite easily!
15. **Blend the watermelon.** Skip this step if you already have juice.
16. **Pour the juice into molds and freeze for at least 3 hours, preferably 1-10 days or so.**
17. **Remove the popsicles.**
18. **Enjoy your popsicle(s)!**
19. **Finished.**
20. **Choose the type of soda or drink you want to use.** This will be the flavor of your popsicle. You can choose lemonade, grape juice, Kool-Aid, or whatever else tickles your fancy.
21. **Carefully pour the drink into molds.** Fill up each popsicle mold so it is almost full. If you don't have molds, you can use paper cups or ice cube trays.
If you're using an ice cube tray, you can create handles out of toothpicks. Put plastic wrap over the tray, and place two toothpicks into each cup. The toothpicks should have a small amount of space between them.
22. **Let the popsicles freeze completely.** This may take a few hours.
23. **Take out the tray when the popsicles are hard.** Once the popsicles have all completely solidified, remove the tray from the freezer. Do not tug on the toothpicks or stick, but instead press from the bottom of the cup to remove the popsicle.
24. **Serve and enjoy.** What ever remainders you have, you can put back in the freezer until next time.
25. **Mix the ice cream and milk in a blender on the blend setting.** Blend for about 5 seconds.
26. **Pour the blended mixture into a popsicle mold.** Set the timer for 90:00 minutes. Place the mold in the freezer.
27. **When you remove the molds from the freezer, don't just pull the sticks out, as that will ruin your popsicle.** Instead, run some warm water over the mold for a few seconds. Now pull out the stick and you'll have concocted a lovely milky, icy treat. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Popsicles", "language": "en"} |
How to Find Legitimate Banking Jobs in Canada | Finding a legitimate banking job in Canada need not be difficult if you are prepared and know where to look. The field of banking offers challenging opportunities for individuals to work in a variety of positions within the finance industry. Jobs are available across a diverse area of expertise including an entry-level position as a bank teller as well as higher level positions such as auditors, analysts, senior management and investment advisers. Educational requirements as well as necessary experience will vary depending on the type of banking job that you are interested in.
1. **Earn your high school diploma before you begin applying for bank jobs.** Most Canadian banking positions require a minimum of a high school diploma for entry-level work. This includes positions like a drive-through clerk or a teller.
2. **Become a Canadian citizen to legally work in Canada.** You must meet certain legal obligations before being allowed to work in Canada. If you prefer not to become a citizen, you can become a permanent resident instead. Or apply for a temporary work permit, which allows you to work in Canada as a foreign citizen.
If you’re planning to permanently relocate to Canada before becoming a citizen, apply for a Canadian visa. A Temporary Resident Visa will allow you to live and work in Canada for an extended period of time. This document can also make it easier for you to become a full citizen of Canada.
You can start the application process for a Canadian visa online. Learn more here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html.
3. **Pass a securities course if you plan to become an investment banker.** In Canada, there are a number of securities courses you can take. Once you’ve passed the course, you’ll be eligible to work as an investment banker. The primary securities course is the CSI’s Global Education’s Canadian Securities Course (CSC). You can also take a securities course offered by the Institute of Canadian Bankers.
Securities courses will familiarize you with Canadian financial services. They will also give you in-depth knowledge about banking-industry practices like assessing company performance and understanding industry standards. You can choose between courses that let you specialize in areas including investment management and financial planning. Find out more about the CSI’s CSC course at: https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/courses/csi/csc.xhtml.
If you’re only planning to work as a bank teller, you won’t need to pass these exams.
4. **Earn a BA in a finance-related field to make yourself hirable.** Investment banks like to hire young people with Bachelor’s degrees in fields that directly prepare them for working in a banking environment. While a generic business degree may suffice, you’ll be a more competitive candidate if you earn a degree directly related to banking. These fields include:
Finance
Business Administration
Economics
Accounting
5. **Apply for a banking internship** If you are currently a college student, look into opportunities for a position within a bank through an internship or work co-op. Internships and work co-ops often lead to full-time job offers once you graduate school. Contact your college career academic adviser if you are currently a student to help you in making arrangements for an internship within a bank in Canada.
Many Canadian banks offer summer programs as well as scholarships for college students seeking to gain valuable skills and acquire some knowledge in the banking industry while still in school.
Most colleges and universities get actively involved in placing students within internships, setting up appointments, and arranging interviews.
6. **Earn a Master’s in Finance for a career as an investment banker.** A Master’s in Finance is a 2- or 3-year graduate program that prepares you to work in a financial field or institution. Through your graduate courses, you’ll be able to find out about banking internships and jobs. This is a great way to get your foot in the door of a bank.
In general, a Master’s in Finance will make you a better-qualified candidate for all types of banking jobs. If you’re considering going back to school and want to work in banking, a MF is the way to go.
7. **Network by reaching out to personal and professional contacts.** Networking is a great way to make personal connections that can lead to Canadian banking jobs. Networking face-to-face removes much of the impersonality of online job applications.
For example, if you have a friend of a friend who manages a bank in Ottawa, ask your friend if they could set up a coffee meeting between you and the bank manager.
Either an undergrad program in business or a Master’s in Finance will also provide you with plenty of opportunities to network with banking professionals and hiring managers.
8. **Look for banking jobs at a local job fair.** Job fairs are a great way for companies—including banks—to find interested and qualified applicants. A job fair will also allow you to speak with several hiring banks in a single afternoon. You can ask the bank representatives how many positions they’re hiring for, how many branches are hiring, and what types of positions need to be filled.
To find information about upcoming local job fairs, search online for something like, “job fairs near me.” For a more banking-specific search, look for “banking job fairs in my area.”
9. **Browse online boards to look for jobs in the Canadian banking industry.** Popular job-search websites include LinkedIn, Monster, and Indeed. Expand your search to include the subject of “finance” and “investment,” as openings may be listed under several categories. Make notations and bookmark those links with the best prospects.
For example, check out the listings of banking jobs through the Canadian website Hays.
Or, if you’re looking for jobs in a specific city (e.g., Toronto), you could scan the CareerBuilder banking jobs listing for that city.
You could also browse the banking listings at Indeed for Toronto or other major cities.
10. **Find job listings on the websites of reputable banks in Canada.** Read about the companies and the type of work that they do, and check for possible openings for banking jobs. Look for a menu button that says “Career” or “Jobs.” Keep a listing of those companies that provide some promising opportunities for a banking job so that you can revisit them later to apply for a position.
For example, check out job listings online for the Royal Bank of Canada at: https://www.rbc.com/careers/index.html.
If you’re interested, you could also check out the websites for finance and investment firms. While these aren’t technically banks, the work you’d do would likely be similar.
11. **Apply to work in a rural bank if you don’t mind the commute.** About 1/3 of Canada’s banks are located in rural or small-town environments. If you’re only considering working in a bank in a large city, you may be overlooking attainable banking jobs in less populated regions. So, in addition to searching online for jobs in major cities like Toronto or Montreal, look in smaller towns like Rainbow Lake, Alberta, or Toad River, BC.
Even if you have to commute from a metropolitan area to a rural banking branch, it might be worth it to get your foot in the door at a Canadian bank.
12. **Look for entry-level jobs if you don’t have much experience.** For example, you can apply to work as a bank teller or as an entry-level sales consultant. Also consider applying for data-entry clerk positions or for jobs as an administrative clerk. These jobs will help you gain necessary experience if you’d like to have a career in banking.
You’re technically eligible for most entry-level jobs with only a high-school diploma. However, if a bank has received many applications for low-level positions, having a bachelor’s degree will give you a competitive edge.
13. **Find positions for managers if you’ve worked in banking before.** If you worked at a high level at a bank earlier in your career, plan to apply for bank management jobs. You’ll be especially competitive if you’ve earned an MBA or an MF.
As a bank manager, you would be overseeing dozens of bank employees, meeting with high-level clients, and ensuring that operations run smoothly.
14. **Aim to find a job as an investment banker to invest in companies.** Investment bankers invest money in young start-up businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. In other instances, companies will hire an investment banker to purchase a smaller company or oversee a corporate merger.
Most investment banker jobs require an MBA.
15. **Search for a job as a financial analyst to work closely with investors.** Financial analysts help investors analyze stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in order to assemble the best possible investment portfolio. Most analysts specialize in understanding financial trends in a specific region (e.g., Korea) or for a specific type of business (e.g., pharmaceutical companies).
If you want to work with budgets specifically, look for work as a budget analyst. You’ll work to oversee the budgets of various corporations.
Some analyst positions require an MBA.
16. **Apply for a job as a loan officer to assess who receives a bank loan.** Loan officers work with potential loan recipients to determine which recipients are too high-risk and should be denied a loan. These jobs require you to look through large amounts of paperwork before extending loans to, for example, car buyers, house buyers, or college students.
Most loan-officer positions do not require an MBA. The hiring managers may want you to have a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field, though.
17. **Highlight your financial and banking experience on your resume.** Regardless of your level of experience, when applying for a banking job, focus on presenting your financial background. This includes information like college classes in finance and any prior work in a financial institution. There are different formats to follow when creating a resume, including chronological and functional. The best format for you will depend on your employment history as well as educational background.
Use a chronological resume if you have several years of work experience as well as having graduated from high school or college. A chronological resume is formatted based on your history and includes specific dates for employment and training.
Choose a functional resume if you do not have a great deal of work experience and are still in college or have just recently graduated. A functional resume will highlight your skills and abilities and focus less on past work experience.
18. **Submit applications to your top 5–7 banking jobs.** Once you’ve reviewed a number of banking job postings online, narrow your list down to 5-7 jobs that you feel you’d enjoy and know you’re qualified for. All of the jobs you’re applying for should be in the same banking industry (e.g., investment banking). Visit the bank’s application portal, and fill in your personal and professional information as requested.
The application will comprise your resume describing your work and education history, a 1-page cover letter, and professional or academic references.
You should be able to apply for nearly all positions online. Some positions at older banks may request that you mail in a paper copy of your application and resume.
19. **Prepare to answer questions about Canadian finance in the interview.** Questions will differ from bank to bank and will depend on the position you’re applying for. But, most questions will deal with your knowledge of the banking industry, customer service experience (for teller positions), knowledge of economics, and knowledge of loans and interest rates.
For example, the interviewer(s) may ask you about your knowledge of current financial events, recent turns on the stock markets, and your personal abilities with banking or programming software. They may also ask you to clarify aspects of your resume.
Many Canadian banking companies do interviews in person and over Skype. You may be able to choose which format you prefer.
20. **Follow up promptly after interviews.** Send a short thank-you email to the bank representative(s) that met and spoke with you. Briefly mention your desire to work for the company and that you believe that you have the qualifications and necessary experience to successfully do the job. Be enthusiastic but also professional in your tone and your approach.
For example, you could write, “Thank you for taking the time to interview me last Monday. I appreciated the time to speak face-to-face. I hope you’ll consider me for the position. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!” | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Legitimate-Banking-Jobs-in-Canada", "language": "en"} |
How to Straighten Out a Dollar Bill | Have you ever been rejected by a candy machine because your dollar was too wrinkly? Or maybe you want every dollar bill in your money clip to be as smooth and flat as the day it was printed? Here are a few quick fixes for taking the folds out of those bills.
1. **Place your dollar on a flat surface.** The ironing board is the most logical place to iron your bill. If you don’t have an ironing board, you can use a nearby table, but make sure to place a shirt or other linen on the ironing area so that you don’t burn the table.
2. **Moisten the bill with water.** Spray a little water onto the dollar bill. You can do this with the spray function featured on the iron itself. Moisture helps remove those particularly pesky wrinkles during ironing.
If you don’t have an iron with a spray function, use a spray bottle or run the bill under a sink that is set to low pressure.
3. **Turn your iron down to the lowest heat.** The goal is to dry the moisture out of the bill with the lowest heat necessary. Higher heat settings run the risk of damaging the dollar bill.
4. **Iron** Use straight movements from one direction to the other. Repeat this a few times until the bill no longer appears to further flatten.
Take care to avoid ironing folds into the bill. If you are having trouble getting the bill to lay flat, place it flat inside of a shirt. This will keep the bill weighed down flat while still allowing you to iron the bill.
Start ironing the bill as your iron is still heating up. This is particularly helpful if your iron's lowest setting is still particularly hot.
5. **Let the bill cool for 60 seconds.** The bill will be very hot to the touch immediately after ironing, so be careful! After the bill has cooled, you may flip the bill and repeat the ironing process on the new side of the bill.
You may reapply some moisture to the other side of the bill if it still has a large amount of folds or wrinkles.
6. **Store flat for safe keeping.** Once you are satisfied that the bill cannot get any flatter, you are finished. Pick up your newly flattened bill and place alongside the others in your wallet.
7. **Hold the crumpled bill at each end.** You want to hold the bill as straight as possible between both of your fingers. Hold it taut, but take care not to accidentally pull the bill apart in your hands.
8. **Run the dollar bill against a cornered surface.** Make sure the entire surface of the bill is firmly dragged across the edge of where two planes meet. The goal is to force the wrinkles and folds out of the bill.
The corner of a vending machine is a convenient place to try this method, given that the vending machine likely wouldn’t accept your bill in the first place. However, any edged surface will do, including wall, desk or table corners.
If the corner you are using doesn’t seem to be straightening out the bill, try using a corner with a more inclined or sharper edge.
9. **Flip the dollar in your hands and corner the other side.** If you only run one side of the bill against a corner, you run the risk of creating new folds or bends in the direction you were applying force to the bill. Flip the bill and run the opposite face across the corner same as you did to the first in order to create as much parity as possible.
10. **Check the corners of your dollar bill.** It’s difficult to straighten the corners of the bill out using the edge of a wall. When you are done straightening the body of the bill, check the corners for “dog ears,” or small bends at the corners of the bill. If a dog ear is present, fold and crease the ear in the opposite direction to try to level out the bend (similar to removing creases from rugs or cloth).
11. **Repeat until flattened.** Repeat the whole process until the darned vending machine takes your dollar bill. If the machine continues to reject the bill, you might have to use another bill.
12. **Moisten the dollar bill.** Spray the dollar bill with water. Use a water bottle to mist evenly. Unlike when ironing a dollar bill, you want the bill to be noticeably moist or humid. However, it is not advised to completely soak the bill in water through submersion.
13. **Press the bill between two heavy, flat objects.** Ideal objects to use for pressing include heavy books such as dictionaries or phone directories. These objects press the bill flat and hold it in place while it dries.
Place an absorbent material between the heavy object and the bill to prevent water damage to the pressing object and to facilitate drying. Try cheesecloth, hemp or other common absorbent fabrics to help absorb moisture from the bill.
If you don’t particularly care about the book in question, the bill along with the absorbent material can be placed within the book itself. Lay the book flat to ensure the bill dries without bends or folds.
The dollar bill can also be “framed” between two panes of glass as it dries. Framing the bill will help ensure a tight, flat seal and can take less space than stacking a few books.
14. **Check in on the dollar bill as it dries.** Allow to dry overnight, checking in occasionally to gauge dryness. Change the absorbent material as necessary to keep the drying process moving at a steady pace.
The bill shouldn’t take longer than a few days to dry. If it takes longer than a few days, change the absorbent material more frequently. You may have also moistened the bill more than necessary.
Store the press in an area that is not also dark or damp to avoid encouraging the growth of mold.
15. **Repeat the process if needed.** Once the bill is dry, it should lay flat without folds or creases. However, if the bill still curls, you may repeat the process, provided the bill is not too flimsy or weak to withstand another treatment.
16. **Place the dollar bill into a water basin that is full of water.** It doesn't have to be super full, but must be able to fully coat the entire bill from one end to the other. The basin though, has to have a flat bottom for this fix to hold. It doesn't matter what side the bill is placed in the basin with, for the side facing you, however, for simplicity, start with the front side facing you first.
Be careful of the temperature of the water. Although the water should be warm, it should never be scalding hot, as this could cause the bill to loose color.
17. **Dribble a little bit of kitchen soap into the area where the bill is in the basin.** About a teaspoon or two might be enough. Two teaspoons will make it stiffer yet, but even closer to brand new than just the one teaspoon.
18. **Use a bristle brush to gently rub the bill with the soapy water.** Rub the bill from one end to the other. Don't apply too much pressure that the bill's ink begins to come off, otherwise it will have no legal tender on it. Apply enough pressure, like you were brushing your hair- steady pressure running up and down the bill.
Rub the bill in circles with the bristle brush. Never rub straight across otherwise the bill's ink will smear and that's good!
19. **Turn the bill over when you have rubbed the bill's front side with the brush, and lay the back side of the bill face down in the same basin.** Repeat the process with the bristles to the back side of the bill.
20. **Remove the bill when both sides have been "cleaned".** The soap helps restore the crispness that the bill once had when it came from the factory.
21. **Iron the bill out with an iron and ironing board.** Listen for the little "ticks"; these ticking sounds are the water droplets evaporating from the newly washed bill. Again, the side you begin with really doesn't matter. Don't ever spray any of the water from the iron onto the bill, unless the iron is sticking to the bill for some reason.
22. **Iron the opposite side of the bill out.**
23. **Finish up.** The bill should now look closer to new than it once was. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Straighten-Out-a-Dollar-Bill", "language": "en"} |
How to Know if Your Friend No Longer Likes You | Friendships can be powerful things, but sometimes people's opinions about one another change. Whether from new life experiences, the passage of time, or any variety of other factors, sometimes people just don't want to be friends anymore. Sometimes that isn't very clear, and there are a variety of signs you can look for that should tell you that someone does not want to be friends anymore. If there is something wrong, you may try to fix it, or it might be best to end the friendship.
1. **See if your friend is acting negatively towards you.** If your friend is regularly insulting or belittling you, or starting arguments over all kinds of things, they are not being a good friend. If your friend is doing this, confront them, and ask them to stop. If your friend doesn't, that is not a good sign.
Types of insults can include teasing, sarcasm, and cynicism, comments that may sound like jokes, but are meant to hurt you. Some insults are more subtle, like backhanded compliments (complimenting you for negative things) or guilt-tripping (where your friend blames you for their distresses and problems). In many cases, your friend may try to pass these insults off as humor, and ridicule you for taking them personally.
It is possible that your friend doesn't know they are insulting you. If you are concerned, confront them. If your friend didn't know, they may apologize right away.
2. **Look out for how often you are communicating.** If your friend doesn't like you, they probably aren't making much of an effort to stay in touch. This means not just talking, but emails, texting, or any other form of communication. If you and your friend aren't talking very much, it is hard to say that you are still really friends.
This reduced communication can refer to frequency or length. You may not talk as often as you used to. Or, if you do talk, your conversations are now very short, and you find that you don't have much to talk about.
You can also see this if you are the one making an effort at communication. Friendship takes effort. If you are the only one trying to stay in touch, then your friend is probably not interested.
3. **Ask yourself how you learn about new things in your friend's life.** Along with not talking much, chances are your friend won't have been keeping you up to date with changes in their life. Friendship takes effort, and you shouldn't learn new things about your friend only through other people or social media.
4. **See if your friend ignores you for time with others.** If you try to make plans, and your friend says they are too busy but is later out with other friends during that time, that would be a sign of rejection.
People change, have new interests, and new friends. If your friend appears to be doing other things with new people, then those new people probably fit in better with their new interests.
If your friend is not spending more time with others, but becoming withdrawn towards everyone, that could be a sign of more serious issues, like depression. If this might be the case, gather others, and as a group encourage your friend to seek help.
5. **Think about how it feels being around your friend.** If your friendship is turning sour, your meetings will be tense, and you may feel anxious or uncomfortable in each other's presence. There may be a larger concern that you are not dealing with, or maybe you two have grown apart.
6. **Talk to your friend.** Ask them about the things you have been noticing that suggest they don't like you. Be open and honest about your concerns. It may not solve all of them right away but may help you if your friend doesn't like you, or is angry about something in particular.
Be prepared to be conciliatory, especially if you think your friend is angry at something you may have done. Showing you are open to compromise and reconciliation encourages your friend to do the same.
When discussing your concerns, it is better to use "I" Statements. Don't start your complaints with "You," (as in "You are...") which makes your opinion seem like a fact. Instead, lead with how you feel when your friend does something negative towards you ("I feel..."). After that, name your friend's behavior and why it makes you feel that way. This makes your statement less accusatory.
If you think you were in the wrong, but are not sure why it might be good to give an open-ended question. You want to allow them to talk, not give a simple answer to a direct question. Ask what is wrong, or what you did wrong.
Be sure to give your friend some space after apologizing or asking for a response. This can be a lot to process, and you shouldn't expect an answer right away.
In some cases, it can help to take a self-inventory. Don't be afraid to ask your friend for their radical honesty in how you can be a better friend.
7. **Ask yourself if things have changed in your lives.** Life leads people in different directions, and those directions may not include you or your old friends. Your friend may have new interests, and new friends that share those interests more than you do.
8. **Don't get defensive.** Learning a friend doesn't like you can create some negative emotions. While you don't want to suppress them too much, it is best to use them as an opportunity to think more about yourself. Try to figure out what you are feeling (anger, fear, humiliation), to figure out what you can do next.
Ask yourself what you think your friend meant. People don't always know the impact of their words and actions. Bringing it to their attention can get an apology. Or, perhaps they did mean it as a personal insult, in which case you will want to think about how much you want to keep this friendship.
9. **Evaluate** You may have been (or became) a toxic friendship. These can be bad for your physical and mental wellbeing, and you should not be afraid to end it. Is this person a true friend? If you have been growing apart, especially for some time, then your friendship has probably been ready to end.
Signs of a toxic friendship include: asking for advice, then belittling or ignoring it; dumping their issues on you without offering support for your problems; regularly picking fights or competing with you, and never being happy with your success.
In a true friendship, you and your friend will be supportive of one another, stay in regular contact, and be able to discuss disagreements respectfully and with some amicable resolution. True friendships take effort, and both of you need to be willing to put in the effort.
10. **Accept it.** It does you no good to force someone to stay friends with you. That will likely only make things worse. It does not mean you failed, just that things have changed. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Your-Friend-No-Longer-Likes-You", "language": "en"} |
How to Relax when Driving | Whether you are a new driver getting used to the road, or an experienced driver just dealing with the normal challenges of commuting, driving can be a daunting task sometimes. You may feel frustration or anxiety crop up. But if you calm yourself in the moment, prepare for a relaxing drive, and handle your specific driving concerns you can relax when you are driving.
1. **Practice deep breathing techniques.This is one way that you can instantly relax when you are driving.** Deep breathing slows your heart rate, lowers your blood pressure, and calms you overall.
Take a slow, deep breath in through your mouth. Try to feel it in your lower abdomen. Slowly release the breath through your nose.
Take a few deep breaths whenever you feel road rage or anxiety and tension building when you are driving.
Take as many breaths as you need to calm yourself and feel relaxed.
2. **Release tension in your body.** You may find that your hands are clinched on the wheel, shoulders hunched, neck tight, and jaw tense. You can relax when driving if you do things that relieve the tension in your body.
Shrug your shoulders up and down to relax them. Roll them forward and then backwards a few times.
Relax your jaw and forehead. Smiling, even briefly, can help you relax your facial muscles.
Turn your head slightly back and forth and left and right to release tension in your neck.
Do some hand and finger stretches when you are stopped at a red light.
3. **Use mindfulness strategies.** Being mindful means focusing your attention in the here and now, on driving and only driving. Focusing your mind completely on driving doesn’t give your mind much room to think about anything upsetting and can help you relax when you are driving.
Take notice of all your senses as you drive. What do you hear, see, or smell? What does the car feel like?
Pay attention to how your body feels. You may say to yourself, “My shoulders feel tense and my stomach is queasy.”
Take notice of your thoughts and emotions. For example, you might think, “I feel worried and nervous. I keep thinking about getting on the highway.”
Allow yourself to experience your feelings without trying to stop them from happening.
Notice as the feelings slowly go away and how you feel as they do.
4. **Change your self-talk.** It is easy to start saying things to yourself that increase your feelings of tension, stress, anger, and anxiety. You can relax when you are driving if you make an effort to think relaxing thoughts and talk to yourself in a calm way.
For example , when someone is driving unsafely, you may want to say to yourself, “They cut me off! This is so frustrating! Driving makes me tense!”
Instead, think, “He’s not driving safe. I’m glad I don’t have to stay around him. I’ll move to this lane. He’s not interrupting my relaxing drive.”
Or, you may think to yourself, “I’m not good at driving in this traffic. Something bad is going to happen.”
Instead, try saying to yourself, “This is a chance for me to practice driving in traffic. I’ll do just fine.”
5. **Give yourself plenty of time.** Rushing to get somewhere can make you nervous and anxious. Instead, you can relax when driving if you make sure that you leave in enough time to arrive at your destination without rushing.
Allow time for accidents, traffic, detours, and other unexpected events that might make you late.
6. **Set up your car.** Preparing your car for your drive before you get behind the wheel can help you relax when driving. Before you get in, make sure that you have adjusted your controls and set the car up for your drive.
Position your seat in a comfortable position. You should be able to sit in the driver’s seat comfortably and still easily reach the pedals and steering wheel.
Adjust your rearview and side mirrors so that you can see everything around you and don’t have to worry about adjusting them while you are driving.
If you are using GPS, go ahead and set your location and put the device somewhere that you can easily see it while driving.
Adjust any other controls or settings, like temperature, beforehand so that you can focus on driving once you get started.
7. **Turn on relaxing music.** Some research suggests that listening to classical, pop, or other downbeat music while you are driving can calm you down. So turn off the rock and rap and put on some pop or R&B to relax when you are driving.
Listening to more fast tempo music like rock can cause you to drive faster and get upset easier.
Try to set your radio station or music before you start driving so that you aren’t distracted while you are driving.
8. **Put your electronic devices away.** The distractions of alarms, alerts, and notifications can distract you and cause you to become tense while you are driving. To be safe and to relax when you are driving, put your electronic on silent or at least out of reach.
You can lose focus on driving as you try to see who is contacting you or become anxious as the beeps and tones continue to go off.
Some phones and phone services have a ‘driving mode’ that can be used while you are driving to reduce your distractions.
If you need to, put your phone somewhere that you can’t reach it so you won’t be tempted to check it.
9. **Talk to your passengers.** Having a conversation about ways to help you stay calm when you are driving can eliminate some of the stress passengers can add to driving. Let your passengers know that you want to be relaxed while you are driving and tell them what they can do to help.
Ask your passengers to wear their seatbelt, try to be still, and talk calmly to you.
For example, you could say, “While I’m driving please don’t yell at me or try to get things out of the backseat. It makes me nervous.”
Talk to children about how they should behave when they are passengers in a car.
You might say, “Kids, you should sit back, stay in your seatbelt, talk quietly, and no horseplay. This will keep you safe and me relaxed.”
10. **Be confident when driving in new situations.** You may find yourself in a situation where you have to drive in conditions you aren’t used to. For example, you may have to take the highway when you are used to driving on residential streets. You can relax when driving in new situations if you remain confident in your driving ability.
Remember that you know the basic rules of driving and that they are generally the same, regardless of the situation.
You might say to yourself, “This is a new situation, but I’m a safe driver and can handle this.”
For example, if you are driving in a construction zone for the first time, you might remind yourself, “I can do this. I’m confident in my driving ability.”
11. **Use caution in inclement weather.** At some time or another you will likely have to drive when it is raining, snowing, or very windy. You can relax when you are driving in bad weather, however, if you stay alert and drive with caution.
If the weather is very bad, for example, there are high winds and hail, try to avoid driving at all.
Make sure your headlights, brake lights, and windshield wipers are working before you leave.
Reduce your speed so that you can have time to react to anything that comes up when you are driving.
Pay attention and look for road hazards like fallen tree branches or flooding roadways.
12. **Be alert when driving at night.** You can relax when you are driving at night if make sure that you are focused and paying attention to what is going on around you.
Look out for motorists and pedestrians that may be hard to see at night. Use your mirrors often and look around ahead of you.
Make sure your headlights are on and that your brake lights work before you start driving.
Don’t drive when you are tired or sleepy.
13. **Accept it when you are running late.** There will be times when, no matter how hard you try, you end up running late. Instead of getting nervous and trying to rush to get there, notify the appropriate person you will be late and accept it. This will help you relax when driving much more than trying to beat red lights to save a few seconds on your driving time.
For instance, if an accident on the interstate is making you late for work, instead of getting frustrated, call your supervisor and let her know.
You might say, “I wanted to let you know that I am on the way, I’m just running a few minutes late because of an accident.”
14. **Stop other people in the car from distracting you.** When the kids are making a ruckus in the back seat or your mom is being a backseat driver, it can be very distracting and upsetting. You can relax when you are driving if you ask them not to distract you before you begin driving. If you are already driving, calmly, but firmly tell them to stop.
For instance, you might say, “Kids, when I start driving you have to sit back and talk quietly. This will keep me calm and all of us safe.”
For example, you can say, “Mom, I appreciate your concern, but you telling me how to drive is making me nervous. Please stop.”
If you need to, pull over until the distraction stops. This will keep you calm and safe.
15. **Stay calm around rude drivers.** Although other drivers may do things that upset, frustrate, or even scare you like cutting you off, following too close, swerving, or even showing road rage, stay calm. Allowing rude drivers to upset you will prevent you from relaxing while driving.
Avoid making rude gestures or even eye contact with other motorists. This could escalate the situation unnecessarily.
When possible, change your rate of speed slightly so you can get away from the immediate area of the other driver.
If you feel threatened, roll up your windows and lock your doors. Call 911 if you think the situation may get violent. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Relax-when-Driving", "language": "en"} |
How to Look After a Pet Woodlouse | Whether you know them as woodlice, roly-polies, potato bugs, slaters, pillbugs, carpenters, tiggy-hogs, parson-pigs, or doodlebugs, these tiny creatures are easy to care for. To make a comfortable habitat for them, put some soil, leaves, and twigs into a container. Then place your woodlice in the habitat and add a bit of fresh produce for them to nibble on. Keep the habitat moist and observe the woodlice for a few days before releasing them back into the wild.
1. **Choose a sturdy container to hold the woodlice.** Look for a clean jar or empty shoebox to house your woodlice. To keep just a few woodlice, use a small jar. For lots of woodlice, consider purchasing a container, such as a plastic terrarium or glass aquarium from your local pet store.
Keep in mind that if you pick a shoebox or small cardboard box, you won't be able to keep the woodlice for more than a day. This is because the moist material and environment will make the container break down quickly.
2. **Put 2 inches (5.1 cm) of soil in the container and add the woodlice.** Spread the soil in the container so the bottom is completely covered. Press down a little so the soil is firm enough to support the woodlice and their digging. Add as many woodlice to the container as you like.
If you're digging into the soil with a sharp shovel, use caution so you don't accidentally injure woodlice that may be in the ground.
3. **Add leaves, sticks, and bark to give the woodlice something to explore.** Scatter about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of leaves across the soil in the container. It's fine to place these over the woodlice since they prefer to be under leaves and soil. You can also add small sticks or twigs and scraps of bark. Your woodlice will eat the leaves and climb around the sticks.
Leave rocks out of the container since they can tumble and crush the woodlice, especially if the container is moved.
4. **Cover the container and poke air holes across the top.** If the container has a lid, close it and ensure that air vents are open. To make your own air vents in a shoe box, put the lid on the box and carefully poke holes in the top. If you're using a jar, cover the jar with waxed paper, plastic wrap, or foil. Then use a sharp skewer to poke holes across the top.
Use caution or ask for help when poking holes in the lid.
Ensure that the holes aren't big enough that the woodlice can escape.
5. **Place the woodlice container in a secure spot in your house.** Put it out of direct sunlight so the woodlice don't overheat. Since woodlice prefer a cool environment, you don't need to use any special heat lamps, just keep the container inside your house.
If you have other pets or small children, put the woodlice container somewhere out of their reach.
6. **Spray the habitat to keep it moist.** Woodlice stay hydrated by absorbing humid air and eating food. To keep the soil and atmosphere in the habitat moist, fill a spray bottle with water. Then spritz the leaves and soil of the habitat until they're moist. Feel the soil every day and spray it whenever it feels dry to the touch.
7. **Give the woodlice fresh produce.** Although the woodlice can eat the leaves that you put in their habitat, they'll need produce to nibble on. Put slices of raw potatoes, carrots, apples, or pears onto the leaves and leave them for the woodlice to eat.
Replace the produce every few days so the food doesn't begin to mold.
8. **Clean the container if you keep the woodlice for more than 1 week.** If you're planning on keeping the woodlice for over a week, you'll need to clean out the habitat. Remove leaves that are molding and replace some of the soil with fresh soil.
If you're using a terrarium or aquarium, wipe down the glass if there's dirt or smudges on it.
While it's safe to keep them for longer, you should release them into their natural habitat so they can mate.
9. **Hold the woodlice gently when you want to handle them.** If you'd like to take a woodlouse out of its container to observe, carefully pick it up with your thumb and forefinger. Leave it in the palm of your hand until it unrolls. You can also set it down on a flat surface so you can count how many legs it has and watch how it moves.
Use light pressure when you pick up the woodlice since it's easy to accidentally crush them with too much pressure. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Look-After-a-Pet-Woodlouse", "language": "en"} |
How to Prevent Carpet Beetles | Carpet beetles are household pests that hide out in closets, air vents, and similar places. When left alone, they can multiply rapidly and cause excessive damage to things like carpet and clothing. Prevention is key to containing the problem before it gets out of hand.
1. **Vacuum and steam clean carpets regularly.** Go over carpets and rugs thoroughly at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner. Doing this and annually cleaning with steam will prevent larvae from being able to live, grow and eat because it removes their food sources: lint, hair, and dead insects. You can either hire a professional to clean your carpets or you can steam them yourself.
2. **Keep storage areas clean.** Vacuum floors, walls, and shelves of storage spaces at least two or three times a month to remove dust, spider webs, and any inconspicuous eggs or larvae that are hiding in corners.
3. **Wash potentially infested clothes and other fabrics with hot, soapy water.** Any trace of adult carpet beetles, larvae, and eggs can be removed with a good washing. Carpet beetles won’t have time to sustain life on your clothing if you stay on top of washing them.
Wash and air out clothes immediately after they’re removed from storage. Don’t wait to do this until after you wear the clothes or hang them in your closet because this will allow any present beetles to find a new area to thrive in.
Each month, make sure that any clothes kept in your closet or dresser that you haven’t worn and washed get a good warm wash and air dry too.
4. **Clean out your trash cans.** Every time you take out your trash, wipe the inside of your trash can lid with a disinfectant wipe. Once or twice a year, spray down your trash cans inside and out with a mixture of 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of bleach and 24 fluid ounces (709.8 ml) of water, rinse the cans thoroughly with a hose, and wipe them dry with a hand towel or paper towel.
5. **Remove dead bugs from crevices.** Constantly be on the lookout for dead insects in the cracks of the walls and flooring of your home. Try removing dead bugs by vacuuming over them or picking them up with a paper towel. Cracks are one of the more subtle living spaces that carpet beetles can thrive within.
6. **Choose synthetic materials over organic fabrics when possible.** Get products made of synthetic fibers instead of natural ones as often as you can. Carpet beetles don’t feed on synthetic fabric. Keep this in mind when purchasing furniture, rugs, and carpets.
Carpet beetles like wool in particular. Wool contains keratin, which carpet beetles eat.
7. **Donate old clothes instead of keeping them stored for months or years at a time.** The longer you keep fabrics folded in a compact manner in a dark, hidden place, the more likely it is that carpet beetles will get to them. This is the kind of environment that they prefer. Avoid keeping garments, bedding, wool rugs, or upholstered furniture in storage. Instead, if you haven’t used the items in the past six months or so, consider dropping them off for donation.
8. **Store fabrics in tightly sealed plastic.** Especially if your closet frequently goes untouched and sees little sunlight, opt to put less used clothing into tightly sealed plastic bags. Use of plastic bags will reduce your chances of attracting any carpet beetles by creating a barrier.
9. **Store fabric in a cedar-lined chest or closet.** Initially, the oils in cedar help to deter carpet beetles. Unfortunately, this can only serve as a preventative tool for a few years because the wood will dry out and no longer be as powerful. This is a good short-term action to take, and is most effective when the chest or closet has the ability to be sealed well.
You can also hang your clothes on cedar hangers to discourage carpet beetles.
Other cedar products such as cedar oils, chips, and repellent balls can also be beneficial but are usually only effective with killing or deterring larvae.
10. **Seal holes and cracks in storage containers.** Make sure that whatever you’re using to store your clothing has no openings whatsoever, whether you’re using plastic bags, garment bags, trunks, or boxes. Cover the cracks, tears, and holes with a durable tape, such as duct tape.
11. **Secure window screens and air vents.** Keep all small entrances to your home as sealed and secured as possible. Repair or replace any damaged or torn screens that you currently have, and make sure that your screens are made of a fine mesh. Use caulk along the outside edges of air vents to seal them securely. These security measures will prevent beetles from flying in from outside.
12. **Hang sticky fly paper near windows and other potential entrances.** Use fly paper near doorways and windowsills to catch any carpet beetles that attempt to enter your home. The beetles will stick to the paper and will die as a result of being unable to escape.
13. **Inspect dark, secluded areas of your home for molted skins.** If you’re suspicious or just want to be proactive, search through rarely lit, less trafficked areas of your home for fecal matter and most importantly, molted larvae skins. Larvae are commonly the ones who cause the most damage, and molted skins, identifiable by their translucent golden color and bug-like shape, are a strong sign that they’re present.
14. **Dispose of heavily infested items.** If you can part ways with the items that were just infested, it’s probably best to do so. With keeping an item that was previously highly infested, you run the risk of reintroducing any remaining carpet beetles to your carpet and clothes.
15. **Spray or dust your carpet and furniture with an insecticide.** There are many different types of carpet treatment products that you can buy. Make sure that whatever spray or dust you’re applying is for killing carpet beetles specifically, and check the label of chemical insecticides to make sure that the product contains chlorpyrifos, bendiocarb, and allethrin in order to ensure eradication success.
Chemical insecticides may be harmful to other animals, so if you have any pets make sure to secure them in a location away from where the insecticide is sprayed or dusted.
Spread boric acid all over your carpet and upholstered furniture, and make sure to vacuum it up within two hours of laying it down. While it is lethal for beetles, boric acid isn’t powerful enough to harm humans.
Dehydrate carpet beetles with diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on pet beds and in the back of cabinets and closets. It’s safe for pets and humans, but you’ll need to wear a respirator or mask while applying to keep yourself from inhaling the particles.
Many common household pesticides that kill ants and roaches will also kill carpet beetles, or simply limit their food supply. Spray the product in corners of closets, on window ledges, and in any crevices that could potentially house carpet beetles.
16. **Store clothes and fabrics with resin strips or moth repellent.** Because resin strips contain an active ingredient called dichlorvos, they are effective in protecting your fabrics for an extended period of time. Vapors of moth repellent are lethal for fabric pests if they are maintained at high concentrations for an extended period of time. Keep your resin strips or moth repellent in a tightly sealed container along with your clothing for two to three weeks for the best results. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Carpet-Beetles", "language": "en"} |
How to Play on a Game Boy Advance SP | This wikiHow teaches how to charge and operate a Game Boy Advance SP, which can play Game Boy Advance games as well as games released for the original Game Boy or Game Boy Color.
1. **Find the charging port.** You'll find this along the top edge of the SP while the screen is closed. It is rectangular and is located towards the right side.
2. **Connect the charging cable to the port.** The charging cable can only be inserted in one direction. Make sure not to force it in.
3. **Plug the charger into an outlet.** Make sure that the prongs are fully extended.
4. **Wait until the charging light turns off.** The charging light on the side of the Game Boy will stay lit while the device is charging. It will turn off once it is fully charged.
You can play while the Game Boy is charging, but it will charge much slower.
5. **Close the screen.** It's good practice to close the screen when manipulating the Game Boy to increase stability.
6. **Flip the Game Boy so that you're looking at the back.** The labels should be facing up so that you can read them.
7. **Find the cartridge slot.** You'll find this slot on the back of the Game Boy, along the bottom edge. When you're holding the system as if to play it, the cartridge is upside down on the back.
8. **Insert the cartridge with the label facing out.** The label should be facing away from the Game Boy system.
You can play Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy games. Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges will stick out further than Game Boy Advance cartridges, which are flush when inserted.
9. **Press firmly until the cartridge clicks into place.** Don't force the cartridge in, you should just need some firm pressure to lock it into place.
10. **Open the screen.**
11. **Push the Power switch towards the screen.** This will turn the Game Boy Advance SP on. The Power switch can be found along the right edge.
12. **Refer to the game's manual for game-specific instructions.** Each game controls differently, but there are only a few buttons so you can likely figure out the controls if you don't have access to the manual.
Besides the and buttons on the face, you also have the and shoulder buttons.
Most games use the and buttons for pausing and menus, but won't use them as controls during gameplay.
13. **Press the Backlight button to adjust the brightness.** This small button is directly below the screen. Pressing it will turn the backlight on or off. The backlight is useful in low-light conditions to help you see the screen, but will reduce battery life.
14. **Connect headphones using a special adapter.** In order to use headphones on the Game Boy Advance SP, you'll need to connect the headphone adapter to the EXT2 port along the top edge. This is the same port as the charging cable.
After connecting the adapter, you can plug headphones into the 3.5mm jack on the other end.
15. **Slide the power switch off after you're finished playing.** Slide the switch back towards you to turn the system off.
The Game Boy Advance SP will not turn off automatically when the screen is closed.
16. **Slide the game cartridge out of the slot.** You may have to apply a little pressure while sliding to pop it out.
Never remove a cartridge while the system is turned on.
17. **Close the screen to store or travel.** Keeping the screen closed will help prevent damage to the Game Boy when being stored or during travel. Remember, the system does not turn off automatically when the screen is closed. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Play-on-a-Game-Boy-Advance-SP", "language": "en"} |
How to Treat and Prevent Bloat in Cattle | Bloat in cattle is a serious problem—and a very old one—that is often associated with consumption of high quality feeds that are easily digestible and rapidly fermented in the rumen. (Bloat is not just a problem exclusive to cattle, it also occurs in other ruminants like sheep and goats).
There are methods to diagnose and treat bloat, some which you can do yourself, but others are best to have a bovine veterinarian to come out to help you with, especially when you have to deal with things like trocars and frick tubes. Please call a veterinarian immediately when you have an emergency.
Methods to prevent bloat involve quite a bit of management, regardless if this is feedlot or pasture bloat. These will be talked about quite a bit below.
1. **Learn about Frothy Bloat.** Also known as "primary ruminal tympany," frothy bloat is primarily caused by pasture legumes (predominantly alfalfa and clovers), and other high quality forages such as young green cereal crops, canola/rapeseed, kale, turnips, and legume vegetable crops (peas, beans, chickpeas, lentils, etc.)
Rapid degradation of highly digestible plant matter will cause a sudden release of cell contents that are available for microbes to digest. This sudden increase in nutrient availability causes microbial blooms, which in turn doubly increase rate of digestion.
Soluble proteins and carbohydrates make up a large part of the cell contents, as do small particles which are actually parts of the plant cell walls these microbes attach themselves to. Any excess carbohydrates that microbes do not break down are stored as "slime" over their cellular bodies. This slime is highly viscous and very stable.
Microbes also release a lot of gas with fermentation and digestion of these plant tissues. But with the additional build up of slime, gas is trapped in these highly stable, slimy bubbles. Rumen pressure increases the more slime and gas is produced.
Just as with free-gas bloat below, the more pressure that builds up in the rumen, the more pressure is put on the lungs. If not treated promptly, the animal eventually dies of suffocation from not being able breathe.
Frothy bloat is also seen in feedlot cattle that have been on a high-concentrate ration for 1 to 2 months. The cause is uncertain but it's thought that certain rumen microbes may create the stable slime, or conditions where increasing feed intake of grain is done and/or grain is fed as too fine a particulate matter; this makes conditions where there's too much concentrate and not enough roughage in the diet.
2. **Learn about Free-Gas Bloat.** This type of bloat is commonly associated with a blockage or something (like swollen lymph nodes) restricting the esophagus preventing the animal from normally burping up gases from normal process of rumination. Veterinarians call it "secondary ruminal tympany."
It is also associated as a secondary issue related to an acute or clinical case of grain overload or acidosis when a drop in rumen pH causes an inflammation of the rumen and esophagus that interferes with normal eructation (burping).
When cattle have an allergic reaction to a particular drug or substance, this can also cause secondary ruminal tympany if an animal experiencesanaphylaxis as a result.
Milk fever can also create a case of free-gas bloat.
If animals are in a position where they cannot get up; like if they are laying out on their sides or have been put onto their backs for an extended time where they cannot roll over and get up (as in handling facilities, irrigation ditches, or crowded transportation vehicles), they can actually die of bloat because the rumen puts significant pressure on their lungs.
3. **Watch for distended abdomens.** The first and most important sign you need to be looking for in bloated cattle is an unusual distention of the upper left side (left flank) of the animal. The whole rumen may be enlarged resulting in a large distention of the left side.
The left side is where the rumen is situated, and where you are most likely to see how much an animal is bloating.
4. **Look for signs of discomfort.** Bloated cattle will often kick at their bellies with their hind legs, act restless (laying down and getting up frequently), defecate often, and even roll over as an attempt to relieve the discomfort.
5. **Look for difficulty breathing.** Animals will try to breathe through their mouths because it becomes more difficult to breathe with the distended rumen pressing onto the lungs and diaphragm. These animals will also have excess salivation, their tongue protruding like they are panting, and head extended to get the most air into their lungs as possible.
6. **Watch for dead animals.** Death can occur quickly once an animal begins bloating, but it usually doesn't occur until 2 or 4 hours after first onset.
Death occurs because of the distended rumen pushing up against the diaphragm of the animal preventing inhalation. Bloat that becomes severe enough will cause an animal to collapse and die quickly, almost without struggle.
Have a vet to come out to do a necropsy on your dead cattle to verify if they died of bloat. Regardless the cause of death, a bovine's rumen will swell after death because of the continued fermentation occurring well after the animal has died, resulting in a misdiagnosis without getting the vet to perform a post-mortem exam.
Dead animals are more likely to occur with pastured beef cattle than dairy cattle because dairy cattle are checked more often.
7. **Treat bloated animals (those still alive) immediately.** The next section talks about how you can relieve bloat in an affected animal as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Treatment does depend on how severe the animals are bloated. Mild cases just need animals to move around. But severe cases will require a visit from a veterinarian as soon as possible.
8. **Remove all animals from the bloat-causing source immediately.** All animals, not just the ones that are bloating, need to be removed so that bloating does not progress any further that it already is.
Move them onto a non-legume pasture or a sacrifice lot area for the time being.
9. **Assess the animals to see how severe bloat is.** Bloat cases range from mild to severe.
Mild cases show a distention of the left flank but the animal does not appear to be in distress.
Moderate cases show a more obvious distention of the rumen, particularly on the left side. Animals appear uncomfortable but are not yet showing signs of laboured breathing.
Severe cases show a gross distention of the abdomen, a lot of discomfort, and a protruding tongue with obvious signs of laboured breathing.
If you can get the animal to where you can try tenting the skin, then note that mild and moderate bloat cases will allow you to grasp the skin and tent it. You won't be able to do so with a severe bloat case.
10. **Call your local bovine veterinarian immediately.** Tell them it's an emergency and that you need them to come out now.
Or, if you can load up the affected animal[s] in a trailer to ship them to a local veterinary clinic, then do so as quickly as possible, even if it means having to load them up right in the pasture.
If you have chosen and have the means to do the latter alternative, then the following steps are not necessary to follow. But, if you can't ship them to the veterinary clinic, the the next steps will be important to follow to save your animals.
11. **Restrain the animal that needs treatment.** There will be no possibility of being able to treat a bloated animal out in the field without restraining it in a working alley or holding chute so that it can't move back or forward or try to turn around. A squeeze chute is ideal, except in this instance squeezing the sides may help only if you can put the sides in so much that they're not going to put too much pressure on the animal's already painfully-distended sides.
It's better if the animal is standing when things like tubing, putting in a trocar, or in worst-case scenarios, doing a rumenotomy, is needed to save these animals.
12. **Attend to the severely bloated animals first and foremost.** These animals have less time to live and deserve priority treatment to survive. Never hesitate to attend to these animals first.
First thing you need to do is to try to relieve the pressure with a stomach tube. The animal may have free-gas bloat that can be easily relieved with a stomach tube. Other more invasive methods, which are more effective but traumatic, should be used only if the stomach tubing doesn't work.
13. **Use a stomach tube.** The following steps are just like giving cattle oral medications, and should be followed in a very similar manner. Stomach tubing should also be seriously considered as a means to relieve gas pressure in the rumen on a severely-bloated case and should be first priority, because it is the least traumatic method available to save a bloated animal. It is a method most used and most recommended by the majority of cattle producers.
Go in by nudging into the corners of the mouth to get the animal to open its mouth. Don't really force the tube in, but only go in so much until the animal starts swallowing the tube. Keep going until there's only a little over 2 inches (~6 cm) of tube outside the mouth. Don't let go of the tube!The Frick speculum or metal tube (a stiff 1-1/2-inch to 1-1/4 inch PVC pipe will also work) which is ground off at the ends to prevent damage to the mouth and esophageal tissues is a 3-foot long hollow tube. It is needed to prevent the animal from chewing on and damaging the stomach tube.
The stomach tube should be passed through the Frick speculum into the esophagus, where it's swallowed by the animal and goes into the rumen. You can tell you've enter the rumen by the smell coming from the tube. You will not need to put the tube in all the way, rather so that about 1 m (3 feet) is still sticking out.
The stomach tube must be 6 feet (2 m) long and has an inside diameter of 1.5 to 2 cm (5/8 to 3/4 inches). If you don't have a stomach tube like that offered through veterinary supply, a 3/4 to 1-inch (2 to 2.5 cm) diameter garden hose with the metal coupling removed will work, or a 5/8 to 3/4 inch (1.5 to 2 cm) heater-hose from an auto-parts store; both with their ends ground down so that the edges are smooth.
Once the hose enters the bloated rumen the hose will become blocked with froth. You may also need to blow through the tube to free the froth from the other end.
With frothy bloat and tubing it may be next to impossible to reduce the pressure. It's a different story if your animal has "free-gas bloat." With free-gas bloat, once the tube enters the rumen the gas is quickly released in less than a minute.
Attach the free end of the hose to the drenching gun and pump the mineral oil-water mix (or straight mineral oil; ideal dose is 300 to 500 mL (10 to 12 oz. per dose)) into the rumen.
Release the animal when done, but keep it in an area where you can keep an eye on it for the next few hours. You may need to repeat after a few hours.
14. **Use a trocar and cannula for situations where stomach tubing is not enough.** In these situations, though the animal is showing signs of laboured breathing and quite distended, he doesn't appear close to death quite yet. Also, a trocar is necessary when a stomach tube is not enough to expel the gas in the rumen (next steps below).
The incision should only be 1 centimetre (0.39 in) long so that the trocar and cannula can be placed into the rumen. The hole also needs to be small enough so that the cannula will stay in.
Grasp the top of the handle of the trocar and with one move inward, punch through the abdominal muscles into the rumen.This will take a concerted effort (done right and only once) because the abdominal muscles are not soft like cookie dough. It will hurt the animal, but remember this is done not for the purpose of hurting the animal, but rather to save its life.
Doing so allows the froth and gases to escape from the rumen. Some cannulae offered are plastic with ridges around the top so that once the rumen is punctured, the cannula is screwed into the animal so that it cannot come out. This is an advantage over the
The froth tends to be quite thick and heavy (or viscous) and difficult to break up, which is the reason why it's been hard for the gases to escape from the cow normally, without any human intervention. Stirring the froth will release some more gas and help break up the bubbles.
Use a drenching gun to do so, adding around 2 US gallons (7.57 L) directly into the rumen. Adding an anti-foaming agent will help break up the bubbles a lot quicker.
Check the animal and the cannula regularly for any blockage that can occur when the froth solidifies via drying when exposed to air. Check with the vet as well, as you may need to inject an antibiotic like penicillin to ward off infection. Infection is inevitable with having a cannula in the animal for several days.
The trocar and cannula method may be less traumatic than a rumenotomy, but it's completely understandable if you are reluctant to do this method, even if you fully understand it means saving your bovine and not deliberately hurting it. Have a vet to come out and do this method for you. They will certainly show you what needs to be done and how to properly do it should you need to perform this procedure yourself in the future.
15. **Perform an emergency rumenotomy if a trocar and cannula is not available, and if a stomach tube is not sufficient to relieve a very severe bloat case.** When the vet is not close by and the animal is so severely bloated that you think you might lose him soon, then you will need to grab a very sharp knife and perform a rumenotomy to relieve the pressure and save the animals life.
The procedure you will have to do in an emergency situation is not going to be painless for the animal, but when it comes down to needing to save his life versus causing him more pain than he is already in with a nasty, bloated stomach ache that is progressively suffocating him to death, ethics should tell you that saving his life should be of far greater priority over being scared of causing an animal pain.
It's a matter of life or death!!
This region is also known as the hollowed triangle past the ribs and in front of the hip that can be easily found in a non-bloated bovine.
This will give the animal quite the relief, and allow him to breathe freely again.
This method is quite traumatic for the animal, and even the person having to do the procedure. If in doubt, contact your local bovine veterinarian and have them walk you through the procedure, or hope the animal will live long enough for the vet to come out to do it for you.
16. **Release the animal when you are finished.** Move on to the next animal with a bloat problem. But if you only have one, that's great. Just keep an eye on this animal for the next few days to see if bloat is recurring or if anything else needs to be done.
Keep your vet on speed-dial just in case anything goes wrong or if you have any questions that need answering right away.
17. **Never put hungry animals onto fresh legume pasture.** Before you introduce animals to an alfalfa pasture, no matter the quality, make sure they are filled up on hay first (alfalfa-grass hay preferably; or have free-choice access to hay) before introducing them onto an alfalfa stand.
When moving to a new pasture, move the animals when they don't appear interested in what's on the other side of the fence.
18. **Once they're on legume pasture, keep them on there.** You need to make sure your animals have a uniform and regular intake of legume forages both day and night. Do not use intermittent grazing (removing them at night and putting them back on in the morning or even mid-day) because this will encourage sudden bloat-outbreaks.
Researchers studying bloat actually use intermittent grazing to encourage bloat outbreaks for their studies. Intermittent grazing causes sudden outbreaks because the animals are taken off high-quality forage for several hours and then receive a sudden influx of high-nutrients when they go back on. This sudden introduction to high nutrient forages causes bloat.
It is impossible to control conditions where grazing will be interrupted by adverse weather (thunderstorms, hail, etc.), biting insects, or terrible heat waves that forces animals into the shade during the day. Animals will alter their normal grazing habits so that grazing is more shorter and intense, creating bloat issues.
In these instances, animals will need to be monitored and possibly even fed hay along with their grazing so bloat issues are reduced.
19. **Use management-intensive grazing to reduce length of grazing period cattle are on a paddock or pasture.** If livestock where put onto a legume pasture where they could select-graze what plants they wanted to eat, bloat problems could arise.
Situations where animals have not yet acquired a taste for alfalfa and are continuously grazed will select first mostly grasses and other plants and try to avoid most alfalfa. When these plants have been depleted, they will then target the alfalfa, and as a result will bloat. This can happen a few days to a week or so after being introduced onto a legume-mix pasture.
With rotational or management-intensive grazing, livestock are managed so that they will graze a paddock every one to 3 days. This discourages selective grazing by the animals, and encourages leaving behind plant residue, especially when a "take-half-leave-half" system is used.
It's important to move cattle to a fresh paddock when they are not hungry, or do not appear interested in moving to a new forage stand. Doing so encourages plant residue to be left behind after each move. You can never really have too much residue left behind after grazing, because it's better to have "lots" behind that could be grazed more, than to move them when there's almost nothing left, and as a result they're quite hungry for the next paddock.
20. **Move animals to a new pasture or paddock in late afternoon, never in the morning.** Cattle tend to eat more in the morning than the afternoon, and heavy dew in the morning also increases rate of digestibility, which increases the likelihood for bloat.
21. **Defer grazing until legume plants are fully grown or in full-bloom.** Pre-bloom or vegetative alfalfa and clover are a significantly higher risk for bloat than more mature plants. If you take a piece of stem and leaf in your hand of immature alfalfa and roll them into a ball, then squeeze, you will find that a lot of juice and froth will come out. This is a sign that it is very highly digestible. Plants that are in full bloom are higher in fibre and less digestible, thus lower risk for bloat.
22. **Graze pastures that have been swathed and wilted down for 24 to 48 hours This wilting reduces moisture content of the swathed plants (via evaporation and transpiration).** Lower moisture reduces bloat incidence.
23. **Use an anti-foaming agent when grazing cattle on high-legume pastures.** Check with your local veterinarian or livestock-farm supply store for an anti-foaming agent that can be given to cattle. Bloat Guard is one product that may be readily available. The detergent "poloxalene", the active ingredient in Bloat Guard, has been found to be very effective at controlling bloat. (It's not guaranteed to prevent bloat when offered free-choice when mixed with grain because of variable intake levels and time period between visits.)
Alfasure is another product offered via prescription from your vet that is effective at bloat-control.
Free-choice trace mineral salt may also help reduce bloat incidences.
24. **Establish bloat-safe legumes into an existing pasture or when seeding down a new pasture.** Bloat-safe legumes include cicer milkvetch, birdsfoot trefoil, sainfoin, and fenugreek. While these legumes are harder to establish than alfalfa or clover, once established they can be managed so that they help with reducing or eliminating bloat altogether in your animals.
For example, a stand that is at least 60% legume and 40% grass with the legume component made up of 25 to 30% sainfoin in an alfalfa-sainfoin legume mix will be enough to reduce bloat by as much as 98%. Sainfoin has condensed tannins that bind to proteins in the rumen and prevent their degradation by rumen microbes.
A legume stand made up predominantly of non-bloating legumes will also work well.
25. **Improve production practices so that you increase the amount of grass in with alfalfa or clover stands.** You may have a stand that is predominantly clover and alfalfa and want to increase the amount of grass in there. Options to do so is to apply nitrogen fertilizer, seed grass into the existing stand, or heavy-graze the legumes.
Nitrogen fertilizer will encourage grasses to outcompete the legumes, and cause the legume nodules to be "lazy" and fix less nitrogen as a result.
Seed down grasses when stand has been grazed heavily or cut low, and harrow after to encourage seed-to-soil contact. Adding nitrogen to the stand will encourage existing grasses to also grow. Auto-toxicity from existing alfalfa plants will not affect the germinating grasses.
Heavy grazing will negatively affect the alfalfa plants. Impact to the roots and not allowing plants to reseed themselves can reduce alfalfa stands in the pasture, but increase grass. Be careful about overgrazing, though.
26. **Prevent feedlot frothy bloat by feeding more roughage and less fine grains.** Feedlot finisher rations should include at least 10 to 15% roughage. Grains should never be finely ground to where it is good for pig or chicken feed, instead they should be rolled or cracked.
27. **Cull cattle in breeding herds if they are prone to bloating.** Current studies have shown that bloating is heritable, can can be reduced in a breeding herd by culling out those animals that have bloated, if natural occurrences haven't taken care of some of those animals for you (i.e., animals die of bloat).
Culling is less possible if you have a herd were culling is not an option, such as if you are custom-grazing or -feeding cattle. Careful management needs to be implemented to reduce risk of bloat in cattle. See the bulleted tips above. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-and-Prevent-Bloat-in-Cattle", "language": "en"} |
How to Make an Insect Hotel | If you're interested in bugs and insects, an insect hotel can be a fun DIY project. An insect hotel is a structure designed to help insects find shelter and build nests. You can use many different structures to make an insect hotel, depending on how big of a hotel you want. From there, fill in the hotel with suitable materials for insects. Choose a safe place outside to set up your hotel.
1. **Select a location in your yard.** When looking for a location for your hotel, find an area in your yard close to other wildlife features. These are areas where it's likely bugs already linger. If you have a pond, this may be a good location. You may also want to set up your hotel near a bush, tree, or shrub.
2. **Pick a spot that catches both sun and shade.** An insect hotel is meant to cater to a variety of insects. Invertebrates often prefer dark and damp environments, while bees and butterflies like sunshine. You want to place your hotel in an area that gets both sun and shade.
An area near a large tree or hedge can be particularly helpful when it comes to catching shade and sunlight.
Hive-like structures and nectar-producing plants cater to bees and butterflies, and should be placed on the sunny site.
Dry twigs, straw, and hay cater more to invertebrates, and should be placed in the shade.
3. **Make sure your hotel is on a flat surface.** You do not want your hotel to fall over. This could injure and potentially kill insects that seek shelter. Therefore, make sure the surface where you set your hotel is level. If you find a surface is bumpy or uneven, pick another spot for your insect hotel.
4. **Try an old birdhouse.** You may not want to make an incredibly big insect hotel. If you're just looking for something small to place in your backyard, go for an old birdhouse. An old wooden birdhouse can be easily repurposed as a bug hotel.
You can really use any old wooden box. It's better to reuse materials than to end up throwing them away.
If you're no longer using a small chest or toy box, you can use this as the structure of an insect hotel.
5. **Use pallets and cinderblocks.** Some people want a very large insect hotel. This can be easily made by using old pallets and cinderblocks to create a tall structure. If you don't have old pallets lying around, you can make a trip to the hardware store. However, any long flat object, like old boards of wood, can be used instead.
First, select where you want to place your structure. Then, place four cinderblocks on the ground in a rectangle shape and lie the pallets across them to form a floor-like structure.
Place four more cinderblocks on top of the pallets, then build another floor. You can add as many stories as you would like to your bug hotel,
6. **Construct a box from cedar pieces.** You can also build your own structure for an insect hotel using cedar pieces. Much like an old birdhouse, cedar pieces will make for a fairly small hotel. You will need two cedar pieces of 5 1/2″(h) x 5 1/2″(w) for the top and bottom. The back panel will be 12″(h) x 5 1/2″(w). The right and left panel will be 12″(h) x 4 3/4″(w). You can get cedar cut at a local hardware store.
Use a power drill to drill holes in the cedar box, and then use weather-resistant screws to piece the different parts together.
Screw the right and left panel onto the top and bottom panel. This will give you a rectangular outline that you can easily place over the bottom panel.
Then, drill the bottom panel in place.
7. **Consider the type of bugs in your area.** Ideally, an insect hotel will be appealing to a wide variety of bugs. However, there may be a particular type of bug you want to attract. You may also know a certain type of bug is particularly prevalent in your backyard. In this case, you may want to prioritize certain materials when filling your insect hotel.
If you have bees in your yard, rolled-up bits of paper and leaves can provide hive-like holes for them. This may keep them from building hives in unwanted areas.
Dry materials, like straw, hay, and leaves, are great for invertebrates. Invertebrates include worms, crickets, cockroaches, millipedes, and mosquitos.
If you have a lot of butterflies and bees in your yard, you may want to put potted nectar-producing plants in your insect hotel.
8. **Create holes.** Many different types of bugs like to have crevices to hide in. It's a good idea to have at least one section of your insect hotel full of holes.
Put hollowed-out plants stems into a drain pipe. Then, place that drain pipe into a section of the insect hotel to make an excellent shelter for bees.
You can also pack one section of the hotel full of rows of rolled-up papers. Try to make holes of various diameters so they'll cater to many different insects.
Try drilling smaller holes into a piece of wood, then set the wood into one corner of your hotel. Small holes may be better for smaller insects.
9. **Gather materials outside.** You want to fill your insect hotel with as many items as possible. Once you've made a few sections dedicated to holes, find materials outside. Place these materials in other sections of the insect hotel, forming a busy habitat that caters to many different types of bugs. You should look for the following when building your insect hotel:
Dead wood
Dry leaves
Old bark
Dry sticks and twigs
10. **Add straw and hay.** In addition to gathering materials outside, you should purchase straw and hay for your house. Straw and hay create cracks and crevices. They also provides invertebrates the option of burrowing and hibernating in the soft material. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Insect-Hotel", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean an Aquamarine Ring | Aquamarine is a blue green stone that is the birthstone for the month of March. It is a hardy stone. Because of its light color, the stone can get dirty or cloudy when you wear the ring. Cleaning your aquamarine often can keep it beautiful and shining. To clean your aquamarine ring, wash it with warm soapy water and avoid doing anything that will damage the stone.
1. **Fill a bowl with water.** The safest way to clean an aquamarine ring set in gold or any non-silver metal is to use soap and warm water. Take a small bowl and fill it with warm water. Add a drop of dish soap.
2. **Soak the ring.** Place the ring in the warm soapy water. Leave it soaking for around five minutes. If it is really dirty or dingy, leave it soaking for longer.
3. **Scrub the gem carefully with a soft toothbrush.** Remove the ring from the water. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to clean the band and the stone. Gently move the bristles across the surfaces.
Be careful around the prongs that hold the stone. The prongs are usually vulnerable and can bend or break if they are damaged.
Do not use a toothbrush on the band if the setting is silver.
If your setting is made of yellow gold, white gold, stainless steel, platinum, or other metals, you can use the soft toothbrush to gently clean the band.
4. **Rinse the ring.** After scrubbing, rinse the ring with warm water. Make sure to remove all the soap. Either let it air dry or gently dry it with a towel.
Make sure to dry the ring completely if the band is made of silver.
5. **Polish with a soft jeweler’s cloth if the band is made of silver.** If your aquamarine stone has a silver setting, you can’t clean the band with the toothbrush at the same time as the stone. Instead, use a soft cloth. You can soak it in water and clean the aquamarine with a toothbrush, but must clean the band a different way. After drying the ring completely, take a soft jeweler’s cloth and buff the stone and the band.
If your band is silver, you can skip the soaking step and just use the soft cloth to clean both the stone and band unless the stone is extremely dirty.
6. **Refrain from using harsh chemicals.** Though aquamarine is a hard stone, it may be damaged by chemicals. Don’t use alcohol or ammonia to clean aquamarine. Though it might work on some of your other rings, those chemicals can damage the stone.
7. **Avoid placing aquamarine under heat.** Unlike some gemstones, you should never place aquamarine rings into the microwave or in boiling water to clean. This can damage the stone. You should also never put them in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
8. **Wrap your ring in a soft cloth when storing.** Aquamarine stones can get scratched and may fade in the sun. To protect your aquamarine ring from dirt or damage, wrap the ring in a soft cloth. You may also want to place it in a small box or bag for safe keeping. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-an-Aquamarine-Ring", "language": "en"} |
How to Stop Believing in Horoscopes | As tempting as they may be to read for a bit of a lark, getting hooked on horoscopes as a guide for your daily life isn't being fair on yourself. Your destiny is largely determined by the choices you make and one of those choices can certainly be to stop believing in horoscopes and to start taking charge of your own self-analysis and daily routine. Once you've decided it's time to stop basing your week's plans around the horoscope or your love life around star sign compatibility, you're free to chart your own course and discover people for who they really are.
1. **Look up the history of horoscopes.** Doing a bit of learning about how horoscopes developed and how they have been used throughout history will help you to see that they are just a pseudo-science.
2. **Consider how the positions of stars have changed since horoscopes were first formed.** The signs aren't even in the same positions as they once were.
3. **Consider how the planet positions change constantly.** Due to the fact that all the planets are constantly changing their positions, these cycles in fact never actually repeat themselves, making each person an absolute individual. A single horoscope can therefore never capture the breadth of personality and destiny of any single person.
4. **Note that sun-sign astrology has some severe limitations when the science is applied to it.** For example:
The Sun is a star with a large mass. Extensive research undertaken on earthquakes and the positions of the planets has shown that they strongly affect the rate of earthquakes and that the Sun has no greater effect than any of the other planets.
Depending on the Suns' relationship to the the other planets, the nature of the influences can in fact be the exact opposite of what is traditionally stated in sun-sign astrology.
Due to the fact that the characteristics of the sun-sign can be the same as the traditional characteristics, the opposite, or somewhere in between, there can be no sound statistical method that would work just based on the traditional characteristics of the sign.
5. **Realize that horoscopes are just for fun and do not mean anything.** You can help to convince yourself of this by trying the following:
Check your horoscope (hopefully for the last time).
Look at what your horoscope says. Then look at a different sign's horoscope. Can they both be applied to you? Then try looking at all the different signs. See how general they are? At least a few can be applied to anyone, including yourself, which proves that they are not specialized in any way whatsoever.
If you find yourself thinking that you need to change to fit a horoscope, you have a clear answer that it's not accurate. It is also not the slightest bit unusual to find yourself thinking that some of the horoscope applies to you, while a lot of it doesn't. Seize that moment and realize it for what it is––your mind is telling you that the fit is wrong because no single horoscope can discern who you are. Unfortunately, many people choose to ignore the bits that don't fit and exaggerate the value of the parts that do, hence giving meaning to something that simply hasn't earned it.
6. **Think about the personality traits revealed in the signs.** Do their personalities really match the personalities that the horoscope claims them to have? Do the people born in the same month as you act exactly like you? You will see that this is not the case - everyone has some stronger personality traits, but they don't necessarily correspond to what a "Leo" or "Taurus" is said to have. If a person chooses to manipulate their personality towards that trait, that's a choice, not a foregone conclusion.
You can test this. Read the types behind signs that are not those of your friends. Do this with an open mind. How many of the things said seem applicable to a friend? It's likely that you'll find many things seem like your friend in the other signs too, precisely because horoscope writing uses generalizations that can apply to all people in some way. It is simply the human desire to fit the pieces according to what we prefer (confirmation bias) that causes us to believe one set of grouped traits is more applicable than another.
One of the dilemmas that horoscopes have always had is in the case of twins. Twins seldom have the same fortune and many have different styles and personality. If horoscopes were real, they'd act exactly the same and have the same love life and fortune. This is simply not true!
7. **Think about any previous loves, and the people that you get along with very well.** Do they all have the same sign (that is compatible with yours?) Not likely. Horoscopes cannot predict people's personality, and in turn, cannot predict people's compatibility with each other. Chemistry is a lot more complicated than the month when you were born!
8. **Think of how silly the concept really is whenever you read a horoscope.** People born of the same month do not have the same personality, and you don't always see sparks with people who have a compatible sign. You will not have good fortune on a certain day because a magazine tells you so. Those magazines are just there to be fun and sell to people willing to believe the generalizations and conditional hope they offer.
Even the more tailored horoscopes purchased online or through so-called horoscope "experts" are generalized. The people generating these horoscopes are good at reading people and generalizing about the types of personality traits that apply widely across a population. And within the space of week, every person is likely to have at least one good and one bad thing happen; it is very easy to fit the things that did occur to you into the sweeping statements that suggest such things will happen; in actual fact, it is you who have done the work of matching what has happened to you to the possibilities outlined in the horoscope. There is nothing quite so powerful as self conviction.
Horoscopes are just opinions, like the majority of things human beings offer one another in life. Consider seriously just why planets and stars and the Sun would be intimately involved in your daily affairs. They are mass bodies doing what they are physically capable of, and that certainly does not include steering the events of human lives!
9. **Go cold turkey.** Hopefully you have been convinced that horoscopes are not accurate. It will help if you just stop looking at them, and live your life on your own terms. Have fun, and don't worry about what a magazine column says! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Believing-in-Horoscopes", "language": "en"} |
How to Rosin a Bow | A bow without rosin will produce virtually no sound when it’s drawn across the strings of an instrument. But when rosin is added to your bow, it’s able to “catch” the strings and produce vibrations, which result in the music you hear. If you’re starting with new rosin, you’ll need to rough up the surface. Then you can make your first application to a new bow or regularly apply it to an old one.
1. **Buy light rosin for smaller instruments.** There are different types of rosin, but the two most common are light rosin and dark rosin. Light rosin is harder, and not quite so sticky as dark rosin. It's sometimes called amber or summer rosin (for the time of year it's tapped), and it's appropriate for the higher strings, like violins and violas.
2. **Choose dark rosin for a fuller sound for larger instruments.** Dark rosins, or winter rosins, tend to be very sticky. The stickier the rosin is, the fuller the sound will be. Select a dark rosin if you play a low-stringed, large instrument like the cello, for which a fuller sound is preferred.
3. **Select boxed rosin for a durable, low-priced option.** Boxed rosin, as its name suggests, comes in a box. This makes it less prone to cracking and breaking. It's typically only available as a light or summer rosin and is usually a lower quality than cake rosin. But its low price tag makes it a good option for beginners.
4. **Opt for cake rosin for a higher-quality product.** While cake rosin tends to be more expensive than boxed rosin, you're getting a purer, more high-quality rosin. It comes in a variety of colors, from amber to black, so you can select the best kind for your instrument.
5. **Rub new rosin with fine-grit sandpaper to increase stickiness.** New rosin needs to be roughened in order for it to stick to your bow. Take a piece of sandpaper, around 220-grit, and rub it all over the top of the rosin block. Stop when you see the rosin producing dust.
You can also use a knife to score it and cut a crosshatch pattern into the top.
6. **Tighten the bow.** Twist the screw at the end of the bow and tighten it until it appears straight and parallel with the hairs. Then slacken it just a little until you see the curve reappear in the wood. This is the best position for the bow to be in while you play.
Don't touch the hairs or bounce them on your arm, as this will make them greasy and harder to play.
7. **Hold the rosin in your left hand and the bow in your right hand.** It doesn't matter if you are right- or left-handed, as you always hold the bow in your right hand while playing. Cup the rosin block in your left hand, being sure to keep your fingers off the side you’ll be stroking the bow against.
8. **Stroke the bow all the way across the rosin.** Run the bow along the rosin from the tip down to the frog (the part you hold with your hand), and then stroke it back again. Grasp the bow gently and press down just hard enough that the bow hairs produce some dust, but not so hard that you’re clenching the bow.
9. **Repeat for 20 full strokes.** Stroke the bow back and forth across the rosin 20 times. Each time you finish a complete stroke (down and back), move the bow hairs over slightly to a new spot so that you don’t wear a line straight down the middle of the rosin.
If your rosin block is circular, rotate the circle slightly in between each stroke.
10. **Play the instrument and listen for a full sound.** After twenty strokes, draw your bow along the strings of your instrument. Listen for a full, uninterrupted tone. If the sound is uneven or you feel the bow slide around on the strings, you’ll need more rosin.
11. **Stroke the rosin 20 more times.** If the first 20 strokes didn’t produce the sound you want, repeat the process of stroking the bow over the rosin again. Add 20 more strokes, and then play the instrument to check the sound again.
If you’re still unsatisfied, continue adding twenty strokes at a time and then checking the sound.
12. **Apply rosin once for every three to four hours you play.** If you’re playing about an hour a day, you should apply rosin to your bow hairs every three to four days. If you play significantly more than that, you may need to apply rosin daily before playing. For less frequent practicing, apply it less often.
13. **Stroke the bow on the rosin about five times.** Once the bow has been rosined once, you won’t need to apply as much during each subsequent application. Stroke the bow back and forth over the rosin about five times before you begin practicing.
14. **Wipe the bow hairs with a lint-free cloth after playing.** Rosin dust can accumulate on the bow after a while. Keep a lint-free cloth in your instrument case along with your rosin. At the end of each playing session, wipe the bow hairs from frog to tip once or twice to remove excess rosin dust.
15. **Wipe rosin dust off the violin and bow stick.** Regularly check your instrument and bow stick for any rosin dust. Wipe if off with a lint-free cloth as soon as possible. Allowing the rosin to build up on your instrument can damage the finish, and you may need to pay for costly refinishing. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Rosin-a-Bow", "language": "en"} |
How to Cut Glass | Whether setting a window pane, creating a stained glass mosaic, or doing some other project, cutting glass is a handy skill that isn't difficult to pick up. With the right tools and a steady hand, anyone can start cutting standard glass at home.
1. **Set up your work area.** You'll need a large flat surface, preferably one that is slightly soft and won't scratch your glass. Work in an area that is easy to clean.
Avoid working over carpet because of the risk of getting glass shards on the floor if the glass breaks.
For their own safety keep pets and children away from your workspace and materials.
2. **Clean the glass surface in the area where you plan to make cuts.** Any grime or silica on the glass can ruin your score. Wipe these away by running a cloth or your finger along the surface of the glass where you plan to score.
3. **Obtain a glass cutter and some light oil.** Glass cutters are about the size of a pencil and use a diamond or a hardened wheel to mark a score into glass so that it can be broken cleanly along a line. You can buy cutting oil at a stained glass store or use a small amount of kerosene.
4. **Measure and mark where you want to score.** The score must run from one edge of the glass to the other edge. You can write on the glass with a marker (preferably with a straight edge, if you are cutting a straight line. You can also mark on paper and place the glass on top of the paper.
Cut should not be very long. Scores longer than two feet have a high failure rate when breaking.
Make sure your marks leave about six inches of glass on each side to grip and break. If you cut smaller pieces, you may need to use special tools, like pliers or a light hammer, to break off glass you can't get a hold of.
5. **Dip the cutter in the oil and grasp it like a pencil.** An oiled cutter creates a smoother score line. Make sure to look at the wheel and make sure it is lined up the way you want the glass to cut.
6. **Lay out a straight edge.** Use a yardstick or a normal desk ruler. You need something that has a thick enough profile that it won't conflict with the wheel on the cutter.
7. **Apply pressure to the glass and you pull the cutter along the surface, rolling on the small carbide wheel.** Listen for a smooth sound like ripping silk. A gritty sound means that you are pushing too hard or that you did not oil your cutter. The less sound you make, the better your score will be.
If you push too hard (a very common mistake), your cut gets "hot," meaning that it snaps and pops.
You are aiming to get a uniform score. If you are pressing too hard in one spot and perfectly in another, the glass will not break the way that you want it to. Microscopic imperfections in your score will cause your cut to go askew.
8. **Run the cutter smoothly from one edge to the other.** Do not run back and forth over the line if you miss a spot.
9. **Check your score.** You want a score that is not popping and is barely visible, if you were to wipe the oil away. It should look like a small scratch, nothing more. Make sure it runs completely from one edge to the other.
10. **Grasp each side of the cut carefully in your hands.** Hold the glass as if you were trying to break a potato chip in half with two hands.
11. **Apply minor pressure from the wrist to break the glass along your score.** Your elbows do not move. Simply twist your wrists (your right wrist will turn clockwise and your left will turn counterclockwise). Imagine that the score you made is half the depth of the glass and now you need to "open it up" by using the score as a weak spot. You're done as soon as you have two pieces of glass instead of the one you started with.
When the glass breaks, it may simply start as a "run." If it only runs an inch or so, apply a little more twisting pressure and it will continue to run.
12. **Use fine sandpaper or a sharpening stone to remove the sharp edge.** This edge will be where the vertical edge meets the horizontal surfaces. Not only does sanding reduce the chances of your being cut, but sanded glass is less likely to chip along the edges and has some added strength.
13. **Follow a pattern that connects to the edge.** If you are cutting a freehand shape, make sure you are breaking along lines that run from edge to edge. Mark your lines with a marker or set your glass over your pattern.
14. **Use several straight lines to cut a sharp curve.** You should be able to score along gentle curves normally with a steady hand. For tighter curves, make a series of marks that run along part of the curve and skew off at a tangent outside the piece you want.
15. **Flip the glass over and gently press on the center of your score from the backside.** You will start a run this way. Follow the run with light pressure and you can watch the glass separate where you scored it. If your score is too close to the edge of a piece of glass, it may run to the edge instead of along your score because that is the easiest path for the run to take.
16. **Make some relief cuts to remove small pieces at a time instead of all at once.** The smaller the relief cuts, the more accurate your cut will be. Grip smaller pieces with pliers to snap them off.
17. **Smooth your curved edges using a glass router.** This machine uses a spinning wheel with fine diamond chips as a grinder. Turn on the router and press your curve firmly against the grinder to smooth out your curve, then sand as normal. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Glass", "language": "en"} |
How to Add Background Graphics to Powerpoint | The Format Background utility in PowerPoint allows you to select an image from your computer or online to use as the background for your slide. You can set this background to multiple slides at once, or apply it to your entire presentation. You can also add effects to the background image to give it a bit of flair. If you aren't able to change the background elements, you may have to edit the slide master.
1. **Open your PowerPoint presentation.** You can add graphics to the background of any slide in your PowerPoint presentation. Open the presentation you want to edit in PowerPoint.
2. **Click the Design tab at the top of the window.** This will display the Design tools.
3. **Click the "Format Background" button.** You'll find this on the far right side of the Design ribbon. The Format Background sidebar will appear on the right side of the screen.
4. **Select the slides you want to apply the background to.** By default, your background changes will only apply to the active slide. You can hold Ctrl / ⌘ Command and click each slide in the slide list on the left that you want to select.
If you want to apply the background to every slide in your presentation, you can do so at the end of this section.
5. **Select "Picture or texture fill."** This will allow you to select a picture to use as the background.
There are other fill options you can choose from, such as solid colors, gradients, and patterns. Selecting one will display additional options for that type of fill. This guide focuses on adding images and graphics to the background.
6. **Choose the image that you want to insert as the background.** To add an image that will not be stretched or squished, it should be 1280 x 720 pixels in size.
Click the "File" button to select a picture from your computer. A file browser will open, and you can navigate to the image you want to use.
Click the "Online" button to find pictures from online sources. You can perform a Bing web search, choose images stored in your OneDrive, or grab pictures from your Facebook or Flickr account.
Click the "Texture" menu to select from a premade texture background. There are a variety of premade textures that you can pick from if you'd rather not insert your own image.
7. **Click "Apply to All" to set the picture for all slides.** The picture is normally just added as the background for the slides you selected. If you want to apply it to every slide, click the "Apply to All." This will set the background of every slide to the new image, including slides that you create later.
8. **Check the "Tile picture as texture" to turn the image into a tiled texture.** This works best for images that are small and can flow seamlessly into each other.
9. **Adjust the tiling effect with the controls below.** You can use these controls to adjust the spacing between the tiled images, whether or not they're mirrored, and the alignment.
10. **Use the transparency slider to adjust the image transparency.** This is especially useful if you want to add watermarks to your slides. Setting a background image with a high transparency will allow you to use an image as a watermark without obscuring or distracting from the information on the slides.
11. **Click the "Effects" button at the top of the "Format Background" menu to apply effects.** This menu allow you to select from a variety of different effects that you can apply to your background image. You'll see a preview of each in the menu, as well as the name if you hold your cursor over it.
Click the "Artistic Effects" menu and select the effect you want to use.
When you select an effect, additional options may appear beneath it. The options vary depending on the effect you chose.
12. **Click "Apply to All" to apply the effects to all of your slides.** This will change all of the slides in your presentation to use the background image and effects you selected.
13. **Click the View tab in PowerPoint.** This will display different view options.
14. **Click the "Slide Master" button.** A list of all of your master slides will appear in the left frame. These are the theme slides for the different types of content in your presentation. The theme and graphics options on your master slides overrules regular background settings.
15. **Select the master slide you want to edit.** This will open the slide in the main view. You may need to scroll up on the list to view the main master slide.
Different slides in the master list are for different slide layouts. Changes made to that master will apply to all slides with the same layout. The slide at the top of the master list will apply yo all slides in the presentation.
16. **Click the "Background Styles" button and select "Format Background."** This will open the Format Background sidebar.
17. **Adjust the background following the steps in the previous methods.** Once the Format Background sidebar is open, you can adjust the background graphics using the steps outlined above. Use the "Picture or texture fill" option to set a new picture as the master background. This background will apply to every slide in your presentation. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Background-Graphics-to-Powerpoint", "language": "en"} |
How to Learn Copywriting | Whether you're hoping to work for a specific company or become a freelancer, there are lots of ways you can become a great copywriter. The best way to enhance your copywriting skills is to practice as much as possible, though doing things like reading books on copywriting or participating in online copywriting courses helps as well. Create a strong portfolio that showcases your copywriting skills, and be open to any job that comes your way.
1. **Read copywriting books thoroughly.** There are endless books to choose from when it comes to the topic of copywriting. Look for books written by professional copywriters, or books that got excellent reviews and contain the material you’d like to learn. Try to read the books thoroughly to really grasp the content.
Take notes while you’re reading so you remember key information, if desired.
Great copywriting books include The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert W. Bly, Breakthrough Copywriting by David Garfinkel, and The Idea Writers by Teressa Iezzi.
2. **Consider investing in a copywriting course.** There are tons of online copywriting courses you can do from the comfort of your own home, and lots of them are even free of cost. If you’d rather learn copywriting in an actual classroom or community space, ask your local libraries, colleges, or community centers if they have copywriting courses you could take.
Type “online copywriting courses” into a search engine to peruse many online class options.
You can also do an online search for local in-person copywriting classes by typing “copywriting workshops near me” or something similar into the search engine.
3. **Visit blogs that talk about people’s experiences copywriting.** Many successful copywriters create their own blogs, posting articles on copywriting tips and tricks, how to gain clients or testimonials, as well as many other topics. Look online for blogs on copywriting to hear more personalized advice from experts.
Popular copywriting blogs include Copyblogger and ABC Copywriting.
4. **Look at examples of copywriting everywhere you go.** Examples of copywriting are all around you—at the grocery store, on billboards, in your emails, and in commercials. Try to pay closer attention to any ads you see throughout the day, thinking about whether or not they make you want to buy the product and why.
For example, read an email from a store selling clothing, jewelry, art, or other sort of product. Notice the tactics they use for trying to get the reader’s attention.
Look at an ad you got in the mail to analyze what makes it stand out as good or bad copy.
If there’s something you saw recently in an ad and are excited to buy, think about the reason why you’re excited to buy it and if it has anything to do with the copywriting.
5. **Learn about fields related to copywriting for job ideas.** A great copywriter isn’t just good at grammar and spelling, they need knowledge of the other areas in which copywriting is prevalent. Try to learn tips about sales and marketing, storytelling, and consumer psychology by reading books and online articles on each topic.
While you don't need to be an expert on these subjects, having general knowledge of them will help you as a copywriter.
For example, if you're hoping to write ads, knowing a little about marketing and how to get a consumer's attention will help your writing.
Consider taking a free online or in-person course on one of the topics as well.
6. **Write pieces of copy every day.** Even if you read all there is to know about copywriting, the best way to become great at it is to practice. Try to set aside time to write pieces of copy daily, even for just a few minutes. Use the tips you read about, and with lots of practice, you’ll get better each day.
If there’s a specific kind of copywriting you want to do, such as video scripts or social media, try to practice doing these types of copy.
Set a timer for 10-30 minutes and focus on writing copy for the entire time.
7. **Answer the important questions in your writing.** When you’re writing a piece of copy, your client or boss will likely want key information answered. This includes questions like “How would you describe the product?” or “What’s unique about it?” Use these questions to help provide the content for your writing.
Other questions to consider answering are “What benefits does the product provide?” and “What features are included?”
Think about what you would want to know about the product if you were the consumer.
8. **Try to turn existing pieces of copy into something better.** This is a fun way to test out your creativity and copywriting skills. Find a copywriting example written by someone else, reading it over several times before trying to rewrite it yourself to make it better. Focus on grabbing the reader’s attention while keeping the writing condensed.
For example, buy a bag of chips and read the copy on the back of the bag. Now try to rewrite the copy, using the important facts while making the writing your own.
Enhance the copy you find in your email inbox, trying to condense it into an attention-grabbing couple of sentences.
9. **Focus on headlines that capture people’s attention.** The first couple of sentences are the most important when you’re writing copy. Your goal is to hold the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading. Practice writing interesting headlines, making them funny, statistical, or inspiring.
Some copywriting jobs will involve coming up with just a sentence that's supposed to capture the consumer's interest, such as slogans.
Copy that engages the reader is often full of verbs and simple speech that is almost conversational.
10. **Encourage people to take action in your writing.** Copywriting is all about persuading someone to do something, such as purchase the product you’re writing about. Try to summarize the important details of the subject of your writing in an interesting and informative way, making your copy a call to action.
Your goal is to convince people that what you’re writing about is great and deserving of their attention.
You can do this by writing in actionable terms and giving your writing a sense of urgency.
11. **Keep it short and to the point.** Not many people want to read long articles about something they’re not sure they care about yet, such as an email from a shoe company or a blog encouraging people to volunteer. Keep your writing short and sweet, giving the audience needed details in a condensed fashion.
There are examples of concise, well-written copy all around you, such as in magazines, on billboards, and on email signups.
Practice writing copy of all different lengths, such as a short paragraph, a couple sentences, or even just a few words.
12. **Create a portfolio of work to share with potential clients or bosses.** While degrees and recommendations are super helpful, your portfolio is the best example of your talents as a copywriter. To put a portfolio together, gather as many examples of your copywriting as possible. Pick out your best pieces, and these will be the ones you’ll show to possible clients or during job interviews to showcase your skills.
Ask friends or family members if they need help with an email, website, or slogan so you can use this in your portfolio.
If you can’t find any possible clients to create copy for, create a made-up project for yourself to craft copy.
13. **Look online on copywriting websites.** There are lots of websites geared towards freelance copywriters looking for work. On these sites, you can apply to tons of different copywriting jobs from people who are looking for a copywriter that suits their needs. Check out sites like Upwork or Flexjobs to find copywriting jobs you might like.
Freelancer.com, iWriter, Guru, and SimplyHired are all great sites to find potential copywriting jobs.
The pay for each job on these sites will differ, but usually you start off being paid a small amount as a beginner and slowly gain more money with experience.
14. **Answer people’s questions on social media or message boards.** If you come across someone on sites like Facebook, Craigslist, or other message boards asking questions related to copywriting, try to answer them. If you give good advice, they’re more likely to follow up and ask you to write copy for them.
If you’re talking to someone in person who asks a question about marketing or copywriting, try to answer it—you never know if they might end up hiring you to help them.
15. **Gather testimonials to help brand yourself as a copywriter.** Whenever you finish a project for someone, ask them if they’ll write you a testimonial or review. Collecting testimonials from past clients, whether you worked for them in-person or online, will help you gather more clients in the future. Potential clients can read your testimonials and feel more confident that you’ll do a great job for them.
16. **Do research about the brand before applying to jobs.** If you find a copywriting job you want to apply for, avoid just talking in vague terms about your copywriting experience. Look up and see what it is you might be writing about for them—this will not only help you create a more detailed cover letter, but it will help you in an interview to show that you’re truly interested in the job.
A potential client or boss wants their copywriter to really know the product or idea that they’re selling, which is why it’s important to do some preliminary research beforehand.
17. **Consider moving to a large city full of copywriting job opportunities.** If you don’t want to work remotely, it can be more difficult to find copywriting jobs, especially if you live in a small town or city. If you’re serious about copywriting, think about moving to a bigger city like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago where there are lots more job opportunities for copywriters.
Go online to job search websites to find potential copywriting jobs in lots of different cities. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Copywriting", "language": "en"} |
How to Raise Hemoglobin | Hemoglobin is a complex, iron-rich compound that is found in the blood. Its main function is to carry oxygen to the cells of the different parts of the body from the lungs. Another important function is to carry carbon dioxide away from the cells and transports it to the lungs. Normal concentrations of hemoglobin in the blood are 13.5 to 18 g/dL in males and 12 to 16 g/dL in females. If your hemoglobin levels are low, you can work to raise them through making diet changes, trying natural remedies, and, if desired, using medical treatment. See Step 1 below to get started.
1. **Eat iron-rich foods.** Iron is an important element in hemoglobin production—it helps your red blood cells deliver oxygen to the rest of your cells. If you’re suffering from low hemoglobin count, increase your consumption of iron-rich foods such as:
Seafood like shrimp and clams
Lean meats, like chicken and beef
Tofu
Eggs
Green leafy vegetables like spinach
Certain fruits like pineapple, apples, and pomegranates
Beans and other legumes
Nuts like almonds. These should be eaten with precaution to avoid having an allergic reaction.
2. **Increase your intake of vitamin C.** Vitamin C can facilitate iron absorption in the body. It can be acquired by consuming these fruits and vegetables:
Oranges
Mangoes
Tangerines
Strawberries
Cabbage
Broccoli
Peppers
Spinach.
3. **Eat more folic acid-rich foods.** Folic acids are vital in red blood cell production. Foods that are rich in folic acids include:
Seeds
Peanuts
Wheat germ
Sprouts
Broccoli
Nuts
If your diet also includes lots of vitamin C, it is advised to eat a little more folic acid since Vitamin C makes the body excrete folic acid.
4. **Eat whole grains.** Cereals, pastas and breads made from whole grains are enriched with iron. As we discussed, iron is a main component in the production of hemoglobin (the blood needs it to form the proteins). Eating these foods can up your iron levels, in turn upping your hemoglobin level.
Stay away from white breads, cereals, and pastas. These have had their nutrients processed out of them, also resulting in them losing their color. They offer little nutritional benefit and are often full of simple carbohydrates, or sugars.
5. **Avoid foods that block iron.** Avoid iron blockers – these are food items that can block the body’s ability to absorb iron. Examples of iron-blocking foods and substances are:
Parsley
Coffee
Milk
Tea
Colas
Over the counter antacids
Fiber and calcium-rich foods
Alcohol like wine and beer
6. **Try to eat less gluten.** Gluten is a form of protein that can be obtained from grains. For some individuals with gluten-sensitive enteropathy, the intake of foods containing gluten can damage the lining of the small intestine, which in turn can cause impairment in nutrient absorption including calcium, fat, folate and iron.
Nowadays, having a gluten-free diet doesn't have to be inconvenient. Many restaurants easily accommodate those that need to eat gluten-free and gluten is also labeled on many products in grocery stores.
7. **Use withania and ashwagandha supplements to boost hemoglobin levels.** While still being researched and having no high-quality evidence currently, usage of these herbs may increase hemoglobin levels. They are used in ayurvedic medicine to treat iron deficiency anemia.
Talk to your doctor about these supplements and how much is appropriate for you. Avoid using it while pregnant or breastfeeding. This may interact with several other medications.
8. **Take nettle leaf to get a rich source of iron.** Nettle leaf is an herb that can be a rich source of iron and is historically used to treat arthritis. Iron plays an important role in producing and absorbing hemoglobin. The more iron you take, the more hemoglobin will be produced.
Nettle leaf is available in many vitamin and supplement stores and online. It is available as an oil, in capsule form, and even as a tea.
9. **Try dong quai supplements.** While there is no quality data available, some small studies reveal that the consumption of dong quai can restore hemoglobin levels to a nearly normal range. It is traditionally utilized to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual symptoms, menstrual cramps, constipation and anemia. The cobalt in dong quai is thought to increase the hemoglobin content of your blood.
Dong quai is mostly available in capsule form, though it can also be used as an oil you can mix into your drinks. It is available at supplement stores, some pharmacies, and online.
Avoid using while pregnant or breastfeeding.
10. **Consider trying chitosan.** A small study demonstrated that patients with kidney failure that were given 45 mg of chitosan showed relatively reduced cholesterol levels and increased hemoglobin levels. Talk to your doctor about this natural remedy and if it's right for you.
Chitosan is available online and in special vitamin supplement stores. For the record, it's pronounced KITE-uh-san.
Chitosan should not be taken by people who are allergic to shellfish or mushrooms or by people who are taking Warfarin.
11. **Talk to your doctor about taking supplements to increase your hemoglobin count.** Some patients are advised to take prescribed or over the counter medications or supplements to augment their levels of hemoglobin. However, be sure to only take supplements under your doctor's supervision, as they'll need to monitor your complete blood count and iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels over the course of treatment. Supplements may include:
20-25mg of iron per day. This stimulates the production of hematin.
400mcg of folic acid per day. This is taken to increase the production of red blood cells which transport hemoglobin.
50-100mcg per day of vitamin B6. This functions also to increase red blood cell production.
500-1000mg per day of vitamin B12. It is prescribed to enhance red blood cell count.
1000mg per day of vitamin C. It is administered for red blood cell production as well.
12. **Talk to your doctor about getting erythropoietin injections.** Erythropoietin is a hormone manufactured by the kidneys to promote the development of red blood cells by the bone marrow. Once the kidney cells sense that the oxygen level in the blood is too low it produces and releases erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow to generate more red blood cells. The increase in red blood cell count can also enhance the capacity of blood to carry oxygen.
In general, erythropoietin functions mainly to encourage the production of red blood cells and instigate the synthesis of hemoglobin (a component of the red blood cells that are in charge in transporting oxygen) .
Erythropoietin is administered either through the veins or via subcutaneous (external, fatty portion of the legs and thighs) injection.
13. **Consider getting a blood transfusion if your hemoglobin levels are very low.** Blood transfusions are sometimes recommended by health care providers to improve hemoglobin count.
Prior to transfusion, safety precautions are taken to ensure the quality and compatibility of blood. It is tested for signs of contamination which can cause adverse reactions to patients. Donated blood can contain infectious components for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis so proper screening is very important.
After a thorough examination, the blood transfusion is given. It is administered through a central venous catheter or intravenous line in the arm over several hours.
The patient is then watched carefully for any untoward signs of blood transfusion such as difficulty of breathing, itchiness or rashes and an increase in body temperature. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-Hemoglobin", "language": "en"} |
How to Stop a Developing Yeast Infection | Researchers know that yeast infections, also knows as Candidiasis, are most commonly found on a person’s skin, mouth, or vaginal region. A yeast infection is caused by various fungi of the Candida spp. family, of which there are more than 20 different species that can infect humans. The most common cause of yeast infection is due to overgrowth of Candida albicans. Experts note that yeast infections can be very uncomfortable, so it is important to begin treatment as soon as you notice symptoms. If you think you are getting a yeast infection, there are some methods that can help you stop it from developing further.
1. **Eat probiotic yogurt.** There is a type of yogurt that has helpful bacteria in it that can help combat developing yeast infections. Yogurt with lactobacillus acidophilus has been used by women, either orally or applied vaginally, to help combat developing yeast infections. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a good bacteria that can help you to fight the bacteria causing your yeast infection. You can buy this kind of yogurt at most grocery stores. Make sure to check the label to ensure that it has active and live lactobacillus acidophilus cultures in it.
Studies have shown that yogurt may be effective at decreasing symptomatic relief in some women. However, as other studies have shown, it isn't effective in all women.
2. **Bathe twice a day.** While taking a shower or bath two times a day can throw off your daily schedule, it is important that you stay as clean as possible to combat your yeast infection. When you bathe, do not use any chemical soap or body wash. These kinds of soaps can kill good bacteria that you need to fight your infection, while doing very little to reduce your infection.
Women with vaginal yeast infections should take baths rather than showers. Taking a bath can help to clear yeast from the vaginal area.
Make sure your bath isn't too hot. This can cause yeast to multiply.
3. **Use clean towels.** When you bathe, go swimming, or dry off with a towel, it is important that you dry off as thoroughly as possible. Yeast thrives in warm, damp places, so use a clean, dry towel to get rid of any lingering moisture. If you use a towel that you used before, you might transfer yeast to it, which can thrive on the dampness left behind from your previous shower. Instead, wash your towels after you have used them once.
4. **Wear loose clothing.** If you have a skin or vaginal yeast infection, it is important to wear loose-fitting clothes that will allow your skin to breath. This is particularly important if you have a vaginal yeast infection. Wear cotton underwear and avoid any underwear made with silk or nylon, as these two fabrics do not let any air through.
Avoid activities that cause unnecessary heat, sweat, and moisture in affected areas in order to help prevent further growth of the yeast.
5. **Avoid certain skin products.** When you are getting a yeast infection, avoid using any products that might make the infection worse. In particular, it is important to avoid soaps that could wash away good bacteria, as well as feminine hygiene sprays or powders. You should also not use certain lotions, since they can keep your skin moist and cause the skin to retain heat and liquid.
While you may want to use sprays or powders to combat some of the side effects of yeast infections, these products can actually irritate the skin further.
6. **Use medication on your skin.** There are certain medications that can help combat a yeast infection on your skin. For skin infections, doctors generally recommend antifungal creams that are applied directly to the affected area. These creams will generally clear the infection within a couple of week. The two most common antifungal creams for yeast infections on the skin include miconazole and oxiconazole. The cream have general instructions for application, but make sure you follow the doctor's instructions carefully.
To use cream for your skin yeast infections, wash the affected area with water and then dry it off very thoroughly. The skin should not be moist at all. Apply the recommended amount of cream as indicated by your doctor or the manufacturer's instructions. Let it absorb into your skin before you reapply clothing or do any activities that might cause the area to rub against another object or material.
7. **Treat a vaginal yeast infection.** To fight a vaginal yeast infection, you can get over the counter medications or get a prescription from your doctor. For infrequent episodes of yeast infections that only have mild to moderate symptoms, you can use over the counter medication that either comes as a cream, tablet, or suppository that gets inserted directly into your vagina.
The common yeast-fighting medical creams include miconazole (Monistat) and terconazole (Terazol). They are generally used as a cream or suppository, given intravaginally every day at bedtime, for as many days as specified in the instructions. You can get medications that last one to seven days.
You can also get oral antifungal medication that can be taken, such as clotrimazole (Myecelex) and fluconazole (Diflucan), which you take by mouth.
You can also take clotrimazole as tablets, which are taken intravaginally at 100mg every day at bedtime for six to seven days, 200mg every night for 3 days, or 500mg daily for 1 day.
Some yeast infections may be more complicated. These have to be treated for seven to 14 days, rather than one to seven days.
8. **Ask your doctor about boric acid.** Boric acid is available for yeast infections as a vaginal insert suppository by a prescription. This may provide relief from infections that occur frequently if conventional treatments have not been as effective as expected. Additionally, boric acid may provide increased resistance against other strains of candida that may have become resistant to certain antifungal medications over time.
Boric acid is toxic, especially to children when ingested, and can cause irritation to skin.
Abstain from oral sex while using boric acid so your partner does not ingest the toxic acid.
9. **Stop oral yeast infections with medical mouthwash.** If you develop a mouth yeast infection, you can combat it with medical mouthwash with antifungal capabilities. To use this medication, you swish it around in your mouth for a short time and then swallow it. The medicine helps the surface of your mouth as well as from inside your body after you swallow it. Also talk to a doctor about additional prescription oral medications that you can take. Oral antifungal medications also come in the form of tablets and lozenges.
If you have a very weakened immune system and are combating other illnesses like cancer or HIV, your doctor may also prescribe Amphotericin B, a medication that combats oral yeast infections that have become immune to antifungal medications.
10. **Recognize the signs.** If you want to prevent a developing yeast infection, you need to be able to recognize the signs of one. There are three types of yeast infections. There are infections that affect the skin, the mouth, and the vagina.
Symptoms of a mouth yeast infection, also called oral thrush, are creamy patches of white in the throat or mouth region or painful cracks at the corners of your lips.
Skin yeast infections cause blisters, red patches of skin, or skin rashes, which are most commonly found between the toes and fingers, under the breast, and around the groin area. Skin yeast infections can also affect the penis. The symptoms can be the same, but the penis can also develop white patches of skin or moist areas of skin with a white substance collecting in skin folds.
Vaginal yeast infections are common, and causes increased vaginal discharge that may be thick, white, and curd-like, mild to moderate itching, and internal vaginal skin irritation and redness.
11. **Consider the general risk factors.** There are many risk factors that can contribute to yeast infections. If you suffer from a disorder that compromises the immune system, such as HIV, it will open up increased possibilities for infection because the body is unable to properly defend itself against outside sources. If you are taking antibiotics, you are also more likely to get a yeast infection. Antibacterial therapies, such as antibiotics, serve to fight against infections, but they can also reduce the number of bacteria that live on your body and play a role in protecting you from other types of infections, such as yeast infections. In these cases, a yeast infection may occur if it is provided a surface to effectively multiply on, such as the skin, penis, or vagina.
People who are overweight can also suffer from increased chances of yeast infections. This is typically due to the overabundance of skin folds, which can cause bacteria and yeast growth.
Babies are also prone to yeast infections that present as diaper rashes or in the mouth.
12. **Look for the gender specific risk factors.** Women with hormonal fluctuations, due to menopause, birth control pills, pregnancy, or premenstrual syndrome, can be more susceptible to yeast infections because of the physical stressors the hormonal changes cause. Women may also be prone to yeast infections through the use of douches and chemical irritants. While well-intentioned, these can alter the natural pH balance of the vagina, which naturally creates an environment that is difficult for foreign bacteria to infect.
Men are more prone to yeast infections if they are uncircumcised. These men have an increased risk for the yeast bacteria that causes the infections due to the increased ability of bacteria to grow on or under the foreskin.
13. **Reduce the possibility of a yeast infection.** There are general ways you can prevent yeast infections. Only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary, so your body keeps its natural bacteria that fights off yeast infections. Since steroids can cause immune system problems, reduce or minimize the use of inhaled and other steroids. Try to stay away from moist environments and clothes. If you are in moist clothes, try to change out of them as soon as possible.
Yeast infections can grow in the mouth, especially in those with diabetes and those with dentures. To prevent this issue with dentures, keep your dentures clean and use well-fitting dentures. For other instances, the yeast will remain dormant until a trigger, such as antibiotic use, causes it to manifest.
Women should avoid douching if at all possible.
If you have diabetes, always do your best to keep it controlled and keep your skin healthy. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Developing-Yeast-Infection", "language": "en"} |
How to Transition from a Female to a Male (Transgender) | Transitioning from a female to male can be a truly gratifying experience. It’s also a lengthy and potentially complicated process. As you begin to transition, come out to friends and family as transgender. You’ll likely need their support! You can then transition socially by changing your clothing and grooming habits. If you want to medically transition, find a doctor you trust and begin hormone therapy. It's important to follow your doctor's advice about any kind of medical treatment. Finally, decide if you would like gender affirming surgery.
1. **Think through who you will tell and what you will say.** If you haven’t already, make a plan to come out as transgender. Start by telling people who you trust. They can help serve as a support system. Choose a good time and place where you will be able to have a private, uninterrupted talk.
You might tell your sister, “I have something important I’d like to talk to you about. Can you come over Friday evening?” Then you can say whatever makes you comfortable. “I’m transgender and I identify as a male,” might be a good place to start.
2. **Talk to people who are supportive.** You don't have to tell anyone that you don't want to. If you only want to tell 1 friend or family member, that's fine. This is your news to share. If you have someone who is supportive of you, consider asking them to be with you while you come out to others. They can be a great source of moral support!
Before you come out, make sure that doing so won’t endanger your health, safety, or living situation. If you think there might be a problem, have a safety plan in place. That means having a bag with some essentials packed and ready to go. Plan ahead to stay at a friend or family member's house, if necessary.
Make sure that you are completely comfortable with your own identity before discussing it with others.
3. **Research being trans so that you are prepared to answer questions.** Unfortunately, many people don’t understand what it means to be trans. It’s likely that they will have plenty of questions for you. Take some time to gather lots of facts about being trans and transitioning. You can share this information with those who have questions.
You can search online for helpful information. You could also reach out to a local LGBT center and ask them for good resources.
4. **Give people time to process your news.** Hopefully, you are met with immediate support and love. But some people might need time to adjust to knowing that you are trans. That’s okay; it probably took you a little while to come to terms, too.
You can say something like, “Thanks for listening. I know this is a lot to process. Maybe we can get together in a couple of days after you’ve had time to think?”
5. **Look into laws in your area before coming out at work.** There is no federal law that protects people from being fired because of their gender identity or expression. Many states and cities, however, do have protections in place. If you think your gender identity might cause problems for you at work, check the laws where you live.
If there are not explicit protections in place, you might want to contact a lawyer for some advice.
If you are still in school, you might want to talk to an adult before you decide to come out. A favorite teacher or the school counselor can help you decide how open you want to be at school. Hopefully, everyone will be supportive. But if you are bullied, these people will be ready to support you.
6. **Find a support system to help you deal with your emotions.** Even when it goes smoothly, deciding to transition can be a really emotional experience. In addition to trusted family and friends, reach out to others for support. It can be especially helpful to talk to others who have transitioned to get some advice.
Look for LGBT support groups in your community.
You can also find support from national organizations like The Trevor Project and PFLAG.
7. **Ask people to use your preferred pronouns.** One of the first steps of your transition can be letting people know the gender you identify with. Pronouns are important because they let people know how you like to be referred to.
When you meet a new person, you can say, “Hi! I'm Taylor, and I'd love it if you could use he/him when you're referring to me.”
You can gently correct people who use incorrect pronouns when referring to you. Try saying, “Can you please either use he/him pronouns or just use my name? Thanks so much.”
8. **Change your name if you want to.** Everyone chooses to transition differently. Remember that you can make whatever choices you want. If you want to change your name, you can do so legally or just socially.
You can start slowly by just asking friends and family to call you by your new name. You can say, “I know you know me as Sara, but I’m going by Sam now.”
9. **Alter your grooming and clothing to be more masculine if you want to.** You can also further your transition by changing your appearance. You might want to try a short haircut, for instance. You can also start shopping in the men’s section for your clothing and shoes. You could try wearing something like jeans and a blazer when you go out for the evening. Remember, what's most important is that you feel comfortable.
10. **Find out what your insurance will cover.** Transitioning medically is unfortunately often expensive. Actual costs will vary depending on where you live and who your doctor is, but it will likely cost several thousand dollars. However, there is some good news! More and more insurance plans are covering all or parts of the cost of transitioning.
First, talk to your doctor and get an explanation of expected treatments and costs. Next, examine your insurance plan. If you can't tell from reading your policy what is covered, call and speak to a representative.
Both employer-based plans and Medicare and state marketplace plans are starting to cover more of the costs of transitioning.
11. **Make an appointment with an experienced doctor.** If your doctor doesn’t have experience helping people transition, seek out a doctor with expertise. They’ll be better able to guide you through the process and answer your questions. Schedule an appointment and talk to your doctor about what steps you want to take to transition medically. Hormone therapy will likely be the first step.
Talk to your doctor about risks associated with hormone therapy. As a result of hormone therapy, your overall health profile will be that of a male. That may mean you are at greater risk for conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.
12. **Choose the right dosage and method for you.** Testosterone can be taken in 3 ways: orally (pill), through a skin patch or gel, or with an injection. The right method for you will depend on your individual health needs. Talk through each of these options with your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. They're there to help you!
Oral testosterone is the least effective, so it's not as commonly used. If you use transdermal therapy, you will be using a skin patch or gel each day. If your doctor recommends injections, you'll typically get a shot either once a week or every 2 weeks.
Doses vary greatly. It might take some time for you and your doctor to figure out what's right for you.
13. **Expect changes to your skin to come first.** Shortly after you begin taking testosterone, your skin will start to look and feel different. Your pores will be larger and you might notice that your skin is thicker and more oily. It’s not uncommon to experience some acne flare-ups.
Your sense of touch might also change, and things might “feel” different when you touch them.
14. **Look for weight, hair, and voice changes to follow.** You might notice that you begin to carry weight differently. For example, you might see less weight in your hips and thighs, and more in your abdomen. Overall, your muscle mass will probably increase.
Listen for changes in your voice after a few weeks. The testosterone will cause your vocal cords to thicken, which will result in a more traditionally male-sounding voice.
Expect your hair to change slowly over time, and get thicker and darker. The hair on your body will start to become darker and thicker. It will also grow at a faster rate.
15. **Ask your doctor about changes to your reproductive system.** You may notice that your periods become lighter, less frequent, or stop altogether. However, you might also experience longer, heavier periods for a while. Each person reacts differently to testosterone therapy.
If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out what’s normal for you.
16. **Go to therapy if you find your emotional changes challenging.** Make an appointment with a therapist if you are having trouble dealing with emotions. Hormone therapy is a lot like going through puberty again. That means that not only will you experience physical changes, but you might also find yourself on an emotional roller coaster. Transitioning is an emotional process, even without hormones surging through your body!
In therapy, you can learn various coping mechanisms that may be useful.
17. **See a therapist to get a diagnosis, if necessary.** Gender dysphoria is a recognized health condition where a person’s gender identity does not match the sex they were born with. It is not a mental illness, so no need to have concerns that doctors look at it that way. Some doctors might require this diagnosis before they will perform surgery. Therapy is not only important to get a diagnosis, but it’s a good way to find tools to help you cope with the stress of surgery.
Depending on your insurance coverage, you might also need a diagnosis in order for any of your procedures to be covered.
18. **Figure out how much your insurance will cover if you have a policy.** More and more plans are starting to cover gender reassignment surgery. If you have insurance, examine your policy to see what procedures are covered. Don't worry if you get confused! You can simply call and have a representative explain your coverage to you. Don't forget to make sure your doctor accepts insurance.
If you don't have insurance, you still have options. You can ask if your doctor or hospital does payment plans. You can also consider taking out a personal loan to help you afford surgery.
19. **Undergo male chest surgery to remove breasts.** It’s up to you which, if any, surgical procedures you wish to undergo. Take some time to think about what would make you happy. There's no right or wrong way to transition. Talk to your doctor and decide if you wish to undergo a male chest reconstruction surgery, which involves removing your breasts and breast tissue.
You’ll need to rest for the first few days after surgery. Follow your doctor’s guidelines about lifting and movement. Most people can return to work within 7-9 days after surgery.
20. **Schedule a hysterectomy to remove female reproductive organs.** You might also choose to surgically remove your female reproductive organs, like your uterus. Talk to your doctor about whether a full hysterectomy is right for you. This is a big decision, so it's okay to have lots of questions. There are several different methods, including abdominal and vaginal surgeries. Ask your doctor to walk you through each option so you can know what to expect.
Many have experienced positive results from a hysterectomy. Just remember that this is a very personal choice, so just do what feels right for you.
21. **Talk to your doctor about a phalloplasty.** This surgery involves the construction of a penis. Having a phalloplasty will allow you to urinate and have sex like a male. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits associated with this surgery.
Phalloplasty comes with traditional risks associated with any surgery, such as wound infection. Make sure to see your surgeon as instructed for follow-up care. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Transition-from-a-Female-to-a-Male-(Transgender)", "language": "en"} |
How to Train a Homing Pigeon | Homing pigeons (Columbia livia) are also known as rock pigeons or sometimes rock doves. Most rock pigeons are found in large cities, usually eating scraps of food off the sidewalk. Rock pigeons are not native to North America and were introduced by Europeans in the 1600s. Rock pigeons have an amazing history - domesticated over 5,000 years ago, they were used to carry messages from one place to another, as they have an innate ability to find their way home. They were even used in World Wars I and II to send messages between members of the U.S. Army. People continue to train rock pigeons today to carry messages and race.
1. **Decide how much you’re willing to spend.** You should purchase the highest quality birds that you can afford. It is better to purchase a smaller number of pairs of a higher quality, than a larger number of pairs of a lower quality. You should buy pigeons in pairs, unless you’re buying a very specific pigeon of a particular pedigree.
If you’re buying the pigeons for the purpose of racing, base your buying decision on performance before anything else. This can include the performance of the specific pigeons you’re purchasing, the performance of the family line (i.e pedigree), or even the performance of the breed.
If you’re buying the pigeons for show purposes, or you just want really cool looking pigeons, then you’ll want to base your buying decision on conformation. For show purposes, judges pick winning pigeons based on a certain list of physical characteristics.
Homing pigeons can cost anywhere from approximately $50 up to several hundred dollars, depending on the pedigree and breeder.
Keep in mind that in addition to the cost of the pigeons, you must also pay the cost of shipping. And because you’re shipping live animals, shipping can be quite expensive, depending on where you’re ordering from.
2. **Build a home for your pigeons before they arrive.** Your pigeons are going to need a place to live the minute they arrive at your door, so be prepared. Pigeon homes are referred to as lofts and lofts can come in a variety of sizes and configurations. You can build your own, hire someone to build one for your, or order one pre-made. Each pair of pigeons should have approximately 8-10 cubic feet of space inside the loft - so the space you have available for a loft might also dictate the maximum number of pigeons you can have.
Some of the most important things to remember about a loft is that it should: protect your pigeons from predators (including the neighbourhood cat), have both interior and exterior (protected) space for the birds, have an excellent ventilation system, and have additional space for feed and equipment (you don’t want to store this stuff outside). If you’re breeding your pigeons, you will also need to separate out a space just for them and their eventual offspring.
Pigeon lofts need to be located in an area somewhat free of aerial obstructions. Remember, your pigeons fly, so wires, trees, lamp posts, etc., can be a distraction for your pigeons when you’re trying to train them.
Racing pigeon lofts should be designed so the birds don’t spend a lot of time on the roof. This means the roof should not be flat, if possible, and might need bird spikes to help deter your pigeons from landing.
3. **Locate a breeder or seller and order your pigeons.** Pigeon breeders and sellers are located around the world. If you’re concerned about the cost of shipping your pigeons, you’ll probably want to choose a breeder located as close to you as possible. Otherwise you’ll want to choose a breeder based on pigeon performance and pedigree.
Most breeders band their pigeons when they’re young, so this is not something you’ll have to do once you receive your pigeon.
Ask for recommendations from a local pigeon club if you’re unsure as to the reputation of a breeder.
4. **Introduce your pigeons to their new home.** If these are your first pigeons, then you can put them in the loft right away without a problem. However, if you’re adding new pigeons to your collection, you’ll need to keep them separated from your existing pigeons for a couple of weeks.
5. **Take good care of your pigeons.** Your pigeons need clean water everyday. Their food should be consumed within 15-20 minutes of you giving it to them. After 15-20 minutes cleanup and remove anything they haven’t eaten. They’ll also need grit to ingest, which helps them obtain vitamin and minerals, and assists with digestion. You’ll need to feed your pigeons (using the 15-20 minute technique) twice per day.
Remember to clean your loft on a regular basis, especially the floor.
There are several bird-specific online stores located around the United States that specialize in pigeon care. Their level of experience will be helpful if you’re new to the world of pigeons.
Pigeons will require more protein if they’re breeding, but more energy (i.e. fat and carbohydrates) when they are racing. The protein amounts contained in the feed should be listed on the bag. For breeding season you should feed them a 16-18% crude protein mix. For racing and training season you should feed them a 14-15% crude protein mix. When you pigeons are molting, in the off season, you’ll want to feed them the 16% crude protein mix again.
While all veterinarians have learned to care for birds as part of their training, not all veterinarians will take care of birds on a regular basis. If you already have a vet whom you trust, and they feel confident they can treat your pigeons, great. If not, ask for recommendations or referrals to a bird-specific vet in your area. You can also ask for referrals from a local pigeon racing club, or pigeon rescue organization.
6. **Start your pigeons’ training program when they’re 6 weeks old.** At 6 weeks you can help your pigeons figure out the trapdoor in your pigeon loft. The trapdoor is designed to allow your pigeons to get into the loft anytime they want, but you’ll be able to set the trapdoor to only let them out when you want. These trapdoors might be a little confusing to your pigeons at first, so you might have to help them go in and out at first.
It may be helpful to put together a training schedule so you have something specific to follow everyday. Training requires dedication on your part, so knowing what you have to be ready for each day will help keep the training consistent. The training schedule should allow for training to occur at least once a day, and either the method or distance being worked on should change once a week. For example: everyday during week 1 practice going in and out of the trap door with the pigeon; everyday during week 2 practice returning to the loft from 1 mile away; etc.
Read pigeon club blogs - specifically ones written from your geographical area. Local blogs will have advice on your specific geography and climate.
7. **Ensure your pigeons have incentive to return to their loft.** Good food, comfortable lodgings and being treated like royalty is what makes your pigeons want to come back. Provide your pigeons with the highest quality food and lodgings you can afford.
8. **Begin training your pigeons to come home after being released.** This part of the training can begin when your pigeons are between 6 and 8 weeks old. Start by taking your pigeons 1 mile from home and releasing them. Do this several times a week.
Use a cage or a basket to carry your pigeons to the release location.
9. **Expand the training distance by 5 miles per week.** Each week go further away from home to release your pigeons, and go in different directions each time.
Don’t expand the distance too far, too fast. If your pigeons have any trouble, stop increasing the distance and continue training them at the last distance they were successful.
Some of the longest pigeon races are several hundred miles in a single flight. This is the maximum distance from home that you should practice with your pigeon, but do not go to these distances until your pigeon is able to return from shorter distances, in any direction, consistently.
10. **Be careful of bird loss.** Bird loss is unfortunate, but not uncommon. If you experience bird loss, reduce the training distance and frequency for a while. For example, if you were training at the 10 mile distance, reduce back to 5 miles for several weeks.
Pigeon clubs all have lost bird reporting processes that you can take advantage of if you lose a bird. People who find lost birds can report those birds (using their leg bands) on these websites. You can then contact the finder and arrange to have your bird brought home.
Some pigeons might simply get tired on their return journey and need time to rest. While they may normally come back to the loft in one day, it may take them a few days to return if they've stopped for a break.
11. **Create a second “home” for your pigeons.** In addition to training your pigeons to return to your home loft, you can train them to fly between two loft locations (maybe your home and your cottage, or your home and a friend’s home, etc.). Feed your pigeons at both lofts periodically, to give them incentive to want to return to each loft. If they’re at one loft and are hungry, they’ll fly to the other loft to look for food.
12. **Find a local pigeon racing club and join.** The American Racing Pigeon Union (ARPU) is the national organization for pigeon racing. They have hundreds of affiliated clubs around the United States. Most homing pigeons, when purchased from an American breeder, will come banded with an ARPU band. Use the ARPU’s “Find a Club” link on their website to locate the nearest club to you.
The ARPU has a number of different memberships available, including junior memberships (for kids under 18), family memberships, and memberships for people interested in pigeon racing, but unable to participate. You will have to be an active member of the ARPU before you can join a local club.
13. **Attend racing events and observe.** Using your local club’s website, Facebook page, or newsletter, you can determine when that club will be hosting races throughout the year. Races are normally divided between “young birds” and “old birds”.
You may also want to consider attending the American Racing Pigeon Union’s annual convention, if you have the time and funds. The ARPU’s convention is held in a different location each year. The convention usually includes a race.
14. **Get advice from existing pigeon racers.** The ARPU offers a “Help-a-Beginner” Program which is for those who have only flown in one racing season and would like some assistance or advice on how to be a better pigeon racer. Beginners are matched with mentors and breeders and work together throughout the season.
15. **Enter your pigeons in racing events.** Once you’re a member of a local club, you’ll be able to enter your pigeons in races. Check with your club to determine the best race for beginners - which would usually be a shorter race. Try racing different pigeons in different races to see how they perform.
Note that the “Help-a-Beginner” program doesn’t allow beginners who have raced more than one season to participate. Therefore, if you’re interested in this program make sure to apply after your first racing season.
16. **Race your pigeons.** Pigeons race from a specific location (as determined by the race organizers) to their home loft (i.e. your house). The organization will determine the actual distance between the release point and your home loft, and that distance, plus the time the pigeon took to travel, will be used to calculate speed. And the fastest pigeon wins! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Homing-Pigeon", "language": "en"} |
How to Meet Kevin Hart | No one makes you laugh like comedian and actor Kevin Hart. After seeing several of his films and listening to some of his albums you've decided you'd like to meet him in person. Great! Now what? Rest assured there are several ways to possibly make your dream come without becoming an all out stalker.
1. **Buy tickets to a stand-up show on Kevin Hart's comedy tour.** Getting tickets to one of his stand-up shows while he is on tour is a great way to increase your chances of meeting him.
Get the best seats you can afford. Even if you don't get to actually meet him, you will still get a great experience.
If you can't afford a deluxe ticket or experience, you can try hanging out near the stage door before or after the performance. If you are patient and not too aggressive you just might get a chance to say “Hi!”
2. **Indulge in the VIP experience at one of Kevin Hart's shows.** One way to ensure you get to meet him is to purchase a VIP experience that comes with a “Meet and Greet” package. This can be expensive but it's a guarantee for making your dream a reality.
For example, the Kevin Hart Front Row Meet & Greet Package includes: one reserved front row seat, meet and greet with Kevin Hart, photo op with Kevin Hart, access to a VIP lounge (before and after the show, with complimentary bar and light appetizers) and much more. Prices vary by venue but start around $325.
There are other levels of Meet and Greet packages. Check Kevin Hart's website for individual packages and prices.
3. **Attend a Kevin Hart book signing at a bookstore.** When he releases a book he usually goes on a publicity book tour where he signs copies of his book. If you are able to get a copy and wait in a signing line, you may get to meet him very briefly.
If allowed, consider purchasing more than one copy of his book to extend the time it takes for him to sign them. These could make great gifts for your friends and get you a few extra minutes during your meet.
4. **Get tickets to the taping of a talk show where he will be interviewed.** Do some research to find out what shows he will be on in the near future. These tapings are usually timed with the release of a new movie, tour, album or book. Then, call the show or go to its website to see how to acquire tickets to an upcoming taping.
Randomly, he tapes other types of shows that you may be able to attend. For example, he once taped a show on various comics from Seattle. It was filmed at a coffee shop so check on www.kevinhartnation.com periodically to see if he has any upcoming tapings.
5. **Check for upcoming award ceremonies Kevin Hart will be attending.** If Kevin Hart has been nominated for an award at a ceremony and it's open to the public, buy a ticket and be on the lookout for Mr. Hart.
Since Kevin Hart is both a comedian and an actor you may want to see if there are any popular award ceremonies in either genre that are open to the public.
6. **Go to events like BookCon where Kevin Hart will be meeting fans.** Sometimes stars attend events, like BookCon or ComicCon, to treat their fans to meet-ups or photo ops. These events are usually timed with a new release by the celebrity as good public relations.
Join mailing lists of fans who blog about Kevin Hart often. These fan sites are good resources for finding out where he might be appearing.
Check out Kevin's website to watch out for his upcoming events.
7. **Enter contests where the prize is a photo opportunity or meet with Kevin Hart.** Local radio or television stations might do promotional contests before he performs a show or attends an event in town.
8. **Visit public places he is known to frequent in his hometown.** Kevin Hart resides in Los Angeles so you can plan a visit and keep your eyes open. Celebrities often go to see movies, attend sporting events and dine out so be on the lookout.
Do not attempt to visit his home or stalk him. Although Kevin Hart is a celebrity, he is legally entitled to his privacy and can prosecute you for stalking or trespassing.
Sometimes while on tour Kevin Hart will take part in local events in his performance city. For example, since he is a spokesperson for Nike he was spotting during a running event.
9. **Hang out outside venues where he is performing.** There will often be many fans outside these venues but if you are patient you might get to at least see him in person. On occasion performers will sign autographs or meet fans while entering and exiting the performance venues.
Never be aggressive or rude to other fans who are also waiting around for the same reason you are.
Don't be disappointed if you don't get too much of a response in return. Instead, smile because you just saw Kevin Hart.
10. **Follow Kevin on social media to get an idea of his whereabouts.** Social media outlets like Instagram, Facebook or Twitter are an easy way to find out if other people have spotted him in a particular area or if he will be attending an upcoming local event.
Visit Kevin Hart's Instagram here: https://twitter.com/kevinhart4real
Check out Kevin Hart's Twitter here: https://twitter.com/KevinHart4real
Follow Kevin Hart on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/hartkevin/
11. **Introduce yourself one of Kevin Hart's staff members at a performance venue.** Next time you are at a show or book signing, see if you can befriend someone who works for him. Ask if they can hook you up with a short meet and greet. If you come across as friendly and sincere, instead of creepy and aggressive, they may be willing to help you out.
12. **Message Kevin Hart through his social media or email him on his website.** Since he has accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, post a comment, send a message or tag Kevin Hart on your message. If you catch his attention he might respond. You can also email him through his website: http://kevinhartnation.com/contact/ and see if he will write you back.
If you attended on of his shows, let him know you enjoyed your time. Try, “Wow! I had a fantastic time at your show last night. You really had the audience in stitches. Thank you for making my week!”
If you were at a book signing, comment on your interaction, “Thanks for making me laugh even at your book signing. It was great to meet you in person, I'm a huge fan of your work. I can't wait to read your book.”
13. **Send a letter to Kevin Hart's management company.** If you are not having any luck online, try sending snail mail to his management company at this address: 9460 Wilshire Blvd., 7th Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.
Let them know you are a huge fan, politely ask for a signed photo, and see if they respond. You could say, “I have been a huge fan of Kevin Hart's since his early days. He has always made me laugh. I enjoyed seeing his show last week and wanted to see if there's any way I could get a signed photo.” | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Meet-Kevin-Hart", "language": "en"} |
How to Find and Care for a Pet Tardigrade (Water Bear) | "Water bears" is a colloquial name for tiny multicellular critters that have always delighted microscopists. They are properly called tardigrades ("slow walkers"), and with four pairs of stumpy legs and lumbering gait, they do look a little like a microscopic bear (an eight legged, microscopic bear, that is). Tardigrades live in more places on Earth than humans do, so practically any handful of water has a chance of containing some. The easiest way to find them and care for them, however, is to look in scraps of wet moss.
1. **Learn about tardigrades.** These critters may be microscopic, but they are very cool! Tardigrades, also called water bears, are some of the most amazing animals on Earth, and live just about everywhere you can imagine. They can survive:
Temperatures as low as -200 °C (-328 °F) and as high as 151 °C (304 °F)
Freezing in a block of ice
Lack of oxygen for days, possibly months
Lack of water for decades
Levels of X-ray radiation 1,000 times the lethal human dose
Many noxious chemicals
Boiling alcohol
Low pressure of a vacuum, like that of space
Extreme pressure, up to six times greater than found at the deepest part of the ocean
Note that they can only survive these conditions in cryptobiosis. If you exposed a living tardigrade to these conditions, it would die instantly.
2. **Look for a moist tardigrade habitat.** Many tardigrades are aquatic, but the easiest place for humans to find them is in damp moss, lichen, or leaf litter. Search in forests, around ponds, or even in your backyard. Your best bet is to look in damp places, where tardigrades are active. You can get a sample of dry habitat if nothing else is available, since it may contain tardigrades in an extreme hibernation state (cryptobiosis), waiting for water to rejuvenate them.
3. **Collect a sample of the moss or lichen with tweezers.** Put the sample in a paper bag or envelope so it can dry out a little. (A plastic bag will trap the water and encourage mold to grow, which will block your view of the animals.)
You can take samples of several different kinds of moss, lichen, or leaf litter to see whether tardigrades like one more than another.
Soft lichen is more likely to have tardigrades than hard, crusty lichen. You can even find water bears in the powdery lichen that grows on rocks and brick walls.
4. **Put the samples in a petri dish.** You only need a tiny pinch of the material in each petri dish. If you don't have a petri dish, you can use any small, clear plastic container. Blister packs that used to hold pills are a good option.
5. **Soak the moss or lichen completely.** Add water, preferably distilled or rainwater, until there is one centimeter in the petri dish. Let soak for 8 to 24 hours, to make the water bears active.
6. **Squeeze the water from the moss into a new petri dish.** Squeezing or shaking their habitat will release the microscopic creatures into the water.
7. **Find a low power microscope.** Most tardigrades are about a quarter to a half millimeter long. That's almost at the range of human sight, a little smaller than a period. It only takes a microscope with about 15x or 30x magnification to spot one. If you don't have one, look for a cheap stereo microscope online.
8. **Look for tardigrades.** Set the microscope up over the petri dish and focus it on the moss. It helps to shine a powerful flashlight horizontally, through the side of the petri dish. This will make the tardigrades and other creatures glow white. Look for an animal with four pairs of stubby legs, waving and grasping in slow motion to move its blobby body. The last pair of legs faces backward, so you might mistake it for a tail or the end of its body.
If there is a water bear, you've struck the jackpot. Pour the water back to the moss to set up a home for it.
If you don't see any after moving the petri dish around for a while, replace the water and try again with a different piece of moss until you find one.
9. **Feed the tardigrade.** Water bears suck out juices from moss, algae, and lichen to feed. Put a bit of plant matter in once a month, or replace the old stuff if it starts to turn moldy or decompose.
Water Bears also eat nematodes, little worm-shaped creatures, and rotifers, tiny plankton. Try to find nice, wet moss for the Water Bears as that is most likely to contain their prey.
Some tardigrades live in freshwater and others live in saltwater. Stick to water and plants from the same type of environment where you collected your tardigrades.
10. **Replace the water in the petri dish once it dries out.** Tardigrades will usually survive in a dry state, but it's not guaranteed. Be nice to your water bears and keep them wet.
Dried out tardigrades are smaller and completely immobile. You might not be able to spot them, but you'll see them again if you give them a good soak.
11. **Enjoy caring for tardigrades.** They won't mind if you look at them under the microscope once in a while. If you're lucky, you might see them shedding their hard outer cuticle, laying eggs, or hatching. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Find-and-Care-for-a-Pet-Tardigrade-(Water-Bear)", "language": "en"} |
How to Make a Ring Pillow | Ring pillows are a popular wedding tradition. The wedding rings rest on the pillow as the ring bearer carries them to the altar. While you can always buy a simple pillow from the store, it may not match the overall theme of your wedding. It is easy to make your own pillow and a great way to bring a unique touch to your special day.
1. **Select your fabric.** Cut 2 x 10 in (25 cm) squares of fabric. Choose a fabric that matches your wedding colors. It can be anything you like: satin, cotton, burlap, etc. If the fabric has a print, make sure that it goes with your wedding theme.
You can make the pillow a different size but make sure to add a ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) seam to the length and width.
2. **Stack the squares with the right sides together.** Set the first square with the right side up. Place the second square on top, with the right side facing down. Secure the edges with pins.
3. **Sew three of the edges with a ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) seam allowance.** This is fastest using a sewing machine, but it can be sewn by hand too. Use a straight stitch and a matching thread color.
If you don't know how to sew, secure the edges with hot glue or fabric glue. Allow the glue to dry before continuing.
4. **Trim the corners.** While not absolutely necessary, this will reduce bulk and help your pillow look nicer. Cut as close to the stitching as possible without cutting through the thread. Be sure to clip the corners along the edge you left open. This will make it easier to sew it shut later.
5. **Turn the pillow right side out.** Flip the corners into the pillow, then pull them out through the opening. Use something blunt and pointy, like a knitting needle or pencil to push the corners out further.
6. **Stuff the pillow.** Polyester stuffing will work the best. You can use other types of filling, such as foam or a blank ring pillow.
7. **Close the open seam.** Push the stuffing into the pillow so that it does not stick out. Fold the raw edges of the opening in by ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm), then secure them with sewing pins. Hand sew the opening shut with a ladder stitch, then remove the pins.
If you don't want to sew, hot glue the opening. Work on 1 inch (2.5 cm) at a time. Press and hold the section until it sets before doing the next section.
You can use fabric glue on the opening. Work on 1 inch (2.5 cm) at a time. Secure each section with a clothespin until the glue dries.
8. **Attach a string to a ribbon with a slipknot.** Choose a piece of ribbon and string that match your pillow. Fold the string in half to make a loop that is positioned behind the ribbon. Pull the ends of the string to make a knot around the ribbon, then tug on them to tighten the knot. Slide the knot across the ribbon until it is centered.
For a fancier pillow, use a ⁄16 or ⁄8 in (1.6 or 3.2 mm) ribbon instead of string.
The ribbon will make the decorative bow. The string will allow you to tie the rings to the pillow.
9. **Form the ribbon into a bow.** Fold the left and right ends of the ribbon into loops. Cross the left loop over the right loop, then thread it through the gap that you made. Tug on the loops to tighten the bow.
Leave the strings out of the bow.
10. **Secure the bow.** Position the bow in the middle of the pillow. You can sew the bow on with matching thread or hot glue the bow instead. Make sure that the strings and the tails of the bow are hanging below the loop.
If you want to create a tufted pillow, sew a few stitches through the middle of the pillow first. Click here to learn more.
11. **Trim and singe the ribbon and strings.** Cut the ribbon and strings down to the length you want. If the material is fraying, singe the ends with a flame.
12. **Tie the rings to the strings.** Thread both of the rings onto one of the strings. Tie both strings into a knot or a bow.
13. **Cut 2 x 10 in (25 cm) squares of fabric.** This method will give a rustic look, so a heavy fabric like burlap, linen, or canvas will work best. Choose a color that matches your wedding theme. If the fabric has a print on it, make sure that the print is suitable.
If you want the pillow a different size, add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the length and width.
14. **Clip the corners by ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm).** This will reduce bulk when you fold the fabric. It will also help conceal the raw edges.
15. **Set the seams.** Turn the fabric so that the wrong side is facing you. Fold the four edges down by ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) towards the wrong side. Press the fabric with an iron, if needed. Repeat this step for the second piece of fabric.
Burlap holds folds and creases easily, so you do not need to press it with an iron.
16. **Glue the hems down.** Unfold one of the edges. Draw a thin line of hot glue or fabric glue along the edge, then press it back down. Do this for all of the ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) hems on both fabric squares.
Hot glue sets within minutes, but fabric glue needs about 10 to 15 minutes to dry.
Trim any frayed bits of fabric sticking out.
17. **Glue the squares.** Set the first square down with the wrong side up. Place your second square on top, with the right side up. Glue three of the edges together using hot glue or fabric glue. Leave the fourth edge open and allow the glue to dry.
Make sure that the entire ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) width of each hem is coated with glue. This will give you a flanged seam.
18. **Stuff the pillow to your desired fullness.** Polyester stuffing will work the best, but you can also use a piece of foam or a mini pillow insert. You can also use a plain ring pillow, as long as it is the same size.
19. **Glue the final seam.** Use your fingers to push the stuffing into the pillow so that it does not get caught in the glue. Working 1 inch (2.5 cm) at a time, glue the final seam down.
If you are working with hot glue, press and hold each section until it dries before moving onto the next.
If you are working with fabric glue, secure the section with a clothespin, before moving onto the next section. Remove the pins once the glue dries.
20. **Secure a string to a ribbon with a slip knot.** Choose a coordinating ribbon and cord that match your pillow. Fold the string in half, then place it behind the ribbon to make a loop. Pull the ends of the string over the ribbon and through the loop. Pull on the ends of the string to tighten the knot.
Center the string. If it isn't, slide it across the ribbon until it is.
The ribbon will form the decorative bow. The string will secure the rings to the pillow.
21. **Tie the ribbon into a bow.** Take the left and right sides of the ribbon, and fold them into loops. Cross the left loop over the right loop, then thread it through the hole you made. Pull on the loops to tighten the bow.
Do not include the string in the bow.
Tug on the ribbon loops and tails to adjust the bow.
22. **Glue the bow.** Place a large drop of hot glue or fabric glue in the middle of the pillow. Adjust the bow so that the tails and strings hang below the loops. Press the bow into the glue and let it set.
23. **Trim and singe the ribbon and string.** If the ribbon tails or the strings are too long, trim them to the length you want. If the material is fraying, singe them with a flame.
24. **Tie the rings to the pillow.** Thread both rings onto the left string and tie both strings together into a simple knot. You can also tie the strings into a bow for a fancier look.
25. **Tie a ribbon around a pillow.** Cut a length of ribbon at least 4 times the width of the pillow. Center the pillow over the ribbon. Wrap the ribbon ends around the sides of the pillow. Tie the ribbon into a knot in the front of the pillow. Add the rings, then tie the ribbon into a bow.
26. **Add a symbolic charm to the bow.** Choose a charm that is meaningful, such as a horseshoe for good luck, or a heart for love. Sew it to the pillow under the bow, or slide it onto the ribbon before tying it into a bow.
27. **Embellish a pillow with ribbon rosettes.** Purchase miniature ribbon roses or rosettes. If they are attached to wire stems, trim the stems down to just beneath the bud. Hot glue the rosettes to your pillow as desired. Adding them around the bow would be ideal.
28. **Create a tufted look.** Sew a few stitches through the center of the pillow. Thread a needle and push it through the front of the pillow and out the back. Move the needle over ⁄8 to ⁄4 inch (0.32 to 0.64 cm), then push it from the back and out the front. Do this one more time to create an X. Knot and cut the thread. Cover the X in the front of the pillow with a ribbon bow.
29. **Add a corded trim and tassels for a lavish touch.** Hot glue thin cording to the seams of your pillow. Make some tassels using matching embroidery thread. Sew them to the corners of the pillow.
Silver and gold colors make for great accents, but other colors can also be used.
If you prefer not to use hot glue, try fabric glue. You can also sew the cord using a whipstitch.
30. **Make a different shape for a unique touch.** This may not work well for no-sew pillows, but it is a great option for sewn pillows. Cut two identical shapes out of the desired fabric and sew them together. Leave a 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) gap. Turn the pillow, stuff it, then sew the gap shut.
Try a circle, heart, or rectangle shape.
Remember to clip corners and cut V-shaped notches into curved edges.
31. **Experiment with different fabric choices.** Instead of using satin for the pillow, try a unique fabric, such as burlap. You can also use a fancy embroidered fabric for the front with a plain fabric for the back.
Look in the prom and formal section of the fabric store. You'll find all sorts of fancy fabrics including ones with rosettes!
32. **Add a lace overlay before assembling the pillow.** Cut a third square of lace fabric. Sew it to the right side of the first fabric square with a ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) seam allowance. Assemble the pillow using the Simple Pillow method.
Other fabric options include chiffon and organza.
For a unique touch, use a strip of lace ribbon. Cut it to the width of the square, and sew the short ends down.
You can do this with the glued pillow method. Simply glue the edges of the lace and fabric together.
33. **Add ruffled trims.** Before you assemble the pillow, pin the trim to the right side of one square fabric piece. Align the edges of the trim with the edges of the fabric. Pin then sew it together using a ⁄8 in (0.32 cm) seam allowance. Remove the pins, then sew the pillow as directed in the sewing method.
Ruffled lace trims look more romantic or you can use a fabric lace.
34. **Embroider the fabric.** Before assembling, Embroider the front piece of fabric by hand or with an embroidery machine. Assemble the pillow using one of the first two methods.
The embroidery can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be.
Simple embroidery works best for rustic pillows, such as burlap, linen, or canvas.
Detailed embroidery works best for fancier fabrics, such as silk, satin, or velvet.
35. **Finished.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ring-Pillow", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Gray | Most people would likely identify gray as being a mixture of black and white, but you can actually make gray by mixing complementary colors and primary colors, too. Once you understand the basic color theory, you should be able to apply the same principles to a variety of artistic mediums.
1. **Mix black and white.** Combining black and white will result in a color known as "neutral gray."
Neutral gray is the purest type of gray you can create because it has no other tint or hue.
Equal parts of black and white should create a mid-tone gray. Vary the shade by adding more of either color. More black creates a darker gray, and more white creates a lighter gray.
2. **Combine equal parts of complementary colors.** Mixing two complementary colors will result in a color classified as "complementary gray."
The basic color complements are:
Red and green
Yellow and purple
Blue and orange
Combining equal parts of any two complements will result in a flat gray, but you can give the gray a slight tint by adding more of one color than the other. Adding more red, yellow, or orange will result in a "warm" gray, but adding more green, purple, or blue should result in a "cool" gray.
3. **Blend the three primary colors.** When you combine all three primary colors, the resulting color can be called "primary gray."
The three primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.
Mixing equal parts should produce a flat gray, but you can create tints by using more or less of certain colors. Using more blue should result in a cooler tone, but using more red or yellow without additional blue can create warmer tones.
4. **Choose which type of gray to create.** Neutral gray, complementary gray, and primary gray are easy to create with paint, but the best option depends on the paint colors you have and the desired application.
Neutral gray can be a great way to tone done other colors without altering the actual hue. Overall, it works best when you know you'll need gray in its purest form.
Complementary gray works best if you want to give cool or warm tints to the hue of the gray.
Primary gray works well when you need to create shadows or pair the gray next to a brighter color. Since primary gray contains all three primary colors, it can make nearby secondary colors look brighter.
5. **Combine equal amounts of the appropriate colors.** Pour equal amounts of the involved colors into a paint dish or onto a paint palette. Mix thoroughly using a painter's stick until the colors are equally blended.
To review, your color options are:
Black and white
Red and green
Yellow and purple
Blue and orange
Red, yellow, and blue
Blending the colors should result in gray paint. If you used “pure” hues, the resulting gray should be fairly flat in appearance. If the colors used weren't pure hues, however, you may notice a slight tint.
6. **Lighten or darken as desired.** Examine the shade of the developed gray. If it seems too dark or too light, you can add white or black paint to alter the shade.
Add white to lighten the gray or black to darken it. Work in small amounts of either color, though, to avoid altering the shade more than necessary.
Use white and black to alter the shade regardless of which type of gray (neutral, complementary, primary) you made. Adding any other color will ultimately affect the hue instead of the shade.
7. **Tint as desired.** Examine the hue of the developed gray. It it seems too dull for your liking, you can tint the gray by adding more color.
Add small amounts of the color regardless of which one you use. If you don't like the results, it'll be easier to fix them if you've only altered the color in small degrees.
If you made complementary or primary gray, add more of any color used to produce the original gray. In other words, if you made gray with blue and orange paint, you should only add more blue or more orange (not red, yellow, green, or purple).
If you made neutral gray, you can still tint the gray with color. In fact, you can mix nearly any paint color into the gray to create a wider variety of tints.
8. **Pick the type of gray.** Neutral gray is the easiest to create when working with icing, but you can still make complementary and primary grays.
It's best to stick with neutral gray if you want a pure hue, but you can consider the other two types if you'd prefer a tinted gray.
Since readily available packages of liquid food color come with red, yellow, green, and blue, you'll need to create primary (red, yellow, blue) gray or complementary (red and green) gray if you plan to use standard liquid food coloring. If you buy specialty gel or paste food coloring, however, you can create any of the three types since these food colorings have a wider variety of color options.
9. **Drop the involved colors into white icing.** Spoon the needed amount of white frosting into a glass bowl. Gradually add the involved colors and mix until fully combined.
As a reminder, the color options are:
Black and white (note: you do not need to add white food coloring since the icing itself is white)
Blue and orange
Yellow and purple
Red and green
Red, yellow, and blue
Add liquid food coloring by dropping it in with the bottle's dropper cap. Add paste or gel colors by dipping a toothpick into the color and swirling the same toothpick into the white icing, thereby transferring the color.
10. **Add black to darken the gray.** If you like the tint of the gray but want a darker shade, mix small amounts of black into the frosting until you reach the desired hue.
You can darken the icing with black food coloring regardless of the colors used to produce the gray.
Alternatively, you should be able to create a more vibrant shade by adding more of the original colors to the icing. The higher concentration of color will make the gray brighter. This can be tricky, however, since you'll need to use the exact same amounts of each color to avoid changing the hue.
11. **Tint the gray with color as desired.** If the gray seems a little too flat, try mixing in a small amount of some other color to slightly alter the hue.
For neutral gray, you can tint the hue using nearly any other color.
For complementary and primary grays, you should only tint the hue by adding a greater amount of one color already involved. For instance, if you made the gray with red, blue, and yellow food dye, you should only use red, blue, or yellow tints (not green, purple, or orange).
12. **Choose the gray you wish to create.** You can make neutral, complementary, or primary gray using polymer clay. Choose whichever option appeals most to you.
If you want to create a pure gray without any tint, it's best to create a neutral gray.
If you do want to tint the gray, though, primary or complementary grays can simplify the process and reduce your overall number of supplies.
13. **Pinch off equal parts of the involved colors.** Grab equal amounts of each involved color. Knead the colors separately, then knead them together.
Your color options are:
Black and white
Blue and orange
Red and green
Yellow and purple
Red, yellow, and green
To knead the colors together, simply stick the separate colors together and roll the mashed ball in between your hands, flattening and re-rolling as needed. Continue until no marbling remains. The colors should be evenly mixed into a solid gray.
14. **Lighten the color, if desired.** If you want to lighten the color without changing its value, knead a pinch of translucent clay into the ball of gray.
Translucent clay has no color, so it won't change the shade or hue of the gray. Instead, it will simply make the gray seem duller and less vibrant.
When choosing how much translucent clay to use, the total amount should not exceed one-third the total amount of your gray clay.
15. **Lighten the shade, if desired.** When you want to lighten the actual shade of the gray, knead a small amount of white into the existing ball.
You can add white regardless of the colors used to create the original gray.
While you could technically darken the color by adding black, it can be difficult to mix black clay into other colors without ruining them. Darkening neutral gray in this manner is much easier, though, since it already contains a black component.
16. **Consider tinting the clay.** Once you're satisfied with the saturation of color and shade, determine whether or not you want to add a tint.
Tint the clay by mixing in small amounts of one color.
You should be able to use nearly any color when tinting neutral gray, but you'll need to stick with one of the original colors when tinting complementary or primary grays. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Gray", "language": "en"} |
How to Make a Mad Scientist Costume | If you're looking for a fun, inexpensive costume idea for this Halloween season, do something different by dressing as the classic mad scientist. This wild-haired weirdo is instantly recognizable and will stand out among the swarms of new, trendy costumes. It's simple: a couple items of clothing and a few appropriate props and you'll look the part.
1. **Find a white lab coat.** Get a white lab coat to use as the visual base for your costume. The lab coat is one of the staples of the mad scientist look and is one of the things that will make your costume identifiable to people right away. You can usually find lab coats and other medical garments for sale at thrift stores, or you may be able to buy one of a moderate quality new without dropping too much money.
If you choose to wear the lab coat open, find a plain collared dress shirt to wear underneath. You can also button up the coat so that you don't have to worry about showing off another layer.
Create a name tag prop to clip to the pocket of your lab coat and give your homemade mad scientist an inventive name.
2. **Get a pair of plain dress pants.** For your lower half, put on a pair of plain khakis or pleated dress pants to accompany the doctoral appearance. You'll have a little freedom in this area in terms of color and style, but black, brown or another darker shade will probably work best to go along with the “mad” theme. Wash and press your pants for a clean lab-ready look, or cover them with weird stains to make it look like you've been performing experiments.
Complete the scatter-brained appearance characteristic of the theme of the costume by wearing a pair of pants that are a few sizes too big.
Avoid wearing jeans. They're a little too casual for the look you're creating, and may end up making you look more like Doogie Howser than a mad scientist.
3. **Don a frizzy white wig.** Cover your own hair with a crazy gray or white wig: the more out of the control, the better. This is another part of the costume that will define your look and make it known to people what you are. Most costume stores sell ready-made wigs specifically for costumes like this, so pick one up and let everyone see just how mad your crazed projects have driven you.
For best results, find a wig that's bald on the top but has longer, unkempt hair on the back and sides.
4. **Pull on some rubber gloves.** A pair of rubber gloves will make a nice touch for your costume. Simply put on a pair of basic surgical latex gloves, or find a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves that fit up to the elbow to make it look like your work is particularly dangerous or icky. The gloves will look great when paired with the right props and accessories later on.
Be sure that you don't have any allergies or irritations caused by latex before you wear gloves as part of your outfit.
Rubber dish washing gloves that reach up to the elbow are inexpensive and would be a good fit for this costume.
5. **Wear glasses.** No mad scientist look would be complete without a set of spectacles. For this part of the costume, snag a cheap pair of low-strength reading glasses, or, better yet, a prop pair with plain glass lenses. You could even check your local Halloween goods store to see if they sell a pair of costume glasses with comically oversized frames and lenses. Exaggerated is good with this costume!
Prescription glasses can strain your eyes if you don't actually need them to see, so find another option first if you can. Otherwise, just push them to the tip of your nose and don't look directly through them.
6. **Put on a brain cap.** If a regular wig isn't zany enough for what you have in mind for your costume, try out a brain cap or makeup prosthetic. This accessory will make it look like the top portion of your skull has been opened, exposing your evil genius brain. A brain cap will lend your costume a little extra over-the-top humor if you're looking for something beyond the normal look.
7. **Stick on some bushy eyebrows.** To really play up the wacky old lunatic angle, make your eyebrows match your hairdo. Purchase or make your own set of adhesive bushy white eyebrows and stick them on before you go out in your costume. Instantly add years of age and multiple degrees of insanity to your aesthetic!
To make your own fake eyebrows, cut a small faux-fur sample into strips or pull apart a couple of cotton balls and use eyelash adhesive to fix them to the skin around your own eyebrows.
8. **Wear goggles or googly-eye glasses.** Instead of normal glasses, throw on a pair of lab goggles or some gag glasses that feature spiraling vortex lenses or eyeballs that pop out on springs. This will give your costume another little bit of eye-catching visual appeal—no pun intended. Alternately, you could rig up your own ocular contraption and tell people they're your “X-ray specs.”
9. **Apply a little makeup.** Use a small amount of makeup to enhance your look once your costume is complete. A light smudging of charcoal or black face paint can make you look like you've been working with dangerously combustible chemicals, or some fake blood splatter will hint at unspeakable surgeries if you're not worried about ruining your clothes. Get creative and think of ways to use makeup effects to highlight the particular image you're trying to achieve.
Don't go too crazy with the makeup. Makeup and face paint might run throughout the course of the night, which can stain your clothes and make a mess of your costume.
10. **Carry a clipboard.** Bring an old clipboard along and fill it with odd hand-drawn notes and sketches. Take it out and scribble on it frantically now and then like you're recording your observations about the people and things around you. Now you'll appear ready to conduct your experiments.
Get other people involved by pretending to study them briefly, then writing down their costume name in a checklist like you intend to make them part of an experiment.
11. **Fill your pockets with odds and ends.** Stuff the pockets of your lab coat with whatever scientific implements you can find: pens and pencils, rulers, a calculator, a pocket protector, etc. Incorporate these tools into your costume's theme by periodically taking them out and pretending to use them to write notes or take readings. This is a small touch but one that adds a lot of detail to the costume.
12. **Create a glowing potion.** Here's a fun prop idea: take a laboratory flask, beaker or measuring cup and add a few ounces of a brightly colored flavored drink mix and water (or just food coloring), then place a glow stick in the center and watch the whole concoction light up. Your glowing serum will look great while trick-or-treating in a dark neighborhood or when you break it out at a party.
Be careful about using breakable objects for your container, or potentially toxic substances like glow stick liquid. Do not drink the potion if you've used a glow stick in it.
13. **Show off a specimen in a jar.** As a creepy alternative to a glowing potion, buy a small rubber animal or monster figurine and put it in an ordinary mason jar, then fill the whole thing up with water to create a neat little specimen for display. A frog or spider would serve this purpose well, or you could even find a fake hand prop or some plastic eyeballs to really give people the heebie-jeebies. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Mad-Scientist-Costume", "language": "en"} |
How to Punt a Football | A punt is a play in American and Canadian football in which the football is kicked down field to the opposing team in the hopes of giving the receiving team a more advantages position when the possession changes -- therefore, a successful punt should kick the ball as far down the field as possible while staying within bounds. In contrast, a drop punt in Australian rules football is a precise kick downfield, usually to a player on the same team. Whether you're playing American, Canadian, or Australian football, the techniques for punting the ball are very similar. If you want to know how to punt a football, just follow these steps.
1. **Hold the ball out in front of you, with the laces pointing up.** Grip it with your dominant hand as if you were going to give it a handshake, firmly holding it between your thumb and fingers. Extend your dominant arm as far in front of you as you can, continuing to hold the ball horizontally, with the laces still pointing up, pushing the ball out.
Angle the nose of the ball to point slightly in the opposite direction of your dominant hand (if you're right-handed, point it slightly to the left).
2. **Take two steps forward.** Stand in a controlled open stance, with your feet about a foot (.3 meters) apart, with one foot about 4 inches in front of the other (10 cm). It doesn't matter which foot is in front. Once you've positioned your feet, you'll need to take two steps forward -- the first with your kicking foot, the second with your other foot -- so that you've gained some momentum while keeping your kicking foot behind your other foot.
Your forward steps should be smooth and controlled. Don't walk or run toward the ball; instead, approach it at a fast pace.
Take two normal-sized steps. Taking stutter steps or long strides will make it more difficult for you to punt the ball.
3. **Kick the ball right after you drop it.** The ball has to be dropped parallel to the ground so you kick it in the right direction. Kick your foot forward and drop the ball at the same time so that you kick the ball as late as you can, so you're almost kicking it out of your fingers without actually making contact with your hand. Kick your foot straight up so that it hits the ball dead on, instead of kicking it across your body, as many people have a tendency to do.
Your toes should be pointed forward and you should kick the ball with the top of your kicking foot.
Move your dominant hand away to the side, and lift your other hand in the air to help you follow through and gain momentum.
You should make contact at the height of your knee.
4. **Follow through.** Finish the kicking motion, kicking your leg almost as high as it will go to maximize the ball's height and speed. When you're done kicking, plant your foot back on the ground. Then, watch in awe as your ball travels over the field.
5. **Stand 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage.**
6. **Call "Hike!" when you are ready for the play.** This will tell the center that you're ready for him to snap the ball to you.
7. **Catch the ball.** If you want to punt the ball, then you have to catch the ball without letting it hit the ground first. If you fumble the ball or just don't catch it completely, then you won't be able to punt it.
8. **Prepare to punt the ball.** Once you've caught the ball, get ready to take two steps forward and kick it forward using the top of your dominant foot. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Punt-a-Football", "language": "en"} |
How to Create Glow in the Dark Log Campfire Stools | Ready to tell some spooky campfire stories in the woods during your next camping adventure? Make the evening a little less scary by creating glow-in-the-dark log campfire stools. You don’t even need real logs to create these stools, just seating that can be transformed into chairs that glow in the night.
1. **Shop for the supplies.** A list of what you need is provided by scrolling to the end of this article, under Things You'll Need. In terms of the stool, this could be wood or plastic but check that the glow-in-the-dark paint is suitable for the surface.
For a bit of fun, this article sidestepped human-made stools and chose a tree stump instead. If you use a tree stump, check that it is clean, as in next step.
2. **Prepare the stools for painting.** Whether you need to clean, sand or simply dust off the stool, make sure the stool is prepped and ready to receive a few coats of paint.
Sand down any sharp parts if using wood, or remove old screws, etc., that might be sticking out.
3. **Cover the area where you'll be painting.** This will avoid staining the ground or work surface.
4. **Determine how the stools will be painted.** You can simply cover the entire stool in the same color, or you could get more creative. For example:
Write each stool owner’s name on the underside of each seat. Or, choose a different color paint for each stool, as a way of personalization.
Add ladybugs, frogs, bees or other cute designs that are simple to paint.
Ask children to paint on their own interesting design. This can allow them to express their artistic selves freely.
5. **Add the first coat of paint according to the manufacturer's instructions.**
6. **Allow for enough time to dry.** Depending on where you paint the stool, (heat or humidity add on to dry time), this could take up to 24 hours. Again, read the manufacturer's suggestions before assuming it's dry.
7. **Evaluate the paint job to see if the stool is adequately covered.** If necessary, add a second coat of paint. The color should really pop, so add another coat of paint if it doesn’t have a vibrant appearance from the first coat.
8. **Place the stools in the room or outdoor area where they'll be useful for sitting.**
9. **Leave a bright light focused on the stools for a time.** If this is outdoors, use a spotlight or use lamps with extension cords (tape down any cords that cross walking areas, to avoid tripping). Then turn off the light and the stools should glow.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for any deviation from this method.
| en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Create-Glow-in-the-Dark-Log-Campfire-Stools", "language": "en"} |
How to Burn Palo Santo Wood | Palo santo ("holy wood") is the common name for a tree that grows in coastal South America. For centuries, it has been prized for its restorative qualities. It is an important part of many spiritual ceremonies, as well as practices like aromatherapy. Burn palo santo when you want to purge negative influences from your surroundings, promote relaxation to help you manage stress, or simply make your home or vehicle smell better. Once you’ve successfully lit a stick, waft the smoke through the room and enjoy its rich, tantalizing scent.
1. **Obtain some palo santo wood.** You can often find palo santo at aromatherapy stores, bohemian shops, yoga and massage studios and places where holistic medical supplies are sold. The wood usually comes in bundles, with 5-6 sticks per bundle. It is naturally bold and fragrant, with hints of citrus, spice, and mint.
If you’re having trouble tracking down palo santo locally, try ordering it from holistic lifestyle websites online.
The wood is also available in cone form, making it suitable for incense burners and scent diffusers.
2. **Light the palo santo over an open flame.** Take hold of one end of the stick and hold the opposite end to a fire, candle, or lighter. Rotate the stick back and forth slowly in the flame. Palo santo is a dense wood that doesn’t burn easily, so it may take a few seconds for it to catch.
Watch for a glowing ember to form at the end of the stick.
3. **Blow out the flame.** Once you’ve successfully lit the wood, let it burn for about 30 seconds, then give it a forceful gust to snuff the fire engulfing the tip. It will continue to smolder until it goes out on its own or you decide to extinguish it.
4. **Fan the stick to keep it lit.** If the ember looks like it’s in danger of dying before the wood has begun to emit smoke, a little air will help reignite it. Shake or blow on the stick gently to get it going again. This may only work as a temporary measure, however—even with some assistance, it might need to be relit several times before it has burned out completely.
Be careful not to blow so hard that you extinguish the flame accidentally.
5. **Waft the smoke around the room.** Wave the stick through the air in all directions to release the pungent smoke. As it continues to burn, it will fill the room with a mild and pleasant aroma. Guide the wood over any areas you want to purify, including corners, corridors, and inside closets.
Avoid bringing the palo santo too close to your hair, clothing, or body while you’re holding it.
Have an ashtray or similar receptacle on hand to catch the ash that falls from the burnt wood.
6. **Extinguish the stick in a metal, glass, or ceramic bowl.** When you’re ready to put out the palo santo, grind the lit tip into a fireproof receptacle that won’t melt or leave behind any unsightly marks. A thin layer of sand or ashes will help snuff the wood faster. Check to make sure the stick has stopped burning before you walk away and leave it unattended.
Many palo santo users recommend metal containers over glass and ceramic, which have been known to crack or shatter when exposed to intense heat
Since it burns so slowly, a single stick of palo santo can give you up to half an hour of use, depending on its size and thickness.
7. **Use palo santo to destress and recenter.** The wood’s delicate, calming smoke makes it a perfect addition to a home aromatherapy session. Light a stick and place it in a safe receptacle a few feet away to continue burning. Inhale the scent as you meditate, practice yoga, or simply ease your mind after a long day.
Palo santo makes a simple yet exotic alternative to scented candles and ordinary varieties of incense.
Bring a stick and ashtray along with you while you take a long, relaxing soak in the tub.
8. **Ward off bugs.** Palo santo is an exceptional natural insect repellent—in fact, that was one of its original uses. The next time you’re having a backyard barbecue or entertaining guests on the patio, leave a stick or two of the wood smoldering nearby. You’ll be able to enjoy your engagement without the constant buzzing and biting.
The sharp fragrance of palo santo is very effective for keeping persistent pests like flies, gnats, and mosquitoes at bay.
Try burning palo santo in your porch or foyer to drive out bugs that have already found their way inside.
9. **Cleanse the atmosphere in your home.** Many enthusiasts believe that palo santo is imbued with powerful spiritual properties that can clear away negative energies. To restore balance in your home, carry a burning stick from room to room, letting the smoke spread to the ceiling. Focus on sending peaceful, loving vibrations radiating outward with the smoke.
To dispel stubborn lingering energies, combine a stick of palo santo with a bundle of dried sage—another potent item that’s commonly employed in cleansing rituals.
10. **Purify your aura.** Just as palo santo can be used to banish negative influences from your personal space, it can also work wonders on your mood. Guide the stick slowly up and down the length of your body several times, letting the smoke hover a few inches away from you. Imagine your anxiety, fear, and anger dissipating with each pass. When you’re done, allow the wood to burn out on its own.
If you wish, you can recite a prayer of healing or wisdom while smudging.
Remember to keep the palo santo a safe distance from you at all times.
11. **Treat the symptoms of a minor illness.** Another possible application for palo santo is as a safe, all-natural home remedy. The essences of the smoke act similarly to compounds like camphor and menthol, and have the ability to reduce the severity of nausea, sinus congestion, and headaches.
Avoid breathing the burning wood too deeply, or it could irritate your nose, throat, and lungs. It’s the fragrance you want, not the smoke.
Palo santo and other holistic remedies should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. If you’re really sick, see a doctor. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Burn-Palo-Santo-Wood", "language": "en"} |
How to Quit Porn as a Muslim | Porn addiction is a serious problem no matter what, but it can be even more severe if you’re a Muslim. Accessing porn can interfere with your sense of spiritual well-being, which may cause you to feel ashamed. Luckily, there are ways that you can overcome a porn addiction. Start by reaching out to other people for help. You can also use strategies to prevent yourself from accessing porn and to develop healthier habits.
1. **Keep a diary to identify what triggers you to look at porn.** The first step to change anything is awareness, so you need to be honest with yourself and understand your relationship to the pornography. Try keeping a diary of times when you felt tempted to access porn and any times that you followed through with the urges as well. Record how you were feeling, where you were, what time of day it was, and any other factors that you think may have contributed to your urge to access porn. Make a note of the feelings of shame and guilt that you felt afterwards. Review your diary after 2 weeks to look for patterns.
For example, you might notice that you tend to become aroused and access porn late at night, after watching movies that feature love scenes, or when you’re bored. Knowing these triggers can help you to be more mindful and prevent accessing porn.
2. **Make a list of the pros and cons of accessing porn.** Writing down all the reasons why you like and dislike using porn may help you to see it as more negative than positive. This may also help you to become more mindful of the habit. List anything that you view as positive about accessing porn under the pros side and everything you see as negative about it under the cons side.
For example, under pros you might list things like “relaxes me,” “takes my mind off being lonely,” and “makes me feel good for a little while.” Under the cons side, you might list things like, “costs me money,” “makes me feel ashamed and dirty,” “displeases my Creator" and "will lead me to Hellfire."
Try keeping the list with you and reading over it often to help remind yourself of the reasons why you want to stop using porn.
Try to understand how the Shaytaan (devil) operates, how he takes advantage of human weaknesses and tries to weaken our faith by drawing us towards temptation.
3. **Block porn sites on your computer** This may be a good option if you find yourself mindlessly accessing them. Download a browser that makes it easy to block the porn sites or change the settings in your existing browser to make these sites off limits.
Subscribe to an internet accountability service, which periodically sends a list of questionable websites visited and internet searches to a trusted confidant, religious leader or parent, to whom you will have then to account for your choices.
For a more extreme option, you might even cancel your home internet access for a month or two so that you will have no way of getting to porn sites while you are at home.
4. **Turn to Allah by saying a prayer whenever you get the urge to access porn.** If your faith is your primary motivation for quitting porn, praying will be a helpful strategy for you. Try saying a prayer every time you get the urge to access porn. Ask Allah to give you the strength to resist your urges and help you to become a good Muslim. You might even write down the prayer to pull it out and recite it any time you feel tempted.
If you do slip up, it is very important to pray to Allah to acknowledge your sin, promise with sincerity not to repeat it and ask for forgiveness.
Remember that Allah loves to forgive those that turn to Him when they fall to temptation, but hates it when we repeat the same sin and may decide that punishment is due.
5. **Watch for signs of porn addiction in yourself.** Porn addiction can cause many of the same types of issues as other addictions, such as to alcohol or drugs. Check yourself for symptoms to determine if you might benefit from seeking help. You might be addicted to porn if you:
Feel out of control and unable to stop or limit your porn use.
Experience a cycle of shame, guilt, remorse, and depression after viewing porn.
Go out of your way to conceal your porn habit from other people.
Spend a large amount of time thinking about pornography.
Have developed a masturbation habit when viewing porn.
Have increased the amount of time that you spend watching porn and let it interfere with other responsibilities.
Experience relationship issues as a result of your porn use.
6. **Talk with a trusted friend, family member, or imam.** Muslims are normally encouraged to conceal their sins but reaching out to someone for help is an important part of recovery, so find someone trustworthy to talk to about what you’re going through. Make sure to choose someone of the same gender who makes you feel comfortable and who will not excessively criticize you or shame you for your addiction.
Try saying something like, “I think I might be addicted to pornography and I want to stop using it.”
Or you could say something like, “I’m worried that I might have an addiction. I am not sure what to do about it.”
7. **Find a Muslim therapist who has experience treating porn addiction.** Talking with a trusted professional and getting psychotherapy is one of the best and healthiest ways to work through a porn addiction because a therapist can help you to develop new tools and strategies to avoid using porn. They can also help you to better understand the religious context of this evil addiction and this may also help you to stop. Find a therapist who has experience treating porn addiction in Muslims and meet with them regularly.
You can search online to find a Muslim therapist in your area who may be able to help you or ask at your local mosque.
8. **Look into 12-step support groups in your area.** Look into Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) meetings in your area and go to a meeting. Attending 12-step support group meetings can help you by giving you opportunities to share your experiences and hear what other people have done to overcome similar circumstances. Being part of a community of people who are all working to overcome their addiction to sex and porn may also help you to feel less alone.
If there are no meetings in your area, consider participating in online meetings or an online forum on overcoming porn addiction.
Try to ensure that your advice comes from an Islamic perspective as some non-Muslim therapists may try to encourage you to satisfy your urges in haram (forbidden by Islam) ways.
Study the evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah that forbids sexual gratification outside marriage and use the divinely prescribed penalties to motivate yourself to stay away from such sin.
Understand that intentionally sinning in this way leads to Hellfire and that only Allah can save you from this fate.
Try to be mindful of the rewards that are available in this life and the next to those that are able to control their inner desires and live life in the way that pleases Allah.
9. **Ask your doctor about trying medication to help reduce your urges.** While medication has not been well studied for its effects on treating porn addiction, some medications can help to reduce your libido and curb addictive tendencies. Ask your doctor about medications if your addiction is severe or if you have been unable to control your porn use with other strategies.
Examples of medications that may be helpful for treating porn addiction include naltrexone, paroxetine, and SSRI antidepressants, such as fluoxetine and sertraline.
10. **Exercise** Exercising can help you to feel better by releasing endorphins and reducing stress. This may make more tired and less likely to want to access porn at bedtime. Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy and participate in it for 30 minutes on most days of the week.
For example, you could try running, biking, swimming, boxing, horse riding, archery or something else that you like doing.
11. **Volunteer** Spending spare time helping other Muslims or promoting a good cause may help to get your mind off of porn. Look into activities that you could participate in through your mosque if you want to spend more time around other Muslims or work on deepening your faith. Or, you could volunteer at a local homeless shelter or other charity for the less fortunate.
You could also look into a class or study group at your mosque to help you develop your relationship with Allah.
Consider volunteering at a madrassa to help young Muslims learn about their religion.
Try to develop your daily routine of worship, especially your prayers, so that pleasing Allah becomes the central focus of every day. That way, you will find it much easier to combat temptation and stay away from sin.
A great way of becoming more mindful of Allah is by repeating beautiful phrases, such as Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar, over and over again as you go about your daily business.
12. **Set goals for yourself to stay focused on something positive.** Having goals may also help you to avoid accessing porn. Identify a skill you’d like to learn, a hobby you’d like to take up, or a personal goal you’d like to work towards.
For example, you could set a goal to run a 5K, learn to recite your favourite surah with beautiful Tajweed, or try to improve your Arabic.
Closely following the Islamic dress code is a good way of reminding yourself of the standards of behavior that are expected of all young Muslims.
13. **Manage stress and anxiety with relaxation techniques.** If you sometimes feel triggered to access porn due to stress, learning some stress reduction techniques may be helpful. Try doing deep breathing, yoga, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation whenever you feel stressed and see if this helps to reduce your urge to access porn. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Quit-Porn-as-a-Muslim", "language": "en"} |
How to Give an Injection | It is possible to safely and accurately administer your injectable medications in the privacy of your home. Safe injection practices protect the patient, the person giving the injection, as well as the environment. The two common types of injections administered at home are subcutaneous, which mean the needle only penetrates the skin and fat tissues (ex. insulin injections), and intramuscular injections, which go slightly deeper to penetrate the muscle. If you must give yourself injections or give injections to a close friend or family member, you must first learn how to do so from the healthcare provider who is prescribing the medication to be injected.
1. **Determine what type of injection you are giving.** Your doctor or should give you detailed directions on the type of injection you will administer as well as the technique. When you are ready, review the detailed instructions that come with the medication as well as the directions given to you by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. If you have any questions or doubts about how and when to administer the injection, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Ask questions if you are not sure about the correct syringe, needle length, and needle gauge before proceeding.
Some medications come ready-to-use, while others require you to fill the needle with medication from a vial.
Be very clear on the supplies you need for the injection. Some people receive more than one type of injection at home.
It is easy to confuse the syringes and needles needed for one injection with those intended for use with another medication injection.
2. **Be familiar with the product packaging.** Not all injectable medication packaging is the same. Some medications may need reconstitution before administration. Many come packaged with everything you need including syringes and needles. Again, it is that your healthcare provider teaches you about your medication and any preparatory steps specific to that medication. Simply reading the instructions or a "How To" is not sufficient — you must have access to a direct link to ask questions and become educated on your medication and the administration.
Once you have talked to your doctor, you can also review the product literature, which will give clear step-by-step instructions on anything you need to do in order to prepare the medication for administration. Again, this is should not be considered a replacement for talking to your healthcare provider about how to prepare and administer the medication.
The literature will also tell you the recommended syringe size, needle size, and needle gauge, if those are not included in the packaging.
Give a medication packaged in a single dose vial. Common manufacturer packaging for many injectable medications is done by putting the medication into a vial called a single dose vial.
The label on the medication vial will say either “single dose vial” or will contain the abbreviation, SDV.
This means each vial contains only one dose. There may be fluid left in the vial after you have prepared the dose you need to give.
The remainder of the medication in the vial is to be discarded and not saved for another dose.
3. **Prepare a dose from a multi dose vial.** Other medications are packaged in a multi-dose-vial, which does allow for more than one dose to be withdrawn from the vial.
The label on the medication will say “multi-dose vial” or contain the abbreviation, MDV.
If the medication you are using is packaged in a multi-dose vial, use a permanent marker to write the date it was first opened on the container.
Store the medication in the refrigerator between doses. Do not freeze the medication.
Small amounts of preservatives may be used in the manufacturing process for medications contained in multi-dose-vial. This helps to minimize the growth of any contaminants, but only protects the purity of the medication for up to 30 days after the vial is opened.
The vial should be discarded 30 days after the first date of opening has passed, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
4. **Gather your supplies.** You will need the medication package or vial, the syringe that comes with the product if available, a purchased syringe-needle unit, or separate syringes and needles that are put together at the time of administration. Other items you need include alcohol pads, a small gauze pad or cotton ball, a band-aid, and a sharps container.
Remove the outer seal from the medication vial then wipe the rubber top of the with an alcohol pad. Always let the area air dry after wiping with an alcohol pad. Don't blow on the top of the vial or the cleaned skin as this can cause contamination.
Use the gauze pad or cotton ball to apply pressure on the injection site to reduce bleeding. Cover this with a band-aid.
The sharps container is used as an important safety measure to protect the patient, caregiver, and community from biohazardous materials. The container is a thick, plastic, bin designed to hold used sharps. Sharps are lancets, syringes, and needles. When the sharps container is full, arrangements are made to transfer it to a place that destroys biohazard equipment.
5. **Examine the medication.** Be sure you have the right medicine in the right strength, and the expiration date has not passed. Be sure the medication vial or package has been stored according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some products are stable when kept at room temperature before use and others may need refrigeration.
Check the packaging for visible damage such as cracks or dents in the vial that holds the medication.
Look at the area around the top of the vial. Check for cracks and dents in the seal around the top of the medication container. Dents can mean that the sterility of the packaging may no longer be reliable.
Look at the liquid inside the container. Check for particulate matter which is anything unusual or floating inside the container. Most injectable medications are clear.
Some insulins appear cloudy. If you notice anything other than clear liquid inside the container, other than some insulins products, then discard it.
6. **Wash your hands.** Thoroughly clean your hands using soap and water.
Include washing your nail area, between your fingers, and your wrist area.
This helps prevent contamination and reduce the risk of infection.
It is recommended to wear FDA approved gloves such as Medint Latex Examination Gloves prior to an ejection as an extra barrier against bacteria and infection.
7. **Inspect the syringe and needle.** Be sure the syringe and needle are in unopened, sterile packaging that shows no evidence of damage or deterioration. Upon opening, check the syringe for cracks in the barrel or discoloration of any part of the syringe. This includes the rubber top on the plunger. Any damage or deterioration indicates the syringe should not be used.
Examine the needle for any evidence of damage. Be sure the needle has not been bent or broken. Do not use any product that appears damaged including damage to the packaging that might indicate the needle is no longer considered sterile.
Some packaged syringes and needles have a visible expiration date, but not all manufacturers provide this on the packaging. If you are concerned that a product is too old to use, contact the manufacturer. Have any lot numbers available when you call.
Discard damaged or deteriorated syringes, or those that have expired, by putting them in a sharps container.
8. **Verify that you have the correct size and type of syringe.** Be sure to use a syringe designed for the injection you are giving. Avoid interchanging different types of syringes as this can result in serious errors in dosing. Use only the type of syringe recommended for the medication you are giving.
Select a syringe that holds a little more than the amount you need to administer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the needle length and gauge
The needle gauge is the number that describes the diameter of the needle. Larger numbers mean skinnier needles. Some medications are thicker and need a smaller gauge, or larger diameter needle.
Most syringes and needles are currently manufactured as a single unit for safety reasons. When you select your syringe size you are also selecting your needle length and gauge. Be sure you have the proper equipment to administer the injection. This information is detailed in the product literature, or is available by asking your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse.
Separate syringes and needles are still available. If this is what you have, then assemble the syringe and needle. Make sure that the syringe is the proper size and the needle is sterile, unused, and the correct length and gauge for the type of injection you're performing. Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections use different needles.
9. **Fill the syringe.** Follow the packaging instructions if available or proceed with filling the syringe from the medication vial.
Sterilize the top of the vial with alcohol and allow it to air dry for several minutes.
Prepare to fill your syringe. Know exactly how much liquid medication you need to withdraw and administer for your dose. Your syringe should contain exactly the amount of the prescribed dose. This information is available on the prescription label or the instructions provided by the doctor or pharmacy.
To fill the syringe, pull the plunger back to fill it with air equal to the exact amount of fluid you will need.
Holding the vial upside down, insert the needle into the rubber seal, and push the plunger to inject the air from the syringe into the vial.
Pull the plunger out to withdraw the fluid to the exact amount needed for administration.
Sometimes air bubbles are visible in the syringe. Tap the syringe gently while the needle is still in the medication vial. This moves the air to the top of the syringe.
Push the air back into the vial then withdraw more medication if needed to be sure you have the exact amount you need to administer.
10. **Get the patient comfortable.** Consider icing the area before administering the injection to reduce pain, particularly if the patient is a child. Let him or her sit in a comfortable position with the area exposed.
Be sure you can comfortably reach the area of administration.
Have the person remain as still and relaxed as possible.
If you wipe the area with alcohol, wait several minutes for the area to air dry before inserting the needle into the skin.
11. **Determine the injection site based on your doctor's instructions.** A subcutaneous injection (SQ) is one given into the fatty layer of the skin. SQ injections are necessary for specific medications and for doses that usually require small amounts. The fat layer where the injection is given is between the skin and the muscle.
One place that is good to give a subcutaneous injection is the abdomen. Select an area below the waist and above the hip bone, and about two inches away from the belly button. Avoid the belly button area.
SQ injections can be given in the thigh area, halfway between the knee and hip, and slightly to the side as long as you can pinch up one to two inches of skin.
The lower back is a good place for SQ injections. Target the area above the buttocks, below the waist, and halfway between the spine and the side.
The upper arm is a usable site as long as there is enough skin to pinch up one to two inches. Use the area of the upper arm that is halfway between the elbow and shoulder.
Alternating between sites will help prevent bruising and skin damage. You can also alter within the same general site by using different patches of skin within that area.
12. **Proceed with the injection.** Clean the skin on and around the site with rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to dry before administering the injection. This shouldn't take more than a minute or two.
Do not touch the wiped area with your hands or any other material before giving the injection.
Verify that you have the right drug, right site of injection, and that you have prepared the correct dose for administration.
Hold the syringe with your dominant hand and pull the needle cover off with your other hand. Pinch the skin with your non-dominant hand.
13. **Determine your angle of entry.** Depending on the amount of skin you can pinch, you can insert the needle at either a 45 degree or 90 degree angle.
Use a 45 degree angle if you can only pinch about one inch of skin.
If you can pinch two inches of skin, then insert the needle at a 90 degree angle.
Grasp the syringe tightly and use a quick motion of your wrist to puncture the skin with the needle.
Insert the needle quickly and carefully at the determined angle with your dominant hand while pinching the skin with your other hand. Quick needle insertion helps prevent the patient from becoming tense.
Aspiration for a SQ injection is not necessary. There is no harm in doing so unless you are administering blood thinning agents, such as enoxaparin sodium.
To aspirate, pull the plunger back slightly and check for the appearance of blood in the syringe. If there is blood, then remove the needle and find a different spot to administer the injection. If no blood is found, continue.
14. **Inject the medicine into the patient.** Push the plunger down until all the fluid has been released.
Remove the needle. Push down on the skin above the injection site and use a quick and careful motion to remove the needle in the same angle in which it was administered.
The whole process doesn't need to take more than five or ten seconds.
Discard all used sharps in a sharps container.
15. **Administer an insulin injection.** Insulin injections are given SQ but require different syringes to be sure each dose is accurate Plus, insulin administration is ongoing. Keeping a record of injection sites is an important part of insulin administration that helps you to rotate your sites.
Recognize the difference in syringes. Using a regular syringe can cause serious dosing errors.
Insulin syringes are graduated in units instead of cc’s or mls. It is critical that you use an insulin syringe when giving insulin.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure you understand which type of insulin syringe to use with your prescribed insulin type and dosage.
16. **Determine the injection site.** An intramuscular injection (IM) delivers medication directly into a muscle. Choose an injection site that has easy access to muscle tissue.
There are four primary sites recommended for administering IM injections. Those include the thigh, the hip, the buttocks, and the upper arm.
Alternate between injection sites to prevent bruising, soreness, scarring, and skin changes.
17. **Give the injection into the thigh.** The vastus lateralis is the name of the muscle that you will be targeting for your medication delivery site.
Visually divide the thigh into three sections. The middle section is the target for the IM injection.
This is a good site if you are giving yourself an IM injection since you can easily see and reach the target area.
18. **Use the ventrogluteal muscle.** This muscle is located in the hip. Use landmarks on the body to find the location where you want to inject the medication.
Find the proper location by having the person lie on his or her side. Place the heel of your hand on the upper and outer part of the thigh where it joins the buttocks.
Point your fingers toward the person’s head and point your thumb towards the groin.
You should feel a bone along the tips of your ring finger and little finger.
Form a V shape by moving your pointer finger away from the other fingers. The injection is given in the middle part of the V shape.
19. **Give the injection into the buttocks.** The dorsogluteal muscle is the area where you want to inject the medication. With practice the target area becomes easier to locate, but begin by using physical landmarks and divide the area into quadrants to be sure you have the correct area.
Draw an imaginary line, or actual line using an alcohol wipe if available, from the top of the crack to the side of the body. Locate the midpoint of that line, and move up three inches.
Draw another line that crossed the first one, forming a cross.
Locate a curved bone in the upper outer square or quadrant. The injection should be given in the upper outer square below the curved bone.
20. **Administer the injection in the upper arm.** The deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm and is a good site for IM injections if there is adequate muscle tissue. Use an alternate site if the person is thin or has little muscle in that area.
Find the acromion process, or the bone that crosses the upper arm.
Draw an imaginary upside down triangle with the bone as the base and the point of the triangle is the level of the armpit.
Give the injection in the middle of the triangle, one to two inches below the acromion process.
21. **Clean the skin on and around the site with an alcohol wipe.** Allow the alcohol to dry before administering the injection.
Do not touch the cleaned area with your fingers or any other material before giving the injection.
Hold the syringe firmly with your dominant hand and remove the needle cover with your other hand.
Put pressure on the skin where you are giving the injection. Push down gently and pull the skin so it is tight.
22. **Insert the needle.** Use your wrist to inject the needle through the skin at a 90 degree angle. You will need to force the needle deep enough to be sure you deliver the medication into muscle tissue. Selecting the correct needle length helps to guide you in the injection process.
Aspirate by pulling the plunger back slightly. Look for blood that is pulled back into the syringe as you pull back on the plunger.
If there is blood, then carefully remove the needle and find a different spot to administer the injection. If no blood is seen then continue with giving the injection.
23. **Carefully inject the medicine into the patient.** Push the plunger down until all of the fluid has been released.
Do not push too hard on the plunger as this forces the medication into the site too fast. Push the plunger in a steady but slow manner to reduce pain.
Remove the needle in the same angle in which it was injected.
Cover the injection site with a small gauze pad or a cotton ball and a band-aid, and check on it regularly. Make sure it looks clean and the injection site is not continuing to bleed.
24. **Watch for an allergic reaction.** Any new medication should be first administered in a physician's office so the patient can be monitored for allergy signs and symptoms. However, if signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction develop during subsequent treatments, seek medical attention immediately.
Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, a rash or itching; shortness of breath; difficulty swallowing; feeling like your throat or airway is closing; and swelling of the mouth, lips, or face.
Call 911 if symptoms of an allergic reaction develop. You have just injected a medication into the body which speeds up the reaction time if an allergy is present.
25. **Seek medical attention if you develop an infection.** Even the best injection technique can sometimes allow entry of contaminants.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, sore throat, joint and muscle aches, and gastrointestinal problems.
Other symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention include chest tightness, nasal congestion or stuffiness, a widespread rash, and mental changes like confusion or disorientation.
26. **Monitor the injection site.** Watch for changes in skin tissue at the point of injection and the area immediately surrounding it.
Injection site reactions are more common with some drugs than others. Read the product literature before drug administration to know what to look for.
Common reactions that occur at the site of an injection include redness in the area, swelling, itching, bruising, and sometimes a raised lump or hardened area.
Alternating injection sites can help to minimize damage to the skin and surrounding tissue when frequent injections are needed.
Persistent problems with injection site reactions warrant medical evaluation.
27. **Dispose of used items safely.** Sharps containers are a safe way to dispose of used lancets, syringes, and needles. Sharps containers can be purchased at your local pharmacy and are available online.
Never put lancets, syringes, or needles in the regular trash.
Review your state’s guidelines. Your pharmacist can help you to find a program that meets your needs. Many states have clear guidelines and suggestions on developing a safe system for disposing of biohazardous waste created from giving injections at home.
Sharps, including used needles, lancets, and syringes, are biohazardous waste since they are contaminated with skin and blood from direct contact with you or the person receiving the injections.
Consider an arrangement with a company that provides mailback kits. Some companies provide a service that supplies you with sharps containers you need and make arrangements that allow you to safely mail the containers to them when they are full. The company takes responsibility for proper destruction of biohazardous waste.
Ask your pharmacy about safe ways to discard any vials that contain unused medications. Often, any opened vials of medication can be placed into the sharps container. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Give-an-Injection", "language": "en"} |
How to Cook Gammon Joint in Oven | A holiday ham is a tradition for a good reason--it's delicious! Gammon is just uncooked ham, so you need to boil it before it goes in the oven. You can add spices and vegetables to the water to create a more flavorful ham. Then, get it ready for the oven by removing the skin and scoring the fat. Before sticking it in the oven, add a flavorful glaze to create a tasty, sweet layer on the outside of the ham.
1. **Place your gammon joint in a large pot with water.** Pick a pot that's large enough to hold your joint. Pour in cold water, making sure to submerge the joint. Cover the pot with a lid.
If your pot isn't big enough, make sure to turn the joint over halfway through cooking it.
2. **Bring the pot to a boil and then drain the water.** Place the pot on a burner turned to high heat. Let the water come up to a rolling boil. When it does, pour off the water in the sink.
This step helps get rid of the foam that builds up when the meat is cooking. However, you can also just skim the foam off periodically.
3. **Fill the pot back up with water and add seasonings.** Cover the joint again with cold water, and put seasonings in the pot. You can add seasonings like peppercorns and bay leaves, as well as vegetables like carrots, celery, or onions.
You can just add a pinch of each seasoning, such as 12 peppercorns and 4 bay leaves.
You can also use cinnamon, cloves, oranges, or coriander. Use small dashes of cinnamon and clove, as they can overpower the ham flavor.
4. **Simmer the joint for 30 minutes per 1 pound (0.45 kg) of meat.** Let the pot come to a boil again over high heat, and then turn it down so the pot simmers. Use a spoon to skim any foam from the top. Discard the foam.
5. **Drain the joint.** Once the joint is done, let it sit for about 15 minutes outside the water, which will allow it to cool down. You can reserve the liquid to make soup later, or simply drain it off.
6. **Remove the layer of skin.** With a sharp knife, slice off the top layer of skin, leaving the fat underneath it intact. The fat adds flavor and crisps up in the oven. Plus, it helps protect the meat from drying out.
7. **Score the fat with a knife.** Scoring the fat just means making cuts across it. Typically, you make slices across it one way with each line about ⁄2 to ⁄4 inch (1.3 to 1.9 cm) apart. Then, make slices going the opposite direction, too.
Essentially, you're making a diamond pattern across the meat.
Scoring the fat helps it render, meaning melt down. That will make the outside crispy.
8. **Add whole cloves to each "X" if desired.** Whole cloves are a traditional addition to a gammon or ham joint. Push in a whole clove where each scoring mark makes an "X" on the ham, making it look studded.
Cloves have a point on one side that will allow you to just push it into the ham. If you have trouble, make a small cut with a knife into the center of the "X," and slip the clove in.
9. **Set the ham in a roasting pan.** The "gammon" is officially ham now since it's been cooked. Set it in a roasting pan large enough to hold it, preferably one with a lid.
Line the pan with foil first for easy cleanup.
10. **Make your glaze.** A glaze is just a sweet, thick sauce that you coat the ham with. Glazes can contain anything from honey and mustard to maple syrup or marmalade. It's all in the flavors you want to create. A glaze is not absolutely necessary; it just adds another layer of flavor.
Try equal parts of honey and mustard or equal parts maple syrup and mustard. Dijon or coarse-grain mustards are good options.
Alternatively, try a marmalade glaze with 3 spoonfuls of bitter orange marmalade, the juice of 1 orange, and 5 fluid ounces (150 mL) of rum.
For a spiced marinade, add about 2 teaspoons (5 g) of ground allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to a bowl. Mix in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey and 3.5 fluid ounces (100 mL) of rum. Mix it together well before using it as a glaze.
11. **Glaze the meat by spooning it over the ham.** Spoon enough glaze over the ham to coat the meat thoroughly. Use the spoon to spread it out evenly over the meat, so the flavor reaches the whole thing. If you need to, use a kitchen brush to help spread the glaze out.
12. **Cook the meat at 425 °F (218 °C) for 20-30 minutes.** Place the ham in a preheated oven. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, then take it out. Pour the rest of the glaze over the ham, and turn the pan around before sticking it back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
Turning the pan around allows the meat to cook more evenly.
13. **Check for golden brown fat.** The ham is done when the fat turns crispy and golden brown. If the top is crisping up before the rest of the ham, try adding a bit of foil on top of the ham to protect it from the heat.
14. **Take the ham out of the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes.** Once the ham is done, give it a chance to rest. You should leave it alone for about 15 minutes. If you cut it too soon, it will release more juice than you want.
You can carve the ham while it's hot or cold. Ham can also be served hot or cold, depending on your preference.
Store ham in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Gammon-Joint-in-Oven", "language": "en"} |
How to Study for a Social Studies Test | When it comes to preparing for a social studies test, practice makes perfect. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all those names and dates you learned in your social studies class, don't worry! Use flashcards and take great notes to review the information. Then, connect it all together in timelines or summaries to make sure you really understand it. You'll be ready to ace this test in no time!
1. **Read the study guide and test instructions closely.** It’s important to review all the information your teacher provides about the test. Listen carefully when they talk about an upcoming exam, and take notes on what they say. If you’re provided with a study guide, spend your study time reviewing the material listed on it so you’ll be prepared for the material you’ll be tested on.
2. **Make your own flash cards.** Although you might find suitable flash cards online, creating your own will tailor the terms to your class and give you extra study time as you write them. Use your flash cards for 10-20 minutes every day to improve your memory retention. Do not add more than 1-2 sentences of information per flash card so the content is easy to remember.
Flash cards are especially useful for memorizing notable people, events, or dates.
Color code your flash cards to organize them and make memorization a little easier. You might, for example, highlight all major dates in pink, all historical figures in blue, and all important events in yellow.
3. **Add visuals aids to your notes.** Images can be much easier to remember during a test than note pages. Draw a picture while outlining or studying your notes to help you remember important facts. You might even put visual aids on your flash cards to help you recall difficult-to-remember terms. Make your pictures simple so you can easily bring them to mind while taking your exam.
If you're trying to remember who the sixteenth president of the United States is, for example, you could draw a top hat to symbolize Abraham Lincoln. Or you could draw an ocean wave to remember that Napoleon's army lost the Battle of "Water"-loo.
4. **Teach someone else.** Sometimes, speaking your notes aloud can help them solidify in your mind. Ask your parents or guardians, siblings, or friends if you can teach them a lesson on a concept from your classes. Try to sum up the core concepts for them in a few paragraphs. Let them ask any questions they have afterwards to practice for your test.
Make a list of important figures or events beforehand to bring up while you "teach" this person.
If you can't find someone to help you, teach an imaginary student or a stuffed animal.
5. **Re-read your chapters with specific questions in mind.** Study each chapter with a predetermined purpose. Think about major themes, figures, or events you studied this term and keep an eye out for them as you skim the chapter. If you're not sure which themes are most important, pay close attention to chapter subheadings or ask your teacher for guidance.
Write down memorable chapter headings to include in your vocabulary list.
Study your textbook with the goal to bring chapter themes together instead of reading in chronological order.
6. **Make timelines out of your notes.** If you have to memorize events in chronological order, create a timeline to help you visualize the event order more clearly. First, write down all events that you can recall from memory. Then, search your textbook and notes to add in other important events. Highlight any events that you have a hard time remembering so you can study them more before taking the test.
7. **Synthesize your notes into paragraphs to make sure you understand them.** To summarize your notes into concise chunks, turn them into paragraphs with 4-6 sentences. Re-write all of your class or textbook notes twice. First, synthesize them with the notes in front of you. Then, when you're ready, write another paragraph without any notes or study materials in sight.
This method can help you prepare for short-answer or essay questions.
Try to recall at least 5 sentences' worth of information when writing your paragraphs without notes.
8. **Answer every practice problem in your textbook.** Most books will have practice questions next to chapter or section summaries. When you're skimming your textbook before the test, write down every question. Answer them as you find the answer in the corresponding questions.
Later, you can convert these question/answer pairs into flashcards.
9. **Make your own practice test based on your notes.** You might be able to find a practice test online, but for a more personal study session, prepare questions for yourself based on concepts you talked about in class. Pay special attention to any points you're weak on and make more questions on those concepts.
Write your questions based on major themes covered in your class or textbooks.
Wait at least a day before taking the test so you can start it with fresh eyes.
10. **Fill your test with a variety of questions.** Ask your teacher what kinds of questions will be on the test, and model your practice test off of their response. Focus your test on whatever type of questions you are most nervous on answering. If your test is a 50/50 split of matching and essay questions but you're most worried about the matching section, add more of those.
11. **Find a distraction-free environment to take your test.** Practice the test in an environment that mimics both your study spot and how quiet it will be while taking the real test. Libraries or study tables can both provide the right atmosphere. Bring only materials you can use on the test, like pencils, scratch papers, and erasers.
12. **Time yourself.** Ask your teacher if your social studies test will be timed. If it is, complete the practice tests just like you would the real thing. Set a timer before you start the test, and keep an eye on it as you work through the problems. Plan to divide your time between the different sections so you can work effectively.
If you don't complete the practice test in time, don't work yourself up. Continue doing practice tests to improve your time.
Start with the answers you know and skip anything you're unsure about. Return to these questions after you've answered everything else so you can finish as much of the test as possible.
13. **Score your test and review your mistakes.** Once you've finished your practice test, look up the answers in your textbook or go over it with a classmate. Take note of answers you've missed, and create a follow-up practice test centered around these incorrect questions.
14. **Study when you feel most energized.** Some people study best when they wake up an hour before they normally would to study. Others are night owls and like to study in the evening. Think about when you think most clearly, and try to schedule a study session during this time.
Pick a time that also works best with your schedule. Even if you study best at around 6 PM, your parents or guardians might not want you to skip dinner. Try studying an hour earlier or later.
Avoid using sugar or caffeine to stay alert. The energy highs and lows can make study sessions less productive.
15. **Choose a quiet place with no distractions.** Look for a place where nobody can bother you, like your school library, your bedroom, or a park table. Keep anything that would distract you, such as your phone or video game consoles, out of sight.
Turn off your phone while you're studying to avoid getting sucked into text or social media notifications.
If you can't work without background music, put on some instrumental music. Lyrics can distract you from studying.
16. **Make sure your chosen spot is comfortable.** Depending on how long you're studying, you'll want a place where you can sit down for at least 45-60 minutes. Avoid hard chairs or cramped spaces. If you're studying on a desk, make sure you keep good posture to avoid backaches.
17. **Prepare everything you will need before you begin studying.** To avoid having to get up and down while you're studying, make a list of everything you will need first. Include materials like your textbook, school notes, a pen and paper, and anything else you can think of. Re-check your list after you've set up your study space to make sure you've got everything.
Don't forget to prepare some brain-powering studying snacks like popcorn, almonds, string cheese, fruits, vegetables, granola bars, and water.
18. **Study in the same place for all your sessions.** Developing a routine can help you get into a studying mindset faster. If you can't study in the same place each time, try to recreate the same studying conditions each time. Play similar music, use the same materials, and study during the same time frame every day.
19. **Form a study group with your peers before the test.** Ask your teacher if before or during class, you can pass around a sign-up sheet for classmates interested in studying together. Contact every person on the study group to determine a time where you can all practice flashcards, look through notes, or take practice tests together. Begin your study group at least a week before the test begins to get the most out of your study sessions.
Have students include their phone number or email on the contact sheet so you can coordinate easily.
Invite a mixture of friends and classmates you don't know as well to avoid turning the study session into a social hour.
Participating in a study group can help you see other perspectives. Your classmates likely have different ideas about what the test will focus on, which can help you prepare better. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Study-for-a-Social-Studies-Test", "language": "en"} |
How to Account For Petty Cash | Every business makes small purchases each day for items such as office supplies, stamps, shipping charges, and other miscellaneous items. Writing a check for such items is time-consuming and expensive. Establishing a petty cash fund allows a business owner to maintain control and account for the expenditures with minimal cost and administrative hassle. If you follow a few steps, it is possible to set up and manage a petty cash account with ease.
1. **Purchase a lock box.** When you are starting a petty cash fund, you need to buy a lock box that will hold the cash available for use and the receipts for what has been spent. You need a small, metal box that can easily fit within a desk drawer. This box can either have combination lock or have a key lock, depending on what is best for your particular office. Either way, it needs to be extremely secure to deter people from tampering with the box.
You need to have a box big enough to keep all the money and receipts in, but small enough to be inconspicuous and easily hid. Make sure you get one with a money tray so the bills and change can be easily organized.
These are available in most stationery or office supply stores.
2. **Assign responsibility for the petty cash fund.** Once you have a place to store the money, you need to assign an individual in charge of the petty cash box and account. The person you assign should be generally available to any employee who might have need of petty cash, such as an accounting clerk or an administrative assistant.
The custodian or cashier of the petty cash box is responsible for disbursing petty cash funds in return for written receipts, replenishing cash in the fund when needed, and recording items purchased or paid for with petty cash funds.
3. **Store the petty cash box.** Petty cash boxes should be kept out of sight in a closed drawer. The drawer needs to be in the custodian's desk or another drawer that is easy for the custodian to get to. The combination or key to open the box should be kept in a different drawer, possibly on the key chain of the custodian. It depends on who else needs access to the box and if you have more than one custodian.
To add an extra layer of protection, the drawer you keep the box in can also have a lock. This would provide additional security for the money that is kept there.
If you have more than one person who needs access to the cash box, think about having multiple keys made or finding a box that comes with additional keys.
4. **Determine the withdrawal limit.** Petty cash is not intended to replace or avoid accounting control of expenses. It is set up as a convenience for small purchases that do not warrant writing checks. You need to establish the maximum transaction amount to be handled through the petty cash system. This way, any transaction above that amount can be handled through the normal purchasing process.
For example, a company might restrict petty cash transactions to $50 or less. Any transaction above $50 would then be processed as a normal account payable.
5. **Deposit cash into the petty cash fund.** Once you have the basics covered, you need to put money into petty cash. You should write a check to the custodian to initially establish the fund. The check amount should be sufficient to handle most cash purchases for the time period you choose, but not so large as to encourage theft. Once the check is cashed, the money should be placed into the petty cash box.
A typical beginning amount is between $100-$500.
Make sure you keep all denominations of bills in the petty cash drawer. You should have a few $20, a few $10, a good number of $5, and a decent amount of $1. You should also have coins as well. This will make it easy to reimburse petty cash payments.
6. **Create a petty cash transaction log.** With the first initial payment to petty cash, the custodian should start a log of the transactions that go through the petty cash box. This can be a simple hand written accounting log or an online spread sheet kept up with by the custodian. The petty cash custodian should keep up with each transaction by placing it in the log. There should be a line for the description of the transaction, such as office supplies or shipping charge. There also needs to be a column for the amount spent and the person who used the petty cash.
There should also be a column for deposits to the account to keep track of when the fund is replenished. The first payment to petty cash should be placed in the log as a petty cash deposit. Then all the transactions can be deducted from this amount.
7. **Establish the petty cash fund on the accounting records of the company.** Cash and petty cash accounts are both asset accounts. When initially opening the petty cash fund, cash is simply transferred from one asset account to another with no effect on the balance of the organization’s assets. Once the petty cash fund becomes its own entity, you should keep track of it as a separate account that can be tabulated just like any other account.
The transactions that are made to the company's account for opening the petty cash fund should be a credit from the cash account for the amount of the check given to petty cash. You can then transcribe the transaction to the petty cash fund as a debit of cash to the account, which will establish its initial balance from $0 to the amount you deposit into the fund.
In this stage, there has been no actual expense because the money has simply been transferred from one account of the company to another, so the total assets of the company are unchanged.
8. **Start using the money.** Once there is enough cash in the petty cash box, the business can start using it for small transactions. The custodian should require a receipt for each petty cash purchase. When presented with the receipt of purchase, the custodian should note the date and name of the purchaser on the receipt and deposit the receipt in the petty cash box.
The custodian should also reimburse the purchaser with exact change for the purchase.
The custodian can also give an advance on petty cash in order to buy something. The company can come up with a system where the person who is going to buy something comes to the custodian for a cash advance. The custodian can mark the purchase in a log to explain what the purchaser intends to buy with the cash advance and how much is needed. Once the purchaser buys the products he set out for, he should return to the custodian with the receipt and change.
9. **Replenish the cash.** The accounting clerk needs to replenish the amount of cash in the petty cash fund as often as needed. The custodian should start another log each time the fund is replenished. The custodian should give the completed list and accompanying receipts to the designated accounting clerk. He will audit the receipts, check the addition of the petty cash receipts, and write a check to the custodian for the total amount spent in order to replenish the fund.
The custodian then cashes the check and deposits the funds in the petty cash box, restoring the beginning balance of the petty cash fund.
If the petty cash is not used all that often or if there is a larger amount in the box, you may never use all of the petty cash. In these cases, the clerk can replenish what has been taken out once a month in order to keep track of the expenditures and help with the accounting of the petty cash.
If you find that you need more money in your petty cash, you can increase the balance of the fund at any time. All the accounting clerk has to do is write a check to the custodian for the additional amount. For example, if the $100 initial balance is insufficient to pay the expenses the majority of time, increase the fund to $200 by writing a check to the custodian for a second $100. The custodian should then follow the normal procedure for replenishment.
10. **Account for the petty cash transactions.** Once the list of transactions from the petty cash custodian is complete, the accounting clerk will confirm that a receipt is present for each transaction, and that expenditures are properly added to calculate the sum. He should then sort each receipt into the appropriate expense category and total the expenditure for each category.
Common expense categories that use petty cash include postage, office supplies, and transportation.
There is no need to make an entry for each transaction since an individual small expense is insignificant in the operation of the company. Log them as complete sums under each category.
It is important to ensure that the total amount of receipts equals the amount initially in the petty cash account. Any variation may mean a purchase was not accounted for. For example, if you had $100 in the petty cash account, once it is drained, you should have $100 in receipts.
The initial cash as a petty cash run rarely goes to 0. The receipts should equal the difference between the initial cash in petty cash account and the remaining cash before reimbursement.
Accordingly, the check for reimbursement should equal the total of receipts and bring the petty cash fund back to original balance.
11. **Log the expenditures.** After sorting and totaling the receipts in each of the expense categories, the accounting clerk should properly record the expenses associated with the petty cash receipts.
He should credit the cash account first for the total amount of the reimbursement to petty cash, which reduces the balance of the main cash account by the same amount.
He should then debit the individual expense accounts for the sums spent in each. The total debit in the expense accounts will equal the credit of the petty cash account.
For example, if you have $200 in petty cash receipts, you would then need to record that $200 in the appropriate expense accounts. If all the $200 were "office expenses," you would debit the office expense account $200.
The accounts for each type of expense will increase by the amount spent in each category to show that the company spent that much on those items. Then, the net income of the company will decrease by the amount spent on the expense statement. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Account-For-Petty-Cash", "language": "en"} |
How to Spin a Bowling Ball | Whether you have watched a professional bowling event at home or you are a casual enthusiast who has paid attention at the alley, you have likely noticed that the most successful bowlers know how to consistently spin the ball in order to "hook" the ball into the pins. "Spin" refers to the ball's rotation along its axis as it moves down the lane, and is largely dependent on how you release the ball. As the ball travels along the boards towards the pins, the rotating axis gradually tilts upwards, causing a hook delivery that enters the pin deck at an angle and increases your chance of a strike. It's not the easiest technique to master, but the results make it worthwhile to learn.
1. **Find a ball with the right grip for you.** The holes must fit your fingers in such a way that you can hold the ball without having to squeeze and you can let go without your fingers getting stuck. Because you will be imparting rotation on the ball in the final split seconds that your hand is in contact with it, the importance of grip cannot be overstated.
With the ball resting in the palm of your dominant hand, put your middle and ring finger all the way into the two holes that are side-by-side, and your thumb in the hole under them. The holes should be the size of the fingers and thumb, and you should be able to hold the ball easily in the palm of your hand. There shouldn't be tension in the web of your thumb, nor should it be slack.
It should take very little pressure to hold the ball in your hand. If you could break an egg with that amount of pressure, it's too much.
2. **Identify the type of ball you are using.** The characteristics of the core or interior weight block of the bowling ball play an important part in the ball's performance. While there are a number of different core alignments, there are two basic categories into which all balls fit. Determine which type you are using before you get started.
Look over your bowling ball and see if it has just one "pin"--the spot on the exterior, usually of a different color, indicating the orientation of the core--or a single normal pin plus a second PSA indicator/mass bias pin.
If there is only one pin, the ball should have a symmetric weight block. If you bisected the ball along the axis of the pin, you would discover that both sides are symmetric. This type of ball may be easier for a beginner to handle.
A ball with an asymmetric weight block should possess two pins or a pin and an indicator. Just as the name indicates, these balls do not contain symmetric cores, and can contain any shape from that of a cube to something resembling the letter "L." It may prove slightly more difficult for a beginner to attain consistent performance with these bowling balls, but practice with a single ball can certainly change that.
3. **Select a ball of the appropriate weight.** There are two separate guidelines used to suggest the size of ball that should be used. One rule of thumb focuses on the sex of the bowler, and suggests that adult women should use a 10-14 pound ball, while adult men use a 14-16 pound ball. The alternate guideline states that a bowler should use a ball roughly 10% of their body weight, up to the 16 pound maximum size of the ball for those over 160 pounds in weight.
It is important to use a ball of the appropriate weight in order to impart the necessary amount of spin. A strong individual using a smallish ball could easily impart too much torque and put the ball in the gutter. A weaker individual using too heavy a ball could struggle to impart enough spin in order to make the ball hook.
The weight of the ball should be clearly marked on it.
4. **Determine where the pocket is.** The pocket is the space between two pins that you want to target with the ball. If you're right-handed, the pocket is the space between the number 1 pin (the foremost pin) and the number 3 pin (the pin just behind and to the right of number 1). If you're left-handed, your pocket is between the number 1 and number 2 pin (the pin just behind and to the left of number 1).
5. **Grip the bowling ball.** The style of grip that you use can determine the intensity of the ball's hook--in other words, at what angle the ball enters the pocket. Remember that the greater the angle, the better your scoring potential.
A "relaxed" grip is more likely to produce a straighter roll, and thus a minimal hook. In this grip, the hand is flexed back at the wrist, so that as you pass into the forward swing it is on top of the ball.
For a "strong" grip, the hand bends forward, as if to cradle the ball between your palm and inner wrist. If seen from the side, the angle from your forearm to your thumb should appear to be 90 degrees. This grip can provide a greater amount of spin, and from that a greater hook.
A "firm" grip is an intermediate form that results in a moderate hook. In this grip the wrist neither bends nor flexes, creating a continuous line from your forearm through your hand.
6. **Decide where your stance should be based on the combination of pocket position and grip.** As you face the lane, imagine its boards grouped into three sections: outside left (towards the left gutter), middle, and outside right (towards the right gutter). Keeping in mind the strength of your grip and the anticipated amount of hook it will produce, decide which board(s) your sliding forward foot should align with.
Relaxed grip: The ball should travel straight down the lane into the pocket, so if you're right-handed, your stance should be in the outside right, and lefties in the outside left.
Firm grip: Your stance should be in the middle, so the ball curves moderately (either left or right) and enters your target pocket.
Strong grip: You want to allow plenty of room for the ball's hook to curve around and enter the pocket. If you're right-handed, you should be on the outside left side; if you're left-handed, you should be on the outside right.
7. **Think about your approach before you begin.** One of the standard forms is referred to as the "Four Step Approach." For this approach, begin standing up straight with your feet directly under your body. Hold the ball from underneath with your bowling hand at about mid-chest height (higher for slower bowlers, lower for faster bowlers), and support the ball with your non-bowling hand. As you move through the four steps, keep your bowling arm's elbow as close to your hip as possible, bend your knees slightly, and keep your feet pointed towards the pins. Your shoulders should be squarely facing front. (The following directions are for right-handed bowlers; if you are left-handed, reverse the sides.)
Take one step forward with your right foot and simultaneously bring the ball forward to a position over that foot. Keep your non-bowling hand supporting the ball at this point.
Move your left foot forward as you lower the ball close to a knee-level position and then further back behind you, making a half-circle. Your non-bowling hand will have released the ball at this point.
Take another step forward with your right leg. At the same time you should be entering the highest point of your backswing with the ball.
Bring the ball forward as you take your last step toward the line with your left leg. Your right leg should subtly pass sideways behind your left as you plant your left leg and release the ball. Lower your hips and shift your weight slightly back, bending your torso forward at a 15-degree angle.
8. **Keep your arm and wrist straight during the backswing.** You will not impart spin by bending or twisting your wrist or arm at this point. Instead, it is through proper delivery and release of the ball that you will impart the spin that results in a "hook."
9. **Release the ball as your arm moves between the laces and toe of your forward-sliding shoe.** Maintain a constant grip as your hand moves into the forward swing, passing the heel of your sliding shoe (the left foot for right-handed bowlers), and then release the ball as it passes the laces. This is the optimum point for momentum to carry the ball onto the lane.
10. **Make sure your thumb is the first finger out of the ball.** The spin comes from your fingers as they release the ball, rather than the wrist. Releasing the thumb first lets the ball roll off the hand, which is where it gets the torque it needs for spin.
11. **Rotate your hand just slightly from the wrist at the moment of release.** A small, 15-degree rotation (counterclockwise for right-handed bowlers and clockwise for left-handed) helps add spin.
Imagine positioning your hand as if coming into a handshake.
12. **Follow through with the swing.** Continue to move your arm upward and forward toward the pocket as you release the ball (and after).
13. **Adjust based on results.** You must first work on consistency. The ability to put all the elements together and repeat them are the keys to success. In the process, think about things like your stance position or the type of grip that you employ.
Also work on your timing with the Four Step Approach: you want to make sure that your foot and the ball arrive at the foul line at the same time. Try recording yourself bowling to get a better sense of how good your timing is. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Spin-a-Bowling-Ball", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean Refrigerator Coils | Cleaning your refrigerator coils is a great way to reduce your power bill and extend the life of your fridge. Refrigerator coils, sometimes called condenser coils, are black coils that are found on the back or bottom of your fridge. If there is lots of dirt or dust on the coils, the refrigerator requires more energy to cool your food and can eventually break down. To clean the coils, simply use a brush to extract the dirt and then suck it up with a vacuum. This process is easy to complete and only takes about 15 minutes.
1. **Unplug your fridge at the wall.** Turn off the power switch and then pull out the power cord. Don’t worry about your food getting warm, as the cleaning process is quick and the inside of the fridge will maintain its cool temperatures while you clean the coils.
Always turn electrical appliances off before cleaning them, as this helps to prevent electrocutions.
2. **Pull your fridge away from the wall to access the coils at the back.** Older refrigerators tend to have their coils located on the back of the fridge. Gently push the fridge forward at least 1 metre (39 in) to give you plenty of room to clean the coils.
If your fridge doesn't have wheels, ask a friend to help you push it forward.
3. **Unclamp the bottom panel on the fridge if the coils aren’t at the back.** Many modern fridges have the coils hidden under the bottom panel at the front of your fridge. Unsnap this panel to remove it and then place it somewhere safe while you clean the coils.
If you’re having trouble removing the bottom panel, try lifting it up slightly and then pull it toward you.
4. **Scrape the dirt out with a soft-bristled brush.** Over time, grime gets sucked onto the refrigerator coils. Use your brush to agitate as much of the dirt and dust off the coils as you can. Scrape above, below, and in-between the coils to get rid of the large clumps of dirt.
If you’re having trouble seeing the coils, use a flashlight to help you see more clearly.
Purchase a soft-bristled brush from an appliance or cleaning store, or use a wire brush or a duster instead.
5. **Suck up the remaining dust with a vacuum.** If possible, place a narrow nozzle on the end of your vacuum cleaner hose. This makes it easier to suck up the dust from between the coils. Slowly move the nozzle over the coils to allow the vacuum to suck up all the grime.
Take the opportunity to vacuum under your fridge while it is pulled out of its usual position.
6. **Repeat the scraping and sucking process until all the dirt is gone.** Sometimes vacuuming can reveal more grime on or around the coils. Use the coil brush to remove the rest of the dust and dirt and then suck it up with your vacuum.
7. **Place the bottom panel back onto the fridge.** Hold the bottom panel up in its original position and push it back into place. You know that it is in the correct position when it makes a snapping or clamping noise.
8. **Plug your refrigerator back into the wall.** If necessary, push your fridge back into its regular position. Once your fridge is back to its original position, plug it back in and turn on the power.
If the coils are on the back of your fridge, leave a 3 cm (1.2 in) gap between the coils and the wall to keep them operating efficiently.
9. **Clean the coils at least twice a year.** This helps to keep your refrigerator cooling effectively. If you have pets, consider cleaning the coils more often, as pet fur can quickly get caught in the coils and cause them to work less efficiently.
Consider setting a recurring reminder on your phone or computer calendar to remind you to clean the coils. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Refrigerator-Coils", "language": "en"} |
How Does a Gemini Man Act When Hurt? 11 Things to Look For | A Gemini man is complex with his witty, impulsive, and dual-minded personality. One minute he's making you cry with laughter, and the next, he's giving you the cold shoulder. With the Gemini symbol being the twins, his sign is infamously known for being two-faced—so how can you really know when he's upset with you? Keep reading to learn how a Gemini man will act if he's hurt and what to do to help him feel loved and supported.
1. **Geminis shut people out when they're hurt.** His talkative and lively personality can suddenly dim after an argument or disagreement. This is how he copes, bottling up his feelings until he can't close the lid anymore. With Mercury ruling his nature, a Gemini man prefers to be unemotional and avoid confronting his difficult feelings—but he'll talk when he's ready!
Try not to egg him on if he's uncharacteristically quiet after an argument.
Instead, let him have his space but talk to him periodically. This will give him time to think through his emotions "and" provide many opportunities to talk when he's ready.
2. **The smart but erratic Gemini may need time to think.** Asking for time alone and removing himself from the situation might be his way of sorting through what's happened. Whether it was an argument or he just received bad news, sometimes he wants to think things through before sharing how he feels.
Remember, he's an air sign ruled by Mercury and the 3rd House, which means he's extremely intelligent and thinks practically before thinking emotionally.
Try not to bring up what's hurt him until he comes to you. This will show him that you respect his boundaries and are someone he can rely on.
3. **A Gemini man can be very protective about his feelings.** Although the messenger planet Mercury governs his world, he can have a hard time expressing difficult emotions. Because of this, he may give you the cold shoulder if he's hurt. Give him space to think and work things out, and, in time, he'll come to you.
Communicate with him to appease the Mercury in him. Even if he's not reciprocating your affections right now, he eventually will.
Geminis need a smart and surprising partner, so send him a short text to remind him how much you care.
Try something like, "Saw some apples at the store and thought of you ❤️" or, "Good morning! I hope today's a better day. I'm here when you need me 😊❤️"
4. **Practical Gemini will brush off concerns if he's seriously hurt.** The last thing he wants is confrontation, and if that means going the extra mile and pretending like nothing ever happened, he'll do it. He might also do this if he's keeping what's hurting him a secret to avoid hurting you. Either way, he'll go with his mutable modality and adjust his life around his pain.
This behavior is normal for a Gemini man, so be patient. He'll reveal the cause of his stress with time.
Offer support emotionally and physically. That could be an extra hug before he heads off to work or school or letting him complain about an upcoming assignment.
5. **Impulsive Geminis can explode before they have time to think.** More often than not, he'll speak before he thinks if he's hurt. Sometimes the emotions can be too much for a Gemini to bear. As an air sign, his mood changes as often as the breeze, so give him a chance to cool down and think rationally again.
A Gemini's dual nature is symbolized by twins and represents the exchange of thoughts and ideas.
He has two personalities, and when he's hurt or overwhelmed, one can overpower the other.
Try to remain calm and level-headed if he bursts. Having patience will go a long way in keeping the relationship alive.
6. **Curious Geminis can lash out if they're upset.** A lot is going on in that big brain of his, and with so many ideas coming and going, he can quickly lose his temper. His otherwise playful expressions can turn hostile, and he may not even realize it.
Stay calm and collected when he's like this.
If you feel like you're about to lose your temper, take a few deep breaths and remove yourself from the situation.
Things will cool down with time, and he'll appreciate your patience.
7. **A Gemini man would rather forget what happened than be vulnerable.** Even though Mercury is his ruling planet, communicating his feelings can sometimes be difficult, especially if he's hurting. He'd rather bottle them up than show he's "weak," so he'll ignore the situation until the pain disappears.
He may not want to talk, but that doesn't mean you can't be there for him.
Your presence is enough to silently say, "I'm here for you."
Be patient and don't force him to say anything. He'll explain why he's upset when he's ready.
8. **A Gemini's bubbly and curious personality can shut down when hurt.** Suppose you've recently gotten into an argument or disagreement with your Gemini man. In that case, he may start acting cold or distant around you. Trusting someone emotionally can be difficult for an analytical, Mercury-ruled man, so he'll hide his true emotions behind a frosty exterior to avoid being vulnerable.
Sorting through these problems as a couple is especially important.
Be patient with him and spark a conversation by asking him how he feels.
If he doesn't open up right away, that's okay. You can also give him a gentle nudge by expressing your own needs and feelings.
9. **A Gemini man will do anything to avoid an emotional situation.** The last thing he wants to do is talk about his feelings. He may be adaptable and expressive, but he can shut down the second he's hurt. To hide this pain, he'll change the topic if you bring it up, pretending like everything's okay even though you both know it's not. This is his Gemini way of coping.
Instead of asking, "What's wrong?" or, "Why are you acting this way?" toss a favorite game, food, or hobby his way.
Who knows? He may even start opening up the minute he stops focusing on deflecting the conversation.
10. **Inquisitive Gemini will lose interest in his favorite things.** If he's hurting, he'll shut down mentally and physically. So many emotions and thoughts are zipping through his head, and he'll forget what truly makes him tick.
Geminis are naturally opportunistic and take every chance to learn something new, so you might try stimulating his curiosities to remind him who he is.
Try bringing him back to his playful self by reminding him of his interests.
Set his favorite board game on the table, pop on his favorite movie, or surprise him with tickets to see a sports game.
11. **To avoid being vulnerable, a Gemini man might ghost you.** He isn't doing this to be mean-spirited, but rather, it seems like the only practical thing he can do in the moment. If he's hurt and thinks he can't trust you, he may avoid your calls, texts, or even leave.
Even if he doesn't respond, continue to show him how much you care.
Send him apology texts and leave a heartfelt voicemail.
With time, he can realize he "can" be vulnerable with you and that the relationship is worth more to him than a silly argument. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/How-Does-a-Gemini-Man-Act-when-Hurt", "language": "en"} |
How to Treat Lipedema | Lipedema is a fat disorder in which the body accumulates excess fat under the skin in the lower body, primarily affecting the hips, buttocks, and legs. This painful condition occurs mainly in women, with an incidence of approximately 11% of all women. It can also occur in men, but is rare. If you have been diagnosed with lipedema, you should discuss treatment options with your doctor to determine what will best suit your case. Lipedema can be a painful, embarrassing, and potentially debilitating condition for many of the women who suffer with it. While there is no cure, early diagnosis and treatment can decrease pain and discomfort and significantly reduce debilitation.You should not forget that it is important to find a way to cope with the difficult emotions you might be dealing with as well.
1. **Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.** Though eating healthy and exercising won’t cure the problem, it will help get rid of any fat that is not caused by the disorder.
Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising may also help reduce inflammation.
It is important to understand that this disorder is not a result of being obese, and though you may be doing everything right in terms of diet and exercise, you won’t be able to cure the disorder through diet and exercise.
2. **Use compression wear.** This is a fairly straightforward treatment which involves wearing a garment designed to compress the affected area for several hours each day. You will need to discuss what garment is appropriate for your needs with a doctor or therapist.
It is believed that wearing compression garments encourages blood flow while also providing support. Additionally, the compression encourages the fluid to move out of the area and drain properly.
If you are experiencing pain because of your lipedema, this treatment option may not be a good option for you.
3. **Try Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).** MLD is a type of gentle massage that is meant to encourage the flow of the lymphatic fluids in the body. Usually, the massage will be given by a trained professional, and combined with another type of therapy, such as compression therapy.
This treatment may also be effective in reducing pain.
4. **Consider Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).** This type of therapy involves combining several non-surgical techniques including use of compression wear, manual lymphatic drainage, exercises meant to help remove lymph from the swollen areas, and skin care to help prevent infections.
This type of treatment usually involves two phases. The first phase is an active phase which involves two to 12 weeks of one-hour treatment sessions. These sessions are usually limited to four or five days each week. The second phase is called the maintenance phase and involves giving self-massage to the affected areas, completing exercises, and wearing compression wear or bandages day and night.
5. **Learn about liposuction.** In some severe cases, and if other treatment methods have not helped, you doctor may suggest liposuction as a way to treat the disorder. This is a surgical method, and thus comes with all of the risks.
There are three varieties of liposuction: the dry technique, Water Assisted Liposuction (WAL), and Tumescent Liposuction (TLA). You should discuss which method is right for you.
Generally, liposuction for lipedema patients is more commonly used in European countries than in the USA. Thus, if you live in the US, it may be a bit more challenging to find a surgeon experienced in this method of treatment.
6. **Ask your doctor about pain management.** Unfortunately for many, lipedema is not only disfiguring, it is also painful. The fat on the legs, hips, and buttocks is painful, sensitive to the touch, and bruises quite easily. This can make living a normal life difficult, and only contributes further to the emotional effects of the disorder. If you experience pain with your lipedema, be sure that your doctor knows this. Ask the doctor how you can manage the pain. Some doctors may prescribe pain medications, while others may refer you to a specialist who can teach you various pain management techniques.
Many of the therapies discussed in this article (such as MLD and CDT) work not only to help reduce the swelling but also to reduce pain as much as possible.
Being overweight (in addition to lipedema) can contribute further to the pain caused by lipedema. This is why it is especially important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many lipedema patients report that swimming offers an excellent way to exercise because it is very low-impact and does not exacerbate the pain.
Other exercises that may offer a good way to reduce stress and improve blood flow include: yoga, pilates, walking, stretching, and bouncing on a trampoline. Try out these exercises to see which (if any) are painful, and which you enjoy most.
7. **Continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle.** Some people may feel discouraged when receiving a diagnosis of lipedema. For many people, the extra fat may make it feel as though there is little point in trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle; however, this couldn’t be any further from the truth. Being diagnosed with lipedema means it is more important than ever that you learn to manage the disorder while eating right and exercising on a regular basis.
Ask your doctor about an exercise regimen that will suit your needs. Be sure to point out any exercises that are made painful because of your condition.
8. **Get regular checkups.** Patients with lipedema often experience other health problems after they are diagnosed with lipedema. Obesity, mental disorders, and problems related the veins are just a few of these possibilities. This means it is extremely important to see your doctor regularly; not only to monitor the lipedema but to monitor your health in general.
In some cases, lipedema can advance into a different, but similar disorder known as lymphedema, which may require different treatment methods.
9. **Take care of any conditions that might exacerbate the disorder.** There are certain health conditions that can make lipedema symptoms worse. For example, thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, and health conditions that cause inflammation all tend to worsen the symptoms of lipedema.
Make sure that your doctor is aware of all medications you are taking, including any herbal supplements or vitamins. If your doctor prescribes any medication, make sure that you take your medication as instructed.
10. **Join a social support group.** Being diagnosed with lipedema can be a shock, and dealing with the physical symptoms of the disorder leaves many people feeling very self-conscious. Finding a support group that helps you realize you are not alone is a great way to help cope with the psychological effects of this disorder.
There are many blogs, forums, and other social media groups aimed at creating a positive, supportive community for people suffering from lipedema. The lipedema project is an organization aimed at helping people find a supportive place to learn about and talk about their lipedema.
11. **Consider therapy.** For many people, being diagnosed with lipedema is very difficult to deal with. You might have a good social support system in place already, but having an objective person that has an outside perspective can be a great way to talk about your feelings in a safe environment.
Additionally, a trained mental health professional will be able to help you strengthen your coping skills, and give you new ways to think about your diagnosis. This is in addition to listening to your worries about the disorder, which is very helpful for many people.
12. **Surround yourself with supportive people.** When you are diagnosed with lipedema you may start to realize that there are people in your life who don’t have your best interest at heart. Right after diagnosis, you may be very vulnerable to the opinions of others, and it won’t do you any good to sit around listening to negativity. Instead, surround yourself with the people who make you feel better.
This doesn’t mean you have to cut off contact with everyone who isn’t always a shining beacon of positivity. Instead, try to distance yourself from those people while you are learning to cope with your diagnosis.
13. **Understand that lipedema is not the result of lifestyle changes.** Many people diagnosed with the disorder may feel as though the disease is a result of eating too much junk food or not getting enough exercise. It is important to remember that this is not the case. Though the cause of the disease is not 100% clear, doctors believe that it is likely related to hormonal changes (e.g. when puberty begins or during pregnancy) and that it is a genetic disorder that is passed down.
Thus, while you should do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should accept that no amount of dieting and exercise will cure the problem. Getting enough exercise and making healthy food choices will, however, help you maintain your health as best you can.
Given this information, it is also important to remember that the disorder is not your fault and that you shouldn’t beat yourself up about the disorder. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Lipedema", "language": "en"} |
How to Hop a Fence | Fences and other waist-high obstacles can slow you down while you run. However, with practice and the proper jumping technique, you can be sailing over the fence in no time. You’ll never have to awkwardly climb over a fence again!
1. **Determine whether or not to do a safety vault.** Also called a step vault, the safety vault is the best jumping technique for beginners. This jump can be done from a stationary, walking, or running start. If you’re intimidated by the idea of running towards the fence, do the jump from a walking or standing position.
This jump works best for waist-high obstacles. If the fence is too high, you may trip or have trouble clearing the fence.
Clear any debris from around the fence. If you land on debris you may twist an ankle.
2. **Place one or both hands on top of the fence.** Absolute beginners should use two hands. If you’re confident that you’re strong enough to guide yourself over the fence, use one hand. Lean forward, supporting your weight with your arms.
If you’re nervous about jumping over the fence, test yourself holding yourself up for a few seconds. This will help you gauge your own strength.
3. **Hop into the air and rest your foot on the top of the fence.** First, hop into the air. While airborne, place the ball of your foot against the top of the fence. This foot will help you balance and allow you to propel yourself off the fence.
The faster you approach the fence, the more important this foot is for balance.
4. **Bring your other leg over the fence.** Curl your free leg against your body and bring your knee towards your chest. Guide your foot over the fence, using your outside foot for balance. As you move your leg, lift the hand closest to your legs away from the fence. This will give you more space to maneuver your legs.
Keep your shoulders and head down as you move. Otherwise, your feet may catch on the edge of the fence and you’ll fall over.
5. **Land softly.** Push off slightly with your resting foot to help move yourself away from the fence. Your free foot will hit the ground first, followed by your resting foot. If possible, land on the balls of your feet to reduce the risk of injury.
Point your feet and knees forward as you land. If you don’t, you may twist an ankle.
Bend your knees as you land. This will help you avoid knee injuries.
6. **Determine whether or not to do a speed vault.** Speed vaulting is popular with intermediate and advanced jumpers because they conserve momentum. You can jump over obstacles at high speed without slowing down or stopping. However, don’t attempt this jump unless you’re already comfortable doing a safety vault.
Make sure the area you’re jumping into is clear of debris. Otherwise, you may land badly and injure yourself.
7. **Run towards the fence.** This jumping technique uses your momentum to carry you over the fence. Therefore, the faster you run, the better this technique will work for you. If you’re nervous about trying this jump, approach the fence at a brisk jog instead of a run.
Approach the fence head-on. If you approach at an angle you won’t be able to clear the fence.
8. **Place your dominant hand on fence.** This will be your “support arm,” or the arm that carries you over the fence. Don’t slap your hand down onto the fence or you’ll lose momentum. Instead, gently and firmly place your hand down as you run.
9. **Kick your legs out to the side.** Jump up quickly, kicking your outside leg into the air. Drive your knees upwards and to the side, one over another. Your body will naturally slant to the side parallel to the fence.
Keep your shoulders facing forward as you jump.
Keep your dominant arm straight as you jump. If your arm is curved you may not be able to support your body.
10. **Land in an upright position.** Land with your inside leg first and follow with your outside leg. Bend your knees slightly as you land to reduce the impact and protect your joints from injury. Your hand will leave the fence on its own as your momentum carries you forward. Keep your chest forward and continue running.
11. **Determine whether or not to do a monkey vault.** This jump is not recommended for beginners. If the fence has a steep drop on the other side you may hurt yourself while jumping. Similarly, make sure the ground is free of debris before jumping over an obstacle. Otherwise, you could twist an ankle when you land.
The monkey vault is good for jumping waist-high fences and obstacles. However, if the fence is too high, you’ll have trouble clearing it with this jump.
12. **Run towards the fence with your arms extended.** You will be using your momentum to carry yourself over the fence. If you’re intimidated by running towards the fence, practice an easier jump such as the safety vault until you’re more confident.
13. **Place both hands on the fence.** Once you’re about a foot away from the fence, firmly plant both palms on the fence. Your hands should be a shoulder-width apart. Lean forward into your hands and duck your head down.
Don’t slap your hands onto the fence. If you do, you’ll lose some momentum.
14. **Jump over the fence.** Keep your chest facing forward and bring your knees up to your chest as you jump. Duck your head and shoulders low to allow enough space underneath you for your legs. Your back will be parallel to the ground as you jump. This will give you room to move your feet underneath you and over the fence.
Be careful not to clip your toes on the fence. This will happen if your head isn’t low enough and cause you to fall.
Some people like to push with their arms after their feet clear the fence to help vault themselves further.
15. **Land carefully.** You can land on both feet at once or one after another. When landing, make sure to keep your knees slightly bent to reduce the risk of injury to your legs. Similarly, try to land on the balls of your feet to help protect your ankles. This will also help protect your knees by forcing them to flex as you land. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Hop-a-Fence", "language": "en"} |
How to Protect Yourself After Unknowingly Buying Stolen Property | As a member of the public, you are protected if you buy stolen goods so long as you didn't have a reason to know they were stolen when you bought them. However, if you are a second-hand seller, then you have more of a responsibility to find out if the goods were stolen. You can protect yourself by asking the seller where they got the goods and when. To protect yourself the best, you should never receive goods if you suspect they were stolen.
1. **Write down the details of the transaction.** If someone contacts you and tells you the goods are stolen, you should immediately write down what you remember of buying the goods. By writing this information down, you can help show to the police that there was no reason you should have suspected that the goods were stolen.
Hold onto your receipt as well. It looks suspicious if you buy an expensive item, like jewelry or a car, and don't ask for a receipt.
2. **Call the police.** After you buy the goods, you might begin to suspect that they were stolen. If so, then you should call the police. They will try to find the original owner and return the goods to them.
Try to get a copy of the police report. You will need this document to show the person who sold you the stolen goods.
3. **Ask the seller for a refund.** Once you return the goods to the police or to the rightful owner, you can ask the seller for a refund. They should be happy to refund the money. Show the seller your copy of the police report.
In England, you are entitled to a full refund if you purchased the stolen item after October 1, 2015. However, if you bought it before that date, then the seller can deduct some money from the purchase price, depending on how long you had the item or whether you used it.
4. **File a lawsuit for restitution.** If the seller won't refund you the purchase price, then you can sue for “restitution.” Depending on how much you are suing for, you might be able to bring your case in small claims court.
Small claims courts are set up for people to represent themselves without an attorney. The process is usually simplified.
You will have to file a “complaint” or “affidavit” to start the lawsuit in small claims court. Stop into the court and ask for a form. The clerk should have a printed, “fill in the blank” form you can use.
5. **Talk to an attorney.** You probably will have to return stolen goods to the rightful owner, even if you aren't criminally charged with receipt of stolen goods. However, you should talk about your options with an attorney.
You can get a referral to an attorney by contacting your state or local bar association. Bar associations are organizations made up of attorneys. Typically, they provide referrals to their members.
6. **Identify if you are a second-hand seller.** Second-hand sellers have more of a responsibility for investigating whether the goods they sell were stolen. First, you should identify if you qualify as a second-hand seller:
pawn shop
thrift stores
flea market
7. **Ask the seller if they are the owner.** When someone comes to your business to sell goods, then you cannot just accept the goods without asking any questions. Instead, you should ask basic questions to feel out whether the person is the real owner. If the goods are stolen, then the police will want to see that you performed a reasonable inquiry.
Ask how old the item is. If they don't know, then they may have stolen the goods.
Ask where they got the item. If they can't, or if they stammer and stumble, then the goods might be stolen.
Ask how much they originally paid for the item. If they give you a price that seems too low or too high, then you should be on guard. The goods may be stolen.
8. **Write down important details about the seller.** Your state law may require that you take down important information about the seller. It is probably a good idea to do so even if your state law doesn't require you to. For example, you should take down the following:
seller's name
seller's address
physical description of the item
9. **Get a signed warranty.** Your state law might also require that you get a signed warranty from the seller. The warranty should state that the seller is the rightful owner of the property.
You should create a template and use the form over and over. The seller can write in their name and sign at the bottom.
Your state might publish a form you can use. You can check with the agency that licensed your business to see if they have a form.
10. **Comply with your state laws.** Dealing in stolen goods is a fairly common crime in many parts of the country. Accordingly, some states have rigorous laws you must abide by if you are a second-hand seller.
For example, in Florida, pawn shops must get a fingerprint of anyone who wants to pawn goods. You then enter information into a state database.
If you are running a pawn shop or flea market as a business, then you should have a business attorney who can advise you on this important area of law.
11. **Avoid buying goods you know are stolen.** If someone tells you that the goods are stolen, then you cannot purchase them. If you do, then you could be charged with receipt of stolen property, which is a crime.
Also refuse to store goods if you know they are stolen. You can't store a DVD player you know your cousin stole.
12. **Refuse to buy anything that looks suspicious.** More likely no one will tell you that the goods are stolen. However, either the goods or the sale might be suspicious. In this situation, you need to avoid buying the goods. Willful blindness won't protect you.
Don't buy goods out of the back of a van. A reasonable person wouldn't expect to purchase a television, jewelry, or a gun from the back of a van in an alleyway. If you do, then you could be charged with receipt of stolen property if the property was, in fact, stolen.
Be suspicious of goods sold very cheaply. For example, someone might advertise to sell their new car for a very cheap price. You should be suspicious that a new car is being sold so cheaply.
Check if the goods have a name on them. If so, check that the name matches the seller's name. When the name doesn't match, then you should suspect the goods were stolen.
13. **Know you are protected if you bought innocently.** The law requires that you “knowingly” buy stolen goods with an intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. If you did not know that they were stolen, then you did not break the law.
However, you probably have to return the goods to the real owner. After returning the goods, you can bring a lawsuit for restitution against whoever sold you the goods. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Yourself-After-Unknowingly-Buying-Stolen-Property", "language": "en"} |
11 Cost-Cutting Tips to Enjoy Retirement on a Budget | When you hit retirement age, you have all the time in the world to do the things you want to do. If you didn’t quite save as much as you planned, that’s okay! Living a full life doesn’t require a ton of money, especially if you spend yours wisely. In this article, we’ve detailed some of the ways you can cut costs while still having fun during retirement.
1. **Check out your local senior center or host your own book club.** Gather your friends for a potluck dinner, or join a community center to play sports. There are probably tons of things in your neighborhood that you can do for super cheap (or for free!) that you can take advantage of.
You could also host a game night, try bird watching, adopt an animal, take a cheap class at your local community college, or join a community theater group.
Take a look at bulletins and local newspapers in your area to get more ideas.
2. **Theaters, restaurants, and retail stores sometimes offer senior discounts.** If you’re heading out, bring your ID with you so you can prove your age and take advantage of any discounts that come your way. You might just be surprised at all the money you can save once you reach a certain age!
Different stores have different ages for discount requirements, but many of them start at 55 to 60.
3. **There are fun ways you can spend your time without breaking the bank.** If you’re looking for something to fill your time, try painting, collaging, needle point, writing or reading, dancing, or even volunteering. You don’t need a ton of tools for any of these hobbies, and they’re a fun way to fill up your free time.
You could also spend your time learning a new language or furthering your math skills for free on sites like Khan Academy.
4. **Lower monthly rent means extra money to do fun stuff!** If you live in a large city, you might be paying a very expensive mortgage or rent payment each month. If you’d like to tighten up your budget, consider moving to a cheaper area in a new part of the country. Moving can be expensive up-front, but if you go somewhere cheaper, the savings will be worth it in the long-run.
You might also want to move to a smaller house or condo. If it’s just you (or you and your spouse), you probably don’t need a huge house to live in.
5. **This can lower your monthly expenses quite a bit.** If you’re struggling to pay rent or you can’t make your mortgage, consider putting an ad out for a roommate. Their rent can go toward your bills, and it’s a nice way to have some company while you’re home all day.
Becoming a landlord can be a lot of work, and it does involve some paperwork. Take a look at your local property laws to see what having a roommate might entail.
6. **Peak season is more expensive so wait until there are fewer tourists.** Usually, off season will be during the winter time when most other people are staying home. If there’s a destination you have in mind, your airfare and hotel stays will be much cheaper without a ton of tourists flooding the market.
If you really want to tighten down your budget, skip the airfare and only travel to places you can drive to. Road trips are usually cheaper than flying, and they can be a fun way to experience the country you live in.
7. **If you have a credit card, use it to your advantage.** Make sure you’re getting airline miles every time you make a purchase, then let them rack up until you have enough for a fun vacation. Once you buy your tickets, the only thing you have to budget for is food and hotel stays, which you can greatly reduce if you look for deals.
If your current credit card doesn’t give you airline miles, consider applying for a new one with better perks.
8. **Eating out can get pretty expensive.** Instead of going out to restaurants and diners all the time, pick up some groceries and practice your cooking skills. Not only will it save you some money, it’s also a great skill to learn, and it can be a fun way to bond with your spouse or your loved ones.
There are tons of recipes you can access online for free. You can also search for cooking videos on YouTube if you’d rather have an in-depth tutorial.
9. **You can apply for benefits to help you buy groceries and reduce your bills.** The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, provides assistance to those in need. You can apply via your local government agency to help you out with food costs and reduce your expenses.
If you qualify for SNAP, you will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to use on select items at the grocery store.
10. **If you plan on buying a new car, this can save you money.** Instead of waiting for a loan from the dealership, get pre-approved for one from your bank before you even walk in the door. The interest rate from a bank is usually cheaper, and you’ll be in a better spot to negotiate, too.
It’s always better to test drive a car and then leave. Negotiating over the phone is much easier than negotiating in person, and you won’t feel as pressured to make a decision right then and there.
11. **It might not sound fun, but it can give you some extra cash.** If you’re struggling to fill your days and you wouldn’t mind heading back to work for a little while, a part-time job can be the best of both worlds. Look into an easy, part-time job for a little extra money on the side as you enjoy your retirement.
A lot of people find that they struggle with the switch from a full-time job to retirement. A part-time job is a nice way to bridge the gap—and you don’t have to do it forever! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Enjoy-Retirement-on-a-Budget", "language": "en"} |
Titanium Dioxide Explained: How to Mix and Use It | Titanium dioxide (chemical formula: TiO2) is practically everywhere. It forms naturally from titanium and oxygen in the ground, but the pure form you buy is mostly made in factories. If you look around and see something white and made by humans, there's a good chance this chemical is the source of that white color. Soap-making hobbyists use titanium oxide as their go-to whitener, but you'll need to mix it with water or oil first if you want your soap to have an even color.
1. **Titanium dioxide is mainly oil-soluble, but some forms can be mixed in water.** Titanium dioxide doesn't normally dissolve in water. That said, you can buy types of titanium dioxide that disperse in water well enough to use in soapmaking.
If you're not sure what kind you have, test it! Just stir a small amount of powder into hot water and see if it dissolves.
2. **The only kind you need is pigment-grade titanium dioxide.** Almost all titanium dioxide you can find is pigment-grade, and you can use that to color homemade products like soap or cosmetics. Avoid the much less common ultrafine or nanoscale titanium dioxide. This is ground so fine that it won't reflect visible light, so it's no good as a whitener.
3. **Use 1/2 tsp TiO2 per pound of fat to make white cold process soap.** (That's roughly 5 mL per kg, metric users.) This is enough to make a pure white soap, or to lighten another color into a pastel shade. You don't need to be super exact—just mix at least this much, so you're ready to experiment while making your soap.
4. **Measure 1/16 to 1/8 tsp TiO2 per pound of melt-and-pour soap.** (That's about 0.6 to 1.3 mL per kg.) Melt and pour soaps don't need as much titanium dioxide as other methods.
5. **Stir 1 part part TiO2 into 3 parts warm water or carrier oil.** (Melted coconut oil or palm oil work well, but you can use any carrier oil found in soap recipes.) Titanium dioxide can take quite a while to mix, so put on your favorite music and keep stirring until there are no white specks visible. You'll end up with a concentrated mix that you can stir into soap bases.
Some forms of titanium dioxide will only disperse in oil, while others can be used with either water or oil. Mixing it in water is usually faster and easier than oil, but oil has a lower risk of creating congealed cracks in your soap.
If you're using oil, it can be easier to mash the ingredients together in a sealed ziplocked bag by running a paper towel back and forth over it. A handheld electric frother is another way to speed things up.
6. **Stir 1 part TiO2 into 3 parts warm carrier oil.** You can add it straight to your glycerin (clear melt-and-pour soap), but using a carrier oil like sunflower oil will give you a more even texture. Stir or blend until there are no white speckles and the mixture is one even white color. (This might take a while!)
You can skip this step and mix directly into the soap, but that tends to make a slightly speckled soap.
7. **Mix this into melted glycerin.** Melt a chunk of clear soap, enough to store in a small plastic cup. Stir the titanium dioxide and oil mixture into the melted soap until it's one even white color. Once that's set, you have a piece of white soap—just break pieces off and add it to your melt-and-pour mixtures whenever you want to make them lighter in color.
It's easy enough to find white melt-and-pour soaps that have already been colored with titanium dioxide if you want to save yourself some work.
8. **You can stir the mix in when you reach trace.** Just like any colorant, it's time to stir in the pre-mixed titanium dioxide as soon as your combined lye and oils reach the trace stage. (That's when the soap still pours off a spoon, but leaves a trace on the mixture when it falls back down.) All you need to stir it is a spatula—no need to pick up the stick blender for this step.
Titanium dioxide sometimes cause a cracked look called glycerin rivers, especially when mixed with water instead of oil. This isn't a major issue, but if you want to avoid it, try using a little less water in the soap, lowering the soaping temperature slightly, and/or getting more air flow over the soap mold.
9. **You can add the dioxide at the beginning instead.** You can stir an oil-based mix into your starting oils, or a water-based mix into your lye water. Oxides survive the heating process just fine, so this works well if you want a whole batch of white soap and don't plan on doing any fancy color combinations later.
10. **Titanium dioxide is considered safe by the US FDA.** Pigment-grade titanium dioxide is often added to soaps, makeup, and toothpaste. The US FDA considers it safe even for products like eyeshadow that are used near sensitive areas.
11. **There are signs of danger only in very specific cases.** When ground into extremely fine nanoparticles, titanium dioxide could be small enough to damage skin and lungs. This is a small percentage of all titanium dioxide made. Even then, the risk is small and mostly a concern for workers exposed to it for years, not people using it at home. If you're worried about this, read the product info before buying to look for a "no nanoparticle" guarantee. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Mix-Titanium-Dioxide", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Fresh Peach Nectar | If you have an abundance of peaches, peach nectar is a great way to make use of them. Peach nectar is just a juice made with the pulp of the peach included, and it usually has a bit of sugar and lemon juice thrown in for flavor. You can drink peach nectar on its own or add it to other drinks and dishes for extra flavor.
1. **Wash and score the peaches.** Give your peaches a thorough rinse in water. Pick away any stems and leaves, if you have any attached. Score the bottom of each peach by making a small, shallow "X" with a knife.
2. **Blanch the peaches.** Plunge the peaches into boiling water. As you see the peels start to come off (about 30 seconds), move each peach with a slotted spoon to an ice bath (a bowl with water and ice).
3. **Skin and slice the peaches.** Pull the skins off with your fingers. The skins should come off easily. Slice the peaches in half and pull out the stones. Throw away the stones, and slice the peaches.
4. **Boil the sliced peaches and water together.** Add 4 cups (950 millilitres) of sliced peaches and 4 cups (950 millilitres) of water to a pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it's boiling, set a timer for 5 minutes.
Some recipes call for less water, so you can adjust to your tastes.
5. **Remove the mixture from the heat.** Once the 5 minutes is up, take the pan off the stove, and turn the burner off. Set the pan aside to cool while you mix the other ingredients.
6. **Mix the lemon and sugar together in a separate bowl.** In a large bowl, mix 0.5 cups (120 millilitres) sugar and 1 tablespoon (15 millilitres) lemon juice. Stir it until the sugar dissolves into the lemon.
You can also add a dash or two of nutmeg if you'd like.
7. **Puree the peaches in a blender.** After the peach-water mixture has cooled, puree the mixture in a blender until smooth. You may have to do several batches. After each batch is blended, add it to the lemon-sugar mixture.
8. **Mix the peach puree and the lemon-sugar mixture together.** Once you've blended all the peaches, add the last batch to the lemon-sugar mixture. Mix it together well until you have a homogeneous mixture. You can then serve it up over ice or use it in a recipe.
9. **Refrigerate the peach nectar for a day or two.** If you plan to use your nectar quickly, you can keep it in the refrigerator. However, like most fresh juices, you should use it within a couple of days.
10. **Pour into freezer-safe jars.** Another option for preserving peach nectar is to put it away in the freezer. As you pour it into the jars, make sure to leave a little room at the top for the nectar to expand, so you don't break your jars. Set them in your freezer for safe keeping; the nectar should stay good for about a year.
11. **Add a dash to your tea or club soda.** Peach nectar is a great flavor for many drinks. It can brighten up iced tea. Just add a splash with a slice of peach and squeeze of lemon. You can also serve peach nectar over ice with club soda for an easy, refreshing drink.
It's also a good addition to cocktails.
12. **Add it to recipes to add sweetness.** Peach nectar makes a surprisingly delicious addition to recipes. For instance, you can add it to a glaze when making ham for a punch of flavor. Alternatively, try adding some to the slow cooker when making pulled pork. It gives it a lovely sweetness.
13. **Wash and slice two peaches.** Rinse two peaches thoroughly under water. When they're clean, cut them in half and remove the pit. Cut the peach into thin slices, and place the slices in a pitcher.
14. **Wash and mince the ginger.** Cut a small piece of ginger off the root (about an inch long). Wash it off, and then slice off the peel. Mince the ginger finely. You should have about 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of ginger to add to the pitcher.
15. **Add the ginger ale and peach nectar to the pitcher.** Pour 3 cups (710 millilitres) of ginger ale into the pitcher. Add 0.5 cups (120 millilitres) of peach nectar to the pitcher. Blend the ingredients well, and serve over ice.
Refrigerate any leftovers and discard in a day or so. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fresh-Peach-Nectar", "language": "en"} |
How to Cut an Onion | Whether you want to slice, dice, or cut your onion into rings, cutting an onion is easy! Once you know the basics, you’ll find yourself feeling more confident about trying all sorts of recipes!
1. **Slice an onion in half lengthwise.** Stand an onion on its root end. Use a sharp knife to cut it from the top, stem end down towards the root. You will be left with two halves, each containing half of a root and half of a stem.
Use this technique if your recipe calls for any of the following: "French-cut," "julienned," "thinly-sliced," or "thin-cut."
2. **Cut away the stem end.** Do not cut away the root end. It will give you something to grip onto and help hold the onion together as you cut it.
3. **Peel away the papery skin.** Some onions have several layers of this thin, papery skin. Keep peeling until you reach the thicker, moist, tender skin.
4. **Cut the onion into thin slices.** Take one of the onion halves, and set it down on the cutting board, like a dome. Begin cutting at one end and finish cutting at the other. You can cut the onion widthwise or lengthwise. How thick or thin you cut the slices is up to you, but something between ⅛ and ¼-inch (0.32 and 0.64-centimeter) thick would be idea.
Cutting an onion widthwise, or against the grain, will give it a sharper taste.
Cutting an onion lengthwise, or with the grain, will give it a milder flavor.
5. **Repeat the process for the other half, then separate the pieces.** If you cut your onion lengthwise or with the grain, the pieces may still be attached to the root end. In this case, hold the onion by the sides, then slice off the root end. Use your fingers to pull apart the pieces. Find the root ends, then discard them.
6. **Slice an onion in half vertically.** Stand an onion down on its root end. Pick up a sharp knife, and slice it down the middle, from top to bottom. Pull apart the two halves. Each half should have a root at one end, and a stem at the other.
Chopping, dicing, and mincing all requires the same technique; the differences is only in how small you cut the pieces.
7. **Trim the stem away.** Place one of the onion halves down so that it looks like a dome. Slice off the stem end and discard it. Leave the root end intact. Repeat this step for the other onion half.
8. **Peel the skin away.** Some onions have several layers of thin, papery skin. Keep peeling until you reach the thicker, moister skin underneath.
9. **Slice the onion lengthwise.** Push the tip of the knife into the root end and slice downwards towards the stem end. Work your way from one side of the onion to the other. Hold the onion by the root end, and avoid cutting through it. Here is how thick you should cut the pieces based on different cooking terms:
"Minced": cut it into ⅛-inch (0.32-centimeter) thick slices.
"Finely-chopped or diced": cut it into ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) thick slices.
"Medium-cut": cut it into ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) thick slices.
"Coarsely-chopped": cut it into ¾-inch (1.91-centimeter) thick slices.
10. **Slice the onion in half widthwise.** Cut straight across the cuts you made in the previous step. Start at the cut, stem end, and work your way towards the root end. The closer together you make the slices, the smaller the pieces will be.
Cut your widthwise slices the same thickness as you did your lengthwise slices.
11. **Chop the onion widthwise.** Cut the onion from the top down, just like you did for the lengthwise cuts. This will cause the pieces to detach from the root, so start at the edge and work your way towards the root. When you’re done, you’ll have a thinly cut onion!
12. **Repeat the process for the other half.** Chop, mince, or dice up the other onion half. When you're done, use you fingers to pull apart and separate the pieces. You should end up with lots of tiny chunks of onion. Find the root pieces, and discard them.
13. **Cut a ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) thick slice from the side of an onion.** Set the onion down on its side, with the root and tapered ends sticking out to the sides. Use a sharp knife to slice off one of the curved sides by ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter).
Do not cut off the root or tapered end just yet.
14. **Peel off the papery skin.** Use your fingers of a knife to pry the dry, papery outer layer from the onion. Grab it from the side you just cut, and pull it away. You may have to peel away several layers.
15. **Set the onion down onto the side you just cut.** This will help keep the onion steady and prevent it from rolling around as you cut. The root and tapered ends should still be sticking out to the sides.
16. **Place your non-dominant hand on the tapered end of the onion.** Leave the stubby, root-end exposed. You will be cutting from this end first.
17. **Slice the onion into rings, from one end to the other.** Begin slicing the onion at the root end, and finish slicing at the tapered end. Make sure that the knife is very sharp. You can slice the onion as thick or as thin as you want to. Something between ⅛ and ¼ inch (0.32 and 0.64 centimeters) would be ideal.
Thicker slices are great for frying, while medium ones are ideal for burgers.
Slice the onion as thin as possible if you are making a salad.
18. **Discard the ends and pull apart the rings.** Once you have finished slicing the onion, discard the root and tapered ends. Use your fingers to gently pop the rings out of each other.
19. **Trim off both ends of the onion.** In most cases, you will want to leave the root end on the onion. When you are cutting an onion into chunks, however, you want to cut off both the root end and the stem end.
This method is ideal for roasting and grilling onions.
20. **Cut the onion in half, lengthwise.** Stand the onion up on one of its cut ends. Use a very sharp knife to slice it in half, from top to bottom.
21. **Peel away the outer skin.** Most onions will have a 1 to 2 layers of thin, papery skin; some may have more. Use your fingers to peel this skin away. You are ready for the next step once you reach the moist, tender skin underneath.
22. **Cut the onion in half again lengthwise.** Take one of the onion halves and set it down so that it looks like a dome. Cut it in half from one cut end to the other.
Cut the onion further into wedges, if required. Continue cutting the onion lengthwise, but this time at an angle.
23. **Cut the onion in half horizontally.** Hold the onion by the curved side edges. Rotate it so that the cut root/stem ends are pointing up and down. Cut the onion in half horizontally.
24. **Cut the onion half, then separate the layers, if desired.** How much you separate the layers is up to you. If you are roasting the onion, you might want to separate all of the layers into individual flakes. If you are making kabobs, you might want to keep the pieces about two layers thick instead.
You can also leave the onion quarters/wedges as they are, and roast them. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-an-Onion", "language": "en"} |
How to Eat Fajitas | If you've gathered all the ingredients for fajitas and are ready to put them together, there's a simple process for creating them. To make the best fajitas, start with a soft filling on top of the tortilla to help keep the meat and veggies in place. Enjoy adding your desired toppings to your fajitas, and serve them with a side like beans and rice.
1. **Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.** Take the tortillas out of the plastic wrap or bag and place them on a microwavable plate. Heating up the tortillas makes them easier to fold when making the fajitas.
2. **Spread the soft fillings down the middle of the tortilla.** Soft fillings include things like beans, guacamole, or sour cream. Use a spoon to spread the soft filling, spreading it down the middle of the tortilla.
Keep the filling away from the edge of the tortilla.
Adding the filling first will act as an adhesive for the other toppings to keep your fajita together.
3. **Add equal amounts of meat and veggies on top of the soft fillings.** Choose a meat such as beef, chicken, or seafood, slicing it up into bite-size pieces with a sharp knife. Add vegetables like peppers and onions, similarly sliced, to the fajita as well.
Adding equal amounts of meat and veggies will create the best flavor.
4. **Top your fajita off with extra toppings or garnishes.** This includes ingredients like shredded cheese or salsa. Add whichever other ingredients you’d like to your fajita until it's finished.
5. **Avoid overstuffing the tortillas.** If you put too many ingredients in the tortilla, your fajita will be difficult to eat and won’t be able to contain all of the food properly. Try to make sure that you can fold each side of the tortilla over one another when adding ingredients.
6. **Pull up the bottom edge of the tortilla to act as a barrier.** Once your fajita has all of its ingredients, pull the edge at the tortilla's end upwards roughly 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm). This will keep your toppings from spilling out of the bottom as you go to eat the fajita.
If you’d rather eat your fajita completely open, you don’t have to fold up the bottom of the tortilla.
7. **Fold both edges of the tortilla to the center.** Hold the bottom fold in place and fold over the 2 sides of the tortilla so that they overlap each other in the middle. Depending on how many ingredients are in your fajita, the edges may overlap a lot or very little.
8. **Flip the fajita over so the tortilla doesn't come undone.** This is especially helpful if you have lots of ingredients in your fajita. As you pick up the fajita to eat it and put it back down, continue placing it so that the folded edges are touching the plate.
You can also use a toothpick to keep the tortilla in place.
9. **Allow everyone to choose their fajita ingredients.** This ensures that each person gets to make a fajita that is to their liking. Place each ingredient in its own container and let each person start with a tortilla on their plate so that they can choose which ingredients will go on their fajita.
Create a fajita bar by setting up all of the ingredients and toppings in a line on the counter so that everyone can easily make their fajitas.
10. **Serve a variety of toppings and sauces to add flavor to the fajitas.** Toppings for your fajitas might include grilled onions, bell peppers, shredded Mexican cheese, sour cream, guacamole, or salsa. Add a fajita seasoning, hot sauce, or soy sauce for even more flavor.
Some people also enjoy slices of avocado, lime wedges, chopped cilantro, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or jalapeños on their fajitas.
Choose to serve as many or as little toppings as you'd like, though a variety of toppings will make the fajitas even tastier.
11. **Choose side dishes to eat with the fajitas, if desired.** There are several sides that go well with fajitas—a popular one is beans and rice. You might also consider serving guacamole salad or corn on the cob.
Cilantro lime rice or black bean soup are other popular options.
12. **Pick up the fajita and bite into the open end.** When you’re ready to eat, hold the fajita with one or two hands, using your pinkies to keep the bottom fold of the tortilla in place. Eat your fajita normally, ending your last bite with the folded up end.
Use a fork to eat any ingredients that fall onto the plate. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Fajitas", "language": "en"} |
How to Diagnose Respiratory Problems in Rabbits | Respiratory problems are common in rabbits and can be quite serious. One reason for the seriousness is that rabbits are obligate nasal breathers, meaning they breath only through their noses. This means that a blocked up nose is hugely distressing, and can lead to rapidly declining health. Because of this, it is important that a rabbit owner can recognize the signs that their rabbit has a respiratory problem. It's also important that the owner seeks veterinary attention for the rabbit if its health is in question.
1. **Look for nasal discharge.** The most common respiratory problem is 'snuffles,' a disease that causes upper respiratory tract infections with a nasal discharge. The classic pasteurella infection discharge is a thick, creamy white discharge from the nostrils. However the discharge can be anything from watery to white to yellow.
Pasteurella is so commonly a cause of ill health because many rabbits have it in their respiratory tract as a normal inhabitant. It only makes the rabbit sick when it's immune system is suppressed, such as when the rabbit is stressed, exposed to poor husbandry, or is treated with drugs which weaken the immune system, such as steroids.
2. **Pay attention to congested noises when breathing.** This is due to mucous in the nasal passageways. It is often accompanied by a discharge, sneezing, and sometimes coughing.
3. **Look for a dirty face and paws.** When the rabbit tries to clean the nose, so they can breath more freely, it smear the discharge over their fur. This leads to a dirty face and paws.
A sick rabbit may also neglect its general grooming regime. Be suspicious that your rabbit is sick if your rabbit's coat is looking dull and unkempt.
4. **Inspect the rabbit's eyes.** The infection can also impact the rabbit's eyes. This means that the rabbit may have a discharge from the eyes. The classic pasteurella discharge is a thick and white.
5. **Be on the look out for unusual head tilting.** In some cases, the bacteria travels from the throat up into the ear and causes an ear infection. This affects the rabbit's balance and they develop a head tilt.
6. **Look for a change in posture.** If the rabbit is having a lot of breathing difficulty, it may adopt a posture with an exaggerated straight neck and head. This allows the rabbit to straighten the respiratory passages in an effort to get more air in.
7. **Pay attention to a change in appetite.** Sick rabbits don't eat and this is a serious problem in itself. If your rabbit doesn't eat, take it to see a vet as soon as possible. A rabbit's digestive system can shut down completely and this can put its life at risk very quickly.
8. **Make sure your rabbit's cage is clean.** Husbandry can play a part, because a rabbit in a hutch that is not cleaned out regularly is exposed to high levels of ammonia, which when breathed in weakens the immunity of the respiratory tract and leaves it open to infection. Likewise, inhaling cigarette smoke is damaging to the delicate lining of the lungs, leading to airway irritation and inflammation.
9. **Take your rabbit to the veterinarian.** The vet will examine the rabbit and listen to its chest with a stethoscope. He or she will also check the heart for a murmur (since heart problems can lead to fluid build up in the lungs) and listen for crackles and wheezes in the lungs, which could indicate infection or pneumonia.
The vet may also listen at the rabbit's windpipe to see if the noise is louder from the head end or the chest. This helps the vet decide if this is an upper or a lower respiratory tract problem.
The lower is the lungs, and respiratory problems affecting the lungs might include infections, pneumonia, heart disease, cancer, or smoke inhalation. The rest of the tract above the lungs is considered 'upper' and consists of the windpipe, larynx and nasal cavities. Problems here include inhaled foreign bodies (such as straw), sinusitis, tooth root abscesses, and infection with a variety of bacteria or viruses.
10. **Discuss additional testing with your veterinarian.** This will cost you more but will allow your veterinarian to get a specific diagnosis. This may, or may not, be necessary, depending on what type of treatment the veterinarian suggests.
If the problem is in the lungs, the vet may gently place the rabbit on an x-ray plate and take a chest x-ray. The picture of the lungs can indicate the nature of the problem, such as inflammation in the lungs, fluid build up, tumors, or infection.
If the problem is in the upper respiratory tract, the vet may swab the nose. This is to get a sample of the discharge to send to the lab for culture and sensitivity. This grows the bugs present and helps the veterinarian select which antibiotic to use to kill the infection.
In complex cases, the vet may x-ray the rabbit's skull, to look for complicating factors, such as tooth roots that are growing up into the nasal cavity or infection in the inner ear.
11. **Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment.** Treatment usually involves antibiotics. However, this can be problematic because the bacteria in the rabbit's gut can easily be damaged by antibiotics. With this in mind, be sure to give your rabbit plenty of fresh hay and water while it is on the medication and take it back to the vet at the first sign of the digestive system having problems.
There is now a school of thought that pasteurellosis is over diagnosed and that other bacteria may also cause infections. This difference could be important if the bug is not sensitive to the antibiotic used to treat presumed pasteurellosis. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Respiratory-Problems-in-Rabbits", "language": "en"} |
How to Catch Crawfish | Crawfish—also known as crayfish or crawdads—are small, 10-legged crustaceans found in bodies of water across the U.S.A. and other countries. Catching them is a fun family activity that can be done using fishing poles, special traps, or even your bare hands! Once you're done you can turn these mini-lobsters into a tasty meal or bring one home as an unusual pinchy pet. Just make sure you only catch crawfish where it is legal to do so.
1. **Try string and bait catching.** String and bait catching is a simple way of catching crawfish and makes for a fun family activity. All you need is a fishing pole, rod or stick, some fishing line or string, and some bait.
You can attach the bait to the string using a fishhook or even a safety pin—this will ensure that the bait remains attached to the string and prevents the crawfish from getting away. Artificial lures like grubs work well.
Lower the bait into the water and jiggle it 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) from the bottom until you feel a tug on the end of the string. Then slowly move the crawfish and bait as close to the shore as possible before gently pulling it out of the water. Immediately place the crawfish into a bucket.
If you like, you can use a fishnet with a long handle to scoop up the crawfish as soon as you reel them in. This will prevent them from releasing the bait and getting away.
2. **Use open or closed traps.** Traps are the best way to catch large quantities of crawfish with relatively little effort. So if you want to feed your friends and family a crawfish feast, this is the way to go.
There are 2 main types of traps: open traps, which are basically collapsible nets that are open on one end, and closed traps, a more advanced variety with a funnel on one end which allows the crawfish to enter the trap, but prevents them from escaping.
Avoid using square-shaped traps as these can catch on rocks at the bottom of the water and become trapped or broken. Cylindrical-, conical- and beehive-shaped traps are all better options. Crawfish traps should be less than three feet in height, width, and depth.
Before you lower the traps into the water, you will need to bait them. Some traps have a hook in the center to which you can attach the bait, while others require the use of bait boxes or bait jars.
Open traps can be left in the water for several hours at a time, as long as there is enough bait, while closed traps can be left overnight. With any luck, when you pull the trap up again it will be filled with crawfish. Under the right conditions, you can catch 15–20 pounds (6.8–9.1 kg) of crawfish per trap!
3. **Catch crawfish by hand.** A third option for catching crawfish is just to catch them by hand, as they are often found amongst the rocks in shallow pools and can easily be picked up —just watch out for those sharp claws!
To catch a crawfish by hand, you will need to find a pond, creek, or lake that is well known for its crawfish population. Crawfish typically like to hide under rocks and plants in the shallow parts of the water.
To catch a crawfish, wade into the water and look for rocks that seem likely to be hiding a crawfish. Then very slowly reach your hand into the water and gently lift up the rock. If you lift it too quickly it can startle the crawfish and stir up mud which obstructs your vision, allowing the crawfish to scurry away.
If you lift the rock correctly, you should see a crawfish just sitting underwater. Now you have two options. The first option is just to pick the crawfish up with your bare hands. If it's very small, you can reach your hands into the water and cup it between both hands. If it's larger, you can pick it up using the thumb and forefinger of one hand, just behind the pinchers.
Your second option is to use a small bucket and stick. Gently place the bucket 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 cm) behind the crawfish, then wave the stick in front of it or give it a light tap. Crawfish swim backwards, so it should swim directly into the bucket. Once it's in there, scoop the bucket out of the water.
Whatever you do, don't blindly thrust your hand into the water, or you could get a nasty pinch!
4. **Get a fishing license.** In many states, a fishing license is required to catch crawfish. However, once this license is acquired, you can catch as many crawfish as you like, 365 days a year.
Family fishing licenses (which entitles any member of the family to fish) are available for purchase at your local state department, for a fee of approximately $60.
When using crawfish traps, the license number must be engraved on or attached to the trap, along with your name and address.
5. **Go crawfishing between April and October.** Crawfish are most active during the warmer months of the year, so the best time to go fishing for them is between April and October. However, it is still possible to catch crawfish during the colder months, just don't expect to find as many.
6. **Look for crawfish in freshwater lakes, ponds, and creeks.** Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans and can be found in many bodies of water across the U.S.A. and in countries around the world.
They make their homes in streams, ponds and lakes, in addition to canals, reservoirs, springs, and bedrock pools.
Most crawfish prefer still or slow-moving water, with plenty of rocks and vegetation to provide cover. They are most likely to be found close to the bank or in a deep hole in the middle of a river, pond, or lake.
7. **Go crawfishing at night.** Crawfish are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night, especially in warmer waters or during the summer months. Therefore, many people will set out to catch crawfish at dusk or will leave traps in the water overnight and collect them in the morning.
If you plan on leaving traps in the water overnight, make sure to attach a piece of string tied around a cork. The string should be long enough for the cork to float on top of the water, accounting for the pull of the current.This will allow you to find the traps easily in the light of day.
However, crawfish can still be tempted by bait during the day, so catching them during daylight hours is not impossible.
Go fishing at whatever time works for you. Just remember that nighttime crawfishing expeditions can be a lot of fun!
8. **Use the correct bait.** The best bait to use for crawfishing is widely debated, however, most sources will agree that you can't go wrong with the heads, tails, and guts of oily fish that are native to the local area.
Fish like salmon, herring, carp, perch, walleye, and trout all work well as crawfish bait, but things like sardines, squid, clams, sole, and eel will not.
Other options include any kind of fatty, raw meat such as chicken or pork. Crawfish are also attracted to pieces of hot dog and even fish-based cat food (though some crawfish experts would disagree with this).
The most important thing when it comes to bait is that the meat is fresh. Crawfish will not be attracted to old, spoiled, or smelly meat, contrary to popular belief.
9. **Secure the bait properly.** When you are using traps to catch crawfish, it is essential that the bait is properly secured.
With some basic traps, the bait is simply hung from a hook in the center of the trap. This works well, but if the traps are left underwater for too long, the crawfish will eat all of the bait, then lose interest and escape from the trap.
Therefore, many crawfish experts recommend using bait boxes—these allow the crawfish to feed and enable the smell of the bait to disperse through the water, attracting more crawfish. But because the bait is less accessible, it will not be eaten as quickly, so the crawfish remain in the trap for longer.
Another option is bait jars—these allow the smell of the bait to disperse through the water but do not allow the crawfish to feed. The bait will last for longer, but the crawfish are not as likely to stay in the trap once they realize that they cannot feed.
10. **Follow the laws regarding crawfish for your area.** Be aware that some states forbid people from taking live crawfish away from their capture site. Some states (such as Arizona) forbid people from taking live crawfish home—they must be killed at the site of capture. So if you are considering bringing a crawfish home for a pet, make sure to look up your state's regulations first.
Avoid releasing extra crawfish back into the water after you've caught them. Some states view crawfish as a pest and would like to reduce their numbers, as a result of the damage they've done to certain aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, you should get rid of the crawfish as humanely as possible or give them to another angler once you are done. You can also use them as bait when fishing for steelhead and salmon, particularly if they’re from the same river.
11. **Cook the crawfish if desired.** Crawfish contain a delicious sweet white meat that can be eaten on its own or used in a variety of southern-style dishes such as crawfish jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, and crawfish bisque. Crawfish can also replace other shellfish such as lobster and crab in most dishes.
First, kill the crawfish by thrusting a sharp knife between the head and thorax, or by submerging them in ice or boiling water for several minutes.
To cook them, boil a pot of plain water and add some salt, black pepper, and cayenne for authentic Acadian seasoning. Rinse any mud or debris off the crawfish with clean water.
If you wish to purge the vein inside the crawfish (intestines) before cooking, mix half a cup of salt or white vinegar with a bucket of clean water and leave the crawfish to soak in it for 30 minutes. When the water turns murky, they are ready to cook.
Place the whole crawfish (or just the tails and large claws) into the pot of boiling water and leave for approximately 5 minutes, or until the shells turn bright red. If you like, you can add additional ingredients to the water such as seafood boil, onions, jalapenos, or cilantro.
Eat the crawfish on their own, dipped in butter and lemon juice or covered in cocktail sauce. Serve with corn on the cob and boiled potatoes for a hearty post-fishing lunch or dinner.
12. **Keep them as pets as an alternative.** Some people like to keep crawfish as pets, as they are easy to care for and are fascinating for children to watch. Sometimes they can even be brought to school and kept as a classroom pet!
Transport the crawfish by keeping them somewhere damp and cool. Do not place the crawfish in a bucket of water as most species need oxygen to survive and will die in stagnant water. As long as the crawfish is kept moist, it can survive out of water for several days.
Keep the crawfish in an oxygenated aquarium on its own, as it will eat other fish. It can feed off any vegetation you place in the aquarium or you can feed it fish heads and trimmings, fatty meats, or any of the bait described above. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-Crawfish", "language": "en"} |
How to Use an Embedded Clause | An embedded clause is often used in a sentence to create a level of sophistication and detail. Using an embedded clause in your writing or in your daily speech can help to improve your level of English and give your language more variety. You should first recognize the purpose of an embedded clause before you apply them to your writing and your speech.
1. **Recognize the difference between a root clause and an embedded clause.** The root clause in a sentence is also known as the main clause, as it forms the main section of the sentence. The embedded clause is then insert inside the main clause to expand on it. The root or main clause will contain the embedded clause.
Keep in mind embedded clauses are sometimes called subordinate clauses. Most subordinate clauses begin with “because”, “since”, and “although”, which are called subordinators. For example, a subordinate clause would be found in the sentence: “Ashley left the room because she hated dancing.” “Because she hated dancing” is the subordinate clause as it adds more detail to the beginning of the sentence, “Ashley left the room”.
2. **Learn the primary function of an embedded clause.** An embedded clause is a clause used in the middle of a sentence, or in the root clause. The embedded clause should give the reader more information and enhance the overall meaning of the sentence. Using embedded clauses will help to create more detail to your sentences and raise your writing to a higher level.
The clause are usually a group of words that include a subject and a verb. The embedded clause will then be bracketed by commas in the sentence. Most embedded clauses begin with “who”, “which”, “where”, and “that”. Embedded clauses cannot stand separately from the sentence.
3. **Note the two types of embedded clauses.** There are two types of embedded clauses: nominal clauses and relative clauses. Nominal clauses use “that” or “for” to create the embedded clause. Relative clauses use “who”, “which”, and “where” to create the embedded clause.
You can use either type in sentences when you are trying to use an embedded clause. However, some sentences may work better if you use the nominal clause and some might work better if you use the relative clause.
4. **Use “which” or “where” to create an embedded clause.** You will use “which” in an embedded clause when you are referring to an inanimate object, such as an item you own. You will use “where” when you are referring to a location or place, such as the house where you were born or your current address.
For example, you may say, “My phone, which is brand new, is not working.” The embedded clause in this sentence is “which is brand new”, as it adds more information about the subject of the sentence, “my phone”.
You may say, “This house, where I grew up, has changed over the years.” The embedded clause in this sentence is “where I grew up”, as it provides more information about the subject of the sentence, “this house”.
You’ll notice that the embedded clauses “which is brand new” and “where I grew up” are bracketed by commas. They also do not make sense as separate phrases and are only grammatically correct when they are placed in the sentences.
5. **Form an embedded clause with “who”.** You will use “who” in an embedded clause when you are discussing a person, such as a friend, partner, or acquaintance.
For example, you may say, “The nurse, who was very sweet, gave me a shot.” The embedded clause in this sentence is “who is very sweet” as it provides more information on the subject of the sentence, “the nurse”.
6. **Make a relative clause using “that”.** You can also use “that” to create a relative clause, a type of embedded clause. This will allow you to provide more information in a sentence with the use of “that”.
For example, you may say, “I should have noticed that Mark does not like Mindy.” The relative clause in the sentence is “that Mark does not like Mindy”. In this case, you are using the embedded clause to provide more information in the sentence and expand on “I should have noticed”.
7. **Use a variety of embedded clauses in your writing and speech.** To effectively deploy embedded clauses in your writing, you should try to vary which ones you use and how you use them. Sprinkle them throughout a section of writing to add more detail, but avoid using them in every sentence or in two sentences in a row. Often, embedded clauses are more effective when they appear sporadically.
For example, you may start with a sentence that does not have an embedded clause, such as, “I had a difficult day today.” You may then expand on the sentence by using a sentence with an embedded clause, such as, “My computer, which is very expensive, is not working properly.”
When you are using embedded clause in academic papers or essays, you should use them to expand on an idea or thought you have introduced earlier. For example, you may have the sentence, “Social norms and rules are a major theme in 19th century British literature.” You may then expand on the sentence with a sentence with an embedded clause, “Jane Austen, who is one of the more prominent novelist of the time, addresses this theme in many of her works.” | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Embedded-Clause", "language": "en"} |
How to Care for Mice During Vacation | When planning a vacation, you need to consider how to keep your pets healthy, safe, and happy while you’re away. Taking care of mice is relatively simple as they are low maintenance pets. The easiest choice is having a friend come and feed your mice every day or two. As long as you make sure your temporary caregiver knows how to handle your mice, you should be good to go. In other circumstances, such as if you’re traveling for a long period of time, you may want to leave your mice elsewhere or take them with you. In these cases, you should plan carefully to maximize your mice’s comfort and wellbeing.
1. **Leave your mice alone on a short trip.** How you should care for your mice will depend on how long your trip is. If you are only leaving home for a day or two, leave an extra bowl of food and fill your mouse’s water dish or bottle with a fresh supply. Since mice can dehydrate quickly, it's a good idea to also put in a backup water bottle.
The amount of food you need to leave depends on how many mice you have. If you have more than one, leave two extra food bowls, especially if one mouse tends to eat more than the other.
2. **Find somebody to feed your mice.** If you are leaving for an extended amount of time, you’ll need to find somebody to feed your mice. You can either ask a trusted friend to come feed your mice or hire a pet sitter.
If you decide to ask a friend to watch your mice, make sure their schedule will allow them to come at least once every two days to check on your mice.
Hiring a sitter is costly but ensures that your mice will be taken care of in your absence. Be sure to check references and have your sitter come over and handle the mice in front of you first to make sure it’s a good fit.
You can also hire a house sitter to live in your house while you’re away. A house sitter will not only take care of your mouse, but also keep your house clean and safe while you’re gone.
Like people, mice get lonely. The females especially love the company of their owners. Try to find someone who is available to check in on your pet daily to prevent your mouse from becoming too lonesome.
3. **Leave instructions for the person watching your mice.** Tell whoever is watching your mice exactly what they need to do. This includes information on how many times a day your mice need to be fed, what kind of food they eat, what kind of treats (especially fruits and veggies) can be given, how to catch them if they escape, and how often to clean the cage.
Be certain that your caregiver knows what kinds of foods are toxic to mice, such as chocolate, peanuts, acidic fruits and vegetables, and raw meat.
Type up the information and leave it in an obvious spot next to the cage just in case your caregiver forgets.
4. **Buy your mouse a new toy before you leave.** Mice are intelligent animals that need stimulation and exercise. If you tend to handle and play with your mouse, it’s a good idea to buy them a new toy before you leave so that they don’t become bored.
Mice need to chew. Their teeth are constantly growing and need to be worn down. Make sure that they have sufficient chew toys to last the course of your trip to maintain the mice’s dental hygiene.
5. **Determine the best situation for your needs.** It can be hard to find somebody willing to look after your mice if you’re going away for a long vacation. Having a friend watch over your pet is the best option financially, but if you’re unable to find a friend or family member to do the job, you may have to seek alternative options.
It’s hard to find a pet hotel or boarding facility that will take rodents, but you can talk to somebody at a pet shelter or humane society to see if they can find you a reliable sitter or volunteer.
If your mouse is sick, you can have it stay at your local vet. You will have to check first to make sure your vet provides this service. It may cost extra.
6. **Make sure you leave your mice in a safe environment.** Be sure your mice’s new home is appropriate for their needs. If your caregiver has young children, make your caregiver aware that the children are not to handle the mice unsupervised.
If the caregiver has other pets, make sure they are dedicated to keeping the mice out of harm’s way. Animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets, snakes, or rats might try to eat your mice if they are left out of the cage.
Mice can overheat and die if left in sunlight for too long. Have the caregiver store the cage away from heavy sun exposure, especially if it’s summertime. In winter, be sure the mice get sufficient warmth and are not left outside.
7. **Leave instructions for your caregiver.** Make sure your caregiver knows how often to feed your mice, change their water, and clean their cage. It’s best to have them over before you leave to show them how to properly handle your mice.
Type up instructions for your caregiver in case they forget.
If you’re leaving your mice in a family that has children, it’s especially important that the children know how to take care of the mice as well. Leave a list of foods that are toxic to mice (chocolate, peanuts, acidic fruits and vegetables, raw meat) next to the cage.
8. **Only take mice with you if necessary.** Travel is stressful on mice. If you are going on vacation for months and can’t find anybody to watch your mice and can’t afford to pay your sitter, then it might be appropriate to take your mice along.
9. **Ensure mice-friendly accommodations.** Call ahead to make sure your hotel, motel, or rental will allow you to bring your mice. If you’re going to be staying in multiple locations or are unsure of how long you will be in each destination, keep a list handy of potential pet-friendly places to stay that you can reference on the fly.
If you are traveling in a way other than your car, make sure that small pets are allowed on board. Some airlines, trains, or busses may have rules pertaining to animal travel. Call ahead to make arrangements to ensure a safe journey for your mice.
10. **Bring extra food and water.** Make sure you have enough supplies to last throughout the trip so that your pet doesn’t get hungry and stressed. Keeping treats somewhere easily accessible such as the glove compartment and give out every few hours.
Purchase a travel water bottle. These are designed to be spill-free on the go. You can purchase these at Petco or any other local pet store.
11. **Put a nametag and ID on the cage.** Fasten a nametag with your phone number, address and email onto the cage. This will help you be reunited with your pet in the event that your cage is somehow lost or stolen during travel. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Mice-During-Vacation", "language": "en"} |
How to Use Amadeus Software | Amadeus is an online tickets reservation and distribution program that is based in Madrid, Spain but sells airline tickets for various airlines around the world. You can also use Amadeus software to reserve tickets for other modes of transportation such as ferry and train or book hotel accommodation. The Amadeus program allows you to search its central database and view reports about various companies to help you analyze your options for travel.
1. **Go to the Amadeus login page using your Internet browser.**
2. **Type in the username and password that was provided by your account manager.**
3. **Tick the box to store password if you don't want to type your login information every time you need to sign in.** Otherwise you can leave the box unchecked.
4. **Press the OK button to sign in and go to the search page.**
5. **Use the search page to find information about travel and accommodation companies or to get a list of companies that match your criteria.** The menu bar at the left has 2 search options available, namely "Quick search" and "Expert search." You can search according to the following criteria on Quick search.
Company name: enter the full or partial name of the company you want to find.
Ticket: enter a ticket number.
Location: allows you to search by country.
Industry: provide the type of services that the company should provide.
Size: lets you choose the size of the companies filtered by number of employees or sales.
Company type/Ownership: choose whether the company should be public or privately owned.
6. **Use the Expert search if you want to do a more specific search of the Amadeus database.** The Expert search gives you the following additional options.
Stock exchange: see the stock market trends of companies.
Legal form: view the company's legal history.
Board members: see who the members of the board are.
Year of incorporation: find out when the company was established as a corporation.
7. **Analyze your search results using the tabs at the top.** Search: you can return to this tab at any time to conduct a new search or change your search criteria.
List: shows you a list of your current search results.
Company report: shows detailed reports of the companies that you select from the search results, including updated information about online tickets.
Peer report: allows you to assess whether a company meets the standards upheld by other similar companies.
Peer analysis: lets you compare companies with each other.
8. **Export the information that you find useful using the following options in the Amadeus program.** Each option can be accessed by clicking on its icon with the option name written inside.
Send to: clicking on this icon will send the information that you are viewing to an email address that you specify.
Print: print the page that is open in your Internet browser using this option.
Export: export various reports, tables and graphs displaying information found on the Amadeus database as Excel (.xls), Word (.doc), Rich Text Format (.rtf), ASCII Delimited (.asc) or ASCII (.txt) files. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Amadeus-Software", "language": "en"} |
How to Be a Young Adult | If you feel like you're not really sure how to do this whole adulthood thing yet, you're definitely not alone. Transitioning from teenager to young adult is exciting, but it's also confusing and scary. The good news is that there's a bright light at the end of the tunnel. To help you reach it, we've rounded up tips to make transitioning into young adulthood easier, less overwhelming, and even fun.
1. **Accept the challenge.** You’ve probably heard many grumpy adults tell you that your generation is ungrateful and immature. This attitude is, like your becoming a young adult, just another natural transition in life. Their generation (and each before it) was filled with 18 year olds who didn’t want to grow up. Though this transition has always been difficult for humans, it is still very important to accept the challenge. Life isn’t always enjoyable, but maturing proactively can make it a little easier.
2. **Learn to respect your parents (or your guardian).** This is important, firstly, because they are probably the most emotionally and financially equipped people to offer help when you need it. There are also larger reasons for respecting your parents. You have a lifelong bond that can be an incredible source of strength for everyone involved. Sure, you may have quarreled while you were growing up, but it’s time to do the adult thing and put your differences aside.
3. **Find mentors.** The emotional and daily struggles you have as a young adult have been around forever. You’re not the first person to experience them, so check in every now and then with an adult you look up to. They can help you through problems and offer advice on how to ‘be an adult’ in a given situation.
Having a mentor to talk to is also an important part of maintaining mental health. The early adult years are when you are most susceptible to showing signs of mental illness. Let someone help you keep your blossoming feelings under control.
4. **Research and explore career options.** The key to surviving the work culture of the 21st century is forgetting the clichéd question “what do I want to do for the rest of my life?” Almost no one these days will work for one company their entire life, much less have anyone job title. Many jobs that are available right now might become obsolete in the future. The best thing to do at 18 years old is think about general tasks you enjoy, and environments you enjoy being in. See this guide for a detailed description of the process of choosing a career.
For example, if you keep your room tidy and keep track of all your expenses, you may enjoy a job in logistics or data management.
Your ideal work environment may be as simple as indoor or outdoor. Or, for example, if you enjoy concerts, you should look into careers in audio engineering or event planning.
You shouldn’t forget about your teenage dreams and hobbies, but most people aren’t going to become successful rock stars. Consider putting off spending too much time on unrealistic dreams until they are a viable way to earn a living. If you do want to follow your dreams, you can try following your dreams in a more "scaled down" and realistic fashion. For example, you may want to become a rock star, but think about starting a band and playing in your local community at a local coffee shop or lounge, etc.
Getting a part time job while you explore your career options is a great idea. Just don’t get complacent with a job that doesn’t fill you with self-respect just because it puts a few bucks in your pocket.
5. **Look into ‘adult’ hobbies.** It is important to have fun, but you should start thinking of ways to enjoy the world as an adult. There is a world of culture that you may have previously found dull or uninteresting. Now that you have matured some, try those activities again and see what all the rage is about – there is probably a reason ‘adult’ hobbies have been around so long.
For example, try to spend less time watching cartoons and more time reading.
Or, try going to a music concert that is not rock, hip hop or pop music.
You don’t need to force yourself to tolerate activities you still don’t enjoy, but try to expose yourself to them and see how you like them.
6. **Move into an apartment you can afford.** If you live in an area that allows you to move out of your parents’ house, do it! You may have to have roommates the first few years, but see that as an opportunity. Unlike high school friends, who often move in opposite directions, the friends you make as a young adult are probably there to stay. Roommates you have as a young adult can become lifelong friends. You will learn to be mature and responsible. Check out this guide for more on choosing an apartment.
Look at the neighborhood. You want to factor in accessibility, safety, public transportation, and nearby amenities.
Make a budget. After rent, utilities, renter’s insurance, and any other housing related expenses, you shouldn’t be spending more than one-third of your monthly income.
Find roommates at a similar place in life. You may be able to successfully live with older or younger roommates later, but keep your life more simple by rooming with like-minded people in this phase of your life.
If you’re still in high school, you shouldn’t move into an apartment just yet – this advice is for a little later.
7. **Make short-term and long-term goals.** Think about where you want your life to be in five years. This will be important in giving your life a sense of direction, but don’t feel bound to it. As the saying goes, life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Therefore, write down where you want to be in a few months, or next year. This should be a smaller, more achievable goal that will make your daily life more enjoyable.
Long-term goals involve personal relationships, whether or not to attend college, being in an ideal career or job title, etc. These should be something you strive for, so making a plan is a good idea. However, be aware that your plan will change. For example, marriage may happen when you don’t expect it to, and not happen when you want it to. Be ready to roll with the punches.
Short term goals may simply be, for example, that you want to start a weekly exercise regimen by next summer. Or, you may want to simply get a part time job in the next couple months while you explore career options.
8. **Ask for little to no allowance.** Students can’t work enough to cover all college and living expenses in today’s economy. However, you should limit how much you’re in debt, both to banks and to your parents. Even though they may not expect you to pay them back, this ‘debt’ will linger in your subconscious. Start learning budgeting and pragmatism by limiting how financially dependent you are on your parents.
9. **Accept advice from your parents.** Your parents have been around longer than you have, and may have even attended college. Let them suggest time management and organizational skills while you are a student. Though they may not personally know your professors, they have come across many types of people in their life, and may have helpful advice for you.
Parents may be a good source for relationship advice. Now that you’re a little older and more or less on your own, they may be able to identify with your relationship problems better than a few years ago.
Seek advice from your parents about your resume. It is never too early to begin racking up experiences that will help you get jobs and promotions, so ask them what you should be doing in addition to school.
10. **Go out and live your own life.** Though listening to your parents is important, take this time to find yourself. Don’t simply parrot their opinions around your friends, and force yourself to emulate their daily routine. Do some critical thinking about what you believe and how you want to live your life. The more proud parents may not appreciate this, but they should respect you for it later in life.
11. **Solve problems yourself.** You will make mistakes as a young adult – everyone does. The important part is to solve the problems yourself, with as little aid from your parents as possible. Of course, it’s ok to ask their advice. However, calling your dad when you clog the dorm toilet is not a good way to solve the problem. Get a plunger and fix it yourself.
This extends to much more serious problems than a clogged toilet. If you didn’t plan your budget well, and are running out of money a month too early, try to find a way to solve the problem. Consider getting a short-term part-time job or checking the classifieds for little gigs.
12. **Treat classes and homework like your job.** While you should be developing adult skills during your college years, the reason you’re there is to learn. Go to class on time, speak up, and respect the professor. They will be writing you recommendation letters in a few years. A high GPA can come in very handy down the road in ways you never expected.
For example, if you decide to go back for a graduate degree later on, having put in the effort to get a 3.5 GPA instead of a 2.5 can be a real life saver.
13. **Try out keeping ‘adult’ hours.** Waking up at 6am-7am and going to bed at 10pm-11pm is not for everyone. However, this is a natural schedule most adults eventually gravitate toward. It is also the schedule you will probably need to abide by if you get a full time job one day. Make the transition easier on yourself by getting in this rhythm when you have fewer responsibilities early in the day.
It is easy for many college students to schedule all classes in the late morning, at the earliest. Try giving yourself a reason to get up earlier in the day by signing up for the earlier courses instead.
14. **Consider getting a part time job.** If you are taking a full load of courses, this may not be very doable. However, it is a good way to make the burden of loan debt and borrowing money from your parents easier. It also builds your resume with actual work experience, even if it is unrelated to the career you envision. Finally, a job teaches you important interpersonal and time management skills that you will need for the rest of your life.
15. **Get a job.** If you don’t go to college immediately, you need to start building your personal wealth. It is a good idea to go ahead and get a part-time job, even as you search for something you would enjoy more. It is easy for job searches to drag on much longer than you intend, and you can always quit a little part-time job.
Getting a job as a restaurant server is fairly easy, and quick turnover is expected in that industry.
Other service industry jobs like cashiering are easy to get and relatively painless to quit.
Who knows, this little job may open up a new world to you that you want to work in.
16. **Be grateful for the work you have.** In the internet age, machines do much of our work for us, limiting the number of jobs available. You may only have a crappy job right now, and think you deserve much more. You probably do deserve more, but look at this period as putting in your time. The best way to get promoted or impress your bosses is to put in a hard day’s work for your own sake if no one else’s.
Look at the part-time job for what it is – a way to pay the bills and save up some money while you figure out what you want to do with the next part of your life.
Try living day-to-day if you hate your job. If it was a beautiful day and a customer gave you positive feedback, put today in the ‘win column.’
Being grateful doesn’t mean you should accept your unenjoyable job indefinitely. Look around for openings at night, and apply to jobs you think you won’t get. If you don’t apply for these jobs, you’ll never have the possibility of getting lucky with a job offer from your dream company.
17. **Start saving money** Putting part of your paycheck into your savings account is going to be useful down the road when you want a house or car. The best way to save money is to keep track of all of your income and expenditures. Give yourself a weekly budget for food and outings, and stick to it. You can even itemize trips to see family and friends if you know how much you’ll spend on gas and food.
If your paycheck doesn’t automatically subtract income tax, put away some money every month for this. You should be saving somewhere between 20% and 30%, depending on your tax bracket.
18. **Consider getting a credit card.** If you are relatively stable, this is a good way to build good credit. However, it is also a liability if you are a student or don’t make enough money to add an extra bill each month. After all, you build credit just by paying your other bills, like rent and your car payment. Since only half of people under 25 in many areas get credit cards, whether or not you should depends on your situation. Do some budgeting and ask your parents and mentors what they think.
19. **Limit how often you go out.** Getting out of your parents’ house means you have less supervision and only self-imposed curfews. It’s easy to start going out 4 nights a week, or more. However, this will likely become expensive and get in the way of performing well in your job. Furthermore, developing early alcohol dependence may set the stage for abuse later in life. Try not to go out more than once or twice a week.
20. **Start buying more groceries.** You were probably used to having free groceries at your parents’ house and going out to eat otherwise. This is an expensive and generally unhealthy way to live. Force yourself to buy groceries, and plan on cooking them at home to save money.
Buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Starting adulthood with a healthy diet is important to form good habits and a good relationship with food.
21. **Make coffee at home.** This is more of a metaphor for making food or doing activities at home that are much more expensive elsewhere. You can, for example, pick up a deluxe coffee on your way to work one day. However, coffee by the pound is much cheaper, and can be made to taste better.
As far as activities go, consider seeing movies at home rather than going to the movie theater every time, for example. The more you commit to outings, the more time and money you will lose.
22. **Learn to be more self-sufficient.** Too many young adults can’t perform basic household tasks. Fixing the toilet and checking the oil in your car are basic tasks you should know how to do. This can-do attitude will transfer into your workplace. You will find that your supervisors will be much more impressed with someone who knows how to do random little things that help the office from day to day.
This could mean fixing a squeaky chair or identifying a serious problem with the company truck’s hydraulic system.
Being handy at home also helps you avoid unnecessary repair expenses.
23. **Take responsibility** You don’t have the shelter of people treating you like a kid anymore. You will need to make decisions carefully and for good reason. Afterwards, accept the consequences whether they are positive or negative. Apologize if you made a mistake, but focus on not making that mistake again. Older adults will respect you for this.
24. **Learn about the ‘status quo.** ’ You may not agree with the way something is done, but ask your parents or mentors why it is the way it is. You don’t always need to blindly accept the world as it is. However, this is a ‘pick your battles’ situation. Reinventing the wheel every time you walk out the door will make it impossible for you to actually live your life.
For example, you may not like paying local taxes. However, this is an important part of maintaining basic services and infrastructure. Get involved in local government to learn more about why the laws and regulations are the way they are.
You also may not like that you are expected to get married and have children, especially in more conservative and family orientated communities (think small town and suburban America). Talk to your parents about how and why they eventually came to terms with having children.
25. **Be active in your community.** Part of being an adult is shaping a better future. This involves community service and caring about education. Volunteer at your local school or community center, or find a way to be a role model for a younger teen or child.<
26. **Share what you’re good at.** Your hobbies from childhood will not likely become your career, but that doesn’t mean you need to quit doing them. If you are good at a hobby, sharing it with the community is a good way to give back. Find ways to show the world your talents.
For example, if you were in orchestra growing up, audition for community orchestras as an adult.
Or, if you were in boy scouts, volunteer as a troop leader.
If you are good at public speaking, volunteer to give children’s sermons at church, for example.
27. **Dress like you respect yourself.** Wearing more than sweats every day conveys a message to others and boosts your self-confidence.Of course, you shouldn’t be uncomfortable or dress in outdated attire. There are, nonetheless, noticeable perks of not being the laziest dresser in the room. Wear a basic pair of pants and shoes with laces on casual days, and emulate those around you at work.
28. **Remember to laugh.** After all this, it is important to remember that being an adult isn’t such serious business. Find hobbies that make you happy, and play! Sports, board games, and just running are perfectly acceptable activities for adults to have. Remember to really punch the clock at the end of the workday, and try to be a kid every once in a while.
Turn off the TV. Passive activities like this don’t stimulate your brain, and are not as rewarding as other ways of having fun.
29. **If you don’t know how to have fun, think of how you did it as a kid.** Doing little craft projects or playing video games isn’t illegal now that you are an adult.
Think about fun ways to exercise. Since you won’t have as much time to have fun and get exercise, combining the two is a good idea. Play sports in your community or find a running buddy. This will keep you from having to double book yourself for exercise and social events as well.
Engage with fun art forms. Try out painting, or get into art house films. It is easy to turn art into a fun hobby. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Young-Adult", "language": "en"} |
How to Install Subway Tile Backsplash | Subway tile is an increasingly popular backsplash choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms. One of the best things about subway tile is that it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Throughout a weekend or two, you can make a chic and practical backsplash out of the subway tiles of your choosing.
1. **Measure the area and purchase 10% more tile than you need.** Use a tape measure and measure the width and length of the space you want to cover with subway tiles. Multiply these numbers by each other. This will give you the total area you want to tile. Afterwards, add 10% to the total to cover potential waste.
If you have a 10-foot (3 m) section that is 2.5 (.76 m) high, you have an area of 25 square feet (7.6 square meters) to cover. To cover waste, you’ll add 2.5 square feet (.76 square meters) in addition. This will give you a total of 27.5 square feet (8.4 square meters) of subway tile you will need to purchase.
2. **Remove outlet and light switch covers.** Use a flathead screwdriver and unscrew the plastic covers from the outlets and light switches. After removing them, place the screws and the covers in plastic bags so you don’t lose any pieces. You’ll replace the covers once you’ve installed your backsplash.
3. **Sketch your tile design on the wall.** Start by determining how many tiles can fit vertically and horizontally in the area you want to cover. Next, figure out where you need to place partial pieces of tile (pieces that you will cut). A lot of this depends on your taste. Finally, take a pencil and draw on the wall where you plan to place individual tiles.
Factor in 1/8th of an inch (.32 cm) between tiles and the wall for grout lines.
You may want to choose between centering whole pieces of tile or starting at the top with whole pieces and finishing the bottom with cut/partial pieces (if there isn’t enough space for whole pieces).
4. **Lay your tile out.** After you’ve sketched your design on the wall, you should assemble all of the pieces you need to complete your project. It is best to lay out your pieces on a large table or on the floor in another room. This way, you’ll be able to match the pieces to the places on the wall where they will go.
Don’t cut any partial pieces yet. Set aside all of the pieces you’ll need to cut partial pieces. After placing full pieces on your wall, you may find that the size of the partial pieces you’ll need is a little different than what you anticipated.
5. **Place a cloth or plastic cover over your countertops and appliances.** Use a cloth or plastic to cover anything you want to protect from adhesive, grout, and caulk. Most importantly, place cloth or plastic over your countertops, on appliances, and on any furniture in the immediate area.
Secure drop clothes to countertops and appliances with painter’s tape.
6. **Cover the edges of cabinets and appliances with painter’s tape.** Take the time to systematically cover the edges of cabinets, appliances, and woodwork. This way, you’ll protect cabinets and more from being stained with grout or caulk.
7. **Rub 80-grit sandpaper back and forth on the area you are tiling.** When your sandpaper wears out and isn’t as abrasive, use a fresh piece. Make sure you sand the entire surface that you are tiling. Sanding will make it easier for the tile to adhere to the wall.
8. **Use a trowel to apply pre-mixed mastic to the wall.** Mastic is the adhesive, much like mortar, you’ll use to secure the tile to your wall. Spread enough pre-mixed mastic on the wall so you can place 1 row of tile for about 4 linear feet (1.2 m). This way, you’ll be able to place your tiles before the mastic starts to dry.
9. **Switch to a v-notched trowel to remove excess mastic from the wall.** Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle. Gently sweep vertically over the mastic. This will remove excess mastic and will also create grooves that will help the tile adhere to the wall.
10. **Separate your tiles with 1/8 inch (.32 cm) tile spacers.** Place one tile (or one sheet of tiles) on the wall at a time. Once you’re done with the 4 foot (1.2 m) row segment, apply more mastic and place more tile on the wall. Continue this process until you’ve covered the majority of your drywall with complete tiles.
11. **Use a toothpick or another tool to remove excess mastic from between the tiles.** Slide your tool of choice into the space between tiles and push out any mastic that was forced up when you placed the tile. By removing excess mastic, you’ll make sure there is plenty of room for grout when you apply it.
12. **Cut partial tiles** In spaces where a whole tile won’t fit, you’ll have to cut smaller pieces of whole tile. Use a wet saw to cut your tiles. If you don’t have a wet saw, you can purchase a ceramic tile cutter.
Before cutting a tile, use a pencil to outline where you need to cut it.
13. **Allow the tiles to set overnight.** Before grouting, caulking, and finishing your job, wait at least 12 hours for the mastic to dry and the tiles to set. If you don’t, you could wind up displacing your tiles.
14. **Remove spacers from between your subway tiles.** Move over your tiles from the left to the right and remove all of the spacers you placed to separate the tiles from one another. If you don’t remove the spacers before applying grout, you’ll have problems with your grout in the future.
If the spacer won't come out, use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out. Be careful not to damage the tile.
15. **Open your premixed grout 15 minutes before you use it.** While you can mix your own grout, it is much easier to purchase premixed grout and apply it without preparation. However, make sure you don’t open the grout until you’re ready to use it. If you open it earlier, it may begin to dry before you use it.
16. **Spread grout with a float back and forth.** Scoop up a generous amount of grout from your bucket with your float. Spread the grout over the spaces between your tiles. Apply extra grout, as you want to make sure you’re completely filling all grout lines.
Avoid filling the space between your tiles and your counter, appliances, or windows. You’ll fill these in with caulk later.
17. **Remove excess grout with a float.** Run your float lightly across the grouted portions of your tile. Use it to scope up as much excess grout as you can. By removing grout, you’ll make your cleanup process a lot easier. You’ll also be able to use the excess grout elsewhere in your project.
18. **Shape your grout with a pen, pencil, or the rounded edge of a float.** Take a rounded tool and run it along your grout lines. This will give a slightly concave appearance to your grout lines. It will also help to compact the grout and fill any pockets that aren’t already filled.
19. **Use a sponge to remove any grout haze.** Dampen a sponge in cool clean water. Wipe your tiles in a back-and-forth fashion. Rinse your sponge after you’ve wiped down one 4 foot (1.2 m) row of tiles. Continue to wipe your tiles until you’ve removed any grout or grout haze that remains on them.
20. **Caulk the edges between your tiles and cabinets, windows, and appliances.** Use a caulk that closely matches the color of the grout you used. Squeeze your caulk gun or the tube slightly to push out just enough caulk to fill the gap. Finally, dampen one of your fingers in warm water and use it to smooth the caulk.
You can use a rounded end of a pen, pencil, or another object instead of your finger.
Place painter's tape on the face of the tiles adjacent to where you’ll caulk. Remove the tape shortly after you’ve applied the caulk. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Subway-Tile-Backsplash", "language": "en"} |
How to Train Climbing Roses | Climbing roses come in all sizes, ranging from 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) tall to 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) or more. All of these roses need to be trained to climb, however, as they do not climb naturally. In order to train your roses, you’ll need to tie the canes to a support and keep up with pruning. If you haven’t installed a support or planted your roses yet, it’s critical to choose the right location and position them correctly.
1. **Tie the canes to the support without training the first year.** When your rose plant starts to grow canes, or stems, long enough to reach your support, tie each of them to it with 8–12 in (20–30 cm) strips of a stretchy material, such as pantyhose. Hold each cane against the support naturally and make loose ties with 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of “give” so that the plant has enough airflow to grow properly.
2. **Continue tying the canes every 15 inches (38 cm) during the first year.** After tying each cane to your support, tend to the plant as is until it grows another 15 inches (38 cm). Once you think the canes have grown about this far from the initial ties, measure the growth with measuring tape to be sure. Then, tie each cane as you did before, loosely to the support without forcing them in any specific direction.
Continue tying the canes each time they've grown 15 inches (38 cm) past their most recent tie.
3. **Train the canes to grow horizontally during the second year.** After your rose plant has had at least 1 year to establish itself and begin to grow naturally over the support, select the 4 or 5 most healthy, strong canes on the plant. Use 8–12 in (20–30 cm) strips of pantyhose to loosely tie these healthiest canes to the support, but this time tie them so that they’re positioned as horizontally as possible across the support.
As they grow, continue tying the canes horizontally at evenly spaced intervals.
Positioning climbing roses horizontally encourages the growth of side shoots, or laterals, that extend from the main canes. This allows the plant to produce more flowers.
4. **Prune your roses each spring.** Once your rose plant is about 3 years old, you’ll need to start pruning off old canes to promote growth. Each spring, after the first main flush of blooms, remove the ties on the old, gray, woody-looking canes and cut them off at the base with pruning shears. This is healthy for your plant because it helps to improve airflow and direct future growth.
In addition to removing dead, damaged, and diseased canes, you may also need to remove canes that cross and suckers that grow from below the graft union.
Don’t prune your plant at all during its first 3 years of life.
5. **Train the remaining healthy canes.** After removing all of the unhealthy canes, you should ideally have about 3 or 4 of the healthiest canes left. Once you’ve done this annual pruning, tie the remaining canes to the support loosely with strips of pantyhose. As the canes grow, continue tying them to the support horizontally at evenly spaced intervals.
6. **Decide on a location that’s sunny, sheltered, and has good drainage.** Roses grow best when they’re exposed to 6 hours of sun daily and are protected from harsh elements, such as wind. They also need to be planted in soil that drains well, or else rotting may occur. Choose a location in your yard to install your support that meets these needs.
7. **Select a support.** Choose a trellis or other similar structure that your roses can climb on. The support must be large enough and sturdy enough to hold the climbing rose in wet and windy conditions at its mature height. Choose a support that encourages horizontal growth, such as a fence, over a support that allows vertical growth, such as a rose tower. Also, consider ease of access for pruning.
A smaller climbing rose will do fine with a support that’s 2–5 feet (0.61–1.52 m) tall.
A larger climber will require a large arbor, pergola, or other sturdy structure.
Once a climbing rose is established, you won't be able to replace the support without severely damaging the plant. Try to purchase or build a support that will last for several decades.
8. **Install your support.** Once you’ve decided on a support and a location, it’s important that you secure your support to the ground. Anchor the base of the support with stakes to enhance its stability. If you’re leaning your support against a wall, be sure to place the base at least 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) away from the wall to allow proper airflow, and so that you’ll be able to access the plant when doing necessary maintenance.
9. **Dig a hole that’s 2 feet (0.61 m) deep.** Use measuring tape to measure 18–30 inches (46–76 cm) away from the base of your support. Use a shovel to dig a hole that’s 2 feet (0.61 m) deep and twice as wide as the plant’s root spread. This is where you’ll plant your roses.
10. **Position the graft union below the soil line in cold climates.** If you’re planting in an area that has a cold winter climate, put the plant in the hole and position the graft union of the plant, or the bulge where the top and bottom of the plant meet, about 2–6 inches (5.1–15.2 cm) below the soil level. Then, fill in the rest of the hole with soil. This should help to protect the plant from frost.
11. **Place the graft union above the soil line in warm climates.** If you’re planting in an area that has a warmer climate, there’s little risk of frost damage. Because of this, you can plant your rose plant with the bulging graft union slightly exposed. Fill your hole with some soil and place the plant in the hole so that the graft union is positioned just above the soil level.
12. **Add mulch to the surface.** Spread wood chips or cocoa bean hulls around the base of the rose plant, but be careful not to heap the mulch around the plant’s trunk. This should help the plant to retain water and also protect it from weeds.
13. **Water the root zone heavily twice a week.** Roses respond much better to less frequent soakings than frequent sprinklings. Soak the soil around the base of your rose plant with water at least twice a week during the warm summer months and at most twice a week during the rest of the year.
While roses love water, they may die if they sit in it. Remember that good drainage is crucial for growth.
14. **Wrap your support in burlap during the winter.** Your roses will be at risk throughout the winter if you don’t do anything to protect them from the cold weather. To ensure that your roses have the best chance at staying alive and healthy, wrap the plant and the support in burlap and stuff the inside with straw. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Climbing-Roses", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean a Seagrass Rug | Seagrass rugs are natural rugs made from sustainable grass grown in seawater. These rugs are biodegradable but durable inside your home due to being resistant to grime and stain. Still, regular vacuuming and immediate stain treatment will extend the life of your rug. Seagrass rugs give off water, so they need to be treated delicately. To clean your rug, vacuum up dirt regularly, spot treat spills with a neutral dish soap, and blot up and heat dry excess moisture before it sets into the rug.
1. **Vacuum the rug regularly.** Natural rugs must not be washed regularly, since they absorb moisture. Instead, vacuum the rug a few times per week using a suction brush. Pass over it several times, moving in a different direction each time to help dislodge the dirt.
Do this before treating spots and a few times per week to keep your rug clean.
2. **Scrape up solid spillage.** This should only be done for food, makeup, chalk, soot, and other substances too solid to be blotted. Use a dull knife or nail file. Hold the knife flat against the rug and use it to scrape up the substance without spreading it.
3. **Blot liquid spills with a paper towel.** Any food or liquid spills need to be absorbed immediately using a paper towel or undyed cloth. Dab the area with the towels to remove as much of the liquid as possible.
4. **Mix detergent and water.** In a small bowl, add a small amount of a neutral dish detergent, such as Dawn, to an equal amount of lukewarm water. Stir the mixture until it is soapy.
Avoid using laundry soap and other cleaners, as these can change the rug’s color.
Another option for cleaning seagrass rugs is commercial cleaner such as HOST Dry Cleaner. Follow the directions on the label to treat the spill.
5. **Sponge the cleaner onto the stain.** Dip a sponge or a brush into the detergent mixture. Apply small amounts of the cleaner onto the outside of the stain, working towards the center. This will help get rid of food, drink, and pet stains.
Dissolvers such as Tetra and petroleum solvent for oil and acetone polish remover for nail polish can be substituted to combat specific stains. Apply sparingly the same way you would detergent.
6. **Blot the rug with a paper towel.** Again, only use paper towels or undyed cloths to avoid staining the rug. Use these to remove excess moisture before it gets absorbed into the rug.
7. **Repeat stain cleaning.** When the stain persists, you may still be able to remove it. Add more of your cleaner and apply it the same way you did before. Follow it up by blotting off the excess using paper towels or undyed cloth. Do this a few times.
8. **Dry the rug quickly.** Once the stain is treated, remove the moisture before the rug absorbs it. Apply a heat source, such as that from a hair dryer. Focus heat onto the wet area and dry it quickly.
9. **Use spray-extraction for deep cleaning.** As a last resort for a soiled rug, find a machine that has a spray-extraction setting. Set the machine to the lowest moisture setting. In this method, the machine applies liquid cleaner and then quickly removes it.
10. **Blot the urine.** Quickly apply paper towels or white, undyed cloth on top of the spill. Pick up as much moisture off the rug as possible.
11. **Mix ammonia and water.** In a bowl, combine 4 fl oz (120 mL) of water and 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) of ammonia. Stir the mixture as thoroughly as possible.
12. **Dab the solution onto the stain.** Use an undyed white cloth or paper towel. Dip the cloth into the ammonia solution, wringing out excess moisture before patting the stain with the cloth. Cover the area with as little cleaner as possible to avoid damaging the rug.
13. **Wash the area with a damp towel.** Get a clean, undyed cloth or paper towel. Dip it in clean water, not the cleaning solution. Wring out the cloth to remove excess moisture, then blot the ammonia-treated area to pick up any ammonia left on the rug.
14. **Mix vinegar and water.** In a clean bowl, add 2 fl oz (59 mL) white vinegar to 2 fl oz (59 mL) water. Stir the mixture thoroughly. The vinegar solution will remove the smell of urine. Vinegar is for removing the smell of urine, so it is only necessary when the scent lingers after normal spot cleaning.
15. **Apply the solution to the rug.** Use another dry, undyed cloth or paper towel. Dip it into the solution, and wring out excess moisture. Then, pat the stained area with the cloth or paper towel.
16. **Wash the treated area again.** Only use a clean, undyed cloth or paper towel. Dip it into clean water, then wring out the excess moisture and dab it onto the treated area. This will remove the vinegar on the rug.
17. **Dry the wet areas.** Once the ammonia or vinegar is washed from the rug, blot the treated areas on the rug with a paper towel or undyed cloth. To dry the rug quickly, use a hair dryer.
18. **Mix water and bleach.** Add a cup of chlorine bleach to a bowl. Dilute the bleach with 48 fl oz (1,400 mL) of water. Stir the mixture thoroughly to minimize the rug’s exposure to the bleach.
19. **Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.** Since adding too much bleach to the rug can discolor it, do not apply it directly. Instead, get a spray bottle from the store. Pour the bleach into the bottle and mist a thin coating on the moldy areas.
20. **Spray the mixture over the rug.** Spray as lightly as possible, covering the rug in an even coating. Do this only on the rug itself, not the binding. You may want to test the spray in a single area first to see if it discolors the rug. If it does, add more water to the mixture.
21. **Blot the rug after 10 minutes.** Allow the bleach mixture to work on the mold for 10 minutes. When the time is up, take paper towels and blot the rug to remove moisture. Make sure you blot up as much of the bleach as possible.
22. **Dry the rug.** Allow the rug to air dry, or dry it quickly using a hair dryer. This ensures that none of the moisture or bleach soaks into the rug, minimizing damage from treatment. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Seagrass-Rug", "language": "en"} |
How to Break in Hiking Boots | When hiking, the comfort of your footwear is crucial to how much you enjoy the hike itself. Unfortunately, a brand-new pair of hiking boots will be too stiff at first to provide that comfort. Gradually break your boots in well before you wear them for any serious hikes.
1. **Go shopping at least a month before your hike.** If you schedule a specific trip in the near future, work backwards from that date. Since it can take weeks to properly break in a new pair of boots, allow yourself at least a month between the time of purchase and your first full-day hike in them. From the purchase date, work farther back in time to factor in an adequate amount for you to do some comparative shopping and test-fitting, according to your availability.
2. **Do some comparative shopping.** Use the internet to research products or speak with sales staff to find the right boot for you. Consider what type of hiking you plan on doing. For instance, are you looking for an all-purpose pair of boots to wear whenever, or are you planning a specific hike along, say, the Appalachian Trail? Refine your search by factoring in the following:
What distance does your average hike cover?
What sort of terrain do you hike?
What climate and weather conditions will you face?
3. **Handle boots personally before buying.** Once you have whittled your list down to a few favorites, visit sporting good stores, shoe outlets, department stores, or anywhere else that carries those boots, even if you plan on making your final purchase online. Wear the same socks that you use for hiking to the store. Also bring your insoles if you wear those too, so you can test each boot properly.
4. **Make sure they hug your feet tightly.** Take the time to lace them properly. Walk around the store as much as needed to judge how they fit. Since they will loosen up as you break them in, a brand-new pair of boots should grip your feet securely at first, but not so much that they pinch your feet to the point of causing pain, constricting movement, or interfering with blood circulation.
An ideal pair of boots should fit snugly at all points, except for the toe of the boot, which should provide a little extra space in front to prevent your own toes from mashing up against the interior when descending hills. All other areas of the boots should grip your foot tightly so that your heel is kept firmly in place within the boot.
5. **Keep the receipt.** If you make your purchase in-store, hold onto the receipt in case you need to return your boots. If you find a cheaper price for the same pair online, familiarize yourself with the retailer’s return policy before completing your purchase. Either way, since even the most “perfect” pair of hiking boots will most likely feel uncomfortable to some degree when brand-new, hold onto whatever paperwork is needed for returns in case the boots show no signs of improving once you start breaking them in.
6. **Wear the right socks.** When breaking in your boots, don’t put on a pair of dress socks just because they happen to be handy. Wear socks that are appropriate for hiking so your boots conform to your feet exactly as they will be dressed when you actually go hiking. If you don’t already own some, buy yourself a pair of thick socks made of wool or synthetic fibers, since thicker socks will last longer and these materials won’t retain as much sweat or moisture as cotton.
Also wear any insoles or arch supports that you might use for hiking.
7. **Wear your boots around the house.** Treat your new hiking boots like indoor slippers for the first few days after purchase. Pad around inside the house while you cook meals, do chores, or simply pace back and forth from room to room. Avoid going outside or doing anything particularly messy or physically intensive. Keep your boots as a pristine as possible in case you need to return them if they continue to cause any severe discomfort after the first few days.
8. **Venture outside for brief walks.** If padding around the house doesn’t cause any excessive pinching, rubbing, or other pain, expand your horizons. Take your boots outside for short excursions. Wear them down the block to the corner shop when you need to pick something up or take a stroll around the block each night. Wherever you go, be sure to keep it short at first so that you continue to break your boots in gradually.
9. **Pay attention to any pain.** Your boots need time to break in, so keep your walks short at first so you can better identify sources of pain. Venturing too far too soon may cause blisters that won’t necessarily appear later on once your boots are properly broken in. For now, note where your boots seem to pinch or rub your feet the most. Pay attention to these areas over the coming days to keep tabs on how much or how little the situation improves.
10. **Flex the soles.** Once a crease begins to form along the top of each boot, roughly where your toes connect with the balls of your foot, take the boots off after your walks. Bend the boots toes up and down for a little while each day. Make the soles more flexible to decrease stiffness and allow your feet a wider range of movement. Be gentle as you do so, however, so you don’t overstretch the soles and tear them!
Performing squats while wearing your boots will also help loosen the soles.
11. **Take longer walks.** As short jaunts to the store or elsewhere become more comfortable in your boots, increase the length of your excursions bit by bit. Take 20 or 30 minute walks through the neighborhood each night. If your feet are feeling fine by the end of the week, use the weekend to take a longer hike through a nearby park. The following week, add another 10 or 15 minutes to your nightly walk. Be careful to increase the duration of each walk incrementally, so that you don’t end up hobbled in the middle of nowhere.
12. **Simulate hikes.** Since trails typically aren’t as level or as smooth as sidewalks, take your boots off-road. Find short hills to put them through the motions of climbing. As your boots lose their stiffness, walk over rougher ground to test how they handle uneven surfaces. If you usually wear backpacks while hiking, wear them now with the typical amount of weight that you carry on hikes.
13. **Continue until you wear them all day.** Gradually increase the amount of use your boots receive each day until you are comfortably wearing them all day long. At this point, consider them broken in! Set them aside for hiking only so you don’t wear them out from casual use.
14. **Customize your boots if needed.** If you continue to experience the same pain in the same area with no sign of improvement, bring your boots to a store that specializes in hiking equipment. Seek assistance from their boot-fitters. Describe the pain and ask what methods and/or modifications could be done to alleviate it. Learn the leading factors that caused the pain to begin with so you know what to look out for when buying future pairs. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-Hiking-Boots", "language": "en"} |
How to Go to Jeju Island | Just southwest of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island is the largest tourist location in South Korea. With a temperate climate and verdant landscape, Jeju Island is a beautiful place to explore. By preparing for your trip and planning out locations to visit, you can make your visit to Jeju Island one to remember!
1. **Visit Jeju Island in July to September if you plan to go to the beach.** The highest temperature during this time will be 90 °F (32 °C). March to June are the most temperate months, with temperatures staying around 75 °F (24 °C), and this is when most of the flowers and vegetation will be in bloom.
Even though the temperature is never extreme, there is still a good amount of rainfall on Jeju Island during the spring and summer, so make sure to pack a raincoat!
If you want to visit in the fall and winter, be prepared for temperatures in the 40–50 °F (4–10 °C) range.
2. **Plan to take a ferry to Jeju Island if you are already in Seoul or Busan.** You can use the official Korean Tourism website as a resource to book your ferry trip. Also, plan to bring your own food on the ferry as there aren’t many places to buy food from on board. This is a great way to enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean!
The three main ferry terminals are: Jeju Domestic Ferry Terminal, Jeju International Ferry Terminal, and Seongsanpo Ferry Terminal. A round-trip ticket for one person will run around $100.
3. **Book your flight two to three months in advance for best prices.** There are many international flights to Seoul, and from there you can book a flight to Jeju International Island that will take about 1 hour. It is more affordable to fly into Seoul rather that to Jeju International Airport directly, though direct flights are available.
Most major airlines provide flights into Seoul. Frontier, Spirit, and United airlines offer round-trip tickets, sometime for as low as $200 per person. If you are traveling during the busy tourist season, prices will be higher. Reserving tickets early will help you get the best pricing available for your travel dates.
Check out Jin Air, Jeju Air, and Easter Jet for best prices for your flight from Seoul to Jeju. Tickets will cost anywhere from $50-$100 for a round-trip ticket. Airlines often offer early-bird pricing, so buying your tickets sooner rather than later should save you money.
4. **Get your travel documents in order.** Unless you are a South Korean citizen, you will need a passport to gain entry to Jeju Island. If you don’t already have one, apply for your passport 6 months before your trip to make sure it arrives in time.
Don’t wait until the last minute to either renew or apply for a passport. Turnaround time can be as quick as 4 weeks, but that isn’t guaranteed.
If you are traveling with children, don’t forget that they need their own passports, too!
5. **Decide before you travel how you want to get around Jeju Island.** Jeju Island has a wonderful bus system that is easy to navigate and is very inexpensive (about $1.50 for all destinations). You can also hire a taxi or rent a car. If you do plan to drive, make sure to apply for an international driving permit before leaving for your trip!
If you do plan to drive yourself, check with your insurance company to see if international coverage is offered. Chances are, you will need to purchase additional insurance for your trip.
You can also bike around the entire island. This is a great way to see the coastal roads and forests and, apart from the cost of renting your bike, is free! A per-day rental will cost about $12.
6. **Check your phone plan to make sure you have international coverage.** Chances are you will need to add international coverage to your data plan. Stop by your cellphone provider or give them a call to request this addition.
An alternative is to purchase a cheap cellphone locally when you arrive in Jeju that you will use only while on the island.
7. **Notify your bank you will be traveling so they don’t block your credit card.** One of the worst things would be arriving to Jeju Island and trying to use your credit card and finding out it has been blocked! Calling your bank ahead of time to let them know of your travel plans will keep your cards functioning while you travel.
Provide your bank with your travel dates and the names of the major cities you will be visiting.
Most locations on Jeju Island will accept credit cards, but if you need cash, visit one of the major hotels on the island to exchange money for Korean Won.
8. **Download a translation app to help communicate while you travel.** While many tourist locations on Jeju Island have signs in English, most locals will not speak your language. Having a translation app will give you a way to communicate, and they are usually free.
Check out Naver Korean Dictionary & Translate, GreenLife Korean English Translator, and Waygo Translator, Dictionary. Waygo, especially, might be helpful as it is an offline translator app, so you wouldn’t need to worry about having an internet connection.
Consider learning a few Korean phrases before you travel, such as “yes,” “no,” “where is,” and “thank you.”
Many hotels will have guidebooks and translation guides available for sale when you arrive.
9. **Make reservations for your lodging.** Jeju Island is a huge honeymoon location, so there are a lot of accommodations available! You can rent a minbak, which is a guesthouse, or you can opt to stay in one of several luxury hotels.
For a luxury hotel, check out Hyatt Regency Jeju, Lotte Hotel Jeju, and Villa de Aewol. These locations all offer spas, restaurants, and high-class services.
If you are traveling on your own, check out the Guesthouse Bomnal. This location has no private rooms, but it is right on the beach and offers complimentary croque-monsieurs for breakfast. Because you would be sharing a room with other travelers, this is also a great way to learn more about the island and get recommendations for other places to visit.
Because Jeju Island is small, no matter where you stay you will only be an hour or two from the furthest side of the island.
10. **Visit volcano Hallasan to see the highest mountain in South Korea.** This is a dormant volcano, which is located in a Biosphere, so there is a crater lake, woodpeckers, beetles, and a myriad of beautiful plants. Take a day to hike the mountain and explore the area!
If you don’t already have them, invest in some good hiking shoes to bring with you. They will be worth the space in your luggage!
11. **Explore the Manjang Cave to see tunnels formed by cooling lava.** This phenomenon is often referred to as a lava tube by locals. You can walk along the tunnel and see bats and stalactites. But if you are claustrophobic, you might want to avoid this location!
12. **Go to Hyeop-jae Beach for a relaxing day in the sun.** One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Hyeop-jae Beach boasts turquoise water and white sand. This is a great location if you want to spend a day by the water!
13. **Hike on the Olle walking trails to experience to beauty of Jeju Island.** These trails cover the entire island, and there are 17 trails to choose from. This is a beautiful way to explore the island! You can get a map of the trails online or in person when you arrive on the island.
14. **Eat the local foods to experience regional cuisine.** Abalone soup and seaweed and sea urchin soup are two of the most famous Jeju Island dishes. Don’t be afraid to go to local restaurants and try new things! Experiencing the local cuisine is one of the best ways to learn about a different culture.
To get a taste of the local produce, make sure to try the hallabong fruit. It’s very similar to an oversized tangerine and is very sweet and easy to peel.
15. **Visit the museums to learn more the culture and history of Jeju Island.** Jeju Island has many museums for you to choose from, from the Seongeup Folklore Village to the Green Tea Museum, which is located in the midst of actual green tea plantations.
Hello Kitty Island, Teddy Bear Museum, and Play KPOP! are a few other locations that offer a fun alternative to visit. It is nice to have options in case you experience an exceptionally rainy day while on Jeju Island.
16. **Visit the Haenyeo women to learn about their role in society.** These are the deep-diving women, searching for octopus, clams, squid, and seaweed. The women dive without any breathing apparatuses! See them do a diving demonstration at Hyeopjae Beach and visit their museum for more information.
Most demonstrations will take place in the early morning at the beach, and you may be able to arrange to go out on a boat with the women to observe them up-close. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Go-to-Jeju-Island", "language": "en"} |
How to Sew Lace | Lace can be a difficult fabric to sew, but there are several things you can do to make it easier. You can prepare your lace by washing it, cutting it, and making sure that you have the right complementary materials to go along with it. You can also make sure that your sewing machine is set properly for sewing lace and use some special techniques to avoid common problems. Change your approach to sewing with lace, and get the best results possible for your project!
1. **Pre-wash your fabric.** Lace can be stiff and difficult to work with before it has been washed. To make it easier to sew your lace fabric, wash it gently by hand and then lay it flat to dry before you begin sewing.
Use a gentle fabric detergent and lukewarm water to wash your lace by hand in a clean sink or bucket.
Avoid wringing out the lace. Squeeze it gently to get the excess water out.
2. **Identify the right and wrong sides of the lace.** Right and wrong are sewing terms for the front and back of your fabric. The front of the fabric (the side you want to be visible) is the right side. The back of the fabric (the part you want to be hidden) is the wrong side. Lace may have an easy to identify right and wrong side, or it may be difficult to tell the difference. In some cases, the sides may be identical. Inspect your lace fabric closely to determine which side is the right side and which side is the wrong side.
Try marking the wrong side with chalk on all of your lace pieces. This will help to ensure that you sew the lace with the right sides facing out.
Identifying the right and wrong sides of your lace fabric will help to ensure that the right side is facing out on your garment.
3. **Consider ironing your lace.** Your lace fabric may not need to be ironed if there are no wrinkles in it. However, if there are wrinkles or if you want to be extra sure that it is completely flat, then you can iron the fabric before you sew it. Put your iron on the lowest setting and iron the fabric in sections until you have worked out all of the wrinkles. You may also want to lay a towel or cloth over the lace to protect it while you iron it.
4. **Cut your lace fabric carefully.** When you are cutting lace, it is important to cut around the edges of the major design elements rather than trying to cut the lace straight across. For example, if your lace has scalloping, then you would need to cut just outside of the scallops. If the lace has flowers on it, then cut around the edges of the flower petals.
Do not cut right through the major design elements of your lace or you may damage it.
5. **Choose your lining fabrics.** Your lining can either match the color of your lace, or it can contrast with the lace and provide some color to your design. For example, you could use black lining with black lace, or use a red or pink lining to add some color to the lace.
Avoid using prints as lining for lace material because this will probably clash with your lace. Stick to solids for your lining.
Lace is often lined with satin in formal dresses and skirts, but you can experiment with other types of materials as well. Try lining your lace with cotton or jersey for a casual alternative to satin lining.
6. **Select a thread that matches the color of your lace.** When you sew lace, the goal is to create an almost seamless look. Using a thread that matches the color of your lace will help you to do this. You can use any standard weight or all-purpose sewing machine thread, but make sure that the color matches your lace.
Try taking a swatch of your lace fabric with you to your local craft or fabric store and use it to find the color of thread that best matches your lace.
A poly-blend thread is stronger than cotton thread, which may be more likely to break when you're working with lace.
7. **Sew by hand if you only have a small amount of lace to sew.** Some lace sewing projects may only require hand sewing with a needle and thread. You can hand sew if the amount of lace you want to add to a garment is small or if you are working with a very delicate fabric.
If you decide to hand-sew your lace, then all you will need to do is thread a needle with some thread that matches your lace and then sew along the edges of your lace to attach the piece to your garment.
8. **Install a new universal needle.** It is important to install a new needle before you begin sewing your lace. This will help to ensure that the needle will not snag on the lace material or have trouble penetrating it. Sewing needle sizes 60/8, 65/9, or 70/10 (for thicker lace) are all good options for sewing lace.
It's a good idea to use a thinner needle when you're working with lace.
9. **Use a medium width and length zigzag setting.** A medium width and length zigzag stitch is ideal for sewing lace onto a lining or as an applique. Set your machine to the zigzag stitch setting and then adjust the stitch length to the mid-range setting on your machine.
Sew the zigzag stitch along the edges of the lace to secure it. Do your best to sew the zigzag stitch right over the edges of the lace to help the stitches blend in with the lace.
10. **Sew a baste stitch** If you want to gather a piece of lace, such as for use in a skirt or dress, then start by adding a baste stitch around the edge of the fabric. A baste stitch will make it much easier to gather the fabric than trying to pin the lace and then sew it.
Set your machine to the baste stitch setting and then sew along the edge that you want to gather.
Hold onto one of the ends of baste thread and push the lace material in the opposite direction to gather it. Then, repeat this on the other side. Keep moving the lace inwards until you achieve the level of gathering you want. Then, you can sew your gathered lace onto your garment as desired.
11. **Consider using a straight stitch.** Usually, using a straight stitch on lace will result in a visible seam, so you may want to avoid it if you are trying to incorporate your lace without a visible seam. However, if you are working with a type of lace that has straight lines in it, then you may be able to use a straight stitch. Try to line up the stitches with the lines in the lace for the best results.
12. **Secure your lace before you sew.** You can pin your lace together or to lining fabric by inserting pins through the denser areas of the lace. However, if you have trouble keeping your lace in place using pins, then you can also use binder clips on the edges of your lace to keep it in place.
13. **Start your stitches on a piece of scrap fabric.** Lace can easily get pulled into the feed dogs (gears that move the fabric along) of your sewing machine when you are sewing it without a lining behind it. To prevent this problem, start your stitches on a piece of scrap fabric and then transition to sewing the lace.
Make sure that the scrap fabric does not overlap with the lace fabric. This will make it easier to cut the stitches between the lace and scrap fabric to separate the two when you have finished sewing.
14. **Sew over pattern paper or tissue paper.** Another technique for preventing your lace from getting snagged in the feed dogs is to sew your lace over a piece of pattern paper or tissue paper. The pattern or tissue paper will act as a lining, and then you can tear the paper away from the lace after you are finished sewing the lace.
Tear the paper away from the lace carefully to avoid damaging the lace.
15. **Look for matching edges when you are connecting two pieces.** Sewing two pieces of lace together to form a seam can be tricky. However, you can make this easier by strategically lining up the edges of your lace. Look for areas where the lace will match up best and then line these areas up.
For example, if you are sewing two pieces of lace together that have flower petals on the ends, then you might be able to find a way to make it seem like the petals are interlocking.
Sometimes it might be necessary to overlap your lace pieces slightly to achieve a seamless look. Try different ways of connecting your lace before you sew to see which option looks best.
Consider using an iron-on webbing to reinforce your sleeves if you have a really delicate lace.
16. **Leave raw edges unhemmed in most cases.** Hemming lace is often unnecessary and may result in an unappealing finish. Instead of hemming, you can leave the edges raw. This is especially true for lace fabrics where you have cut around the distinct lace shapes, such as flower petals, zigzags, and scalloping.
If you think that your lace fabric would look better with a hem, then use a baste stitch to test it out first. If you like the look of your lace fabric with a hem, then sew a straight stitch over the baste stitch to secure it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-Lace", "language": "en"} |
Driving an Automatic Car: Your Full Step-by-Step Tutorial | When you've spent all of your driving life behind the wheel of a car with a manual transmission, an automatic might seem confusing. But really, automatics are a lot easier to drive than manuals once you get the hang of it. If you're about to drive an automatic for the first time and you've got questions about it, you've come to the right place! Keep reading to find out how to start an automatic, get it moving, and park it once you've reached your destination. And if you've never driven a car at all, take an experienced driver along with you while you're still getting the basics down.
1. **Adjust your seat** When you get into the driver's seat, make sure your right foot can firmly press the accelerator and the brake all the way to the floor. Adjust your seat if you need to, then check your mirrors for visibility. Then, fasten your seatbelt.
Take a look around the cabin and familiarize yourself with the car's layout. This gives you a chance to locate the different indicator lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and other features while the car is stationary.
If you can't find something you feel like you'll need, don't be afraid to look in the car's manual (it's usually in the glove box—if not, you can probably find a digital copy online).
2. **Push the brake pedal down with your right foot.** Safety first! Some automatic cars will start even if you don't have your foot on the brake pedal, but many won't. You still want to do it every time. This helps you make extra sure that the car isn't going anywhere.
3. **Turn the key or push the button to start the car.** Don't take your foot off the brake as you start the engine. Now that you're running, do another check around you—turn on the headlights if you need to, connect your phone, set the climate controls, whatever you need to do to maintain comfort and stability while you're on the road.
4. **Shift the car into D or R to leave the parking spot.** Push in the lock button—it's usually on the side or the top of your shifter. Then, move it from P (park) to D (drive) if you need to go forward, or R (reverse) if you need to back out. You'll feel the shifter click when you line it up with the right gear. Let go of the button and you're good to go.
Take your hand all the way off the shifter—especially while driving. If you're used to driving a stick, you probably rest your hand on the shifter a lot. You don't need to shift gears at all while you're driving!
5. **Release the parking brake before you start driving.** The parking brake is usually a lever next to the gear shift. Press the button on the end of the lever to lower it so it sits flush. Make sure you don't take your foot off the brake! With the parking brake off, the car will start rolling as soon as you release the parking brake.
In some cars, especially trucks and SUVs, the parking brake is a pedal on the floor. You'll typically push the pedal to release it, unless there's a separate brake release lever next to it.
Put your car in gear before you release the parking brake. This reduces unnecessary wear and tear on your transmission because you aren't relying on it to hold your car in place. It's especially important if you happen to be parked on a hill.
6. **Leave the car in D while you're driving.** This is perhaps the best part about driving an automatic! Once you get going, you don't have to mess with the gear shifter at all. Just keep it in D, regardless of your speed. Your car will automatically select and switch to the right gear based on how fast you're going.
An automatic car steers exactly the same way a manual car does. In fact, everything about driving an automatic car is the same as driving a manual—you just don't have to shift gears.
If this is your first time driving any kind of car, go slow, turning the steering wheel in the same direction you want the car to go. You've got this!
7. **Use your right foot for both the accelerator and the brake.** If you've driven a car with a manual transmission, you're already familiar with this method—you used your right foot for the accelerator and the brake, and your left foot for the clutch. Drive an automatic the same way, just without the clutch pedal. Most automatic cars have a footrest on the left (also known as a "dead pedal") where you can rest your left foot.
It's true that Formula 1 drivers brake with their left feet. They're also highly skilled drivers operating cars that are specifically designed for this technique. Just brake and accelerate with your right foot and leave your left foot off to the side.
Be extra careful if you're driving a car that has a pedal on the floor for the parking brake. It'll usually be way off to the left side so you couldn't mistake it for a clutch, but you still want to be aware of it.
If you find your left foot tends to drift toward the pedals as you drive, tuck it behind your right foot and out of the way—problem solved!
8. **Shift the car into R if you need to reverse.** Make sure you come to a complete stop and keep your foot on the brake. Then, press the button on the shifter and move it next to the R. When you take your foot off the brake, you'll be going in reverse.
Your car is likely to start creeping as soon as you take your foot off the brake. When going in reverse, you can use this to your advantage—often, you won't need to more than lightly tap the accelerator.
Remember that when you're steering your car in reverse, the rear wheels are going to go the opposite of the direction you turn the steering wheel. Turn left to back to the right and right to back to the left.
9. **Use lower gears when you need less speed and more power.** Your car might have an L below the D on the gearbox, or it might have a "1" and a "2" (for first and second gear). Shifting your car from D to L keeps your car in a lower gear. This is a feature you'll only use rarely, if ever—but it really comes in handy when you need it. Take advantage of the lower gear setting in the following circumstances:
for short distances, gives you a lot more power if you're towing something
helps your tires grip the road; keeps your wheels from spinning out of control
relieve stress on your engine going uphill; less wear and tear on your brakes going downhill
10. **Stay out of N unless your car is being towed.** In a manual car, you're in neutral a lot—basically every time your car is stopped. But not in an automatic! Automatic cars do have a neutral gear ("N" on your gearbox), but you're only going to use it very rarely.
Some people will tell you that shifting your car to neutral when you're stopped at traffic lights will help save gas. But the truth is that any gas savings is negligible at best. All you're really doing is putting additional (and unnecessary) wear and tear on your transmission.
11. **Shift the car into R to back into a parking spot.** Unless there's a local law or parking lot restriction, it's always safer to back into a parking spot. To do this in a car with an automatic transmission, simply come to a complete stop with your foot on the brake and shift your car into R. Take your foot off the brake and move it to the accelerator, then tap the accelerator lightly to slowly back into the space you want.
12. **Pull the lever to engage the parking brake.** Keep your foot on the brake while you do this to keep your car from rolling. Push the button on the end of the lever, then pull it up until you hear it click. Take care not to pull it up too far or it could get stuck—you'll know when it's engaged. Let go of the button and take your hand off the lever.
If your parking brake is a pedal on the floor, push it all the way down once to engage the parking brake.
If you're not confident you've engaged the parking brake, just slowly lift your foot from the brake. If the car starts rolling, it's not engaged.
It's better on your transmission to engage the parking brake before you change gears.
13. **Put the car in P and take your foot off the brake.** Push the lock button on the side of the shifter and move it all the way to P. The car stays in this gear while it's parked—you don't put it in neutral like you would with a manual car. Just remember that P stands for "park" to avoid making that mistake.
14. **Turn the wheel if parking on a hill.** If you're parked on a steep hill, this gives you a little extra protection in case the brakes fail or someone hits your car and it starts moving. Generally, turn your wheels toward the curb if you're parking downhill or away from the curb if you're parking uphill.
If you've pulled into a sloping driveway, turn your wheels so that your car won't roll out into the road.
15. **Switch off the car.** You're done! Turn the key or push the button to turn off the car and congratulate yourself on your first successful drive in a car with an automatic transmission. Remember to take the keys with you and lock the doors. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Drive-a-Car-With-an-Automatic-Transmission", "language": "en"} |
How to Get Your Bunny Used to You | Rabbits are popular pets. They're cuddly and can become very friendly. But don't be discouraged if you have a rabbit that is scared or cautious around you. Patience and careful handling will soon build her confidence. She'll be hopping around and greeting you in no time!
1. **Have all your supplies ready.** You don't want to be fussing around looking for bedding or food bowls when you bring your rabbit home. She will be stressed after travel and desperate to retreat somewhere dark and quiet. Make sure you have a hutch that is large enough for an adult rabbit. It should be about two hops wide, three hops long, and tall enough for the rabbit to stand upright in. Have food, treats, water dispensers, toys, and straw ready.
2. **Set up the hutch.** Place the hutch in a quiet room that doesn't have noisy equipment such as a tumble dryer. Deep bed the hutch with straw or hay. Make a secluded sleeping area such as a sturdy wooden box stuffed with straw within the hutch.
Make sure other household pets (cats and dogs) can't sniff at the hutch. This will terrify the rabbit since dogs and cats are predators.
3. **Create hiding places.** Your rabbit will also appreciate having other hiding places around the house. Scatter several wide-diameter cardboard tubes or shoe boxes. This way, she has several places to hide or bolt if she gets scared while investigating.
Giving her hiding places doesn't teach her to hide. It just lets her do what feels natural. If she knows there are plenty of safe places available, then she'll be more likely to venture out in the first place.
4. **Set your rabbit in the hutch.** Quietly lift her from the carrier and place her in the hutch. Speak softly and handle her gently but firmly. If your rabbit seems nervous or anxious in the carrier, cover her with a towel before picking her up. The darkness of the towel (like being safe in a burrow) has a naturally calming effect which makes her feel safe and calm.
Be sure to support your rabbit's belly and hind legs with your hands when you move her to the hutch. Don't squeeze her.
5. **Give your rabbit some space.** Don't handle your rabbit or lift her out of the hutch for the first 3 days after you bring her home. Let your rabbit become familiar and comfortable in her hutch. She may spend the first day hiding, but this is normal, so don't worry. Once she gets used to the sounds and smells, she will start to venture out. She may run and hide when she first hears a noise, but will grow bolder when she realizes it's not a threat.
Young rabbits are more curious than adults, so this process may be quicker for a youngster.
6. **Wash your hands.** Rabbits are likely to feel threatened by other household pets, even the scent of them. So wash your hands after handling your other pets and before touching your rabbit.
7. **Begin hand-feeding your rabbit.** Once your rabbit has had a chance to settle in and a few days have gone by, start hand-feeding her. Start by sitting next to her cage and just talk to her in a calm voice. If she bolts, just keep quietly talking and wait for her to come to you. Open the door and offer her a tasty treat, like a dandelion. If your rabbit doesn't have the confidence to come up to the dandelion, set it halfway between the two of you.
8. **Let your rabbit become comfortable with you.** When you feed or talk to your rabbit, rest your hand on the straw near the door. This way, she'll get used to your company while she eats. Top up her food bowl and chat to her as you do. Since rabbits learn by experience, she will soon associate you with food (a good thing). This will help calm your rabbit.
9. **Pet your rabbit once it shows interest in you.** Once she's comfortable eating in your presence, you can start to gently touch her. Don't overdo it by trying to pick her up. She may become stressed and try to fight back. Instead, quietly reach inside the hutch and touch her back or flank. If she doesn't run away, gently stroke her.
Avoid putting your hand over the top of her head. Objects passing over the rabbit's head signal danger (such as a hawk flying over a rabbit). This is likely to make the bunny scared. Make sure to approach her from the side or back.
10. **Pick up your rabbit.** Once she's used to being stroked in her hutch, you can try picking her up. Sit on the ground, lift the rabbit out and put her on your lap on ground level. Keep some dandelions handy so that she has something tasty to nibble to distract her. Keep the session short, about one minute to start with. This way she won't start to panic. With practice you can keep your rabbit out longer and longer.
You should also keep a towel nearby in case your rabbit gets distressed. Then you can cover her with a towel. This will calm her. You can also scoop her up in the towel, which means you are less likely to get scratched if she panics.
11. **Let your rabbit roam.** Once your rabbit is used to your presence and being picked up, you may want to let her roam in the house. Always supervise her, and start with one small room so that she doesn't feel overwhelmed. Check the room first and make sure there are no gaps for her to hide and get stuck in. Make sure there are no electrical cables for her to chew.
Rabbits will chew anything, so be alert and remove anything you don't want damaged.
12. **Lie on the floor while your rabbit explores.** While your rabbit checks out her new environment, you should lie flat on the floor. This makes your height less intimidating for your rabbit and lets her sniff and investigate without feeling threatened. A good tip is to keep a treat in your pocket or hand, and reward her brave behavior with a snack.
Keep the sessions short and sweet at first, no longer than 10 - 15 minutes. This way your rabbit won't get overtired. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Bunny-Used-to-You", "language": "en"} |
How to Prepare Your Colon Before a Colonoscopy | Almost everyone has to undergo a colonoscopy at some point in their life. A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to examine the lining of your large intestines, using a thin flexible tube with a small camera attached (called a colonoscope). This procedure is used to look for growths, such as ulcers and tumors, identify any inflammation or bleeding, and to possibly take a tissue sample. It's important to take the necessary preparations to ensure you're all squeaky clean for the procedure, and we'll fill you in on how to clean yourself out in both the week and days beforehand.
1. **Stop taking certain medications and supplements 7 days before the procedure.** This is important, as the following medications are known to cause bleeding during the procedure: iron supplements, Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naprosyn), sulindac and any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). If necessary, Tylenol for pain is acceptable.
Discontinue the use of fiber supplements, including FiberCon, Metamucil and Citrucel. Also discontinue taking all non-prescription Vitamin E and herbal supplements.
The medications Aggrenox and Plavix are designed to keep your blood from clotting. It is important that you ask your physician if you can stop taking these medications for some time before your colonoscopy. You should be able to resume taking your medication after your procedure is complete.
If you take an aspirin regimen due to a history of heart disease/stroke, ask your doctor if you should continue taking it. They will examine your personal medical history before giving you advice.
2. **Stop blood thinners at least 5 days before the test, if advised by your doctor.** In most cases, you should stop taking blood thinners like Coumadin five days before your colonoscopy procedure. However, you should always contact your physician before discontinuing any prescription medication.
3. **Avoid certain foods from 3 days before your procedure.** Three days before your procedure, you should discontinue eating popcorn, nuts and seeds, as these can become lodged in the colon and affect the outcome of your colonoscopy.
4. **Start a low residue diet 2 days before the colonoscopy.** A low residue diet consists of foods that are low in fiber. Fiber is more difficult for the body to digest.
A low residue diet restricts the consumption of foods that are known to leave a residue in the gastrointestinal tract. which is why this diet is beneficial for the colon cleaning process.
Foods that are encouraged on a low residue diet include: Fish, eggs, chicken, soup, clear fruit juice (apple or white grape), limited consumption of coffee or tea (no milk products added), sports drinks – lemon, lime and orange (no red), bouillon, crackers, bread, pasta, plain yogurt, broth, gelatin (Jello) – lemon, lime and orange (no red), potato (minus the skin), popsicles (no red)
On the other hand, the following foods should be avoided because they can leave a residue in your colon, which can make it difficult to get accurate results: all vegetables, orange juice, dried fruits, fresh fruit, seeds, nuts, raisins, cloves, all meat except chicken and fish.
5. **Prepare to empty your colon.** In order to prepare for a colonoscopy, you need to cleanse your colon by emptying your bowels. Some physicians give their patients ‘prep kits.’ If your physician gives you a prep kit, follow the directions for that particular kit.
During the prepping phase, you can only drink clear fluids. If you consume anything besides clear liquids and the prep products listed below (or given to you by your physician), the radiologist may not be able to provide your physician with accurate results.
6. **Drink enough water to prevent dehydration.** Some patients suffer from dehydration while prepping for their colonoscopy, so make sure you drink plenty of clear fluids.
The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI-established in 2004) recommends men have a daily water intake of approximately sixteen 8 oz. cups a day. The DRI recommends women drink eleven 8 oz. cups of fluid daily.
The best way to determine if you are getting enough water/fluids is to look at the color of your urine. If your urine is straw colored, you are hydrated; dark urine is an indication that you are dehydrated.
Your body will also help you determine if you are drinking enough fluids. If you feel thirsty, your body is telling you that you need more fluids.
7. **Pick up or assemble your prep kit, as advised by your doctor.** Your doctor might prescribe a prep kit for you to use. If your physician did not give you a prep kit, they may advise you to purchase the following non-prescription items:
A package of 4 Bisacodyl tablets – 5 mg (Dulcolax, Correctol, Bisacolax or Doxidan).
64 oz of a non carbonated, clear liquid drink (Propel, Gatorade or Crystal light). If you are diabetic, you can use sugar-free Gatorade.
8.3 oz (238 grams) of Polyethylene glycol 3350 powder (Clearlax, MiraLAX, GaviLAX or Purelax). You can find these products in the laxative section of your local pharmacy or department store.
8. **Follow special precautions if you are diabetic.** If you have diabetes, use sugar-free beverages for your prep. If you take insulin, ask your doctor how much you should take during your cleanse. Follow all of your doctor's instructions.
If you do not take insulin, ask your doctor if you should take your diabetic medicine on the morning of your procedure.
Monitor your blood sugar throughout the prepping process.
9. **Flush your system on the evening before your colonoscopy.** At 4 p.m.on the evening before your colonoscopy, take all 4 of the 5 mg Bisacodyl tablets (Dulcolax, Correctol, Bisacolax or Doxidan).
At 6 p.m. take a pitcher and fill it with 64 oz of the clear, non-carbonated beverage you purchased (Gatorade, Propel or Crystal Light).
Mix in the 8.3 oz of Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Clearlax, MiraLAX, GaviLAX or Purelax). Stir well, until the powder dissolves completely.
Drink ½ (32 oz.) of the mixture. You should drink 8 oz. every 15 minutes. If you want, you can drink it through a straw.
10. **Make the final preparations on the day of the colonoscopy.** 5 hours before your colonoscopy, drink the remaining 32 oz. of the clear, non-carbonated mixture. Unless otherwise directed, you will take nothing by mouth (food or drink) for at least 3 hours leading up to your colonoscopy. Additionally, you should:
Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
If your doctor has advised you to take any medications, take them by mouth with a sip of water.
Leave your valuables at home (including jewelry).
Make a list of all your medicines so they can be added to your chart. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cleanse-Your-Colon-for-a-Colonoscopy", "language": "en"} |
How to Start a Call Center | Starting a call center business can be an effective way to earn income while operating your own business. It is possible to run a call center from your home, but you can also rent an office space. Working from home can be a simpler way to manage a call center because it can be expanded into a full-staffed office later.
1. **Determine the type of call center you want to start.** Do you want to do inbound calls, outbound calls, telemarketing, or web-enabled? The type of call center you operate is based upon the type of businesses you approach for contracts and the type of work you want to do.
Inbound calls might involve taking orders from customers, answering questions or providing tech support.
Outbound calls will entail selling a product or service or setting up appointments. You could also take surveys.
Telemarketing is advertising a product or service by describing key features or telling potential customers about special discounts.
A web-enabled service assists clients when they press a "talk" or "call" button on a website and the call comes through the computer. Customers may want more information before placing an order or need "help desk" types of services.
2. **Check local and state requirements.** Start by contacting your state's Office of Finance and Taxation. File all necessary paperwork for starting a business and pay applicable fees to ensure you are in compliance with all regulations. Check your town's zoning restrictions by contacting the local zoning department if you are starting your business from your home.
3. **Write out a business plan.** This may vary according to what type of call center you are starting. The business plan will include projected sales over specific periods of time, marketing activities and investments, expenses, cost of equipment, and employee salaries and benefits. See Wikihow's Write a Business Plan for more details. This plan will serve as a good reference as your business grows.
The business plan needs to be thorough and detailed, as it will also help you determine what you need financially. Preparing a business plan shows you are serious about the endeavor, and it can help you secure capital with agencies such as the Small Business Administration or with private investors.
4. **Invest in the necessary equipment.** These items may include computers, office supplies, headsets, phones, telephone lines and a high-speed Internet connection. You will need to purchase call center software, which can be expensive, so make sure you research all your options.
Unless your client provides it, purchase software that will enable you to easily manage incoming and outgoing calls, track data and keep a call log. Check out Virtual Call Center by Five9, inContact Call Center by inContact and Aspect Zipwire by Aspect.
You may also want invest in a separate telephone line that is dedicated solely to the call center business. Multiple lines may be required with expansion.
5. **Contact businesses and other call centers that outsource their work to look for clients.** Each company will have different requirements and different pay scales. Choose one or more companies based on what you think you can handle and the money you want to make. Start by contacting the inside sales department of large local companies that sell a variety of products or services, or do an online search for "call centers."
6. **Research online for call center companies looking for at-home help.** Do a search online for work-from-home customer service, telephone sales, survey takers, or tech support. Companies that hire this type of service include Arise, LiveOps and Working Solutions.
7. **Advertise and network.** Take out small print ads in local business journals and set up a business page on Facebook. A website describing your services will add to your professional reputation. Join local professional organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Call Center Network Group (CCNG), or the Association of Customer Contact Professionals (ACCP).
8. **Hire additional employees** Advertise in your local paper as well as on Craig's List. Check with other call centers to find out what salaries are being paid. Look for people with call center experience who have excellent conversation skills and decision-making abilities.
9. **Locate to a larger building.** You will not want to work out of your house once you have enough business to hire additional employees. Lease space in a building that does not have a lot of noise, has flexible floor space to expand with your company, and has reliable Internet and phone connections.
10. **Consider focusing on niche markets.** You may want to specialize in operating a call center for doctors' offices, software corporations, or telecommunications providers. Then you can target these markets in your advertising and offer discounts for referrals. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Call-Center", "language": "en"} |
How to Write a Fan Letter (Preteen) | A fan letter is a nice way of letting a famous person know that you like what they do or that you look up to them. Your letter should tell the person your name, why you like them, and how they have touched your life. You may not get a response back, but it is still worth a try. If you really want to get a response, contact the person through social media instead.
1. **Introduce yourself.** At the beginning of the letter, tell the person your name and why you are writing to them. Do you like their music or their movies? Do you look up to them and want to be like them? Did they help you deal with a problem you were having? Be honest and express your true feelings.
You may say, “Hi, my name is Nicole. I love your music because it helped me get through a really hard time.”
You could say, “Hi, my name is Alex. I play basketball, and I want to be a great player like you one day.”
You may say, “Hey, I’m Michael. You are my favorite author, and I have read all of your books!”
2. **Talk about why you like them so much.** Once you introduce yourself, tell the person why you like them so much. Go into more detail about they have affected your life. Be honest and be as specific as possible.
If you were writing to your favorite athlete, you may say, “I watch all of your games on TV. I was so excited when you guys made it to the playoffs.”
If you are writing to your favorite singer, you may say, “I love all of your music, but “Confident” is awesome. I listen to it every morning before I go to school.”
If you were writing to your favorite author, you may say, “Hermione is my favorite character. I can relate to her so much.”
3. **Say thank you.** End your letter by thanking the person for what they do and for taking the time to read your letter. You should also include your contact information at the end of the letter just in case the person wants to write back to you.
You can say, “Thanks for reading my letter and for making great music.”
You may also say, “I know you are a very busy person. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my letter.”
Your contact information should include your name, address, city, state, and zip code.
4. **Keep your letter short.** Famous people get a ton of fan letters. They are more likely to read a short letter. Try to keep your letter to one page or less.
5. **Use neat handwriting.** Take your time when writing the letter. You want the person to be able to actually read what you wrote. If your handwriting is not that good, you can type the letter instead.
Have someone else read the letter to make sure that your handwriting is clear and easy to understand. Also have this person proofread your grammar.
6. **Decorate your letter or envelope.** Add some of your personality to the letter by decorating the letter with stickers or small drawings. Use colored paper or write in colored ink. Include a nice drawing as a gift.
Celebrities sometimes display creative fan art or letters on their social media pages. You may get a nice shout out if you put some extra effort in.
7. **Ask for an autograph.** There is no guarantee that you will receive one, but it does not hurt to ask. You can send a photo that you would like the person to sign. Do not send anything that you would be sad about not getting back.
If you only have one of something, make a copy and send the copy instead of the original. This way, you will not be upset if you do not get it back.
You do not have to send something for the person to autograph. You can just say, “I would love an autographed picture of you” or “Could you please send me an autographed picture?”
Always be polite when you ask and never demand that they send you an autograph. Do not say, "Send me an autograph after you read this letter," or "You better respond or you won't be my favorite anymore."
Do not be upset if you do not get an autograph back. It has nothing to do with you. They are very busy people and cannot respond to every request.
8. **Talk to an adult.** Ask your parent, teacher, or a trusted adult to help you with your letter. If you want to be more independent, write the letter first and then have an adult read it. Ask them for suggestions to improve your letter.
An adult can also help you with finding the contact information and sending the letter.
9. **Find their contact information.** The best to place to find contact information is on a personal website. Read the information carefully. Some celebrities have a special address for fan mail. If you cannot find an address for the person, you may be able to find the address of their manager.
Some celebrities have an official website and an official fan club website. Use the address from the official website only.
10. **Address the envelope** Write your name, address, city, state, zip code, and country name in the top left corner of the envelope. Write the celebrities address in the bottom right corner of the envelope. Be sure to include the name of the country if you are sending international mail. Double check that you have the right address.
Always write your address on the envelope. If there is an issue with the letter, the post office can return it to you. The format of the address will depend on the country you are sending it to.
If you were writing to a person in the United States, Joe Celeb, 100 Famous Dr., New York, NY 12345, USA.
If you were writing to a person in France, Joe Celeb, 100 avenue Famous, 75008 Paris, France.
If you were writing to a person in South Africa, Joe Celeb 100 Famous Dr., Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
If you asked for an autograph, include a self-addressed envelope with your letter. This will make it easier for them to reply back to you.
11. **Have enough postage.** Place your letter in the addressed envelope to send it. Make sure you have enough stamps on the letter. If you do not have enough stamps, the post office will not deliver your letter.
Check with a parent to see if you have enough postage.
If your letter is thick and/or heavy or being mailed overseas, you will probably need more than one stamp.
12. **Do not expect a response.** Send the letter because you want to express how you feel about the celebrity. They cannot respond to every single letter that they get. Do not be sad or take it personally if they do not respond.
If you do get a response, it probably will take weeks for it to arrive.
13. **Use social media.** Most celebrities use social media platforms like Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. You are much more likely to get a response using one of these methods. Reply to a post, send a direct message, or comment on a picture.
Check their social media pages to see if they interact with their fans. Try to use the same methods as fans that have gotten a response. If you notice that the person replies more on Twitter than on Facebook, then Twitter is the best route to go.
14. **Send an email.** Some people may prefer emails instead of receiving letters in the mail. Check their website to see if they have an email address listed for fan mail. Your email should include the same information as a handwritten letter, but it should be shorter.
Limit your emails to 4 or 5 sentences.
15. **Do not be annoying.** There are many ways that you can contact people these days. It is tempting to use all of the methods to increase your chances of getting a response. However, this will actually make you look like a weirdo.
If you send an email, do not send a handwritten letter as well.
Do not send a direct message on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at the same time.
If you contact a person too much, you decrease your chances of getting a reply. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Fan-Letter-(Preteen)", "language": "en"} |
How to Become a Jockey | Jockeys ride horses competitively, and the possibility of winning a prestigious race like the Kentucky Derby draws many horse lovers to the profession. In the United States, top jockeys can earn millions of dollars per year, but most earn between $30,000 and $40,000 annually. Because the majority of a jockey’s earnings depend on winning races, it is a risky profession that requires training, professional networking, and meeting stringent physical requirements.
1. **Enroll in a jockey training program.** In the United States, the North American Racing Academy is the country’s only school for jockeys and offers a two-year program. Applicants need to have a high school diploma or GED and experience riding and training horses.
In the United States, formal training is not required to become a jockey. However, other countries like the United Kingdom do require formal training.
2. **Apply for a jockey apprenticeship license.** Since application requirements vary by region, it is important to research the rules in your area. In the United States, many states require applicants to be at least 16 years old and meet specific height and weight requirements.
3. **Fulfill apprenticeship requirements.** These vary by region, so make sure you are familiar with the requirements in your area. They may include spending a certain amount of time working in stables, passing an exam, and meeting racing and health requirements.
4. **Apply for a jockey license.** Requirements vary by region and could include demonstrating your riding skills and knowledge of racetrack rules to racetrack officials. You can apply for a jockey license at most racetracks.
A jockey who has earned his or her jockey license is called a “journeyman jockey.”
5. **Take an entry level job at a race track or horse farm.** This allows you to get experience with horses and start building a professional reputation. While the glamor of racing is what draws many jockeys to the profession, potential employers want jockeys who have a proven ability to work hard behind the scenes, too.
6. **Network in the horse racing profession.** Jockeys usually work for horse owners and trainers and receive job offers based on their professional reputation. Jockeys often exercise horses for trainers for free as a way to make professional connections.
7. **Hire an agent.** An agent solicits business with horse owners and trainers. While it isn’t mandatory to have an agent, the vast majority of jockeys are represented by one to assist with securing work.
8. **Maintain weight with a healthy diet.** Jockeys need to weigh between 110 pounds (50 kg) and 115 pounds (52 kg), so eating a balanced diet is very important. While some jockeys naturally fall within that range, most need to follow a very strict eating plan.
9. **Exercise regularly.** While riding horses is exercise, jockeys also need strength, stamina, and flexibility training to perform to the best of their abilities. Some jockeys hire personal trainers to stay in top form.
10. **Study the races and horses.** Since each race course and horse’s abilities are different, jockeys need to be knowledgeable about them in order to race effectively. After the race, jockeys often interact with trainers to give them information about the horse’s performance.
11. **Join the Jockeys’ Guild.** In the United States, the Jockeys’ Guild advocates for safe working conditions, bargains collectively for its members, and provides disability benefits and life insurance. Members must be licensed jockeys and pay annual dues of $100 and a mount fee of $4 for each horse they ride. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Jockey", "language": "en"} |
How to Get a Philippine Passport | Whether it's your first time applying for a passport or renewing your old one, a Philippine passport is essential for Philippine citizens who wish to travel. You can now make an appointment online through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website and even choose to have your Philippine passport delivered to your doorstep. Make sure to plan ahead since the whole process may take up to 6 to 12 weeks to complete.
1. **Prepare the necessary requirements for passport application.** In order to obtain such, below are the requirements for first-time application.
2. **Have at least 1 piece of acceptable picture ID.** You will need it to prove your identity and use it throughout the process of obtaining your passport such as filling out forms. These IDs need to be government-issued and have your photo on them. Acceptable government-issued IDs are:
Social Security System (SSS) ID/Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification from the Election Officer with Dry Seal.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License. The student permit is also accepted provided that it’s in card format.
Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID
Senior Citizen ID
School ID (for students)
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) / Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDOLE) card
Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms License
Airman License (issued August 2016 onwards).
For OFWs or Filipinos based in other countries, you can also bring your Residence Card or any other ID issued by your host government which shows your Philippine citizenship.
Important: Only those listed above will be accepted as valid ID. DFA doesn’t accept Postal ID, Philhealth ID, or TIN ID as primary valid IDs for Philippine passport application/renewal. The NBI Clearance only serves as a supporting document, not as a primary valid ID.
3. **Obtain your birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), formerly National Statistics Office (NSO).** First time applicants are required to submit a birth certificate. If you are renewing your passport, in most cases, a birth certificate is not required. You can request your birth certificate from PSA Helpline's website, pay for it online, and track its progress. Or you can make a request by calling their hotline at (02) 737-1111. Your certificate will then be delivered to you.
Alternatively, you can travel to a PSA Serbilis Outlet and request a birth certificate in person.
Check the PSA's website for delivery dates. In most cases, you will receive your certificate by courier in 3-9 working days. If you apply in person at a Census Serbilis Center, you can receive your certificate within 2-3 working days.
The PSA is Philippine's major statistical agency that is responsible for keeping census records.
4. **Get your Marriage Contract.** Depending on who you are or who you've married, you may need to submit a marriage contract with your birth certificate and any other supporting documents. Go onto the DFA website to see a complete list of additional requirements.
You must submit a marriage contract issued by the PSA or a Certified True Copy (CTC) issued by your Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and authenticated by the PSA.
You must submit a marriage contract issued by the PSA, or a CTC issued by your LCR and authenticated by the PSA. The marriage must also be reported to the PSA. You must also present an original and photocopy of Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance.
You must submit a Report of Marriage authenticated by the PSA.
Marriage Contracts are obtained the same way you would obtain a Birth Certificate from the PSA.
5. **Obtain additional documents from your parents and/or guardians if you are under 18 years old.** Your parents or guardians will need to submit additional documents along with the your birth certificate such as their marriage contract or passport copy. You will also need to include supporting ID documents like your School ID. Go onto the DFA website to see a complete list of additional requirements, especially if you or the minor is an orphan or illegitimate child. The general documentation requirements are:
PSA issued birth certificate.
Document with photo such as a School ID or Form 137 with a readable dry seal (for applicants 8-17 years old). If the minor has never attended school, a parent must submit a Notarized Affidavit of Explanation that details the reasons why the child is not in school.
If the minor's parents are married, a marriage certificate issued by the NSO is required.
Photocopy of a valid passport of either parent or any other acceptable identification document.
Original and photocopy of the valid passport of the person travelling with the minor.
If the child is an illegitimate child, then all documents required from a parent will fall under the responsibility of the child's birth mother.
6. **Obtain a Certificate of Tribal Affiliation from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) if you are a Muslim applicant.** To obtain a Certificate, make a personal appearance at the Bureau of External Relations (BER) and submit an application. You will also need to submit a passport sized colour photo of yourself to the BER.
If you would like to use your Muslim name on your passport, you must obtain an Annotated Birth Certificate from the NSO that shows your Muslim name.
7. **Provide proof of Philippine citizenship if you have dual citizenship.** These documents prove your allegiance and citizenship to the Philippines and are issued and obtained from the Bureau of Immigration Office. Most likely, you will already have received these documents when you applied for dual citizenship. You will need:
Identification Certificate
Oath of Allegiance
Order of Approval
Report of Birth (if you were born outside of the Philippines).
8. **Photocopy all IDs and original documents.** You should make at least 2 copies of each document. If you do not bring the original and photocopied documents to your DFA, the DFA will not continue with your appointment.
9. **Have at least 1 piece of acceptable picture ID.** You will need it to prove your identity and use it throughout the process of obtaining your passport such as filling out forms. These IDs need to be government-issued and have your photo on them. Acceptable government-issued IDs are:
Social Security System (SSS) ID/Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification from the Election Officer with Dry Seal.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License. The student permit is also accepted provided that it’s in card format.
Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID
Senior Citizen ID
School ID (for students)
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) / Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDOLE) card
Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms License
Airman License (issued August 2016 onwards).
For OFWs or Filipinos based in other countries, you can also bring your Residence Card or any other ID issued by your host government which shows your Philippine citizenship.
Important: Only those listed above will be accepted as valid ID. DFA doesn’t accept Postal ID, Philhealth ID, or TIN ID as primary valid IDs for Philippine passport application/renewal. The NBI Clearance only serves as a supporting document, not as a primary valid ID.
10. **Bring your most recent expired or expiring passport and photocopies.** Make sure to photocopy the data pages of your passport and bring them along.
If you have a , photocopy pages 1-3.
If you have a , photocopy page 1.
If you have a Machine Readable Passport (MRP), photocopy the first and last page of your passport.
If you have an , photocopy the first and last page of your passport.
11. **Change your surname by obtaining required certificates from the PSA .** If you are married, a few certificates are required by the DFA to change your surname. They can be easily requested through the PSA Helpline's website.
If you are a married woman or spouse of a foreign national who would like to use your married surname, you must obtain a Marriage Contract issued by the PSA or a Certified True Copy (CTC) issued by your Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and authenticated by the PSA.
If you are a spouse of a foreign national, you must also present a Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance along with your Marriage Contract.
If you were married abroad, you will also need to obtain your Report of Marriage authenticated by PSA.
12. **Revert your married surname.** To change your surname to your birth surname, obtain a PSA issued Birth Certificate and along with any additional documents depending on your marriage status.
If you are a married woman who would like to revert back to your maiden name, you must provide a Birth Certificate issued by the PSA.
If you are a widow: a Death Certificate issued by PSA of your deceased husband is required.
If you are divorced: a CTC of the Divorce Decree authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the divorce was obtained or by the concerned foreign diplomatic or consular mission in the Philippines is required. An annotated PSA Marriage Contract with the Divorce Decree is also required.
If your marriage was annulled: a CTC of the annotated NSO Marriage Contract and Court Order effecting the annulment is required.
13. **Change your name to your Muslim name.** If you are a convert and would like to use your Muslim name, you must obtain an Annotated Birth Certificate from the NSO that has your Muslim name. You must also have your National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) or Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) Certificate of Conversion.
If you are a Muslim who does not need to change your name, only the general requirements of a valid ID and supporting documents, and recent expired or expiring passport is needed to renew your passport.
14. **Obtain your birth certificate and parents' supporting documents if you are a minor.** Minors renewing their passport are treated as first time applicants and will need to submit an PSA Birth Certificate. This also includes requiring parents or guardians to make an appearance at their DFA appointment, parents' marriage contracts, a photocopy of the passport of the person whom they will be travelling with, and the minor's most recent passport.
15. **Photocopy all IDs and original documents.** You should make at least 2 copies of each document. If you do not bring the original and photocopied documents to your DFA, the DFA will not continue with your appointment.
16. **Find out what the passport fees are in your area.** In most cases, you will choose or be directed to the DFA Aseana branch to make an appointment. Go to the DFA website, click on "Passport Fees", and select the branch you want to make an appointment at.
Whether it's your first time or you're renewing a passport, you must pay P950.00 for regular 20-day processing or P1200.00 for express 10-day processing.
If you make an appointment after 5:00 P.M., the DFA Aseana branch considers your appointment as express processing.
Remote branches only deal with first time or renewal applicants. If you have lost your passport or need citizenship evaluation, you will be directed to the Aseana branch.
17. **Call the DFA Appointment hotline at (02) 737-1000 to make an appointment.** A Customer Care Officer will assist you in setting an appointment and completing your passport application. They will let you know if you are required to submit any additional documentations.
Choose an appointment time as early as possible to avoid long time ups.
The Customer Care Officer will give you a reference number and Print Code.
Print your completed application at their web address: https://www.passport.gov.ph/. You will be prompted to input your first, middle and last name, reference number, print code, and date of birth.
18. **Make an appointment online.** Alternatively, you can go to the DFA website and click "Set an Appointment". From there, choose the DFA Aseana branch or another remote branch nearest you. You will then be prompted to fill out and complete an application. After completing the application, you will be asked to select and confirm a date and time for your appointment.
Choose an appointment time as early as possible to avoid long time ups.
After completing your application, the site will notify you of any additional documents you will need to bring to your appointment.
Be sure to print out your application. You will be provided a reference number and link to your application to print out.
19. **Prepare for your appointment.** This means dressing appropriately and having physical copies of all your required documents. Without these documents, the DFA will not continue with your appointment.
Make 2 copies of each document and remember to bring the original.
Remember to bring your IDs and supporting documents.
Dress sensibly. Do not wear tank tops, shorts, sandals, slippers, or flip-flops.
If you are a minor, you and your parent or guardian must be present at the appointment.
20. **Go to the DFA Consular Office on your appointment date.** The DFA Consular Office is located at ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City.
Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. Late or early arrivals will not be rescheduled or helped.
Be sure to have all original and photocopied required documents with you, including your application.
21. **Present your printed application to the Application Counter.** They will direct you to the Information Counter.
22. **Get your queue number at the Information Counter.** Then sit at the Processing Area and wait for your number to appear on the monitor indicating what processing window to go to.
23. **Pay the applicable processing fees at the Passport Enrollment Section.** In the DFA Aseana branch, the Passport Enrollment Section is located on the second floor.
24. **Proceed to the Encoding Section after paying your fees.** Here, you will have your photo taken, and personal details and biometrics recorded.
25. **Choose whether you want your passport delivered or picked up at the DFA Consular Office.** If you choose to have your passport delivered, go to the Delivery counter for additional information about this particular service. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Philippine-Passport", "language": "en"} |
How to Cut Your Own Bangs | Are you tired of making the trip and paying the money to go to a salon just to have your bangs cut? You can start saving time and money now by cutting your bangs yourself! Whether you want blunt, side, or curtain bangs, shearing your own locks is an easy task that you can easily do at home.
1. **Part your hair to create a triangle in your roots.** Take a comb and place the tip of it 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) above your hairline, in the center of your head. You may need to go a bit further back, like 1 in (2.5 cm) or even to the high, flat part of your head where a comb will balance. Then, draw a downward diagonal line from the center of your head to the end of your eyebrow. Then, repeat on the other side. Pull your bangs section towards the middle to separate it from the rest of your hair.
You should have a triangle-like shape with the point a few inches above your hairline. The sides of the triangle should slope down along the sides of your forehead.
Comb the triangle of bangs forward and pin the rest of your hair back or put it in a ponytail to keep it out of your face.
2. **Dampen your hair if you're trimming grown-out straight bangs.** If this is your first time cutting your bangs, it's a good idea to keep your hair dry so you can cut it the exact length that you want it. If you're just trimming your bangs, spritz some water onto them so your hair is going in the right direction and lying flat on your forehead.
Try using a flat iron on dry bangs to make them straight. It's important that your bangs don't have any wave to them so you can make a straight cut.
Keep in mind that doing this with dry hair will be more accurate, but it may also be more difficult. Mist your hair all over with water to get the best results.
3. **Determine the length and angle of your bang.** Straight bangs come in different styles, so figure out exactly how you want them to look before you cut them. Some people like their bangs to go straight across their forehead above their eyebrows for an edgier look, and others like longer bangs that angle down as they meet with the rest of their hair.
4. **Hold the triangle of hair between 2 fingers to create a straight line.** Gather the triangle of bangs and grasp the hair between your index and middle fingers so it's even with the tip of your nose. Your bangs won't be this long, but it's a good starting point in case the bangs don't look perfect right away.
5. **Cut across the hair in front of your fingers in a straight horizontal line.** Make a clean snip across the section of hair. Then, move up ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) and follow the same process to create another horizontal cut. Continue cutting your bangs in ⁄4 in (0.64 cm) increments until you reach the desired length. Use a mirror to check the length and make sure both sides of your bangs are even.
If your bangs are damp, comb them gently to avoid stretching the hair. Cut them ⁄2 in (1.3 cm) longer than the desired length because the hair will shrink up when it dries.
If you want your bangs to angle downward at the ends, cut straight across from the middle of one eye to the middle of the opposite eye. Once you reach that point, begin to cut at a downward angle. Move to the other eye and cut at a downward angle until you reach the rest of your hair. The angle can be as steep or as subtle as you like.
It can help to gather your bangs and twist them once before you cut the straight line. This creates a rounded edge on both sides of your bangs, so the bangs are shorter in the front and longer on the sides.
6. **Soften the bottom edge of your bangs by making small snips at the tips.** Once your bangs are at your desired length, make them look more natural by taking your scissors and making small snips at the tips of your bangs. Keep the scissors parallel to the strands in your hair. Skip this if you want super blunt bangs with a very straight.
You can also use thinning shears for this.
7. **Style your bangs with a round brush or flat iron.** Straight bangs usually need more attention, so blow dry them with a round brush when you're styling your hair. If you want your bangs to be super straight and flat, straighten them with flat iron once they're dry.
If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, dry your bangs with a flat brush. Hold the brush close to your forehead and move it behind the dryer from roots to ends so you aren't adding volume to your bangs.
8. **Brush your hair and create a side part where you normally part it.** Take a fine-tooth comb and brush your hair until it is smooth and tangle-free. For side bangs, you will need to create a side part. Part your hair to the side it naturally falls on.
9. **Comb the sectioned hair forward.** Taking the tip of a comb, draw a part 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) behind your hairline, perpendicular to your side part. (In other words, from side-to-side, rather than front-to-back.) If you're looking for thicker bangs, you can draw a part farther back. This separates your bangs from the rest of your hair.
10. **Find the highest tip of your eyebrow.** Measure a line upwards from the highest tip of your eyebrow to your hairline. Make a part where that line ends. Move the hair on one side of the part towards the middle of your forehead and pin the hair on the side of your head back to keep it out of the way.
You should now have a section of hair in the front center of your face that is separated from the rest of your hair.
If you already have bangs, you should have a width already determined, so take your preexisting longer bangs and part them towards the middle, also separating them from the hairline.
11. **Pull your bangs up and look at them from the side.** They should be about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) thick. If you want thicker bangs, pull more hair forward from the horizontal part behind your hairline. If you want thinner bangs, do the opposite by pulling less hair forward from your hairline part.
12. **Pin back the rest of your hair.** Pull back the rest of your hair with a clip or bobby pins to separate it from your bangs. This will make it easier to cut your bangs without worrying about cutting the rest of your hair.
13. **Run a comb through your bangs so they're smooth and straight.** This may require you to dampen your hair with a spray bottle if your hair is naturally curly and your bangs have some bounce. Lightly mist your hair with a spray bottle and comb through so that your bangs are flat. If your hair is naturally wavy or straight, cutting bangs in dry hair is best so that you won't cut them too short.
Never soak your bangs or make them completely wet. Your hair is longer when it is wet, so when it dries it will be shorter. To avoid cutting bangs that are too short, try to cut your bangs with slightly wet or dry hair.
If your hair is very wet before you cut your bangs, blow dry them until they're 80% dry. When blow drying, make sure you are brushing bangs straight down, or in the opposite direction of your part. Don't blow dry bangs downward in the direction they normally would lie. This creates a "rainbow effect" in which your bangs have a high arch to them. It's difficult to cut bangs when they are like this, so it's better to create some volume in the opposite direction.
14. **Determine the length of your bangs.** Before you cut your bangs you'll want to decide how long you want your bangs. You may want bangs that cover your eye, or you might want bangs that start above your eyebrow. If you're not sure, you can always start with longer bangs and cut them shorter.
15. **Cut at an angle.** Section your hair along a diagonal line and pull it perpendicular to that line. In other words, your hair should be pulled out to the side of your head at a 45-degree angle. Then, bring any other hair you will be cutting out to this angle before cutting. Hold your bangs between your pointer and middle finger and cut the hair below your fingers.
If you aren't sure how long you want your bangs, start by cutting at the tip of your nose and ending in a diagonal at the bottom of your ear. This will create long, side-swept bangs.
Make sure you are using scissors specifically designed for hair, as this will give you the best cut.
If you want shorter bangs, start near the top of the nose, in line with the eye, and cut at a downward diagonal towards the middle of your ear.
Always cut bangs longer when you start off -- you can always cut them shorter as you go, but you don't want your first cut to be too short, because there's no way to rewind from there. You can try cutting in ⁄2 in (1.3 cm) increments to make sure you don't cut too much of your bang off.
16. **Snip the ends of the bangs to create a softer, more natural look.** After you have cut your bangs you may notice that there is a very straight line in your bangs. This tends to look awkward and unnatural, so you may want to give your bangs a little definition. Lift the hair back up to a 45-degree angle and cut parallel to the strands of hair in your bangs, making small snips at the tips of your bangs.
If your hair is really thick or you want your bangs to have an even more natural look, you can use a razor made for hair or a hair thinning tool to thin out the ends of your bangs.
17. **Style your bangs like you normally would.** Use a blow dryer and a round brush, brushing your bangs up from the roots towards the ceiling or towards the back of your head. You never want to blow dry your bangs by brushing them straight down as this will leave your bangs with little volume. You can also run a flat iron through your bangs by pulling the flat iron upwards at your roots to create volume.
You can also blow dry your bangs in the opposite direction of where they naturally fall to make them lay flat and give them a bit of curl at the bottom. As they are close to being dry, flip them back over and blow dry as usual.
18. **Use a comb to part your dry hair down the middle.** Place the tip of your comb in the center of your front hairline (about halfway between your eyes). Pull the comb straight back to the crown of your head to create a center part. Try to make your center part as straight as possible.
19. **Create a triangle of hair 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) from your hairline.** Put the end of your comb on your center part 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) from your hairline. Run the comb from this center point straight down to the arch of 1 eyebrow and comb that hair forward. Do the same thing with the other side/your other eyebrow arch to separate a triangle of hair for your bangs.
Tuck the rest of your hair behind your ears or pin it back with hair clips to keep it out of the way.
20. **Dampen the separated hair with water and comb it out.** Damp hair is easier to cut, so spritz a little water on the triangle of hair that you just separated. Then, run a comb from your front hairline down to the ends of the sectioned hair to smooth it out and remove any bumps or tangles.
21. **Hold the hair between 2 horizontal fingers at chin or nose length.** Grasp the hair between your index and middle finger and run the fingers down the sectioned hair. If your hair is really long, bring your fingers to chin level. If your hair is medium length, bring your fingers to nose level.
22. **Cut straight across the hair under your fingers.** Use your fingers as a guide to make a straight, horizontal cut all the way across the sectioned hair. Once you've removed the length, part the separated hair down the middle to create 2 sections.
23. **Comb half the bangs and make an angled cut ⁄2 in (1.3 cm) from the ends.** Tuck half of the bangs behind your ear so you can concentrate on the other half. Angle the comb at your front hairline so it lines up with the slope of the triangle. Comb the bangs out smooth, tuck the hair between 2 fingers at the hairline, and run your fingers down to the ends. Make an angled cut under your fingers about ⁄2 in (1.3 cm) from the ends.
Then, do the same thing on the other half of your bangs.
Cutting at an angle creates the soft sloping edge of your curtain bangs.
24. **Blow dry your bangs, part them in the middle, and flat iron them.** You don't have to do this, but it can soften the edges of the bangs and create a little more texture. Use a round brush to dry the hair, then part your bangs down the center. Use a flat iron to smooth out each side of curtain bangs. Then, use texturizing shears to thin out and soften the ends of your bangs. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Your-Own-Bangs", "language": "en"} |
How to Publish Your Own Music Album | There are more ways than ever before to share your music album with the world, which is a great thing for an artist. However, this rapid expansion of options has perhaps made publishing an album a bit more confusing. It is worthwhile to go through the process, though, because publishing is typically a key element in earning royalties. You can become a music publisher and publish your album yourself, or work with various publishing entities to register and circulate your music.
1. **Publish your album if you’re looking to earn money from it.** In the simplest of terms, you want to publish your music because of the money. If you want all the money due from a public performance of your song (such as radio play), the song (and/or album) should be published by a music publisher and registered with a performing rights organization (PRO).
You can try to find a reputable music publisher who’s willing to take you on as a client, or publish your own music and register with a PRO.
It is possible that you may be able to register your music with a PRO and earn royalties without working with or becoming a publisher. Consult an attorney for the laws and rules where you live and/or create music.
2. **Select a performing rights organization.** In the U.S., you can choose between three PROs: ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Look them up on the Internet, gather information on them, and choose the one that best suits your needs.
As a publisher, you can register with multiple PROs, but you can only (and need only) register a single work (like an album) with one PRO.
Outside the U.S., look for PROs that operate in your country, such as SOCAN in Canada.
3. **Choose a name for your publishing business.** To become the publisher of your own album, you’ll need to create a business name. It's suggested that you pick three names out, just in case your first preference is already being used. PROs (and you) do not want the money you should be receiving going to someone else, so they will reject names that are even similar to names already registered with their or another organization.
4. **Form your business** After the name clearance with your chosen PRO, you should form a business in your state or country. This process will vary based upon where you live and/or operate, but may be fairly simple if your business is just going to be you.
However, if more than one person is involved in the business (such as co-writers, band mates, etc.), it's strongly recommended that you form a more structured business, for example a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Corporation. The operating agreement or by-laws for the business should address who does what, who owns what, how members are compensated, how new members join, and how members can leave.
It is entirely possible to set up a LLC or alternate business entity without assistance, but it may be easier for you to consult with a knowledgeable attorney.
5. **Register your album (as its publisher) with your chosen PRO.** After acceptance of your publisher application by the organization, each of your songs/albums published by your publishing company should be registered with the organization. Register your new album, and make sure to include the name of your publisher (the company you’ve created) and your PRO on distributed copies of your album (physical or digital).
For example: If your songs are played, the radio station lets ASCAP know that they played your songs and sends ASCAP a check. ASCAP then looks up the album on their registration, finds it registered to “Your Name Music Publishing,” and cuts you a check.
6. **Think about using an established music publisher.** Do so especially if you prefer a more hands-off approach to publishing your album. The publishing rights organizations (PROs) that operate in your country will likely have online lists of affiliated publishers, possibly searchable by the titles of songs they have published. You can also check out the liner notes of your favorite CDs and see who the publishers are.
Landing a successful publisher is far from a sure thing, of course. Try to build up a network of contacts with various publishers, artists, and others in the music business, and be prepared to be turned down one or maybe many times.
7. **Consider utilizing a publishing administrator instead.** A publishing administrator performs essentially the same functions as a traditional publisher, but is a more recent creation of the digital age. If you are particularly concerned about proper royalty collection when your album is downloaded, streamed, or used online, signing up with a publishing administrator — such as TuneCore, for example — might be worth your consideration.
A publishing administrator may charge a one-time fee (for example $75 U.S.) and a percentage of your royalties (perhaps 10-20%) for its services.
Make sure the publishing administrator has an existing working relationship with the PRO you are using, so that the process of collecting and distributing your royalties is streamlined.
8. **Work directly with an online music service as another option.** If you want to focus on publishing and disseminating your album through a particular online music service (such as iTunes, Google Play, etc.), you may be able to work directly with them. Once again, similar to a traditional publisher or a third-party publishing administrator, you will pay a fee and surrender a percentage of your royalties/revenues in return for having the administrative work done for you.
For example, the Google Play Artist Hub charges an initial fee and thirty percent of your revenues in return for global distribution of your album across the company’s various music platforms.
9. **Decide if a little more money or time is most valuable to you.** Basically, if you are willing to spend the time to do the administrative work, you can become the publisher of your own album and collect one hundred percent of any royalties it earns. However, if administrative tasks are not your strong suit, or you simply prefer to focus your energies on creating and sharing your music, it may be worth the initial payments and royalty reductions to sign on with an existing publisher/administrator.
10. **Copyright** Technically speaking, your music is copyrighted as soon as you create it. In practical terms, though, registering your copyright according to the procedures in the nation where you live and/or operate applies legal “teeth” to the copyright you possess.
In the United States, for example, you can submit a digital or physical copy of your album to www.copyright.gov, pay the fee (currently $35), wait several months for processing, and receive a copyright registration that will protect the ownership of your musical creation in U.S. and many international courts of law.
Whether you’re working with a publisher, acting as your own publisher, or not using a publisher at all, register the copyright for your work. Protect your legal rights to your album.
11. **Upload your music.** Just like registering your copyright, signing up with a PRO or utilizing a publisher (whether yourself or someone else) is not legally required. Instead, it is simply a better way to protect your rights and claim any money due to you by way of your album. If, for you, “publishing” simply means getting your album into the hands of listeners, you can upload your music to your chosen social media pages, personal websites, Spotify and so on.
If you’re an independent artist looking to distribute your album freely and start to make a name for yourself, this simpler approach might work; if you’re seeking to control dissemination and earnings, follow a more structured publishing approach.
12. **Make CDs and sell or hand them out.** Once again, depending upon your definition and expectations, publishing can be as simple as making up a batch of CDs of your album and selling them (or giving them out) at a coffee shop, flea market, or other venue. This may be your easiest route if you’re a new, independent artist trying to spread the word locally. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Publish-Your-Own-Music-Album", "language": "en"} |
How to Care for Dogs with Distemper | Your first line of action when caring for a dog with distemper is to recognize the symptoms. Once you have recognized the symptoms in your dog, contact your vet immediately, and separate your sick dog from other pets. When treating your dog, make sure your dog is hydrated. If your dog refuses to drink, you might have to offer them water with a syringe. Finally, your dog may develop neurological problems, like seizures, in the later stages of distemper. If your dog suffers from a seizure, remain calm and comfort your dog before and after the seizure.
1. **Recognize the symptoms.** The first sign of distemper in dogs is eye-discharge that can be watery to pus-like. Your dog may also develop a fever or a cough, have nasal discharge, become lethargic, vomit, have a reduced appetite, and diarrhea.
Later symptoms may include neurological problems like seizures, twitching, and partial or complete paralysis. However, these symptoms may show up earlier in puppies.
A dog's normal temperature ranges from 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The most common signs of a fever in dogs are red eyes, lack of energy, warm ears, warm, dry nose, shivering, loss of appetite, coughing, and vomiting.
2. **Separate your dog from other dogs and animals.** If you suspect that your dog is either sick or coming down with distemper, make sure to separate your dog from any other pets you own. Distemper is very contagious, and dogs usually become infected through airborne exposure. Healthy dogs can also become infected through secondhand contact, such as contact with the infected dog's toys, water and food bowls, and bedding.
Place your dog’s bed, toys, food and water bowls in a separate room. While treating your dog, confine your dog to this room to decrease contact with other pets. If you need to let your dog out, make sure your other pets are in a separate room.
3. **Consult your veterinarian.** If you identify early signs of distemper in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately. Let the office know that you are worried your dog might be developing a case of distemper. This way, the vet can see your dog immediately. Your veterinarian will administer routine blood tests to rule out any other possibilities, and to confirm that it is distemper.
Call the office and say, "Hi, this is Kristen. I am very worried that my dog might have distemper. My dog is showing signs of eye and nasal discharge, and I cannot get it to eat food or drink water. I would like to see the vet immediately. When can I come in?"
4. **Make sure your dog stays warm.** When your dog is sick, it is important to keep it warm, especially if it has a fever and chills. Provide your dog with extra blankets to keep your dog warm. You can also fill a hot water bottle with hot water to provide extra warmth.
Wrap the hot water bottle with a cloth and place it underneath your dog’s blankets near its body.
5. **Know how your vet will treat distemper.** Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper. Therefore, treatment usually consists of supportive care, and efforts to control symptoms associated with distemper, such as dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea, and neurological problems.
Your vet will prescribe medications that can control vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures, and administer fluids if your dog becomes severely dehydrated.
6. **Know the symptoms of dehydration.** Symptoms of dehydration are reduced skin elasticity, pale and dry gums, sunken eyes, concentrated urine, lethargy, and increased heart rate.
Check skin elasticity by lifting the skin between your dog’s shoulder blades. If the skin slowly springs back or stays lifted, then your dog is dehydrated to severely dehydrated.
If your dog is severely dehydrated, take it to the vet immediately. The vet can administer fluids intravenously.
7. **Monitor your dog’s water and food intake.** If you notice that your dog’s water bowl is still full after an hour or two, try placing the water bowl in front of your dog. If your dog refuses to drink, then you will need to administer fluids manually. A dog should be drinking one ounce of water for each pound of body weight. If your dog weighs 20 pounds (9.07 kg), then it should be drinking at least 20 ounces (567 grams) of water a day.
A loss of appetite is another symptom of distemper. If your dog will not eat its regular, dry food, then try feeding your dog softer, canned food. Additionally, you can try feeding your dog baby food, particularly the meats.
If the dog is vomiting, then do not feed him.
8. **Rehydrate your dog with a syringe.** If your dog refuses to drink water, you will need to rehydrate your dog manually with a syringe. You can buy a syringe from a pet supply store. Fill the syringe with water. If your dog will not open its mouth, it is ok. Just lift your dog’s lip and administer the water near the back part of the jaw and near the gums. Your dog will reflexively swallow the water.
You will need to give your dog one cup of water per 40 pounds (18.14 kg) of body weight every two to three hours.
If your dog is also vomiting, give the water gradually in the beginning, for example, one or two tablespoons every 15 minutes.
9. **Liquefy your dog’s meals.** If your dog will not eat canned food, you will need to liquefy your dog’s food and administer it with a syringe. You can liquefy canned food by blending it with water and/or milk. To make the food more appealing, you can add small amounts of smelly foods, such as liverwurst, or chicken and beef liver.
You can also feed your dog nourishing liquids, like plain chicken broth (without onions and spices). Chicken broth not only provides nutrients, but it will also hydrate your dog.
10. **Administer appetite-stimulating medication.** Appetite-stimulating medication will increase your dog’s appetite. Consult your veterinarian before administering these medications. Your vet will be able to diagnose the severity of your dog’s inappetence, and prescribe an appropriate medication.
11. **Recognize the symptoms of an oncoming seizure.** After your dog has recovered from respiratory signs, sickness, and diarrhea, your dog might develop neurological problems like seizures, twitching, and paralysis. A common symptom of an oncoming seizure in your dog is an aura. If your dog is experiencing an aura, you will notice a change in your dog’s behavior. This period can last for seconds or hours.
For example, your dog may become more vocal, like whining or barking, shy away at nothing, become nervous, or salivate.
12. **Stay calm.** If your dog is beginning to seize or experience auras, do not stress out. Instead, talk to your dog in a soothing, reassuring voice. This will comfort both you and your dog.
You can say for example, “It’s ok. I’m here. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I will be right next to you.” While you are saying this, reassure your dog by petting it.
13. **Move sharp objects away from your dog.** Your dog will not be able to control its movements during a seizure. Therefore, remove potentially sharp or dangerous objects away from your dog to prevent it from hurting itself. Also, do not put your hand in your dog’s mouth to hold down its tongue. Your dog could accidentally bite you if you do this.
Time the duration of the seizure with a watch or your phone. This will be important information that you can report to your vet. If the seizures last a long time, this can be very dangerous.
14. **Offer your dog comfort when it is over.** When the episode is over, comfort your dog immediately. Your dog will be confused and disoriented. Comfort your dog by petting it and talking to it in a soothing voice. Have your dog lie down in its bed to prevent it from walking and bumping into things.
Say in a soothing voice, "You're ok. I am here for you. You'e a good girl. Everything will be ok. Don't worry."
15. **Contact your veterinarian.** Tell your vet that your dog just had a seizure. They will most likely ask you to bring your dog into the office. Relate to your vet what happened during the seizure and how long it lasted. A long seizure is a seizure that lasts for one minute or longer. Your vet may prescribe a medication, or discuss other options to prevent any future seizures.
You can say, "Hi, Janice. My dog had a seizure yesterday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. Before the actual seizure, my dog began to act frightened and confused. She was whimpering. By the time I went over to see what was up, she had collapsed on her side. While on her side, her feet were moving in a circular motion. This went on for about six to eight seconds. Afterwards, she seemed very confused." | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Dogs-with-Distemper", "language": "en"} |
How to Throw a Golf Disc | Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a fun sport and a great way to get some exercise. The backhand and forehand are the primary throws used in the game, and both are quick and easy to learn. With a little practice, you’ll be getting hole-in-ones in no time.
1. **Stand sideways to the target and place your weight on your back foot.** Point your dominant shoulder at the target, in the same way as if you were hitting a baseball. This helps the golf disc to fly in a straight line. Point your feet straight in front of your body so that they form a 90-degree angle with the target.
A backhand throw is the most basic throw in disc golf and is used 90% of the time.
Avoid facing the front of your body toward the target, as this will cause the golf disc to veer off on an angle.
2. **Grip the disc with your thumb on top and your fingers underneath.** Hold the golf disc in your dominant hand and then place your thumb on top of the disc to secure it in your hand. Move your fingers around until they are in a comfortable position and the disc feels secure in your hand.
Avoid placing any of your fingers along the side of the golf disc, as this can shorten the distance that the disc flies.
Continue to experiment with the positioning of your fingers until you find a position that works well for you.
3. **Hold your arm straight and pull it behind you.** Position the golf disc behind the shoulder of your throwing arm. Outstretch your arm so that you have the maximum amount of leverage from which to throw the golf disc. Keep experimenting with this position until you find a stature that feels comfortable for you.
Aim to hold the disc at about waist height.
Practice this position in the mirror so that you can easily see how your body is positioned.
4. **Hold the golf disc flat.** This is the easiest way to increase the distance of your throw. If your golf disc is angled upward, it will quickly lose momentum and fly down toward the ground. If the disc is angled downward, it will hit the ground before using all its potential momentum. Hold your wrist flat and then line up your golf disc with your wrist.
Try to maintain this flat position throughout your throw.
5. **Swing your arm forward and release the golf disc.** Quickly bring your elbow toward the target and let your hand naturally follow behind it. When your elbow reaches your belly button, outstretch your arm. Release the golf disc when your wrist is pointing toward the target. Keep the golf disc at waist height as you make the throw.
The faster you bring your arm toward the target, the faster and further the golf disc will fly.
Keep your eye on the target, rather than on your golf disc. This will help to improve the accuracy of your throw.
Practice the throwing movement slowly to help you master each aspect of the throw. Increase the speed and power of your throw as you get more confident.
6. **Transfer your weight to your front foot as you make the throw.** Once your elbow reaches the middle of your body, place your weight onto your front foot. This will help to increase the momentum of your throw.
If you find that you are getting a little off balance, bend your front leg slightly.
7. **Allow your arm to continue swinging after you release the disc.** Following through will help to increase the distance of your throw and helps to prevent injuries. Allow your arm to keep swinging toward the target. The faster that you throw the golf disc; the further your arm will naturally follow through.
8. **Grip the disc between your thumb and middle finger.** Place your middle finger flat against the inside rim of the disc with your palm facing the disc. Put your thumb on top of the disc above your middle finger to secure the disc in your hand. Let the web between your thumb and index finger rest on the outside rim. Place your index finger on top of your middle finger to give the throw extra strength.
This position tends to be uncomfortable for beginners but becomes easier over time. Keep practicing!
Hold the disc firmly to give you good control of the throw.
The top of the golf disc may bend a little from the pressure of your thumb, which is normal.
9. **Stand sideways to the target with your feet shoulder-width apart.** Point your non-throwing shoulder toward the target. This gives you a good solid base from which to throw the disc. Bend your knees slightly to give you extra stability.
If your throws aren’t very accurate, check that your non-throwing shoulder is pointing toward the target. This helps to guide the throw in the right direction.
10. **Hold the disc flat and pull your arm back away from the target.** Hold your forearm horizontally and then pull it back behind you to a comfortable position. Experiment with different starting positions until you find one that feels natural.
Keep your wrist in a horizontal position, as this helps the disc to fly straight. Try to maintain this horizontal position throughout the throw.
11. **Flick your wrist and forearm forward and release the golf disc.** Keep your forearm in a horizontal position as you quickly bring it forward. Release the disc when your wrist is pointing toward the target. The momentum of the flick will propel the disc into the air. The faster that you flick your wrist; the further the disc will fly.
You may notice that your hips turn slightly as you flick your forearm. This is natural and helps to make the movement nice and smooth. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-a-Golf-Disc", "language": "en"} |